FLI Seeks Quotations for Restructuring its Official Website (FLI-ONLINE.ORG)

Custom Redesign and Rebuild of the Official FLI Website (FLI-ONLINE.ORG)

Introduction

The Forum for Language Initiatives (FLI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting language, culture, and inclusive communication. A recent comprehensive review of FLI’s current website identified six core improvement areas:

1. Navigation and search
2. Mobile experience
3. Page speed
4. SEO structure
5. Content publishing
6. Visual design

Most of these challenges are structural, rooted in the site’s underlying architecture and systems rather than its surface appearance. Consequently, FLI seeks a custom-built website—not a re-skin of the existing site or a standard off-the-shelf theme.

The new platform must be tailored to FLI’s key audiences (funders and donors, language communities, researchers, educators, and partners). It must be fast, mobile-first, highly discoverable on search engines, and easily manageable by FLI staff.

FLI invites qualified and experienced vendors, preferably based in Islamabad, to submit comprehensive quotations for this project.

Project Objectives

• Structural Resolution: Resolve existing architectural issues through a custom WordPress build.
• Information Architecture: Rebuild site navigation so publications, events, and language resources are intuitive and easy to find.
• Mobile Optimization: Deliver a high-performance, mobile-first website optimized for phones and slower network connections.
• SEO Excellence: Establish an SEO-optimized structure to maximize discoverability on Google.
• Independent Content Management: Empower FLI staff to publish and update content seamlessly without technical assistance.
• Modern Branding: Present a modern, credible design reflecting FLI’s professional standing and non-profit mission.
• Audience Engagement: Retain and grow FLI’s subscriber base through integrated email communication tools.

Scope of Work1. Discovery & Planning

• Comprehensive audit of existing website structure, content, and performance (including a Google PageSpeed Insights baseline).
• Stakeholder consultations with FLI staff.
• Audience mapping for key user groups.
• Development of a new sitemap, content hierarchy, and content-type model.

Information Architecture & Search

• Restructured navigation featuring consistent menus across all pages.
• Custom post/content types for Publications, Events, Resources, and News.
• Advanced filtered search capabilities (by type, topic, language, year, author, etc.).
• Clear user journeys and pathways for new visitors.

UI/UX Design

• Custom UI/UX design aligned strictly with FLI branding guidelines (pre-built or premium themes are excluded).
• HTML Design Concepts: Development of at least 3 distinct design concepts delivered as responsive, clickable HTML mockups (viewable on desktop and mobile), covering at minimum:
  • The Homepage
  • A Publications/Resources listing page
  • A single Publication page
• FLI review and selection of one preferred design direction.
• Refinement of the selected concept through up to 2 rounds of revisions, extended across all remaining page types.
• Formal sign-off and design approval prior to development.
• A reusable design system and block patterns applied consistently.

Development

• Custom WordPress theme built from scratch (mobile-first approach) based on approved HTML mockups.
• Template development and rigorous testing across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
• Lean plugin architecture utilizing only essential, well-maintained plugins (vendors must list all proposed plugins and associated license costs).
• Cross-browser compatibility assurance (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).

Performance

• Advanced caching, image compression, and asset optimization.
• Target Google PageSpeed Insights mobile score of 85+ and passing Core Web Vitals on key templates.
• Professional hosting recommendations and configuration tailored for performance and security.

SEO Structure

• SEO-friendly site architecture with clean URL structures and strategic internal linking.
• Planned headings, title tags, and meta descriptions across all pages.
• Comprehensive schema (structured data) markup implementation (including for publications).
• XML sitemap generation, SEO plugin configuration, and Google Search Console setup.
• 301 redirect mapping from legacy URLs to preserve existing search equity.

Content Publishing & Management

• Editor-friendly CMS configuration with modular, reusable page layouts.
• Migration of existing digital assets (pages, publications, posts, and media libraries).
• Integration of Google Analytics 4 for visitor and content-usage insights.

Features & Functionality

• Fully functional pages, menus, and internal/external links.
• Integrated advanced search functionality.
• Dedicated blog/news section.
• Resource repository supporting research papers and downloadable publications.
• Events management section.
• Social media integration.
• Secure contact and engagement forms featuring robust spam protection.

Subscriber & Communication Features

• Secure migration of existing subscriber lists from the current platform.
• Integration with a professional email marketing system (e.g., Mailchimp or equivalent).
• Automated email notifications for new publications, events, and announcements.
• Streamlined user subscription and subscription workflows.

Security & Accessibility

• SSL installation, website hardening, and automated backup schedules.
• Alignment with WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards where feasible.

Training & Support

• Hands-on CMS administration training for FLI staff.
• Delivery of a user manual and technical documentation.
• Post-launch support and maintenance (to be quoted separately).

Key Deliverables

• Website audit report including baseline PageSpeed metrics.
• Comprehensive sitemap and content-type model.
• 3 responsive HTML design concepts for review.
• Finalized, FLI-approved HTML mockups for key page types.
• Fully functional, custom-built WordPress website deployed to production.
• Successfully migrated content and subscriber database.
• Post-launch performance audit report.
• CMS administrative access, training sessions, and documentation.
• Go-live and deployment support.

Vendor Eligibility Criteria

Submitting vendors must demonstrate:

• Official business registration, with a strong preference for agencies maintaining an active office in Islamabad.
• Proven track record in restructuring content-heavy or research-oriented websites (preferably for non-profit, educational, or public-sector clients).
• Demonstrated in-house expertise spanning UI/UX design, custom WordPress engineering, and technical SEO.
• A portfolio showcasing at least 3 relevant custom-built (non-theme-based) web projects.
• Verifiable client references from comparable past projects.

Submission Requirements

Interested vendors are required to submit:

1. Company Profile: Overview of the agency, team size, and core competencies.
2. Technical Proposal: Detailed approach and methodology explaining how the vendor plans to address each of the six identified problem areas (navigation/search, mobile experience, page speed, SEO structure, content publishing, and visual design).
3. Proposed Toolstack: Complete list of recommended plugins and tools, including any associated licensing costs.
4. Project Timeline: Detailed milestone schedule highlighting the HTML design concept phase, client review windows, revision cycles, and development milestones.
5. Financial Quotation: Granular, phase-wise cost breakdown (with post-launch support priced separately).
6. Client References: Contact details and summaries for 2–3 recent relevant projects.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following weighted criteria:

• Technical Approach & Understanding of Requirements: 40%
• Relevant Experience & Quality of Past Work: 30%
• Team Expertise & Qualifications: 15%
• Cost-Effectiveness & Value: 15%

Note: Proposals relying on pre-built or premium themes without bespoke custom development will be deemed non-responsive and disqualified.

Timeline & Submission Details

• RFQ Re-issue Date: September 25, 2026
• Submission Deadline: October 04, 2026
• Submission Email: finance@fli-online.org
• Email Subject Line: RFQ Submission – Website Redesign (FLI)

Additional Information

• This document supersedes the RFQ originally issued on September 9, 2026. Vendors who submitted responses under the previous call are requested to resubmit in accordance with this updated scope.
• FLI reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal, or cancel the solicitation process at any time, without incurring any liability or obligation.
• Incomplete submissions or those lacking required documentation may be excluded from evaluation.
• Shortlisted vendors may be invited to deliver a formal presentation or interview.