RFQ - Website Content Manager

Purpose

The City of Bainbridge Island is seeking a qualified firm or individual to provide professional talent acquisition services to identify, recruit, and vet candidates for a Content Manager Consultant for the City website. The consultant, under the guidance of the Project Manager, will help the City review existing website content, identify outdated materials, and revise or migrate content as needed. Additionally, the manager will develop a structured content plan for the website that enhances navigation and searchability, focusing on crafting compelling web content, optimizing site usability to improve user engagement, and ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other relevant regulations.

Bainbridge Island Background

The City of Bainbridge Island is located in the State of Washington, on ancestral territory of the suq `?abs? “People of Clear Salt Water” (Suquamish People). We have a Government-to-Government relationship with the Suquamish Tribe, which informs some of our work. Bainbridge Island has an area of 26 square miles, with 52 miles of shoreline, dense forests, sparsely populated suburban development, and an estimated population of 25,000.? The entire Island is incorporated as one city.? The City of Bainbridge Island is located in Kitsap County.?

The City of Bainbridge Island uses a Council/Manager form of government, and our values are represented through our Climate Action Plan, Sustainable Transportation Plan, Housing Action Plan, Comprehensive Plan, ADA Transition Plan, and the use of a Racial Equity Lens on major projects.

Anticipated?Scope of Work?

The selected firm will provide the following talent acquisition services:

1. Needs Assessment & Position Development
2. Review the City's requirements for the Content Manager Consultant (Attachment A).
3. Refine and finalize the consultant’s job description, qualifications, and desired experience.
4. Candidate Sourcing & Recruitment
5. Develop and execute a recruitment strategy targeting qualified professionals in website content management, preferably with government or CivicPlus experience.
6. Utilize various sourcing methods that the firm is experienced in using
7. Screening & Evaluation
8. Conduct an initial review of applications and resumes.
9. Pre-screen candidates based on qualifications, experience, and alignment with the City’s needs.
10. Provide a shortlist of the most qualified candidates for City review.
11. Interview Coordination & Selection Support (if necessary)

• Assist in scheduling and coordinating interviews with City staff.
• Provide structured interview questions and evaluation criteria.
• Facilitate final selection and assist with reference checks as needed.

Anticipated Compensation?

The estimated budget for this service is $39,000.

Submittals?

Individuals or firms wishing to respond to this Request for Qualifications should provide a description of their capabilities.

Required information:?

• Provide information to demonstrate capacity to deliver services as described, either by providing examples or documenting the approach.
• Estimate of when services can begin.
• Estimated cost and fee structure.
• References from at least three recent clients, or others who can speak to the respondent’s ability to deliver services.

Recommended information:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the City’s values related to sustainability, equity, and inclusion

Review and Selection Process?

The cutoff for first review of qualifications is 4:00 PM PT on Wednesday, April 18, 2025.? Submittals are limited to 10 pages, not counting the cover pages. Responses should be sent via email under the subject Website Consulting Services to

Email is the preferred method, but responses may also be mailed or dropped off at City Hall (Monday – Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM). Print copies should be double-sided, with no cover or binding.?

City Hall?

280 Madison Ave N??

Bainbridge Island, WA 98110??

Attention: Adam Nebenzahl, Management Analyst

Assurances of nondiscrimination:

?Title VI

The City of Bainbridge Island, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.?

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information/Pledge??

The City of Bainbridge Island in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) commits to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all its programs and activities. ??

We pledge to make our bid process accessible and user-friendly for everyone. If you are having difficulty viewing or navigating the content of this document, or note any content, feature, or functionality that you believe is not fully accessible to people with disabilities, please contact us at For security reasons, you must enable JavaScript to view this E-mail address. or 206.842.2545 for assistance.??

Please note the nature of your accessibility concern, the preferred format in which to receive the online material (hard copies are available), the Web page address of the requested material, and the best way to contact you.?

Nondiscrimination Statement

The City of Bainbridge Island hereby notifies all bidders that all bidders and contractors will be selected, compensated and, if necessary,? terminated without regard to sex/gender, race, national origin, religion, creed, color, marital status, veteran status, age, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law.?

In alignment with the City of Bainbridge Island’s equity and inclusion goals, we encourage organizations led by those who identify as women or members of traditionally marginalized communities, or who are or could be certified as Minority Business Enterprise/Women Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), or equivalent to respond.?

Terms and Conditions?

Questions regarding this RFQ or the submittal process should be directed to Adam Nebenzahl, Management Analyst, 206.780.8597,

Selected applicants will be required to execute a City of Bainbridge Island Professional Services Agreement, obtain a City of Bainbridge Island Business License, and demonstrate compliance with the City’s insurance requirements (briefly explained below). ? ??

The City reserves the right not to select any of the applicants, and the right to select an individual or firm not from this application process.? The City further reserves the right to waive irregularities and informalities in this process. This RFQ does not obligate the City to pay any cost incurred by applicants in responding to this RFQ. All such costs shall be borne solely by each applicant. Furthermore, this RFQ does not obligate the City to enter into a contract with any applicant responding to this RFQ. ???

Insurance requirements

?The selected bidder shall maintain the following insurance limits:

1. Automobile Liability insurance with a minimum combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage of $1,000,000 per accident.
2. Commercial General Liability insurance shall be written with limits no less than $1,000,000 each occurrence, $2,000,000 general aggregate.

Other insurance requirements may apply.

Attachment A

Content Manager Consultant Job Description

Position: Content Manager Consultant

Rate: $75 to $90 per hour, Depending on Qualifications

Hours: Up to 12 hours per week, flexible?

Contract Duration: 2025?

Position Overview?

The City of Bainbridge Island is hiring a Content Manager Consultant with UX design knowledge to curate, organize, and optimize website content for clarity, consistency, accessibility, and public engagement. This role will develop and manage compelling, consistent website content with the City staff. The role involves migrating content, editing existing materials, and assisting with developing user flow with UX best practices and analytics, and ensuring consistency with existing branding standards. This role will also assist the City in strategizing the design of intuitive, user-centered web experiences with the CivicPlus platform.?

Key Responsibilities?

• Content Migration & Editing: Review existing website content, identify outdated materials, and revise or migrate content as needed?
• Content Strategy & Organization: Develop a structured content plan that enhances navigation and searchability, focusing on both crafting compelling web content and optimizing site usability to improve user engagement.?
• Collaborate with the Communications Coordinator, IT Manager, Management Analyst, key staff, and CivicPlus web developers on content and UX design updates.?
• Accessibility & Readability: Ensure all content meets ADA and plain-language guidelines for clear public communication and consistency across the site?
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with city staff and departments to gather, review, and refine website content.?
• Brand & Tone Consistency: Maintain uniform messaging, style, and branding across all pages.?
• SEO Optimization: Implement best practices to improve discoverability and search engine rankings.?
• Training & Guidelines: Develop content guidelines with the Communications Coordinator and develop UX flow procedures. Train designated departmental leads on procedures and practices.??
• UX Design : Assist in designing and curating website layouts, navigation, and interactions to enhance user experience. Analyze data to improve website functionality and engagement. Assist in developing wireframes and user flows as needed.?

Qualifications?

• Strong experience in content strategy, copywriting, and web content management.?
• Strong understanding of UX design principles.?
• Knowledge of website accessibility standards (ADA, WCAG).?
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, user-friendly web content.?
• Strong project management and collaboration skills.?
• Knowledge and experience in CivicPlus website redesigns is strongly preferred.?
• Knowledge of local government operations is preferred.