The Bluefield WV Economic Development Authority (BEDA) applied for and received a USDA grant to create the BEDA’s Website Development Program to support approximately 25 businesses physically located in the City of Bluefield, WV. BEDA is accepting proposals from qualified website development/marketing firms interested in providing advice, training, and services related to creating ~5 e-commerce websites, creating ~10 static/informational websites, and updating ~10 existing websites. The proposal must include the experience of the firm and key employees that will be working on the project. Capacity to complete the project in less than one year. Experience on similar projects and an estimated price for the following:
Creating and training for approximately 5 e-commerce websites with basic functionality.
Creating and training for approximately 10 /static/informational websites.
Hourly rate to update approximately 10 existing websites.
Combined price to perform items 1,2 & 3 listed above.
Professional services for the activity funded include but are not limited to the following; (1) Review existing websites of businesses accepted into the program; (2) Develop a project budget; (3) Creation of a training program for program recipients to be able to make changes to their own site such as adding merchandise, changing hours of operation, etc.; (4) Provide guidance for website-based marketing tools such as Google Ads, SEO, and domain registration/maintenance and (5) Participate in the evaluation of applications received. (6) The consultant must turn over ownership of sites to the respective business upon competition of this program. (7) Establish fixed pricing for services needed by the BEDA and /or businesses supported by the program for a term of 3 years after the completion of the project.
Procurement of said services shall be in accordance with 2 CFR 200.320. All consultants interested in being considered for this project must submit a proposal detailing above referenced criteria. Including but not limited to qualifications, technical expertise, management, and staffing capabilities and related prior experience.
The object of the competitive process is to objectively select the firm(s) who will provide the highest quality of service at the lowest price. Price, technical qualifications, capacity of the firm to complete the project on time, and experience will be weighed heavily. Selected respondents will be interviewed, and the firm(s) ranked most qualified will be selected to enter into contract negotiations. BEDA reserves the right to engage more than one consultant for the project.
Please submit an original and ten (10) copies of all requested information to:
Jim Spencer, Community & Economic Development Director
RE: Website Development Program
Bluefield WV Economic Development Authority
500 Bland Street
Third Floor
Bluefield, WV 24701
or hand deliver qualifications to The MyBluefield Small Business Success Center at 500 Bland Street Third Floor, Bluefield, WV 24701.
Proposals will be accepted through September 20, 2021, at 4 pm. Any proposals received after 4 pm will not be accepted.
Attention is directed to the fact that the proposed project is being undertaken through funding sources including but not limited to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant and other sources as available. Any questions about the project should be directed to Jim Spencer at jspencer@bluewv.org or 304-327-2401 ext. 2405.
The Bluefield WV Economic Development Authority will afford full opportunity for minority and/or women-owned business enterprises to submit a show of interest in response to this invitation and will not discriminate against any interested firm or individual on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, marital status, genetic information or disability in the contract award.
The BEDA reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all proposals.
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