Communications Relations Consultant

The Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is soliciting proposals for a Community Relations Consultant through RFP 25-200. The procurement seeks a qualified vendor to provide comprehensive strategic communications, public relations, media relations, and community engagement services supporting the organization's mission. Key deliverables will include media outreach, content creation such as press releases, coordinating with internal communications teams, and promoting early learning and family/community impact narratives. The contract will be an initial one-year term with potential for four additional one-year renewals, contingent on performance and organizational needs. Evaluation criteria will be based on a 100-point scoring system, with proposals assessed on factors including experience, strategic approach, proposed methodologies, and cost structure. The RFP was released on October 15, 2024, with sealed proposals due by November 1, 2024. Proposers are expected to demonstrate expertise in communications strategy, media relations, and community engagement within the early childhood education sector.

The RFP explicitly encourages small and minority-owned businesses to submit proposals, though no specific set-aside percentages are mentioned. No incumbent vendor is currently providing these services, as this represents a new initiative for the Early Learning Coalition. The organization operates with a $100 million budget funded through federal, state, and local grants, serving over 30,000 children and approximately 800 contracted child care providers. While a specific contract value is not predetermined, the Coalition is open to various pricing structures including hourly rates and retainer agreements. Proposers must provide detailed information about their pricing models, administrative processes, billing mechanisms, and project management approaches. The Coalition reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and will make the final award decision based on a comprehensive evaluation of submitted materials, potential interviews, and alignment with organizational communication objectives.