BCInc
A World of Honey for the World
To:
From:
Date:
Abbott T. Bear
Kenny T. Bear
May 19th, 2003
Subject:
Website Design Companies Selected
As you requested, I have selected four web design companies to compete for the website
contract. In the remainder of this memo, I will outline the details of the competition contract
signed by each company and provide a brief overview of the project guidelines.
Contract Details
Since we do not wish to commit to a website plan without considering a variety of design
options, the Website Planning Committee recommended that we contract with at least two
companies to design sample websites. After reviewing their recommendation, you directed me to
contract with four companies, leaving the details of the contract to my discretion.
Aside from the standard legal conditions, I have included the following provisions:
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Each company will receive $40,000, with $20,000 paid upfront and $20,000 due on
submission of the sample website.
Each company will complete a sample website design according to the specifications
described in the Project Guidelines section.
Each company retains the right to use any markup, script, and code developed during the
course of the design process.
Each company retains the right to use the sample website as part of its portfolio, with the
provision that the companies not receiving the final contract may not use the name BCInc
or any of the trademark product names without specific written permission from the
president and CEO of BCInc.
Each company agrees to provide BCInc with a planning report, a completion report, two
face–to–face progress reports, and a sample website. In addition, each company agrees to
present its website design to the board of directors at the contracted date and time.
BCInc retains the right to reject all designs submitted.
BCInc relinquishes all rights to markup, script, and code included with all designs not
selected for the final contract.
All designs and reports must be submitted no later than July 11, 2003. Any materials
submitted after this date will returned without consideration.
I believe these provisions are fair to the web design companies while protecting our interests.
Katie T. Bear reviewed these provisions and agreed with my assessment. The lawyers for each
individual company also review the provisions prior to the signing of the contracts.
ktbear
web design companies
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With the contracts signed, the four companies will begin at once designing sample websites in
accord with the guidelines discussed in the Project Guidelines section.
Project Guidelines
Before drawing up the guidelines for our website, the Website Planning Committee examined a
number of retail websites to determine the expectations our visitors might have regarding the
information we should provide. After careful deliberation, the committee decided the website
should include information falling into these categories:
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Product, including a complete, detailed listing of all 1,156 products and prices
Contact, including all means of contacting various departments
Corporate, including investor information, job opportunities, work environment, and
employee profiles
Industry, including descriptions of honey bee subspecies and their honeys, descriptions of
flower species and their honeys, and white papers written by employees
Links, especially those of interest to honey lovers and bears
An informative welcome page which describes the navigation details
With regard to the interface design, the committee consulted with a professor of web design
theory in order to ensure a website visitors will find simple to use. The interface guidelines
recommended by the committee include:
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Strict compliance with XHTML 1.1 guidelines
Strict compliance with CSS 2 guidelines
Strict compliance with WAI 1.0 guidelines
Limited use of graphics and Flash
Limited color palette derived from the web safe color standard
Consistent page design
No drop down menus
Support for these Windows browsers: Internet Explorer 6.0 and Netscape 7.0
Support for these MacIntosh browsers: Internet Explorer 5.1 and Mozilla 1.3
Support for this UNIX browser : Lynx
Support for browser window sizes from 800 by 600 up to 1600 by 1200
A site index
The committee believes these guidelines provide a workable minimum standard for the web
design companies to adhere to. While the companies may not compromise on the guidelines as
listed, they may include any additional guidelines they believe will improve the overall quality of
the website.
Conclusion
The contract provisions and project guidelines described in the previous sections should help us
devise a website our visitors will find both attractive and useful. If you have any questions or
concerns regarding any particular point, I am available for consultation at your convenience.