2026-006 PR and Marketing Svcs

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Authority is soliciting proposals for public relations and marketing services under RFP 2026-006, with an optional pre-proposal conference on November 12, 2026 and proposals due December 8, 2026. The Authority, in Northampton County, Virginia, seeks a qualified consultant to broaden community awareness, build a comprehensive public relations program, formulate consistent branding, execute targeted marketing campaigns, optimize digital web properties, and create graphic assets supporting its mission, Fiber-to-the-Home residential expansion, and commercial broadband initiatives.

Scope covers web development, print and digital marketing campaigns, public relations analysis, strategic communications, and graphic design. The Authority will award through competitive negotiation under Virginia Code 2.2-4302.2(A)(3), weighting demonstrated past experience at 40 points, functionality and technical approach at 25, creative portfolio quality at 15, key personnel qualifications at 10, and fee reasonableness at 10. Contractors must carry commercial general liability insurance of $1 million/$2 million, automobile liability of $1 million, statutory workers' compensation, employer's liability of $1 million, and professional liability/errors and omissions of $1 million.

The initial term is three years from full execution, with up to two optional one-year renewals subject to mutual agreement and satisfactory performance. Compensation combines monthly retainer blocks of 20 hours (Tier 1), 30 hours (Tier 2), or 45 hours (Tier 3) with fully burdened hourly rates for work exceeding those allocations or for standalone projects authorized by written Work Orders across seven role categories. Third-party pass-through expenses, including media ad spend, print production, and postage, bill without unapproved markup. The Authority pays undisputed invoices within 60 days of receipt.

Written inquiries are due November 19, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST, and addenda will issue November 24, 2026. Submissions go through the Virginia eVA portal by December 8, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST. The pre-proposal conference at ESVBA offices in Exmore, Virginia is optional and non-mandatory.