Portland Community Media
A Request for Proposal/Information for Smart Access Program Evaluation
Proposal due date: May 30, 2012
RFP issue on April 16, 2012
Introduction:
This Request for Proposals(RFP) is issued by Portland Community Media. Portland Community Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting local, non-commercial media developed and produced in the community, by the community, for the community.
Smart Access Program Purpose:
Portland Community Media (PCM) offers a variety of multimedia services with a desire to serve a wide variety of stakeholders. With a service area population of around 500,000 in the Portland metro area, PCM's operations size and modest budget has served about 18 percent of the population since PCM's inception in 1981. On average, this is a little more than .002 percent per year.
In that respect, PCM has been compelled to rethink how to meet client demand, ensuring that those who need services the most can access them; therefore, PCM has re-focused its efforts on a smaller niche, redefined its evaluation methods to better measure quality and quantity and improve its ability to garner support of PCM as an effectual service. PCM designed SmartAccess as a means to extend multimedia services to niche groups within the city of Portland.
NEED
If PCM does not offer its services through accessible and alternative platforms, it could miss the richness of diverse communities that include persons of color, bilingual persons and those with disabilities; therefore, the SmartAccess program seeks to reduce disparities amongst specific PCM stakeholders and improve service delivery.
PCM anticipates that this innovative project will reduce disparities amongst historically under-supported and under-served populations, as well as populations that may have barriers to accessing PCM services. Persons served would utilize partner sites and would represent low-income, seniors, immigrants, disabled, homeless, youth and persons of color, primarily African-American and Latinos.
Because community media services are vital for citizens to participate in society's news, information, cultural, and civic life, PCM will target the populations identified that live in Portland's North, Northeast, Southeast and Northwest communities.
PCM anticipates that it can improve its service delivery through SmartAccess. PCM designed the program to serve as a field operation and outreach program that utilizes community partners as satellite sites, resulting in more individuals and nonprofits served.
SOLUTION
Partner sites will have access to affordable training and equipment. Equipment will be delivered to and picked up at partner sites. Community partners are excited about this project as it provides them with the technology resources and training in a prompt manner, with the training they need on their schedule.
SmartAccess utilizes computers, Internet, and digital communication systems to enhance service delivery in a cost-effective way that can help participants develop media literacy skills through beneficial, hands-on interaction. As a result, SmartAccess can improve people's lives by teaching them how to use technology as an empowerment tool, gain access to information and training that will improve their economic, social, and political health.
OUTCOME
SmartAccess will complement the Access 2.0 program by integrating new technology as communications tools improve and offering expanded delivery of community services. Participants will have the ability to produce and deliver file-based programming on the cable system and internet, allowing their unique stories to get out to the broader community.\
Smart Access to date:
PCM received a grant from the Mt. Hood Regulatory Commission on 2009 to implement Smart Access program. The program was launched on 2010, and it has served over 280 individuals.
Program Evaluation Detail Specifications:
Evaluator will offer an overview of the Smart Access project, including achievements of goals and objectives, timeline, success, and areas for learning. The evaluator will provide a 2 year evaluation report for the end of the first two years of the project grant funds. The information will be integral in compiling the annual evaluation report.
Data collection methods include:
● Review of project documentation, ongoing reports and purchase/maintenance records
● Meeting with key project managers and staff
● Survey of project equipment and on-site facilities
● Report of functionalities of equipment and mobile unit
● Descriptive information about stakeholders and nonprofit organizations served
● Descriptive and statistical information about project activities and services
● Measurements of service use including web-generated statistics on use of the site and site features, training, and Field Community Media Facilitator hours
● User feedback gathered through web-based and other surveys focus groups and meeting ongoing mechanism such post Media Education Class surveys, and in-depth samples of community organizations served by the project.
Proposal Requirements:
- Information Required from Offerors
- Format for Required Information
- Cost Proposal
Proposals be no more than 2 pages. proposals are due May 30, 2012
Please submit your proposal in writing to:
Portland Community Media
c/o: Dunetchka Otero-Serrano
2766 NE MLK JR BLVD
Portland, OR 97212
For questions please call Dunetchka Otero-Serrano at 503-288-1515 ext 123