E-Learning Articulate Instructional Designer

Project Overview 

The Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association, is seeking proposals from qualified instructional designers or firms to develop online learning courses using Articulate Storyline 360 for DigitalLearn.org. DigitalLearn.org offers free, accessible online courses to help adults build essential digital literacy skills. 

PLA is seeking 2-3 contractors or a team to complete this work. 

The anticipated duration of this contract is from May 2026 through December 2026 for all content development, with a maximum budget of $150,000 for all design work. PLA reserves the right to contract with multiple instructional designers or vendors for different portions of the project. 

NOTE: Please review the following modules of a published module: https://www.digitallearn.org/courses/qr-code-basics and https://www.digitallearn.org/courses/using-a-pc-windows-11.  These examples illustrate the template for the work described in this RFP.  

Scope of Work 

The selected E-Learning Instructional Designers will create engaging, accessible e-learning courses referred to as modules. The instructional designer will work with the Adult Digital Literacy eLearning Subject Expert/Writer who will draft all written material. PLA’s staff and sponsoring partner will review drafts throughout the development process. 

The look and tone of the modules will replicate the preexisting content available on DigitalLearn.org. 

PLA will be developing the following course content. Time in () is the estimated length of the module.  

• 3 New Modules
  • Two-Factor Authentication (5 minutes)
    Bluetooth (5 minutes)
    How AI Shows Up in Your Daily Life (5 minutes)
• 2 Complete revisions of existing modules
  • Online Health Information (approximately 16 minutes)
  • Intro to YouTube (approximately 21 minutes) 
• 4 short content additions on AI for existing modules (3-5 additional min for each module)   
  • Basic Search
  • Basics of Video Conferencing
  • Navigating a Website
  • Using a Mobile Device 
• 1 practice-ony interactive module
  • Mouse and keyboard practice (3-5 minutes)

You may submit a bid for all or some of the content listed above. 

Deliverables 

• Menu of personas and related images from a commercially available stock library for the client to choose from
• Visual storyboards for all content in PowerPoint (based on outlines and scripts) 
• Draft module using Articulate Storyline and temp voiceover track (Coordinate voiceover files from a pre-selected VO artist)
• Modules must include activities or gamified elements to practice or demonstrate essential skills and check for comprehension. This can include quizzes, on-screen activity, etc. 
• Final Module, published files ready for upload to the DigitalLearn site
  • Replacing temp voiceover track with final audio file from a pre-selected VO artist
  • Ensuring accessibility compliance 
  • Adherence to all branding/style guidelines
• All raw course files
• Digital copies of the graphics used for possible inclusion in handouts and training materials
• Transcripts, and any additional exported assets 

Timeline 

Estimated project duration: 17-25 weeks per course. More than one course may be developed at a time. See an example timeline at the end of the document. 

Example Module Development Timeline:  

Note: Multiple modules can be developed simultaneously with staggered start dates.  

• Wk 1  Kick-Off Meeting  (ALL) 
• Wk 2 Draft course outline & objectives, develop personas, and related stock images  (Subject Matter Expert & Designer) 
• Wk 3  Client review course outline & objectives  (Client) 
• Wk 4  Revise course outline and objectives, personas, and related stock images  (Subject Matter Expert & Designer) 
• Wk 5  Client review revisions and approve  (Client) 
• Wk 6/7  Draft script and storyboard (PowerPoint)  (Subject Matter Expert, Designer & PLA) 
• Wk 8  Client review script and storyboard  (Client) 
• Wk 9  Revise script and storyboard  (Subject Matter Expert & Designer )
• Wk 10  Client review/approve storyboard  (Client) 
• Wk 11-12  Produce Articulate Storyline files  (Instructional Designer)
• Wk 13  Internal review of Articulate Storyline files  (PLA)
• Wk 14  Client review draft course  (Client) 
• Wk 15/16  Revise course files  (Subject Matter Expert & Instructional Designer) 
• Wk 17  Revise course files- Final VO added  (Subject Matter Expert & Designer )
• Wk 18  Client review/approve course files  (Client)
• Wk 19  Module posted to website and sent for Translation   (Vendor)

Qualifications 

• Proven experience using Articulate Storyline 
• Experience with e-learning design 
• Expertise in instructional design
• Accessibility and captioning experience within Articulate
• Experience with multimedia and voiceover coordination
• Experience with public library or nonprofit audiences preferred
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work effectively with multiple partners and creators
• Flexible, adaptive, and able to adjust to evolving project needs quickly
• Positive and professional demeanor; easy to work with and open to feedback
• Responsive and dependable; able to meet deadlines and communicate updates promptly 

Proposal Requirements 

• Cover letter detailing your skills, experience, work style, and anticipated project approach
• Specify if your bid is for some or all content deliverables. If bid includes work for more than one module include pricing for each module.
• Portfolio or sample work 
• Two client references 

Submission Instructions 

• Submit proposals by April 6th, 2026 by 1 pm CT to: [email protected] 
  Subject: DigitalLearn Instructional Designer Proposal 
   
• Submit questions about the RFP no later than March 25th, 2026 by 5 pm CT to [email protected] 
  Subject: Instructional Designer RFP Question

PLA reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals and to make an award based on overall value.