RFQ_00046700 CGS Report Design

The University of Maryland's Department of Procurement & Business Services is requesting quotations on behalf of the Center for Global Sustainability for technical editing, graphic design, and digital publication services for the Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Analysis report family, with proposals due September 29, 2026 at 3:00 PM EST (amended deadline).

The scope centers on compiling and editing multi-chapter technical reports ranging from 2 to 800 pages annually, including a national-level GHGIA report (approximately 800 pages), state-level data briefs, policy briefs, policy reports, and associated webpages. The Report Producer must ensure WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility compliance, including tagging and remediation of long-form PDFs. Work includes technical copyediting, layout design using existing InDesign templates, data visualization, and delivery of digital formats (PDF and editable Word versions) with potential occasional printing of data briefs for outreach events. CGS anticipates 4–6 review rounds per report with chapters arriving on a rolling basis, and expects finalized templates by year one.

The 18-month period of performance runs from October 2026 through March 2028, covering one national GHGIA reporting cycle with anticipated production work beginning on the subsequent April 2028 report. The University has not disclosed a budget or not-to-exceed amount and encourages competitive offers accounting for potential material changes in page count, content, schedule, or scope. Proposals must be submitted as a single lump-sum price on the University-provided form with detailed rate sheets and cost breakdowns.

Required qualifications include minimum five years' experience in technical copyediting and multi-chapter report production, proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud and InDesign, experience enforcing organizational style guides, and familiarity with ADA accessibility standards. Preferred qualifications include knowledge of Excel, R, Python, and Tableau, and understanding of climate, energy, and greenhouse gas inventories. Vendors must provide three references preferably from R-1 higher educational institutions, three examples of similar completed reports, and biographies of key personnel. All proposals must acknowledge receipt of Amendment 001 with a signature; failure to do so may result in rejection as non-responsive. Quotations must remain valid for 90 days from University receipt. Payment terms are Net 30 days, F.O.B. Destination.