Request for Proposals (RFP) for Website Redesign and Construction

Budget: $5,000 to $10,000

Universal Surveillance Systems LLC (USS) is soliciting formal proposals from qualified firms and individuals for a complete redesign and rebuild of their website.This is for a firm fixed price quotation. Possible future maintenance of the website is not covered in this RFP and will be addressed in an upcoming RFP. 

You must submit a proposal containing all items described in the Submitted Proposal Requirements section below to be considered. Incomplete proposals will not be considered. 

The selected vendor will utilize the general design and organizational concepts as listed in this document to build a site that is visually engaging and technologically sound to showcase Universal Surveillance System products and information and to drive business to the site through SEO techniques and excellent user interfaces. An outline of the site’s contents/hierarchy and a link to a wireframe showing the general look of the homepage are included in this RFP. 

The current site is at www.universaleas.com, but the goal is to construct a completely different site both in terms of look, organization, functionality and content. 

Functionality and ease of navigation are key to the new website because it needs to be in step with current design trends while still being accessible. It’s important that our website is innovative, is a little bit edgy and makes use of the latest website technology (i.e. HTML5 or equivalent) because we are a technology company. However, vendor will be responsible to assure visitors can access all features and content on site without technical issues. 

The website must be built with SEO at its core and integrated throughout with a sound “backend” design geared for search engines and spiders. 

The website must be constructed with an open architecture to allow modification by the USS webmaster if necessary. The site must also allow simple uploading/changing of frequently changing items such as news,press releases, products, upcoming events, continued SEO, etc. by USS staff. Vendor will provide training to USS staff on uploading and changing items on site.


The design of the site must be airy, contemporary and crisp much like the Apple Computer site. A white background similar to the Apple Computer site is preferred. 

Selected vendor will not be required to write copy or shoot photographs for site. All site content will be supplied by USS.  

Vendor must allow for alterations/changes by USS of their presented design concepts in their price quotation. 

USS Company Information 

Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Universal Surveillance Systems (USS) is the largest privately held innovator of loss prevention solutions including article surveillance (EAS) tags and systems and closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems. Since 1995, USS has maintained the vision of providing unsurpassed technical innovation with unrivaled customer support to Fortune 500 clients, worldwide leading retailers, and local communities. USS offers total security solutions designed to deter theft, prevent loss, and increase profitability. 

Submitted Proposal Requirements 

All proposals must be received by 5 p.m. PST on Friday, January 20, 2012 or they will not be considered.   
All proposals must include the following or they will not be considered:

1. 1. Information about proposer’s company (size, history, years in business, capabilities, etc.)
2. 2. List of past and current clients
3. 3. Information showing understanding of scope of work and ability to deliver required services
4. 4. Proposed timeline showing major milestones of project
5. 5. Proposed firm fixed price for project
6. 6. Color prints and/or addresses/links of a minimum of five similar websites designed and constructed by proposer
7. 7. Addresses of any other websites designed and constructed by proposer
8. 8. Minimum of three professional references who can attest to the technical expertise, ability to meet deadlines, responsiveness, creativity and working relationships of proposer
9. 9. Original, signed submittal letter committing to the proposed price and scope of work in this RFP

Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:

1. 1. Price
2. 2. Proposer’s experience
3. 3. Quality of sample websites designed by proposer
4. 4. Inclusion in proposal of all necessary information as listed in RFP
5. 5. Demonstrated understanding of project scope of work
6. 6. Proposed timeline
7. 7. References

Finalists will likely be required to be interviewed by USS staff, which can be done either in person or via phone conference depending on the location of the proposed vendor. 

Scope of Work Technical Requirements:

• • Design Platform: None specified
• • Programming language: HTML5 or equivalent (do not use Flash)
• • Screen Size: Design for 1280x1024 resolution
• • Browser compatibility: Recent versions of Firefox, Chrome, Explorer, Safari
• • Graphic formats: JPG, PNG, GIF (do not use Flash)
• • File formats: No special requirements
• • Development software: Any, but Dreamweaver is preferred
• • Other Issues: Google Analytics, external link to track visitors to site allowing USS to obtain contact information for future engagement with end visitors.

Website Outline, Hierarchy and Contents 

Link to wireframe of Homepage:http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25946632/Website_Homepage_Wireframe.pdf


Universal items on all pages:

• • Logo/Title Banner with company logo and prominent buttons on top right side that will lead to Facebook, twitter, linked in, rss feed links, search function

• • Tabs
• • Home
• • About
• • News
• • EAS Solutions
• • CCTV Solutions
• • New to Loss Prevention?

• • Bottom Ribbon that contains links to the following misc. info/functions:

• • Copyright Info
• • Contact Us
• • USS Foundation Link
• • Job Opportunities
• • Site Map

Following are the primary tabs/pages: 

Home

• • The large horizontal image pane on the left will have changing graphics and behave and function like the one on this site: http://www.spinxwebdesign.com/except that it should have a softer transition. It will display photos and info about the company including new products, quotes from customers, pictures of customer stores, etc.
• • The two vertical image panes on the right of the large horizontal image pane will have changing graphics and revolve with a three-dimensional look when the cursor is placed over them. The look of the two boxes will be like the vertical ones on this site: http://bournsdifference.ucr.edu/.The three-dimensional rotation of the two boxes will behave like the boxes on this site: http://fitch.com/
• • Icons under graphic panes that link to important pages or other sites

About

• • Welcome from CEO (short text and photo)
• • About USS
• o General description about the founding of the company and its purpose 
• • Customer Testimonials
• o Written testimonials
• o Video testimonials
• • Community Involvement 
• o Photos and text on community service events by USS
• • Executive Team photos and profiles
• • Sales Team photos and links to Facebook, LinkedIn or other pages
• • USS Foundation (Short description and link to Foundation website)
• • Job opportunities
  

News
Clicking on the news tab will open up a page with a sliding graphic pane spotlighting blog posts, new products, news articles, etc. On this page, there will also be links to:

• • Newsletters (current and archive with list of articles in each issue)
• • Press Releases
• • Blog
• • News Articles about USS
• • Upcoming Events

EAS Solutions (This would also be one of the graphics tab boxes on right on Home Page)

• • New Product banner at the top
• • Products broken into categories
• • Search bar inside
• • A PDF file of our catalog for download
• • Videos of product demonstrations

CCTV Solutions (This would also be one of the graphics tab boxes on right on Home Page)

• • Info-graphic banner of why our CCTV products are superior to others, quotes from customers, etc. 
• • Info about CCTV products
• • Info about CCTV services
• • On-Line store of CCTV products that can be purchased via credit card or company purchase order
• • Videos of product demonstrations

New to Loss Prevention?

• • Definitions
• • EAS Technology and Products
• • Current Industry Trends
• • Retail ORC (Short description and link to Retail ORC website)
• • Links to Educational Resources