Request for Qualifications and Letter of Interest for communications services

The Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS or the “Center”) is issuing this Request for Qualifications and Letter of Interest to solicit responses from qualified contractors with experience executing integrated communications and outreach strategies.

The MSU Center for Regional Food Systems produces and promotes publications, resources, and events to engage diverse stakeholders in building a food system that is healthy, green, fair, and affordable for all. The Center seeks a qualified contractor who will supplement our internal staff with part-time communications support in the production and promotion of these deliverables and general communications. Examples of these deliverables can be found at: http://foodsystems.msu.edu/resources

This Letter of Interest will allow the CRFS Director of Communications to review the experience and qualifications of interested individuals in order to determine appropriate scope, roles, and responsibilities of this additional communications support. We anticipate that the services procured through this RFQ will begin May 2, 2016 and continue as needed for up to 18 months, or longer, if funds are available.

Skills and experience of specific interest include:

• Managing the production of printed and electronic reports, including:
  •  Copyediting and/or working with copyeditors
  • Layout design
  • Graphic design and/or working with graphic designers
  • Creation of promotional content for coordinated distribution across multiple channels (e.g.: listservs, website, social media)
• Ability to manage and sequence project deadlines
• Coordinating processes and timelines of multiple projects for independent teams
• Efficient & effective project management - understanding, communicating, and facilitating processes that involve a variety of professionals
• Technological savvy - ability to independently learn and use applications, as well as identify new applications, that improve workflow effectiveness and efficiency (e.g.: Trello)
• Media outreach and release writing
• Pre- and post-event communications
• Maintaining contact management systems
• Photography and videography
• Creating and/or working with an evolving editorial calendar
• Website maintenance with content management system (dotCMS preferred)
• Familiarity with AP and APA publishing styles
• Proficiency or better with Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and/or Photoshop

Please submit a Letter of Interest (no more than three pages) that includes:

1.     Brief summary of your previous work experience, qualifications, capacity, and hourly rate desired

2.     Description of 3-4 relevant work samples (please include these samples as attachments - or hyperlinks if necessary)

3.     Contact information for two recent clients or relevant employers

4.     Description of your availability to work on a recurring basis from the CRFS offices on Michigan State University’s camps (at least two days per week)

5.     Complete contact information for yourself

Timeline

Please email your Letter of Interest and attached work samples as Microsoft Word or PDF email attachments by 5:00 PM Thursday, March 3, 2016 to Andrea Sexton, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, at: [log in to unmask].

The Director of Communications will review Letters of Interest and contact selected candidates by March 17, 2016.

For additional questions about this Request for Qualifications and Letter of Interest, contact Andrea Sexton, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems: [log in to unmask].

About CRFS

The Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) engages the people of Michigan, the United States and the world in developing regionally integrated sustainable food systems. CRFS extends MSU’s pioneering legacy of applied research, education and outreach by catalyzing collaboration and fostering innovation among the diverse range of people, processes and places involved in regional food systems. Our vision is a thriving economy, equity and sustainability for Michigan, the country and the planet through food systems rooted in local regions and centered on Good Food: food that is healthy, green, fair and affordable.

For more information, visit: http://foodsystems.msu.edu