JUNE 2024 | DOWNLOAD PDF HERE

Purpose

Power Forward Communities, Inc. (PFC) has initiated a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to  support media and public relations to explain and amplify opportunities for communities and household decarbonization work done under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) grant. 

Please note that the Environmental Protection Agency and PFC have not yet executed a grant award and, because of that, the award of this RFP is contingent upon PFC executing a grant agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Overview

PFC seeks a contractor to:

• Summary of Required Services

  • Provide media and public relations support to PFC, to tell the story of the coalition as a whole and to support NCIF-funded or enabling work done independently by the five coalition partners  — Enterprise Community Partners (Enterprise), Rewiring America, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), United Way Worldwide (UWW), and Habitat for Humanity International (Habitat) — and advance our work through the media, deploying leaders into public speaking engagements, development of content and strategy for a new website, and other public-facing opportunities. The initial engagement will last one year, beginning August 16, 2024, with potential for renewal beyond that period.

• Eligibility on Bidding

  • We seek a media and public relations company with expertise in supporting public grant-funded, community-oriented work, helping tell stories of human impact, systemic change, and policy innovation. The consultant must have in-house capacity to support broad coalition work and public scrutiny appropriate for the stewardship of federal dollars, in the absence of significant communications staffing at the coalition level of PFC.

• Period of Performance

  • Initial term is thought to be 12 months, but may vary based on need.

About Power Forward Communities

Power Forward Communities (PFC) is a coalition of the country’s most trusted community  development, housing, and residential climate solutions organizations, including Enterprise, Habitat, LISC, Rewiring America, and UWW. PFC has been awarded $2 billion in NCIF funding, to function as part of the nation’s first green bank, deploying funding and market-based solutions for affordable and accessible residential decarbonization throughout the country, with a specific focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities. 

PFC and its coalition members would each serve critical but separate roles and will have differing communications opportunities:

PFC Role

• Stewarding Federal Resources

  • Provide responsiveness and transparency in keeping with responsibility to government and community partners.

• Coordinating Coalition Members

  • Coordinate and share out coalition member activity and serve as connective  tissue to realize the benefit of the sum-of-its parts. 

• Serve as leader in supporting industry-wide standards for financial products/technical assistance. 

• Allocate resources optimally and make decisions, in coordination with coalition  members, to achieve greatest impact.

• Measure performance of its coalition members related to impact and resource  allocation.

Coalition Members’ Roles

• Develop and deploy financial products enabling residential decarbonization in both the single-family and multi-family sectors, with a particular focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities.

• Build the market for those financial products and home/property-based decarbonization activity.

• Satisfy all obligations in subrecipient agreement, report accurate/timely performance  data related to activity, and conform to PFC’s minimum standards to support fulfillment  of EPA obligations.

Project Overview

Given that both PFC and NCIF are at the inception stage, work will be needed to establish in the public imagination the possibility of household decarbonization and weatherization at a scale commensurate with our climate imperatives. This will require explaining the zero-emissions technologies and efficiency improvements with which they may be unfamiliar, new financial products available to homeowners directly and how they interact with existing government and utility incentives, new financial products available to multi-family housing providers to equitably and affordably decarbonize, online tools and data supports to enable rapid scaling in the marketplace and identify households who have the most to gain from decarbonization and weatherization, and the economic and employment opportunities supporting this work. Given that the award is a substantial public investment, rigor will be needed to uphold the public trust. We also need to establish that these are opportunities that benefit communities across the country, so having competence not just with national media, but an understanding and track record of success with local, regional, nonprofit, rural, Tribal, and industry newsrooms and communications channels is a priority.

Scope of Work and Deliverables

PFC seeks a contractor to perform, at minimum, the following activities as part of its scope of work: 

1. Help identify and articulate our unique value proposition in deploying the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), driving climate, energy, equity, financing, housing, technology, environmental justice, lifestyle, and other coverage of our solutions.

2. Manage public relations, until the hiring of and then at the direction of a Vice-President of Communications for PFC, around the offerings in markets and nationwide, around major activities, announcements, convenings, launches, reports, and other public-facing undertakings by:

• Pitching potential stories to reporters and vetting incoming media inquiries;

• Drafting press materials (pitch notes, editorial board memos, press releases, etc.);

• Prepping subject matter experts for interviews;

• Suggesting, drafting, and placing letters to the editor and opinion pieces for subject-matter experts and regional market leaders

3. Highlight our executive leadership (PFC as well as of the coalition members in their roles as coalition members) as leading voices on the work of equitably decarbonizing American housing and transforming communities, and as responsible stewards of the GGRF by:

• Cultivating relationships between our leaders and influential journalists and event conveners.

• Working with staff to conceptualize, research, draft, finalize, and place opinion pieces in owned, industry, and mainstream media channels.

• Pitching our experts and leaders and preparing them for speaking engagements; vetting incoming requests and recommending conferences and other opportunities.

4. Development of a strategy around a new PFC website and content for it; help source or sub-bid the building of that site; and recommend strategies to amplify social media of relevancy to PFC goals from PFC coalition members (and continue to evaluate whether PFC social media channels should be stood up and created as a brand with followers).

5. Draft, socialize with coalition members, coordinate strategy around, and send PFC e-newsletter(s) to engaged audiences. 

6. Work with coalition members to build a PFC storybank of decarbonization and weatherization success stories (before the deployment of and using NCIF funds) of homeowners, renters, communities, small businesses, workforce programs, and major partners — and help share the storybank with public, nonprofit, and market partners and the news media, and highlight in PFC-generated communications.

7. In coordination with government affairs leadership and consultants, advise on and help coordinate responses covered by media regarding government oversight and accountability to stakeholders.

8. Liaise with PFC coalition member staff on marketing communications to homeowners, developers, contractors, and other audiences as requested to inform paid media in support of expanding program offerings.

9. Provide weekly and quarterly performance updates as well as relevant clips for leadership and communications staff.

Should you believe other activities are necessary as part of a scope of work to perform the above activities, please list those out as well. 

Please also include a list of key deliverables you believe should be part of this work.

Budget

• We do not have a firm budget for this scope of work and look forward to the market helping to inform the cost estimate. 

• We plan to issue one award to one consulting company. 

• Respondents should propose a monthly retainer structure with specific details of additional potential costs outside the scope of the retainer.

Proposal Materials

Responses should include the following (please ensure that each numbered section is its own attached file in the submitted response): 

1. Cover Letter – on company letterhead (should include the name, title, address,  telephone number, and e-mail address for point of contact for the respondent organization).

2. Qualifications – include the contractor’s qualifications to conduct the scope of work activities, expertise, knowledge, and experience. Experience should include examples of  conducting similar or related work.

3. Project Approach – narrative of contractor’s proposed approach, including:

• The process and specific activities to be conducted to achieve the stated goals.

• A suggested timeline for major activities; understanding that specific PFC-driven projects may take months to be announced so interim storytelling will be needed, PFC communications staff will take time to hire and put in place, and program offerings will vary in readiness for announcement.

• Suggested major milestones and a detailed list of deliverables tied to activities. 

• Cadence for and processes for leading of external communications functions within coalition, in coordination with PFC staff and/or supporting consultants.

4. Project Budget – Propose a monthly retainer and detail additional potential costs that could exceed the scope of the work covered by the retainer.

5. Engagement Team – resumes and bios for each individual on the specific engagement  team we will be working with on a day-to-day basis, including information about  experience with similar projects and professional qualifications.

• Approach to diversity of engagement team specifically and, more generally,  whether any disadvantaged business enterprise (“DBE”) will be subcontracted  as part of your approach to fulfilling our scope requirements.

6. Work Samples – based on the past projects identified in the qualification section, attach  samples of completed work relevant to the work needed in this RFP (no more than  three).

7. References – based on the past projects identified in the qualification form, attach  current contact information of clients for whom similar services were provided (no more  than three).

8. Disclosure and Certifications

• Indicate whether you are presently engaged or plan to be engaged with any other recipient of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund dollars;

• Conflicts of Interest Statement (see below section on Conflicts of Interest);  and,

• Lobbying Certification (see below section on Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment).

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be evaluated on the following characteristics:

Qualifications, Experience and Past Performance – 33%

• The applicant has the qualifications necessary to successfully complete the scope  of work.

• The applicant has prior experience working on similar projects.

• The applicant has prior experience working with similar organizations.

• Quality of submitted work samples. 

Approach & Work Plan – 33% 

• The proposal demonstrates an understanding of the project objectives and  desired results. 

• The proposal illustrates an approach to the scope of work that will likely lead to  successful results. 

• The proposal illustrates the contractor’s ability to successfully execute the  proposed approach. 

• The proposal adequately details project activities and milestones, or deliverables, as appropriate to the subject matter, associated with each stage of the scope of work. 

Budget – 34% 

• The proposal includes a detailed budget for each stage of the scope of work. The proposed costs are reasonable. 

PFC will select the proposal which it determines will deliver the highest quality deliverable at the best value. Proposals will be evaluated using the weighted criteria identified above.

PFC, in its sole discretion, may request proposal interviews or presentations by meeting with  any and all applicants to clarify or negotiate modifications to proposals. However, PFC reserves  the right to make an award without further discussion of the proposals submitted. Therefore,  proposals should be submitted initially on the most favorable terms, from both technical and  price standpoints, that the applicant can propose.

Submission Instructions

Proposals are due by 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on July 22, 2024. 

Inquiries concerning this RFP should be directed to RFP@powerforwardcommunities.org with subject line “Media and Public Relations Consulting RFP.” 

Proposals must be submitted to: RFP@powerforwardcommunities.org. 

All costs incurred in the preparation of a response to this RFP are the responsibility of the applicant and will not be reimbursed by PFC.  

By submitting a proposal, the applicant commits to the terms and conditions outlined in this  RFP (see attached). Requests for exception to any terms or conditions must be submitted with the proposal. PFC reserves the right to deny requests for exception to any terms and conditions. Requested exceptions will be factored into PFC’s consideration of award.

Right to Reject

PFC reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject any and all responses received in  response to this RFP. A contract for the accepted response will be based upon the factors  described in this RFP.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises

PFC is required to make the following good faith efforts whenever procuring construction,  equipment, services and supplies to ensure disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) have the opportunity to compete for procurements funded by EPA financial assistance. Please advise in the context of your response whether you are a registered DBE and, if not, whether you plan to engage in any subcontractors who are registered DBEs.

Confidentiality

If the applicant deems any materials submitted to be proprietary or confidential, the applicant must indicate as such in the relevant section(s) of the response.

Timeline and Notification of Selection

1. RFP Posting: June 21, 2024 (30-day Notice Period Begins). 

2. Letter of Intent to respond to RFP: due by July 2, 2024. This is for tracking purposes and content will not be used for evaluation purposes.

3. Written Questions:  due by July 2, 2024. PFC will share responses to all submitted questions by EOD July 12, 2024. 

4. Access to Data Room: PFC will give Data Room access to respondents as they file Letters of Intent and sign a Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA) by EOD July 3, 2024 (see Data Room contents below).

5. 30-day Notice Period ends: July 22, 2024. Deadline for RFP Responses: 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on July 22, 2024.

6. Follow-up Questions from PFC to Bidders: July 24 - July 29, 2024. 

7. Interviews with Bidders: August 1 - 7, 2024. 

8. Notice of Award: August 13, 2024.

Conflict of Interest

The applicant must disclose, in an attachment to the proposal, any possible conflicts of interest  that may result from the award of the contract or the services provided under the contract. Except as otherwise disclosed in the proposal, the applicant affirms that to the best of its knowledge there exists no actual or potential conflict between the applicant, the applicant’s employees or their families’ business or financial interests (“interests”) and the services provided under the contract. In the event of any change in either interests or the services provided under the contract, the applicant will inform PFC regarding possible conflicts of interest, which may arise as a result of such change and agrees that all conflicts shall be resolved to PFC’s satisfaction or the applicant may be disqualified from consideration under this RFP. “Conflict of interest” shall include, but not be limited to the following:

• Giving or offering a gratuity, kickback, money, gift, or anything of value to a PFC official, officer, or employee with the intent of receiving a contract from PFC or favorable  treatment under a contract; 

• Having or acquiring at any point during the RFP process or during the term of the  contract, any contractual, financial, business, or other interest, direct or indirect, that would conflict in any manner or degree with applicant’s performance of its duties and  responsibilities to PFC under the contract or otherwise create the appearance of  impropriety with respect to the award or performance of the contract; or 

• Currently possessing or accepting during the RFP process or the term of the contract  anything of value based on an understanding that the actions of the applicant or its affiliates or interests on behalf of PFC will be influenced.

Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment (31 U.S.C. 1352)

Contractors that apply or bid for an award exceeding $100,000 must file the required  certification. Each tier certifies to the tier above that it will not and has not used Federal  appropriated funds to pay any person or organization for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in connection with obtaining any Federal contract, grant or any other award covered by 31 U.S.C. 1352.

Applicable Requirements

SAM Registration  

All contractors receiving federal funds through PFC must maintain an active account in the  System for Award Management (SAM). SAM is a free web site hosted by the federal  government that consolidates the government-wide award reporting systems into one system. SAM streamlines processes, eliminating the need to enter the same data multiple times, and  consolidates hosting to make the process of doing business with the government more efficient. The website and information on how to create a user account, is found at  

https://www.sam.gov/SAM/. To receive an award, contractors must not have active exclusions or delinquent federal debt and may not be currently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment or declared ineligible for awards by any federal agency. Additionally, make sure that  any subcontractors that receive federal funds are aware that they must be registered in SAM in order to be in compliance with federal reporting requirements. 

Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) 

Contractors must comply (as applicable) with FFATA and provide necessary information to  enable PFC to comply with FFATA reporting requirements. Please visit http://www.fsrs.gov for  more information. 

High-Rate Limitation 

Per OPM guidance on pay limitations (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/pay-administration/fact-sheets/expert-and-consultant-pay/), PFC may not provide reimbursement for payment of the salary of a contractor at more than the daily equivalent of the rate paid for the level IV of the Executive Schedule. For more  information on the Executive Schedule, please see the Office of Personnel Management  (OPM) website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/22Tables/exec/html/EX.aspx. In order to verify this requirement is being met, PFC may  require additional information regarding a breakout of direct and indirect expenses within  budgets and rates. 

Data Room

PFC has a public-facing website live [powerforwardcommunities.org] that includes boilerplate language, a press release from the time of intended award announcement, an FAQ, and a sign-up form to follow updates.

PFC will make available to requesting potential bidders a data room which includes:

• PFC’s NCIF workplan, amended per April 4, 2024 award amount and resubmitted to the EPA, but not yet approved.

• PFC Standard Terms and Conditions

• Additional EPA Terms and Conditions

• PFC Standard Insurance Requirements

• Partner Demographics Questionnaire

• News coverage of PFC and related GGRF content since inception

• PFC Launch Talking Points

If you would like access to the Data Room, please email RFP@powerforwardcommunities.orgfor assistance.