Seeking Strategic Communications Services

Background
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is the Regional Planning Agency serving 101 municipalities in the Metro Boston area, created under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40B. The agency seeks to enhance its communications capabilities during a period of leadership transition and reorganization. This Request for Proposal (RFP) aims to procure a vendor for strategic communications support services to help position MAPC as a thought leader in the Greater Boston region.

Work Details
The selected vendor will provide strategic communications support, including:

1. Media Relations: Enhance media relations expertise, propose media campaigns, facilitate relationships with reporters, respond to press calls, prepare press releases, and compile targeted media outreach lists.

2. Social Media & Website: Assist with website maintenance, troubleshoot issues, refresh homepage content, create social media strategies, and strategize website content.

3. Marketing, Messaging & Brand Enhancement: Update marketing materials, recommend outreach strategies, produce deliverables for events, and send marketing emails using Constant Contact.

4. Additional ongoing support as needed.

Period of Performance
The project duration is estimated not to exceed 12 months from the contract start date, which is anticipated to be in the week of May 11, 2026.

Place of Performance
The services will be performed at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council's office located at 60 Temple Place, Boston, MA.

Bidder Requirements
Only vendors certified on MA Statewide Contract PRF86 Category 5 are eligible to bid. Bidders must demonstrate experience in strategic communications within the public sector and provide qualifications of their proposed team members.