Page 1 of 5 Community College of Vermont Request for Proposal: Web Design & Development.................................................................................................................. Introduction The Community College of Vermont (CCV) invites qualified website development professionals to submit a proposal to create a contemporary and compelling new web presence for Early Childhood Professional Development (ECPD) at CCV that engages users to effectively find the information they need. Proposals will be considered from vendors who demonstrate expertise in user interface design and current knowledge of web design and development best practices. Contents Page 2 Response Requirements RFP Process Timeline Page 3 About ECPD at CCV Goals & Audience Page 4 Deliverables Functionality Existing Assets Page 5 Technical Requirements Budget Decision Criteria Terms & Conditions
Page 2 of 5 RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS Only complete proposals will be considered. We welcome proposals from agencies as well as freelancers and independent contractors. Complete proposals will demonstrate an understanding of our request and must include: 1. Explanation of capabilities and core strengths 2. Description of creative process and sample project plan 3. Cost estimates, broken out by key phases or project milestones 4. Acknowledgement of ability to adhere to proposed timeline, or an alternate project schedule 5. At least three, but not more than five recent, relevant work samples 6. Identify the primary contact and all contributors to the project, including subcontractors, if any, along with respective areas of expertise and credentials. Agencies should also provide a delineation of the portion of the scope of work for which each of these professionals will be responsible. 7. 3 client references Any addendum to this RFP will be posted at the RFP website: www.vsc.edu/rfp. Bidders are responsible for checking this website on a regular basis and including the terms and conditions of all addenda in their Proposals. RFP PROCESS & DEADLINES Questions due to Becca Burns ( hello@iambeccaburns.com ) by Wednesday, September 13 (answers will be provided by Friday, September 15) Proposal due date: 12PM EST, Friday September 22, 2017 Finalist interviews completed: Monday, October 2, 2017 Award of contract: Friday, October 6, 2017 PROJECT TIMELINE Our ideal launch date is January 1, 2018 however we value quality above all. CCV looks to our selected vendor to suggest a workable timeline. A detailed work plan and suggested schedule must be submitted along with your proposal, with special consideration of the following: 1. CCV must be provided adequate time to deliver new content according to the project schedule and requires 6 weeks. 2. Holidays. 3. If January 1 is deemed not feasible for a full and complete website launch, you will be responsible for creating a temporary homepage or roadblock for the current website that informs visitors that the new site is forthcoming.
Page 3 of 5 ABOUT ECPD AT CCV Early Childhood Professional Development at CCV is funded by a grant from the Child Development Division of the Vermont Agency of Human Services. ECPD at CCV will offer an array of services and training opportunities for early childhood and afterschool professionals. Offerings will include credentialing and registry services, as well as regional career advising and trainings offered via CCV s twelve centers statewide. CCV is Vermont s second largest college, serving more than 7,000 students each semester at 12 locations and through extensive online learning options, providing 12 degree and seven certificate programs, workforce education and secondary education initiatives, continuing education opportunities, and academic and veterans support services. GOALS & AUDIENCE ECPD at CCV supports and enhances a unified system of professional development for early childhood and afterschool practitioners. The new website will make resources and content available online, connecting professional resources and data systems in a central portal, as well as supporting our overall mission and goals to: Provide clear information and resources about professional development and career pathways to early childhood and afterschool professionals. Offer high quality trainings to early childhood and afterschool professionals statewide. Provide career advising and outreach support to professionals and to those working in the system. Enhance and align the components of the professional development system so it is efficient and meaningful. This website will be tailored to meet the needs of early childhood and afterschool professionals in Vermont as well as those interested in entering this field. More specifically, visitors to this site are those involved in or seeking information about Early Childhood Professional Development at CCV including those seeking certificates, credentials, support with BFIS Quality and Credential accounts, career advising, training opportunities, or information about the Instructor or M.A.T.C.H. Registries.
Page 4 of 5 DELIVERABLES Our selected vendor will be responsible for developing and publishing a complete, mobile responsive website, which will include condensed, restructured and rewritten content (based on content found on northernlightscdc.org). The final page count is TBD, pending development of new content architecture. CCV will be responsible for providing copy content, which will require a minimum of six weeks. The development process should include the following phases or equivalent steps: 1. Navigation Schematic structure the site s organization and navigation system 2. Information Architecture organize the content and flow of the website; identify and define the content and functionality needs of each page 3. Content Outline suggest provide a guide or checklist for each page suggesting format and length of content, as well as advice, direction and best practices for writing for the web (links, keywords, SEO, etc.) 4. Wireframes display the skeletal and functional elements of each unique page template 5. Responsive Design Options provide at least 2 different design approaches (demonstrating how each will vary by device) that follow the visual brand guidelines currently in development; Two rounds of feedback and revision. 6. Development all scripting and programming to publish the website 7. Testing across major web browsers and mobile OS 8. Publishing to new domain TBD 9. Basic training WordPress web editing and management for 2 CCV staff FUNCTIONALITY The majority of ECPD content is images, text and basic links, however, we require the following special functionality: 1. 1-10 password protected pages (account creation, login/out, password reset, update account features) 2. Up to 5 forms (values/info to be emailed to staff for manual entry into another existing database) 3. Ability to easily embed video (YouTube) 4. Connect to two existing php databases (these do not need to be hosted as part of the website and to the best of our knowledge are straightforward links) 5. Announcement/update feed on homepage 6. Basic user poll (not essential) EXISTING ASSETS Work is underway to establish a new graphic and brand identity for ECPD at CCV which will provide creative direction for a consistent visual identity across all materials, and suggest color palette, fonts and images that will support the brand. CCV is able to provide graphic assets from CCV marketing, if applicable. All proposals should describe an approach (and provide a budget, if necessary) for graphics, stock images or other elements that you may wish to use that may be required in the final website design.
Page 5 of 5 HOSTING AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS The website must be hosted on CCV web servers and built using WordPress CMS. Technical support will be provided to install systems necessary, set-up a staging site and publish the completed website. CCV owns certain licenses for modules/add-ons for WordPress that may be used if necessary. Vendors will be expected to provide basic training for 2 CCV staff to edit and maintain the website. BUDGET CCV has budgeted up to $40,000 for this project for all associated costs, including necessary services and graphic assets. We are seeking competitive bids; CCV is committed to producing an effective and appealing website while keeping costs minimal. Therefore, the largest consideration when reviewing proposals will be vendors cost to complete the project. DECISION CRITERIA All proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by a selection committee on a uniform set of criteria. Finalists will be invited to a brief interview in which to present capabilities, discuss the project and proposed working relationship, and meet those involved. Proposals will be scored, with points weighted as follows: Cost: 35% Capabilities and qualifications: 25% Ability to comply with proposed timeline or provide a rational alternative: 20% Chemistry (ability to demonstrate a positive creative experience and working relationship): 10% Snapshot of ideas and creative thinking: 5% Preference given to local Vermont producers: 5% TERMS AND CONDITIONS All proposals will become property of CCV and will not be returned. Bids are not public. The Vermont State Colleges (VSC) and CCV assume no responsibility and no liability for costs incurred by any person submitting a proposal ( Bidder ) in response to this RFP or in responding to any further requests for interviews, additional data, etc., prior to the issuance of a contract. VSC reserves the right to waive any informality, to accept or reject, in whole or in part any or all proposals, to issue one or more contracts, or take whatever other action may be deemed to be in the best interest of the Vermont State Colleges. CCV reserves the right to re-advertise for additional proposals and to extend the deadline for submission of the proposals. CCV reserves the right to seek additional information from bidders after the receipt of bids and each bidder waives any objection thereto. The Vermont State Colleges is exempt from sales taxes. Where appropriate, the successful Bidder will be expected to insure that any purchases of materials are free of sales taxes. If necessary, CCV will provide the appropriate sales tax exemption certificate to the successful bidder.