Recycling Journey Residential Recycling Campaign RFP

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2026
Hamilton County ReSource
Request for Proposal (RFP)
"Recycling Journey" Residential Campaign
Request for Proposal
Project: A Recycling Journey Residential Recycling Campaign
Period of
Performance: The Consultant's services shall commence July of 2026 through December of 2026.
Type of
Contract: Contract will be developed between Hamilton County ReSource and the approved contractor.
Organization: Hamilton County ReSource
1701 Patricia McCollum Way, 4th Floor
Cincinnati, Ohio 45237
Contact: Elise Erhart
Email: Elise.Erhart@hamiltoncountyohio.gov
Questions: Questions about the request for proposal (RFP) should be directed to Elise Erhart prior to June 8, 2026
at 12 p.m. Questions and answers to all questions will be made available to interested contractors by 4
p.m. on June 11, 2026. Request to be notified of all questions and answers by emailing Elise Erhart at
Elise.Erhart@hamiltoncountyohio.gov.
Deadline: Written proposals in accordance with this RFP are due no later than 4:00 p.m., June 22, 2026.
PURPOSE
Hamilton County Resource (County) is seeking proposals from qualified marketing contractors to design and implement
a marketing campaign promoting the Recycling Journey initiative. This campaign is part of the County's residential
recycling education efforts and is designed to help residents better understand what happens to materials after they are
placed in their recycling bins. The campaign follows the journey of recyclables from home collection through sorting,
processing, and remanufacturing into new products.
The goal of the campaign is to increase public understanding of the recycling system, improve recycling behavior, and
encourage residents to recycle correctly. The County is particularly interested in contractors capable of managing direct
mail outreach, including design, printing, and postage services. Contractors may also propose additional marketing
services that support the campaign's goals.
QUALIFICATIONS

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The County seeks contractors with demonstrated experience in designing and executing public education or
sustainability campaigns, particularly those involving direct mail outreach. Contractors should have proven capabilities in
creative messaging, graphic design, production, and mailing logistics, and be able to manage projects within budget and
on schedule. Experience working with local governments or community-focused campaigns is strongly preferred.
SCOPE OF WORK
Project Overview:
The Recycling Journey campaign is the County's residential recycling education initiative, designed to help residents
understand what happens to materials after they are placed in their recycling bins. The campaign features a dedicated
website and a series of three videos that guide viewers through the complete journey of recyclables, from curbside
collection to sorting, processing, and remanufacturing. By combining engaging visuals with clear educational messaging,
the campaign aims to improve recycling knowledge, reduce contamination, and encourage greater participation in the
County's residential recycling programs.
Campaign Goals:
* Increase awareness of how the residential recycling system works
* Improve recycling knowledge among residents
* Reduce contamination in curbside recycling programs
* Increase participation in residential recycling programs
* Direct residents to the campaign website and educational resources
Target Audience:
* Hamilton County residents
* Households with an interest in sustainability, cost savings, and food management
* Families and individuals responsible for grocery shopping and meal preparation
Scope of Services
The selected contractor will develop and execute a marketing campaign focused primarily on direct mail outreach.
Direct Mail Campaign:
Hamilton County ReSource will be responsible for:
* Identifying the communities to send the mail pieces
Looking to target 10-20 communities ranging between 30,000 to 50,000 households, depending
on budget
* Graphic design of mail pieces
The contractor will be responsible for:
* Collaborating with the County on campaign strategy and messaging development
* Printing production
* Mailing list processing
* Postage and distribution
* Coordination of mailing schedule
* Tracking and reporting
The proposal should include recommendations for:
* Number of mail pieces
* Mail format (postcards, folded mailers, etc.)
* Distribution timing and frequency
* Estimated household reach within the project budget
All design, printing, and postage costs must be included in the proposal budget.

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Optional Marketing Services:
Contractors may include additional services that could strengthen the campaign impact. Examples include:
* Digital advertising
* Social media campaign development
* Short video or animation promotion
* Website promotion and integration
* Email marketing
* Public relations outreach
* Community engagement materials
* Educational graphics or infographics
These services are optional but may be included in proposals if they fit within the total project budget.
PAYMENT TERMS AND PROPOSAL
ReSource will provide payment for consulting services based on the actual time and expenses expended by contractor
personnel in performing the services. The total budget for the campaign is between $50,000 to $60,000 and is
anticipated to support outreach to approximately 10-20 communities ranging between 30,000 to 50,000 households,
depending on final campaign scope and budget allocation.
Proposal Submission Guidelines
Proposals should include the following:
Company Overview
* Firm background and relevant experience
* Team members assigned to the project
Approach & Strategy
* Proposed marketing strategy
* Direct mail recommendations
* Messaging approach
* Integration with the existing campaign website
* Tools and methods used for tracking and reporting
Relevant Experience
* Examples of similar campaigns (public sector or behavior change campaigns preferred)
* Performance outcomes or case studies
Cost Proposal
* Detailed pricing structure
References
* Provide at least two references from similar projects
PROPOSAL EVALUATION:
All proposals will be reviewed, evaluated, and rated. At any time during the review, and at any level of the review,
Hamilton County may request additional information from the vendor. Such information requests and the vendor's

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responses must always be in writing. Information may be requested from sources other than the written proposal to
evaluate the vendor.
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following:
* Relevant Experience and Qualifications: The contractor's demonstrated experience managing public
education or sustainability campaigns, particularly those focused on residential audiences, and their ability
to deliver high-quality work within similar projects.
* Creativity and Effectiveness of Proposed Approach: The originality, clarity, and potential impact of the
proposed campaign strategy, messaging, and creative concepts in engaging residents and achieving the
County's recycling education goals.
* Experience with Direct Mail Campaigns: The contractor's proven track record in planning, designing,
producing, and executing successful direct mail campaigns, including knowledge of production, mailing
logistics, and tracking outcomes.
* Cost Effectiveness: The degree to which the proposal maximizes the County's $70,000 budget while
providing high-quality, impactful results, including efficient allocation of resources for design, printing,
postage, and optional marketing services.
* Ability to Meet Project Timeline: The contractor's demonstrated capacity to deliver all project
components on schedule, including strategy development, design, production, mailing, and reporting,
ensuring the campaign launches and runs according to the proposed schedule.