Comprehensive Campaign Consulting Services

Delaware State University is requesting proposals for comprehensive campaign consulting services under RFP DSU260816-CAMPAIGNCO, with proposals due September 15, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. EDT and a virtual pre-bid meeting on August 18 at 2:00 p.m.

The University seeks a nationally recognized fundraising campaign consulting firm to serve as an extension of the External Affairs Division, providing strategic campaign counsel, implementation support, marketing and communications expertise, executive coaching, and capacity-building. Key deliverables include validating campaign strategy, developing principal gift strategies, refining campaign gift tables and fundraising goals, and producing marketing and solicitation materials. The selected consultant will support a comprehensive fundraising campaign currently in internal planning and leadership engagement phases.

Contractors must maintain Errors and Omissions insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate. Proposals must include three business references and all required attachments, submitted as a single unprotected PDF not exceeding 5 megabytes. Automatic rejection results from deviation from submission requirements.

The evaluation uses a 100-point scale: relevant campaign experience with higher education comprehensive campaigns (25 points), proposed methodology (20 points), qualifications of assigned team (15 points), understanding of DSU's mission and HBCU goals (10 points), demonstrated campaign results (10 points), business references (10 points), and cost/fee proposal (10 points). Proposals will not necessarily be awarded to the lowest-priced bidder. The University reserves the right to negotiate with multiple vendors simultaneously or award to multiple vendors.

The contract term is three years with options to renew for two one-year extensions, or alternatively to structure as a five-year contract through negotiation. The procurement uses non-State funds and follows Delaware Code sections 29 Del. C. 6981 and 6982. Questions are due August 20 at 10:00 a.m., with responses posted by September 10. The contractor selection date and projected start date are to be determined.