Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc. (Energy Trust), an Oregon nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation, seeks qualifications from writing professionals to research, write and/or copy-edit energy efficiency and renewable energy communications and marketing materials on a periodic and as-needed basis. The selected pool of writing professionals would be engaged, as needed, for the services outlined in more detail below.

Background
Energy Trust is dedicated to helping Oregon customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista, and Southwest Washington customers of NW Natural, invest in and benefit from energy efficiency and renewable energy. We also deliver additional contracted and grant-funded activities. Our vision is clean affordable energy for everyone. For more information about Energy Trust and our programs, visit www.energytrust.org.

Because Energy Trust serves a broad range of customers, our writing needs vary. Some are quite technical on energy efficiency or renewable energy systems, while others are intended for more general business or consumer audiences. In all cases, we are seeking to help our potential customers see themselves as reflected in our work and to understand how they can benefit from participating in Energy Trust programs.

Scope of Services
Energy Trust has a variety of research, writing and copy editing needs that occur throughout the year. Total and aggregate budget for all professional writing services biannually is not expected to exceed $100,000. Writing professionals will be selected for the pool on a rolling basis during a two-year contract period, based on relevant experiences, rates and costs, and quality of samples provided.

Writing professionals accepted into the pool may also respond separately to other contracting opportunities for Energy Trust. Writing professionals selected through this RFQ would be eligible to receive contracts for the tasks and projects described, but contracts and project assignments are not guaranteed for any writer selected for the pool.

Potential projects may include customer testimonials, success stories and case studies (including interviews, research, writing, copy editing, photography shot list development and customer approvals), fact sheets, brochures, press releases, web copy, direct mail copy, blog posts, newsletters, advertisements, speeches, presentations and other materials.

Audiences for these materials include customers (including homeowners, renters, commercial and industrial business owners and managers, nonprofit organizations, public and governmental entities, renewable energy developers), trade ally contractors, and stakeholders ( including state agencies, utilities, trade organizations, community-based organizations and elected officials).

In addition to the content creation work, selected writers may also be responsible for working directly with customers to obtain their written customer consent to feature their stories and also scheduling photo shoots at customer sites.

Energy Trust will be the sole owner of all communication assets created but will allow use of the communication for product on a case-by-case basis. Deliverables vary by project.

Qualifications
We are seeking writers with:

• Demonstrated ability to communicate about energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities, benefits and results to customers and stakeholders
• Experience writing in sustainability, nonprofit or public sectors
• A track record of managing communication projects that were delivered on-time, on-budget, error-free and were well received by the end audience

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Energy Trust’s Supplier Diversity Program focuses on providing opportunities for small and diverse-owned businesses. Businesses that are formally certified by the Oregon Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID) and/or firms federally certified in one or more of the socioeconomic programs managed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) are strongly encouraged to respond to this RFQ. Respondents are also strongly encouraged to provide information about awards, recognition, or organizational policies and practices relating to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Submission instructions
Apply to the writer’s pool

Review process and timeline
Statements of qualifications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Respondent submissions will be reviewed as they are received, and respondents will be notified of acceptance into the pool via email as soon as we are able to review submissions, and interviews may be scheduled.