RFP 25-0037 Outreach & Education

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is seeking a contractor to develop and implement a comprehensive outreach and education campaign addressing huanglongbing (HLB) disease and the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) in Los Angeles County. The two-year contract, running from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027, requires the selected vendor to create multilingual outreach materials targeting homeowners, citrus growers, and elected officials in areas affected by or at risk of citrus pests. Key deliverables include developing public affairs strategies, managing media relations, maintaining websites, and executing crisis communication efforts focused on educating audiences about the economic threats posed by HLB. The RFP requires proposers to demonstrate in-house capabilities for comprehensive communication and outreach services, with proposals due by October 3, 2025. Evaluation of proposals is scheduled between October 6-10, 2025, with the contract aimed at raising awareness about the devastating impacts of citrus diseases that have already affected agricultural industries in Florida and Texas.

The procurement includes provisions for Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation and small business preferences, potentially offering incentives for meeting specific participation goals. The total contract budget is not to exceed $1,000,000 for the two-year term, with a cost proposal template requiring detailed financial breakdowns including labor, subcontractor costs, supplies, equipment, travel expenses, and indirect costs. Vendors must provide a comprehensive pricing structure that itemizes deliverables, tasks, personnel positions, hourly rates, and total project costs across both contract years. The RFP suggests a preference for contractors with expertise in agricultural communication, public outreach, and multilingual communication strategies. While no incumbent vendor is specifically mentioned, the contract emphasizes the need for a contractor with sophisticated public communication capabilities and a deep understanding of agricultural pest management communication strategies.