Michigan Association of Health Plans
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Written on November 1, 2024

MAHP is seeking a Request for Information on Communications

This letter invites your interest in assisting the Michigan Association of Health Plans (MAHP) in finding cost information from a consultant for various communications-related needs.

Introduction

MAHP requests information from interested, experienced communications consulting firms that demonstrate reasonable knowledge and experience with digital and social media monitoring, graphic design, and communication material development.

Proposals are required by the close of business on November 27, 2024.

Overview

The Michigan Association of Health Plans (MAHP) is a non-profit 501 C(6) organization in Lansing, Michigan.  MAHP’s mission is to provide leadership for the promotion and advocacy of high-quality, affordable, equitable, and accessible healthcare for the people of Michigan.  The Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from eleven (11) member Health Plans.  More information about MAHP can be found online at www.mahp.org

Scope and Requirements

MAHP is seeking an experienced communications firm to work with MAHP to develop various communications materials for effective advocacy.  MAHP is seeking a consultant who can:

  1. Develop and monitor all MAHP social media management and graphic design work on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, including monitoring the social activities of 11-member health plans to promote members’ social media and news. MAHP’s social media needs are, on average, a half dozen unique weekly posts per week on various healthcare items of interest. In addition, the sharing and liking of any other relevant social media posts from member health plans is encouraged when appropriate.
  2. Develop and monitor a monthly newsletter and surveys to members, with general content provided by MAHP’s Deputy Director of Communications. Typical MAHP newsletters are once a month, with special editions ranging quarterly. Survey development occurs less than six times per year.
  3. Provide Light and Heavy Graphic Design work and manage print jobs associated with posters, banners, and infographics with initial design and content text provided by MAHP’s Deputy Director of Communications.
    1. Light Graphic Design would include PowerPoints and one-pagers that require light design and layout formatting work with content provided by MAHP.
  4. Heavy Graphic Design work up to 100 hours a year, including year-end annual reports, MAHP Annual conference materials, and digital advertisements with content provided by MAHP.
  5. Update MAHP’s website with content and direction provided by MAHP.
  6. On occasion, strategize and advance MAHP’s issue advocacy on various public policies with the Michigan Legislature through social, digital, or other forms of suggested media marketing. Legislative issues may arise that require the consultant to develop materials and marketing strategies suitable for the legislative process with the general content provided by MAHP. Forms of marketing outside of social media would be billed separately.
  7. Serve as a Media Relations intermediary to field reporter questions and work with the MAHP Deputy Director of Communications on responses. This would also include developing press releases and statements for various issues and events on some occasions (less than 12 times a year).
  8. Provide special event support for all communications needs once a year at MAHP’s Annual Conference (a three—to four-day conference). MAHP will pay for the attendance and registration of the consultant and/or consultant’s personnel.
  9. Attend a one-hour monthly meeting with MAHP’s Deputy Director of Communications to prospectively plan for all communications needs and attend six one-hour MAHP PR Committee meetings throughout the year to discuss and participate in MAHP’s communications activities.

MAHP seeks information on a proposed scope for each of the seven responsibilities independently and as aggregated. Please estimate anticipated hours, materials, and overall expected expenses, as well as the identification of likely personnel assigned to each responsibility.

Communications firms are welcome to share optional services of value that you might suggest MAHP consider in addition to the services identified above.

Additional Proposal Requirements

Your response to this Request for Information should also contain the elements itemized below, though not necessarily in this order.

  1. Brief history of your firm, including mission statement or equivalent philosophical statement about your firm’s purpose, number of years in business, and number of employees.
  2. Describe your experience as it applies to working with trade associations.
  3. Narrative describing your ability to deliver the required services by the deadline.
  4. Name and address of three business references or key clients with experience with your firm in communications services.
  5. Verification, in any form, that demonstrates your firm’s knowledge of Health Plans and the issues facing them in Michigan.

All oral and written communication should be addressed to Brian Mills, Deputy Director of Commercial Markets & Communications, prior to November 27, 2024. Brian Mills can be reached at (517) 881-9618 (cell), [email protected] or via mail at Michigan Association of Health Plans, 327 Seymour Ave., Lansing, MI 48993.

Proposal Submission

Submission deadline: The proposal must be received by 5:00 p.m. on November 27, 2024.  Electronic submissions are preferred.  All submissions in response to this request should be addressed to:

Brian Mills, Deputy Director of Commercial Markets & Communications
Michigan Association of Health Plans
327 Seymour Ave.
Lansing, MI 48933

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