REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

1. Objective

• Apply AI tools to enhance content production, distribution, transcription, translation, monetization, and moderation.
• Develop and implement automation strategies for repetitive tasks to improve operational efficiency.
• Implement high-impact, low-resource operational and financial improvements tailored to small media outlets.
• Diversify revenue streams through low-cost monetization models and AI-driven analytics.
• Incorporate ethical considerations and bias mitigation strategies in AI use to ensure responsible implementation.

2. Proposal Requirements

• 1. Conduct a Rapid Needs Assessment for 7 media outlets
  1. AI-Driven Production, Distribution, and Analysis
• Based on the results of 1, train and mentor outlets to use AI tools to streamline content creation, distribution, and performance analysis.
• Support outlets to develop practical workflows for producing audience-relevant content and analyzing engagement metrics (e.g., page views, click-through rates).
• Mentor outlets on AI applications for transcription, translation, content generation, monetization, and moderation, ensuring content quality improvement through AI tools.

• 1. Automation Strategy Development
• Mentor outlets in identifying repetitive tasks suitable for automation (e.g., content scheduling, data entry).
• Provide guidance on selecting and implementing appropriate automation tools (e.g., Zapier’s free tier, Google Sheets with AI plugins).

• 1. Revenue Diversification Coaching
• Coach outlets on 1-2 monetization models (e.g., subscriptions via Mailchimp, branded content), focusing on low-cost implementation.
• Use AI tools (e.g., Mailchimp’s analytics) to analyze revenue potential and track campaign performance.
• Provide 1-2 case studies of Latin American media ventures to guide strategy.

• 1. AI-Driven Administrative and Financial Operations
• Implement free or low-cost AI tools (e.g., Zapier’s free tier, Google Sheets with AI plugins) to automate administrative tasks like content scheduling and data entry.
• Use free or low-cost tools for expense tracking and basic budgeting.
• Develop simple AI-generated dashboards (e.g., Google Data Studio) for operational and financial insights.

• 1. Capacity Building through Workshops and Mentorship
• Conduct at least five virtual workshops to train outlet staff on AI tools, automation strategies, revenue diversification, and administrative/financial operations.
• Provide one month of post-workshop mentorship with personalized sessions (one-on-one or group-based, based on common needs) to support implementation.
• Document use cases and make recommendations to outlet’s action plans.
• Incorporate ethical considerations and bias mitigation strategies in AI training and mentorship to ensure responsible use.

2. Estimated timeline of Deliverables (around 3 Months)

3. Duration

4. Qualifications

• Proven experience in using AI-driven tools for media content production, distribution, and analysis to streamline workflows and enhance content quality, including transcription, translation, monetization, and moderation.
• Proficiency in developing and implementing automation strategies using free or low-cost tools (e.g., Zapier’s free tier, Google Sheets with AI plugins) to optimize repetitive tasks like content scheduling and data entry.
• Experience in coaching small media outlets on revenue diversification, including low-cost monetization models (e.g., subscriptions, branded content) and AI-driven revenue analytics (e.g., Mailchimp’s analytics), with familiarity in developing regional case.
• Proven track record of delivering capacity-building projects, including virtual workshops and mentorship, within 3-month timelines, using agile methodologies to support small media outlets in Latin America.
• Experience working with small media outlets in Latin America, with knowledge of regional media ecosystems and challenges, to deliver low-resource, high-impact solutions.
• Proficiency in Spanish, with ability to deliver training, mentorship, and documentation (e.g., workshop materials, reports) in Spanish; English proficiency is optional.
• Strong project management skills, with experience coordinating multiple beneficiaries concurrently.

5. Submission Requirements

• AI-Driven Media Support: Experience applying AI tools for media content production, distribution, transcription, translation, monetization, and moderation, especially in Spanish-language contexts.
• Automation & Operational Efficiency: Proven ability to support media implement automation strategies using free or low-cost tools (e.g., Zapier, Google Sheets plugins) to streamline repetitive tasks.
• Revenue Diversification: Familiarity with low-cost monetization models and AI-driven analytics (e.g., Mailchimp), including experience coaching small media outlets.
• Regional Expertise: Experience working with small media outlets in Latin America and understanding of local media ecosystems.
• Capacity Building: Track record of delivering virtual workshops and mentorship programs tailored to small media organizations.

• Approach & Methodology
  • How will you support media outlets in implementing AI-driven tools for administrative, financial and content production/analysis operations? Provide examples of tools and explain how they will improve efficiency in a low-resource context.
  • Outline your plan for delivering the five virtual workshops (topics, structure) and tailoring mentorship sessions (one-on-one or group-based) to meet each outlet’s needs.
  • How will you use regional case studies to guide media outlets in developing revenue diversification strategies? Provide an example approach.
  • How will you manage coordination for seven media outlets to ensure timely delivery?
  • Describe your project management approach to meet all deliverables and handle challenges with multiple participants.

• Security & Privacy
  • How will you ensure ethical AI use and mitigate bias?

• Tool Selection
  • Specify the free or low-cost AI and automation tools you propose for content production, distribution, administrative tasks, and revenue analytics. Justify their suitability for small media outlets and explain how you will train staff to adopt them effectively.

• Work Plan & Timeline: Aligned with the 3-month implementation period, including workshops and mentorship phases.
• Budget & Budget Narrative: Itemized costs with justification, emphasizing free or low-cost tools.
• Team Bios: Roles and qualifications of key personnel, including Spanish-language proficiency.
• Company Profile: Including legal registration and relevant credentials.
• References: At least the contact information of two references from similar projects, preferably in Latin America.
• Sample Work (Optional): Links or files demonstrating relevant past work in media, AI, or automation.

6. Proposal Submission Requirements

7. Evaluation Criteria

8. Authorized Geographic Code

9. Prohibition on Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment   

10. Renewal

11. Contact Information