- Org
- MDAndersonPS
- Type
- RFP
- Title
- Direct Response Fundraising, Strategy, Creative, and Growth Services
- Number
- AIS-ADM-01738-RFP
- Source
- MD_ANDERSON
- Status
- Open
- Event Id
- 1458746
- Open Str
- 11/3/2026, 4:01 PM CST
- Pdf Text
- 03 November 2026
Direct Response Fundraising, Strategy, Creative, and Growth Services
Request for Proposal for Direct Response Fundraising, Strategy, Creative, and Growth Services
03 November 2026
Released 11/3/2026, 4:00 PM CST Type Request for Proposal
Open 11/3/2026, 4:01 PM CST Number AIS-ADM-01738-RFP
Close 12/4/2026, 4:00 PM CST Currency US Dollar
03 November 2026
Contacts
Krystle Sobh
KSobh@mdanderson.org
Phone +1 346-725-5057
03 November 2026
Commodity Codes
Commodity Code Description
80141606 Direct marketing fulfillment
70171500 Development
80111619 Temporary creative services
80140000 Marketing and distribution
80141612 Sales or marketing programs
84100000 Development finance
03 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 2026
Description
Scope of Work
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center ("UT MD Anderson") requests proposals from qualified and
experienced firms to provide direct response fundraising strategy, creative development, audience growth, campaign
execution support, and other related services.
Pre-submittal Conference
A Pre-Submittal Conference will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at 1:00pm CST. Attendance at this
meeting is highly recommended, but not required. An RSVP is not required to attend.
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Prerequisites Required to Enter Bid
There are no Prerequisites added to this event.
03 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 2026
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03 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 2026
Questions Required Questions
Group 1.1: About MD Anderson
Instructions:
1.1.1 To read more "About MD Anderson" please visit the following link:
https://www.mdanderson.org/about-md-anderson.html
Group 1.2: Facts and History
Instructions:
1.2.1 To read about MD Anderson's "Facts and History" please visit the following link:
https://www.mdanderson.org/about-md-anderson/facts-history.html
Group 1.3: Request for Proposal (RFP)
Instructions:
1.3.1
MD Anderson is soliciting Proposals ("Proposals") for the selection of a Supplier(s) for
the RFP in accordance with the terms, conditions, and requirements set forth. This
RFP provides the information necessary to prepare and submit a Proposal for
consideration and ranking by MD Anderson and under the Texas Education Code.
1.3.2 As you navigate the RFP, please ensure that you continue to SAVE all answers by
clicking the "Save Progress" button as you navigate through the event.
Group 2.1: Addendums
Instructions:
2.1.1
This page contains all new information about the RFP after the published date. If there
are any changes to the RFP, it will be documented in this section (Addendum). If you
receive an e-mail, or an online notification, with the subject "The Sourcing Event is
Amended", please visit this page/section for any changes to the event.
2.1.2 Information presented at the Pre-submittal Conference presentation will be posted in
this section after the meeting.
Group 3.1:
Instructions:
3.1.1 1) Please download and review the attached RFP Evaluation Methodology. 2) After
reviewing the RFP Evaluation Methodology, please acknowledge that it has been read.
Group 4.1: Scope of Work
Instructions:
4.1.1 1) Please download and review the attached Scope of Work (SOW).
2) After reviewing the SOW, please acknowledge that it has been read.
Group 5.1: Responding to RFP Questions
Instructions:
5.1.1
All RFP questions must be answered thoroughly and individually. Please do not
reference another response that has been addressed in a previous or subsequent
question.
To clarify, do not respond to any question with "See question No. ###." Do not attempt
to upload a file that has been used previously unless the file is specifically applicable to
the individual question.
If multiple files will be uploaded as a response, please Zip the files into a single Zip
folder.
Failure to adhere by these rules may disqualify your response(s).
Group 5.2: Disclosure of Interested Parties Mandated by House Bill 1295
Instructions:
5.2.1
MD Anderson must comply with the Disclosure of Interested Parties mandated by
House Bill 1295 and as implemented by the Texas Ethics Commission. Before MD
Anderson may execute a contract exceeding $1M, the Supplier(s) with which MD
Anderson is contracting must submit a completed Form 1295 before or concurrent with
Supplier submission of the signed contract to MD Anderson. For more information,
please use the following link: https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/filinginfo/1295/
Group 5.3: Disclosure of Interested Parties Mandated Senate Bill 475
Instructions:
5.3.1 Please read and review the attached Disclosure of Interested Parties Mandated Senate
Bill 475. Upon completion please acknowledge.
Group 5.4: Public Information Act (PIA)
03 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 2026
Instructions:
5.4.1
All information, documentation, and other material submitted in response to this RFP
solicitation is considered non-confidential and/or non-proprietary and is subject to public
disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter
552.001, et seq.) after the agreement is executed. MD Anderson strictly complies with
all statutes, court decisions, and opinions of the Texas Attorney General with respect to
disclosure of RFP information.
Group 5.5: Best Value
Instructions:
5.5.1
MD Anderson may select the Proposal(s) that offers the "Best Value" for the institution
based on the published selection criteria, its evaluation ranking, and the terms of Texas
Government Code 2155.074.
MD Anderson may first attempt to negotiate a contract with the selected Supplier(s).
MD Anderson may also discuss with the selected Supplier(s) options for a scope or
time and price change modification.
If MD Anderson and/or its governing Board(s) are unable to reach a contract with the
selected Supplier(s) in a timely manner, MD Anderson may formally end negotiations
with that Supplier(s) and proceed to the next "Best Value" Supplier(s) in order of the
selection ranking until a contract is reached or all Proposals are rejected.
Group 5.6: Historically Underutilized Business Submittal Requirements
Instructions:
5.6.1
It is the policy of The University of Texas System, and each of it component institutions,
to promote and encourage contracting and subcontracting opportunities for Historically
Underutilized Businesses (HUB) in all contracts. Accordingly, MD Anderson has
adopted the Rider 104- Subcontracting Plan, Policy on Utilization of Historically
Underutilized Businesses. This Policy applies to all contracts with an expected
(cumulative) value of $100,000 or more. If MD Anderson determines that
subcontracting opportunities are probable, then a Subcontracting Plan is a required
element of the Proposal. Failure to submit a required Subcontracting Plan will result in
rejection of the Proposal.
Group 5.7: HUB Statement of Probability
Instructions:
5.7.1
MD Anderson has determined that subcontracting opportunities are probable in
connection with this procurement solicitation; therefore, a Subcontracting Plan (HSP) is
required as part of your Proposal. Each RFP Respondent shall develop and administer
an Subcontracting Plan as part of the Proposal in accordance with MD Anderson's
Policy on Utilization of Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) and Rider 104-HUB
Subcontracting Plan.
Group 5.8: Type of Contract
Instructions:
5.8.1
Any contract resulting from this solicitation will be governed by MD Anderson's
Standard Terms and Conditions referenced in the Summary Agreement attached to this
RFP.
The work associated with this RFP will be awarded as a contract to the Supplier(s)
offering the "Best Value" to MD Anderson.
Group 5.9: Selection Criteria
Instructions:
5.9.1
The successful Supplier(s) selected by MD Anderson, in accordance with the
requirements and specifications set forth in this RFP, will be the Supplier(s) which is
most advantageous to MD Anderson. MD Anderson's committee members, comprised
of key personnel as well as Supply Chain professionals, will evaluate and score
approved Proposals.
Group 5.10: MD Anderson's Reservation of Rights
Instructions:
5.10.1
MD Anderson may evaluate the Proposals based on the anticipated completion of all or
any portion of the RFP. MD Anderson reserves the right to divide the RFP into multiple
parts, to reject any and all Proposals and re-solicit for new Proposals, or to reject any
and all Proposals and temporarily or permanently abandon the RFP. MD Anderson
makes no representations, written or oral, that will enter into any form of agreement
with Supplier(s) for this RFP. No such representation is intended or should be
construed by the issuance of this RFP.
Group 5.11: Obligation
Instructions: 03 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 2026
5.11.1
Neither the transmission of this RFP to a prospective Supplier(s), nor the acceptance of
a reply, implies any obligation or commitment by MD Anderson to enter into any
contract or undertake any financial obligations with respect to this RFP. After evaluation
of all Proposals, MD Anderson intends to conduct negotiations with the Supplier(s)
considered best qualified and "Best Valued" to meet its requirements. MD Anderson
reserves the right to reject any or all proposals whenever such actions are in its best
interest.
Group 5.12: No Reimbursement for Costs
Instructions:
5.12.1 Supplier(s) acknowledges and accepts that any cost incurred from the Supplier(s)
participation in this RFP process shall be at the sole risk and responsibility of the
Supplier(s). Supplier(s) submit Proposals at their own risk and expense.
Group 5.13: Clarification and Interpretation
Instructions:
5.13.1
Any clarifications or interpretations of this RFP that materially affect or change its
requirements will be issued by MD Anderson as an Addendum.
It is the responsibility of all Supplier(s) to obtain this information in a timely manner. All
such Addenda will be due prior to the RFP Close Date.
Addenda may be issued by the RFP Point-of-Contact via the SciQuest Sourcing
Director Q&A Board or in the Addendum section of this RFP.
All communication specific to this RFP shall be exchanged within the SciQuest tool.
Group 5.14: Certain Proposals and Contracts Prohibited
Instructions:
5.14.1
Under Section 2155.004, Texas Government Code, a state agency may not accept a
Proposal or award a contract that includes proposed financial participation by a person
with received compensation from the agency to participate in preparing the
specifications or request for Proposal on which the Proposal or contract is based.
All Supplier(s) must certify their eligibility by acknowledging the following statement:
"Under Section 2155.004, Government Code, Supplier(s) certifies that the individual or
business entity named in this RFP or contract is not ineligible to receive the specified
contract and acknowledges that this contract may be terminated and payment withheld
if this certification is inaccurate.
Group 5.15: Certain Proposals and Contracts Prohibited (cont...)
Instructions:
5.15.1
If a state agency determines that an individual or business entity holding a state
contract was ineligible to have the contract, yet accepted the award as described
above, the state agency may immediately terminate the contract without further
obligation to the Supplier(s). This does not create a cause of action to contest a
Proposal or award of a state contract.
Group 5.16: Acceptance or Rejection of Proposal
Instructions:
5.16.1
This RFP is not an offer to contract. Acceptance of a Proposal neither commits MD
Anderson to award a contract to any RFP Respondent, nor limits MD Anderson's rights
to negotiate terms in its best interest. MD Anderson reserves the right to accept or
reject any or all Proposals in part or whole. MD Anderson reserves the right to request
clarification on responses, omissions, or claims made in the RFP. MD Anderson further
reserves the right to request modification to a Supplier(s) Proposal in order to provide
the optimum solution for strategic team planning.
Respondents submitting a Proposal do so with the understanding that MD Anderson
reserves the right to select one or more "Supplier(s) of choice" based solely on their
RFP response or to evaluate one or more Supplier(s) via additional interviews, site
visits, reference checks, and other evaluations.
MD Anderson will notify Suppliers of the results when final decisions have been made.
Group 5.17: Electronic Information and Technology (EIT)
Instructions:
03 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 2026
5.17.1
Any acquisition considered EIT as defined by Section 508 (36 CFR Part 1194) requires
the submission of a completed Voluntary Accessible Product Template so that can MD
Anderson can ascertain conformance with the applicable EIT standards developed by
the U.S. Access Board. MD Anderson reserves the right to perform real-world testing of
a Supplier's product or service in order to validate claim regarding Section 508
conformance.
In order to facilitate this testing, Supplier(s) shall, upon request, provide MD Anderson a
copy of the product being considered for purchase for a period of at least 30 calendar
days. The version of the product being provided for testing purposes must be
equivalent in functionality and features to the commercial version that is under
consideration for purchase.
MD Anderson, at its sole discretion, will determine the level of conformance with
Section 508 on all products being reviewed.
Group 5.18: Submission of Proposals
Instructions:
5.18.1
MD Anderson is to receive all Supplier(s) Proposals by the RFP close date
communicated within the SciQuest Sourcing Director tool.
Proposals not received within the specified time frame, and prior to the RFP close date
and time, will not be accepted. Supplier(s) are urged not to wait until the last minute to
submit their final Proposal.
Proposals and final HUB Plans submitted via telephone, fax, or electronic mail (email)
will be rejected. Only those submitted via this tool will be accepted.
Respondents must provide a response to all "REQUIRED" questions or the system will
not accept the submission.
Group 5.19: Group Purchasing
Instructions:
5.19.1
MD Anderson is an institution of System which consists of nine academic and six health
institutions. Texas law authorizes institutions of higher education (defined by Section
61.003, Education Code) to use the group purchasing procurement method (ref.
Sections 51.9335, 73.115 and 74.008, Education Code).
With this, if an Agreement results from this competitive procurement method, the RFP
Respondent acknowledges that additional Texas institutions of higher education may
procure from the RFP Respondent and/or Contractor the goods and services set forth
in this RFP/Agreement on the same terms and conditions attached herein by entering
into a separate contract with RFP Respondent/Contractor, or by concluding an
appropriate addendum to the Agreement.
Group 5.20: Group Purchasing (cont...)
Instructions:
5.20.1
It is understood that:
(I) Unless specifically stated otherwise, any volume of goods or services stated in the
final Agreement reflects only goods and/or services to be purchased by MD Anderson
and does not include potential purchases by other System institutions, and
(II) Each System institution is a financially separate entity and will be solely responsible
for its own commitments to Contractor.
Group 5.21: Point-of-Contact
Instructions:
03 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 2026
5.21.1
MD Anderson designates the following person as its representative and
Point-of-Contact for this RFP.
Respondents shall restrict all contact with MD Anderson personnel, specific to this
RFP, and direct all questions regarding this RFP, including questions regarding terms
and conditions, to the Point-of-Contact:
Krystle Sobh - Sourcing Specialist, KSobh@mdanderson.org,
Address: MD Anderson Cancer Center
7007 Bertner Ave
Houston
Texas
77030-3907
Note: All communication exchanges should be performed via MD Anderson Sourcing
Director tool within the Q&A area.
Group 6.1: Pre-Submittal Conference
Instructions:
6.1.1
A Pre-Submittal Conference will be held at the following time, date and location below.
Attendance at the pre-submittal conference is OPTIONAL and does not require an
RSVP.
Tuesday, November, 10 at 1:00pm CST
Meeting URL:
https://mdacc.zoom.us/j/97360981908?pwd=MZB2INDl9BIFJDSRfaXAdzDxRDVuLj.1
Meeting ID: 973 6098 1908
Password:877015
Dial:
US: +1 346 248 7799 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 301 715 8592 or
+1 312 626 6799 or +1 929 205 6099 or 877 853 5257 (Toll Free) or 888 475 4499 (Toll
Free)
Meeting ID: 973 6098 1908
Password: 877015
6.1.2
Parking Information: Direct access to parking is available at the 1 Mid-Campus (1MC)
Parking Garage located at the corner of Bertner and Braeswood for an hourly fee. To
access the 1 Mid-Campus (1MC) building from the garage, take the garage elevator to
the 5th floor or higher and exit. Upon exiting the elevator bank, please proceed through
the sky-bridge into the building. The Security desk attendant can provide direction help.
Group 6.2: Critical Dates
Instructions:
6.2.1
RFP Published Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Pre-submittal Conference date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Supplier Questions Submission End date: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Supplier Questions & Answer Published date: Tuesday, November 24, 2026
RFP Close Date: Friday, December 4, 2026
Short-List Presentations and/or
Demonstrations Dates: ~ January - February 2027
Group 7.1: Riders & Agreements
Instructions:
7.1.1 Please read and review the attached Summary Agreement. Upon completion, please
acknowledge.
7.1.2
Should your organization take any exceptions to the Summary Agreement, please
provide them in the attached Word document in a red-lined format.
Upon red-line completion, upload the document back into the tool in an EDITABLE
Word format.
Should your organization NOT have any exceptions, please upload a CLEAN file
confirming no exceptions were taken.
03 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 2026
7.1.3 Please read and review the attached Rider 107 - Travel Policy. Upon completion,
please acknowledge.
7.1.4
Should your organization take any exceptions to the Rider 107 - Travel Policy, please
provide them in the attached Word document in a red-lined format.
Upon red-line completion, upload the document back into the tool in an EDITABLE
Word format.
Should your organization NOT have any exceptions, upload a CLEAN file confirming no
exceptions were taken.
7.1.5 Please read and review the attached Rider 111 - Business Associate Agreement. Upon
completion, please acknowledge.
7.1.6
Should your organization take any exceptions to the Rider 111 - Business Associate
Agreement, please provide them in the attached Word document in a red-lined format.
Upon red-line completion, upload the document back into the tool in an EDITABLE
Word format.
Should your organization NOT have any exceptions, upload a CLEAN file confirming no
exceptions were taken.
7.1.7 Please read and review the attached Rider 114 - Network Connections. Upon
completion, please acknowledge.
7.1.8
Should your organization take any exceptions to the Rider 114 - Network Connections,
please provide them in the attached Word document in a red-lined format.
Upon red-line completion, upload the document back into the tool in an EDITABLE
Word format.
Should your organization NOT have any exceptions, upload a CLEAN file confirming no
exceptions were taken.
7.1.9 Please read and review the attached Rider 114 Exhibit B - Information Resources and
Data User Rights and Responsibilities Acknowledgement. Upon completion, please
acknowledge.
7.1.10 Please read and review the attached Rider 116 - Invoice Payment Requirements. Upon
completion, please acknowledge.
7.1.11
Should your organization take any exceptions to the Rider 116 - Invoice Payment
Requirements, please provide them in the attached Word document in a red-lined
format.
Upon red-line completion, upload the document back into the tool in an EDITABLE
Word format.
Should your organization NOT have any exceptions, upload a CLEAN file confirming no
exceptions were taken.
7.1.12 Please read and review the attached Rider 118 - Information Security and Data Hosting
Agreement. Upon completion, please acknowledge.
7.1.13
Should your organization take any exceptions to the Rider 118 - Information Security
and Data Hosting Agreement, please provide them in the attached Word document in a
red-lined format. Upon red-line completion, upload the document back into the tool in
an EDITABLE Word format. Should your organization NOT have any exceptions,
upload a CLEAN file confirming no exceptions were taken.
7.1.14 Please download the attached Rider 121 - TX-RAMP Information Form and follow the
instructions within the document for completion. Upon completion, please upload the
final document.
Group 8.1: Supplier Rider Attestation
Instructions:
8.1.1 Please acknowledge that you have read and understood the calculations associated
with the Supplier Rider Attestation Form included in the attached example.
8.1.2
Please download, complete, and sign the Supplier Rider Attestation Form following the
instructions provided.
Upon completion, upload the executed form as your response.
03 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 2026
8.1.3
Please acknowledge that you have properly completed the Supplier Rider Attestation
Form.
This includes:
-Noting your acceptance/rejection to each applicable Rider.
-Specifying the Section(s) rejected (if applicable).
-Executing the document, including signature.
-Ensure that the form DOES NOT reference any previously negotiated terms,
conditions, or agreement.
Failure to complete and return this form may result in the prospective Supplier's
response being disqualified.
8.1.4
Proposed exceptions to MDACC Contract Riders must be noted in the applicable
section of the Riders & Agreements portion of the RFP via redlines, and acceptance (or
rejection) to those Riders must be documented on the Attestation form accordingly. Any
inconsistencies between the proposed exceptions and the information submitted on the
Attestation form WILL result in a rejection of the Attestation, and the Attestation WILL
be scored as zero points.
The RFP Attestation form MUST be signed by an Authorized Representation of the
Prospective Supplier. Failure to submit a signed Attestation WILL result in rejection of
the Attestation and the Attestation WILL be scored as zero points.
Group 9.1: Rider 104 HUB Subcontracting Plan
Instructions:
9.1.1
Please download the attached Rider 104-Historically Underutilized Business (HUB)
Plan and follow the instructions within the document for completion.
Upon MD Anderson's draft review and your formal completion, please upload the final
and executed document.
9.1.2 Please acknowledge that you have read/reviewed the HUB tip sheet for information
regarding successful HUB plan submissions.
Group 10.1: Contact Information
Instructions:
10.1.1 Please provide the contact information, including name, email, phone number and
mailing address, of the person that is able to respond to and/or accept any RFP related
communication should the occasion arise.
Group 11.1: Offline Strategy & Creative
Instructions:
11.1.1
How would your firm build an offline plan that grows new donors, improves retention
and net revenue while managing production and postage costs? Describe your firm’s
initial diagnostic priorities, approach to audience segmentation and contact cadence,
and integration of direct mail with email and paid media. Explain how your firm would
balance short-term fundraising results with long-term donor value and what data would
influence your firm's recommendations. Please provide an example of a redacted
annual roadmap, as referenced in Sections 5.2–5.4 of the SOW.
11.1.2
For acquisition, first-to-second gift, renewal, lapsed reactivation and stewardship,
identify the most important strategy or creative decisions your firm would evaluate for
UT MD Anderson. Explain how your firm's approach changes by donor lifecycle and
how your firm would avoid a one-size-fits-all calendar. Ensure to address monthly
giving, holiday giving, and mid-level donor upgrades. Provide a specific example
demonstrating how your firm has improved at least two (2) of these outcomes, including
measurable results where available, as referenced in Section 5.2 of the SOW.
11.1.3
Other designated partners may support audience builds. Describe how your firm would
translate its strategy into actionable selection and suppression specifications, validate
preliminary and final audience counts, and identify and resolve discrepancies before
release. Distinguish your firm's responsibilities from partner(s) execution. Provide an
example of how your firm manages an approved selection change without losing
version control or delaying production, as referenced in Section 5.6 of the SOW.
11.1.4
Using UT MD Anderson’s mission to end cancer, explain how your firm would develop
donor-centered creative that connects research and patient impact to a clear giving
proposition without relying on generic institutional messaging. Provide two (2) creative
case studies demonstrating your firm's process from brief through final art, including
offer/ask strategy, audience versions and results. Explain how your firm would adapt a
concept across direct mail, email and paid advertising while preserving channel
effectiveness, as referenced in Section 5.7 of the SOW.
03 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 2026
11.1.5
Which of the following offline tests would your firm prioritize after reviewing UT MD
Anderson’s controls and results: audience, package, offer, ask strategy, cadence or
format? Explain your firm's prioritization, sample-size feasibility, control design and
rollout rules. Provide an example where your firm protected net revenue while testing
and an example where a promising result did not justify rollout, as referenced in
Sections 5.3 and 5.10 of the SOW.
11.1.6
Describe your firm's quality control (QC) process for delivering review-ready copy and
art, rather than depending on UT MD Anderson's reviewers to catch avoidable errors.
Name the accountable reviewer at each stage. Address facts and source verification,
grammar, brand, offer/match terms, ask strings, personalization, variable versions,
accessibility and production specifications. Provide an example of a QC checklist and
how corrections remain consistent across versions and channels, as referenced in
Sections 5.5 and 5.7 of the SOW.
11.1.7
If an incorrect ask string, match statement or personalization appears after approval,
what happens before and after production release? Identify escalation timing,
stop/release authority, correction options, root-cause documentation and prevention.
Explain your firm's accountability even when UT MD Anderson approved the material,
and provide a real error or near-miss and resulting process change.
11.1.8
How would your firm deliver production-ready creative to UT MD Anderson’s
designated print/lettershop supplier, manage proof and version approvals, and protect
drop dates? Identify source-file and rights documentation, handoff specifications and
production dependencies. Provide a sample of a cost-saving package recommendation
that preserved fundraising results, as referenced in Sections 5.1 and 5.7 of the SOW.
11.1.9
Provide an example of your firm's campaign performance dashboard, forecast and
report(s) demonstrating how UT MD Anderson can distinguish weak audience
selection, weak creative and higher production costs. Include campaign/audience gross
and net revenue, expense, response rate, average gift, net revenue per piece, retention
and value. Describe a forecast-to-actual variance that led your firm to revise
selections, cadence or investment, and show the financial effect, as referenced in
Sections 5.4 and 5.10 of the SOW.
11.1.10
How would your firm define the offline delivery/staffing model for all of the following:
named staffing, concurrent-campaign capacity, standard/urgent turnaround, included
concepts, packages, versions, selection files and revision rounds. Identify what must be
supplied by UT MD Anderson or other firms and provide an example of a category
staffing plan.
Group 11.2: Company & Governance
Instructions:
11.2.1
Provide background on your firm, including its history, ownership structure, years in
business and employee count. Describe what differentiates your firm specifically in
nonprofit donor acquisition, retention and net revenue growth. Explain how your firm's
experience, expertise, and capabilities align with the requirements of this category,
clearly distinguishing between services and capabilities delivered directly by your firm
and those provided through partners.
11.2.2
Provide two (2) case studies most comparable to UT MD Anderson in program scale,
multichannel complexity or healthcare/research mission. For each case study, describe
the client's challenge, your firm's recommendation, work directly delivered by your firm,
estimated investment and fees, baseline and results over a defined period. Explain
whether the results reflect increased estimated spending, improved performance or a
combination of both, and identify key lessons learned from each case study and explain
how they demonstrate your firm’s capabilities and approach to this category.
11.2.3
Provide a list of three (3) client references who are able to speak specifically to your
firm's strategy, creative quality, deadline performance and fundraising outcomes for this
category. For each client reference, identify scope of services provided, engagement
dates and program scale. Disclose client resignations or terminations within the past
twelve (12) months and explain the actions your firm has taken in response.
11.2.4
For the services listed in this RFP, identify which services your firm will perform
in-house, subcontract or require UT MD Anderson or another supplier/partner to
perform. Identify all partners and offshore resources, including any dependencies,
potential conflicts of interest, and capability gaps. Explain how your firm's proposed
service delivery model would operate if your firm is awarded this category. Include a
service delivery matrix identifying the delivery responsibility for each service.
11.2.5
UT MD Anderson expects proactive leadership rather than status updates alone.
Describe how your firm will proactively identify, communicate, and address
performance, budget, approval and deadline risks before they escalate into issues or
affect campaign delivery and results. Define proposed response times for routine
requests, escalation timeframes for urgent issues, and explain your firm's approach to
weekly status reporting, decision tracking, and change controls. Provide an example of
a sample status report and proposed service levels. Also, include an example of how
your firm proactively identified and resolved a risk without repeated client follow-up, as
referenced in Section 5.5 of the SOW.
03 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 2026
Group 11.3: Fee Schedule - Offline
Instructions:
11.3.1 Please download the attached Rider 102- Fee Schedule and follow the instructions
within the document for completion. Upon completion, please upload the final
document.
Group 12.1: Online Strategy & Creative
Instructions:
12.1.1
How would your firm develop UT MD Anderson’s online strategy to grow permissioned
audiences, convert prospects to donors and improve repeat giving and net revenue?
Explain the role of email alongside direct mail and paid advertising, contact cadence
and audience segmentation. Identify the initial performance diagnostics your firm would
request and how your firm's recommendations would differ for prospects, new donors,
active donors and lapsed donors. Please provide an example of your firm's annual
plan, including key strategies, campaign cadence and performance goals, as
referenced in Sections 5.3 and 5.8 of the SOW.
12.1.2
Provide two (2) creative examples of your firm's fundraising campaigns from initial brief
through deployed email and landing page experience. Explain the donor proposition,
story, offer/ask, subject line, preview text, personalization, design, HTML/plain text and
call to action (CTA) decisions. How would your firm adapt UT MD Anderson's research
and patient-impact content into a clear reason to give while maintaining brand
accuracy? Identify your firm's work, tests and donation results, as referenced in
Sections 5.7 and 5.8 of the SOW.
12.1.3
Describe how your firm would build and deploy a UT MD Anderson fundraising email in
Salesforce Marketing Cloud, from the approved brief and audience criteria to final send
authorization. Identify the responsible specialists, access/dependencies, suppression
and dynamic-content controls, seeds lists/proofs, count reconciliation, and audit trail.
Explain how your firm would handle a late audience or content change, and distinguish
your firm's experience with Salesforce Marketing Cloud (SFMC) from experience with
other platforms. Describe your firm's role in supporting all donation form development,
builds, testing, deployment, and related activities, as referenced in Section 5.8 of the
SOW.
12.1.4
Describe how your firm would diagnose and improve a donation journey with strong
email engagement but weak gift conversion. Address mobile experience, message/offer
continuity, form friction, accessibility and testing priorities. Identify what your firm can
design, build or configure and what requires institutional or platform support. Provide an
example of a conversion improvement, including baseline performance and
measurement methodology, and results, without attributing unrelated changes to your
firm's work, as referenced in Sections 5.7-5.9 of the SOW.
12.1.5
Assume paid advertising generates permissioned leads that do not donate immediately.
Recommend the welcome and cultivation sequence, segmentation, timing and handoff
information your firm would require before launch. How would your firm evaluate lead
quality using conversion timing, lead-to-donor rate, all-in acquisition cost and
downstream giving, rather than list size or open rate alone, as referenced in Sections
5.3.1 and 5.9.7 of the SOW?
12.1.6
Provide a lifecycle case study and explain how your firm would evaluate and improve
first-to-second-gift conversion, one-time-to-monthly conversion, sustainer retention and
mid-level upgrades. Identify behavioral triggers, audience eligibility, message/cadence
decisions and coordination with donor relations and gift operations. Explain
failed-payment recovery responsibilities and provide evidence of a lifecycle
improvement beyond immediate campaign revenue, as referenced in Sections 5.2 and
5.8 of the SOW.
12.1.7
How would your firm prioritize testing while protecting deliverability and donor
experience during high-volume fundraising periods, such as Giving Tuesday and
calendar year-end? Address control design, segmentation, cadence, fatigue,
unsubscribes and complaints. Provide examples of test results that changed your firm's
plan and of a case where engagement improved but fundraising performance or
deliverability did not, including the metrics, findings, and resulting actions, as
referenced in Sections 5.8 and 5.10 of the SOW.
12.1.8
Before each email send, who from your firm is responsible for independently verifying
factual/offer accuracy, brand compliance, accessibility, rendering, links/UTMs, dynamic
content, personalization, audience counts and suppression? Provide an example of
your firm's launch checklist and approval gates, as referenced in Sections 5.8 of the
SOW.
12.1.9
Provide an example of your firm's campaign performance dashboard, forecast and
report(s) that connects email and online activity to actual gifts, new donors, repeat
gifts, sustainers, retention and net revenue. Explain UTM/campaign identifiers, gift
reconciliation and how your firm would avoid double-counting of outcomes attributed by
paid or offline channels. Describe an investment or calendar adjustment driven by
forecast variance or donor-lifecycle results, rather than opens/clicks alone, as
referenced in Section 5.10 of the SOW. 03 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 202603 November 2026
12.1.10 Describe your firm's online delivery/staffing model, including account management,
creative, programming, analytics, and other relevant functions. Provide an example of
your firm's category staffing plan for this category.
Group 12.2: Company & Governance
Instructions:
12.2.1
Provide background on your firm, including its history, ownership structure, years in
business and employee count. Describe what differentiates your firm specifically in
nonprofit donor acquisition, retention and net revenue growth. Explain how your firm's
experience, expertise, and capabilities align with the requirements of this category,
clearly distinguishing between services and capabilities delivered directly by your firm
and those provided through partners.
12.2.2
Provide two (2) case studies most comparable to UT MD Anderson in program scale,
multichannel complexity or healthcare/research mission. For each case study, describe
the client's challenge, your firm's recommendation, work directly delivered by your firm,
estimated investment and fees, baseline and results over a defined period. Explain
whether the results reflect increased estimated spending, improved performance or a
combination of both, and identify key lessons learned from each case study and explain
how they demonstrate your firm’s capabilities and approach to this category.
12.2.3
Provide a list of three (3) client references who are able to speak specifically to your
firm's strategy, creative quality, deadline performance and fundraising outcomes for this
category. For each client reference, identify scope of services provided, engagement
dates and program scale. Disclose client resignations or terminations within the past
twelve (12) months and explain the actions your firm has taken in response.
12.2.4
For the services listed in this RFP, identify which services your firm will perform
in-house, subcontract or require UT MD Anderson or another supplier/partner to
perform. Identify all partners and offshore resources
- Close Str
- 12/4/2026, 4:00 PM CST
- Contact Name
- Krystle Sobh
- Description
- Request for Proposal for Direct Response Fundraising, Strategy, Creative, and Growth Services
- Contact Email
- ksobh@mdanderson.org
- Sci Docs Fetched
- Yes
MD Anderson Cancer CenterIssuing agency·Houston, TX·via the MD Anderson SciQuest procurement portal