Comprehensive Marketing and Advertising Services

The Commonwealth of Kentucky's Finance and Administration Cabinet, procuring on behalf of the Tourism, Arts, & Heritage Cabinet and its thirteen constituent agencies, is requesting proposals for comprehensive marketing and advertising services under RFP 758, with proposals due October 9, 2026 at 3:30 p.m. ET. Kentucky resident bidder preferences and qualified bidder preferences apply per KRS 45A.490 and related statutes.

The scope encompasses strategic marketing and advertising campaigns, creative content development, digital and multimedia production, media planning and placement, paid social media campaigns, research services, and public relations support to promote tourism and cultural activities statewide. The vendor must place and pay for media, then invoice the Cabinet for reimbursement. Out-of-pocket production items, novelty items, and printing materials directly related to marketing campaigns are reimbursable with advance written approval and actual receipts. Hourly professional services rates, hourly support services rates, media placement charges on a percentage basis, and reimbursable travel charges in accordance with 200 KAR 2:006 apply. No anticipated annual budget or historical expenditure data was provided to proposers.

The contract is structured as a master agreement with an initial two-year term, renewable for two additional two-year periods by mutual agreement. Commercial general liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate is required, with the Commonwealth named as additional insured.

Evaluation allocates 1,100 maximum technical points and 440 cost points; oral presentations or demonstrations may be worth an additional 400 points at the Commonwealth's discretion. Proposals with combined technical scores of 600 or less will not advance to cost evaluation. The Commonwealth reserves the right to negotiate with the top-ranked vendor and proceed to subsequent vendors if negotiations fail. Written questions were due September 23, 2026; Commonwealth responses were issued September 30, 2026.