OPEN RFPS

Strategic Communications RFP

The Michigan Works! Association is seeking a firm to focus on comprehensive strategic communications and related deliverables to endorse and educate key stakeholders about the Michigan Works! system, including its influence, impact, and programming, with key components to include the following areas:  Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Events.

Proposals are due February 20, 2026 and can be submitted electronically to Kim Way at wayk@michiganworks.org. Inquires are due to the same email by 5:00PM on February 13 and will be posted here by 5:00PM on February 16.

More details can be found in the full Request for Proposals, which can be downloaded by clicking the link below

Does the Association consider proposals from founder-led small businesses, including independent consultants with access to additional contractor support, provided they meet the scope, reporting and administrative requirements outlined in the RFP? Yes, RFPs will be considered in that instance.

Within the Statement of Need, are there specific audiences or deliverables the Association considers highest priority during the first 90 days of the contract? Impact Awards Event, AI Event and press releases/advocacy alerts as needed.

For proposal budgeting purposes, does the Association prefer a monthly retainer presentation aligned to deliverables within the $5,000 cap, or a more detailed line-item cost structure? We currently operate with a monthly retainer fee structure but will entertain a line-item cost structure.

How many members does the Michigan Works! Association have currently and where are they located? Our main membership base is the 16 local workforce development boards located throughout the state of Michigan.

What are some examples of challenging recruitment projects in the recent past and upcoming in the near future? Recruitment is not typically extremely challenging, our focus is on effective advocacy.

Could you provide a list of education institutions that are partners? Associate members are listed on our webpage under the Associate Member tab.

Please provide categories of stakeholders with whom the Association currently communicates and, if possible, a few key samples in each category. Local workforce development boards, front-line Michigan Works! Staff, training institutions, higher education, Legislator and lawmakers.

Please provide current vehicles, cadence and schedule of existing communications from the Association to stakeholders - Results@Hand, constant contact, communications would be multi during the month.

Please provide recent examples of existing communications to members and stakeholders - I would check out our website for the blog posts, legislative priorities and other published documents.

Please list other consulting firms the Association has contracted with in the past. Resch Strategies.