The Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) www.dbia.org seeks proposals to provide public relations, communications, branding and media support. This Request for Proposal (RFP) describes DBIA’s structure, mission, vision, values, products and services, as well as the scope of work to be addressed by the selected firm. Interested firms may respond by emailing a written proposal detailing your approach to the goals outlined below by August 27, 2010. The approach must fit within the parameters of the budget stipulated as part of the Statement of Work. DBIA is interested in best value, not lowest cost. Only proposers that provide thorough solutions utilizing the full amount outlined will be considered.
I. Association Overview
The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) was founded in 1993 in response to the emergence of integrated design-build project delivery as a significant force in the design and construction industry. From its Washington, DC, headquarters, and 14 regional offices, this 501(c)6 membership organization provides a forum for all participants in the design and construction process, owners and practitioners alike.
DBIA is a center of expertise for integrated project delivery. We establish and advocate for best practices, create and disseminate information about design-build project delivery and promote the value of design-build project delivery. Through workshops and training, DBIA teaches successful integration of design and construction services to owners as well as the design and construction practitioners who serve them.
DBIA national headquarters is located in Washington, DC. The relatively small staff of 19 people is a flexible high-performance team that serves approximately 3,500 individual and industry partner members, plus several thousand additional customers who take advantage of products and services without becoming members. In addition to the products and services outlined below, the national staff lobbies state, local, and federal governments on behalf of the membership, provides public relation functions, and supports 14 DBIA regions. In-house capabilities include graphic design, writing and editorial support, publications management, and logistical direction and support of education, conferences and certification.
Vision, Mission, Values
In 2009, DBIA’s Board of Directors adopted the following mission, vision, and values statement:
Vision
DBIA will be the industry’s preeminent resource for leadership, education, objective expertise and best practices for the successful integrated delivery of capital projects.
Mission
DBIA promotes the value of design-build project delivery and teaches the effective integration of design and construction services to ensure success for owners and design and construction practitioners.
Values
- Excellence in integrated design-build project delivery, producing high value outcomes.
- An environment of trust characterized by integrity and honest communication.
- Mutual respect for and appreciation of diverse perspectives and ideas.
- A commitment to innovation and creativity to drive quality, value and sustainability.
- Professionalism, fairness and the highest level of ethical behavior.
II. DBIA Product and Services Overview
Certification
DBIA’s Designated Design-Build Professional™ Certification Program educates and tests owners, designers and builders on their knowledge of best practices in integrated delivery of high performance projects. Completion of the certification program objectively demonstrates that an individual is a qualified and competent professional with an on-going commitment to excellence in design-build project delivery.
The Designated Design-Build Professional™ Certification Program is growing rapidly, with nearly 1,000 new credential holders joining the ranks in the past six years alone., and another 600 in the pipeline. In addition, owners (which include state, local and Federal government, as well as private owners of development and construction projects) are beginning to include preferences for DBIA™ professionals in solicitations and are starting to certify in-house staff members.
Education
DBIA is the premier deliverer of high quality design-build education for both design and construction practitioners as well as public and private owners interested in leveraging the maximum value from this integrated project delivery system.
Working closely with industry experts, DBIA improves our objectives-based instructional material systematically and continually. This process includes the continual refinement of existing course materials, ongoing revitalization of previously administered courses, and development of new courses based on industry demand and changes in the business environment.
DBIA's "core courses" are the cornerstone of our educational program. These courses are required of all candidates of the Designated Design-Build Professional™ - DBIA professional certification program. DBIA courses are offered in a variety of formats and settings, including:
- Customized company-based training that expedites the learning process groups of individuals within owner organizations and industry firms.
- Certification workshops consisting of a four-day intensive program that include the three core courses required for DBIA certification, the certification exam prep course, and exam administration.
- Five-day intensive boot camps aimed at optimizing students’ time, energy and dollars by offering three core courses, exam prep and exam administration, guest lecturers, networking events and social activities in a university campus setting.
Publications
DBIA currently publishes one print magazine (Design-Build Dateline), one weekly e-newsletter (Design-Build Insight) and offers an electronic subscription service to the DBIA Design-Build Manual of Practice (MOP), which outlines best practices in design-build project delivery.
Dateline
DBIA’s magazine is issued 10 times each year. Members receive the magazine as a benefit of joining DBIA. In the past, Dateline, was the main source of recent news from DBIA headquarters; however, those needs are now met in a more efficient and timely manner through the website, e-blasts, and our e-newsletter, Insight.
Due to these factors combined and the current economic crises, DBIA is seriously considering reducing distribution to four times per year and re-launching our print publication as a journal. Unlike every other DBIA product area, Dateline is in decline. Advertising sales have fallen to such a degree that our ability to publish a magazine with substantive content has been hampered by the 50:50 advertisement to editorial ratio imposed by our third-party publishing agreement. We feel that limiting distribution will strengthen ad sales while increasing our opportunity to print articles of significant value to owner, practitioner, and academic members.
Insight
Insight, a weekly electronic newsletter that provides links to news stories relevant to design-build, was launched in April 2010. This members-only publication has proven to be an advertising success as well as a valued member benefit. One of the most valued and unique features of Insight is a recurring section which highlights current design-build solicitations and upcoming projects.
Manual of Practice (MOP)
The MOP has been revitalized over the past year and plans are to make this a living document, incorporating updates, additions and perspectives on a continual basis. The association edits and updates the MOP by utilizing the Policy and Standards Committee – an industry expert advisory board -- comprised of experts in effective use and implementation of design-build project delivery. Three new or revised chapters detailing best practices in design-build have been introduced in 2010 so far and three more are in the works for release this year. In an effort to disseminate the MOP and the best practices it contains across a broader segment of the industry DBIA will make access to the publication a member benefit beginning in 2011.
Conferences
DBIA hosts a minimum of three national conferences per year, each of which broke attendance records in 2009. The annual Design-Build Conference & Expo is held in the fall each year and is aim at all design and construction sectors. Specialty conferences in Transportation and Water/Wastewater take place in the spring. Last year, the Design-Build for Water/Wastewater Conference and the Design-Build in Transportation Conference were scheduled back-to-back with an overlap day. This format attracted additional exhibitors and attendees and the 2010 specialty conferences exceeded 2009 records. In 2011, DBIA will host an additional conference focused on design-build in the federal sector. A similar conference was held in 2005, 2006 and 2007 by DBIA. With the current positive trend in the use of design-build sparked in part by the ARRA funding, demand from the federal marketplace has increased exponentially, making the timing optimal to reintroduce this conference.
Contract Documents
Both members and nonmembers purchase DBIA contract docs. Considered the most balanced design and construction documents in the industry, the DBIA contracted were completely revised and updated in 2010. They have been consistent generators of non-dues revenue.
III. Scope of Work
As we approach our 20th anniversary, DBIA’s position is strong and we want to leverage our increasing market share. To this end, DBIA seeks a corporate public relations agency with knowledge of both design and construction and a proven track record for excellence in execution of a public relations campaign. The goal is to raise industry awareness of DBIA and of best practices in design-build project delivery, particularly as a means of delivering high quality design. Through strategic outreach to owners groups, trade and business media, industry analysts and other key constituents, we want to promote best practices in design-build and DBIA as the source of those best practices, including the education needed to accomplish “design-build done right.”
DBIA’s primary goals in hiring a firm include:
- Increase and make consistent the awareness and branding at both the National level and at the Region levels;
- Increase student/academia/university involvement;
- Educate public owners and key decision-makers on the value of design-build project delivery (local, state and Federal level);
- Expand reach to private sector;
- Expand the understanding and value of DBIA™ certification;
- Enhance the perceived value proposition for DBIA membership;
- Effectively communicate best practices;
- Highlight the ability to achieve design excellence utilizing design-build.
Challenges: Since the formation of DBIA in 1993, design-build has moved ahead of other alternative delivery systems due in large part to an impressive record of time and cost savings, and increased acceptance of this delivery method by the Federal government. Despite its obvious advantages, design-build has never been fully embraced by the larger design community and architects in particular. DBIA needs to further engage this group, which should be a core constituency.
While design-build has gained significant traction among public owners at every level of government — local, state and Federal — agency design and construction staffs anxious to implement design-build complain that procurement officers and government executives are sometimes reluctant to veer away from design-bid-build. While DBIA has had tremendous success advocating for legislative change at the state level, for example, some agency officials are hesitant to use their authority to procure projects via the design-build delivery method.
Finally, public and private owners must be made aware of their ability to tailor design-build RFPs to meet their aesthetic needs as well as their functional requirements.
Constraints: DBIA has a small staff of twenty flexible individuals who work independently and as a team to achieve goals set by volunteer leadership with input from staff. We value the efficiency and cost effectiveness inherent in our current operational size and style. It is imperative that we make continual and simultaneous progress toward the many objectives contained in our strategic plan. We seek a PR firm capable of integrating with a small high performance team in order to maintain efficient operations while engaging in this public outreach effort.
Budget: DBIA has budgeted $75,000 to cover a 12-month period of public relations assistance. Proposals should reflect how the $75,000 will be spent to achieve our goals. The amount DOES NOT include additional funds that have been budgeted for collateral material, as needed.
Proposal Due Date: August 27, 2010
IV. Agency Selection Criteria
- Proven ability to elevate brand awareness.
- Knowledge of, and experience in the design and construction industry.
- Knowledge of, and experience in, trade associations and/or professional societies.
- An excellent reputation and strong relationships with industry influencers including relevant trade and business press, analysts, competitor associations, etc.
- Successful track record of editorial coverage in leading business, news, and industry-specific media.
- Experience working across multiple media.
- Team credentials.
- No competitive client conflicts.
- Client and press references.
Please send proposals electronically to shines@dbia.org.