Public Education & Community Outreach Services

The primary purpose of this RFP is to secure the services of a qualified firm to plan, develop, and execute a public education and community outreach campaign for the 2026 Beaufort County Transportation Sales & Use Tax Referendum. The campaign must be factual and educational, with the goal of ensuring that Beaufort County voters are fully informed about the nature, rate, and duration of the proposed one-cent sales tax, the transportation projects and improvements that would be funded, who pays the tax, and the County's track record since 1998 on prior sales tax commitments and current project status. The selected firm will provide services including strategic campaign planning, message development, digital and social media outreach, earned media and public relations, community engagement and events, and paid media placement. • The firm will develop a comprehensive, data-driven public education campaign covering the period from contract award through the November 3, 2026 election. • The firm will conduct an initial landscape analysis, including review of existing public sentiment, demographic composition, and geographic considerations across the County. • The firm will define key messages, target audiences, and success metrics. • The firm will establish a campaign timeline with outreach milestones aligned to the County's legislative and election calendar. • The firm will identify and coordinate with trusted community partners, including local civic organizations, chambers of commerce, school district, business leaders, and municipal liaisons.