RFI_25-E0024_Strategic_Communications_Services.pdf

Governor Gavin Newsom

OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HAZARD ASSESSMENT

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

RFI #: 25-E0024

For

Strategic Communications Services

Release Date: January 28, 2026

RFI Number: 25-E0024

Intentionally left blank

Table of Contents

A. Purpose of the RFI B. Key Action Dates C. RFI Disclaimer D. RFI Format Submission E. Response Contents F. Respondent Questions G. Contact Information H. Background and Purpose I. Key Activities and Deliverables J. Attachment A

A. Purpose of this RFI

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), hereinafter also referred to as State, is providing an opportunity for interested Respondents to participate in a Request for Information (RFI) to survey the marketplace to obtain information about strategic communications services and identify potential vendors that can provide these services that meet the needs of the State.

Collective information provided by the vendor community may be used to develop or identify solution alternatives, specifications, and/or cost estimations necessary to acquire services. The State understands that information provided in this RFI is not sufficient to enable detailed analysis and costing by Respondent. Please provide your best advice based on your experience with other organizations and initiatives of this kind.

Completion of this RFI shall be performed at no cost to the State. The intent of this RFI is solely for information and planning purposes only, and it does not constitute a solicitation. A contract will not be awarded based on this RFI.

Please read this RFI document thoroughly and adhere to the response submission guidelines.

B. Key Action Dates

Listed below are the RFI Key Action Dates and times (all times noted are Pacific Time) by which actions should be taken or completed.

Event Date / Time Release RFI January 28, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

Last Day to Submit Questions Due February 4, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

Release of Answers and/or Addenda February 9, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

RFI Response Due Date February 20, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

C. RFI Disclaimer

1. This RFI is strictly informative for OEHHA, and it is not a competitive bidding process.

OEHHA is under no obligation to Respondent in any manner whatsoever. Neither this RFI nor any information provided by any Respondent hereto shall be deemed to create any legally binding agreement or obligations upon OEHHA. A response to this RFI is not an offer and cannot be accepted by OEHHA to form a binding contract. This RFI is solely designed to provide OEHHA with meaningful information to assist OEHHA with developing or identifying solution alternatives, specifications, and/or cost estimations necessary to acquire services. Conversely, the submission of a response does not constitute any commitment on the part of the Respondent.

2. This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only, and it does not constitute a solicitation. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. The State is not responsible for any expenses associated with responding to this RFI. OEHHA may consider Respondent’s responses in developing specifications and requirements for development of the future solicitations, such as, but not limited to, a Request for Offer (RFO), Request for Quotation (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Proposal (RFP).

3. The Respondent agrees that the submitted information is correct to the best of the

Respondent’s knowledge.

4. OEHHA is interested in learning the reasons for not submitting a response as well and may reach out to Respondent who did not submit a response.

5. Submitting a response to this RFI will not enhance the review of that Respondent’s proposal(s) to any future solicitations. Not submitting a response to this RFI will not prohibit a response to any future solicitation, nor disadvantage the evaluation of a response to any future solicitation. By submitting a response to this RFI a Respondent is implicitly agreeing with these conditions.

6. Respondent are advised that all documents submitted in response to this RFI will become the property of the State of California and will be regarded as public records under the California Public Records Act (CPRA) pursuant to Government Code Section 6250 et seq.

and subject to review by the public. The intent of this RFI is to validate project objectives and requirements for possible future solicitations. Please do not include any confidential or proprietary information in responses to this RFI as it may be disclosed or be subject to the

CPRA.

D. RFI Format Submission

1. Responses to this RFI must be submitted via e-mail, preferably in the native file format of

Microsoft Word, to the State’s contact listed in Section G – Contact Information, and must include the following information in the email subject line: 25-E0024 RFI OEHHA Strategic Communications Services.

2. Contact information including the name, title, address, phone number, and e-mail address of the primary contact person for the RFI.

3. Response must be submitted by the date and time stated in the Section B – Key Action Dates.

E. Response Contents

Respondent’s response shall contain the following:

1. A signed cover letter that includes the following elements:

a. Respondent name, address, telephone number, and fax number; and

b. Contact information including the name, title, address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address of the Respondent’s primary contact person for this

RFI.

c. A statement by the individual certifying the information in the response is true and accurate to the best of his/her knowledge at the time of submittal

2. A narrative describing the following, as applicable:

a. The Respondent’s primary business focus, areas of expertise, certifications and/or credentials relevant to the content of this RFI, and experience with providing similar services; and

b. The Respondent’s experience doing business with the State of California.

3. Response to Section I – Key Activities and Deliverables. Please ensure that the format and numbering of the response correlates to that within Section I.

4. OEHHA is requesting Voluntary Cost Information from Respondent to this RFI (see Attachment A – Cost Information Sheet). OEHHA understands that the costs provided are voluntary and non-binding. Cost information may be used to develop cost estimations and budgets. Respondent are encouraged to provide a general cost value (or range of costs) for the services identified in the RFI Response.

F. Respondent Questions

Respondent must submit questions regarding this RFI via e-mail by the specified date and time stated in the Section B – Key Action Dates. Questions shall be submitted via email to the contact person listed in the Section G – Contact Information.

The following should be included in the email inquiry:

1. On the subject line of the e-mail, include: 25-E0024 RFI OEHHA Strategic

Communications Services – Respondent Questions

2. Respondent name and contact person, telephone number, e-mail address.

3. A description of the subject or issue in question, or discrepancy found in the RFI.

4. RFI section, page number, or other information useful in identifying the specific problem or issue stated in the question.

5. All questions will be responded to in writing via an addendum and posted on CalEprocure.

G. Contact Information

Respondent must submit their written response, via e-mail to the State contact listed below:

Contact: Contracts and Business Services Branch Agency: Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) Email: Acquisitions.Sections@oehha.ca.gov Phone: (916) 327-8357

H. Background and Purpose

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) implements Proposition 65, which is a law that requires businesses to provide warnings before exposing people to significant amounts of chemicals on the state’s Proposition 65 list. Chemicals are placed on this list for cancer or reproductive harm (i.e., harm to a developing embryo or fetus, or harm to one’s ability to have a healthy baby).

Proposition 65 was approved by California voters in November 1986. In November 2026, California marks the 40th anniversary of the law’s passage, recognizing four decades of efforts to reduce Californians’ exposure to toxic chemicals.

In preparation for this anniversary, OEHHA has commenced a two-year communication and publicity effort to elevate public awareness of Proposition 65’s legacy, current implementation efforts and challenges, and future direction.

OEHHA’s Proposition 65 implementation staff are exploring ways to implement a multi-pronged plan that includes:

An in-person and virtual conference with multiple panels in Sacramento or the Bay Area, with speakers from academia, government, consumer advocacy groups, and business groups.

Short videos that tell the story of Proposition 65 from diverse perspectives.

A rebrand of the name “Proposition 65” to something that is self-explanatory and draws on the program’s “Your Right to Know!” slogan.

The creation of a mascot to convey a friendlier and more accessible image of Proposition

65 that appeals to broader audiences.

The development of new, more engaging, culturally inclusive multi-media outreach materials regarding the law aimed at the public and businesses.

The development of a media outreach plan that incorporates the initiatives outlined above, and emphasizes the law’s successes and public value.

To achieve the deliverables outlined in this document, we expect to start work in May 2026. The conference is set to take place in early 2027. The development of the rebrand, mascot and the outreach plans can take place between May 2026 and mid-2027.

I. Key Activities and Deliverables

OEHHA welcomes responses from interested parties on the project scope below. All interested parties should elaborate in detail the segment(s) which they can fulfill as well as the budget and timeline they anticipate completing their project. Respondents which are unable to fulfill all components of the project scope must outline their collaboration methodology or strategy in developing a successful partnership with another Respondent to ensure successful execution of project.

The project is organized into four main categories. Each one includes multiple, numbered deliverables. For each numbered deliverable, we ask to be presented with three options for carrying out the work, that range in scale, price from high to low, and the estimated timeline required (months, weeks, and/or days) for completion. We ask that the first option be the most labor-intensive and expensive, the second option be moderate, and the third option be the least labor-intensive and expensive. Having these three options will allow us to make strategic decisions about how to most efficiently invest our resources.

Category 1. Anniversary Initiatives

I. Documentary-style and other videos

Using engaging storytelling techniques, create short videos to be posted on our official website, and shared with media, that:

A. Tell the story of Proposition 65 and highlight the law’s goals and impact.

B. Feature historic footage from the 1986 referendum campaign, which could include interviews with the law’s original creators, proponents, and critics.

C. Include interview clips with current and retired OEHHA staff who work(ed) on Proposition 65 implementation.

D. Offer insights from staff from the Attorney General’s and/or Governor’s office, as well as other legal experts involved in applying the law, about the value of the law and the current challenges it faces.

E. Showcase the work of scholars who have documented the law’s impact on public health in California and beyond.

F. Project voices from community and non-governmental organizations who can attest to the law’s impact on the public, ideally profiling a few key stories.

G. Highlight how businesses use the law to create more environmentally friendly and health-protective consumer products, and how businesses have used the Proposition 65 list to create applications that help consumers make healthier choices.

H. Include multi-lingual options for subtitling.

OEHHA staff will be able to provide supporting material, including photographs, articles, names, and contact information for key actors with a record of involvement with Proposition 65, including people in government service, the business and legal communities, and non-profit and community organizations.

II. Conference Logistics Coordination

OEHHA is planning a one-day hybrid conference in early 2027 that will bring together experts across the Proposition 65 compliance landscape to consider the impact of and challenges to chemical right-to-know laws. The conference will highlight California’s Proposition 65 law while placing it in a wider, comparative context.

OEHHA staff will secure the venue, location, and date; invite and secure panel speakers and moderators; and determine panel and speaker topics.

However, our team will need help coordinating the logistics of planning and carrying out this conference. Tasks might include:

A. Logistical coordination, including being the point person for the venue, catering, IT staff, and conference speakers.

B. Development of outreach materials to publicize the conference.

C. Development of a media plan for visibility and media coverage, including the creation of press kits and talking points to prepare OEHHA staff to field media queries.

Category 2. Rebrand Initiatives

III. Slogan/motto

Our main goal here is to rebrand “Proposition 65,” drawing on the “Your Right to Know” slogan, to better clarify the law’s mission for people within and outside California. A rebrand should ensure that people can see the program’s name and understand its purpose and value at first sight.

In support of this goal, we seek assistance:

A. Developing the new slogan or motto.

B. Conducting field testing among relevant stakeholders and the public to ensure the new name for Proposition 65 is well received and understood, and has no negative connotations.

C. Ensuring that the new name or phrase can be translated and understood cross-culturally.

In carrying out our field testing, OEHHA staff will reach out to our existing network of contacts but will also seek help reaching out to new entities.

IV. Mascot

Our team would like to create and name a mascot that represents the law in an approachable, memorable and engaging way.

In support of this goal, we seek assistance:

A. Developing the mascot and name.

B. Conducting field testing among relevant stakeholders and the public to ensure the mascot is well received and understood, and has no negative connotations.

C. Ensuring that the mascot is appropriate for diverse audiences and takes into account translation challenges and other cross-cultural considerations.

In carrying out our field testing, OEHHA staff will reach out to our existing network of contacts but will also seek help reaching out to new entities.

V. AI Chatbot

In collaboration with our existing IT staff, our team would like to create an AI chatbot that utilizes the mascot to help people find information more easily on our website.

In support of this goal, we seek assistance developing an AI chatbot. The chatbot should:

A. Allow people to ask questions, then direct them to relevant OEHHA webpages where they can find the answers.

B. Be able to answer questions in multiple languages.

Category 3. Social Engagement and Content Development

VI. Stakeholder Engagement

A. Community Engagement: Develop a strategic plan and schedule for engaging with and developing working relationships with non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, youth organizations, and other entities to evaluate, improve, and extend our outreach. The plan should incorporate ways to scale up our outreach efforts over several years.

B. Business Engagement: Develop a strategic plan and schedule for engaging with and developing working relationships with businesses, including minority-owned and minority-operated businesses, trade groups, trade associations, and others in the business community to evaluate, improve, and extend our outreach. The plan should incorporate ways to scale up our outreach efforts over several years.

VII. Broader, Innovative Uses for the Proposition 65 List

Develop a plan to help businesses and consumers utilize the Proposition 65 list beyond the existing regulatory warnings program. For instance, this could include focusing on specific chemicals or focusing on chemicals used in certain industries or certain types of consumer products. We would like to highlight how different people in various capacities (e.g. consumers, teachers, parents, pregnant people, medical professionals, patients) can use the list to make more informed, healthier choices. The plan should incorporate the use of innovative technologies to create applications, chatbots, etc., to help the public access Proposition-65 related information in more tailored, flexible, and effective ways.

OEHHA staff will assist in this work by drawing on the agency’s extensive network of contacts with experts at other state entities, academic institutions, scholars, non-profits, and other organizations. At the same time, our office will seek help in developing new contacts and fine-tuning our outreach initiatives.

Category 4. Campaign Development and Media Relations

VIII. Campaign Development and Media Relations

In pulling together the broader communications plan, we would like to develop and implement a comprehensive public relations strategy with a clear storytelling approach that integrates our work in each category. To do this we seek to:

A. Prepare key messages, press kits, and media talking points.

B. Create a social media toolkit (e.g. plan of action and calendar) that can be utilized by OEHHA and partner agencies.

C. Coordinate media coverage across print, digital, radio, and broadcast.

D. Pitch and facilitate interviews and feature stories.

E. Draft and distribute press releases, op-eds, and advisories.

F. Maintain an inclusive statewide media contact list.

OEHHA staff will be able to provide templates from past media rollouts, to be adapted to this project’s specific needs. Our Office of External and Legislative Affairs will assist in planning and conducting media outreach, drawing on but also expanding our existing network of contacts.

Attachment A – Estimated Cost Information

Attachment A Estimated Cost Information

Most Labor-Intensive Moderate Labor-Intensive Least Labor-Intensive

Category 1. Anniversary Initiatives I. Documentary-style and other videos

II. Conference Logistics Coordination

Category 2. Rebrand Initiatives

III. Slogan/motto

IV. Mascot

V. AI Chatbot Category 3. Social Engagement and Content Development

VI. Stakeholder Engagement VII. Broader, Innovative Uses for the Proposition 65 List Category 4. Campaign Development and Media Relations VIII. Campaign Development and Media Relations

TOTAL: