The Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC) is inviting proposals for the development of a Community Based Social Marketing Campaign to Reduce Fertilizer Use on Long Island
The Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC), in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking proposals from qualified firms to develop and implement a Community-Based Social Marketing Campaign (CBSMC) focused on reducing residential fertilizer use on Long Island.
Nitrogen pollution is one of the leading causes of water quality degradation across Long Island. Excess nitrogen contributes to harmful algal blooms, low oxygen conditions, fish kills, degradation of wetlands and marine habitats, and contamination of Long Island’s sole source aquifer. Residential lawn fertilizer use remains a significant contributor to this problem. Despite the negative impacts of fertilizer on water quality, many homeowners continue to cultivate heavily fertilized lawns, often driven by a desire for a lush, green lawn.
The purpose of this project is to design and implement a comprehensive CBSM Campaign that encourages Long Island homeowners to adopt environmentally responsible lawn care practices and reduce unnecessary fertilizer use.
The RFP and appendices can be downloaded here.
Proposals will be received until 4:00 p.m. on October 30, 2026.
Requests for information pertinent to the submission of proposals are to be emailed to: Elizabeth Cole, Deputy Executive Director, ecole@lirpc.org no later than October 23, 2026. Responses to all inquiries will be posted on this webpage within five business days of receipt of the inquiry.
Inquiries
Is there a budget range or budget ceiling for the project?
There is no recommended budget range or ceiling. Please submit your best cost proposal. We will contract with the firm that best meets the requirements of the RFP and not necessarily with the lowest cost.
Will the consultants’ meetings with LIRPC and DEC be in-person or virtual?
Meetings will primarily be held virtually, with in person meetings available if scheduling and location allows.
Will evaluators give preference to an agency or consultant based in Long Island?
Priority will not be given to Long Island based firms.
Are non-profits eligible to submit a proposal?
Yes.
Will LIRPC or any other partnership organizations have staff time dedicated for on-the-ground implementation?
LIRPC will not have staff dedicated to on-the-ground implementation. All such activities will be conducted solely by the selected firm.
When is the anticipated start date for the project?
The anticipated start date for the project is the beginning of 2027.
Will proposals with identified sub-contractors be considered?
Proposals with identified sub-contractors will be considered.
Do you anticipate working with or through any community-based organizations?
Yes, a Community Stakeholder Engagement Plan is part of the scope of work for this project. (Task 2 and Task 3 in the RFP)
Has the network of Long Island stakeholders been previously engaged by the LIRPC and/or the DEC on other initiatives?
Yes.
Do you foresee needing any translation/transcreation services?
Yes.
Are you interested in including paid media or digital promotion in this scope?
Yes.
Does LIRPC accept proposals for specialized services alone (i.e digital providers)?
Firms offering a specialized service may participate as part of a team led by a prime consultant.
Are introductory calls between LIRPC and potential firms permitted?
Under the RFP’s procurement provisions, the LIRPC is unable to schedule any in person meetings or calls. Any questions regarding the RFP should be emailed to Elizabeth Cole at ecole@lirpc.org no later than October 23, 2026. Responses to all inquiries are shared both by email and posted on this webpage.
Under Task 3 the scope outlines the development of social media assets and digital advertisements. Does the LIRPC expect the consultant’s proposed budget to encompass the direct hard costs of media placement/ad-buys, or will those media placements be funded through an external agency budget?
Yes, the consultant’s budget should encompass the direct costs of media placement.
Will the selected consultant be granted complete access to the raw data and full reporting from the 2025 Siena Research Institute (SRI) fertilizer use survey upon project initiation?
Yes.
The RFP directs activities to communities within the Long Island Sound watershed in Nassau and Suffolk Counties but does not define the target area or scale. Could LIRPC clarify how the area should be defined (e.g., municipality or subwatershed), whether there is a minimum community level or target number of communities, and whether a pilot approach is anticipated?
All target areas must be within the Long Island Sound watershed in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Within the watershed, proposers may define target areas in whatever way they choose, either by municipality or subwatershed. There is no minimum size for the target area. Proposers should recommend the scale they believe will work best for a successful campaign. A pilot approach is neither required nor ruled out. Proposers may suggest the approach they feel works best.
Is there a page limit for the proposal?
No.
Are there restrictions on how project funds may be used, for example, on paid advertising or on low-cost incentives such as soil test kits, yard signs or giveaways?
No.
Should pre- and post-campaign surveys be priced in the consultant’s proposal?
Pre and post campaign surveys should be priced in the consultant’s proposal.
Has LIRPC identified priority municipalities or communities within the Long Island Sound watershed, or should the consultant recommend them?
The consultant should recommend them.
Should proposed subconsultants be named in the proposal for LIRPC’s review?
Yes.
May CBSM expertise be provided by a proposed subconsultant or team member, and will LIRPC consider behavior change campaigns that applied similar CBSM methods (behavior selection, barrier research, piloting and evaluation) as relevant experience?
Yes.
May supporting materials such as case studies and creative samples be included as appendices?
Case studies and creative samples may be included.
