1. Request for Proposal
TO: Selected Democratic Consultants
FROM: Adam Kirsch, Sourced Strategies (on behalf of Short for Mayor)
DATE: April 4, 2014
RE: Short for Mayor (Indianapolis, IN) Campaign RFP
Introduction
The Short for Mayor Campaign seeks qualified proposals for consulting firms in the area of polling,
media, mail and online/digital for a February 2015 Convention, May 2015 Primary and November
2015 General Election.
Indianapolis is the second largest city in the Country with a Republican Mayor, despite Democrats
controlling the City-County Council, and all other executive offices. The incumbent has proven a
strong campaigner, but Frank T. Short is the candidate best suited to take back Indianapolis’ last
remaining Republican-held office.
Candidate Biography
Short is a proven vote getter, serving on the City-County Council for three terms from the Southside
of the City and is currently the Washington Township Trustee on the Northside. He is a small
business owner and President of an Indiana-based property and casualty carrier. Short received a
Juris Doctorate from Indiana University-Indianapolis and a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan.
He is a member of Rebuilding Together National Advocacy Committee; a member of the Board of
Directors of The Hundred Club of Indianapolis; a member of the Indiana Golf Foundation Board of
Directors; a member of the Governmental Affairs Society of Indiana Board of Directors; and a
member of the Board of Commissioners of the Indiana Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.
He is the past-President of the Board of Directors of the Rock Steady Boxing Foundation.
Short’s past board memberships include the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation, the
Indianapolis Department of Waterworks, St. Joseph’s College, Indianapolis Convention and Visitors
Association, Indiana Sports Corporation, Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. He is a former Co-Chairman of
the Youthlinks Indiana Golf Tournament and Past President of Rebuilding Together Indianapolis.
Short and his wife Toni are the parents of one son, Thomas. They are parishioners of St Luke
Catholic Church. Short is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Air Force.
Timeline and Process
Short for Mayor Campaign in Indianapolis is seeking proposals from qualified firms to assist in this
effort. Historically, Indianapolis Mayoral campaign budgets have been between $3-5 million dollars.
The campaign plans on hiring one polling firm, one direct mail firm one online/digital firm and one
media consultant. At this time, the campaign is not seeking proposals for general consultants,
opposition research consultants or phone vendors; proposals received from these firms will not be
reviewed.
A selection committee consisting of the candidate, campaign advisors and staff will review proposals,
conduct interviews and assessments. Consultants will be responsible for all costs of the proposal,
including any travel to Indianapolis.

2. Proposal Deadline: April 18, 2014
Selected Firms Contacted to Schedule Interviews: April 25, 2014
Campaign Interviews in Indianapolis, IN: May 8-9, 2014
Decision Complete and Consultants Notified: May 14, 2014
All firms are asked to describe their firm’s capabilities, list principal staff members who will assist with
the account (and their qualifications), and provide a client list. Particular attention will be paid to work
on Mayoral Campaigns or other large scale executive offices, work in diverse urban areas,
competitive primaries and campaigns against an incumbent executive office holder.
Polling Firms
Additional information request includes a sample baseline poll with analysis and case study for a
mayoral (or other high executive office) campaign; price information based on conducting 1) an 6/800
sample 20-25 minute baseline/issues poll, 2) a series of focus groups in Indianapolis related to
issues, messaging and candidate profile, 3) a 4/600 sample 15 minute pre-primary long survey, 4) a
series of 10-minute tracking polls during the general election; a research plan to win a convention,
primary and general election campaign; and any additional costs of fees (travel, per diem, polling
samples, shipping, phones, et cetera).
Direct Mail Firms
Additional information request includes a mail plan with corresponding mail pieces from a Mayoral (or
other urban high executive office) campaign; price information based on producing an effective mail
plan for a convention, primary and general election campaign; and any additional costs or fees
(travel, stock photography, photo shoots, shipping, phones, et cetera).
Media Firms
Additional information requested includes a media plan with corresponding radio and TV spots from a
Mayoral (or other urban high executive office) campaign; productions costs for TV and radio spots
(pass through or with any mark up); commission on the media buy; and any additional costs or fees
(travel, per diem, shipping, phones, et cetera).
Online/Digital Firms
Additional information requested includes a online/social media plan with corresponding ads,
initiatives and websites from a Mayoral (or other urban high executive office) campaign; costs
associated with an on-going online social media and advertising presence
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Adam Kirsch at (317) 449-9479 or e-mail
adam@sourcedstrategies.com. We look forward to hearing from you.