Website for a Research Institute

Budget: $5,000 - $7,500
Wants to hire: Any
Work Location: The state of Maryland

8 bids have been requested

Service(s) Required:

Web Design:
• A Complete Website

Project Description:

Bid on This Project

We are accepting proposals to design and develop website improvements for one of our projects. Please refer to the Request for Proposal included in the project details attached. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL WEB SITE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT 1. SUMMARY We are accepting proposals to design and develop website improvements for one of its projects. The purpose of this RFP is to provide candidates with an overview of the project and evaluation criteria for proposals. The existing research website was originally designed and produced in 2002. 2. PROPOSAL GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS This is an open and competitive process that will end Oct. 5th, 2007. Proposals received after 12:00pm/noon EST, Friday, Oct. 5th, 2007 will not be considered. If you wish to submit multiple solutions within the proposal, please do so. The price you quote should be inclusive of all aspects of the project from discovery to design to development. 3. CONTRACT TERMS The Institute will negotiate contract terms upon selection. Provisions of this RFP and the contents of the successful response are considered available for inclusion in final contractual obligations. The final project contract will outline terms, scope, budget and other necessary project items. Upon completion of site design and development, the institute will assume full responsibility for web site maintenance and administration. All content, coding and graphics will become the sole property of the institute.

Additional Details: 4. PROJECT PURPOSE, DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES Project Purpose The web site is outdated in appearance, structure and content. An opportunity exists to improve the website to better reflect the objectives. Project Description In general, improve overall appearance and user-friendliness of the site to increase site use. In addition, the following website components must be developed: A. A search engine with the ability to search and present results gathered from the databases that follow. B. A database of links to resources on outside organization sites C. A database of resources (e.g. articles, toolkits, etc.). D. A database of member profiles created from member sign-in form. E. A database of organization profiles added by both administrators and visitors/members of the site. F. Create a system that will allow non-technical administrators and visitors/members of the site to instantly update, upload, rate, or comment on any of the database content. G. An online platform for members to share and access technical assistance potentially facilitated by: a. Web infrastructure that matches members based on technical assistance needs and areas of expertise, and b. A single webpage where members can access messages from other members, match history and technical assistance history. H. Potential password protection for portions of the website including but not limited to: updating, uploading, rating, commenting on site content, member profiles. Project Objective Our primary objective of the website is to provide an interactive resource for the research community and to expand member and visitor base. We hope to do this by creating site infrastructure that will allow room for expansion of resources and potential future growth of website features. Project Goals Increase awareness of website. Increase membership. Make the site interactive - Promote visitor/member interaction and provide incentives to return to the site. Present comprehensive control resources with easy-to-find content organization. Deliver a consistent image throughout the site of the partnership as representing not only the institute but also partner organizations A.Greatest needs are: 1. Mentoring 2. Information B.Preferred method to receive training: 1. Regional Trainings 2. Toolkits Online 3. Online Training C.First place to look for info: 1. Google 2. Specific websites 3. Journal articles D.Challenges to working in tobacco control: 1. Lack of funding and resources 2. Lack of political support 3. Industry opposition 4. Lack of coordination Current Members: approximately 200 6. PROJECT SCOPE AND GUIDELINES The scope of this project is to update the existing site. The project coordinators and web communications specialist at the Institute will provide the successful candidate with the site copy and necessary logo graphics. A firm that can handle all site planning, design, and development is required. The site must include a technology solution to accomplish the project description and objectives outlined in Section 4 (pg 4). The project will consist of the following main components: Discovery Confirm objectives, graphic look of site, site navigation, technology issues and assumptions, required functionality, phasing, and budgetary constraints, resulting in a creative and cost effective plan for the website. Design Web site information architecture, graphic look, user navigation, home page, search engine, and member profile webpage templates. Development The web site must meet the following criteria: An overall web site design that is visually appealing, has a consistent design, and is easy to navigate by users. An assigned project manager and/or contact person available to coordinate with staff as needed.NOTE: the current website was designed using PHP and MySQl. Site Specifications The web site will be accessed throughout the world; therefore, site specifications should consider the following: Compatibility with current versions of Internet Explorer and other web browsers. Ease of use for both novice and experienced internet users. Architecture to allow potential language translation in the future. Fast loading web pages. Testing. Provide a plan for the testing of site platforms to ensure that the site features work as planned. Tracking: Provide a plan for tracking site visitor behavior including at least following information: Visitor trends, Page views, Page-Length of stay, Technical analysis browsers and platforms used. 7. INTEGRATION ISSUES We will use much of our existing content in our literature database. Additionally, some new content for the databases planned will be provided to the successful candidate. Furthermore, content will be uploaded by visitors/members to the site after site launch. We may require interviews at our office with our evaluation team on or about Monday, Oct. 8, 2007. You will be notified if this is requested. The name of the candidate firm who has been selected will be decided on or about Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007. All other potential candidates will be notified on or about Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007. Contract negotiations with the successful candidate will begin immediately after selection and should conclude no later than Friday, Oct. 19, 2007. Phase I (planning of site requirements and other pre-development tasks) must be completed and delivered by Friday, Nov. 30, 2007. The date of completion for Phase II (site development, testing, and launch) will be determined at the end of Phase I. [Estimate: Thursday, January 31, 2008] 9. BUDGET AND JUSTIFICATION Please provide the cost proposal and justification to accomplish the scope of the project outlined in this document. The budget must include all design, production, and software costs necessary for development of the web site. List pricing for: Phase I: Discovery, Site requirements planning, and other pre-development tasks Phase II: Site development, testing, and launch of web site 10. QUALIFICATIONS Proficient in PHP and MySQl. List three to five web sites your firm has produced that reflect your best work as it relates to this project. The URL should be submitted and if possible, please submit sites that are live.. Describe your experience producing sites for research institutions. Provide current reference information for two former or current clients. Briefly describe your firm's organizational capacity to produce the web site (e.g. staff availability, equipment, software, etc.) Provide a company profile (e.g. length of time in business, mission, etc.) What type of individual/team will be assigned to this project and what will each person's role be? Please include a brief background summary for each key staff member assigned to this project. Briefly describe your firm's project management process. Please discuss any hardware/software vendor partnerships. Please discuss your testing and support plan. Time frame for completion. Terms and conditions. 11. EVALUATION CRITERIA The following criteria will be used to evaluate proposals: 1. E-mail a copy of your proposal must be received no later than 12:00pm/noon EST, Friday, October 5th, 2007. Subject Line: Request for Proposal_DATE 2. Suitability of the Proposal: the proposed solution meets the objectives, needs, and qualifications set forth in the RFP and is cost-effective. 3. Candidate Experience: the prior work of the candidate successfully demonstrates innovative and user-friendly designs and the candidate has the qualifications necessary to complete this project. 4. Staff: the candidate firm has the necessary staff to accomplish this project in the time frame required. 12. FORMAT FOR PROPOSALS Please include the following in a proposal of no more than 30 pages, using no less than 10 point font: 1. Title Page 2. Cover Letter 3. Proposal 4. Qualifications 5. Budget and Fees: Provide cost estimate for proposed solution, including all costs associated with design, development, and delivery of this project 13. OTHER NOTES Candidates may request a copy of this RFP to be sent via e-mail after purchasing the lead.

Important Dates
Quote Due: 10/05/2007
Today's Date: 09/12/2007
Project Starts: 09/10/2007
Project Deadline: 10/05/2007

Client Information
Location: Baltimore, MD, USA
Business Type: Individual
Employees: 20
Years in Business: 8

Bid on This Project