Online Audio Voters' Guide

The Oregon Secretary of State's Elections Division is seeking a contractor to produce an Online Audio Voters' Guide to expand access for voters unable to read the printed State of Oregon Voters Pamphlet. The Request for Proposal (RFP #S-16500-00013608) requires a vendor to create audio recordings of candidate statements, measure arguments, and voter information for Primary, General, and Special Elections. Proposers must have at least 5 years of experience in written-to-audio production and demonstrate the capability to coordinate audio file creation, provide voice talent, and ensure accurate recordings that match written content. The contract will have an initial 5-year term with potential renewal options up to a cumulative 7 years. Evaluation criteria include qualifications, key personnel experience, approach and management plan, staffing plan, work plan and schedule, with a total possible 100 points, of which 20 points are allocated to the cost proposal. Proposals are due on August 5, 2025, at 11:00 AM PT, with an anticipated award date of August 21, 2025. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for July 8, 2025, via Microsoft Teams.

The RFP encourages participation from small businesses, with specific emphasis on certified disadvantaged, minority-owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned, and emerging small businesses. Proposers must complete various compliance documents, including a Disclosure Exemption Affidavit to protect proprietary information and a Proposer Information and Certification sheet demonstrating adherence to Oregon statutes regarding employment practices, wage equity, and sexual harassment prevention. While specific budget details are not explicitly stated, the Cost Proposal Form provides a template for pricing across multiple years (2025-2030), suggesting flexibility in budgeting. The contract will be structured through individual Work Order Contracts (WOCs) under a master agreement, with payments made only for completed and accepted deliverables. Vendors must maintain various insurance types and comply with state and federal regulations. The cooperative purchasing nature of the RFP (as noted in section 7.8) indicates potential opportunities for multiple agencies to utilize the resulting contract.