Creative_Direction_and_Merchandise_Designer.pdf

Ontario International Airport flyontario.com

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION 2024-RFI-034 - CREATIVE DIRECTION AND MERCHANDISE DESIGNER

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION 2024-RFI-034

CREATIVE DIRECTION AND MERCHANDISE DESIGNER for Ontario International

Airport

RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO:

https://secure.procurenow.com/portal/flyontario

1. Introduction

1.1. Summary

The Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) for

Creative Direction & Merchandise Design and related services in the area. The OIAA prefers responses from local businesses within a 50-mile radius of the postal code '91761' but highly encourages submissions from all qualified vendors regardless of location. We seek information on businesses with expertise in creative direction for merchandise design, packaging, and collections. The scope of work includes the production of items branded with partner logos under licensing agreements. Vendors should demonstrate adherence to brand standards and experience with co-branded merchandise and licenses. Vendors should highlight their experience in working with brand standards and co-branded merchandise, showcasing their ability to meet OIAA's specific needs and expectations.

1.2. Timeline

Release Project Date: August 1, 2024

Question Submission Deadline: August 29, 2024, 3:00pm

Response Submission Deadline: September 12, 2024, 3:00pm

2. Agency Background

The Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) is a joint-powers authority (JPA) formed between the City of Ontario and San Bernardino County as a public agency in Southern

California. The OIAA Commission consists of five appointed members. The OIAA is the owner https://secure.procurenow.com/portal/%7bproject.government.code%7d

Request For Information #2024-RFI-034 - Creative Direction and Merchandise Designer 2 and operator of Ontario International Airport (ONT). ONT is a medium hub airport serving more than 5.5 million passengers per year and is a major air cargo facility in Southern California, with more than 750,000 tons being carried to and from the airport each year.

3. Scope of Work

This is the detailed description of the Scope of Work, including objectives, tasks, deliverables, and any specific requirements relevant to this request. Please see the following:

3.1. General Description

The OIAA is seeking information on graphic designers and/or vendors with expertise in creative direction for merchandise design who have demonstrated adherence to brand standards and familiarity with co-branded merchandise and licenses. Respondents should provide background information about their organization, including prior relevant work experience, and their approach to merchandise design.

Please note that this RFI is for informational purposes only, and no contract will be awarded as a result. Responses will be used solely for information and potential planning purposes.

3.2. Core Deliverables

Respondents are invited to provide information from their organization's experience on the following:

• Background information about your organization, including prior work experience and products you offer related to our needs.

• The size of your organization and the number of branches.

• Approach to merchandise design.

• Operations related to merchandise packaging (e.g. custom boxes, ribbons, etc.).

• Operations regarding merchandise collections. (e.g. hat, shirt, shoes as one collection).

• Past experience working with other businesses, including your ability to receive feedback and deliver on expectations regarding design, details, and inquiries in a timely manner.

• Provide information and history of your business's experience collaborating with partnered logos that are licensed, co-branded items, and adherence to brand standards.

3.3. Vendor Qualifications

The OIAA prefers responses from local vendors within a 50-mile radius but encourages submissions from all qualified vendors regardless of location. The graphic designer and/ or

Request For Information #2024-RFI-034 - Creative Direction and Merchandise Designer 3 respondent we are seeking information from must have the following experience and qualifications:

• A pool of graphic designers with a variety of skills (if the respondent is a business).

• Creating designs and producing items branded with partner logos under licensing agreements.

• Demonstrated adherence to brand standards and experience with co-branded merchandise and licenses.

• Experience working with an agency of record, clients, and within brand standards.

• Expertise in creative direction for merchandise design, packaging, and collections.

• Familiarity with co-branded merchandise and licensees (preferred).

3.4. Anticipated Contract Terms

This RFI is for informational purposes only, and no contract will be awarded as a result.

Responses will be used solely for information and potential planning purposes on creative marketing and merchandise design.

4. Submission Instructions & Formating

All interested vendors are required to submit all proposals and questions electronically through

OpenGov by the deadline listed above. Use "2024-RFI-034- Creative Direction and Merchandise

Designer" as the subject line for all submissions. Hard copies will not be accepted. All submissions must be in the following format:

• Portable Document File (PDF) Please keep digital files to less than 10 MBs if possible.

• OIAA may choose to print your submission, paper size should not exceed 8.5-inch by 11-inch.

• The main body fonts must be a minimum of 12 points, figure captions and callouts may use smaller fonts.

• A one-page cover must state the "2024-RFI-034 - Creative Direction and Merchandise

Designer" and include the prime firm name, contact person name, direct telephone or mobile phone number, and email address.

• Page count should not exceed fifteen (15) pages.

5. Response Content Overview

Request For Information #2024-RFI-034 - Creative Direction and Merchandise Designer 4

All Responses should be concise, organized, and show qualifications and applicable experience.

Each response/submittal, including attachments and exhibits, shall be no more than 15 pages in length.

All Responses shall be prepared at the expense of the Respondent electing to participate with the understanding that no claims against the OIAA will be accepted.

The Responses shall consist of the sections listed in the Scope of Work under 'Core

Deliverables'.

6. Additional Legal Information

6.1. Reproduction and Personal Use of Information

The OIAA shall be free to use as its own, without payment of any kind or liability therefore of, any idea, scheme, technique, suggestion, layout, or plan received.

6.2. Expense, Ownership, and Disposition

• The OIAA shall not be responsible in any manner for the costs associated with the submission of the Response.

• The Response, including all drawings, plans, photos, and narrative material, shall become the property of the OIAA upon receipt by the OIAA.

• The OIAA shall have the right to copy, reproduce, publicize, or otherwise dispose of each submittal in any way that the OIAA selects.

7. Equal Opportunity Statement

7.1. Equal Opportunity

All businesses, including those that meet the definition of socially and economically disadvantaged, as defined in 49 Code of Federal Regulations (“CFR”) Part 23 and 26, will be provided equal access to participate in the performance of all the OIAA and DOT-assisted bidding, contracting and leasing opportunities. In the procurement of service and consulting agreements and the purchase of supplies, materials, and equipment, the OIAA’s CEO or his or her designee shall be responsible for following all procedures required by the OIAA and other applicable federal, state, and local laws.

7.2. Equal Opportunity Requirements

All companies interested in conducting business with the OIAA shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment, because of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, medical condition, marital status, age (40 years and older), sexual orientation, pregnancy or other non-job-related criteria.

Request For Information #2024-RFI-034 - Creative Direction and Merchandise Designer 5

Interested companies shall also take action to assure that applicants and employees are treated without regard to the same criteria listed above.

8. General Terms and Conditions

8.1. Interpretations & Clarifications

Requests in Writing

• The respondent may submit questions/requests for information (RFI) regarding the content of this solicitations procedure. All inquiries must be submitted in writing using the OpenGov platform.

Deadline for Questions

• All questions must be submitted by 3:00 pm Thursday, August 29, 2024

Oral Inquiries

• OIAA will not accept or respond to oral inquiries. The OIAA is not responsible for responding to any questions not submitted/published on the OpenGov website.

Prohibited Communications

• Respondents may not directly contact or communicate with an OIAA employee or member of the OIAA Commission in relation to this RFI. The only exception to this prohibition is the submittal of questions as described above.

8.2. Addendum - Responses to Questions

If OIAA determines that a decision or interpretation requires that an addendum to the solicitation document be issued, an addendum will be prepared and posted on OpenGov and notice will be sent to the short-listed firms. Respondents are cautioned that subsequent responses or addenda will become part of the RFI and may affect or vary a response previously provided. Each Respondent is solely responsible for reviewing any and all addenda before submitting its Request for Information.

Investigation of all RFIs will be pursued; however, it may be impractical to post responses to certain inquiries. Therefore, the OIAA, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to waive posting a response to RFIs, including RFIs that are unrelated to the solicitations requirements, scope, specifications, or other provisions.

9. Confidentiality / Public Records Act

The procedures and time limits outlined in this section are mandatory and are the proposer’s sole and exclusive responsibility. Failure to comply with these procedures will result in deeming the proposal non-responsive.

Request For Information #2024-RFI-034 - Creative Direction and Merchandise Designer 6

All correspondence with the Authority including responses to this solicitation will become the exclusive property of the Authority and will become public records under the California Public

Records Act. Pursuant to Michaelis, Montanari, & Johnson v. Superior Court (2006) 38 Cal.4th

1065, proposals submitted in response to this solicitation will be held confidential by Ontario

International Airport Authority (“Authority”) and will not be deemed subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act (Cal. Government Code section 6250 et seq.) until after either Authority and successful proposer have completed negotiations and entered into an

Agreement or Authority has rejected all proposals. Furthermore, the Authority will have no liability to the Proposer or other party as a result of any public disclosure of any proposal, correspondence, or the Agreement.

If a Proposer desires to exclude a portion of its proposal from disclosure under the California

Public Records Act, the Proposer must mark it as such and state the specific provision in the

California Public Records Act which provides the exemption as well as the factual basis for claiming the exemption. In the event a Proposer claims such an exemption, the Proposer is required to state in the SOQ the following: “The Proposer will indemnify the Authority and its officers, employees and agents, and hold them harmless from any claim or liability and defend any action brought against them arising out of or related to Proposer’s claim of exemption from the California Public Records Act.” Failure to include such a statement shall constitute a waiver of a Proposer’s right to exemption from public disclosure. If a request is made for information marked as exempt from public disclosure, the Authority will provide Proposers who submitted the information with reasonable notice to seek protection from disclosure by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Proposals which indiscriminately identify all or most of the Proposal as exempt from disclosure without justification may be deemed unresponsive and disqualified from further participation in this procurement.

10. Vendor Questionnaire

10.1. Do you intend to submit a response to this RFI?*

☐ Yes

☐ No

*Response required

10.2. Upload Response documents here:*

*Response required

Request For Information #2024-RFI-034 - Creative Direction and Merchandise Designer 7