Request for Proposals Website Redesign Allegheny City Central (Formerly Central Northside) July 2013 Contact: Arthur James Secretary Allegheny City Central Association (ACCA) P.O. Box 6255 Pittsburgh, PA 15212 ajames@cnnc-pgh.org (412) 465-0192 Page 1 of 9
Table of Contents Project Information Background & About ACCA............................... 3-4 Project summary....................................... 4 Project s target markets.................................. 4 Detailed project overview Primary goal......................................5 Secondary goal................................... 5 Budget.......................................... 5 General scope of Website........................... 5 Creative/design requirements........................ 6 Functional requirements............................ 7 Content delivery................................... 7 Existing technical environment/requirements............ 7 Preferred working relationship........................ 7 Ongoing support and maintenance requirements......... 8 Requested Vendor Information.............................8 Schedule for proposal process............................. 8 Criteria for making the decision............................ 8 Contact information...................................... 8 Page 2 of 9
Background Allegheny City Central Association (Formerly Central Northside Neighborhood Council) The Central Northside is on the rise. Recent developments make it a neighborhood to watch and embrace. As part of its reinvention, The Central Northside residents recently voted overwhelmingly to present the community under a new name: Allegheny City Central. And tagline: All Together. Different. The new name and all associated branding elements and activities will help refocus the perception of the area on the arts, literature, commerce and a unique and welcoming environment. The purpose of this request for proposals is to secure a firm to assist Allegheny City Central Association (ACCA) in redesigning its Website (www.cnnc-pgh.org) to help tell a compelling story of a safe, creative, vibrant and welcoming neighborhood. About Allegheny City Central Association (ACCA) ACCA is a community-based 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization representing the neighborhood of the Allegheny City Central in the heart of historic Northside. It is the guiding force behind the reinvention of the area with a track record of successful major redevelopment projects that indicate a bright future for the area and show ACCA to be an effective community partner. In 2009, ACCA engaged the community to re-imagine their neighborhood. With the help of Pfaffmann + Associates and other community partners, ACCA, residents and community partners developed the Central Northside Community Plan, resulting in projects on the table that will improve safety and livability, attract new businesses and partnerships and create new retail and development initiatives. The Garden Theater block development is one high profile project currently being actualized. The branding of the community as Allegheny City Central is another critical milestone. Mission: Enhance the lives of all of its residents Vision: By the end of 2015, ACCA will transform all of our neighborhood s vacant lots and empty storefronts by filling them with thriving individuals, commerce and families of all kinds. Infrastructure 13-member volunteer Board of Directors with backgrounds in finance, law, communications, information technology and historic preservation Roughly 200 paid members, average of 65 attend monthly meetings Consultants under contract: o Tom Hardy, with over ten years experience in community development; successful implementation of a broad range of real estate projects; certified planner o Karen Bryant, with over twenty-five years experience helping nonprofits communicate, reach out and market their missions. Page 3 of 9
Successful Track Record Developed nearly 200 neighborhood housing units, guided public space and public safety improvements, initiated youth development programs, and led neighborhood preservation efforts With partners, developed Central Northside Community Plan Leading the development of the Garden Theater Block Leading the process to restore or replace roughly 50 vacant lots and buildings Completed highly successful Federal Hill Townhome Project Current Partners Design Center of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group City of Pittsburgh North Star Destination Strategies Pfaffmann + Associates S&A Homes, Inc. Urban Redevelopment Authority Project Summary Currently, the website (www.cnnc-pgh.org) reflects the old CNNC brand and focuses mainly on the organization instead of the community with documents and calls to action for current residents. There is little to engage and entice prospective residents and businesses. ACCA requests a redesign to reflect the new branding and transition Website to: Primarily highlight the ACC community Provide a portal to ACCA activities Engage prospective residents and businesses via a more compelling story Target markets Individuals, families of all kinds and businesses looking for an urban setting with the unique opportunities that Allegheny City Central provides: walkability to downtown; access to the many cultural gems like the Mattress Factory, City of Asylum/Pittsburgh, Children s Museum, New Hazlett Theater and the Andy Warhol Museum, historic architecture, and a tight-knit and welcoming community. There are a significant number of residents from out of state and out of the country, telling us that it would be wise to create a global reach for the Website. Target categories include: Individuals: o Young professionals o African American professionals o Artists o Empty nesters o Gays and lesbians o Young families with children Commercial: o Small businesses o Retail establishments o Restaurants o Grocery stores Page 4 of 9
Detailed Project Overview Budget: TBD General scope of website: o Primary Goals: Branding Provide a fresh, updated look and feel utilizing the new brand elements already developed for ACC Position ACCA as relevant, viable and a solid partner Prospective residents, developers and businesses Engage visitors; pull them in to explore the neighborhood through the website; encourage them to explore the neighborhood in person o Secondary Goals: Current residents Promote upcoming events and services Provide a forum for residents Welcome new residents Community partners Engage potential and participating community partners ACCA members We currently use the website to manage ACCA member activities, such as posting minutes, agenda and financial reports, launching calls to action, and a meeting calendar. We would like to explore another way of handling this so that the website provides these to the members but not the public. o Optional ACCA Board & Executive Committee & Working Committees We are open to discovering if there is another way of handing administrative documents and activities, but we currently are using Google docs which provides secure site for sensitive information Transition identifiers from CNNC to ACCA Migrate existing Google Apps data to new domain (email, calendars, voice, drives, groups, etc.); this is a function that must happen, although it does not have to be accomplished via this proposal unless the vendor is able to include it. Page 5 of 9
Creative/design requirements: o In addition to the new community and association names, a new logo and color palette have been developed by our branding firm, North Star Destination Strategies. Upon awarding of a contract, ACCA will provide the brand standards and all creative elements to the vendor. Vendor to guide ACCA on how best to incorporate these branding elements into the website redesign to meet our goals and in helping ACCA develop a brand standard interpreted for the website. Page 6 of 9
Functional requirements: o Photo and video gallery to give viewers a sense of the community and the diverse individuals and families who lives here. o Interactive section for potential new residents to explore and discover the unique corners of the community o Sign-up / purchase / commit mechanisms for: Events Community involvement Purchasing merchandise Making donations Newsletter Paying ACCA dues via PayPal o Electronic media kit and news feed o Rebrand and migrate Welcome Neighbor to Neighbor (access from Welcome button on CNNC website https://sites.google.com/a/cnncpgh.org/wn2n/ o Search engine optimization (e.g. tags and key words to optimize online/google searches) o New domain: www.alleghenycitycentral.com and www.accapgh.org o OPTIONAL: Explore alternative to creating a secure board section currently handle via Google Docs Explore alternative to E-newsletter mechanism currently handled via Vertical Response; or create a new branded interface on VR. Migrate existing Google Apps data to new domain (email, calendars, voice, drives, groups, etc.); this is a function that must happen, although it does not have to be accomplished via this proposal unless the vendor is able to include it. Content delivery: o Content will be provided by ACCA Communications Committee; Committee will provide content standards. Existing technical environment/requirements o Website should be hosted on Dream Host or other similar hosting service that provides free hosting for nonprofits. Hosting service must support Google Apps including Gmail. o Site must work on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Mac Safari browsers and PC and Mac computing platforms. o Site design must not require Flash to access core content, although Flash elements may be used for ancillary content. o Site design may use video technologies, but they must not be essential to core site content. Preferred working relationship The project vendor will report to consultant Karen Bryant. Vendor may subcontract pieces of work, but must be the sole channel for all communication Page 7 of 9
to/from subcontractors. All subcontractors must be identified and approved by ACCA. Ongoing support and maintenance requirements Content of the website must be updatable by multiple, registered committee or staff members. Vendor to provide training for volunteers and a webmaster manual. Technical support and ongoing maintenance must be available. (Please provide fee schedule and turnaround time for maintenance and tech support.) Requested Vendor Information In your proposal, please be sure to include the following information: Vendor company information o Company background/history o Quick overview of services and capabilities o Management or key personnel bios o Contact information Proposed solution o Basic summary of the solution o Solution methodology/process o Development plan o List of tasks o Timeline o Details on proposed solution Original ideas strategy, creative, etc. Features and functionality Options and add-ons Scalability Technical requirements o Proposed budget Cost of services Required third party costs Support and maintenance o List of deliverables o Ownership of materials and results Proposed project team Vendor references o Examples of previous work o Client references Other useful information Page 8 of 9
2013 Schedule for proposal process (specific dates may change; initiation of project pending funding) July 1 RFP approved, announced and sent July 1-10 Exploratory meetings/phone calls with vendors July 17 Deadline for vendor confirm of participation August 1 Deadline for vendor proposals August 15 Selection of finalists two vendors will be selected August (dates TBD) Vendor finalist presentations half-hour presentation to the selection team August 31 Final vendor selected September 5 Target project start date September 15 Website content provided to vendor TBD * Site design ready for review TBD * Website review comments from client TBD * Final presentation of Website TBD * Launch * Dates to be determined with vendor for a target launch no later than November 1, 2013. Criteria for making the decision o Completeness of proposal o Final price of project (including on-going maintenance and other fees) o Vendor s demonstrated capabilities o Vendor s client references o Vendor s understanding of non-profit audience o Ability of ACCA s team to work effectively with vendor Contact Arthur James Secretary Allegheny City Central Association (ACCA) P.O. Box 6255 Pittsburgh, PA 15212 ajames@cnnc-pgh.org (412) 465-0192 Page 9 of 9