Document Text
--- Document: Special Consultant - Communications and Public Relations Document ---
TOWNSHIP OF CINNAMINSON
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS / PROPOSALS
Special Consultant - Communications and Public Relations
PROPOSAL DUE: Wednesday, May 27th, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
I. PURPOSE AND INTENT
Through this Request for Proposal & Qualifications (RFP), the Township of Cinnaminson (hereinafter the
“Township”) seeks to engage a vendor as Special Consultant - Communications and Public Relations for
the year 2026. This contract will be awarded through a fair and open process pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:44A-
20.4 et seq. and Chapter 41, Article II of the Code of the Township of Cinnaminson.
II. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
The Township requires the proposal be submitted in the following format:
One (1) original, hard copy, plus One (1) copy of the full proposal in PDF File Format on CD or USB, shall
be submitted in sealed envelopes and must be marked with the “Special Consultant - Communications and
Public Relations” and addressed to:
Lisa A. Passione, Municipal Clerk
Township of Cinnaminson
Township Municipal Building
1621 Riverton Road
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
Faxed proposals will NOT be accepted.
Any inquiry concerning this RFP should be directed in writing to:
Paul Conda
Committee Member
Township of Cinnaminson
1621 Riverton Road
Cinnaminson, New Jersey 08077
All documents/information submitted in response to this solicitation shall be available to the general public
as required by the New Jersey Open Public Records Act N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. The Township will not
be responsible for any costs associated with the oral or written and/or presentation of the proposals. The
Township reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, with or without cause, and waive any
irregularities or informalities in the proposals. The Township further reserves the right to make such
investigations as it deems necessary as to the qualifications of any and all vendors submitting proposals. In
the event that all proposals are rejected, the Township reserves the right to re-solicit proposals.
III. GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE TOWNSHIP OF CINNAMINSON
The Township of Cinnaminson operates under a Township Committee Form of Government. The
Township is approximately 8 square miles, has a population of 18,000 +/-, an annual operating budget of
$21 million, approximately 100 employees. The Township Committee meets the first and third Mondays
of each month as well as special meetings on an as-needed basis.
IV. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The successful applicant shall have a minimum of five (5) years’ experience providing communications
and public relations services to public sector organizations.
The proposal shall provide a resume for all principals who will be assigned to work for the township or
appear at meetings on behalf of the township.
Responses to the above-referenced professional position should address the general criteria and
mandatory minimum criteria for the position sought. All responses will be reviewed as required
by law.
One (1) or more Consultants will be awarded for the position of “SPECIAL CONSULTANT -
COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS”. Contract period shall for a period of one
(1) year commencing on the first of the month or the fifteenth of the month of the signed
contract, price and other factors considered.
The applicant/proposer shall submit one (1) original with original signatures marked
“ORIGINAL” and should submit two (2) complete and exact copies of the original marked
“COPY” of his/her proposal and should submit an electronic copy on a CD or flash drive.
Proposal
Please attach a full and complete proposal demonstrating the way and manner in which the respondent
meets the requirements of this RFQ/RFP, including specific areas of expertise in communications and
public relations. At a minimum the Proposal shall (a) outline the services to be provided, (b) attach a resume
for the primary contact and all principal persons who will provide services to the township, (c) provide a
summary of the experience of the entity in providing services with emphasis on experience with
municipalities and other local government entities, (d) set forth the manner of calculating, amount and
method of payment of the fees, and (e) provide a table of organization for the entity.
Scope of Services:
The Special Consultant – Communications and Public Relations will collaborate with key Township
officials/staff to develop a strategic communications plan that focuses on increasing engagement, media
relations and public outreach. The public relations consultant will:
•
Conduct virtual meetings with key Township officials/staff and attend additional meetings
as requested
•
Collect video, photography, and other content
•
Plan, advertise, moderate and follow-up for municipal forums to provide information and
opportunity for in-person connection with residents and other stakeholders; work in
collaboration with Township officials/staff to increase engagement with community
•
Graphic design of collateral, including but not limited to posters, flyers, brochures, and
web graphics
•
Provide strategy consulting and implementation on messaging; monitor social media
accounts and provide recommendations in order to maximize engagement; develop copy
and graphics for posts on various platforms; edit and post short videos provided by
Township; execute “paid” (ex. boosted or sponsored) social media campaigns and provide
monthly Facebook/Instagram/X analytics
•
Provide support and advice on overall media strategy; develop and implement a plan to
improve relationships with various media outlets; write and distribute press releases/media
advisories; draft press pitches and op-eds; and develop specific recommendations for future
improvement and consult on proactive relations and exigent matters
•
Assist and make recommendations regarding website management as requested. Author
web copy as requested
•
Produce a video highlighting the community and its assets
•
Development and design of special public presentations
•
Organize ribbon-cutting ceremonies
Compensation proposal must include a monthly retainer for services specified above. For services
outside the scope of work, a blended agency hourly rate for standard services shall be submitted. A
blended agency hourly rate shall be submitted for all work outside of normal business hours (8:30am –
4pm, M-F), when requested by the Township.
Additional Requirements
In addition to the foregoing all respondents shall fully comply with the requirements of the New Jersey
Local Public Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq.). The proposal shall include (a) a statement of
ownership [stockholder disclosure certificate], (b) a list of any sub-contractors or contracted employees
who will be providing services, (c) a statement of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, (d)
a mandatory equal employment opportunity notice and statement, (e) a Certificate of Liability Insurance in
an amount not less than $2,000,000.00 single limit1. (f) copies of applicable producer insurance licenses for
all persons providing legal services, (g) a copy of the entity’s N. J. Business Registration Certificate, (h) a
copy of the entity’s N.J. Certificate of Employee Information Report pursuant to N.J.A.C. 17:27-1.1 et seq.,
(i) a Non-Collusion Affidavit, (j) Iran Statement and (k) Russia Belarus Statement.
The proposal shall be certified as containing true and accurate information and that the entity has the
capability to provide all of the listed services.
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