NIGP 91522: Communications Marketing Services

NIGP 91522 Communications Marketing Services, an Item code, encompasses communications strategy, social media management, public relations, media planning and buying, and brand development work that state and local governments solicit to promote agencies, programs, destinations, and initiatives. State and local buyers under this code range from university systems and transportation authorities to city economic development offices, workforce boards, and state departments, with recent solicitations concentrated in Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, and Oregon. The scope of work reflects a shift toward integrated digital-first campaigns: Georgia State University seeks communications and social marketing support for its health policy center; the Orange County Transportation Authority is soliciting public outreach for environmental mitigation and Express Lanes marketing programs; the Texas Department of Agriculture is requesting digital advertising and media services for multiple initiatives; and the Washington State Department of Commerce is funding nonprofit-led energy resilience community outreach in Eastern Washington. Beyond traditional advertising, buyers are increasingly procuring specialized services including brand ambassador programs, destination marketing organization contracts, travel trade relations support, strategic planning and market research, and multilingual outreach tailored to specific geographic markets or demographic audiences.

Issuing bodies soliciting under NIGP 91522 include state agencies (Texas Veterans Commission, Oregon Cultural Trust, Washington Commerce Department, Texas Education Agency, California Department of Water Resources), university systems (Georgia State University, Texas State University, Lamar State College Orange, Texas Tech), transportation authorities (Orange County Transportation Authority, City of North Miami Beach), city and county governments (Collier County, San Bernardino County, City of Detroit, Palm Beach County, City of College Park), convention and visitors bureaus (Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB, Coastal Mississippi), and special-purpose districts (Pulaski County Zoo, Region One Education Service Center). California and Texas dominate recent posting volume, with Orange County appearing as a repeat buyer across multiple communications and outreach categories. Recent opportunities include the Orange County Transportation Authority's RFP for Express Lanes Marketing Program (valued at $450,000 over three years, proposals due June 30, 2026), Texas Department of Agriculture's Summer Media Campaign (RFP 5510001089, due August 6, 2026), Lamar State College Orange's Advertising and Media Related Services (RFP 787-LSCO-052626, due July 31, 2026), and the City of Milpitas' Communications and Marketing Support Services (RFP 26-155, due July 28, 2026). Geographic concentration reflects strong activity in California (Orange County, San Bernardino, Collier County, City of Milpitas), Texas (state agencies, universities, education service centers), Florida (tourism and convention boards, Broward County, Collier County), and Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon). Evaluation criteria typically weight experience and qualifications heavily (20–30 percent), technical approach and work plan (25–30 percent), cost (10–25 percent), and staffing and project organization (15–25 percent), with some procurements adding local preference points, small business set-asides, or HUB subcontracting requirements. Insurance requirements commonly mandate commercial general liability of $1 million to $2 million per occurrence and workers' compensation coverage; some larger procurements add professional liability, cyber liability, or umbrella coverage obligations.