Request for Expression of Interest
Ministry of Education Advertising Services Competition
June/July 2022

The Government of Saskatchewan is seeking an experienced advertising partner to provide communications and marketing services for the Ministry of Education.

As a ministry within the provincial government, the Ministry of Education provides leadership and direction to the early years, child care, Prekindergarten to Grade 12 education, family literacy and the library sector.

The Ministry of Education is committed to the success and well-being of all Saskatchewan learners and the enhancement of literacy for all Saskatchewan people. By putting the needs of each and every student first, we will ensure that our province has a highly skilled and highly educated population that will contribute to the success of our province. Saskatchewan's Early Learning and Child Care Program supports high-quality care for children in healthy, safe and nurturing environments. In August 2021, the governments of Saskatchewan and Canada signed an historic agreement to transform child care in Saskatchewan. Through this agreement, there are a number of public communications and campaign opportunities.

Typically, the advertising partner is involved with about three to five communications projects of varying size throughout the year.

Interested vendors must demonstrate professional experience in:

• Strategic communication planning for the education or similar sector;
• Experience leading campaigns that influence human behavioural changes;
• Research application; and,
• Public awareness campaigns for the public service.

Vendors must also demonstrate a proven record of supplying imaginative, effective solutions to communications objectives with innovative creative to assist the ministry in effectively reaching target audiences. Regarding media planning and placement, the vendor will have experience developing, managing and evaluating campaigns and strategies involving all media.

Companies interested in pursuing this account should submit a brief letter of intent (not exceeding two pages). The letter should specifically articulate why your experience and capabilities relative to the criteria above make your firm the best choice for this account. Please include two client references who can speak to your ability in the criteria above. Also, bidding firms must identify any intent to use subcontractors, and include a description of the scope of services. From the responses, a shortlist of firms will be developed. These firms will be asked to prepare a proposal and may be asked to demonstrate their capability in an in-person presentation to a selection panel.

Bidding firms must immediately disclose to Communications Services, Executive Council any actual or potential conflict of interest which currently exists or which may arise during the period of the competition. Bidding suppliers who are not registered with Communications Services must begin the registration process prior to submitting a letter of intent. 

Letters of intent should be marked “Ministry of Education Advertising Services Competition" and must be received by email to commtenders@gov.sk.ca no later than 11:00 a.m. Saskatchewan time, Wednesday, June 29, 2022.