Advertising, Marketing, Media Buying, and Public Relations Services

This is a request for proposals (RFP) issued by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism to obtain services from qualified firms to successfully market and represent "The Natural State" through the Division of Arkansas Tourism, the Division of Arkansas State Parks, and Keep Arkansas Beautiful. The RFP seeks proposals for services in the areas of lead creative content development, advertising and marketing, social media, public relations, media planning and buying, and website development and hosting. Prospective contractors may respond to a single category or any combination of the four service categories. Minimum qualifications include experience in marketing, advertising, public relations, digital marketing, and website hosting. Proposals will be evaluated based on technical factors as well as cost, and the State reserves the right to award to a single contractor or multiple contractors. The proposal deadline is March 12, 2024, and the anticipated contract start date is May 20, 2024, with an initial term of three years and the potential for up to four additional one-year renewals.

The RFP is open to firms of all sizes, and there are no set-asides or incumbent contractors mentioned. The total projected contract amount is not provided, but the RFP includes an official solicitation price sheet with estimated annual hours and costs per service, as well as percentage-based costs for media placements and production. The total estimated annual costs range from $1,000,000 for Website Development and Hosting to $12,750,000 for Media Planning and Buying. The procurement involves the jurisdictions of Pulaski County and the City of Little Rock.