The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is launching a capital campaign to design, build, and open the Chief Standing Bear Museum & Cultural Center by May 12, 2028* (Chief Standing Bear Day). This cultural destination will honor the legacy of Chief Standing Bear, preserve Ponca heritage, and serve as a hub for education, art, research, and community engagement.
The Tribe seeks a qualified marketing and communications firm to develop and implement a comprehensive suite of capital campaign marketing materials and strategies that will inspire donors, engage stakeholders, and build national visibility for the campaign.
*Opening date TBD on start of Construction
Scope of Work
The selected firm will work closely with the Tribe’s leadership, campaign committee, and project consultants to:
- Campaign Branding & Messaging
- Develop campaign theme, tagline, and visual identity aligned with Ponca culture and values.
- Create campaign style guide (logo use, colors, typography, imagery).
- Campaign Materials
- Design and produce a professional Case for Support (print and digital).
- Donor brochures, fact sheets, and pledge forms.
- Campaign website/microsite with donation functionality.
- Presentation decks for leadership and donor meetings.
- Social media toolkit and templates.
- Donor recognition concepts (naming opportunities, donor wall visuals).
- Storytelling & Media Content
- Develop video(s) highlighting the vision, impact, and cultural significance of the project.
- Produce high-quality photography and graphics for campaign use.
- Draft donor-focused messaging, press releases, and digital content.
- Campaign Strategy & Support
- Advise on campaign launch strategy (quiet phase, public phase).
- Support event branding (ground blessings, campaign launch, donor celebrations).
- Provide ongoing creative and technical support throughout campaign phases.
Proposal Requirements
Interested firms should submit a proposal including:
- Firm background and relevant experience with capital campaigns, tribal nations, museums, or cultural institutions.
- Proposed approach and work plan to deliver the Scope of Work.
- Examples of similar campaign marketing materials.
- Project team bios and roles.
- Estimated timeline for deliverables.
- The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska requests that all proposals include a detailed cost proposal structured as a monthly retainer.
- The Tribe prefers a flat-rate monthly retainer that covers all services outlined in the Scope of Work.
- Proposals should include an itemized breakdown of deliverables and services that will be provided under the monthly retainer.
- Any additional costs (e.g., printing, travel, or media buys) must be identified separately and clearly distinguished from the retainer fee.
- At least three references from similar projects.
- If the firm seeks consideration of Ponca or Indian preference, information on the firm’s ownership, management, and operation by enrolled members of the Tribe or another federally recognized tribe.
Evaluation Criteria
- Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- In accordance with our Ponca Tribe of Nebraska’s Procurement.
- Experience with similar projects (capital campaigns, cultural institutions).
- Creative and cultural alignment with Ponca values.
- Quality of proposed deliverables and work plan.
- Cost-effectiveness.
- References and demonstrated outcomes.
- Ponca/Indian Preference
Any contract will be awarded to the lowest and most responsible responder as determined by the Tribe.
Timeline
- RFP Released: September 16, 2025
- Deadline for Questions: September 26, 2025
- Proposals Due: October 7, 2025
- Interviews (if applicable): TBD
- Selection & Notification: October 10, 2025
- Project Kickoff: October 2025
Submission Instructions
Proposals should be submitted electronically in PDF format to:
Christine Minarik Procurement Officer, Ponca Tribe of Nebraska christinem@poncatribe-ne.gov
Alexcia Boggs Chief Operating Officer, Ponca Tribe of Nebraska aboggs@poncatribe-ne.gov
Subject line: RFP – Capital Campaign Marketing Services
General Information
Rejection of Proposals: The Tribe reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive all informalities and minor irregularities in receiving proposals.
Rejection of Responders: The Tribe reserves the right to reject all firms, to select multiple firms for various aspects of the proposed work, to select a firm for only some of the proposed work, or some other arrangement.
Amendment or Cancellation of RFP: The Tribe reserves the right to cancel, amend, modify, or otherwise change this RFP at any time if it deems it to be in the best interests of the Tribe.
Right to Not Accept: The Tribe reserves the right to accept, reject, or negotiate specifics of any proposal. A proposal response does not constitute a binding contract, such contract to be separately entered into by the selected party and the Tribe.
Proposal Modifications: No additions or changes to any proposal will be allowed after the proposal’s due date unless such modification is specifically requested by the Tribe.
Price Guarantee: All proposals and price offerings will be and must remain valid and irrevocable for a period of not less than sixty (60) days after the deadline for submissions. By submitting a response, the individual or firm makes this guarantee.
Hours Guarantee: The Tribe does not guarantee any work or billable hours.
Response Material Ownership: All material submitted regarding this RFP shall become property of the Tribe and will not be returned to the responder. The Tribe has no obligation to return any proposals received in response to this RFP.
Costs Incurred: All costs incurred in the preparation and transmittal of a proposal responding to this RFP will be the responsibility of the responder and will not be reimbursed by Tribe.
Laws: All submitting firms are responsible for determining any Tribal laws that may affect the scope of work/services for this project. The Tribe’s statutory laws are set forth in the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Code and publicly available on the Tribe’s website for submitting firms to review.
Final Contract: The contract awarded will be subject to final review, approval, and acceptance by the Tribe, which shall include standard clauses required for all contracts awarded by the Tribe and as required by federal law and the terms set forth in this RFP. The contract form will be the Tribe’s standard Professional Services Agreement with appropriate changes for the Scope of Work and specifics from any accepted proposal. A copy of the Tribe’s standard agreement is available upon request.
Compliance with Laws: In providing the services and while present within the territory of the Tribe, the selected firm and its employees and sub-consultants/subcontractors shall comply with all provisions of the laws of the Tribe, including, but not limited to the Law and Order Code of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, and applicable federal laws.
Insurance: The selected firm shall be required to maintain appropriate insurance to protect the firm and the Tribe from all losses, expenses, and liabilities resulting from any loss, injury, or damage, including but not limited to, employer’s liability, professional liability, comprehensive general liability (including broad form contractual liability and independent contractor coverage), automobile liability, umbrella liability, and valuable papers to the extent necessary to cover the services provided. In addition, the selected individual or firm shall be required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for its employees as required by Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Code § 7-1-3.
Ownership of Documents: All documents and works of authorship prepared by the selected firm for the Tribe and the project shall be the property of the Tribe. The Tribe will not claim or assert ownership, right, or title to any standard documents or materials used generally in the selected firm’s work and not prepared in the performance of services for the Tribe.
Debarment and Suspension: Responses from individuals or firms suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from participation in any federally funded program or by the Tribe will be rejected.
Subcontracts: Subcontracting of services is prohibited without the express approval of the Tribe. The Tribe reserves the right to approve any and all subcontractors and sub-consultants. No subcontractor or sub-consultant may be used that has been suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from participation in any federally funded program or by the Tribe. No subcontractor sub-consultant may be used that has failed or refused to collect or pay over any Tribal tax,
Confidentiality: The selected firm will not in any manner, whether with or without cause, either directly or indirectly divulge, disclose or communicate to or use for the benefit of any third party any secret or confidential information, knowledge, or data acquired by virtue of its relationship with the Tribe, without the prior written approval of the Tribe.
Situs and Governing Law/State Taxes: Any awarded contract shall be deemed entered into, the services provided, and the contract performed in the territory of the Tribe. The contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Tribe. The Tribe and the services provided are not subject to taxes imposed by the State of Nebraska or any of its local governments unless otherwise expressly permitted under federal law. The selected firm shall not include any state or local taxes in their compensation except with the express authorization of the Tribe. State and local sales taxes or other taxes required to be passed on/charged to the consumer may not be treated as a reimbursable expense even if authorized or lawfully imposed.
Tribal Taxes: All sales of goods to the Tribe where the the amount of the transaction exceeds $10,000.00 and delivery is made to or from Tribal lands is subject to Tribal sales tax at the rate of seven percent (7%). The selected firm shall be responsible for charging, collecting, and remitting any applicable Tribal taxes to the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Tax Commission, including the filing of required tax returns. Taxes are not required to be submitted in proposal. However, if a firm includes PTN taxes in its response, the taxes must be separately stated and identified for proper evaluation. Tribal taxes are required to be separately stated and passed on/charged to the consumer and may not be treated as a reimbursable expense.
Payment Terms: The Tribe’s standard payment terms are thirty (30) days after delivery of goods and/or services and receipt of a correct invoice. The Tribe does not provide deposits or advance payments for services or work not yet performed unless special circumstances apply.
Percentage Compensation: Compensation for services based on cost plus a percentage of costs are prohibited.
Sovereign Authority: Nothing in the contract with any selected firm shall be read or construed to effect, modify, limit, or waive the sovereign rights, including immunities, of the Tribe or its departments, agencies, organizations, officers, agents, and/or employees. By submitting a response to this RFP responders understand and agree to the same.
Contract Claims: Claims, defaults, and disputes under the contract shall be subject to any statutory administrative contract claims process prior to any other method of dispute resolution as well as prior notice of any claim and opportunity to cure or remedy.
Availability of Funds: The award and continuation of any contract is contingent upon the availability and appropriation of government funds. If for any reason the Tribal Council fails to appropriate funds or grant expenditure authority, or funds become unavailable by operation of law or federal funds reductions, a contract will not be awarded or, if already awarded, will be terminated by the Tribe. Such a termination will not prevent payment for services actually performed prior to such termination.