Brand USA Due Diligence for MOTT.docx

Due Diligence Posting of Notice of Intent to Accept a Best Value Offer

The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (“MOTT” or “Department”) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts announces its intent to accept a best value offer pursuant to the Commonwealth’s Due Diligence Posting policy, to contract for the following with Brand USA (“Offeror”), pending the results of this Notice of Intent (“Notice”):

Description Offeror and EOED/MMP/MOTT will work together to identify marketing opportunities which will enhance the effectiveness and impact of international marketing and advertising efforts as well as develop strategies and tactics that aim to grow international visitation. These international marketing efforts are in partnership with Offeror for the period of November. MOTT is a leading partner with Offeror through promotional programs in key international markets promoting Massachusetts to a global audience as a place to live, work and visit, enhancing our economic development efforts. MOTT’s FY25 unique international marketing partnership with Offeror will include multi-channel programming and participation in the following, resulting in millions of impressions and media coverage in multiple international markets, in a cost-effective manner: Global inspiration campaign, inclusion in Offeror’s Canada marketing, Travelweek Canada and campaign in Canada East, an optimized audience campaign and inclusion with Offeror in Hays Travel Weekly in the United Kingdom, content ads, media and Expedia activation in Germany Spring FY2025 campaign, Offeror’s Core Marketing program inclusion, Televisa (a major Latin American mass media corporation), USA Discovery Program, and web programming via Visit the USA native programmatic.

Offeror is solely positioned to offer these services as it was established by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 as the nation’s only public private partnership to spearhead a globally coordinated marketing effort to promote the United States as a premier travel destination and communicate U.S. visa and entry policies, Brand USA began operations in May 2011. Brand USA offers the best value in comparison to other sources for this information and it is the only source for coordinated marketing to international markets that complies with United States federal guidelines and best practices. The international segment of the travel economy is especially best-value because visitors from abroad on average spend more time and money and visit more destinations than domestic travelers. Since its founding, Brand USA has worked with thousands of partner organizations to invite the world to explore the exceptional, diverse, and virtually limitless travel experiences and destinations available in the United States of America. In addition to its unique position as a federally authorized public-private entity, Brand USA offers exceptional value since operations are supported by a combination of nonfederal contributions from destinations, travel brands, and private-sector organizations plus matching funds collected by the U.S. government from international visitors traveling under the Visa Waiver Program.

The Department is posting this Notice rather than conducting a full procurement because the Department believes this opportunity represents best value to the Commonwealth and is utilizing this Due Diligence Posting to ensure that the process is open, fair and competitive.

Determination of Other Interested Vendors The intent of this posting is to determine if there are any other interested and qualified vendors. Any such vendors must submit documentation that they can provide a comparable or better offer.

Response Requirement and Deadline All Interested Vendors and Offerors interested in responding to this Notice, regardless of prior communications with the Department, must submit a Response to this posting containing evidence of their qualification and interest. All required information must be submitted by 5:00PM (prevailing Eastern Time) on Friday, 11/22/2025.

If, after the posting deadline has passed, interest is generated by this Notice, the Department will review all Responses and will determine whether they will: (i) withdraw the notice and not accept the Offeror’s offer (and cancel the Notice of Intent) or (ii) accept the offer from the Offeror or (iii) accept an offer from another vendor offering a comparable or better value than the Offeror in their Response.

Additional Terms Required for Doing Business with the Commonwealth

Quote Submission Method Online Quote Submission via COMMBUYS is required. All Interested Vendors and Offerors must submit Quotes online using tools available only to Sellers registered in COMMBUYS. COMMBUYS provides Seller registration functionality at no charge. To register, go to www.COMMBUYS.com and click on the “Register” link on the front page. All Interested Vendors and Offerors who are awarded a contract resulting from this Notice, if any, will be required to maintain an active account during the duration of the Contract, by reviewing their registration information regularly and maintaining its accuracy.

COMMBUYS Quote Submission Training and Instructions The following resources are provided to assist Interested Vendors and Offerors in submitting Quotes:

· An online job aid on How to Create a Quote;

· Webcast video on How to Find Bids (Solicitations) and Submit Quotes (Responses) through COMMBUYS;

· Instructor-led trainings (ILT) and live webinar sessions on “How to Locate and Respond to Bids” may also be available. Check the OSD Training Courses schedule for Sellers/Business Entities for available locations, dates and times. Note that space is limited and pre-registration for trainings is required to attend. Follow instructions on the course schedule to register.

COMMBUYS Support Technical assistance is available during the procurement process. Every effort is made to respond to inquiries within one business day.

· Website: Go to www.mass.gov/osd/commbuys and select the COMMBUYS Resource Center link offered under Key Resources.

· Email: Send inquiries to the COMMBUYS Helpdesk at COMMBUYS@state.ma.us

· Telephone: Call the COMMBUYS Help Desk at 1-888-MA-STATE (1-888-627-8283). The Help Desk is staffed from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday Eastern Standard or Daylight time, as applicable, except on federal and state holidays.

Interested Vendors and Offerors are advised that COMMBUYS will be unavailable during regularly scheduled maintenance hours of which all users will be notified.

Revised: June 30, 2016