[MCN] Seeking Web Developers for Local Project
cfacinfo
cfacinfo at missoulacfac.org
Fri Jul 17 10:12:17 EDT 2015
Hello!
We are in the proposal stage of developing a new online resource that will
be the first of its kind in the nation and the most comprehensive tool for
new farm businesses across Montana. We are thrilled about this opportunity
to develop a new and exciting addition to the American food landscape and
are looking for a web developer to join us in bringing this project to
fruition.
We have a short turnaround on the below (and attached) RFP. If you are
interested in submitting a proposal, please contact me at
annie at missoulacfac.org and we can discuss the project and potential
alterations to the timeline.
Also, note that as we are not web developers ourselves, the RFP represents
our best stab at the elements that we think would work best together to
create a comprehensive tool for beginning farmers. With that said, if
there are major sticking points or ideas you have about ways we might be
able to accomplish our goals with a simpler design or using other tools,
please feel free to reach out to me to discuss.
Annie Heuscher
Program Director
Community Food & Agriculture Coalition
http://missoulacfac.org/
406-830-8218
[image: Facebook]
<https://www.facebook.com/pages/Community-Food-and-Agriculture-Coalition-CFAC/154436164572233>
<http://missoulacfac.wordpress.com/>
*Keep Ag in our Culture!*
Community Food and Agriculture Coalition
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
NEW FARMLINK WEBSITE WITH MAPPING TOOL
*Submission Date: July 31, 2015 *
*Submission Time: 5:00pm (MST)*
Project Overview
The Community Food and Agriculture Coalition (CFAC), a multi-stakeholder
food policy coalition in Missoula, Montana, is accepting proposals to
develop a new website for its beginning farmer program. The FarmLink
website will serve as a clearinghouse for beginning farmers and ranchers in
Montana. It will include information on available resources including new
materials on business planning, financing, and legal issues, five online
application forms for two programs (for mentors, interns, intern hosts,
land seekers, and landowners), and a statewide mapping tool to connect
farmers and landowners with those seeking internships, mentorships and land
lease/purchase opportunities.
This project is funded by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development
Program (BFRDP) USDA grant. We are seeking proposals from a web designer or
design firm able to develop a website that addresses the objectives and
functionality requirements listed in this RFP.
About CFAC
CFAC works to create a thriving local food system for Montana by pursuing
solutions through collaboration, policy advocacy, and innovative projects.
Currently, CFAC partners with Farm Hands (www.nourishtheflathead.org) to
operate the LandLink Montana site, a matching service that connects farmers
and ranchers to land and resources. CFAC is developing a new website to
expand the LandLink program to include an information clearinghouse, an
internship program that connects internship seekers with farm and ranch
hosts, and a mentorship program to connect beginning farmers with mentors.
Purpose
The purpose of this new website is to provide an online resource that will
serve as a one-stop shop for beginning farmers and ranchers. The site will
include several resources with information on financing, business planning,
and more. The site will also include a log-in area with multiple online
application forms and a statewide mapping tool with filters and keyword
search. CFAC is seeking the services of a qualified web designer or design
firm to submit proposals for the creation of this website. Upon completion
of the development of the site, CFAC will assume full responsibility for
website content maintenance and administration.
Website Objectives and Functionality Requirements
CFAC expects that the following objectives and functionality components
will be included in a successful proposal:
1.
A content management system (CMS) that will permit non-technical CFAC
staff to instantly update website content on specific pages
2.
All elements of the site should be able to be easily maintained,
updated, new pages added, etc. by non-technical CFAC staff after site
launch. If using a CMS other than Joomla, this may require some time (2-3
hours) for staff training on site utilization.
3.
Visually appealing - the site must have an attractive mix of text and
graphics
4.
Interactive map with key features
-
Ability to zoom in only to a certain level on map
-
Listing pins on map with ability to be different images/icons
-
Listing pins should have a pop-up window with information that
appears when pin is clicked
-
Pop-up windows will have a clickable link that directs user to
detailed listing on website or to an offsite listing
-
Search tool with the ability to keyword search, filter, and sort by
different categories
-
For similar examples, visit:
-
http://nourishtheflathead.org/map/
-
https://findafarmer.net/
-
http://newenglandfarmlandfinder.org/search-properties
-
https://www.farmlink.net/farm_map.html?view=map
-
Note: While the above links are only for LandLink programs, we would
like our map to have the ability to turn on/off layers with land,
internship, and mentorship opportunities. Each layer would likely have
different filters.
5.
Online application and listing feature
-
Users will be able to log in to the back end of the site to submit
applications to the Internship, Mentorship, and LandLink programs (5
application forms total for mentors, interns, intern hosts, land
seekers, and landowners)
-
When intern host and land seeker applications are submitted, users
will be directed to a payment page.
-
Once submitted, applications will be put into accessible and
exportable database
-
CFAC will be notified when applications are submitted and will be
able to approve creation of an online listing that will automatically
populate a unique URL with listing info and a map pin for the specific
program
-
Once created, users and CFAC will be able to log in to update
listings and make listings active/inactive
-
CFAC will be notified whenever listings are modified (preferably with
modification text in the body of the notification email and/or a direct
link to the listing)
-
Site will send notification emails to listing holders to update
listings semi-annually, annually, or more often as determined by CFAC
-
Notifications will be automatic or manual
-
Notices will be sent to CFAC staff in a weekly digest
-
Some people who create profiles/listings are likely to not have
access to email. It would be great for the site to have ability
to send out
text or SMS messages for people who do not have email.
-
CFAC will be notified via email when contacts (email or SMS) bounce.
-
CFAC will be notified via email if updates are due on listings that
lack an email/SMS contact so that staff can follow up by phone.
-
If listings are not updated within 30-45 days of notification, CFAC
will be notified via email so listings can be made inactive.
-
Listings will have permanent URLs, enabling users to share their
listing with different sources
6.
Sponsored advertising
-
Sponsors’ logos must be integrated into homepage
-
Overhead banner with rotating sponsors
-
Open to other ideas from web developer about how to integrate
sponsors into site
7.
Implementation of a “mobile ready” website
8.
Highly Search Engine Optimized
9.
Implementation of Google Analytics throughout the site
Website Wish List
1.
Anonymized emails
-
For Landlink postings, have Craiglist-style emails with anonymized
email addresses
-
CFAC will be able to track who is sending emails based on an internal
tracking system
2.
Rating System
-
Have a Yelp-like rating system that allows users to post star ratings
and comments on internships
-
Farm hosts will have the ability to dispute and respond to ratings
and comments
Site Layout
Homepage with Potential Tab and Pull-down categories to be featured:
1.
About FarmLink
-
Mission
-
Staff
-
Contact
2.
Intern Program
-
Program Information
-
Application (link to log-in and direction to application form)
3.
Land Link Program
-
Program Information
-
Application (link to log-in and direction to application form)
4.
Mentor Program
-
Program Information
-
Application (link to log-in and direction to application form)
5.
Mapping Tool
-
See above for details
6.
Resources
-
Section will include up to 20 pages on different types of resources
-
Section will include a sidebar with expandable topics that include
various subheadings and is included on each page in the Resources section
(for an example, see: http://tinyurl.com/ok66qln)
-
Full page content to be developed Fall 2015
Ecommerce Details
CFAC uses eTapestry for ecommerce. This platform will be used to accept
payment on the new website. CFAC will provide permanent URLs to payment
forms that CFAC will develop through eTapestry.
Budget Details
Please provide a cost proposal to accomplish the scope of this project. The
budget must encompass all design, production, software acquisitions, and
CFAC staff training necessary for development and maintenance of the
website. CFAC will purchase the URL in advance.
List pricing for: Site Development, Testing, Deployment, and Training.
CFAC has up to $15,000 to fund this web development project. Applicant
must be eligible to receive federal funds.
Proposal Requirements
Please submit proposal via email in a PDF format that includes the
following:
1.
Summarize your project approach for developing the FarmLink website.
2.
Include a proposed project schedule and information on staff committed
to this project to ensure that project schedule will be met.
3.
Provide the costs for services. Please include how many hours of time
the proposal includes for each part of the project.
4.
Provide links to similar projects you have completed in the past.
References and contact information are appreciated.
We are open to suggestions about ways to accomplish these plans and hope
that you can be flexible as we navigate web development.
Proposal Evaluation
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
1.
Cost for services
2.
Product details
3.
Previous experience
4.
Long-term plan (ease of maintenance, training plans, etc.)
5.
Timeline
RFP & Project Timeline Details
RFP Timeline
Release Date June 16, 2015
Submissions of questions July 1, 2015
Answers emailed to bidders July 15, 2015
Proposal Due Date July 31, 2015, 5pm MST
Project Timeline
Hire date August 15, 2015
Website launch November 15, 2015
Questions and Proposal Submissions
Questions may be directed to Annie Heuscher, CFAC Program Director, at
(406) 830-8218 or annie at missoulacfac.org. Please submit proposals to
annie at missoulacfac.org by 5:00 pm MST on Friday, July 31, 2015.
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