REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Graphic Design services  

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW The Council of State Governments West (CSG West) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization created to serve western legislatures through regional cooperation and advocacy. The state legislatures we serve include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and the Pacific Island Governments of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. The objectives of CSG West are to encourage, promote and pursue a joint vision on regional issues that cross state and international boundaries as well as build on common western interests. The region shares borders with both Mexico and Canada, thus providing an opportunity to establish programs and opportunities to serve members interested in these relationships. The Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia are associate members. Through a variety of programs and services offered to legislators and legislative staff, CSG West facilitates regional cooperation, exchange of information and fosters the strengthening of legislative institutions among its member states, provinces and territories. This includes policy forums, sharing of best practices, professional development training, international relations opportunities, publications and institutional linkages with other political entities in the West- as well as nationally. Such opportunities provide value to members and create opportunities for lawmakers to develop lasting and insightful relationships with leaders in other states, provinces and territories. CSG West is one of 4 regions of the Council of State Governments that form part of a national community of states. CSG’s regional and national structure invites focused participation from members on a more intimate, regional level while also providing a national platform to exchange ideas and information. Moreover, this structure provides Western lawmakers an opportunity to engage with officials of all three branches of government, access a myriad of national policy research and to stay abreast of national trends and developments in Washington, D.C. impacting state governments. For more information, see http://www.csgwest.org/

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REQUIRED SERVICES The Contractor will provide Graphic Design services to CSG West. Contractor is responsible for working collaboratively to conceptualize, plan, research, write and edit CSG West’s 2014 Annual Report and several products for 2015 designed to reach CSG West’s multiple audiences comprised of state legislators (including Western provinces and Pacific Island Governments), legislative staff, and private sector sponsors. This estimate will have seven main deliverables:       

2014 Annual Report 2015 Services Profile 2015 BLC Promotional Guide 2015 Calendar/List of Events Template 2015 Annual Meeting Save the Date 2015 Annual Meeting Registration Brochure 2015 Annual Meeting Sponsor Guide

Annual Report: The Graphic Designer will conceptualize, design and produce an Annual Report for CSG West. Design will: • • •

Be fresh and original, yet coherent with the Western region Use client-supplied content Identify/provide purchase options for front and back cover photo

The Contractor’s estimate includes the following project phases: • Phase 1: Discovery. The Designer will arrange a kick-off session with the CSG West team to discuss the creative and technical requirements of the project and will develop a comprehensive Creative Brief and project schedule. • Phase 2: Concept Design. The Designer will design three concept options, showing overall thematic direction, copy layout and type styles, general color palette, and image treatment, based on client-provided messaging. • Phase 3: Concept Refinement. Refinement will include a minimum of three rounds of client-requested revisions to the chosen concept. • Phase 4: Production. The Designer will apply final copy to approved design. Plan for a minimum of three rounds of optional client-requested edits, delivered as PDF files. • Phase 5: Delivery. The Designer will prepare the final approved document for printer, vendor management and proof review. Digital asset management will be included. (Optional) On-site press inspection for quality assurance purposes. CSG West manages the bidding and selection of the print vendor, with input from the successful Contractor. 2

Timeline for Annual Report: The Annual Report needs to be published and ready for distribution by January 5, 2015.   Services Profile: The Graphic Designer will conceptualize, design and produce a Services Profile for CSG West. Design will: • • •

Be fresh and original, yet coherent with the Western region Use client-supplied content (logo and written content) – if committee chair/vice chair headshots are incorporated, this piece would likely need a later completion date Identify/provide purchase options for front and back cover photo(s)

The Contractor’s estimate includes the following project phases:   • Phase 1: Discovery. The Designer will arrange a kick-off session with the CSG West team to discuss the creative and technical requirements of the project and will develop a comprehensive Creative Brief and project schedule; can be done in concert with other deliverables. • Phase 2: Concept Design. The Designer will design two concept options, showing overall thematic direction, copy layout and type styles, general color palette, and image treatment, based on client-provided messaging. • Phase 3: Concept Refinement. Refinement will include a minimum of three rounds of client-requested revisions to the chosen concept. • Phase 4: Production. The Designer will apply final copy to approved design. Plan for a minimum of three rounds of optional client-requested edits, delivered as PDF files. • Phase 5: Delivery. The Designer will prepare the final approved document for printer, vendor management and proof review. Digital asset management will be included. (Optional) On-site press inspection for quality assurance purposes. CSG West manages the bidding and selection of the print vendor, with input from the successful Contractor unless decision is made to print internally.   Timeline for Services Profile: The Services Profile needs to be published and ready for distribution by January 5, 2015. Border Legislative Conference (BLC) Promotional Guide: The Graphic Designer will conceptualize, design and produce a BLC Promotional Guide for CSG West. Design will: • • •

Be fresh and original, yet coherent with the U.S. – Mexico Border region Use client-supplied content (logo and written content) Identify/provide purchase options for photo(s) 3

The Contractor’s estimate includes the following project phases:   • Phase 1: Discovery. The Designer will arrange a kick-off session with the CSG West team to discuss the creative and technical requirements of the project and will develop a comprehensive Creative Brief and project schedule; can be done in concert with other deliverables. • Phase 2: Concept Design. The Designer will design two concept options, showing overall thematic direction, copy layout and type styles, general color palette, and image treatment, based on client-provided messaging. • Phase 3: Concept Refinement. Refinement will include a minimum of three rounds of client-requested revisions to the chosen concept. • Phase 4: Production. The Designer will apply final copy to approved design. Plan for a minimum of three rounds of optional client-requested edits, delivered as PDF files. • Phase 5: Delivery. The Designer will prepare the final approved document for printer, vendor management and proof review. Digital asset management will be included. (Optional) On-site press inspection for quality assurance purposes. CSG West manages the bidding and selection of the print vendor, with input from the successful Contractor unless decision is made to print internally.   Timeline for BLC Promotional Guide: The BLC Promotional Guide needs to be published and ready for distribution by January 5, 2015. Calendar/List of Events Template: The Graphic Designer will conceptualize, design and produce a Calendar/List of Events template for CSG West staff to update periodically throughout the year. Design will: • • •

Be fresh and original, yet coherent with the Western region Use client-supplied content (logo and written content) Identify/provide purchase options for photo(s)

The Contractor’s estimate includes the following project phases:   • Phase 1: Discovery. The Designer will arrange a kick-off session with the CSG West team to discuss the creative and technical requirements of the project and will develop a comprehensive Creative Brief and project schedule; can be done in concert with other deliverables. • Phase 2: Concept Design. The Designer will design two concept options, showing overall thematic direction, copy layout and type styles, general color palette, and image treatment, based on client-provided messaging.

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• Phase 3: Concept Refinement. Refinement will include a minimum of three rounds of client-requested revisions to the chosen concept. • Phase 4: Production. The Designer will apply final copy to approved design. Plan for a minimum of three rounds of optional client-requested edits, delivered as PDF files. • Phase 5: Delivery. The Designer will prepare the final approved document for printer, vendor management and proof review. Digital asset management will be included. (Optional) On-site press inspection for quality assurance purposes. CSG West manages the bidding and selection of the print vendor, with input from the successful Contractor unless decision is made to print internally.   Timeline for List of Events: The Calendar/List of Events needs to be published and ready for distribution by January 5, 2015. Annual Meeting Save the Date: The Graphic Designer will conceptualize, design and produce an Annual Meeting Save the Date for CSG West. Design will: • • •

Be fresh and original, yet coherent with the Annual Meeting theme and logo Use client-supplied content (logo, color scheme and written content) Identify/provide purchase options for photo(s)

The Contractor’s estimate includes the following project phases:   • Phase 1: Discovery. The Designer will arrange a kick-off session with the CSG West team to discuss the creative and technical requirements of the project and will develop a comprehensive Creative Brief and project schedule; can be done in concert with other deliverables. • Phase 2: Concept Design. The Designer will design two concept options, showing overall thematic direction, copy layout and type styles, general color palette, and image treatment, based on client-provided messaging. • Phase 3: Concept Refinement. Refinement will include a minimum of three rounds of client-requested revisions to the chosen concept. • Phase 4: Production. The Designer will apply final copy to approved design. Plan for a minimum of three rounds of optional client-requested edits, delivered as PDF files. • Phase 5: Delivery. The Designer will prepare the final approved document for printer, vendor management and proof review. Digital asset management will be included. (Optional) On-site press inspection for quality assurance purposes. CSG West manages the bidding and selection of the print vendor, with input from the successful Contractor unless decision is made to print internally.   5

Timeline for List of Events: The Annual Meeting Save the Date needs to be published and ready for distribution by January 5, 2015. Annual Meeting Registration Brochure: The Graphic Designer will conceptualize, design and produce an Annual Meeting Registration Brochure for CSG West. Design will: • • •

Be fresh and original, yet coherent with the Annual Meeting theme and logo Use client-supplied content (logo, color scheme and written content) Identify/provide purchase options for photo(s)

The Contractor’s estimate includes the following project phases:   • Phase 1: Discovery. The Designer will arrange a kick-off session with the CSG West team to discuss the creative and technical requirements of the project and will develop a comprehensive Creative Brief and project schedule; can be done in concert with other deliverables. • Phase 2: Concept Design. The Designer will design two concept options, showing overall thematic direction, copy layout and type styles, general color palette, and image treatment, based on client-provided messaging. • Phase 3: Concept Refinement. Refinement will include a minimum of three rounds of client-requested revisions to the chosen concept. • Phase 4: Production. The Designer will apply final copy to approved design. Plan for a minimum of three rounds of optional client-requested edits, delivered as PDF files. • Phase 5: Delivery. The Designer will prepare the final approved document for printer, vendor management and proof review. Digital asset management will be included. (Optional) On-site press inspection for quality assurance purposes. CSG West manages the bidding and selection of the print vendor, with input from the successful Contractor unless decision is made to print internally.   Timeline for List of Events: The Annual Meeting Registration Brochure needs to be published and ready for distribution by February 28, 2015. Streamline Current Annual Meeting Sponsor Guide: The Graphic Designer will conceptualize, design and produce an Annual Meeting Sponsor Guide for CSG West. Design will: • • •

Be fresh and original, yet coherent with the Annual Meeting theme and logo Use client-supplied content (logo, color scheme and written content) Identify/provide purchase options for photo(s)

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The Contractor’s estimate includes the following project phases: • Phase 1: Discovery. The Designer will arrange a kick-off session with the CSG West team to discuss the creative and technical requirements of the project and will develop a comprehensive Creative Brief and project schedule; can be done in concert with other deliverables. • Phase 2: Concept Design. The Designer will design two concept options, showing overall thematic direction, copy layout and type styles, general color palette, and image treatment, based on client-provided messaging. • Phase 3: Concept Refinement. Refinement will include a minimum of three rounds of client-requested revisions to the chosen concept. • Phase 4: Production. The Designer will apply final copy to approved design. Plan for a minimum of three rounds of optional client-requested edits, delivered as PDF files. • Phase 5: Delivery. The Designer will prepare the final approved document for printer, vendor management and proof review. Digital asset management will be included. (Optional) On-site press inspection for quality assurance purposes. CSG West manages the bidding and selection of the print vendor, with input from the successful Contractor unless decision is made to print internally.   Timeline for List of Events: The Annual Meeting Sponsor Guide needs to be published and ready for distribution by February 28, 2015.     Graphic Designers should bid on the entire project providing approximate estimates for each publication piece. The Annual Report will be released before the rest of the deliverables and serve as an independent stand-alone publication for events occurring and work accomplished in 2014 but looking to planned activities/work in 2015. CSG West is located in Sacramento, CA. We prefer bids from contractors in the greater Sacramento area or from those who can meet in our office downtown periodically during the term of project.   PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS Please provide the following items with your submission:     

Proposed hourly rate/estimated number of hours for each project 2–3 professional references we may contact 2–3 samples of your work Number of years of professional graphic design work List of any state, federal, agency or association partners with whom you have worked (e.g., State of California, Department of Interior, NACO)

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SUBMISSION DATE Proposals are due by 5pm PST on Monday, December 8, 2014. Selection will be completed and communicated by 5pm PST Thursday, December 11, 2014. SUBMIT PROPOSAL TO (only electronic submissions and no phone calls, please) [email protected] QUESTIONS/INFO [email protected]

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