MEDB Request For Proposal (RFP): VR Video Project – Hawaii Renewable Energy Sites

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Maui Economic Development Board, Inc.
Request For Proposal 
VR Video Project: Hawaii Renewable Energy Sites

Overview

The Maui Economic Development Board’s Women in Technology Project (WIT) is seeking proposals to create a Virtual Reality hosting platform, as well as an interactive VR app, showcasing renewable energy sites throughout Hawaii. The project will include the development of interactive 360 degree video content featuring 3D photos, videos and interactive educational activities/games related to the various sites.

Background Information

The Women in Technology Project is a workforce development project launched in 1999 by the Maui Economic Development Board and funded in part by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Education, Office of Naval Research, Industry, Private donors, and the County of Maui.

Its mission is to build Hawaii’s science, technology engineering and math (STEM) education-to-workforce pipeline, using an inclusive model that engages girls, Native Hawaiians, and other under-represented groups. WIT’s statewide STEM infrastructure served 40,000 participants last year, and reached each island throughout the state.

In 2009 WIT developed and launched Island Energy Inquiry (IEI) to address the critical issue of fossil fuel dependence and the need for renewable energy solutions in the state of Hawaii. IEI is a place-based, culturally competent Professional Development (PD) program that educates K-12 students on renewable energy resources and incorporates STEM-focused, engineering design solutions.

Originating on the island of Maui, IEI has since expanded its reach to the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Lanai, Molokai, and Hawaii Island, educating a total of 286 teacher participants representing over 45,000 Hawaii students to date.

One of IEI’s strengths is its applicability to various grade levels and subject areas. Teachers not only come from STEM subject areas, but also language arts, fine arts, social studies, and career and technical education. Because of the diverse backgrounds of the IEI participant teachers, students across disciplines are introduced to engineering design concepts and scientific inquiry methodology through IEI activities, such as wind turbine building, energy auditing, and solar power system design.

As a Hawaii DOE Professional Development (PD) course, IEI has addressed the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards (HCPS III) in Science as part of its implementation process. More recently, IEI has adopted the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSS) as well as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), based on the framework for K-12 Science Education and developed by the National Research Council.  IEI is in the process of selecting benchmarks from among the CCSS for Reading and Math and applying them to the next edition of the IEI Curriculum Guide.

Project Description

WIT will be contracting teachers across the state to develop interactive content featuring one or two renewable energy sites located on his or her island that will complement the Island Energy Inquiry (IEI) curriculum.

WIT will also work with local renewable energy sites to secure permissions to obtain photos and videos and possible interviews with industry professionals.

The selected video company will have Virtual Reality capabilities and be able to:

  • Travel to each island to film the sites (360 photos and videos)

  • Work with participating teachers to build online interactive components and 3D Virtual Reality experience per renewable energy site. End user access to CMS platform to allow students and teachers to create their own

  • Host the content on the Web so that students and teachers can have ready access

  • Guarantee online access for no less than three years using 3D equipment such as Samsung Gear, Google Daydream, HTC Vive, and mobile VR for iOS and Android. Allow for “adaptive distribution” for device agnostic optimization and smooth playback from any device, and include technology updates to ensure forward compatibility with future VR headsets and devices.

  • Inclusion of “interactive elements” within the virtual experience, including triggers, positional media, hotspots and waypoints.

  • Ability to add content to the experience over time via integrated CMS.

  • Embedded “calls to action” to drive visitor actions and inquiry forms to capture visitor data, with integrated reporting and analytics to track metrics such as visitor engagement, click through rate, conversion rate, etc.

  • Option to integrate a site map, along with GPS capabilities.

  • Option to translate into languages other than English.

  • Give students and teachers the ability to be “content creators” and create their own virtual experiences on the same platform.

All VR content needs to be online by June 25, 2017.

 Scope of Services

Please discuss the following in your proposal:

  • Video and virtual reality capabilities

  • Descriptions and outcomes of pertinent projects in portfolio, with an emphasis on projects completed in the education and non-profit space

  • Timeframe for project

  • Training plan (if any) for staff

  • Maintenance and ongoing communications

  • Testing and support

Submittal

Please include the following in your submittal in addition to the scope of services:

  • A complete list of all consultants and their qualifications

  • A list of references with contact information

  • Your proposed compensation for basic services on a lump sum basis

  • Proposed payment schedule

  • Estimate of all reimbursable expenses

Selection Process

Please send three (3) original copies of your proposal, in a sealed envelope addressed to:
Maui Economic Development Board
c/o Isla Young
1305 North Holopono Street, Suite 1
Kihei, HI 96793

Deadline for all inquiries and proposals is April 12, 2017. Facsimile copies will not be accepted.

For more information, contact Isla Young, isla@medb.org or call 808.250.2888.