Town_of_Farragut_RFQ_No._2026-08_VisitFarragut.org_Addendum_1.pdf

Town of Farragut

Addendum 1

RFQ No. 2026-08

VisitFarragut.org 05/13/2025

The proposer acknowledges this addendum shall modify and become a part of the original solicitation document. The Proposer further acknowledges that should it be determined at the time of the bid opening that the Proposer has failed to acknowledge receipt of ALL issued addenda; the Proposer’s Bid submission shall be rejected. The Proposer understands that any verbal representation made or assumed to be made during any oral discussion held between Proposer’s representatives and any Town personnel is not binding. Only the information issued in writing and added to the specifications by an official addendum is binding.

Q1. Will the town consider working with a single consultant/sole proprietor, as opposed to an agency with a team, assuming that I can meet the specified time frame?

A1. We will not rule out any proposal in the evaluation process as long as their proposal has all the required documents the RFQ specifies.

Q2. Regarding the goal to "support users through the marketing funnel using effective and measurable conversion points," could you elaborate on any specific key performance indicators (KPIs) or types of conversions the Town currently prioritizes or envisions for the new site (e.g., newsletter sign-ups, event registrations, brochure downloads, direct inquiries to local businesses)?

A2. With the upcoming website redesign, we are prioritizing three key performance indicators:

1. Visitor Guide Requests and Downloads – Measuring interest in trip planning resources.

2. Newsletter Sign-Ups – Tracking engagement and growing our communications list.

3. Referral Link Clicks to Partner Pages – Monitoring how many users we direct to our tourism partners’ websites.

Q3. The RFQ mentions "quarterly search engine marketing campaigns." Does the Town have specific themes, target audiences, or past campaign performance data that might inform the initial strategy for these campaigns?

A3. The Town would prefer to see the proposers approach an SEM campaign. We are looking for a redesign not looking to build on past performances.

Q4. Could you describe the current process for Town staff to input content (Blogs, Event listings, etc.) and any particular pain points with the existing system that they hope the new website will alleviate?

A4. Currently, all content IS entered manually by staff, which is especially time-consuming for events. One major improvement we hope to see is a partner-submitted event form on the website. This form would collect all necessary event details and allow staff to review and approve submissions before they go live.

Additionally, the ability to highlight featured events would be a valuable enhancement, providing more flexibility and visibility for key events within the community.

Q5. Does the Town have a preferred format for staff training on the new CMS platform (e.g., live virtual sessions, in-person, recorded modules, printed manuals)

A5. The Town does not have a strict preference for training format; however, a blended approach would be ideal. A combination of live virtual or in-person sessions, supplemented by recorded modules and written documentation, will ensure both current and future staff can be properly trained and supported.

Q6. What are the Town’s expectations for post-launch technical support and website maintenance—such as response time, update frequency, or scope of coverage?

A6. For routine maintenance, quarterly updates are sufficient. However, in the event of urgent or emergency issues, we will require a significantly faster response time to ensure the website remains functional and accessible.

Q7. Does the Town anticipate needing future feature enhancements after the initial website launch (e.g., additional integrations, new tools, or platform modules)?

A7. Yes. We anticipate discussing potential feature enhancements each April to plan for the following fiscal year. On average, we expect to implement one to two new additions or modules annually, based on strategic needs and evolving priorities.

Q8. What key performance indicators (KPIs) does the Town use to measure the success of its tourism and visitor engagement efforts through VisitFarragut.org?

A8. Currently, total website sessions are our primary performance metric. Moving forward, we would like to expand our tracking capabilities to include referral links to partner pages and other indicators of user engagement.

Q9. Are there specific metrics that Town staff prefer to see in monthly or quarterly reports (e.g., pageviews, bounce rate, conversions, traffic sources, etc.)?

A9. Yes, the following metrics are preferred for regular reporting:

• Most visited pages (monthly and annually)

• Total website sessions

• Month-over-month and year-over-year comparisons

• Insights from Google Search Console

Q12. Does the government have a budget in mind for the website redesign?

A12. The budget is broken into two parts: 30,000 is allocated for marketing and redesign and 10,000 Is allocated for maintenance and hosting

Q13. Does the government have any issues with the existing vendor?

A13. We are looking to partner with a company that takes a more proactive approach to website maintenance and is able to provide timely turnaround on minor updates and changes.

Q14. Are there any glaring issues with your existing website the government would like to change?

A14. Our main issues with our current website include functionality, slow page speeds, and it does not translate well visually to various screen sizes.

Q15. Does the Town of Farragut expect the vendor to host the website?

A15. Yes.

Q16. Does the Town of Farragut expect content support or editing?

A16. This is preferred but not required.

Q17.Is there a preferred CMS platform the government desires?

A17. We would like to proceed with WordPress, but we are open to other options

Q18. How many stakeholders will be involved in the design process from the government?

A18. This will be determined at a later date.

Q19. Will each division within the government have their own branding elements?

A19. This will only be for the Visit Farragut program, no other departments will be involved.

Q20. Will the Town of Farragut accept a digital submission?

A20. No, please follow the directions in the RFQ, under Instructions to Responders.

All communications regarding this RFP must be submitted via email to the Finance Department representative identified below:

Anissa Pratte, Staff Accountant apratte@townoffarragut.org

The Staff Accountant will be the sole point of contact for this RFP.

mailto:apratte@townoffarragut.org