Job Description
Issued by: The Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation
Proposal Due Date: Friday, December 6, 2024, by 5:00 pm EDT.
Introduction
The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is for Georgetown University’s Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation (Beeck Center) to solicit proposals from qualified firms to provide brand strategy, media relations, and publicity for the Center.
Description of Georgetown University’s Beeck Center and Background of the Project
About Georgetown University
Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, offering a unique educational experience that prepares the next generation of global citizens to lead and make a difference in the world. We are a vibrant community of exceptional students, parents, faculty, alumni, and professionals dedicated to real-world applications of our research, scholarship, faith, and service.
Established in 1789, Georgetown is the nation’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit University. Drawing upon the 450-year-old legacy of Jesuit education, we provide students with a world-class learning experience focused on educating the whole person through exposure to different faiths, cultures and beliefs. Students are challenged to engage in the world and become men and women in the service of others, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the community. These values are at the core of Georgetown’s identity, binding members of the community across diverse backgrounds.
Georgetown serves over 17,000 students and has an alumni network of over 165,000 graduates. The University has a staff and faculty headcount of more than 2,500. For more information on Georgetown University, please see www.georgetown.edu.
About Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation
The Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation at Georgetown University improves people’s daily lives by helping governments utilize data, design, technology, and policy to better meet the needs of their residents. An anchor of Georgetown University’s Tech and Society Initiative, the Beeck Center works alongside public, private, and non-profit organizations to identify and establish human-centered solutions that help government services work better for everyone, especially the most vulnerable and underserved populations. The Beeck Center’s work was recognized on Fast Company’s 2023 Next Big Things in Tech list. For more information, please visit beeckcenter.georgetown.edu.
For more information on the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation, please see: beeckcenter.georgetown.edu.
About the Project
The Beeck Center is celebrating its 10th-anniversary since its establishment in 2014. Over the past decade, the Center has made significant impact across America and seeks to institutionalize and mature its brand. Our project based work has had a significant impact on local, state, territorial and federal government that has improved people’s everyday lives. Also central to the Beeck Center is our dedication to fostering a dynamic environment that encourages Georgetown University student engagement.
In 2023, we undertook six projects designed to address pressing, real-world challenges. These ranged from delivering public benefits and leveraging digital transformation best practices to increasing government capacity to deliver on policy and administration priorities. Beeck Center projects convene communities of practice and support governments in improving service delivery, building capacity, modernizing tools and approaches, and measuring outcomes. By applying these approaches to the systems we rely on in everyday life, we believe everyone benefits and thrives.
As we look to the future, we seek to tell compelling and impactful stories and build connections that enhance recognition for the Beeck Center. How can we better leverage our existing partners to build our brand presence? We need your help to build and amplify the Beeck Center’s brand and establish us as a known leader driving policy change and social impact.
This RFP is soliciting bids from all interested parties for a one-year contract with a budget not exceeding $80,000-130,000, with the potential for an extension.
Scope of services
The Beeck Center is requesting proposals from interested public relations firms to provide communications and public relations services that will:
Strategic PR Planning and Integration:
- Collaborate closely with the Beeck Center’s Communications Director to develop and implement a PR strategy that seamlessly integrates into the overall communications plan.
- Establish a comprehensive roadmap for media outreach, thought leadership initiatives, and strategic campaigns that align with the Beeck Center’s mission and goals.
- Ensure messaging is consistent across all platforms and aligns with the Center’s values and objectives.
Brand Positioning and Storytelling:
- Position the Beeck Center as an authoritative voice in public interest technology through compelling storytelling and targeted narratives.
- Develop content that highlights the unique aspects of the Beeck Center’s work, impact stories, and the benefits of its programs.
- Craft and distribute press releases, media advisories, op-eds, and feature articles that underscore the Center’s achievements and future vision.
Media Relations and Thought Leadership:
- Have existing strong relationships with national and industry-specific media outlets to secure high-impact coverage.
- Facilitate media training for key staff and thought leaders to prepare them for interviews, panels, and public speaking engagements.
- Identify and pitch targeted story angles to position Beeck Center experts as go-to sources for commentary on relevant issues in public interest technology, policy, and social impact.
- Secure guest appearances, interviews, awards, and op-ed placements in reputable publications and digital platforms.
Measurable Outcomes and Performance Metrics:
- Set clear KPIs for media placements, engagement levels, brand sentiment, and audience reach.
- Provide regular reports with qualitative and quantitative insights on campaign performance.
- Offer recommendations for continual improvement based on campaign analysis and market trends.
The RFP Process
The following section provides instructions, timeline, and selection criteria for the firm evaluation process.
Submission
Each Firm must prepare a proposal that follows the submission elements below. Additional material pertinent to the RFP may be provided as deemed necessary and is encouraged. Please note the following:
- All information submitted by firms and related evaluations shall be considered confidential.
- Submit proposals via this form. The proposal must be received by by 5:00 pm ET on Friday, December 6, 2024
- Firm interviews may be conducted at Beeck Center’s discretion. The Beeck Center will inform all participating Firms if there will be interviews.
Submission Elements
1. General Firm Information
Please provide contact information for the lead client contact for this proposal, including:
- Company name, contact name, and email address
- Description of firm/team
- Any past experience or familiarity working with Georgetown University
2. Firm Profile
Please provide a concise Firm profile (for prime and any consultants, if applicable) that addresses the following topics:
- Firm history, including length of continuous time in service and years of experience.
- Firm’s overall reputation, service capabilities and quality
- List and brief description of 2 – 4 similar projects completed by your firm or currently in progress; include your Firm’s role, and discuss contract amendment history, if applicable
- List and description of any litigation; arbitration; claims filed by your firm against any project owner as a result of a contract dispute; any claim filed against your firm; any termination from a project
- Firm’s capacity and intent to proceed without delay if selected for this work
3. Firm References and Past Performance
Firm shall provide a list of at least two (2) customer references where services similar to those outlined in this RFP are being provided. References will include the following information:
- Company Name
- Contact Name
- Phone Number
Firm should provide information about past performance/experience on similar projects.
4. Approach to the Work and Project Schedule
Firm shall summarize its concept of how it will approach the tasks described herein.
5. Cost Proposal
The Firm shall identify any assumptions and exclusions made in its cost proposal, and shall provide sufficient details of its plans to enable Georgetown to understand the Firm’s basis for its cost proposal. If it is helpful to give pricing tiers based on the level-of-effort involved or options, feel free to provide this in your proposal.