Lung, Prostate, Colorectal, and Breast Cancers Creative Design RFP

The Maryland Department of Health, Center for Cancer Prevention and Control, is requesting proposals for messaging and creative development for a statewide multimedia public education campaign addressing lung, prostate, colorectal, and breast cancers in disproportionately impacted communities, with proposals due December 11, 2025.

Offerors must demonstrate a minimum of five years of graphic design experience, preferably in the public sector. The scope encompasses conducting focus groups and listening sessions with target communities, developing culturally relevant creative materials in English and Spanish, producing video, digital, radio, and print assets, and providing ready-to-use files optimized for broadcast, digital, and print platforms. The vendor recruits focus group participants, determines session format (in-person or virtual), and conducts a minimum of three rounds of edits during initial review; all revisions and edits during the approval process are the vendor's responsibility. MDH will provide available research on target populations and facilitate listening sessions with stakeholders. The vendor must not purchase or coordinate actual ad placement, which remains MDH's responsibility. All materials produced become the sole property of the State of Maryland; the vendor must purchase all rights to images, music, and talent for indefinite use by the Department with proof of buyout provided to the State. MDH will provide access to a stock photo and imagery license that vendors may coordinate with for cost efficiency.

The contract runs from January 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026, with deliveries expected by September 30, 2026. Payment is structured in three installments: one-third upon 60 days into the contract (March 30, 2026), one-third upon 120 days into the contract (May 31, 2026), and the balance upon receipt of final assets. Financial proposals must detail salary and fringe benefits for each employee, participant recruitment and incentive costs, travel expenses, and indirect costs not to exceed 10% of total direct costs. Minority Business Enterprises and Small Business concerns are encouraged to respond. Offerors must provide three signed letters of recommendation from clients dated within the last five years, resumes of assigned staff, and three samples of similar multimedia campaigns developed within the last five years. The written proposal portion is limited to a maximum of six pages. This is a new initiative with no incumbent vendor.