Request for Proposal - Port earthtrends.org to Drupal, and give it a facelift! | World Resources Institute

The World Resources Institute (WRI) is an environmental think tank that goes beyond research to find practical ways to protect the earth and improve people’s lives. One of the Institute’s core principles is that accurate information drives responsible decisions by governments and individuals. EarthTrends (www.earthtrends.wri.org ) helps to remove barriers to transparency by providing decision makers and the public open and free access to a breadth of information.

By compiling environmental, social and economic indicators from the world’s leading statistical agencies we hope to encourage a comprehensive and interdisciplinary understanding of environment and development issues. In addition to over 700 data series the site also incorporates detailed technical notes, original WRI maps, graphics and trend analysis. Eight years since its launch EarthTrends continues to attract a large global audience with over 1.1 million visitors and 3.2 million page views in the past year.

Upgrades to EarthTrends

In order to improve our capacity for promoting transformation through information the EarthTrends team has planned a series of upgrades to the site over the course of the next year. In addition to expanding the range of data products available we also intend to improve our analysis and contextualization capabilities.

At present we are inviting proposals for the first phase of upgrades which is to include the following:

• Shift to Drupal Platform
• Port all of EarthTrends existing information products to Drupal
• Streamline the process for uploading new data and information to the site

• Update look of site
• Create a new theme for the site that reinforces and reinvigorates EarthTrends’ goal of transformation through information
• Easily navigable user interface

• National Portals
• Build national portals which allow users to explore EarthTrends information by country
• The national portals must allow users to view a country by one or more “perspectives” – for example, a user could choose to view information relevant to “Water Scarcity” in Tunisia, or “Adaptation to Climate Change” in New Zealand.

• EarthTrends Delivered
• Integrate the beta version of EarthTrends Delivered (earthtrendsdelivered.org) with the full set of EarthTrends information products
• This integration will allow registered EarthTrends users to subscribe to automatic, custom email notifications when EarthTrends information products (data sets, maps, written analysis, etc) are updated matching the user’s specified interests.

Time Frame
3 months: approximately one month each for design, development and testing.
Proposal Format
We request that proposals come in the following format:
1. Summary, including the cost estimate, availability to begin and anticipated timeline, and a brief description of relevant experience.
2. Description of project implementation and timeline.
3. Detailed cost estimate broken down by project component (i.e., shift to Drupal platform, update look of site, national portals, EarthTrends Delivered).
4. About your organization, including experience working with non-profit organizations and building sites optimized for low-bandwidth users. Also, where you are located and how you build a collaborative approach with clients.
5. Other relevant information, including references for similar work you have done.

Deadline for Proposals
10th November 2009.

Opportunity to Meet
Our team will be available to meet or to set-up a conference call to provide more detailed information and answer questions by request.

Contact Information
For further information or to submit proposals contact:
Samah Elsayed
Research Analyst, EarthTrends
World Resources Institute
10 G St, NE, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20002

selsayed@wri.org
202 729 7903