Creative Direction and Merchandise Designer

The Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) #2024-RFI-034 seeking creative direction and merchandise design services for branded partner merchandise. This procurement targets graphic designers and vendors specializing in merchandise design, packaging, and collection development, with a focus on producing items featuring partner logos under licensing agreements. The RFI requires comprehensive vendor submissions detailing organizational background, design approach, packaging operations, and experience with co-branded and licensed merchandise. Key project dates include a question submission deadline of August 29, 2024, at 3:00 PM, and a response submission deadline of September 12, 2024, at 3:00 PM. Vendors are expected to demonstrate expertise in adhering to brand standards, showcasing prior work with co-branded items, and highlighting their capability to meet OIAA's specific design and licensing requirements. While the RFI is an information-gathering exercise and will not directly result in a contract award, it aims to identify potential vendors with strong creative and design capabilities for future merchandise initiatives.

The OIAA has expressed a preference for local businesses within a 50-mile radius of postal code 91761 but encourages submissions from all qualified vendors regardless of location. No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly mentioned in the documentation. The airport serves over 5.5 million passengers annually and handles more than 750,000 tons of cargo each year, suggesting potential significant merchandise design opportunities. All submissions will become the property of OIAA and may be subject to public records disclosure under the California Public Records Act. While no specific award value or budget range was provided, the RFI indicates a comprehensive evaluation of vendor capabilities, organizational size, design proficiency, and prior experience with licensed merchandise production. The procurement is a joint-powers authority initiative between the City of Ontario and San Bernardino County, targeting creative professionals who can effectively represent the airport's brand through merchandise design.