Request for Qualifications: On-Call Graphic Design and Marketing Assistance

Location:	California
Posted:	Jan 16, 2026
Due:	Mar 6, 2026
Agency:	Auburn city
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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CITY OF AUBURN

Request for Statement of Qualifications

for

On-Call Graphic Design and Marketing Assistance

City of Auburn Economic Development

Department 1225 Lincoln Way

Auburn, California

City of Auburn

1225 Lincoln Way

Auburn, CA 95603

530-823-4211

January 16, 2026

Date of Issuance: January 16, 2026

Submittal Deadline: March 6, 2026

I. Introduction

The City of Auburn is seeking proposals from qualified individuals or firms to provide on-call

marketing and creative services to assist City staff in the development of marketing materials. This

partnership aims to ensure the City’s communications are visually engaging, brand-consistent, and

effective in reaching residents, visitors, and stakeholders.

II. Background and Overview

Auburn is a historic city in the Sierra Nevada foothills with a rich Gold Rush legacy and an emerging

food, beverage, and cultural scene fueled by a growing entrepreneurial community. In recent

years, Auburn has seen an influx of new small businesses, especially in the food and beverage

industry. To support these businesses and encourage continued investment in the community,

Auburn’s economic strategy has increasingly focused on regional tourism and visitor attraction.

The City’s proximity to major population centers such as Roseville and Rocklin, both with average

household incomes above the state average, makes them prime targets for Auburn’s marketing

efforts. Auburn’s reputation as a gateway to recreation further strengthens its position to attract

visitors and capture their spending power. However, to maximize this potential, the City must

actively tell its story and showcase its assets in ways that resonate with both visitors and investors.

Historically, the City has struggled to deliver consistent, high-quality marketing materials and

campaigns due to limited financial resources and the absence of dedicated personnel. This has

left Auburn relying heavily on word-of-mouth and organic promotion rather than coordinated

strategies. Recognizing this gap, the City has recently appointed an Economic Development

Director to drive a more proactive and professional approach to business development, marketing,

and community vitality.

With this renewed focus, Auburn is now committed to deploying well-devised, creative marketing

campaigns and place-based strategies that highlight its culinary, cultural, and recreational

strengths. The goal is not only to attract visitors, but also to increase spending in local businesses,

expand the City’s tax base, and foster a vibrant, resilient economy. To achieve this, Auburn seeks

innovative creative partners who can advise and assist staff to transform its economic vision into

compelling campaigns and experiences that distinguish Auburn in the regional marketplace.

III. Scope of Work

The selected consultant will provide on-call creative services to support the City of Auburn in

producing visually engaging and brand-consistent (City brand standards are attached as

Addendum 2) marketing materials for a variety of purposes. Services may include the design and

layout of print and digital materials such as brochures, flyers, event posters, rack cards, fact sheets,

and newsletters. The consultant may also be asked to develop digital assets for online platforms,

including social media graphics, website banners, and other promotional materials optimized for

web use. In addition, the consultant must be capable of producing large-format designs for

applications such as billboards, event signage, banners, and other oversized displays. All work

must align with the City’s established brand guidelines to ensure consistency in typography, color

usage, logos, and overall style.

In addition to design work, the consultant will assist with the creation of templates for recurring

publications and marketing pieces to streamline future communications. The scope may also

include preparing advertising materials for marketing campaigns, editing images to meet quality

standards, and sourcing photography when necessary. For each project, the consultant will

provide initial concepts, incorporate staff feedback through multiple rounds of revisions, and

deliver final, high-resolution files suitable for both print and digital distribution.

The consultant will collaborate closely with City staff to understand objectives, messaging, and

timelines for each assignment. The work is expected to be performed on an as-needed basis with

flexibility to accommodate tight deadlines. The consultant must demonstrate the ability to produce

high-quality, creative materials that support the City’s communication goals and enhance public

engagement.

Deliverables

Deliverables will vary based on project needs but may include high-resolution PDFs, packaged

design files, and digital assets optimized for both print and online distribution. The consultant

should be prepared to provide initial drafts, incorporate feedback through multiple rounds of

revisions, and deliver final files in the required formats. Timely communication and responsiveness

are essential for successful completion of assignments.

Budget

The City’s budget for this project will be developed on a case by case basis derived from the

Economic Development marketing budget. Although “cost” is only one factor in the selection

process, budget constraints are a difficult reality. Firms that can demonstrate their ability to

complete projects in an affordable, but effective, manner will be given the strongest consideration.

Project Schedule

Economic development is a high priority for the City and time is of the essence. The consultant /

firm will be held accountable for the response time outline in section VII. The chosen consultant /

firm will be expected to begin immediately once the contract is awarded and firms that cannot

commit sufficient time and resources to this request need not respond.

IV. Proposal and Evaluation Criteria

Instructions to Applicants:

1. Applicants must submit one electronic PDF version of their proposal to the email address below

by the deadline. The email subject line must clearly read: “RFP for Creative Assistance.”

Proposals must be received no later than 3:00 PM (PST) on March 6, 2026:

jwright@auburn.ca.gov

2. Any proposals received after the specified date and time will not be considered and will be

discarded. Proposals may not be modified or withdrawn after the submission deadline.

3. Additional promotional materials or brochures may be included with the proposal; however,

they cannot substitute for any required content of the proposal itself.

4. All questions regarding this RFP should be submitted via email to Jonathan Wright at

jwright@auburn.ca.gov by February 13, 2026.

5. The City reserves the right to waive any irregularity or technical defect in a proposal and to

accept or reject, in whole or in part, any or all proposals, or to re-advertise for new proposals,

as it deems in the City’s best interest. The City is under no obligation to award a contract to

any firm submitting a proposal. During the evaluation process, the City may, at its discretion,

request additional information or clarification from proposers or allow corrections of errors

and/or omissions. The City also reserves the right to withdraw this RFP at any time without

prior notice and to reject any or all proposals for good cause and in the City’s best interests.

a. The City shall not be responsible for any costs incurred in the preparation, submission, or

presentation of proposals.

b. The City reserves the right to negotiate the final agreement with any proposer(s) as

necessary to serve the City’s best interests.

c. The City may award its total requirement to a single proposer or apportion requirements

among two or more proposers, as it deems most advantageous.

d. All materials submitted shall become the property of the City and are subject to laws and

regulations regarding disclosure of public information. No guarantee of privacy or

confidentiality is offered or implied. Materials submitted are subject to public inspection

under the California Public Records Act (Government Code Sec. 6250 et seq.), unless

exempt.

Proposal Submission Requirements:

Proposals should provide a clear and comprehensive overview of the consultant’s qualifications,

experience, and approach to delivering on-call creative services as outlined in this RFP.

Submissions should include the following information:

Statement of Interest and Qualifications

Provide a brief summary introducing your firm or individual practice, highlighting your expertise in

creative design, branding, and marketing support for public agencies or similar organizations.

Include information on your capacity to provide timely, on-call services and your familiarity with

municipal branding standards.

Relevant Experience

Provide a detailed summary of at least three prior projects or service agreements that demonstrate

your experience delivering services similar to those described in this RFP. For each example,

include the client name, contract term, project scope, and specific deliverables produced. Highlight

how these projects align with the City’s needs, noting any creative challenges addressed, branding

or large-format design work completed, and measurable outcomes such as improved engagement,

visibility, or campaign success. Include references with current contact information for each

example.

Creative Capabilities and Approach

Describe your approach to developing high-quality, brand-consistent marketing materials on an as-

needed basis. Include details on your design process, methods for ensuring accuracy and

adherence to brand guidelines, and strategies for meeting tight deadlines. If applicable, outline

your capabilities in specialized areas such as large-format design for billboards and event signage,

template creation, and digital asset development for social media and web platforms.

Sample Work

Provide samples of recent design work that showcase your ability to produce visually compelling

materials across multiple formats. Examples should demonstrate expertise in print design, digital

graphics, and large-format layouts. Submissions may include a link to an online portfolio or

attached PDF samples.

Pricing Structure

Provide a clear description of your fee structure, including hourly rates, flat fees for specific

deliverables (if offered), and any additional costs that may apply. Clearly state your minimum billing

requirements, if any.

Project Team

Identify the individuals who will perform the work, their roles, and their relevant qualifications.

Include brief bios or resumes as appropriate.

7. Agreement

The City’s standard professional services agreement will be used for this engagement. A

sample agreement is provided in Appendix A.

V. PROPOSED PROCESS AND TIMELINE

• January 16, 2026, RFP issued and posted on the City of Auburn website;

www.auburn.ca.gov

• February 13, 2026, Questions due from responsive parties

• February 20, 2026, Responses to Questions provided by City staff and posed on City

of Auburn website

• March 6, 2026, Receipt of proposals due by 3:00 PM (PST)

• Starting the week of March 9, 2026, City to evaluate the proposals and select a preferred

firm

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Bid Title:	Request for Qualifications: On-Call Graphic Design and Marketing Assistance
Category:	Request for Statement of Qualifications
Status:	Open

Request for Qualifications: On-Call Graphic Design and Marketing Assistance

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