Request for Proposals
Strategic Communications: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions and Electric Vehicle Deployment
Project Summary
The Maryland League of Conservation Voters (MDLCV) and Maryland League of Conservation Voters-Education Fund (MDLCVEF) are seeking proposals for professional services to develop and deploy communications tools and strategic communications campaigns to promote the use of electric vehicles in Maryland (including electric school buses), and to amplify our response to Maryland’s Climate Pathway Report.
About the Organizations
Maryland LCV (MDLCV) was created in 1979 as a non-partisan, 501(c)(4). Known as the political voice for the environment, we work with elected leaders to pass strong conservation legislation, while holding them accountable to voters through our yearly environmental scorecard which evaluates the environmental votes of individual state legislators. Through education and advocacy, we build relationships with public officials from across the state to put Maryland at the forefront of national environmental policy.
The MDLCVEF, a sister organization to MDLCV, was founded in 2000 as a non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization. MDLCVEF is dedicated to maximizing the participation of conservation-minded voters in state and local public policy decisions in order to protect Maryland’s communities, environment, and natural resources.
Today, we are a full-time, staffed organization that is governed by a volunteer board of directors. Our 40 years of work have increased the overall power of Maryland’s environmental community.
Project Context
Recognized as a national climate leader, Maryland boasts some of the most ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reductions goals in the country. Key policies and regulations driving these goals include:
- The Climate Solutions Now Act, setting a target of 60% emissions reductions by 2031 and net zero emissions by 2045 and requires new school buses purchased after 2025 to be electric
- The Clean Trucks Act of 2023, which details a schedule for increasing electric medium and heavy-duty vehicle sales in the state
- The Advanced Clean Cars II regulation, requiring all new light-duty vehicle sales in 2035 be electric
Our efforts focus on the comprehensive and equitable implementation of these policies, among others. To achieve this, we must engage a wide and diverse set of stakeholders through effective communications strategies. The selected service provider of this project will work closely with the Maryland LCV/EF team to develop and deploy messaging to build public support for the necessary actions for Maryland to meet these ambitious targets, focusing in two specific areas:
- Electric vehicles: Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state, so the adoption of electric vehicles is a critical step in meeting our goals and improvising public health, particularly for those living near major roadways. Our goal is to educate people across the state on the benefits of vehicle electrification and the resources available to help offset short term costs.
- Response to Maryland’s Climate Pathway Report. On June 30, the Maryland Department of the Environment released a report identifying a path for the state to reach its emissions reductions goals. They are inviting public comment throughout the summer, and this project will support the development of multimedia tools across platforms to amplify Maryland LCV/EF’s response strategy.
Scope of Services
For each of the two campaigns above, the framing and messaging will be specific, but both will entail:
- Message development
- Creation of unique imagery
- Production of engaging video clips
- Development of strategic social media plans
- Planning and securing earned media
- Management of paid media
Timeline
This work would start as early as August 14, and must be completed by November 30, 2023. Proposals are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.
Budget
We have allocated up to $45,000 for this project, inclusive of the placement and running of ads through the duration of this campaign.
Submission and Selection Process
Submit proposals to info@mdlcv.org.
Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will be evaluated for responsiveness to the organizations’ goals, demonstrated experience in similar work, and responsiveness to the stated budget and timeline.
Individuals can contact jaul@mdlcv.org with questions regarding this RFP.