The vendor is required to provide an innovative and collaborative website design and development partner to support the ongoing growth and success of our public website, along with related digital experiences.
- Launched a comprehensive website redesign and rebuild using Drupal CMS, significantly improving our digital foundation.
- Since then, our internal teams have maintained and enhanced the site, focusing on continuous updates and improvements.
- To continue advancing our digital presence, aims is looking for a strategic partner who can bring fresh ideas, technical expertise, and a forward-thinking approach to improving functionality, user experience, accessibility and adaptability.
- Provide establish a long-term, collaborative partnership focused not only on project execution but also on continuous innovation and idea generation.
- We envision a partner who will work alongside the aims team to evaluate and prioritize opportunities, brainstorm creative solutions and bring forward new ideas that enhance our digital experience.
- This partnership will be central to delivering an accessible, engaging and student-first digital experience that supports our mission and meets the evolving expectations of our audiences.
- Provide to establish a long-term, collaborative partnership broken into three primary phases:
• Phase I: evaluate and prioritize projects across the website, intranet and CRM systems; recommend a phased project approach.
• Phase II: execute planned projects, create supporting documentation and deliver training to internal staff.
• Phase III: assess project outcomes, measure success and recalibrate priorities; begin planning for the next phase.
- In addition to executing scoped projects, the selected partner will serve as a proactive thought partner, helping aims identify emerging opportunities, troubleshoot challenges and stay ahead of evolving digital trends.
- Throughout all phases, the awarded partner will work closely with the aims web team, which includes two full-time web developers, a full-time website systems administrator, a full-time director of marketing and web and two part-time content writers.
- In the area of visual design, the partner will develop and present creative concepts that align with aims brand guidelines while prioritizing best practices in user experience and interface design.
- The partner will also provide ongoing development support, acting as a backup to the internal development team and stepping in to support system updates and technical challenges.
- Accessibility expertise is critical; the partner will monitor site compliance with wcag standards, identify potential issues, and deploy timely fixes to ensure an inclusive digital environment for all users.
- Thorough testing and quality assurance practices must be implemented before all deployments to ensure the stability and performance of the website.
- The partner will support the integration of third-party tools and platforms, helping aims enhance and expand its digital ecosystem in ways that are seamless and sustainable.
- We value:
• Specialized expertise across Drupal CMS, web development languages, integrations, and accessibility standards
• Scalability and adaptability to meet evolving project needs
• Innovative ideas and a proactive approach to staying ahead of higher education web trends
• Deep integration into our internal teams, fostering close collaboration.
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: June 19, 2025