Amtrak Cascades Marketing

The Oregon Department of Transportation is requesting proposals for marketing, advertising, and communication services for the Amtrak Cascades passenger rail route under RFP S-73000-00016138, with proposals due June 30, 2026 and questions due 10 calendar days prior to bid opening. ODOT has established a Certified Small Business aspirational target of 12 percent to encourage prime contractors to subcontract with certified firms.

The scope encompasses developing and executing a comprehensive marketing plan to optimize ridership on the Amtrak Cascades service, which operates between Vancouver, British Columbia and Eugene, Oregon. Deliverables include content creation and delivery across multiple marketing channels, management of the AmtrakOregon.com website, development and execution of social media content for Facebook and Instagram, creation of a social media influencer program, design and launch of promotional content for stations and trains, development of an editorial calendar, implementation of feedback tools, program revenue strategy development, advertising and promotions planning, and monthly, quarterly, and annual activity reports. The awardee must participate in weekly planning meetings and a project kick-off meeting within two weeks of the Notice-to-Proceed.

Proposers must demonstrate prior experience completing an advertising campaign for a public agency within the last five years and completing a project with a total contract spend of at least $200,000 within that same timeframe. Three client references from comparable projects completed within the last five years are required.

The annual budget for the initial two-year contract term is $250,000. The initial contract term is two years with options to renew for a cumulative maximum of ten years. All fully loaded hourly rates submitted in the price proposal must remain in effect for at least the first twelve months of the contract. Proposals will be evaluated on project management plan (55 points), experience on similar projects (50 points), key staff qualifications and availability (50 points), presentation and clarity of proposal (45 points), and price evaluation (up to 50 points), for a total of 250 possible points. ODOT anticipates issuing a Notice of Intent to Award approximately three weeks following the bid opening date, with a seven-calendar-day protest period thereafter. Proposals are public records subject to inspection after the Notice of Intent to Award is issued. Vendor registration in OregonBuys is required, and proposers must comply with Oregon tax laws and nondiscrimination requirements. Proposals constitute firm offers valid for 180 days following bid opening.