Request for Proposals
PORT OF RICHMOND VISUAL IDENTITY & LOGO
DESIGN SERVICES
Release Date: May 12, 2026
Deadline for Submittal: June 9, 2026
4:00 PM Pacific Time (PT)
Contact: Charles Gerard
Email: [email protected] with copy to
[email protected]
Phone Number: 510-620-6792
City of Richmond
Port of Richmond Division
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. About the City and the Port
3. Project Vision and Background
4. Scope of Services
5. Design Direction and Brand Values
6. Proposal Format Guidelines
7. Submission Process
8. General Conditions
9. Proposal Evaluation and Selection Process
10. Attachments
1. INTRODUCTION
The City of Richmond (“City”), acting through the Port of Richmond (“Port”), invites proposals from qualified design firms and creative studios to develop a new visual identity and official logo for the Port of Richmond.
The Port seeks a design partner capable of creating a timeless, iconic, and highly recognizable visual identity that reflects the Port’s maritime legacy, industrial character, civic importance, and future direction.
This Request for Proposals (“RFP”) describes the project, required scope of services, consultant selection process, and proposal requirements. Failure to submit information in accordance with the RFP requirements may result in disqualification.
The anticipated term of the agreement is approximately three (3) to six (6) months.
2. ABOUT THE CITY AND THE PORT
The City of Richmond is a Charter City located in Contra Costa County within the San Francisco Bay Area. Richmond has approximately 32 miles of shoreline and is served by major interstate highways, rail infrastructure, ferry service, BART, and Amtrak.
The Port of Richmond is one of California’s most significant working waterfronts and serves as a major deep-water port handling automobiles, liquid bulk, dry bulk, breakbulk cargo, and industrial maritime activity.
Located approximately nine miles from the Golden Gate Bridge on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay, the Port has long served as a center for industry, transportation, shipbuilding, and logistics.
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During World War II, Richmond became internationally recognized through the Henry J.
Kaiser Shipyards, which constructed hundreds of Liberty and Victory ships in support of the Allied war effort. The legacy of innovation, production efficiency, labor history, and industrial design remains central to Richmond’s identity today.
The Port is currently undergoing a strategic transformation focused on:
• Economic development and job creation
• Modernization of infrastructure
• Environmental sustainability and resilience
• Maritime innovation and clean technologies
• Community engagement and transparency
The Port seeks a visual identity that honors this history while positioning the organization for the future.
3. PROJECT VISION AND BACKGROUND
The Port of Richmond is seeking a visual identity system that is clear, enduring, and instantly recognizable.
The Port is particularly interested in proposals that demonstrate an understanding of:
• Historic maritime and industrial design traditions
• Simplicity and clarity in visual communication
• Strong graphic forms capable of long-term institutional use • Identity systems that function across architecture, signage, digital media, apparel, vehicles, equipment, and printed materials
• Civic and public-sector branding that balances professionalism, accessibility, and iconic design
The Port is interested in a logo and visual identity that can stand alongside other globally recognized transportation and civic identities while remaining uniquely Richmond.
The selected consultant should understand that the Port operates in a highly visual industrial environment consisting of ships, rail systems, warehouses, waterfront infrastructure, and historic maritime facilities.
The Port seeks a logo that is:
• Timeless rather than trend-based
• Bold, simple, and legible at all scales
• Appropriate for long-term institutional use
• Adaptable across both industrial and civic applications [4]
• Reflective of Richmond’s waterfront identity
The Port values design approaches rooted in simplicity, symbolism, proportion, and clarity.
4. SCOPE OF SERVICES
The selected consultant shall provide all labor, materials, and professional expertise necessary to complete the following services.
A. Discovery and Research
• Review existing Port branding materials and communications • Conduct interviews with Port leadership, City staff, and stakeholders • Analyze comparable port, transportation, infrastructure, and civic branding systems • Assess historical references and visual opportunities unique to Richmond and the Port
B. Concept Development
• Develop a minimum of three (3) initial logo concepts
• Present design rationale and visual strategy for each concept • Demonstrate how concepts function in real-world applications C. Identity Refinement
• Incorporate City and stakeholder feedback
• Provide up to three (3) rounds of revisions
• Refine typography, color palette, and visual standards D. Final Deliverables
Final deliverables shall include:
• Primary logo
• Secondary logo versions
• Monochrome and black-and-white versions
• Horizontal and vertical formats
• Vector and digital production files (AI, EPS, SVG, PNG, JPG) • Brand standards and usage guidelines
• Typography recommendations
• Color palette specifications
• Example applications for signage, apparel, digital media, and printed collateral E. Optional Services
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The Port may consider additional optional services, including:
• Wayfinding concepts
• Environmental graphics
• Port signage concepts
• Fleet or equipment applications
• Website visual direction
• Presentation templates and communications materials
5. DESIGN DIRECTION AND BRAND VALUES
The Port is interested in proposals that demonstrate sensitivity to the following themes and visual considerations:
Maritime Heritage
The Port’s waterfront location, maritime operations, and shipbuilding history are central to its identity.
Industrial Strength
The Port is a working industrial environment characterized by infrastructure, logistics, rail, cargo operations, and heavy industry.
Simplicity and Longevity
The City seeks a mark capable of remaining effective and recognizable for decades.
Modernization and Sustainability
The Port is actively advancing clean technologies, infrastructure modernization, and environmentally responsible operations.
Civic Identity
The Port serves both economic and public functions and should reflect Richmond’s role as a resilient and hardworking waterfront community.
The City encourages proposers to avoid overly complex, illustrative, or trend-oriented approaches.
6. PROPOSAL FORMAT GUIDELINES
Proposals should be concise, well organized, and limited to twenty (20) double-sided pages maximum including resumes and references.
Each proposal shall include the following sections:
A. Cover Letter
The cover letter shall:
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• Confirm understanding of the RFP requirements
• Express willingness to enter into a Professional Services Agreement with the City • Identify the primary contact person
• Summarize the consultant’s qualifications and interest in the project • Be signed by an authorized representative
B. Project Understanding
Describe your understanding of the Port of Richmond, the project objectives, and the opportunities presented by the assignment.
C. Creative Approach and Methodology
Describe the proposed design process, stakeholder engagement approach, research methodology, and conceptual development strategy.
D. Relevant Experience and Portfolio
Provide examples of relevant work, particularly:
• Civic or institutional branding
• Transportation or infrastructure identity systems
• Maritime or industrial projects
• Long-term visual identity programs
• Signage and environmental graphics
E. Project Team
Identify key personnel, roles, and responsibilities.
F. Schedule
Provide a proposed project schedule with milestones and deliverables.
G. Cost Proposal
Provide a fixed fee proposal with:
• Staff hourly rates
• Estimated hours
• Direct costs
• Optional services, if applicable
H. References
Provide at least three (3) client references for similar projects.
I. Exceptions
Identify any exceptions to the City’s standard agreement or RFP requirements. [7]
7. SUBMISSION PROCESS
Proposals shall be submitted by email to [email protected] by 4pm on June 09, 2026.
Questions shall be submitted by May 25, 2026 to [email protected], and the Port will respond by May 29, 2026.
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Any party submitting a proposal shall not contact or lobby City Council members, City officials, or staff outside the designated contact regarding this RFP .
8. GENERAL CONDITIONS
Public Records
All proposals submitted become the property of the City of Richmond and may be subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act.
Insurance Requirements
The City of Richmond requires consultants doing business with it to obtain insurance, as shown in RFP Attachment 1. The required insurance certificates and endorsements must comply with all requirements of the standards as shown and must be provided within fifteen (15) days of issuance of the Notice of Intent to Award and prior to the commencement of any work on the Project.
Business License
The successful consultant shall obtain a City of Richmond business license.
Compliance with City Ordinances
The consultant shall comply with applicable City ordinances including:
• Nondiscrimination Ordinance
• Business Opportunity Ordinance
• Local Employment Ordinance
• Living Wage Ordinance
• Sanctuary City Contracting Ordinance
Ownership of Documents
All final designs, concepts, artwork, and related materials produced for the project shall become the property of the City of Richmond.
9. PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
Proposals will be evaluated by a Port selection committee. [8]
The Port may invite shortlisted firms for interviews or presentations.
The Port reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, negotiate with proposers, request additional information, or issue Best and Final Offer requests.
The following evaluation criteria will be used:
Criteria Weight
Creative Approach and Methodology 25%
Relevant Experience and Portfolio 25%
Understanding of Port Identity and Objectives 20%
Project Team and Qualifications 15%
Cost Proposal 15%
The selected proposal shall demonstrate the strongest overall combination of design excellence, institutional understanding, clarity of process, and long-term value.
10. ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Insurance Requirements
Attachment B - Standard Contract
Attachment C – Sanctuary City Compliance Statement
Attachment D – Sanctuary City Contracting Ordinance
Attachment E – Approved Resolution 86-21-LLC Compliance Attachment F – Disclosure Statement for LLC
CONCLUSION
The Port of Richmond seeks a design partner capable of creating an iconic visual identity rooted in clarity, history, and purpose.
The selected consultant will help shape how the Port presents itself to industry partners, the maritime community, residents, visitors, and future generations.
The Port welcomes proposals from firms and studios with a demonstrated ability to create enduring public-facing identity systems that combine simplicity, symbolism, and timeless design excellence.
The Port of Richmond looks forward to receiving thoughtful, compelling, and visionary proposals.