REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS STRATEGIC WEB DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

Transcription

1 Issued: August 2, 2013 Due: August 23, 2013 Project need REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS STRATEGIC WEB DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT The Atlanta Development Authority d/b/a Invest Atlanta ( Invest Atlanta ) is soliciting responses to this Request for Proposals ( RFP ) from interested and qualified firms or individuals wishing to design and launch a new Invest Atlanta website. The primary purpose for engaging a consultant is to enhance the content, look and functionality of Invest Atlanta s website to reflect the activity, vitality, and stature of Invest Atlanta, and to align the site with Invest Atlanta s branding. The website needs to create higher online visibility for Invest Atlanta, provide resources and tools for site visitors, and elevate the experience of the users visiting the site. Invest Atlanta will provide support and content migration for remaining site pages. The objectives of the website are: Build and reinforce Invest Atlanta s brand with the Public; Enhance the user interface that clearly communicates programs, incentives and benefits of doing business and living in Atlanta; Optimize search engine recognition in order to promote Invest Atlanta services and programs both nationally and internationally; User-friendly search functionality within the website; Encourage visitors to interact regularly with the website; Track the number of visitors and their geographical locations (preferably) per day; Provide the public with easy access to information as required by the Georgia Open Meetings and Open Records Acts. About Invest Atlanta Invest Atlanta was created and is existing under and by virtue of the Development Authorities Law, activated by a resolution of the Council of the City of Atlanta, Georgia (the "City") and currently operates as a public body corporate and politic and instrumentality of the State of Georgia. Invest Atlanta was created to promote the revitalization and growth of the City and serves as the City s Economic Development Agency. Invest Atlanta is the cornerstone of an overall effort to provide economic and development services in a more effective and efficient manner. Its purpose is to strengthen Atlanta s economy and global competitiveness in order to create increased opportunity and prosperity for the people of Atlanta. Invest Atlanta is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors, chaired by the 1

2 Mayor of Atlanta. Invest Atlanta s programs and initiatives focus on developing and fostering publicprivate partnerships to accelerate job creation/economic growth, neighborhood revitalization/investment and innovation/entrepreneurship. Invest Atlanta s economic tools include bond financing, revolving loan funds, housing financing, tax increment financing and tax credits. How we plan to work together The goal is to re-launch an updated website by December 1, An internal team has been assembled to work with the selected consultant to retool the existing approximately 100-page website and to launch a new website representative of the mission, purpose and activities of Invest Atlanta. The internal advisory committee will consist of the web-master, and a representative from each of Invest Atlanta s 5 operating departments. The internal advisory committee will be available for strategy sessions and select reviews. All meetings will be held in our Peachtree Atlanta office. We anticipate and request a highly collaborative, efficient and effective process. In your response, please describe successes with similar projects and clearly outline an approach to working together in this way with Invest Atlanta. Specifically, the consultant will deliver the following services: Strategic plan Work with Invest Atlanta to define goals, audience, and communication requirements. Perform analysis with internal team to consolidate and improve existing content. Produce a written strategic plan with milestones and deliverables to chart the course for the project. Project definition Develop and create a new web presence for Invest Atlanta. Define the scope of technologies, services and features best suited to meet the strategic needs of the Invest Atlanta and the need for a new website. Content in both electronic and paper format Emphasis should be on providing robust imagery, news, videos and photos, all of which might possibly be broken out geographically into map-driven pages. Update or create content to improve keyword research/search engine optimization. Developing a content matrix (mapping all the content to the new design ) Content creation (Up to 15 new pages OR Editing of up to 30 existing pages) Project management oversight Coding & Development Test content migration (5 pages) Site pages beyond templates 2

3 Structure, Navigation and Design Present wireframes and navigation options and refine and develop the selected option. Develop initial design comps (Photoshop) based on approved wireframes. Comps will include up to two home pages, and approximately ten interior pages. Provide up to three rounds of revisions on the initial comps. Extend approved design across all specified template levels. Provide one round of revisions on all design comps. Produce all necessary graphics for the site interface. Implement info-graphic designs. Develop a graphic standards guide for use in the site production. Strategically lay out the content so as to enable the users to navigate and reach the desired section within the entire website in no more than 3 clicks. A sitemap of the website with the proposed structure. User interface Collaborate with Invest Atlanta to describe the design constraints of the technology. Share best-practices recommendations. Program and implement the user interface based on the approved graphic design scheme. Contractor will provide native PSD files to Invest Atlanta as a template for each level. Implement the graphic design standard across the breadth of the site and create any additional elements in keeping with the design set forth by the existing Invest Atlanta brand. Online tool 1 (Site Finder or similar) up to 3 wireframes Online tool 2 (Down payment Qualification or similar) up to 3 wireframes Develop a platform that will allow for fillable applications and facilitate payment online. Technology Provide a straightforward, template-based content management system for use by multiple Invest Atlanta team members for updating the site after its initial launch; Invest Atlanta Team members must be able to easily update and upload multimedia content, including videos, photos and widgets. This system must not require knowledge of code or the assistance of IT staff or a technical consultant - and must make maintaining the integrity of the agreed-upon style sheets simple and extremely consistent. Provide content management administration that can be accessed remotely by multiple users and governed by access rights. Provide a training session(s) to teach Invest Atlanta staff to administer and use the content management system; a user guide and technical document must be provided in the event that another vendor will need to provide maintenance services. Provide any necessary software or licenses as required for content management (all costs associated with content management must be included in the fee proposal). Provide search capabilities. Provide for the inclusion or future addition of select multimedia features such as video or animation and third party software integration such as databases. 3

4 Implement a system to gather analytical information about the site using existing Google Analytics platform. Must provide all source files in both deliverable and editable formats. Track the number of users and their geographical locations visiting the website. Quality assurance and testing Create a beta site for Invest Atlanta s review. The beta site will test both the site and the content management system. Develop test cases for various platforms, software and conditions. Report and correct any problems. Required Submittals Cover letter providing an introduction to the firm or team and the areas of expertise of the firm. Executive Summary briefly stating approach and proposed costs Full name; address; and phone and fax numbers of the organization and the branch office or other subordinate entity that will perform or assist in performing the services described therein. If responding as a team, the lead firm should be designated with a project manager identified as the single point of contact. Indicate the type of firm ownership (individual, partnership or corporation) and explain any proposed joint venture relationships. Include the state in which the firm is incorporated or licensed to operate and provide a valid insurance certification. Corporate background and capabilities The proposed team and their qualifications A list of any sub-contractors, their role, qualifications and key personnel Demonstrated qualifications including a relevant client list accompanied by URLs Describe your methodology and approach to collaborating with Invest Atlanta, including design and functionality in particular Project approach including tasks in each phase, deliverables, meetings and milestones, and schedule Approximate fees, including costs of any anticipated third party software and estimated travel and other expenses Standard hourly rates for additional services beyond scope of this request List three professional references who are previous customers, including contact name, phone number, website URL, and address for each reference. Sub-Consultants as part of the Project team must be clearly identified in the Response, including roles, resumes of key personnel and project references. Schedule August 2, 2013 RFP issued August 9, 2013 Last day to submit questions August 23, 2013 All responses due by 2 PM at Invest Atlanta offices Week of September : Notification of intent to interview Week of September 16: Interviews in Invest Atlanta office Week of September 23: Successful bidder notified 4

5 October 1, 2013: Project kick-off December 15, 2013: Website Completed Submission parameters All questions regarding this solicitation must be directed to Eloisa Klementich at Questions are due by August 9, Responses will be compiled with responses and issued to all bidders via by August 16, Submittals must include the items listed above and are limited to sixteen 8 ½ x 11 pages. All responses to this Request for Proposals must be submitted in hard copy (one original, and two copies 8 ½ x 11 printed double-sided) and on CD in Adobe Acrobat format by no later than 2 p.m. on August 23, Submittals received after this time and date will not be considered. Submit responses to: Invest Atlanta Attn: Daphne Crosby Business Development Administrator 133 Peachtree Street Suite 2900 Atlanta, GA While the Consultant will be asked to provide an estimated lump sum fee for the requested services, final fees will be negotiated following the selection of the Consultant. If fee negotiations with the firm determined most qualified are not successful, and/or the fees discussed are outside the budgetary constraints for the project, Invest Atlanta reserves the right to suspend negotiations with the most qualified firm, and proceed to other firms. The Consultant will also be expected to provide a summary of assumptions used to determine its fee. Provide cost estimating for any services or features described during this phase but not already included in the scope. No late responses will be accepted. All proposals and supporting materials as well as correspondence relating to this RFP become property of Invest Atlanta when received. Any proprietary information contained in the Response should be so indicated. However, a general indication that the entire contents, or a major portion, of the proposal is proprietary will not be honored. All applicable State of Georgia and Federal Laws, City and County ordinances, licenses and regulations of all agencies having jurisdiction shall apply to the Consultant and Project throughout and incorporated herein. The contract with the selected Consultant, and all questions concerning the execution, validity or invalidity, capability of the parties, and the performance of the contract, shall be interpreted in all respects in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia. Equal Business Opportunity and Equal Employment Opportunity Invest Atlanta encourages, but does not require, all proposers to promote opportunities for diverse businesses, including Minority Business Enterprises ( MBE ), Female Business Enterprises ( FBE ) and Small Business Enterprises ( SBE ) to compete for business as subcontractors and/or suppliers. However, nothing herein should indicate that an MBE, FBE or SBE may not apply and be selected 5

6 independently, as MBEs, FBEs, and SBEs that meet the qualifications of this RFP are encouraged to submit their qualifications for consideration. For an MBE, FBE or SBE to participate on the contract said MBE, FBE or SBE must be certified as an MBE or FBE and be registered with the City of Atlanta Office of Contract Compliance s M/FBE Register. SBEs must be registered with the City of Atlanta and are defined as businesses not exceeding $2.5 million in gross sales during the recent calendar or fiscal year. Firms interested in obtaining applications for certification should contact either of the following organizations: City of Atlanta Office of Contract Compliance (MBE/FBE): Hubert Owens, Acting Director, Office of Contract Compliance, 55 Trinity Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia 30303, Tel: , Fax: Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) certification by the U.S. Small Business Administration provided they reflect certification because of minority or women-owned status. A firm selected by the proposer can only satisfy one of the three categories. The same firm may not, for example, be listed for participation as a MBE organization and a SBE organization even if the level of participation exceeds each category's goal. All firms must be registered or certified prior to the submittal of the proposal. A proposer is at risk in that there may be an issue of time to certify or register if it intends to use a firm that is not certified or registered at the time the Proposal is submitted. Invest Atlanta is an Equal-Opportunity Employer. Evaluation Metrics Need the point allocations to evaluate proposals. SAVE and E-Verify Compliance E-Verify Affidavit. All Proponents/Bidders for a project to be awarded by Invest Atlanta must comply with the Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act, O.C.G.A , et seq. (IIREA), formerly known as the Georgia Security & Immigration Compliance Act. This bid/solicitation is subject to the Georgia Security & Immigration Compliance Act. Pursuant thereto you are notified that all services physically performed within the State of Georgia must be accompanied by proof of your registration with the E-Verify Program, as well as verification of your continuing and future participation in the E- Verify program established by the United States Department of Homeland Security. A completed E- Verify Contractor Affidavit must be submitted to Invest Atlanta with your proposal. Your firm must attest to compliance with the requirements of O.C.G.A and the Georgia Department of Labor Rule by executing the attached Contractor Affidavit. S.A.V.E. Affidavit. In addition to E-Verify, Invest Atlanta is required by the SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) Program to verify the status of anyone who applies for a public benefit from Invest Atlanta. Benefits are defined by state statute, O.C.G.A , by federal statute, 8 U.S.C and 8 U.S.C. 1621, and by the Office of the Attorney General of Georgia. Contracts with Invest 6

7 Atlanta are considered public benefits. Beginning on January 1, 2012, any person obtaining a public benefit is required to show a secure and verifiable document, and complete the attached SAVE Affidavit. Acceptable documents have been identified by the Office of the Attorney General. Those lists may be found at: Professional Services Insurance Requirements Georgia Statutory Worker s Compensation Insurance Comprehensive General Liability Insurance (a) $1,000,000 limit of liability per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage Professional Liability Insurance Professional Liability Insurance Limit $1,000,000 per Occurrence Insurance company must be authorized to do business in the State of Georgia Dedicated Limits per Project site or location (CG or CG or some other form) Additional insured shall be shown as: The Atlanta Development Authority d/b/a Invest Atlanta The cancellation provision should provide 30 days notice of cancellation. Insurance Company, except Worker s Compensation carrier, must have an A.M. Best Rating of A- 6 or higher. European markets including those based in London and domestic surplus lines markets that operate on a non-admitted basis are exempt from this requirement provided that the contractor s broker/agent can provide financial data to establish that a market is equal to or exceeds the financial strengths associated with the A.M. Best s rating of A-6 or better. Insurance company must be licensed to do business by the Georgia Department of Insurance. Certificates of Insurance, and any subsequent renewals, must reference specific bid/contract by project name and if applicable, project/bid number. The Consultant shall agree to provide complete certified copies of current insurance policies if requested to verify the compliance with these insurance requirements. All insurance coverage required to be provided by the Consultant will be primary over any insurance program carried by Invest Atlanta. Consultant shall incorporate a copy of the insurance requirements as herein provided in each and every subcontract with each and every subcontractor in any tier, and shall require each and every subcontractor of any tier to comply with all such requirements. Consultant agrees that if for any reason subcontractor fails to procure and maintain insurance as required; all such required insurance shall be procured and maintained by Consultant at Consultant s expense. No Consultant or subcontractor shall commence any work of any kind under the contract until all insurance requirements contained in the contract have been complied with and until evidence of such compliance satisfactory to Invest Atlanta as to form and content has been filed. The Accord Certificate of Insurance or a pre-approved substitute is the required form in all cases where reference is made to a Certificate of Insurance or an approved substitute. The Consultant shall agree to waive all rights of subrogation against Invest Atlanta, its officers, directors, officials, employees, and volunteers from losses arising from work performed by the Consultant. The Consultant shall make available, through its records or records of its Insurer, information regarding a specific claim. Any loss run information available from the Contractor or its insurer will be made available to Invest Atlanta upon request. 7

8 INVEST ATLANTA reserves the right to reject any and all responses, to amend the Request for Proposals and the process itself, or to discontinue the process at any time. 8