1463663-event.pdf

26 October 2026

Guided Written Content Development The Minnesota State system office is soliciting proposals from qualified individuals and companies to provide guided written content development services on as-needed on-demand basis.

26 October 2026

Open 10/26/2026, 12:00 PM CDT Type Request for Proposal Close 12/2/2026, 12:00 PM CST Number SRC-SYSOFF-2027-000657-RFP Currency US Dollar

Sealed Until 12/2/2026, 12:00 PM CST

Payment Terms Net 30

26 October 2026

Contacts Victor Lesnikou viktar.lesnikou@minnstate.edu

26 October 2026

Commodity Codes Commodity Code Description 82110000 Writing and translations 82000000 Editorial and Design and Graphic and Fine Art Services

26 October 202626 October 202626 October 2026 mailto:viktar.lesnikou@minnstate.edu

Description Event Overview Description

Minnesota State is requesting proposals from qualified individuals and companies to provide written content development services, as directed by the requesting staff member, on an as-needed, on-demand basis. The selected respondent(s) will produce written content exclusively for Academic and Student Affairs (ASA) staff at the Minnesota State system office, supporting a wide range of communications and institutional needs of the users' respective units.

This procurement is intended to establish a master contract that ASA staff at the Minnesota State system office may access to engage qualified writing and editorial support efficiently, on a task-order basis.

Minnesota State reserves the right to make multiple awards if determined to be in the best interest of the system.

Project Overview

Minnesota State is soliciting proposals from qualified individuals and companies — including sole proprietors, independent contractors, and agencies — to provide guided written content development services for the following fiscal years:

FY27 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027)

FY28 (July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028)

FY29 (July 1, 2028 – June 30, 2029)

FY30 (July 1, 2029 – June 30, 2030)

FY31 (July 1, 2030 – June 30, 2031)

Selected respondent(s) will work directly with ASA staff at the Minnesota State system office to plan, produce, revise, and deliver written content across a variety of formats and channels. Projects will be initiated on a task-order basis, with scope, timelines, deliverables, and deadlines defined per assignment. All content must align with Minnesota State brand standards, style guidelines, and accessibility requirements.

Scope of Services

The selected Respondent(s) will provide the following services as requested by ASA staff at the Minnesota State system office:

1. Content Strategy and Planning

Meet with requesting system office staff to discuss and determine communications objectives, target audiences, key messages, and project scope prior to each assignment.

Develop content proposals, briefs, outlines, or editorial plans as needed.

Adapt existing source materials (e.g., nomination portfolios, reports, program information) into concise public-facing content, such as brief bios, summaries, nut graphs, and award or recognition narratives.

Advise on content structure, format, tone, and channel suitability

Manage project timelines and communicate proactively regarding progress or obstacles.

2. Writing Services

The selected Respondent(s) must be capable of producing written content across a range of formats, including but not limited to:

Web copy, landing pages, and digital content

Press releases and media advisories

Social media content for multiple platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram)

Newsletters and e-newsletters

Select faculty and staff biographies of various lengths

Annual reports and institutional publications

Speeches, remarks, and talking points for senior leadership

Internal communications, memos, and staff announcements

Blog posts, thought leadership articles, and op-eds

Grant reports, white papers, and policy briefs

Marketing and promotional materials

Video and multimedia scripts

Informational brochures and print collateral

3. Editorial and Proofreading Services

Copyedit and proofread content produced by system office staff.

Apply and enforce relevant style guides (e.g., Associated Press (AP) Style, Chicago Manual of Style, Minnesota State brand standards).

Ensure consistency of voice, tone, and terminology across documents.

Conduct quality assurance review prior to final delivery.

4. Revision and Collaboration

Incorporate feedback from Minnesota State staff across multiple rounds of revision.

Manage input from multiple stakeholders efficiently and professionally.

Maintain version control and clearly document changes between drafts.

5. Delivery and File Management

Deliver final content in formats specified by Minnesota State (e.g., Microsoft Word, PDF, plain text, or content management system-ready formats).

Provide editable source files upon project completion.

Store and share content securely using a Minnesota State-approved cloud repository or file transfer method.

Retain all project files for the duration of the contract and transfer all materials to Minnesota State upon project completion or contract termination.

Vendor Qualifications

Respondents must demonstrate the following minimum qualifications:

Demonstrated experience producing high-quality written content for professional, educational, public-sector, or similarly complex audiences.

Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and deliver on schedule within the defined scope.

Strong command of written English, including grammar, style, clarity, and persuasive writing across multiple content types and channels.

Familiarity with, or demonstrated ability to quickly learn, Minnesota State brand standards and institutional voice.

Experience adapting content for a variety of formats, audiences, and channels, including diverse and underserved communities.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively with system office staff.

Commitment to data privacy, confidentiality, compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and applicable state and federal laws.

Commercial availability: Services must be available for active client engagements and not under development or pre-launch.

Subcontractor disclosure: If any portion of services will be performed by subcontractors, the Respondent must disclose each subcontractor’s identity, scope of work, and any access to Minnesota State data prior to retaining subcontractor.

Respondents must provide a detailed rate structure as part of their proposal, including the following:

Rate Structure

Hourly rates for writing services (by content type if rates vary)

Hourly rates for editing and proofreading services

Project-based or package pricing, if offered

Rush or expedited delivery rate premiums

Selection Process

The selection process will be conducted by the Written Content Development RFP Evaluation Committee.

The committee is composed of representatives from the following functional areas:

Procurement and Contracts

Educational Development and Technology

Academic and Student Affairs

The committee will independently evaluate all submitted proposals, score submissions against the criteria below, and may conduct interviews or request work sample presentations from shortlisted finalists. The committee will submit a final recommendation to the appropriate authorizing officer for approval.

Evaluation Factors

The following factors and their identified weights will be used to evaluate proposals:

Topic Evaluation Factor Weight

Adherence to Minnesota State Terms and Conditions

A statement of objectives, goals, and tasks demonstrating the Respondent’s understanding of the nature of the contract and confirmation of agreement with the terms and conditions.

Work Samples

Representative writing and editorial samples demonstrating quality, range, and depth across relevant content types (e.g., brief bio, web copy, reports, speeches, newsletter). Includes a description of workflow, capacity, and approach to managing concurrent assignments.

Cost / Value Proposed rate structure for writing and editorial services, including hourly rates by service type, project-based pricing options, and any volume discount or retainer arrangements.

Respondent Qualifications

Background, relevant subject matter expertise, higher education or public-sector experience, personnel qualifications, and demonstrated past performance with comparable engagements.

Security, Confidentiality, and Compliance

Procedures for protecting confidential information, compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), data handling practices, and approach to producing accessible written content.

TOTAL 100

Note: Minnesota State reserves the right to request clarification from any Respondent during the evaluation process. Clarification requests do not guarantee advancement to the next stage.

Oral Presentations and Portfolio Reviews

After the evaluation of submitted proposals, Minnesota State may shortlist Respondents for presentations, portfolio reviews, or structured interviews. Shortlisted Respondents will be notified in writing and provided with scheduling instructions. Presentations are intended to validate proposed qualifications and allow clarification of proposal content.

Respondents should ensure that the individuals who would perform the contracted work are available for presentations. Minnesota State will make reasonable efforts to accommodate scheduling preferences;

however, Minnesota State reserves the right to assign dates and times at its discretion.

Contract Terms

Minnesota State desires to enter into a master contract with the successful Respondent(s) effective on the date the last authorized signature is obtained, or July 1, 2027, whichever occurs later. The length of such contract(s) will be five (5) years, through June 30, 2032.

Minnesota State reserves the right to make multiple awards if determined to be in the best interest of the system. Individual projects will be initiated as task orders or purchase orders against the master contract, with scope, deliverables, timeline, and compensation defined for each assignment.

If Minnesota State and the Respondent are unable to negotiate and sign a contract, Minnesota State reserves the right to seek an alternative Respondent(s).

Inquiries and Submission Instructions

Minnesota State accepts all questions and proposal submissions exclusively through the Minnesota State electronic procurement system. Hard copy submissions, emails, or submissions through any other medium will not be considered. Each Respondent is solely responsible for the timely delivery of its questions and proposal by the RFP date and time deadlines. Failure to meet the deadlines shall be grounds for rejection.