The Ontario s Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO) is seeking to engage a Mobile Application (App) Developer to develop an Ontario s Highlands app for the Android operating system (OS). Ontario s Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO) is a Destination Marketing and Management Organization (DMMO) established October 2010, pursuant to the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture s request to create an independent, industryled, not-for-profit organization responsible for working with tourism partners to enhance and grow the region s tourism products and marketing activities. The OHTO services provincial tourism Region 11 which encompasses six counties including Haliburton, Lanark, and Renfrew, and parts of Frontenac, Hastings, and Lennox and Addington. Mission Ontario s Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO) will be an industry led collaborative organization whose mandate is to support and grow tourism through organizational development, destination development and marketing. 1. Purpose It is the intent of this Request for Proposal (RFP) and resulting contract to establish an agreement for the professional services of a mobile app developer to plan, create, and produce the official Ontario s Highlands mobile app for the Android OS. The desired result will be the creation of an enhanced digital experience that brings the OHTO, its partners, and businesses to the mobile consumer, with a design and functionality that complements the existing Ontario s Highlands mobile app for Apple devices ( Travel Ontario s Highlands, which is available as a free download in the Apple App Store). The primary theme of the app is to welcome visitors to Ontario s Highlands in a unique, fun, and interactive way, while creating and enhancing awareness of the many elements of the area. The successful bidder must have proven experience in Android mobile application design, development, implementation, and maintenance. They must also be able to make consideration for future needs and functionality. This app will act as a host for tourism information and will be the hub from which Ontario s Highlands accommodations, attraction partners, festival organizers, cultural events, dining establishments, etc, can highlight their businesses and services. This information will be populated from the OHTO s member directory at ohto.ca, and the Android developer will be expected to work with the OHTO s Web Developer of Record to make sure the information is accessed accordingly. 1 P a g e
2. Description 2.1. The OHTO mobile application will require the following features. Proposals are required to include a clear explanation of how these features will be incorporated into a comprehensive, straight-forward user experience. The features listed below are a minimum requirement. Proposals that include fun, interactive elements to enhance the visitor experience (both on and offline) are encouraged. 2.1.1. A searchable business and attraction directory. This directory must be able to pull updated information from the OHTO s online database. The directory must function in such a way as to maintain current, accurate information from said database. 2.1.2. GPS mapping. Users must be able to select an option to view nearby businesses based on their current location, using the native functionality of the device. 2.1.3. Offline mapping. Maps must be available for offline use, without the user having to download additional content (for example, caching a map before it can be available). Offline GPS functionality must also be integrated. 2.1.4. Social media connectivity. The app must be able to connect to the OHTO s social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube), and encourage sharing via the user s personal social media accounts. 2.1.5. Inline coupons or offers. The app must be able to provide a platform for local businesses to offer discounts or special offers to users. Increasing customer traffic to local partners and businesses is a desired outcome. 2.1.6. Online itineraries. The mobile app should have customizable travel itineraries with the ability for users to post the itineraries to the ontarioshighlands.ca website and on social media sites. 2.1.7. News & Events. There must be a section on the mobile app that connects to the OHTO s consumer events calendar at ontarioshighlands.ca. This section must also link to relevant weather feeds, and ideally, the OHTO s social media sites. 2.1.8. Postcards. The mobile app should include customizable postcards that users can complete and send to their friends and family via email, or post to social networking sites. Suitable photography will be provided by the OHTO, but users should also be able to select a photograph from their device to use as the main postcard image. 2.2. Visual appearance shall be consistent through all pages of the application. It will adhere to the Ontario s Highlands consumer brand standards and leverage design elements of the existing Travel Ontario s Highlands app, to ensure a consistent presentation. 2.3. Proposals must describe how the mobile application will be designed in such a way as to attract a large and diverse number of downloads. 2 P a g e
2.4. Proposals shall include a graphical depiction of the look and feel of the mobile application. 2.5. The mobile phone application should be written as such that any Android phone will be able to use it. 2.6. The selected developer is responsible for ensuring that the mobile app is available via online distribution channels (Android Market). The mobile app will be available to consumers as a free download. 3. Estimated Project Duration The contract will begin immediately upon selection of the successful bidder and will continue until the project Launch Date, which will be mutually determined by the successful bidder and the OHTO. 4. Submission Criteria To assist in the selection process, your proposal should address the following questions and requests for information in the order provided: A. Description of services 1. Describe how you would address the requirements outlined in section 2 of this RFP. 2. Describe your project management process. 3. Provide a complete breakdown of the development process to include: Discovery, Specifications, Design, Prototype, Implementation, Testing, and Launch. Include a draft schedule detailing the steps in the process and the expectations of the OHTO at each step. B. Experience 1. Detail your experience as an Android app developer. 2. Describe who on your staff will be dedicated to this project, along with their technical capabilities (qualifications) and experience with similar projects 3. Provide the names of three references and supporting information that will confirm your experience. 4. Please provide a portfolio with 3 to 5 examples of your Android app development experience. C. Fee structure 1. Describe the financial terms and details you are proposing. Prices should be quoted in Canadian dollars, exclusive of HST. 2. Describe in detail your fee schedules, as they relate to project deliverables. 3 P a g e
5. Basis for Award of Contract Method of Evaluation/Ranking System: 1. Description of Services /40 2. Experience /40 3. Fee Structure /20 Total /100 6. Submission Information Submissions, including cover letter stating interest and suitability, must be submitted no later than 4 pm (EST) on Friday, March 2, 2012. Submissions should be sent via email to the attention of: Leah Piltz, Marketing & Communications Coordinator Ontario s Highlands Tourism Organization leah.piltz@ohto.ca 7. Inquiries and Questions Inquiries are welcomed up to and including Wednesday, February 22, 2012. Inquiries should be made to Leah Piltz as identified above. Inquiries must be sent by email. Responses will be shared with all bidders at www.ohto.ca and will be posted by Friday, February 24, 2012 by close of day. 4 P a g e
Appendix: General Terms and Conditions A) Acceptance of Proposals This RFP neither expresses nor implies any obligation on the part of the OHTO to enter into a contract with any Vendor submitting a proposal. B) Rejection of Proposals The OHTO reserves the right to reject any or all proposals for failure to fully satisfy the selection team that the specifications and the requirements for the RFP have been adequately met. Any award resulting from this RFP is subject to the successful completion of a contract between the Vendor and the OHTO. C) Right to Amend The OHTO reserves the right to amend or supplement the RFP, giving equal opportunities to all consultants who have been invited to bid, by way of an issued addendum. D) Acceptance or Non-Acceptance of Proposal Neither the lowest priced nor any proposal shall necessarily be accepted, and the decision of the OHTO is final. If the OHTO decides to accept a proposal, then this acceptance and the making of an award will be in writing and only in writing. Unless and until such written notification has been given, there is no successful Vendor and no award has been made. E) Associated Costs There will be no payment to Vendors for the work related to and material supplied in the preparation of responses to this RFP. F) Information All information collected in report or digital form by the Vendor shall be then provided to the OHTO, and will become the sole property of the OHTO. G) Previous Communications This RFP document contains the entire requirements relating to this RFP. Other information or documentation provided to a prospective Vendor or obtained by a prospective Vendor prior to the release of this RFP or any other time shall not have any force or effect. H) Conflict of Interest It is the Vendor s responsibility to ensure that no perceived or real conflict of interest exists for any of the company s personnel involved in the project. I) Cancellation of RFP Due to unanticipated expenditure constraints, this RFP may be cancelled at any time without liability by the OHTO to prospective Vendor or to any other entity. 5 P a g e
J) Authorization To be considered a valid response, a Vendor s submission must be completed and signed by an authorized company official. K) Irrevocable Bid submissions will be irrevocable for a period of sixty (60) days from the closing date. L) Canadian Funds Prices are to be provided in Canadian funds. M) Liability and Insurance The successful Vendor shall secure and maintain during the terms of the Agreement the following: Comprehensive general liability insurance on an occurrence basis for an amount not less than Two Million ($2,000,000) Dollars. Automobile Liability Insurance for an amount not less than Two Million ($2,000,000) Dollars. Professional Liability A Professional Liability Insurance Policy, in an amount not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000). Errors and Omissions Liability Insurance: The Successful Respondent Errors and Omissions Liability Insurance, in the amount not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000). Other Insurance Any other type, (including special and specific project professional liability insurance) form or as otherwise may be required from time to time. The OHTO, its employees, agents, and consultants expressly disclaim any and all liability for representations, warranties expressed or implied or contained in, or for omissions from this RFP package or any written or oral information transmitted or made available at any time to a bidder by or on behalf of the OHTO. Nothing in this RFP is intended to relieve bidders from forming their own opinions and conclusions in respect to this RFP. 6 P a g e