Affinity Programs RFP Amend2.pdf

Request for Proposals No. R09-9625 Premium Fundraising and Seasonal Card Programs

Amendment No.2

The RFP #R09-9625 is hereby amended effective as of the date hereof by providing the additional inforrnation identified in the bold, numbered questions and corresponding Smithsonian responses below. The issues are generally presented in the order such issues appear in the RFP. Where a question relates to a certain page or section of the RFP, the Smithsonian response may refer to such page or section for clarification and may restate the section and the name of the section.

EXTENSION OF PIASE I DUE DATE: In order to ollow respondents sfficient time to review the information provided in this Amendment, the due date for submission of qualifications and letters of intent is hereby extendedfrom 2:00 P.M. Eastern time on August J,9, 2009 to 2:00 P.M. Eastern time on August 21,2009.

1. Question: Do you have samples of previoüs year's collateral and cards for these projects (electronic response would suffïce)?

Answer: No. The Smithsonian would like to see the offerors' ideas and does not want to skew proposals by showing offerors what the Smithsonian has utilized in the past on similar programs.

2. Question: Is this a no cost (to Smithsonian) RÏ.P or will development or promotional funds be made available? If yes, how much?

Answer: No development or promotional funds will be made available to oflerors for this RFP.

3. Question: Will the selected fïrm be responsible for the design of the cards? And will there be a formal approval process for each?

Answer: Yes, the selected firm will be responsible for developing card concepts and designs in close collaboration with Smithsonian. There will be a formal review and approval process for all elements of the Programs. Please refer to RFP Section II.B.7, which states that the Smithsonian seeks a company who can, in promoting and selling the products developed under these Programs, "Establish a product approval process that allows Smithsonian to evaluate the proposed products within each Program for compliance with the Smithsonian mission and brand identþ. A mutually agreed upon schedule for concept and design approvals will be established with the selected company(ies) that incorporates the time necessary to meet the production schedule and to ensure proper review and comment by Smithsonian."

4. Question: Will access be given to previous donor lists (outside of Smithsonian Møgøzine subscribers) and/or should list acquisition be part of our proposal?

Answer: The Smithsonian plans to capitalize on its prior program participant lists, and access to these lists will be provided to the successful offerer(s). Per RFP Section ILB.6., the Smithsonian seeks a company who can, in promoting and selling the products developed under these Programs, provide the environment and opportunity to grow the Programs and market during the course of the relationship. Offerors may include in their proposals opportunities for expanding the Programs.

5. Question: IIow many names and addresses are currently on the Smithsonian Møgazine mailing list?

Answer: Currently, there are 2 million Smithsonian Magazine subscribers.

6. Question: Will the selected firm be responsible for all fulfillment?

Answer: Yes. Please refer to RFP Section II.A., which states that "The Smithsonian is seeking a direct response, marketing company to develop, promote, and fully execute a 4th quarter holiday card progfam (the "Seasonal Card Program") and a year round premium fundraising program (the

"Premium Fundraising Program") beginning in calendar year 2010 (collectively, the "Programs")."

7. Question: Will the selected firm have any say in selection of premiums?

Answer: Yes. The Smithsonian welcomes new ideas and wants to capitalize on the experience and expertise of the selected firm. Please refer to RFP Section m.C.2., which states that "As pafi of the description for the fundraising program, clearly indicate what products are recommended."

Please also refer to RFP Section I[I.C.3, which states: To the extent that your company would like to propose opportunities for added value relative to the Programs, please provide a narrative describing such opportunities and how such opportunities as well as products would fit within the strategy and brand vision identified in#2 above."

8. Question: Are you wanting specifics on how much financial support our fïrm would put behind this project, as well as our desired royalties?

Answer: The Smithsonian would like to gain a sense of the offeror's commitment to the Programs. This information may be conveyed in the form of specific financial support. Please also refer to RFP Section III.C.5, which asks offerors to submit "Your proposed business and financial terms for the proposed Programs, including but not limited to royaþ rate; term of agreement; 2010,2011, and 2012 (calendar year) financial projections; assumptions behind 2010, 2011, and20l2 (calendar year) projections; advance and annual guarantees."

9. Question: Will the selected vendor be permitted to wholesale these Smithsonian-branded items (cards and premiums)?

Answer: Please refer to RFP Section III.C.3., which states: "To the extent that your company would like to propose opportunities for added value relative to the Programs, please provide a narrative describing such opportunities and how such opportunities as well as products would fit within the strategy and brand vision identified in#2 above." If the offeror feels that an opportunity related to the wholesaling of items would not detract from the Programs and would instead add value to the Programs, the offeror may propose such an opportunity. Please be sure to provide sufficient detail regarding what the proposal entails.

10. Question: Is there any flexibility in the Smithsonian's requirement to use Smithsonian-sourced images in the products for these Programs?

Answer: The Smithsonian anticipates that the majority of images used in the Program(s) will be derived from its collections, however we also understand that there may be the need to use images secured from other sources as well. All the images utilized in the Program(s) must be true to the Smithsonian's brand and reflect the values of the Smithsonian's "inçrease and diffusion of knowledge" mission. Please refer to RFP Section II.A, which states that "The foundation of the products developed under these Programs will benefit from incorporating images or other resources from the Smithsonian collections that reflect the values of the Smithsonian's o'increase and diffusion of knowledge" mission.

Except as amended herein, all other terms and conditions of RFP #R09-9625 remain unchanged.