DEP-BAW-RFQ-2027-RRR Marketing Services-PRF86 - CAT5

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is requesting qualifications and proposals for statewide contract PRF86, Category 5 (Advertising, Marketing and Event Planning Services), to develop and implement a marketing strategy for Recycle Smart MA, the statewide waste reduction education initiative, with proposals due August 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST and questions due August 12, 2026.

Eligible bidders must be pre-qualified entities on the OSD statewide contract PRF86 for Integrated Marketing Services. The scope encompasses audio and visual advertisement production for traditional media (print, television, radio, MBTA billboards), modern media (podcasts), and digital platforms (Meta, Reddit, Google, TikTok); media planning and buying; public service announcement development; partnerships with local sports teams and entertainment venues; event planning and execution; earned media and graphic design services; and translation of select ad creative. The campaign launches in January 2027 and concludes before December 31, 2027. Bidders must incorporate the designated "Do your part, recycle smart" slogan and associated logo.

The estimated first-year budget is $500,000 with all funding contingent on appropriations availability. The contract term is one year with two optional one-year renewal periods. MassDEP targets one contractor for award but reserves the right to award additional contracts if in the Commonwealth's best interests. The apparent successful bidder will be notified by September 2, 2026, with an estimated contract start date of September 16, 2026.

Responses are limited to six single-sided pages on qualifications, a ten-page campaign strategy proposal, creative samples (five digital ads, three public relations examples, two short-form videos, two radio spots), team biographies (maximum three pages), and references. MassDEP may require selected bidders to present a one-hour conceptual campaign plan presentation. Evaluation criteria, weighted across six categories, include bidder qualifications and relevant experience (0–20 points), proposed campaign strategy and approach (0–25 points), creative quality and communications effectiveness (0–15 points), project team management and capacity (0–10 points), references and past performance (0–5 points), and cost proposal (0–25 points). Responses must be submitted through COMMBUYS.