Specifications include, but are not limited to: The purpose of this document is to provide detailed specifications to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) for seeking a consultant to provide an outreach and education program regarding the state’s broadband activities. This program will inform the public about the state’s investments and accomplishments in promoting the expansion and availability of high-speed broadband networks, services, and technologies, including in rural, unserved, and underserved areas.; Deliverable 1: Identify Broadband Outreach and Education Strategies: The respondent will assist ADECA in developing outreach and education strategies for informing the public about the state’s investments and accomplishments in promoting the expansion and availability of high-speed broadband. This will include working with ADECA to develop appropriate branding to improve awareness. The plan will be statewide in scope, with an emphasis on increasing public awareness and broadband adoption in rural, unserved, and underserved areas of Alabama.; Deliverable 2: Develop Broadband Outreach and Education Materials: The respondent will assist ADECA in developing outreach and education materials regarding the state’s investments and accomplishments in promoting the expansion and availability of high-speed broadband. Among other information, the materials will highlight and notify the public about: Completed and upcoming broadband infrastructure deployments/service improvements in communities; Affordable broadband service options, including assistance for low-income households; and The education, healthcare, job creation, workforce development, and economic growth benefits of broadband. The respondent will work with ADECA to create broadband outreach and education materials that facilitate broad engagement and provide relevant and meaningful information to the public, including information in languages other than English when warranted based on the demographics of a community. The respondent will help ADECA leverage a variety of communications media for broadband outreach and education, including but not limited to: (1) advertisements, op-ed pieces, and public service announcements using print, radio, digital, and other distribution platforms; (2) informational materials such as fact sheets, brochures, signage, and mailings; (3) providing content for the ADECA website; (4) organizing and facilitating press events; and (5) utilization of community anchor institutions and stakeholder organizations to help promote and distribute outreach and education materials. The respondent will help ADECA work with local broadband service providers and other industry stakeholders to coordinate community outreach and education activities and avoid duplicative efforts.
