Request for Proposal (RFP) for Technical Writing + Copy Editing Services

Job Description

Issued by: The Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation

Proposal Due Date: Friday, October 11, 2024, by 6:00 pm EDT. 

About the Beeck Center: The Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation at Georgetown University seeks to improve 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.

Overview of the Project: The Digital Benefits Network (DBN) began researching and publishing on digital identity in public benefits in 2022. We started this work because we recognize that digital identity presents challenges for public benefits applicants, beneficiaries, and state agencies. Our research so far has included:

  • Landscape research documenting authentication and identity proofing practices in initial online benefits applications;
  • A guide to federal government activities related to digital identity; and
  • A review of promising digital identity design patterns

In the coming calendar year, we are continuing to build out our portfolio of work on this topic. To support our continued publishing, we are seeking a contract technical writer and copy editor. This contractor will support writing and copy editing for:

  • Public-facing, technical materials resulting from a collaborative research project with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Center for Democracy and Technology (see press release).
  • Written analysis for an update to our landscape research on digital identity practices in online benefits applications
  • Review and/or writing for other research outputs related to digital identity

Scope of Work: The selected contractor will be responsible for the following:

  1. Technical Writing:
    • Move technical writing projects from outline to draft, on digital identity topics including identity proofing and authentication. 
    • Ensure technical accuracy and clarity.
    • Translate complex research findings into accessible language for a range of  stakeholders including the general public 
  2. Copy Editing:
    • Edit documents for grammar, punctuation, style, and consistency.
    • Ensure adherence to the Beeck Center’s branding and style guidelines and partner organizations’ branding where relevant.
    • Improve the overall readability and flow of the documents.
    • Fact checking key points and definitions, including appropriate citations.
  3. Collaboration:
    • Work closely with the Beeck Center research and communications teams to understand project goals and requirements.
    • Provide regular updates and drafts for review and feedback.

Qualifications:

  • Proven experience in technical writing and copy editing.
  • Familiarity with US federal and state government contexts, public benefits programs, digital identity, and related research fields is highly desirable.
  • Strong attention to detail and excellent communication skills.
  • Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks.

Proposal Requirements: Interested parties should submit the following:

  1. Cover Letter:
    • Briefly introduce your background and why you are a suitable candidate for this project.
  2. Work Proposal:
    • Describe your experience with similar projects and provide examples of past work.
  3. Cost Proposal:
    • Provide a detailed budget, including hourly rates.
    • We anticipate that this scope of work will require at least 80 hours of work, including meetings with core team members and independent work.
  4. References:
    • Include at least three references from previous clients who can speak to your technical writing and editing skills.

Evaluation Criteria: Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Relevant experience and qualifications.
  • Quality and clarity of past work.
  • Clarity of work proposal and timeline.
  • Cost-effectiveness.
  • References and client feedback.

Submission Instructions: All proposals must be submitted via this form by Friday, October 11, by 6:00 pm EDT. Submit here!

Contact Information: For any questions or further information, please contact: Jessica Yabsley, Director of Communications, jessica.yabsley@georgetown.edu.

Please do not submit proposals via email, they will not be accepted.

We look forward to receiving your proposal and potentially working with you to enhance our identity proofing research work.

 

Submit here