CITYWIDE CONSULTANT ROSTER SOLICITATION: Communications Consulting

The City of Seattle is soliciting applications from qualified communications-related consultants to establish a citywide consultant roster under Solicitation Number CTY-CR-2025-03. This roster, effective from December 15, 2025, through December 31, 2030, will allow city departments to engage pre-qualified consultants for various communications services—including ethnic community outreach, media production, public relations, technical writing, and web development—without the need for formal competitive bidding for contracts below $410,000. The solicitation emphasizes inclusivity of small businesses and Woman- and Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (WMBEs), who may receive priority status and must register through the City’s procurement portal. Consultants must demonstrate their qualifications via a standardized application including summaries of relevant projects, certifications, and licenses. Nonprofit organizations are ineligible for this roster, and the City requires compliance with local business licensing and, where applicable, federal procurement regulations. The submission deadline is December 30, 2030, with all applications submitted electronically through the City’s specified procurement portal. The contracting framework is governed by a standardized Consultant Roster Agreement template which formalizes the relationship between the City and selected consultants. It outlines terms related to scope of work, contract duration (with flexible term options tied to work completion), provisions for expansion of tasks, insurance requirements, and compliance with nondiscrimination and social equity policies. While specific federal contract clauses are not detailed, the agreement covers mandatory adherence to applicable laws and regulations, including background checks and immigrant status notifications for personnel working on City premises. Deliverables vary by project but typically include written reports, outreach materials, media products, and presentations, all subject to City review and approval. The City retains audit rights extending to subconsultants and subcontractors, and has the authority to terminate contracts for material breach, including failures in nondiscrimination or social equity obligations. No physical packaging or shipping requirements apply, reflecting the professional services nature of this procurement. Payment processing utilizes a City-developed invoicing format, with remittance and contract administration managed internally; although formal roles such as Contracting Officer’s Representatives are not explicitly specified, a Project Manager oversees contract execution and communication. Overall, this solicitation enables streamlined access to a vetted pool of communications consultants supporting the City of Seattle’s diverse outreach and public engagement initiatives.