Talent Innovation Qualitative Evaluation

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) is requesting proposals for a Talent Innovation Qualitative Evaluation under Documented Quote EDAA 2027-0056, with proposals due September 3, 2026 and anticipated award notification by September 16, 2026.

The scope is a twenty-month engagement (October 2026 through April 2028, with optional extensions up to two additional years) to develop and execute a narrative strategy highlighting Colorado's talent as a competitive advantage across aerospace, advanced manufacturing, quantum, fusion, deep tech, energy, and semiconductors. Deliverables span four project-based milestones: story collection through participant interviews and testimonies to expand the Opportunity Now story bank with monthly social media posts, media events, and speechwriting support; copywriting and technical narrative framing for news stories in storybank categories; national and regional earned media outreach including 12 targeted press pitches and 4 op-eds or guest essays with qualitative evaluation; and development and delivery of a storytelling toolkit incorporating narratives and Colorado competitive advantage statistics.

Bidders must demonstrate 5 to 10 years of experience in national, regional, and local Colorado media outlets; proven storytelling expertise; and demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, media relations, stakeholder engagement, public affairs, interviewing, writing, visual communication, and digital marketing. All work must be performed in Colorado with required physical presence and base of operations in the state, though work may be conducted virtually. The contractor must register to do business in Colorado and comply with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Level AA.

The maximum budget is $150,000. Pricing must follow project-based milestones, be inclusive of all deliverables, and not exceed the project budget. The awarded contractor will own all assets created; payments trigger upon completion and approval of specified deliverable milestones. Mandatory submissions include a five-page project narrative, portfolio limited to ten pages with 2 to 5 examples of past performance, one-page organizational capacity section with key personnel resumes and 2 to 3 client or agency references, cost proposal by milestone, completed price sheet, DQ Affirmation Page, Signature and Attestation Page with conflict-of-interest disclosure, Vendor Performance Disclosure Form, Vendor Accessibility Checklist Affirmation, W-9, and certificates of insurance per Exhibit B requirements (Workers' Compensation, General Liability minimum $1 million per occurrence/$1 million aggregate, and Professional Liability minimum $1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate, with State of Colorado named as additional insured).