ITN 25-02 Notice of Validation Meeting.docx

This is a Notice of Meeting for ITN 25-02, issued by the Florida Prepaid College Board, the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Foundation, and ABLE United for advertising, digital marketing, partnerships, and public relations services. The validation meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET and will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. The meeting will serve to validate the Evaluators' recommendation to advance responsive proposals to the Negotiation Phase for ITN 19-04. Respondents must have a minimum of five years of experience in the financial services industry and maintain an active Florida business presence. Full responses were due January 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET, with written clarification requests having been due by December 4, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET. The procurement is divided into two primary components: (1) Advertising and Creative Services, Digital Marketing, and Social Media Services, and (2) Public Relations, Partnerships, and Events. The Board intends to award contracts to up to two firms with an initial three-year term from 2026 through 2029, with potential for three additional one-year extensions.

Respondents must meet specific financial thresholds: $15 million in annual billings for advertising services or $5 million for public relations services, with detailed work examples required from January 1, 2022 onward. Evaluation will be conducted using a 1,000-point system across organizational and strategic experience (400 points), work examples (400 points), and pricing schedule (200 points), with up to five respondents advancing to the shortlist. The combined marketing budgets for the programs range from $22.5 million to $28.5 million annually, structured as retainer-based fees for core activities and additional passthrough or hourly rates for project-based work. Services are currently under contract expiring June 30, 2026. Contractors must provide a designated Contract Manager attending quarterly Board meetings and monthly conference calls. The procurement does not specify explicit set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. Subcontractors require prior written Board approval, and broadcast media and print production charges must be supported by competitive bids from at least two companies unless otherwise approved.