Memo - ITN 25-02 Received Responses.pdf

This memorandum from the Florida Prepaid College Board documents responses received for Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) 25-02, issued by Leon County, Florida, for comprehensive advertising, digital marketing, partnerships, and public relations services. The ITN solicits two primary service components: (1) Advertising and Creative Services, Digital Marketing, and Social Media Services, and (2) Public Relations, Partnerships, and Events. Respondents were required to submit proposals by January 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM (ET), with written clarification requests due by December 4, 2025. Nine responsive proposals were received by the deadline: Nexstar Media Group Incorporated, Merit Mile LLC, The Zimmerman Agency, Sachs Media, Moore Communications Group, Yes&, St John & Partners Advertising and Public Relations Incorporated, Refuel Agency Incorporated, and CCOM Group Incorporated. One late submission was rejected. The Board intends to award contracts to up to two firms, with an initial three-year contract term from 2026 through 2029 and three optional one-year extensions thereafter.

Respondents must meet minimum qualifications including five years of experience in the financial services industry, an active Florida business presence, and annual billings of at least $15 million for advertising services or $5 million for public relations services. Evaluation will be conducted on a 1,000-point scale encompassing organizational and strategic experience (400 points), work examples from January 1, 2022 onward (400 points), and pricing schedules (200 points), with up to five respondents advancing to a shortlist. Services are structured as retainer-based fees for core activities and additional passthrough or hourly rates for project-based work, with combined marketing budgets ranging from $22.5 million to $28.5 million annually. The procurement does not contain explicit set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. Selected contractors must provide a designated Contract Manager for quarterly Board meetings, monthly conference calls, and executive leadership engagement, with monthly invoicing subject to Board approval and potential withholding of up to 50 percent of invoices for nonperformance.