FB-26-018 RFP ANC Contract Digital Producer REBID FB-26-018 RFP Solicitation FB-26-018 RFP Technical Response Packet FB-26-018 RFP Financial Proposal Packet FB-26-018 RFP Q&A

: Procurement Services
LITTLE University of Arkansas at Little Rock

ROCK 2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock, AR 72204-1099 | (0)501.916.3144 | (F)501.916.3425

Request For Proposal (RFP)

SOLICITATION INFORMATION

Solicitation Number: FB-26-018 Solicitation Issued: | April 15, 2026

Description: ANC Contract Digital Producer REBID

SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE

Bid Opening Date: | May 15, 2026 Bid Opening Time: | 11:00 PAM CST

Per Arkansas Procurement Law and Bid Rules, it is the supplier's responsibility to submit bids at the designated
location on or before the bid opening date and time. Bid submissions received after the designated bid opening
date and time may be rejected as untimely. Procurement Services shall return them to the supplier without
review. It is not necessary to return "no bids."

DELIVERY OF RESPONSE DOCUMENTS

Delivery University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Address: Office of Procurement

Dickinson Hall, Suite 314

2801 South University

Little Rock, AR 72204

Suppliers are responsible for delivering their bid documents to the University of Arkansas at Little
Rock on or before the scheduled bid opening time. Postage service providers-USPS, UPS, and
FedEx-deliver mail to our offices based on our street address. Supplier assumes all risk for timely
and properly submitted deliveries.

Seal the outer packaging and mark it with the following information.
e Solicitation number
e Date and time of bid opening
e Prospective supplier's name and return address

Bid's Outer
Packaging:

Improperly marked packages may be opened for identification purposes.

UA LITTLE ROCK PROCUREMENT SERVICES CONTACT
Buyer: Jennifer Haygood Buyer Email: | jlhaygood@ualr.edu
Main Email: procurement@ualr.edu Main Phone: | 501-916-3144
Website: https://ualr.edu/procurement/bids/

Rev. 9/25/2024

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
BID NO: FB-26-018 Page 2 of 17

Table of Contents
Section 1 - General Instructions and Information
1.1, Introduction
1.2. Objective and Goals
1.3. Current Environment
1.4. About UA Little Rock
1.5. Type of Contract
1.6. Schedule of Events
1.7. Non-Mandatory Bidders Conference
1.8. Live Proposal Opening
1.9. University Contract Administrator
1.10. Clarification of RFP Solicitation
1.11. De'

ion of Terms
1,12. Response Documents
13, Additional T Conditi
Section 2 - Requi Specificati
2.1. Prospective Supplier Minimum Qualifications
2.2. General Requirements
2.3. Performance Standards

Section 3 - Selection

3.1 Selection Process

3.2 Technical Proposal Score

3.3 Cost Score

3.4 Grand Total Score

3.5 Discussions

3.6 Anticipation to Award

3.7 Prospective Supplier's Acceptance of Evaluation Technique
Section 4 - General Terms and Conditions

4.1, Acceptance of Requirements

4.2. Payment and Invoice Provisions

1.1,

1.2.

1.3.

1.4.

1.5.

1.6.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
BID NO: FB-26-018 Page 3 of 17

Section 1 - General Instructions and Information

Do not respond to items in this section unless specifically and expressly required
Purpose
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) is soliciting proposals from qualified and
experienced suppliers to assist the new Arkansas News Collaborative (ANC) with a variety of services,
including, but not limited to, graphic design and program branding, under the direction of ANC's
Coordinating Editor and the contract administrator.

Introduction

The university has received funding through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to implement the
ANC program through 2027, though the program is expected to endure past the expiry of these funds. ANC
is envisioned to provide enhanced coverage and delivery for local, specifically rural, news to underserved
portions of the state. This program involves radio stations KUAR, KUAF, and KASU, but KUAR retains overall
responsibility for implementation and reporting during the funding period. As such, KUAR will retain creative
control and ownership over digital assets and strategies provided hereunder.

This Request for Proposal (RFP) is to obtain a qualified Supplier capable of assisting the ANC with graphic
design, on an as-needed basis.

Objective and Goals
The university seeks to spearhead the collaboration of multiple public radio stations across the state to
provide rural news coverage and shore up information-sharing capabilities between stations. As part of this
effort, KUAR requires Contract Digital Producer services to provide for design & templating of digital
newsletter and website assets, and to consult with the Arkansas News Collaborative (ANC) on delivery
methods. These services are expected to augment the ANC sustainability strategy through program launch
and going forward, as needs dictate.

Current Environment

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is a metropolitan research university that provides accessibility to a
quality education through flexible learning and unparalleled internship opportunities. At UA Little Rock, we
prepare our students to be innovators and responsible leaders in their fields. Committed to its metropolitan
research university mission, UA Little Rock is a driving force in Little Rock's thriving cultural community and a
major component of the city and state's growing profile as a regional leader in research, technology
transfer, economic development, and job creation.

About UA Little Rock

UA Little Rock is a metropolitan research university that provides access to quality education through
flexible learning and unparalleled internship opportunities. At UA Little Rock, we prepare our students to be
innovators and responsible leaders in their fields. Committed to its mission, UA Little Rock is a driving force
in Little Rock's thriving cultural community and a significant component of the city and state's growing
profile as a regional leader in research, technology transfer, economic development, and job creation.

For more information on the university, please see ualr.edu/about/.

Type of Contract
A. Asaresult of this solicitation, UA Little Rock intends to award a contract to a single supplier.
B. The anticipated starting date for any resulting contract is July 1, 2026. However, the university may adjust
the contract start date for up to three calendar months. By submitting a signed proposal in response to

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
BID NO: FB-26-018 Page 4 of 17

this solicitation, the prospective supplier represents and warrants that it will honor its proposal as being
held open as irrevocable after this period.

C. The initial term of a resulting contract will be for two (2) years. Upon mutual agreement by the supplier
and university, the contract may be renewed by UA Little Rock for up to five (5) additional one-year terms
or portions thereof, not to exceed a total aggregate contract term of seven (7) consecutive years.

D. Pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated 19-61-802, any campus, unit, or division of the University of
Arkansas System or any college or university in Arkansas will be eligible to acquire from the successful
purchaser or bidder goods or services that are the subject of this procurement, on all of the terms and
conditions contained in any contract issued under this solicitation.

1.7. Schedule of Events
A. For informational purposes, UA Little Rock is providing a Solicitation Schedule of Events; however, dates
listed and noted with an asterisk (*) are anticipated dates only and are subject to change at the discretion

of the university.

Event Description Date & Time
Release of solicitation April 15, 2026
Bidders Conference April 21, 2026 @ 11:00 AM CST
Questions from Bidders due April 27, 2026 @ 5:00 PM CST
Answers to questions posted* May 1, 2026
Proposal Due Date May 15, 2026 @ 11:00 AM CST
Evaluation complete* May 26, 2026
Recommended award submitted for legislative approval* May 29, 2026
Final legislative review* June 19, 2026
Award Commences* June 1, 2026
Table A

1.8. | Non-Mandatory Bidders Conference

UA Little Rock will host a bidders conference to provide additional information and clarification regarding the

solicitation.

A. The conference will take place on the date and time listed in Table A.

B. The conference is important to prospective respondents to understand the tasks a respondent shall

complete when submitting a proposal.

C. Prospective respondents may attend the conference via Zoom.
Please join us via Zoom at 11:00 AM CST for a bidders conference. See Table A for the date and time
of the conference.

Zoom Registration Link: https://ualr-edu.zoom.us/j/857741 13349
Meeting ID: 857 7411 3349
Dial-In Information: 877 853 5257 US Toll-free

888 475 4499 US Toll-free

1.9,

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
BID NO: FB-26-018 Page 5 of 17

D. The issuing buyer will post any updates from the bidders conference on the bid page.

Live Proposal Opening
Use the information below to view the proposal opening online.

Zoom Meeting Link: https://ualr-edu.zoom.us/j/83789828616
Meeting ID: 837 8982 8616
Dial-In Information: 877 853 5257 US Toll-free

888 475 4499 US Toll-free

University Contract Administrator

A. Jonathan Seaborn, General Manager, hereinafter referred to as the Contract Administrator, shall serve as
UA Little Rock's representative and administrator of this contract.

B. The Contract Administrator shall manage all aspects of the contractual relationship to ensure that the
Supplier's total performance is per the contractual commitments and that the obligations of the Supplier
under the terms and conditions of the contract are being fulfilled.

C. The Contract Administrator shall work with the Supplier throughout the contract term. The Contract
Administrator shall transmit all instructions, questions, approvals, and special requests concerning the
contract. The Contract Administrator may designate other university personnel to assist with the
administration of the contract.

Clarification of RFP Solicitation

A. Submit any questions requesting clarification of information contained in this solicitation via email to the
buyer no later than the date and time listed in Table A. Questions will be consolidated and responded to
by the university as deemed appropriate. The university's consolidated, written response is anticipated to
be posted on the university's website by the close of business on the date provided in Table A.

1. For each question submitted, the prospective supplier should reference the specific solicitation item
number to which the question refers.

2. If a prospective supplier's questions are unclear or non-substantive, the university may request
clarification of a question(s) or decline to answer.

B. The prospective supplier should notify the buyer of any term, condition, etc., that precludes the
prospective supplier from submitting a compliant, responsive proposal. Prospective suppliers should
note that it is their responsibility to seek resolution of all such issues, including those relating to the
terms and conditions of the contract, before submitting a proposal.

C. Prospective suppliers may contact the buyer with non-substantive questions at any time prior to the
proposal opening.

D. An oral statement by UA Little Rock will not be part of any contract resulting from this solicitation. It may
not reasonably be relied on by any prospective supplier as an aid to interpretation unless it is expressly
adopted in writing by UA Little Rock.

E. Only an addendum written and authorized by the university will modify the solicitation.

1. An addendum posted within three (3) calendar days prior to the proposal opening may extend the
proposal opening and may or may not include changes to the solicitation.

Definition of Terms
A. The buyer has made every effort to use industry-accepted terminology in this solicitation and will further
attempt to clarify any point of an item in question as indicated in the clarification of this bid solicitation.
1. The words "bidder," "proposer," "contractor," and "supplier" are used synonymously in this document
and mean a responsible offeror who submits a proposal in response to this solicitation.
2. "Responsive Proposal" means a proposal submitted in response to this solicitation that conforms in
all material respects to this solicitation.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
BID NO: FB-26-018 Page 6 of 17

3. "Shall" and "Must" mean the imperative and are used to identify requirements.

4, "Requirement" signifies a requirement of the proposal and that the supplier's agreement to and
compliance with that item is mandatory.

5. "Specification" means any technical or purchase description or other description of a commodity or
service's physical or functional characteristics or nature. "Specification" may include a description of
any requirement for inspecting, testing, or preparing a commodity or service for delivery.

6. The words "UA Little Rock," "university," "campus," "UALR," and "University of Arkansas at Little Rock"
are used synonymously in this document.

7. The terms "Request for Proposal," "RFP," "Bid," and "Solicitation" are used synonymously in this
document.

8. The words "Hiring department," "user(s)," "requestor," and "departments" are used synonymously in
this document to mean the end user requesting service.

9, "Redacted" means the retroactive editing, censoring, or obscuring of parts of a document to remove
confidential or otherwise sensitive material.

10. "Business Day" means Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Central Time, excluding State
Holidays

11. "State Holiday" means the following days during the year when State Offices are closed:

Christmas Day New Year's Day

Christmas Eve Thanksgiving Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Veteran's Day

Birthday George Washington's Birthday and
Independence Day Daisy Gatson Bates Day

Labor Day Memorial Day

12. Any day otherwise designated by public proclamation by the President of the United States, or the
Governor of the State of Arkansas as a legal holiday is a State Holiday.
a. If any State Holiday falls on a Saturday, Saturday and the preceding Friday are both State

Holidays.

b. If any State Holiday falls on a Sunday, Sunday and the following Monday are both State Holidays.

13. Central Time is the time zone for Little Rock, AR. Therefore, all meetings and deadlines will be based
on Central Time.

14, "State" means the State of Arkansas.

15. "Standard Terms and Conditions" means the UA System Procurement Terms and Conditions.

16. "Solicitation Terms and Conditions" refers to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's solicitation
terms and conditions located on the UA Little Rock Procurement Services website:
https://ualr.edu/procurement/bids/.

Response Documents
Do not include any other documents or ancillary information, such as a cover letter or promotional/
marketing information.

Printed responses should be formatted no larger than 8.5" x 11", fully recyclable (i.e., no plastic covers, plastic
tabs, etc.), and bound with glue, staples, or thread (i.e., perfect bound, saddle stitching, etc.). Metal or plastic
coil binding is not allowed. Responses must be submitted in the English language.

A. Technical Response Packet
Prospective suppliers shall utilize the Technical Response Packet to submit their responses.
1. The Original Technical Proposal Packet should be clearly marked "Original" and must be received on
or before the proposal opening date and time.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
BID NO: FB-26-018 Page 7 of 17

2. The packet must include the following:
a. Original signed Proposal Signature Page
Original signed Proposed Subcontractors Form, if applicable
Response to the Information for Evaluation section
Recommended Options Form, if applicable
Other documents and information expressly required in this solicitation

gpaoe

3. The following items, which must be submitted before a contract award to the prospective
supplier, may also be included with the prospective supplier's proposal.
a. 0 98-04: Contract and Grant Disclosure Form
b. Copy of prospective supplier's Equal Opportunity Policy.
c. Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT), if applicable.
4. Do not include pricing in the technical response packet.

B. Financial Proposal Packet
Prospective respondents should utilize the Financial Proposal Packet posted with the solicitation
document and submit it separately from the Technical Response Packet.
1. Any management fees or costs should be disclosed on the financial packet.
2. All pricing must be proposed in U.S. dollars and cents.
3. Pricing document packet should be clearly marked "Pricing."

Cc. Recommended Response Documents

In addition to the Technical Response Packet and the Financial Proposal Packet, the following items

should be submitted on a flash drive as PDF files.

1. One (1) PDF copy of the Technical Response Packet.
a. Information for Evaluation should be a separate file on the PDF.

2. One (1) PDF copy of the Financial Proposal Packet.

3. One (1) redacted copy (marked "REDACTED") of the original Technical Response Packet. See
Proprietary Information in Solicitation Terms and Conditions for more information.

4. If the university requests additional copies, they must be delivered within twenty-four (24) hours of
the request.
a. All additional copies must be identical to the original hard copy.
b. Incase of a discrepancy, the original hard copy shall govern.

1.14, Additional Terms and Conditions
A. This solicitation incorporates all of the UA Little Rock Solicitation Terms and Conditions located on the UA
Little Rock Procurement Services website here: https://ualr.edu/procurement/bids/.
1. Any special terms and conditions included in this solicitation shall override the UA Little Rock
Solicitation Terms and Conditions.
B. Any purchase or contract as a result of this solicitation incorporates all the UA System Procurement
Terms and Conditions as posted here:
https://www.uasys.edu/system-office/finance-and-administration/procurement/.
1. Any special terms and conditions included in this solicitation shall override the UA System
Procurement Terms and Conditions.

2.1.

2.2.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
BID NO: FB-26-018 Page 8 of 17

Section 2 - Requirements & Specifications
Do not respond to items in this section unless specifically and expressly required.

Scope of Work
The supplier will work with the university in providing, effecting, and/or adhering to the following.

Create new digital assets/elements in agreed industry-standard (usually vector) format(s) for collaborative
ANC content, including:
A. Template and design assets for a weekly e-mail newsletter in both English and Spanish
B. Template and/or design assets for a Statewide Newscast podcast
C. Technical support and digital delivery/engagement methods addressing these outreach focus areas:
i. | Website design and elements
ii, | "Feedback loop" design, implementation, data gathering, data analysis, and reports

Design assets and/or elements must:

A. Recognize CPB funding support in connection with the Statewide Newscast podcast, the website and
other digital platforms, and all releases and promotional materials

B. Place the CPB logo and funding credit in conformance with the use and style guidelines as instructed by
CPB

C. Ensure the above-referenced logo/credit is similar in prominence, size, and location as that provided to
the ANC by any other funder

Design asset delivery methods/use cases:

Large print for use at live Rural Town Halls

Inclusion in print journalism publications

Website design

Podcast logo and associated elements

Social media assets, including cover images, post templates, etc
Webforms and other digital feedback tools

7M OOD >

KUAR ownership extends to:

A. Website design

B. Computer-generated images

C. Materials or intellectual property created in the course of work for ANC and ever publicly published,
displayed, or distributed

General Requirements
The supplier will work with the university to fulfill the following requirements.

Statewide E-mail Newsletter:
A. Develop and produce a statewide e-mail newsletter template(s)
i. English primary with a Spanish variant upon ANC request
ii. Provide options to support the newsletter's secondary function as a vehicle for underwriting
iii. Incorporate a two-way "feedback loop" to communicate back and forth with audiences
B. The ANC requires this aspect to support at least 75 editions of a weekly email newsletter over 2 years

Website(s) and Webforms/Contacts:

A. Develop and produce digital assets and interactive elements (or options thereto) for website use
i. English primary with a Spanish variant upon ANC request
ii. Provide options to support underwriting

2.3.

2.4,

2.5.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
BID NO: FB-26-018 Page 9 of 17

iii. Incorporate a two-way "feedback loop" to communicate back and forth with audiences
iv. These elements will be offered to the collaborators and to outlets across the state
B. Facilitate data exploration through the use of interactive website elements

Podcast Branding and Social Media:

A. Develop and produce digital assets and interactive elements (or options thereto) for social media use

B. Develop branding and associated assets for the ANC's daily newscast podcast in collaboration with the
Coordinating Editor

Reporting Requirements
Strategic Partnership:
We are seeking a partner who understands the unique needs of our audiences.

Visual Design:

The final design will be a collaborative effort between KUAR/ANC and the vendor. The design should be
visually compelling and effectively represent the ANC brand, while meeting accessibility and sustainability
guidelines

Stay Connected:
Ongoing periodic meetings between the Contract Administrator/Coordinating Editor and the successful
supplier to review milestones and updates on deliverables.

With the above-listed tenets in mind, the supplier will work with the ANC to effect the following:

A. Deliver drafts, revisions, and final assets in a format or formats approved by KUAR

B. Produce requested templates, design elements, and other digital assets as outlined herein on an
agreed-upon timeline

C. Provide work product consisting of substantially new, program-targeted, and collaboratively-driven items
as specified above

Minimum Qualifications

The supplier shall possess the experience, personnel, equipment, and licenses necessary to perform the
services described in this solicitation in a professional manner. The supplier must have at least three (3)
years of experience just prior to this solicitation, providing services of similar scope and extent as the ones
detailed herein, as evidenced by client references and sample materials. The supplier's experience must
have been as a primary contractor.

Service will be provided on an as-needed basis, with no minimum guarantee of work. The supplier must
specify an expected response time; response times should not exceed three business days.

Performance Standards

State law requires that qualifying contracts for services include Performance Standards to measure the

overall quality of services provided. The university's Performance Standards are outlined in Table B.

A. Performance Standards identify expected deliverables, performance measures, or outcomes and define
the acceptable standards a supplier should meet to avoid assessment of damages.

B. The university may be open to Performance Standards negotiations before the contract award, before
the commencement of services, or throughout the contract duration.

C. The university shall have the right to modify, add, or delete Performance Standards throughout the
contract's term should the university determine it is in its best interest to do so.

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
BID NO: FB-26-018 Page 10 of 17

D. Any changes or additions to performance standards will be made in good faith following accepted
industry standards and may include the input of the supplier to establish reasonably achievable
standards.

E. All changes made to the Performance Standards shall become an official part of the contract.

F. Performance Standards shall continue throughout the term of the contract.

G. Failure to meet the minimum Performance Standards as specified may result in the assessment of
damages.

H. If a Performance Standard is not met, the supplier will have the opportunity to defend or respond to the
insufficiency.

|. The university shall have the right to waive damages if it determines there were extenuating factors
beyond the supplier's control that hindered performance. In these instances, the university shall
determine the performance acceptability.

J. Should any compensation be owed to the university due to the assessment of damages, the supplier
should follow the direction of the university regarding the required compensation process.