The City of Belfast is inviting proposals for the redevelopment and complete overhaul of the City’s municipal web site. The overall goal is to have the web site offer a functional, attractive, and welcoming resource to our citizens, visitors, and the economic development community.

Requirements:

1. The web site must contain artistic and appealing graphics with photographs. The web site should be dynamic in that it is capable of constant change and updating. IE we do want to see photos rotate on various welcome pages, etc.

2. It must present a clear and immediate opportunity to take different paths to quickly get where you want to go. To provide a search feature on every page which offers search plus options. A drop down box of frequently asked questions

3. All existing information to be carried over from the existing site and be improved upon.

4. Offer the opportunity for streaming video capacity to transmit meetings. We are considering a feature such as Vimeo or Granicus will consider all other options.

5. The web site must be very easy to access and update, No HTML language – all copy paste and word processing format.

6. Back office should be simple and intuitive.

7. The web site must offer calendar feature with the ability to click on an event for additional information, such as the actual agenda.

8. The web site must offer easy-to-create and updated links to other sites accessible through a new window without closing the City’s existing window.

9. The site must be managed by local administrative person on a day-to-day basis with support services reasonably available. Content should be able to be updated regularly by City employees without assistance from the site builder.

10. The web site it must work properly with most browsers, including at least Microsoft IE and Mozilla and Firefox

11. The web site must offer a special announcement option that will prominently be display in the event there is a need to rush information to the public.

12. The web site should offer the opportunity to sign up for email alerts.

13. The web site should have mapping options which highlight the location of the City in the state, in the country, and offer Google Maps links for quick visual reference and to receive directions to various City of Belfast buildings and locations.

14. The City would like to incorporate tax maps on the web site. Currently available on the web site in PDF format – not sure that they are available in any other format. We are striving to provide tax information using a GIS approach

15. The web site should offer access to numerous municipal documents, ordinances, procedures, schedules.

• Meet or conference with City Representatives to discuss further the goals and ideas referenced above.
• Set a project timetable with City representatives
• City infrastructure review with local Cable TV programming opportunities or challenges.
• Review and identification of options for presentation, accessibility, understandability, linkage, user friendliness, modification of content, internal management with associated cost, and limitations. Visual displays, examples must be included.
• Options should include consideration of RSS automatic forwarding and opportunities for users to post reminders to themselves on key dates for re-licensing vehicles, dogs, etc. – These reminder features are currently only available in our accounting / licensing software and that can’t be accessed by the user, only staff. I would envision the web user sending a department an email to request to be put on this reminder list.
• Presentation of a draft model for consideration.
• Modification as necessary
• Implementation of final Site creation and development.
• Testing and final evaluation of Site.
• Final tweaking and site completion approval.
• Training for staff in day-to-day management and upkeep.
• Costs for ongoing / bi-annual updating of site and bi-annual training of staff as needed.

Should include:

• 6 examples of similar municipal, city, community sites vendor has developed recently, within 1yr.
• Information about the company to demonstrate experience and professionalism
• An estimate of any maintenance and continuing cost
• A general timetable based upon site builder’s availability and the anticipated time to do the work
• Four references familiar with the company’s work on similar sites.

Responses to this RFP should be sent no later than 3 p.m. May 20, 2010 to the City Clerk’s Office, 131 Church Street, Belfast, Maine, 04915. Marked RFP WEB SITE REDESIGN

Costs may be listed as a range, with a not-to-exceed figure, or as a flat, fixed price.

The City would like to make its determination and commence work at the earliest possible time.

Additional assignments will be negotiated and determined as the work proceeds.

Only proposals from US Companies will be considered. The City of Belfast reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals.