The Vendor is required to provide a full range of strategic communications services, including public relations, crisis communications, media outreach, reputation management, collateral materials and culturally informed messaging.
- Provide expert communications support to the department branch with a focus on timely, culturally informed, and effective communication to internal and external stakeholders, the general public, and the media.
- Services include:
1. Strategic communications planning
• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy tailored to agency goals and stakeholder audiences.
• Integrate cultural knowledge and sensitivity throughout the messaging, particularly as it pertains to native state families and rural communities.
2. Crisis communications support
• Provide real-time, responsive communications guidance during high-profile or sensitive incidents.
• Draft and review crisis messaging, press statements, talking points, FAQS, and internal communications as needed.
• Serve as a behind-the-scenes advisor to support the department’s unified voice.
3. Media relations and story pitching
• Identify and pitch proactive story ideas to highlight agency efforts, success stories, and community partnerships.
• Cultivate relationships with local media outlets, including those focused on neighbor island news and state language/cultural coverage.
• Provide media training and interview preparation for department leadership, if requested.
4. Media production
• Identify media production partners
• Develop storylines
• Develop PSAS
• Develop reach structure and calendar
5. Reputation management and public trust building
• Monitor public sentiment and media coverage related to agency.
• Advise on responses to misinformation or negative narratives, ensuring culturally appropriate tone and content.
• Assist in the development of key messages, speeches, opinion pieces, or video scripts.
6. Culturally rooted communications
• Ensure all materials reflect a strong understanding of state values, customs, and linguistic preferences.
• Incorporate state language, when appropriate, and consult with cultural practitioners and/or community leaders to validate content.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to intergenerational trauma, colonization, and community resiliency
7. Stakeholder and community engagement support
• Assist in the creation of communication materials that support community meetings, town halls, and county (family) engagement efforts.
• Support the messaging framework for partnerships with native state organizations and other key community stakeholders.
• Identify need for multilingual communications and organize appropriate translations and channels for distribution.
8. Internal communication support
• Collaborate with the department to enhance internal communications within agency to align messaging and boost staff morale.
• Provide templates, toolkits, or training to agency staff on effective internal communication methods.
- Contract Period/Term: 1 year
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: May 27, 2025