INTRODUCTION

The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (“ECO”) is the province’s independent environmental watchdog. Appointed by the Legislative Assembly, the ECO is tasked with monitoring and reporting on government progress on environmental issues, including climate change, energy and compliance with the Environmental Bill of Rights.

SCOPE OF WORK

The ECO is looking to contract an individual or firm to undertake a range of graphic design services, including design concepts, layout and production of print products and web-ready graphic products, between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018. Print products may include reports, forms, brochures, guides, letterhead, invitations and stationary. Web-ready graphic products may include logos, graphs and infographics for the website and PowerPoint presentations, electronic newsletters and invitations.

The work will involve designing and laying out at least four reports of 20-150 pages in length (both in English and French), including graphs and infographics, and producing other design products as needed. The contractor shall ensure that all ECO-produced products adhere to applicable legislation, policies and guidelines, including the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

It is expected this will require 15-40 hours of work a week (a minimum of 15 hours a week, increasing to 40 hours during periods of report design).

The work will require the designer to spend time in the ECO’s office (1075 Bay Street, Toronto) for design discussions and consultations, revisions, corrections, and other meetings.

An example of the ECO’s most recent reports can be viewed at this URL: https://eco.on.ca/our-reports/

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The following topics should be covered in the electronic submission:

1. Project Management

Describe the overall plan for carrying out the contract, including plans or procedures for ensuring timeliness, highest quality of products, accuracy of revisions, and for working with ECO staff onsite

2. Capabilities

Describe any relevant capabilities, physical facilities, time constraints (if any), how changes/edits will be handled, and onsite availability.

3. Rates

Propose hourly and item rates for charges of work.

4. Qualifications and References

Provide a résumé that outlines relevant qualifications and recent professional experiences producing reports and graphic design products of a comparable nature. In addition, the proposal should include, but not be limited to: examples of prior work producing reports and graphics (provide URLs and/or visual samples of past projects of similar scope); and three references (names, contact information, work that was completed, and cost) directly related to comparable projects.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The ECO expects to contract with the person or firm whose proposal demonstrates that its performance of the work would be most advantageous to the ECO, with price and other factors (e.g., onsite availability) considered.

Each proposal will be reviewed and rated on the designer’s project management proposal, project budget, project samples and references.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The bidder warrants that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, no actual or potential conflict of interest exists with respect to the submission of their proposal and carrying out of the contract should it be awarded to the bidder, other than those that are disclosed by the bidder at the time of submitting a proposal.

RIGHTS

Submission of a response to this request for proposal does not bind the ECO to engage the vendor to provide the requested service. The ECO reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, accept any proposal terms it deems to be in the best interest of the organization, waives any informalities in proposals submitted, and waive any minor irregularities or discrepancies in proposal procedures. The ECO reserves the right to retain a copy of your submittal after selection has been made. The vendor is solely responsible for the costs it incurs in submitting a response to the RFQ.