Statewide Lithium-Ion Battery Disposal Awareness Media Campaign

Background

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is seeking a partnership with a qualified media company to conduct a statewide awareness campaign regarding the proper management of lithium-ion batteries at the end of their useful life. This initiative is in response to the upcoming ban on landfill disposal of lithium-ion batteries, effective December 1, 2026, as mandated by G.S. 130A-309.10. The campaign aims to educate residents across all 100 counties about safe disposal practices and will be funded through grant funds from the EPA.

Work Details

The selected media company will execute a public education campaign starting in August 2026 and concluding on February 28, 2027. The campaign will include: 1. **Radio Advertisements**: - Development and production of thirty-second commercials that inform residents about the fire dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries and direct them to DEQ’s webpage for recycling information. - Advertisements must air at least ten times weekly across multiple stations in both urban and rural areas, including Spanish language stations. - A creative team will be responsible for developing copy for these advertisements. 2. **Digital Messaging**: - Creation of digital content for various social media platforms to educate residents on proper battery management and disposal. - Messaging will also direct users to DEQ’s recycling webpage and utilize “social mirror” style ads for streamlined communication. 3. **Campaign Reporting**: - Regular meetings with DEQ to discuss campaign effectiveness, engagement metrics, and listenership data. - Adjustments to the campaign may be made based on feedback from DEQ.

Period of Performance

The contract will commence upon execution and is set to run from August 2026 until February 28, 2027, with potential extensions for up to three additional three-month terms at the State's discretion.

Place of Performance

The services will be performed statewide across North Carolina, targeting all 100 counties.

Bidder Requirements

Vendors must be registered as a North Carolina vendor in good standing through the Electronic Vendor Portal (eVP). They are required to demonstrate experience with similar public or private sector campaigns and provide evidence of financial stability through Attachment G: Certification of Financial Condition. Additionally, vendors must comply with HUB participation goals by utilizing diverse firms as subcontractors.