On-Call Communications Consulting Services
ID: On-Call Communications Consulting Services
• State: California
Opportunity Assistant
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Description
Background
Sweetwater Authority is a public agency in California that provides safe, reliable water service at the lowest rates in San Diego County to approximately 190,000 residents in National City, Bonita, and Chula Vista. The Authority is governed by a seven-member Board of elected and appointed officials. They are currently updating their Strategic Communications Plan and seeking a consultant to assist with communications services in both Spanish and English on an as-needed basis.
Work Details
The consultant will perform various Public Affairs services under the direction of the Public Affairs Manager, including but not limited to:
- Developing and enhancing social media, photography, and video content;
- Branding/rebranding for Sweetwater Authority;
- Providing communications support including planning, strategy, and implementation;
- Writing services for brochures, social media content, web content maintenance, and outreach materials;
- Enhancing communication tools for outreach such as email campaigns and community newsletters;
- Analyzing recent customer survey findings and providing recommendations;
- Ensuring cultural appropriateness in messaging;
- Developing strategies to empower the community while respecting diversity;
- Assisting with campaigns like tap water safety;
- Building community partnerships;
- Supporting staff at Authority-led events or meetings.
Additional services may include crisis or emergency communications assistance.
Period of Performance
The contract will be performed over the fiscal years 2025-27.
Place of Performance
Services will be performed primarily within the Sweetwater Authority service area which includes National City, Bonita, and Chula Vista.
Bidder Requirements
Consultants must demonstrate significant experience in multicultural communication, outreach, media relations, and connecting with local residents and entities in the South Bay and San Diego region. There are no specific set-aside certifications mentioned.
Sweetwater Authority is a public agency in California that provides safe, reliable water service at the lowest rates in San Diego County to approximately 190,000 residents in National City, Bonita, and Chula Vista. The Authority is governed by a seven-member Board of elected and appointed officials. They are currently updating their Strategic Communications Plan and seeking a consultant to assist with communications services in both Spanish and English on an as-needed basis.
Work Details
The consultant will perform various Public Affairs services under the direction of the Public Affairs Manager, including but not limited to:
- Developing and enhancing social media, photography, and video content;
- Branding/rebranding for Sweetwater Authority;
- Providing communications support including planning, strategy, and implementation;
- Writing services for brochures, social media content, web content maintenance, and outreach materials;
- Enhancing communication tools for outreach such as email campaigns and community newsletters;
- Analyzing recent customer survey findings and providing recommendations;
- Ensuring cultural appropriateness in messaging;
- Developing strategies to empower the community while respecting diversity;
- Assisting with campaigns like tap water safety;
- Building community partnerships;
- Supporting staff at Authority-led events or meetings.
Additional services may include crisis or emergency communications assistance.
Period of Performance
The contract will be performed over the fiscal years 2025-27.
Place of Performance
Services will be performed primarily within the Sweetwater Authority service area which includes National City, Bonita, and Chula Vista.
Bidder Requirements
Consultants must demonstrate significant experience in multicultural communication, outreach, media relations, and connecting with local residents and entities in the South Bay and San Diego region. There are no specific set-aside certifications mentioned.
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Overview
Agency
Opportunity Type
RFP (Request for Proposal)
Opportunity ID
On-Call Communications Consulting Services
Response Deadline
May 29, 2026
Past Due
Date Posted
April 29, 2026
Source
Pre-Bid Conference
No
Est. Value Range
Experimental
$150,000 - $450,000
(AI estimate)
Agency Distribution
Moderate
On 4/29/26 Sweetwater Authority in California issued RFP (Request for Proposal) On-Call Communications Consulting Services with ID On-Call Communications Consulting Services due 5/29/26.
Contacts
Documents
Posted documents for On-Call Communications Consulting Services
Opportunity Assistant
AI Analysis
AI Generate
Additional Details
Notes
SELECTION CRITERIA
1) Related experience of the respondents – 20 points
2) Knowledge of the Authority’s Service Area- 10 points
3) Professional qualifications of individuals assigned to the Project and related information- 40 points
4) Overall proposal content and related information- 30 points
After the Board reviews the RFP’s, finalists may be scheduled for an interview with the Authority’s Governing Board/and or subcommittee
DISCLAIMER
This RFP does not commit the Authority to enter into an agreement for services, to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal, or to procure or contract for services or supplies. The Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received as a result of this request, to negotiate with any qualified source, or to cancel in part or in its entirety this RFP, if it is in the best interest of the Authority to do so. The Authority shall not be obligated to contract any or all of the requested services to the selected consultant.
All questions must be submitted by May 22, 2026, no later than 2:00 pm.
All questions will be answered through Planet Bids only. Questions submitted via email directly to Sweetwater Authority staff pertaining to this solicitation will be ignored. Both questions and answers may be distributed, without identification of the inquirer(s).
1) Related experience of the respondents – 20 points
2) Knowledge of the Authority’s Service Area- 10 points
3) Professional qualifications of individuals assigned to the Project and related information- 40 points
4) Overall proposal content and related information- 30 points
After the Board reviews the RFP’s, finalists may be scheduled for an interview with the Authority’s Governing Board/and or subcommittee
DISCLAIMER
This RFP does not commit the Authority to enter into an agreement for services, to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal, or to procure or contract for services or supplies. The Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received as a result of this request, to negotiate with any qualified source, or to cancel in part or in its entirety this RFP, if it is in the best interest of the Authority to do so. The Authority shall not be obligated to contract any or all of the requested services to the selected consultant.
All questions must be submitted by May 22, 2026, no later than 2:00 pm.
All questions will be answered through Planet Bids only. Questions submitted via email directly to Sweetwater Authority staff pertaining to this solicitation will be ignored. Both questions and answers may be distributed, without identification of the inquirer(s).
Other Details
The letter proposal submitted by potential consultants shall be concise, well organized and demonstrate the responder's experience applicable to the requirements of this Request for Proposal (RFP). A letter proposal submitted in response to this RFP shall provide information on the expertise of the firm and its team members, such as:
1. Qualifications of the firm to provide services, and any summary information that may be useful or informative to the Authority.
2. Resumes for proposed consultants.
3. Costs: The service being requested will be on an as-needed basis, not-to-exceed $150,000 in fiscal year 2025-27. Provide a rate per/hour for the services that will be charged to perform the work described in this Request for Letter Proposal. In additional, state any additional costs that may be charged such as administrative fees, meals, travel, and lodging. Payment by the Authority shall be made on a monthly basis within thirty (30) days of invoicing.
4. Exceptions/Proposed Changes to the RFP: The proposer shall certify that it takes no exceptions to this RFP, including but not limited to the Authority’s Professional Services Agreement (Agreement), as attached in Exhibit A. If the respondent does take exception(s) to any portion of the RFP or Agreement, the specific portion of the RFP or Agreement to which exception(s) is taken shall be identified and proposed alternative language shall be provided and explained in the proposal.
5. Letter Proposal Submittal: Provide one electronic copy of the letter proposal in PDF format. Proposal should be limited to no more than 25 pages, excluding attachments.
Letter Proposals must be delivered electronically, via the Authority’s PlanetBids link, NO LATER THAN 5:00 p.m. PST on May 29, 2026. Please note the following:
• The secure file transfer system will REQUIRE you to set up an account by providing a valid email address. This email address must be validated by the system before it will allow you to upload your response document.
• The secure file transfer system must be accessed using an up to date internet browser. Examples include but not limited to: Chrome, Edge Chromium, Safari, Internet Explorer 11 or later, Firefox.
• The email address used to register for the system to submit the response will receive a confirmation email when the file is first accessed by Authority staff.
• Response should be uploaded in advance of the response deadline. The time stamp on the file received by the system will be used to determine whether the response was submitted on time.
• File Format: The response must be in pdf format, and include scanned copies of all pages with required signatures present.
1. Qualifications of the firm to provide services, and any summary information that may be useful or informative to the Authority.
2. Resumes for proposed consultants.
3. Costs: The service being requested will be on an as-needed basis, not-to-exceed $150,000 in fiscal year 2025-27. Provide a rate per/hour for the services that will be charged to perform the work described in this Request for Letter Proposal. In additional, state any additional costs that may be charged such as administrative fees, meals, travel, and lodging. Payment by the Authority shall be made on a monthly basis within thirty (30) days of invoicing.
4. Exceptions/Proposed Changes to the RFP: The proposer shall certify that it takes no exceptions to this RFP, including but not limited to the Authority’s Professional Services Agreement (Agreement), as attached in Exhibit A. If the respondent does take exception(s) to any portion of the RFP or Agreement, the specific portion of the RFP or Agreement to which exception(s) is taken shall be identified and proposed alternative language shall be provided and explained in the proposal.
5. Letter Proposal Submittal: Provide one electronic copy of the letter proposal in PDF format. Proposal should be limited to no more than 25 pages, excluding attachments.
Letter Proposals must be delivered electronically, via the Authority’s PlanetBids link, NO LATER THAN 5:00 p.m. PST on May 29, 2026. Please note the following:
• The secure file transfer system will REQUIRE you to set up an account by providing a valid email address. This email address must be validated by the system before it will allow you to upload your response document.
• The secure file transfer system must be accessed using an up to date internet browser. Examples include but not limited to: Chrome, Edge Chromium, Safari, Internet Explorer 11 or later, Firefox.
• The email address used to register for the system to submit the response will receive a confirmation email when the file is first accessed by Authority staff.
• Response should be uploaded in advance of the response deadline. The time stamp on the file received by the system will be used to determine whether the response was submitted on time.
• File Format: The response must be in pdf format, and include scanned copies of all pages with required signatures present.