Project Information

Bid Title

Public Education & Community Outreach Services

Issuing Agency

Beaufort County

Location

South Carolina

Published Date

Apr 12, 2026

Closing Date

May 13, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Project ID:

Title: Public Education & Community Outreach Services

Addenda: 0

Release Date: 4/10/2026

Due Date: 5/13/2026

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Public Education & Community Outreach Services

Request For Proposal

Administration

91824

Project ID: 051326

Release Date: Friday, April 10, 2026

· Due Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026 3:00pm

Posted Friday, April 10, 2026 3:50pm

All dates & times in Eastern Time

Draft Response Events RSVP No Bid30 days, 17 hours, 30 minutes

Post Information

Posted At:Fri, Apr 10, 2026 3:50 PM
Sealed Bid Process:Yes (Bids Sealed / Pricing Sealed)
Private Bid:No

Overview

Summary

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, including the role of tourists and visitors in sharing the burden
• What is and is not subject to the tax under South Carolina law
• The County's track record since 1998 on prior sales tax commitments and current project status
• The timeline and process leading to the November 3, 2026 vote
• How to access additional information and participate in the process

Secondary objectives of the campaign include:

• Building broad community awareness across all geographic areas and demographics of Beaufort County
• Engaging underrepresented communities, including Gullah/Geechee communities, non-English speakers, and rural residents
• Mobilizing civic, business, and neighborhood organizations as trusted messengers
• Maintaining consistent and transparent messaging through all channels
• Generating measurable increases in awareness and understanding of the referendum

Background

Beaufort County, South Carolina is one of the fastest-growing counties in the southeastern United States, facing unprecedented population growth and associated pressure on its transportation infrastructure. To address critical mobility needs, Beaufort County is preparing to place a Transportation Sales and Use Tax Referendum on the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot.

The proposed one-cent (1%) transportation sales tax would generate dedicated funding for road widenings, intersection improvements, resurfacing, paving, safety enhancements, and connectivity projects throughout the County. If approved by voters, the tax would be collected for a defined period and governed by the project list adopted by County Council.

In January 2026, County Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2025/70, establishing a 15-member citizen-led Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) representing all 11 County Council districts and the County's four municipalities — the City of Beaufort, Town of Port Royal, Town of Bluffton, and Town of Hilton Head Island. The TAC is tasked with recommending a project list, collection amount, and duration to County Council by May 2026.

Beaufort County seeks to engage an experienced public communications and outreach firm to develop and execute a comprehensive public education campaign designed to inform residents and stakeholders about the referendum, its purpose, and its potential benefits.

Beaufort County has implemented four one cent referendums since 1998, three of which were transportation referendums. The previous 2018 Penny Referendum funded a range of transportation improvements, with all projects committed for completion by 2028 (US 278 Corridor by 2031).

Timeline

Proposal Release Date:

April 10, 2026

Pre-Proposal Meeting (Non-Mandatory):

April 30, 2026, 2:00pm

Please email Gillian Murray at gmurray@bcgov.net for TEAMS invitation

Question Submission Deadline:

May 5, 2026, 5:00pm

Closing Date And Time:

May 13, 2026, 3:00pm

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541611Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
• NAICS 541613Marketing Consulting Services
• NAICS 541820Public Relations Agencies

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