HomeMy WebLinkAboutEvolve Bid - OnCall Comm
2977 State Street, Carlsbad, California 92008 | 760-828-0509 | kray@evolvepublicrelations.com
Daniel Clancy
City of San Luis Obispo
919 Palm St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
805-781-7510
Re: Solicitation 2110-004
Dear Mr. Clancy:
Thank you for the opportunity to submit qualifications to the City of San Luis Obispo for on-
call communications support services. Evolve Public Relations wishes to be considered for
the following:
1. Strategic public outreach, information and engagement planning
2. Public information distribution
3. Emergency communications services
6. Small projects - content creation, including
b. Light graphic design projects
d. Key messages development
e. Speechwriting and editorial content
f. Media relations and news releases
g. Informational, educational, social media posts
7. Construction project information facilitation
8. Stakeholder engagement and information gathering
Firm Name
Evolve Public Relations
2977 State St.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
760-828-0509 t
kray@evolvepublicrelations.com
Description
Evolve Public Relations is a specialized consultancy providing strategic
communication support to public agencies. Its principal, Kristina Ray, is a
communication strategist and published writer with 25 years of experience helping
local governments meet their goals through effective strategic public outreach and
Evolve Public Relations
Bid #2110-004 - (RFQ) for on-call consulting for communications support 2
engagement programs. She has worked with federal, state, regional and municipal
agencies, including:
• Cal. Department of Water Resources
• California Resources Agency
• City of Carlsbad
• City and County of Honolulu
• City of Indianapolis
• City of San Luis Obispo
• City of San Diego
• City of Tampa
• City of Chula Vista
• Detroit Water and Sewerage Department
• El Paso Water Utilities
• Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District
• Honolulu Board of Water Supply
• Modesto Irrigation District
• Port of San Diego
• San Antonio Water System
• San Diego County Regional Airport Authority
• San Diego County Water Authority
• San Diego Unified School District
• San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
• Sweetwater Union High School District
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
• Vista Unified School District
By day Kristina serves as a senior level communication strategist for a leading
Southern California municipality. She also sets aside time every month to work with a
select number of clients seeking strategic guidance, training, content development
and other communication support.
Availability and Resources
Evolve Public Relations is available to the City of San Luis Obispo for up to 40 hours a
month, on an on-call basis, seven days a week.
Qualifications
Evolve Public Relations has the qualifications to perform the scope of work identified
by the City of San Luis Obispo.
Adherence to Provisions
Evolve Public Relations intends to adhere to the provisions described in the RFQ.
Kristina Ray, Principal
Evolve Public Relations
2977 State St., Carlsbad, CA 92008
760-828-0509, kray@evolvepublicrelations.com
Evolve Public Relations
Bid #2110-004 - (RFQ) for on-call consulting for communications support 3
Relevant Experience of Key Personnel and the Firm
Kristina Ray, Principal
With Evolve Public Relations, you will work directly with the principal, Kristina Ray, who has
more than 25 years of experience in strategic communication. After starting her career in
Washington, D.C., working for two former White House press secretaries, Kristina returned to
her native California to continue her public affairs career.
As Vice President of San Diego-based Katz & Associates for 13 years, she worked with
federal, state, regional and municipal government agencies throughout the country,
designing effective, results-oriented communication programs on a range of issues,
including:
• Land use planning
• Utilities
• Water, wastewater and water reuse
• Transportation and mobility
• Environmental sustainability
• Economic development
Since 2008, Kristina has worked for the City of Carlsbad, leading internal and external
communication for this mid-size coastal city. There she oversees a team of communication
professionals who serve as a centralized communication resource to all city departments as
well as the city manager.
Four years ago, Kristina branched out to launch her own consulting firm, Evolve Public
Relations, which allows her to work with a select number of clients on an as needed and
project basis, including the City of San Luis Obispo.
Her diverse experience in government enables Kristina to provide an exceptional value to her
clients, who benefit from one-on-one attention and efficient service delivery.
Other experience includes working as a community columnist for a San Diego area daily
newspaper and a professor of communication at San Diego State University’s top-rated
school of communication.
Kristina holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of San Diego and a
master’s degree in communication from San Diego State University. She has completed
certification in public engagement from the International Association of Public Participation
and is a frequent speaker at conferences focused on local government, public works, special
districts and communication.
Evolve Public Relations
Bid #2110-004 - (RFQ) for on-call consulting for communications support 4
Firm Experience
Evolve Public Relations has worked with the City of San Luis Obispo for the past four years on
a variety of projects including:
Homeless Response
Developed news releases, messages and Q&A documents to support the city’s homeless
response efforts, including encampment removals and policy issues.
City Budget
Drafted executive summary/letter from the city manager for annual financial plan as well as
key messages and news releases to convey city spending priorities.
Public Works
Drafted news release, produced a video and developed social media content to promote
downtown sidewalk cleaning program.
Key Personnel Announcements
Developed speaking points, news releases and onboarding plans for executive level hires.
Police
Assisted the department with response to critical incidents and investigations, often requiring
immediate activation of rapid response communication strategies.
Downtown Parking
Developed messages, news releases and social media content regarding downtown parking
concerns and upcoming projects.
COVID-19 Response
Prepared informational materials and media release related to changes in regulations
affecting crematoriums and funeral homes to accommodate emergency needs.
Cannabis Licensing
Developed communication plan, informational materials and news release regarding
cannabis licenses process and status.
Speaking Points
Developed presentations and speaking points for the mayor and city manager to deliver to
local community groups and city-hosted community meetings.
Evolve Public Relations
Bid #2110-004 - (RFQ) for on-call consulting for communications support 5
General Firm Information
Headquarters Carlsbad, California
Branch offices n/a
Employees 1
Years in business 4
Fee Structure
Evolve Public Relations is available to work on a time and materials basis and a per
project basis as described below. Evolve Public Relations does not markup expenses
such as copying, printing and accommodations. Travel time and mileage to San Luis
Obispo will not be charged to the city.
Principal $135/hour
Project Description Cost
Strategic public outreach,
information and
engagement planning
Up to a 10-page plan including
goal, objectives, messages,
audiences, strategies and tactics
$4,000
Public information
distribution
Hourly rate n/a
Emergency
communications services
12-hour shift $1,500
Light graphic design
projects
Social media graphics for one
project resized to 3 channels
Simple 1-page flier design
$650
$400
Key messages development Research and draft key messages
for one topic
$1,000
Speechwriting Research and draft 10-minute
speech
$750
Media relations and news
releases
Research and draft news release on
one topic
$650
Informational, educational,
social media posts
Draft social media posts for up to 3
channels, including tags and
hashtags
$450
Construction project
information facilitation
Hourly rate n/a
Stakeholder engagement
and information gathering
Hourly rate n/a
Evolve Public Relations
Bid #2110-004 - (RFQ) for on-call consulting for communications support 6
Client References
Reference #1
Customer Name City of San Luis Obispo
Contact Greg Herman, Deputy City Manager
Telephone 805-781-7194
Street Address 990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Description of Services As needed strategic communication support related to
emerging issues, including:
• Key messages
• Crisis communication
• Graphic design
• Video production
• Media spokesperson preparation
• News release writing
• News conference planning
• Public engagement strategy
• Informational materials
• Social media content development
• Employee communication
Reference #2
Customer Name City of San Luis Obispo
Contact Whitney Szentesi, Public Communication Manager
Telephone 805-783-7716
Street Address 990 Palm Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Description of Services On call communication support including:
• Strategic planning
• Key messages
• Crisis communication
• Graphic design
• News release writing
• Informational materials
• Social media content development
Evolve Public Relations
Bid #2110-004 - (RFQ) for on-call consulting for communications support 7
Reference #3
Customer Name North Star Consulting, Inc.
Contact Jennifer Worthington, President
Telephone 305-389-4786
Street Address 18120 SW 87 Court
Miami, FL 33157
Description of Services Strategic communication planning, internal and
external communication support, and copy writing for
public, private and non-profit clients
Additional Services
Evolve Public Relations is available to provide these additional services, on a time and
materials basis:
• Spokesperson training
• Communication policy and procedure development
• Social media monitoring and comment management
• E-newsletter development
• Website design consulting and content management
• Template development (fact sheets, flyers, etc.) for use by city staff
• PowerPoint presentations
• Communication skills training for operational department staff
• Employee communication
Evolve Public Relations
Bid #2110-004 - (RFQ) for on-call consulting for communications support 8
Statement of Past Contract Disqualifications
The bidder shall state whether it or any of its officers or employees who have a proprietary
interest in it, has ever been disqualified, removed, or otherwise prevented from bidding on,
or completing a federal, state, or local government project because of the violation of law, a
safety regulation, or for any other reason, including but not limited to financial difficulties,
project delays, or disputes regarding work or product quality, and if so to explain the
circumstances.
Do you have any disqualification as described in the above paragraph to declare?
Yes x No
If yes, explain circumstances
Executed on Nov. 19, 2021, at 8 a.m. under penalty of perjury of the laws of the State of
California, that the foregoing is true and correct.
________________________________________
Signature of Authorized Bidder Representative