Strategic Marketing and Public Relations Services

The Hawaii Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division is requesting quotes for strategic marketing and public relations services with a proposal due date of September 25, 2026. The contract value does not exceed $100,000 for a 12-month period from September 2026 through August 2027, with an option to extend for an additional 12 months by mutual written agreement.

The scope encompasses graphic design, branding, art direction, and strategic communications deliverables including editorial and marketing collateral; 12–13 social media and website graphics; refreshed bus poster designs; 4–6 e-newsletters for multiple audiences; 6 public service announcements across television, radio, social media, and theater; updates to the Med-QUEST Division Member Handbook; and media placement coordination. The contractor must demonstrate culturally and linguistically appropriate communication capabilities tailored to Hawaii's diverse communities and develop visual branding and style guides coordinating across departmental communications.

The selected contractor must hold a minimum of 5 years of experience in strategic creative services, marketing, branding, and art direction, with at least 1 year of direct experience providing strategic communications and marketing support for a Medicaid agency. The contractor must demonstrate understanding of Medicaid benefits and general state government processes. Registration in Hawaii Compliance Express is required; the contractor must either appear on the Department of Human Services vendor list or complete required registration forms.

Payment is structured in five installments: 20% upon successful kick-off, 20% upon delivery and acceptance of each quarterly deliverable, and 20% upon final delivery of fourth-quarter materials and remaining collateral. The State of Hawaii retains complete ownership of all work product and materials developed under the contract. The contractor must obtain tax clearance certificates from the Hawaii Department of Taxation and the Internal Revenue Service and certificates of compliance and good standing from the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs prior to contract commencement.