PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

This Request for Qualifications is issued by the Stanislaus Council of Governments (StanCOG) to select one (1) qualified firm to serve as the agency's Public Information Officer and to provide strategic communications counsel on an as-needed basis. The selected firm will enter into a professional services agreement for an initial term of two (2) years, with an option, exercisable at StanCOG's sole discretion, to extend the Agreement for up to three (3) additional years. Compensation shall not exceed $500,000 for the two (2) year agreement term.

This is a single-award solicitation. StanCOG does not intend to create a pool, a bench, or a pre-qualified list. Specific assignments, deliverables and fees will be negotiated through individual Work Orders throughout the contract term.

StanCOG does not have an in-house public information officer or dedicated communications staff. The agency intends to establish that capability and to communicate its work proactively and consistently, so that the public it serves, its member agencies and its partners understand what StanCOG does, how regional transportation decisions are made, and how the agency accounts for the funds it administers.

The first Work Order is expected to be a strategic communications plan for the agency. Subsequent Work Orders are expected to implement it. The capabilities sought include:

• Strategic communications counsel to the Executive Director and Policy Board leadership
• Public information officer services and media relations
• Issues management and rapid response
• Proactive media placement and storytelling about the agency's programs and projects
• Community and stakeholder engagement, including Spanish-language capability
• Message development, content, design and production
• Support for California Public Records Act requests
• Measurement, reporting, and a path to bringing capacity in house over time