Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a professional service contract with Paul Werth Associates, Inc., in an amount up to $100,000.00, to assist with creating the department’s communications strategy. Approval is also requested for reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to execution of the purchase order, starting March 1, 2025.
The Department of Development contract will allow the establishment of a strategic communications partnership with Paul Werth Associates, Inc. for 2025 to aid in strategic communications work, communications outreach, constituent messaging, constituent outreach, media relations, media planning, and paid media to ensure the messages shared with Columbus neighbors are clear and understandable to all who call Columbus home.
The work completed through this contract will educate audiences on how the department helps to make Columbus a more equitable community and foster prosperity for the city’s residents, businesses, and investors; highlight the Columbus Housing Strategy and demonstrate how our programming and funding activate the Strategy; demonstrate how economic development tools attract and retain businesses and promote capital investment; illustrate how our work helps business of all sizes reach their full potential, which in turn, creates community benefits; and show how our work fosters smart and sustainable growth.
The department utilized the Request for Proposals (RFP) process in accordance with City procurement standards to solicit proposals. Proposals were submitted in response to RFQ029346 in accordance with the relevant provisions of Chapter 329 of the Columbus City Codes. Paul Werth Associates, Inc. received the highest overall score from the RFP committee.
EMERGENCY JUSTIFICATION: Emergency action is requested in order to begin the process of crafting the annual report and communication strategy to share with the community and begin implementin...
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