Strategic Communications & Integrated Marketing Advisor Services RFP

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Winston Salem State University
Request for Proposal #: 74-WS0041-2026
Strategic Communication and Integrated Marketing Advisor Services
Date of Issue: October 7, 2026
Written Question Submission Deadline: October 12, 2026 via email no later
than 1:00pm EDT
Proposal Submission Date: October 27, 2026 at 1:00pm EDT via the State
electronic Vendor Portal (eVP)
Proposal Opening Date: October 27, 2026 at 3:00pm EDT via Zoom
(see Section 2.7)
Direct all inquiries concerning this RFP to:
Richard R. Fleming, C.P.M., NCCM
Director of Purchasing Services
Email: flemingrr@wssu.edu
Phone: 336-750-2731
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Request for Proposal #
74-WS0041-2026
______________________________________________________
For internal State agency processing, including tabulation of proposals, provide your company's eVP (Electronic
Vendor Portal) Number. Pursuant to G.S. 132-1.10(b) this identification number shall not be released to the public.
This page will be removed and shredded, or otherwise kept confidential, before the procurement file is made
available for public inspection.
This page shall be filled out and returned with your proposal.
Failure to do so may subject your proposal to rejection.
___________________________________________________
Vendor Name
______________________________
Vendor eVP#
Note: For a contract to be awarded to you, your company (you) must be a North Carolina registered
Vendor in good standing. You must enter the Vendor number assigned through eVP (Electronic Vendor
Portal). If you do not have a Vendor number, register athttps://evp.nc.gov/SignIn
Electronic responses via the State of North Carolina electronic Vendor Portal
(eVP) ONLY will be accepted for this solicitation.
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Division of Winston Salem State University
Refer ALL Inquiries regarding this RFP to: Request for Proposal #: 74-WS0041-2026
Richard R. Fleming, C.P.M., NCCM Proposals will be publicly opened: All information being presented as a
Director of Purchasing Services response to this RFP must be uploaded to the State eVP portal no later
flemingrr@wssu.edu
than 1:00pm EDT on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. All responses will be
opened later that afternoon at 3:00pm EDT via Zoom. See section 2.7.
Using Agency: Winston-Salem State University Commodity No. and Description:
Requisition No.:
EXECUTION
In compliance with this Request for Proposals (RFP), and subject to all the conditions herein, the undersigned Vendor offers and agrees to furnish
and deliver any or all items upon which prices are bid, at the prices set opposite each item within the time specified herein.
By executing this proposal, the undersigned Vendor understands that false certification is a Class I felony and certifies that:
this proposal is submitted competitively and without collusion (G.S. 143-54),
none of its officers, directors, or owners of an unincorporated business entity has been convicted of any violations of Chapter 78A of
the General Statutes, the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (G.S. 143-59.2), and
it is not an ineligible Vendor as set forth in G.S. 143-59.1.
Furthermore, by executing this proposal, the undersigned certifies to the best of Vendor's knowledge and belief, that:
it and its principals are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from
covered transactions by any Federal or State department or agency.
As required by G.S. 143-48.5, the undersigned Vendor certifies that it, and each of its sub-Contractors for any Contract awarded as a result of this
RFP, complies with the requirements of Article 2 of Chapter 64 of the NC General Statutes, including the requirement for each employer with
more than 25 employees in North Carolina to verify the work authorization of its employees through the federal E-Verify system.
As required by Executive Order 24 (2017), the undersigned vendor certifies will comply with all Federal and State requirements concerning fair
employment and that it does not and will not discriminate, harass, or retaliate against any employee in connection with performance of any
Contract arising from this solicitation.
G.S. 133-32 and Executive Order 24 (2009) prohibit the offer to, or acceptance by, any State Employee associated with the preparing plans,
specifications, estimates for public contracts; or awarding or administering public contracts; or inspecting or supervising delivery of the public
contract of any gift from anyone with a contract with the State, or from any person seeking to do business with the State. By execution of this
response to the RFP, the undersigned certifies, for Vendor's entire organization and its employees or agents, that Vendor is not aware that any
such gift has been offered, accepted, or promised by any employees of your organization.
By executing this proposal, Vendor certifies that it has read and agreed to the INSTRUCTION TO VENDORS and the NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL
TERMS AND CONDITIONS incorporated herein. These documents can be accessed from the ATTACHMENTS page within this document.
Failure to execute/sign proposal prior to submittal may render proposal invalid and it MAY BE REJECTED. Late proposals shall
not be accepted.
COMPLETE/FORMAL NAME OF VENDOR:
STREET ADDRESS: P.O. BOX: ZIP:
CITY & STATE & ZIP: TELEPHONE NUMBER: TOLL FREE TEL. NO:
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS ADDRESS IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE (SEE INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS ITEM #21):
PRINT NAME & TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING ON BEHALF OF VENDOR:
VENDOR'S AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE*: DATE: EMAIL:
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74-WS0041-2026: Strategic Communications & Integrated Marketing Advisor Services Vendor: __________________________
VALIDITY PERIOD
Offer shall be valid for at least sixty 60 days from date of bid opening, unless otherwise stated here: ______ days, or if extended by mutual
agreement of the parties in writing. Any withdrawal of this offer shall be made in writing, effective upon receipt by the agency issuing this RFP.
ACCEPTANCE OF PROPOSAL
If your proposal is accepted, all provisions of this RFP, along with the written results of any negotiations, shall constitute the written agreement
between the parties ("Contract"). The NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS are incorporated herein and shall apply. Depending
upon the Goods or Services being offered, other terms and conditions may apply, as mutually agreed.
FOR STATE USE ONLY: Offer accepted and Contract awarded this________ day of __________, 20____, as indicated on
The attached certification, by ____________________________________________________________________.
(Authorized Representative of Winston Salem State University)
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74-WS0041-2026: Strategic Communications & Integrated Marketing Advisor Services Vendor: __________________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND ............................................................... 6
1.1 CONTRACT TERM ....................................................................................... 6
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION ....................................................................... 6
2.1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOCUMENT ................................................... 6
2.2 E-PROCUREMENT FEE ............................................................................... 6
2.3 NOTICE TO VENDORS REGARDING RFP TERMS AND CONDITIONS .... 6
2.4 RFP SCHEDULE ............................................................................................ 7
2.5 PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE .................................................................. 7
2.6 PROPOSAL QUESTIONS ............................................................................. 8
2.7 PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL AND OPENING .................................................. 8
2.8 PROPOSAL CONTENTS ............................................................................... 9
2.9 ALTERNATE PROPOSALS ............................................................................ 9
2.10 DEFINITIONS, ACRONYMS, AND ABBREVIATIONS ................................. 9
3.0 METHOD OF AWARD AND PROPOSAL EVALUATION PROCESS ........ 9
3.1 METHOD OF AWARD ................................................................................. 9
3.2 CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS DURING 10
EVALUATION ...............................................................................................
3.3 PROPOSAL EVALUATION PROCESS .......................................................... 10
3.4 EVALUATION CRITERIA .............................................................................. 11
3.5 PERFORMANCE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES ..................................... 11
3.6 INTERPRETATION OF TERMS AND PHRASES .......................................... 12
4.0 REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................... 12
4.1 PRICING ....................................................................................................... 12
4.2 INVOICES ..................................................................................................... 12
4.3 FINANCIAL STABILITY ................................................................................. 12
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74-WS0041-2026: Strategic Communications & Integrated Marketing Advisor Services Vendor: __________________________
4.4 REFERENCES ............................................................................................... 13
4.5 BACKGROUND CHECKS ............................................................................. 13
4.6 PERSONNEL ................................................................................................ 13
4.7 VENDOR'S REPRESENATIONS .................................................................. 13
4.8 QUESTIONS TO VENDORS ........................................................................ 13
4.9 AGENCY INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS MODIFICATION ....................... 15
4.10 VENDOR'S REPRESENTATIONS ................................................................. 15
4.11 LOBBYING ACTIVITY CERTIFICATION FOR FEDERAL GRANTS .............. 15
4.12 SUBCONTRACTORS ................................................................................... 15
4.13 SECRETARY OF STATE REGISTRATION .................................................... 15
5.0 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................... 15
5.1 TASKS/DELIVERABLES ................................................................................ 16
5.2 PROJECT ORGANIZATION ......................................................................... 17
5.3 TECHNICAL APPROACH ............................................................................. 17
6.0 CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION ............................................................... 17
6.1 CONTRACT MANAGER AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ................................. 17
6.2 INVOICES ..................................................................................................... 17
6.3 POST AWARD BUSINESS REVIEW ............................................................ 17
6.4 CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT ................................................................ 18
6.5 PERIODIC MONTHLY REPORTS ................................................................ 18
6.6 ACCEPTANCE OF WORK ........................................................................... 18
6.7 FAITHFUL PERFORMANCE ........................................................................ 18
6.8 TRANSITION ASSISTANCE ......................................................................... 18
6.9 DISPUTE RESOLUTION .............................................................................. 19
6.10 CONTRACT CHANGES ............................................................................... 19
7.0 ATTACHMENTS ........................................................................................ 20
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74-WS0041-2026: Strategic Communications & Integrated Marketing Advisor Services Vendor: __________________________
ATTACHMENT A: PRICING .................................................................................... 20
ATTACHMENT B: INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS ................................................ 20
ATTACHMENT C: NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS ........ 20
ATTACHMENT D: HUB SUPPLEMENTAL VENDOR INFORMATION .................. 20
ATTACHMENT E: CUSTOMER REFERENCE FORM ............................................. 20
ATTACHMENT F: CERTIFICATION OF FINANCIAL CONDITION ......................... 20
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74-WS0041-2026: Strategic Communications & Integrated Marketing Advisor Services Vendor: __________________________
1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
Winston-Salem State University ('WSSU' or 'University') seeks an executive strategic marketing and communications advisor to
serve as a trusted resource to the Chancellor and Cabinet. The awarded firm will provide executive leadership, strategic counsel,
integrated marketing expertise, communication strategy, brand strategy, organizational development, and go-to-market
execution to strengthen the University's reputation, advance institutional priorities, and build long-term marketing and
communications capability across the institution.
It is the vision that the awarded firm will provide a dedicated principal/managing partner to serve as the University's sole point of
contact and the individual responsible for project deliverables. Managing partner / principal may use assets to provide project
deliverables, however the expectation is that the awarded firm will provide a managing partner as the sole point of coordination
and interface. It is also the vision that managing partner / principal will be present on campus once a month for monthly
deliverable progress meetings, otherwise work can be accomplished remotely.
The intent of this solicitation is to award an Agency Contract.
1.1 CONTRACT TERM
The Contract shall have an initial term of two years, beginning on the date of final Contract execution (the "Effective Date"). The
Vendor shall begin work under the Contract after receiving a Purchase Order from WSSU.
At the end of the Contract's initial term, the University shall have the option, in its sole discretion, to renew the Contract on the
same terms and conditions for up to three (3) additional one-year terms. The University will give the Vendor written notice of its
intent to exercise each option no later than sixty (60) days before the end of the Contract's then-current term. In addition to any
optional renewal terms, and with the Vendor's concurrence, the University reserves the right to extend the Contract after the last
active term.
Proposals shall be submitted in accordance with the terms and conditions of this RFP and any addenda issued hereto.
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DOCUMENT
This RFP is comprised of the base RFP document, any attachments, and any addenda released before Contract award, which are
incorporated herein by reference.
E-PROCUREMENT FEE
ATTENTION: The E-Procurement fee may apply to this solicitation. See the paragraph entitled ELECTRONIC PROCUREMENT of
the North Carolina General Terms and Conditions.
General information on the E-Procurement Services can be found at: http://eprocurement.nc.gov/.
NOTICE TO VENDORS REGARDING RFP TERMS AND CONDITIONS
It shall be the Vendor's responsibility to read the Instructions to Vendors, the North Carolina General Terms and Conditions, all
relevant exhibits and attachments, and any other components made a part of this RFP and comply with all requirements and
specifications herein. Vendors are also responsible for obtaining and complying with all Addenda and other changes that may be
issued in connection with this RFP.
If Vendors have questions or issues regarding any component of this RFP, those must be submitted as questions in accordance
with the instructions in the PROPOSAL QUESTIONS Section. If the University determines that any changes will be made as a result
of the questions asked, then such decisions will be communicated in the form of an RFP addendum. The University may also elect
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74-WS0041-2026: Strategic Communications & Integrated Marketing Advisor Services Vendor: __________________________
to leave open the possibility for later negotiation of specific provisions of the Contract that have been addressed during the
question-and-answer period, prior to contract award.
Other than through the process of negotiation under 01 NCAC 05B.0503, the University rejects and will not be required to evaluate
or consider any additional or modified terms and conditions submitted with Vendor's proposal or otherwise. This applies to any
language appearing in or attached to the document as part of the Vendor's proposal that purports to vary any terms and conditions
or Vendors' instructions herein or to render the proposal non-binding or subject to further negotiation. Vendor's proposal shall
constitute a firm offer that shall be held open for the period required herein ("Validity Period" above).
The University may exercise its discretion to consider Vendor proposed modifications. By execution and delivery of this RFP
Response, the Vendor agrees that any additional or modified terms and conditions, whether submitted purposely or
inadvertently, shall have no force or effect, and will be disregarded unless expressly agreed upon through negotiation and
incorporated by way of a Best and Final Offer (BAFO). Noncompliance with, or any attempt to alter or delete, this paragraph
shall constitute sufficient grounds to reject Vendor's proposal as nonresponsive.
RFP SCHEDULE
The table below shows the intended schedule for this RFP. The University will make every effort to adhere to this schedule.
Event Responsibility Date and Time
Issue RFP University Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Hold Pre-Proposal Meeting/Site Visit University N/A
Submit Written Questions Vendor Monday, October 12, 2026 to flemingrr@wssu.edu
no later than 1:00pm EDT.
Provide Response to Questions University Thursday, October 15, 2026 as an Addendum
posted to the eVP website.
Submit Proposals Vendor Tuesday, October 27, 2026, uploaded to the eVP
website no later than 1:00pm EDT.
Bid Opening University Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 3:00pm EDT via
Zoom.
Contract Award University Monday, November 2, 2026
PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE (NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS RFP)
PROPOSAL QUESTIONS
Upon review of the RFP documents, Vendors may have questions to clarify or interpret the RFP in order to submit the best proposal
possible. To accommodate the Proposal Questions process, Vendors shall submit any such questions by the "Submit Written
Questions" date and time provided in the RFP SCHEDULE Section above, unless modified by Addendum.
Written questions shall be emailed to flemingrr@wssu.edu no later than 1:00pm on Monday, October 12, 2026. Vendors should
enter "RFP #74-WS0041-2026: Questions" as the Subject for the email. Question submittals should include a reference to the
applicable RFP section and be submitted in the format shown below:
Reference Vendor Question
RFP Section, Page Number Vendor question ...?
Questions received prior to the submission deadline date, the University's response, and any additional terms deemed necessary
by the University will be posted in the form of an addendum to the electronic Vendor Portal (eVP), https://evp.nc.gov, and shall
become an Addendum to this RFP. No information, instruction or advice provided orally or informally by any University personnel,
whether made in response to a question or otherwise in connection with this RFP, shall be considered authoritative or binding.
Vendors shall rely only on written material contained in the RFP and an addendum to this RFP.
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