1. SUMMARY

The Hydrologic Research Center is accepting proposals for two projects:

    1. To design and develop our website

    2. To design and develop our learning management system (LMS)

This will be a concept to completion production. The purpose of this RFP is to provide a fair evaluation for all candidates and to provide the candidates with the evaluation criteria against which they will be judged.

The existing Hydrologic Research Center website was designed and produced in 2005 and utilizes an outdated content management system. The existing Hydrologic Research Center learning management system was originally designed and created in 2010 and utilizes the LMS platform Moodle. Both of these sites are maintained with in-house resources.


2. PROPOSAL GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS

This is an open and competitive process.

Proposals received after 12:00pm/noon PST, Wednesday, December 21, 2011, will not be considered and will be returned unopened.

The proposal must contain the signature of a duly authorized officer or agent of the company submitting the proposal.

If you wish to submit alternate solutions, please do so.

The price you quote should be inclusive and a firm-fixed price. Any options quoted must also be firm-fixed price. Costs must also clearly indicate any assumptions and critical dependencies (e.g., requirements of the Hydrologic Research Center during the process of developing the website and LMS). If your price excludes certain fees or charges, you must provide a detailed list of excluded fees with a complete explanation of the nature of those fees. Please indicate any discounted pricing or other considerations for a non-profit organization such as the Hydrologic Research Center.

The proposers must indicate their knowledge and understanding of the Hydrologic Research Center activities and initiatives, especially those which may be the focal point for the development of both the website and LMS.

Provisions of this RFP and the contents of the successful responses are considered available for inclusion in final contractual obligations.


3. CONTRACT TERMS

The Hydrologic Research Center will negotiate contract terms upon selection. A project will be awarded upon signing of an agreement or contract, which outlines terms, scope, budget and other necessary items.

The Hydrologic Research Center reserves the right to select only one, both, or none of the projects (website and LMS).


4. PURPOSE, DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

Purpose

Both of the Hydrologic Research Center's current sites (web and LMS) are outdated in appearance, structure and in the presentation of content. An opportunity exists to re-engineer the sites to better reflect the mission of the Hydrologic Research Center and incorporate the latest web technology. Upon completion of the development of the sites, the Hydrologic Research Center will assume full responsibility for web sites content maintenance and administration. All content, coding and graphics will become the sole property of the Hydrologic Research Center.

Description

Create a flexible, informative open source content management system that is easy to maintain. We must develop a friendly site that can deliver large amounts of constantly changing information to our key audiences. In addition to designing user-friendly sites with an intuitive interface, we must also develop a web-based, database-driven administration tool that allows key management personnel to easily update content without directly accessing source code.

The Hydrologic Research Center will maintain ultimate editorial control of content; efficiently manage web publishing processes, preferably by using a system with a browser-based user interface. Administration of web content will be based on roles to control access and work flow (e.g. author, reviewer/editor, publisher).

To be effective, our web sites must be:

    •  Easy and intuitive
    •  Visually pleasing
    •  Informative
    •  Safe and secure
    •  Quick to load and operate
    •  Maintain top position in web searches with the keyword "Hydrologic Research"


Objective

Our primary Internet objective is to continue to build brand identity, awareness, and interest in the organization and the services it provides.

Our Vision

    •  Maximize web-based technologies
    •  Build member loyalty and enhance customer relationships
    •  Improve program delivery and service
    •  Provide focused web-based solutions
    •  Leverage human capital
    •  Increase market share

Specific Strategies

    •  Increase awareness of the Hydrologic Research Center mission and promote involvement through programs
    •  Strengthen relationships with community partners, donors, members, program participants and staff
    •  Improve educational efficiencies
    •  Present comprehensive information and resources in an easy to use format
    •  Deliver a consistent image
    •  Deliver a scalable, maintainable foundation

In short we must tell our story through the use of compelling visuals, intuitive navigation, and concise messaging.

Make it easy

Redesign the site to deliver intuitive navigation, an improved graphical user interface, and easy-to-find content organization.


5. TIMELINE

This RFP is dated December 13, 2011. Proposers may also request a copy be sent via email by contacting RGraham@hrc-lab.org.

Proposals are due no later than 12:00pm/noon PST, Wednesday, December 21, 2011. Email them to RGraham@hrc-lab.org

Proposals will be evaluated immediately thereafter. During this time we may require interviews with our evaluation team. You will be notified if this is requested.

The name of the candidate firm who has been selected will be decided on or about January 10, 2012.

6. BUDGET

Please provide separate cost proposals to accomplish the scope for the website and LMS outlined above. The firm-fixed price budgets must encompass all design, production, and software acquisitions necessary for development of the website. Providing a recommended fixed-price payment schedule for each project is encouraged.