Utah Valley University Procurement & Contract Services

800 W University Pkwy Orem, UT 84058

Request for Proposal Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services

RFP-2027-1202

RFP Issued Sept. 14, 2026

RFP Questions Due Sept. 28, 2026 at 2:00pm MT

Proposal Due Date Oct. 5, 2026 at 2:00pm MT

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1 – PURPOSE OF RFP

1.01. PURPOSE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

1.02. ABOUT UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY

1.03. ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL FEDERALISM INITIATIVE

1.04. ABOUT THE UTAH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION

SECTION 2 – DEFINITIONS

SECTION 3 – INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO THIS RFP

3.01. ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDANCE

3.02. ISSUING OFFICE AND RFP REFERENCE NUMBER

3.03. DUE DATE

3.04. PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

3.05. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

3.06. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

3.07. TIME FOR EVALUATION

3.08. GOVERNING LAWS AND REGULATIONS

3.09. ADDENDUM TO RFP

3.10. RESTRICTIONS ON COMMUNICATIONS WITH UNIVERSITY STAFF

3.11. CONTRACT PERIOD

3.12. PRICE GUARANTEE PERIOD

SECTION 4 – PROPOSAL RESPONSE OUTLINE

4.01. PROPOSAL RESPONSE OUTLINE

A. FILE ONE – LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

B. FILE TWO – TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

C. FILE THREE – COST PROPOSAL

D. FILE FOUR – SAMPLE CONTRACT/AGREEMENT

E. FILE FIVE – REDACTED COPY

SECTION 5 – STATEMENT OF NEEDS

5.01. OBJECTIVE

5.02. GENERAL OFFEROR INFORMATION

5.03. MANDATORY MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS

5.04. SCOPE OF WORK AND SPECIFICATIONS

5.05. Launch PLAN AND TIMELINE

SECTION 6 – PROPOSAL EVALUATION

6.01. OPENING OF PROPOSALS

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services

6.02. EVALUATION PROCESS OVERVIEW

6.03. RESPONSIVE DETERMINATION

6.04. RESPONSIBLE DETERMINATION

6.05. EVALUATION

6.06. EVALUATION CRITERIA

6.07. COMPOSITE SCORE COMPUTATION

6.08. SELECTED OFFEROR

6.09. NEGOTIATIONS AND BEST AND FINAL OFFERS

SECTION 7 – RFP PROVISIONS

7.01. GENERAL BID PROVISIONS

7.02. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS

7.03. GRATUITIES

7.04. AWARD OF CONTRACT

7.05. PROTECTED INFORMATION

7.06. COST OF PREPARING PROPOSAL

7.07. OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION

7.08. ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS

7.09. AWARD OF SUBCONTRACTS

7.10. REMEDIES

7.11. ANTI-COLLUSION

7.12. OUTSTANDING TAX LIEN

7.13. RIGHT TO REJECT

7.14. STATUS VERIFICATION SYSTEM

7.15. DEBARMENT

RFP EVALUATION SCORE SHEET

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services

SECTION 1 – PURPOSE OF RFP

1.01. PURPOSE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to solicit proposals to enter into a contract with a qualified offeror to obtain federalism podcast production services for Utah Valley University. The University is examining several alternatives of providing this product and/or construction and may decide, after reviewing proposals submitted, not to enter into any agreement.

This document solicits competitive sealed proposals, from qualified businesses to perform the scope of work set forth herein. This RFP is an offer by the University to purchase, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this RFP, the products and/or services proposed by the successful offeror. Offerors are strongly encouraged to carefully read the entire RFP.

1.02. ABOUT UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY

Utah Valley University is an integrated university and community college that educates every student for success in work and life through excellence in engaged teaching, services, and scholarship. UVU’s culture supports our mission of student success. Student success encompasses both terminal degrees and the holistic education of students, and we believe that we can fulfill this mission best in an environment that allows all individuals to thrive personally and professionally. To this end, UVU operates in accordance with three core values: exceptional care, exceptional accountability, and exceptional results.

Utah Valley University is located in Orem, Utah. UVU began as a vocational school during World War II, and, in the eight decades since, has evolved into a technical school, a community school, a state college, and, finally, a comprehensive regional teaching university. UVU is one of Utah’s largest institutions of higher learning and offers programs ranging from career training to high-demand master degrees, with emphasis on undergraduate education.

For additional general information about Utah Valley University, please visit the University’s home page at http://www.uvu.edu/ , and our fact book at http://www.uvu.edu/iri/.

1.03. ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL FEDERALISM INITIATIVE

The Constitutional Federalism Initiative (CFI), housed in Utah Valley University’s Center for Constitutional Studies (CCS), is a nonpartisan, interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to advancing public officials’ understanding of the U.S. Constitution’s federal system and fostering interstate collaboration towards a robust, balanced, constitutional federalism.

1.04. ABOUT THE UTAH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION

The Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) is committed to providing accessible, affordable, and high quality post-secondary education to all Utah residents. Established in 1969, USHE is comprised of eight public colleges and universities and eight technical colleges. Each institution provides opportunity, promotes student success, and meets regional educational needs.

In addition to Utah Valley University, the following USHE member institutions may have the option to purchase off of the resulting contract by either signing a Participating Addendum to the resulting contract/agreement or entering into a separate, direct contract with the awarded offeror: Salt Lake Community College, Utah State University, Weber State University, University of Utah, Snow College, Southern Utah University, Utah Tech University, Bridgerland Technical College, Davis Technical College, Ogden-Weber Technical College, Southwest Technical College, Uintah Basin Technical College, Dixie Technical College, Mountainland Technical College, and Tooele Technical College. After

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services reviewing the awarded proposal and contract, each institution may choose not to proceed with a procurement or enter into any agreement.

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services

SECTION 2 – DEFINITIONS

2.01. Addenda: Written or graphic instructions issued by the University prior to the receipt of Proposals that modify or interpret the Request for Proposal documents by addition, deletions, clarification, or corrections.

2.02. Business: Any corporation, partnership, individual, sole proprietorship, joint stock company, joint venture, or any other private legal entity.

2.03. Contract: The agreement resulting from this RFP, executed between the University and an offeror. The contract shall include the terms and conditions contained herein and any other negotiated terms and conditions.

2.04. Contractor: Any person having a contract with the University.

2.05. Construction: The process of building, renovating, or demolishing any University structure or building, major developmental work, or landscaping of University real property. It does not include the routine operation, routine repair, or routine maintenance of existing structures, buildings, or real property.

2.06. Data: Recorded information, regardless of form or characteristic.

2.07. Employee: An individual drawing a salary from the University and any non-compensated individual performing personal services for the University.

2.08. Goods: Anything purchased other than construction, services, or real property.

2.09. May: Denotes the permissive.

2.10. Offer or Proposal: An offeror’s response to this Request for Proposal.

2.11. Offeror: Any business, entity, or contractor group submitting a proposal.

2.12. Person: Any business, individual, union, committee, club, other organization, or group of individuals.

2.13. Procurement: Buying, purchasing, renting, leasing, or otherwise acquiring any goods, services, or construction. It also includes all functions that pertain to the obtaining of any supply, service, or construction, including description of requirements, selection and solicitation of sources, preparation and award of contract, and all phases of contract administration.

2.14. Product: The goods or services that a company makes available.

2.15. Public Notice: The distribution or dissemination of information to interested parties using methods that are reasonably available. Such methods include publication in newspapers of general circulation, electronic or paper mailing lists, and web site(s) designated by the University and maintained for that purpose.

2.16. Procurement & Contract Services: Utah Valley University, Procurement & Contract Services, 1545

W. Business Park Dr., Orem, Utah 84058.

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services

2.17. Purchasing Official: The individual appointed by the Director of Procurement & Contract Services to manage this RFP process.

2.18. Real Property: Land and its permanently affixed buildings or structures.

2.19. Responsible Offeror: A person or business who has the capability, in all respects, to perform fully the contract requirements and the integrity and reliability that will assure good faith performance.

2.20. Request for Proposal (RFP): All documents, whether attached or incorporated by reference, utilized for soliciting proposals.

2.21. RFP Committee: A committee of individuals appointed by the Purchasing Official to perform a technical evaluation of submitted proposals.

2.22. Services: Furnish of labor, time, or effort by a contractor. Does not include the delivery of a specific end product, other than reports which are merely incidental to the required performance. This term shall not include employment agreements or collective bargaining agreements.

2.23. Shall: Denotes the imperative.

2.24. Signature: A manual or electronic identifier, or the electronic result of an authentication technique attached to or logically associated with a record that is intended by the person using it to have the same force and effect as a manual signature.

2.25. Solicitation: A Request for Proposal (RFP) or Invitation for Bid (IFB).

2.26. Specifications: Any description of the physical or functional characteristics, or of the nature of a supply, service, or construction item. It may include a description of any requirement for inspecting, testing, or preparing a supply, service, or construction item for delivery.

2.27. University: Utah Valley University.

2.28. Using Department: Any unit of the University which utilizes any goods, services, or construction procured under this RFP.

2.29. Utah Procurement Code: Utah State Code § 63G-6a-101 et. seq. as amended

2.30. Will: Denotes the imperative.

2.31. Written or In Writing: The product of any method of forming characters on paper, other materials, or viewable screens, which can be read, retrieved, and reproduced, including information that is electronically transmitted and stored.

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services

SECTION 3 – INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO THIS RFP

3.01. ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDANCE

This RFP is designed to provide interested businesses with basic information sufficient to submit proposals meeting minimum requirements. It is not intended to limit a proposal's content or to exclude any relevant or essential data therefrom. Offerors are at liberty, and are encouraged, to expand upon the specifications to give additional evidence of their ability to provide the products and/or construction requested in this RFP.

3.02. ISSUING OFFICE AND RFP REFERENCE NUMBER

The Utah Valley University Department of Procurement & Contract Services is the issuing office for this RFP and all addenda relating to it. The reference number for this RFP is RFP-2027-1202. This number must be referenced on all proposals, correspondence, and documentation relating to this RFP.

3.03. DUE DATE

In order for a proposal to be considered, it must be submitted through the UVU Vendor Portal no later than 2:00pm MT on Oct. 5, 2026. Proposals received after this deadline will be late and ineligible for consideration. If there is a conflict between the date/time listed in this document and the end date listed on the UVU Vendor Portal, the date/time listed on the UVU Vendor Portal will take precedence.

3.04. PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

No pre-proposal conference will be held.

3.05. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

All questions, inquiries, or requests for information, clarification, or interpretation arising subsequent to the issuance of this RFP shall be submitted in writing through the UVU Vendor Portal. Questions submitted by e-mail, phone, or other method will not be considered. All questions must be received by Sept. 28, 2026 at 2:00pm MT. Questions asked after this deadline will not be answered. Procurement & Contract Services will extend the due date if such information significantly amends this solicitation or makes compliance with the original due date impractical.

Questions may be answered in the order that they are submitted or may be compiled into one document and answered via an addendum. Answers disseminated by Procurement & Contract Services through the UVU Vendor Portal shall serve as the official and binding position of UVU and will constitute an addendum to this RFP. An answered question or addenda may modify the specifications or requirements of this RFP. Answered questions and addenda will be posted on the UVU Vendor Portal. Offerors should periodically check the UVU Vendor Portal for answered questions and addenda before the closing date. It is the responsibility of the offerors to submit their proposal as required by this RFP, including any requirements contained in answered questions and/or addenda.

3.06. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

By submitting a proposal to this RFP, the offeror acknowledges and agrees that the requirements, scope of work, and the evaluation process outlined in this RFP are understood, fair, equitable, and are not unduly restrictive. The offeror further acknowledges that it has read this RFP, along with any attached or referenced documents.

Proposals must be submitted electronically through the UVU Vendor Portal (SciQuest). Proposals submitted in any other way will be considered not responsive and will not be accepted. When submitting a bid electronically through the UVU Vendor Portal (SciQuest), please allow sufficient time to complete the online forms and upload proposal documents. The solicitation will end at the closing time listed on

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services the posting. If the Offeror is in the middle of uploading a proposal when the deadline arrives, the system will stop the upload process and the proposal will not be received by the UVU Vendor Portal (SciQuest) and the attempted submission will be considered late and ineligible for consideration.

The UVU Vendor Portal requires that an Offeror confirm their entire submission before the system marks the submission as complete. Simply uploading files to the system WILL NOT count as a submitted proposal. Please ensure your proposal is fully submitted before the deadline.

The UVU Vendor Portal will accept a wide variety of document types as attachments. However, the submission of files containing embedded documents (zip files), mov, wmp, mp3, or encrypted files are prohibited. Do not upload PDF documents which contain attached or embedded documents. All documents should be attached as separate files.

Proposals will not be accepted via fax, e-mail, or other method.

3.07. TIME FOR EVALUATION

All proposals shall remain valid for a minimum of 120 calendar days after the Proposal Due Date to allow adequate time for evaluation.

3.08. GOVERNING LAWS AND REGULATIONS

This procurement is conducted by Utah Valley University, in accordance with the Utah Procurement Code, Title 63g, Chapter 6a Utah Code Annotated, as amended, and Procurement Policies adopted by the University.

3.09. ADDENDUM TO RFP

In the event that it becomes necessary to revise this RFP in whole or in part, an addendum will be released by Procurement & Contract Services. All addenda become part of the RFP and the information contained therein will take precedence over the information contained in this document.

After the due date and time for submitting a proposal to this RFP, at the discretion of the Purchasing Official, addenda to this RFP may be limited to the offerors that have submitted proposals, provided the addenda does not make a substantial change to this RFP that likely would have impacted the number of offerors responding to the original publication of this RFP, in the opinion of Procurement & Contract Services.

Authorized and properly issued addenda shall constitute the official and binding position of UVU.

Any response to this RFP which has as its basis any communications or information received from sources other than this RFP or related addenda may be considered not responsive and be rejected at the sole discretion of Procurement & Contract Services.

3.10. RESTRICTIONS ON COMMUNICATIONS WITH UNIVERSITY STAFF

From the issue date of this RFP until an offeror is awarded a contract and the award is published, offerors are prohibited from communicating about the subject of this RFP with any University administrator, faculty, staff, or members of the Board of Trustees except the Purchasing Official assigned to this RFP, other Procurement & Contract Services staff members, individuals authorized in writing by the Purchasing Official, and University representatives during offeror presentations. If violation of this provision occurs, the University may reject the offeror’s proposal.

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services

3.11. CONTRACT PERIOD

Any contract awarded as a result of this solicitation will have an initial term of one (1) year. The contract shall be renewable for up to four (4) additional one-year renewal periods. The total contract period will not exceed five (5) years. Annual renewal shall be contingent upon the University’s satisfaction with the services performed and the overall performance of the contractor.

UVU reserves the right to review the contract resulting from this RFP on a regular basis regarding performance and cost and may negotiate price during the term of the contract.

3.12. PRICE GUARANTEE PERIOD

All pricing must be guaranteed through the initial contract term. Following the guarantee period, any request for price adjustment must be for the duration of the renewal period, and must be made at least 30 days prior to the effective date. Requests for price adjustment must include sufficient documentation supporting the request and demonstrating a logical mathematical link between the current price and the proposed price. If price adjustments can be linked to a specific index, please list the index here.

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services

SECTION 4 – PROPOSAL RESPONSE OUTLINE

4.01. PROPOSAL RESPONSE OUTLINE

Proposals should be concise, straightforward and prepared simply and economically. Expensive displays, bindings, or promotional materials are neither desired nor required. However, there is no intent in these instructions to limit a proposal’s content or to exclude any relevant or essential data.

All materials submitted become the property of the University. Materials may be evaluated by anyone designated by Procurement & Contract Services as part of the RFP committee. Materials submitted may be returned only at the University's option.

Organize the proposal as outlined below. Failure to format the proposal as follows may result in the proposal being deemed not responsive and disqualified from consideration.

A. FILE ONE – LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

The Letter of Transmittal accompanying this RFP shall be in the form of a standard business letter and shall be signed by an individual authorized to legally bind the offeror. It shall include:

i. List the name, title, office address, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address of the person(s) authorized to represent the offeror regarding the offeror’s proposal.

ii. A statement indicating the receipt of all addenda and written questions, the answers and any clarifications to this RFP issued by the University and received by the offeror. If no addenda have been received, a statement to that effect should be included.

iii. A statement that the offeror’s proposal shall remain valid for the time indicated in section

3.07 TIME FOR EVALUATION.

iv. A statement that the offeror will accept financial responsibility for all travel expenses incurred for oral presentations (if required) and candidate interviews.

v. A statement that summarizes any deviations or exceptions to the RFP requirements outlined in section 5.

vi. Any required statements concerning claimed confidential business information as described in section 7.05 PROTECTED INFORMATION.

vii. A statement that identifies proposed exemptions to the terms and conditions contained or referenced herein.

B. FILE TWO – TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

i. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND PROPOSAL OVERVIEW The executive summary will briefly describe the offeror’s approach and clearly indicate any options or alternatives being proposed. It should also indicate any major requirements that cannot be met by the offeror. It shall condense and highlight the contents of the technical proposal in such a way as to provide the evaluation committee with a broad understanding of the entire proposal.

ii. AGREEMENT TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS All offerors must demonstrate its agreement with the terms and conditions outlined in this RFP. The offeror may use language such as, “Understood and Agreed,” in the proposal for each term. A detailed explanation and justification must be provided for any exceptions to the terms and conditions outlined in this RFP. Offerors shall not submit their own standard terms and conditions as exceptions to any term or condition contained or referenced herein. Each exception to a term or condition shall be individually addressed.

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services

iii. DETAILED DISCUSSION

This section should constitute the major portion of the proposal and must contain a specific response in outline form to section 5. Outline numbers should correspond, in order, to the section numbers contained in this RFP.

The response must explain how the offeror would meet the needs of the University as described in section 5. Failure to provide written response to items indicated in this RFP will be interpreted by the University as an inability by the offeror to provide the requested product(s), construction, and/or function. Pricing shall not be included in the technical proposal.

iv. REFERENCES The offeror shall provide at least five (5) references of customers which have received services similar to those required by the University. Include for each reference, the business name, address, phone number, contact person (including contact person’s phone number and email address) date of the project, and a short description of the project and the work performed. The University reserves the right to contact or visit any of the offeror’s provided references to evaluate the level of performance and customer satisfaction. Information gathered during this process will not be made public. If the offeror is not able to provide the aforementioned information, provide a detailed explanation of the reason(s) for such inability. The information gathered from references will be considered during the evaluation process.

References should address comparable work previously performed, preferably involving public affairs, policy, law, government, education, or nonpartisan institutional communications.

v. MISCELLANEOUS Additional information and attachments pertinent to this RFP may be submitted by the offeror in this section.

C. FILE THREE – COST PROPOSAL

The offeror must submit a cost proposal allowing costs to be evaluated independently of the technical proposal. Costs and pricing information should not be included in the technical proposal, but should be submitted separately as a cost proposal. Proposals that include costs or pricing information in the technical proposal may be disqualified. The cost proposal should include line-item detail.

Pricing should distinguish baseline required work from optional services and pass-through costs.

Offerors should identify assumptions, exclusions, pass-through costs, hourly rates for additional services, and any required minimum commitments.

Offerors should submit pricing for both episode production every two weeks and weekly, as described in Section 5.04 below. The anticipated budget for this project is $240,000 annually with an initial $65,000 in startup costs.

D. FILE FOUR – SAMPLE CONTRACT/AGREEMENT

If the offeror has any contractual documents, in whole or in part, to comprise a portion of the final governing language of any agreement arising from this RFP, including maintenance agreements, RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services a copy of that agreement must be submitted with the proposal. A legal review of the contractual demands in view of what is acceptable to the University as an entity of the State of Utah shall be part of the criteria in evaluating the proposal for responsiveness.

If the offeror proposes its own contract document for any contract resulting from this RFP, that final contract will need to include, at a minimum, the appropriate version of University’s Governmental Entity Addendum (available at https://www.uvu.edu/procurement/terms).

If the offeror does not propose its own contract document for any contract(s) resulting from this RFP, then University reserves the right to use the applicable terms and conditions contained in University’s Purchase Order Contract Terms and Conditions (for goods) or University’s Contractual Services Agreement (for services) as available at https://www.uvu.edu/procurement/terms.

Exceptions and/or additions to University’s Governmental Entity Addendum, Purchase Order Contract Terms and Conditions, or Contractual Services Agreement are strongly discouraged.

However, offerors requesting exceptions and/or additions to the University’s standard terms and contract documents must be submitted with the proposal. Exceptions and/or additions submitted after the date and time for receipt of proposals might not be considered by University. Offerors may not submit requests for exceptions and/or additions by reference to a vendor’s website or URL. URLs provided with a proposal may result in that proposal being rejected as not responsive. Offerors may submit questions during the Q&A period regarding the University’s standard terms and contract documents.

University may refuse to negotiate exceptions and/or additions: that are determined to be excessive; that are inconsistent with similar contracts of the University; to warranties, insurance, or indemnification provisions that are necessary to protect the University after consultation with University General Counsel; where the solicitation specifically prohibits exceptions and/or additions; or that are not in the best interest of the University.

The offeror must provide all proposed contract/agreement documents in Microsoft Word format for redline editing. Offeror must also provide the name, contact information, and access to the person(s) that will be directly involved in legal negotiations.

Any mandatorily required acceptance of an offeror’s terms and conditions may result in the proposal being determined to be not responsive.

An award resulting from this RFP is subject to successful negotiation of contract terms and conditions. The University, at its sole discretion, will determine when negotiations of contract terms and conditions become unproductive and will result in termination of award to that offeror and the University may move to the next eligible offeror.

E. FILE FIVE – REDACTED COPY

If the offeror submits a proposal that contains information claimed to be business confidential or protected information, the offeror must submit a redacted version of the proposal for public release, with all protected business confidential information either blacked-out or removed, clearly marked as "Redacted Version.”

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services

SECTION 5 – STATEMENT OF NEEDS

5.01. OBJECTIVE

The Constitutional Federalism Initiative (CFI), at the Center for Constitutional Studies at Utah Valley University, seeks proposals from qualified offerors to develop, produce, manage, and distribute a professionally produced audio and video public affairs podcast focused on constitutional federalism, intergovernmental governance, and state leadership in the American federal system.

The podcast is intended to serve as a strategic institutional tool supporting broader efforts to strengthen constitutional federalism, improve intergovernmental understanding, and foster constructive interstate dialogue and collaboration among state leaders, scholars, practitioners, and policy experts.

The podcast is not intended to be a partisan political commentary program. It is an institutional, educational, and public affairs project designed to strengthen understanding of constitutional federalism, state governance capacity, and constructive intergovernmental problem-solving.

The selected contractor will be responsible for all aspects of podcast production and management, including concept development, branding, hosting, guest recruitment and scheduling, recording, editing, distribution, audience development, marketing, social media promotion, analytics, sponsorship development if approved by CFI, and related operational functions.

Although the contractor will retain substantial creative responsibility regarding podcast format and production approach, CFI will retain final editorial authority, including advance approval of episodes, themes, guest selections, titles, descriptions, transcripts, promotional materials, publication decisions, and any sponsorship or monetization arrangements. Editorial planning, episode approval, and prepublication review shall be conducted in accordance with Section 5.04(J) below.

The initial contract term is anticipated to be one year, with the possibility of annual renewal. The baseline production schedule is one new episode every two weeks initially, with a goal to move towards weekly episodes, except during August as described below in Section 5.04(F).

5.02. GENERAL OFFEROR INFORMATION

Provide the following company information:

A. Company name and location.

B. Brief description of company.

C. Number of years in business.

D. Number of years providing the proposed solution.

E. Provide the name and contact information for the individual who will be assigned as the project manager.

F. A list of the personnel who will be assigned to this project, their job duties, and their credentials.

5.03. MANDATORY MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS

This section contains mandatory minimum requirements that must be met in order for an offer to be considered responsive. If required, offerors shall include a detailed narrative outlining how the proposed solution meets the minimum mandatory requirements outlined in this section.

Failure to meet any one of the mandatory requirements/qualifications may result in the proposal being rejected and the proposal will not move forward in the evaluation process.

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services

All of the items described in this section are non-negotiable. A rejection of a proposal due to a proposal not meeting mandatory minimum requirements can occur at any time in the evaluation process.

A. Must demonstrate professional experience producing audio and video content for public distribution, including recording, editing, post-production, and publication.

B. Must demonstrate experience managing an ongoing podcast, media series, or comparable recurring public-facing production, including production scheduling, content development, and distribution.

C. Must demonstrate experience producing or managing content involving government, public affairs, public policy, law, political institutions, or comparable complex civic subject matter, sufficient to support informed guest research, topic development, interview preparation, and editorial judgment.

5.04. SCOPE OF WORK AND SPECIFICATIONS

A. Purpose

i. The primary purpose of the podcast is to support strengthening the national network of state leaders and institutions engaged in constitutional federalism and intergovernmental governance.

ii. The podcast should contribute to broader efforts to revitalize robust constitutional federalism by promoting informed, constructive, and practically oriented discussions regarding the proper operation of the American federal system.

iii. Primary Objectives

1. Promote Constitutional Federalism: Promote informed discussion regarding the constitutional structure of American federalism, including the relationship between enumerated federal powers and the reserved powers and responsibilities of the states. Discussions may address how state and federal roles can be disentangled to better align with the Constitution’s division of authority, to foster effective and efficient governance, and to facilitate representative government.

2. Advance Constructive Intergovernmental Dialogue: Encourage thoughtful and solutions-oriented discussion regarding federal-state relations, interstate collaboration, governance challenges, and practical institutional problem-solving.

3. Support State Leadership and Governance Capacity: Provide state and local officials, legislative staff, policy professionals, and related audiences with practical and conceptual tools to better understand constitutional federalism, intergovernmental relations, and the operational realities of the federal system.

4. Promote “Structure Over Politics”: Promote constitutional structure as a threshold question in policy disputes: which level of government has constitutional jurisdictional authority over the issue? The podcast should emphasize that policy and governing disputes should be worked out through appropriate constitutional and institutional channels rather than framed primarily as partisan contests.

5. Provide Public Education: Improve public understanding of constitutional federalism, American governance structures, and the practical role of states within the constitutional system.

6. Foster Thought Leadership: Create a forum for serious discussion among scholars, practitioners, elected officials, policy experts, and institutional leaders regarding the historical, constitutional, legal, and practical dimensions of American federalism.

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services

B. Audience, Tone, and Substantive Positioning

i. Primary Audience

1. The primary audiences, in approximate order of priority, are:

a. State legislators and legislative staff

b. Governors’ offices

c. Executive agency officials

d. Policy professionals

e. Educated members of the public

f. Attorneys general and related legal/policy staff

g. Local officials

h. Academics and students of federalism

2. The intended audience is national first, then Utah-based. Discussions should generally be mid-level in sophistication: accessible to informed public officials and policy professionals without becoming either overly academic or oversimplified.

ii. Tone and Standards

1. The podcast shall maintain a professional, moderate, intellectually serious, and largely nonpartisan tone. It may address contested issues, but it should foreground constitutional structure, jurisdiction, institutional design, governance capacity, and intergovernmental problem-solving rather than partisan policy advocacy.

2. The podcast should emphasize:

a. Constitutional structure

b. Governance and institutional design

c. Intergovernmental problem-solving

d. Practical state leadership

e. Intellectual seriousness

f. Civil discourse standards

g. Constructive dialogue across ideological perspectives

3. The podcast should avoid:

a. Overt ideological branding

b. Partisan combat formats

c. Sensationalism

d. Inflammatory rhetoric

e. Highly personality-driven hosting styles

f. Overt partisan campaigning or candidate, party, or ballot-measure endorsements

g. Advocacy for unlawful resistance or nullification

h. Purely entertainment-oriented political commentary

i. Extremist or exclusionary interpretations of federalism inconsistent with equal protection principles, the Fourteenth Amendment, or other applicable constitutional rights

4. The podcast should aim for a moderate overall tone. This does not require each episode to provide perfect ideological balance, viewpoint diversity, or bipartisan guests. Viewpoint diversity and balance may be assessed across the podcast series as a whole, subject to CFI’s editorial judgment.

C. Institutional Identity and Branding

i. The podcast shall be produced by the contractor under contract with CFI. The contractor

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services shall not represent itself as the institutional sponsor, owner, or final editorial authority for the podcast.

ii. The contractor shall develop, subject to CFI approval:

1. Podcast name

2. Branding and visual identity

3. Logo

4. Introductory and outro music or sound design

5. Podcast website or web presence

6. Distribution channels and account infrastructure

7. Standard episode description language and institutional disclaimer language

iii. Branding does not need to align with existing CFI or UVU branding unless CFI directs otherwise. However, all branding must be approved by CFI and must not conflict with applicable institutional, legal, or reputational requirements.

iv. The contractor may not use CFI’s name, UVU’s name, institutional logos, guest likenesses, or podcast materials for the contractor’s own promotional, fundraising, political, or institutional purposes without prior written approval from CFI.

D. Scope of Services The awarded offeror shall provide comprehensive podcast development, production, management, distribution, promotion, and reporting services for a professionally produced audio and video podcast series.

i. Concept Development and Format

1. The contractor shall propose and develop the podcast format, subject to CFI approval. Potential formats may include interviews, moderated panels, narrative documentary episodes, explainer episodes, mixed-format episodes, debate or discussion episodes, or other formats consistent with the purpose and tone of the project.

2. Preferred episode length is approximately 20 to 30 minutes, unless CFI approves a different format for a particular episode or special event.

ii. Production Responsibilities

1. The contractor shall be responsible for:

a. Identifying and securing proposed host(s), moderator(s), interviewer(s), and recurring public-facing personnel, subject to CFI approval

b. Developing episode concepts, outlines, questions, and production plans

c. Conducting guest research, outreach, booking, scheduling, and preparation

d. Coordinating recording logistics for in-person, studio, remote, and special-event episodes

e. Recording and producing professional audio and video episodes

f. Conducting all editing, post-production, mixing, mastering, captioning, and formatting necessary for publication

g. Preparing episodes for publication and distribution

h. Coordinating remote recording support and technical guidance for guests

i. Maintaining a reliable production calendar and workflow

2. Remote recording is permitted, provided the contractor supplies technical guidance and recording support sufficient to maintain professional audio and video quality. Guests should not be required to travel solely for production purposes unless CFI and the contractor determine that travel is appropriate for a particular episode or event.

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services

iii. Guest Development and Network-Building

1. The contractor shall independently identify and propose guests, subject to CFI approval. Guests may include state legislators, governors or executive officials, attorneys general or legal officers, legislative staff, policy professionals, scholars, journalists, civic leaders, and other individuals relevant to constitutional federalism and state governance.

2. The contractor may conduct exploratory outreach to potential guests, but no guest may be formally confirmed for recording without CFI approval. The contractor shall maintain professional communications with guests and shall avoid commitments inconsistent with CFI’s editorial authority or institutional interests.

3. CFI may identify desired topics, themes, episode concepts, guest categories, or specific guests. Such requests shall be treated as priority editorial recommendations. The contractor shall make good-faith efforts to implement CFI’s requests and may materially modify or decline them only with CFI approval or where documented guest availability or production constraints make implementation infeasible.

iv. Distribution and Publishing

1. The contractor shall host, publish, and distribute the podcast on major platforms, including, at minimum, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. Offerors may propose additional platforms such as Spotify, RSS podcast feeds, LinkedIn, Substack, or other appropriate channels.

2. All podcast distribution feeds, platform accounts, website domains, analytics dashboards, email lists, and related digital assets created for the podcast shall be owned by CFI or transferable to CFI upon request and at the conclusion of the contract. CFI shall receive administrative access to all such accounts upon request.

v. Supplemental Content and Promotion

1. For each episode, the contractor shall create and provide, subject to CFI approval:

a. Final edited audio episode

b. Final edited video episode

c. Episode title and written description

d. Written episode summary

e. Show notes

f. Transcript

g. Captions or subtitle file for video where applicable

h. Citations, links, or resources referred to during the episode

i. At least one social media teaser

j. Short-form video clips suitable for social media and YouTube

k. Newsletter-ready summary with highlights for CFI use

l. Website posting or content package

2. The contractor shall conduct reasonable fact-checking of episode descriptions, show notes, promotional materials, and cited resources. CFI approval does not relieve the contractor of responsibility for accuracy, licensing, and legal compliance within the contractor’s scope of work.

vi. Marketing, Audience Growth, and Analytics

1. The contractor shall develop and implement an audience growth and distribution strategy targeted primarily to state leaders, legislative staff, executive branch officials, policy professionals, and an informed national public audience.

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services

2. The contractor shall provide regular analytics and reporting, including downloads, video views, watch time where available, audience retention where available, platform growth, engagement, top-performing episodes or clips, referral sources where available, and recommendations for improving reach and relevance.

vii. Sponsorship Development and Monetization

1. The contractor may propose sponsorship, underwriting, donor acknowledgment, or monetization strategies only if consistent with the podcast’s institutional, educational, and nonpartisan purposes. All sponsorships, advertisements, underwriting acknowledgments, donor references, monetization arrangements, and related language must receive prior written approval from CFI before solicitation, acceptance, placement, or publication.

2. The contractor may not accept compensation, gifts, benefits, or direction from any third party in exchange for guest placement, topic selection, editorial treatment, sponsorship placement, or promotional treatment without CFI’s prior written approval. All potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed.

E. Deliverables

i. Launch Deliverables

Before the first episode is published, the contractor shall provide the following for CFI approval:

1. Podcast name, concept, and format proposal

2. Branding package, including logo, visual identity, and style direction

3. Intro/outro music or sound design, with all license rights documented

4. Website or web-presence plan

5. Distribution platform plan and account-access plan

6. Proposed host(s), moderator(s), or interviewer(s)

7. Initial editorial calendar or pilot-season plan

8. Marketing and audience growth plan

9. Sample promotional assets

10. Production workflow and approval calendar

ii. Per-Episode Deliverables

1. Final edited audio episode

2. Final edited video episode

3. Episode title, description, and summary

4. Transcript

5. Show notes and cited resources

6. Caption/subtitle file or equivalent video accessibility support where applicable

7. Social media teaser

8. Short-form video clips

9. Newsletter-ready summary with highlights for CFI use

10. Published website/platform posting, subject to CFI approval

iii. Reporting Deliverables

1. Monthly or quarterly analytics report, as directed by CFI

2. Quarterly editorial planning report or calendar

3. Audience growth and engagement recommendations

4. Sponsorship or monetization report, if applicable

5. Annual performance summary at the end of the contract year

iv. End-of-Contract Deliverables

1. All raw recordings and project files

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services

2. All final edited audio and video files

3. All transcripts, captions, show notes, graphics, and promotional materials

4. All branding assets and source files

5. All website, distribution, social media, and analytics account credentials or administrative-transfer materials

6. Guest lists, booking records, release forms, and editorial calendars

7. Transition memo documenting platforms, workflows, assets, pending guests, and future production plans

F. Production Schedule, Term, and Optional Expansion

i. The baseline requirement is one new episode every two weeks. No new episode release shall be required during August unless CFI is hosting, organizing, or participating in an event that would benefit from podcast coverage or would benefit the podcast. During August, the contractor may be expected to support planning, production backlog, guest scheduling, analytics review, and preparation for the fall release schedule.

ii. Offerors may submit an optional add-on proposal and separate pricing for weekly production. Weekly production may be considered as a future expansion of the podcast.

iii. The initial contract term is anticipated to be one year, with the possibility of annual renewal based on performance, funding, and institutional needs.

G. Ownership, Intellectual Property, Licenses, and Account Access

i. All podcast episodes, raw recordings, edited files, transcripts, captions, graphics, promotional clips, show notes, branding assets, website content, distribution assets, and related materials created under the contract shall be works made for hire to the maximum extent permitted by law. To the extent any such materials are not deemed works made for hire, the contractor will assign all rights, title, and interest in such materials to CFI or

UVU.

ii. The contractor shall secure all necessary guest releases, appearance permissions, music licenses, image rights, font licenses, software licenses, stock media rights, and third-party content permissions. The contractor shall provide documentation of such rights upon request.

iii. The contractor shall not incorporate third-party materials, stock assets, AI-generated materials, music, trademarks, images, or other content in a manner that restricts CFI’s ownership, reuse, modification, publication, archiving, or transfer of podcast materials unless CFI gives prior written approval.

iv. The contractor may not use AI-generated voices, synthetic likenesses, deepfakes, or materials that imitate identifiable individuals without prior written approval from CFI and any required permissions. AI-assisted transcription, editing, research organization, or production support may be used only if consistent with confidentiality, accuracy, and rights-clearance obligations.

v. Upon request and at the conclusion of the contract, the contractor shall provide CFI with access to all platform accounts, analytics dashboards, raw files, edited files, transcripts, graphics, distribution assets, website assets, passwords, account recovery information, and related materials. Upon termination or nonrenewal, the contractor shall cooperate in transferring all files, accounts, passwords, branding assets, production calendars, guest records, release forms, and distribution channels to CFI or its designee.

H. Legal, Ethical, and Institutional Protections

i. Nonpartisan and Political Activity Restrictions

RFP-2027-1202 Federalism Podcast Production, Management, Distribution, and Promotion Services

Podcast content and promotional activity shall not support, oppose, endorse, or coordinate with any candidate, campaign, political party, ballot measure, political committee, or partisan electoral effort. The podcast may address public issues and governance controversies, but it must do so in a manner consistent with its institutional, educational, public affairs, and nonpartisan purposes.

ii. Conflicts of Interest

1. Offerors shall disclose actual, potential, or reasonably perceived conflicts of interest, including current or recent clients, funders, political affiliations, advocacy relationships, media partnerships, sponsorship relationships, or financial interests that could affect editorial judgment, guest…