BEAUFORT COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA | REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Public Education & Community Outreach Services 2026 Beaufort County Transportation Sales & Use Tax Referendum

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This RFP solicits services for public education and informational outreach only. All campaign activities must comply with applicable South Carolina law governing the use of public funds as well as all South Carolina Ethical Standards. Proposers should be aware that all communications funded under this contract must be factual, non-partisan, and educational in nature.

1. Introduction & Background Beaufort County, South Carolina is one of the fastest-growing counties in the southeastern United States, facing unprecedented population growth and associated pressure on its transportation infrastructure. To address critical mobility needs, Beaufort County is preparing to place a Transportation Sales and Use Tax Referendum on the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot.

The proposed one-cent (1%) transportation sales tax would generate dedicated funding for road widenings, intersection improvements, resurfacing, paving, safety enhancements, and connectivity projects throughout the County. If approved by voters, the tax would be collected for a defined period and governed by the project list adopted by County Council.

In January 2026, County Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2025/70, establishing a 15-member citizen-led Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) representing all 11 County Council districts and the County's four municipalities — the City of Beaufort, Town of Port Royal, Town of Bluffton, and Town of Hilton Head Island. The TAC is tasked with recommending a project list, collection amount, and duration to County Council by May 2026.

Beaufort County seeks to engage an experienced public communications and outreach firm to develop and execute a comprehensive public education campaign designed to inform residents and stakeholders about the referendum, its purpose, and its potential benefits.

Beaufort County has implemented four one cent referendums since 1998, three of which were transportation referendums. The previous 2018 Penny Referendum funded a range of transportation improvements, with all projects committed for completion by 2028 (US 278 Corridor by 2031).

2. Purpose & Objectives The primary purpose of this RFP is to secure the services of a qualified firm to plan, develop, and execute a public education and community outreach campaign for the 2026 Beaufort County Transportation Sales & Use Tax Referendum. The campaign must be factual and educational, with the goal of ensuring that Beaufort County voters are fully informed about:

1. The nature, rate, and duration of the proposed one-cent sales tax

1. The transportation projects and improvements that would be funded

1. Who pays the tax, including the role of tourists and visitors in sharing the burden

1. What is and is not subject to the tax under South Carolina law

1. The County's track record since 1998 on prior sales tax commitments and current project status

1. The timeline and process leading to the November 3, 2026 vote

1. How to access additional information and participate in the process

Secondary objectives of the campaign include:

1. Building broad community awareness across all geographic areas and demographics of Beaufort County

1. Engaging underrepresented communities, including Gullah/Geechee communities, non-English speakers, and rural residents

1. Mobilizing civic, business, and neighborhood organizations as trusted messengers

1. Maintaining consistent and transparent messaging through all channels

1. Generating measurable increases in awareness and understanding of the referendum

3. Scope of Services The selected firm shall provide, at minimum, the following services. Proposers are encouraged to offer additional services or innovative approaches that would strengthen the campaign.

3.1 Strategic Campaign Planning

1. Host a kickoff meeting with Beaufort County communications and engineering staff to review current efforts, project status reports, and branded materials

1. Develop a comprehensive, data-driven Public Education Campaign covering the period from contract award through the November 3, 2026 election

1. Conduct an initial landscape analysis, including review of existing public sentiment, demographic composition, and geographic considerations across the County, to include a SWOT analysis and marketing opportunities

1. Define key messages, target audiences, and success metrics

1. Establish a campaign timeline with outreach milestones aligned to the County's legislative and election calendar

1. Identify and coordinate with trusted community partners including local civic organizations, chambers of commerce, school district, business leaders, and municipal liaisons

3.2 Message Development & Creative Services

1. Develop clear, accessible, and accurate key messages explaining the referendum, the proposed projects, and the tax's structure

1. Provide factual, consistent messaging about previous sales tax projects and status

1. Work with County staff to expand suite of branded campaign materials consistent with County identity standards. Materials may include:

1. Print collateral: brochures, fact sheets, FAQs, mailers, post cards,

1. Digital assets: social media graphics, web banners, email templates

1. Presentation materials for community meetings and speaking engagements

1. Video or multimedia content for digital distribution and public access channels

1. Develop culturally appropriate materials and translations as needed to reach diverse communities

1. Produce an interactive or static project map/explainer tied to the TAC-recommended project list

3.3 Digital & Social Media Outreach

1. Support the County's digital presence related to the referendum, including beaufortcountypenny.com and applicable social media accounts

1. Develop and execute a digital advertising and social media strategy, including paid and organic content

1. Create and manage email list communications, including updates to subscribers at beaufortcountypenny.com

1. Monitor and report on digital engagement metrics throughout the campaign

3.4 Earned Media & Public Relations

1. Develop and execute a media relations strategy to generate earned coverage in local and regional outlets

1. Draft and distribute press releases, media advisories, and backgrounders

1. Help prepare County spokespersons and TAC members for media interviews and public appearances by developing talking points

1. Coordinate op-ed placement and letters-to-the-editor opportunities with community voices

3.5 Community Engagement & Events

1. Plan and support public informational meetings and community forums throughout the County's diverse geographic areas

1. Develop a speaker's bureau program to place informed community messengers at civic organizations, neighborhood associations, and business groups

1. Represent the campaign or support County staff at community events such as farmers markets, festivals, and neighborhood meetings

1. Develop a toolkit for community partners and volunteer advocates

3.6 Paid Media Placement

1. Develop a paid media plan spanning radio, digital, print, and out-of-home (OOH) channels appropriate for Beaufort County audiences

1. Negotiate and place paid advertising on behalf of the County

1. Manage media buys, track performance, and optimize spending throughout the campaign

1. Note: All paid advertising must be clearly disclosed as paid for by Beaufort County. Political and ethical advertising restrictions under SC law apply

3.7 Reporting & Evaluation

1. Provide the County with regular progress reports (at minimum bi-weekly) covering activities completed, media coverage, digital metrics, and upcoming planned activities.

1. Deliver a final campaign report including quantitative and qualitative evaluation of campaign performance against stated objectives

1. Make recommendations for any mid-campaign adjustments to strategy or messaging

4. Key Dates & Timeline The following schedule governs the referendum process and is provided to help proposers understand the campaign timeline:

5. Proposal Requirements Will need to check with procurement for the submittal instructions.

All proposals must include the following components:

5.1 Cover Letter & Executive Summary

1. One to two pages maximum

1. Signed by an authorized representative of the firm

1. Briefly summarize the firm's qualifications, approach, and understanding of the County's needs

1. Confirm the firm's ability to meet the project timeline and provide services within Beaufort County

5.2 Firm Qualifications & Experience

1. Describe the firm's background, size, structure, and years of operation

1. Demonstrate experience with public education campaigns for ballot measures, bond referenda, or similar government-related initiatives

1. Provide a minimum of three (3) relevant project references with client contact information, project description, timeline, and budget

1. Identify any subcontractors or partner firms and describe their roles and qualifications

1. Disclose any conflicts of interest, including work for any political campaigns, PACs, or advocacy organizations related to Beaufort County or South Carolina transportation issues

5.3 Project Team

1. Identify the proposed project manager and all key team members who will serve on this engagement

1. Provide resumes or biographical summaries for key team members, highlighting relevant experience

1. Describe each team member's role and estimated hours committed to this project

1. Identify the primary point of contact and their availability to County staff

5.4 Technical Approach & Work Plan

1. Provide a detailed narrative of the firm's proposed approach to each element of the Scope of Services (Section 3)

1. Describe how the firm will tailor messaging and outreach to Beaufort County's diverse geographic areas and communities

1. Identify creative concepts, channel strategies, or campaign themes the firm would propose (preliminary only)

1. Provide a proposed work plan with phases, activities, and milestones aligned to the campaign timeline

1. Describe the firm's approach to measurement, reporting, and campaign optimization

5.5 Cost Proposal

1. Provide an itemized budget broken down by service category (strategy, creative, digital, PR, paid media, events, reporting, etc.)

1. Note: Paid media buys may be presented as a separate, estimated budget line, with the understanding that actual expenditures will be based on County-approved media plans

1. Identify all anticipated reimbursable expenses

1. Provide an hourly rate schedule for all team members for any out-of-scope work

1. The County reserves the right to negotiate scope and budget with the selected firm

5.6 Compliance Certifications

1. Certification that the firm is not currently debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from participation in federal or state programs

1. Acknowledgment that all materials and activities will comply with South Carolina law governing the use of public funds in referendum campaigns

1. Completed W-9 or comparable identification form

6. Evaluation Criteria Proposals will be evaluated by a County-appointed Evaluation Committee using the following weighted criteria. The County reserves the right to conduct interviews with shortlisted firms prior to making an award recommendation.

*This will need to be balanced against procurement critieria*

7. Terms & Conditions

7.1 Right to Reject

Beaufort County reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive informalities or irregularities, and to accept the proposal deemed most advantageous to the County. This RFP does not commit the County to award a contract or to pay costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal.

7.2 Addenda

Any changes or clarifications to this RFP will be issued by written addendum and posted to beaufortcountypenny.com. It is the responsibility of all prospective proposers to monitor the website for addenda.

7.3 Confidentiality

All proposals become public records upon contract award and are subject to disclosure under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Proposers should not include information they consider proprietary except where necessary.

7.4 Conflict of Interest

Proposers must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest, including any relationships with political campaigns, ballot measure committees, or advocacy organizations in Beaufort County or South Carolina. The County reserves the right to disqualify any proposer with an undisclosed conflict.

7.5 Legal Compliance

All services provided under this contract must comply with applicable South Carolina law, including but not limited to SC Code Section 4-37-30 (Local Transportation Sales and Use Tax), restrictions on the use of public funds for political campaign activity, and applicable public records and open meetings laws.

8. Questions & Contact Information All questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing by April 25, 2026 to:

Beaufort County Communications Department Attention: Public Education Campaign Email: wpio@bcgov.net Phone: (843) 255-2250 Website: www.beaufortcountypenny.com | www.beaufortcountysc.gov

Responses to all timely-submitted questions will be posted as a written addendum to the proposal no later than April 12, 2026. No oral responses will be binding.

Proposers are advised that ex parte communications with County Council members or County staff (other than through the designated contact above) regarding this RFP are prohibited and will result in disqualification.

Beaufort County, South Carolina | Communications and Accountability wpio@bcgov.net | (843) 255-2250 | www.beaufortcountypenny.com RFP: Transportation Sales Tax Referendum – Public Education Campaign