Graphic Design, Social Media and Digital Services for Marketing and Advertising

The City of Tempe is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Graphic Design, Social Media, and Digital Marketing services to support four Arts + Culture business units: Tempe Center for the Arts, Tempe History Museum, Community Arts Engagement, and Public Art. The City seeks qualified individuals or agencies capable of providing one, two, or all three service categories on a project-based, as-needed basis throughout the contract term. Deliverables include graphic design materials, social media content and management, and digital marketing campaigns supporting various marketing initiatives across the designated business units. Required qualifications include relevant experience and expertise in the applicable service areas, with Social Media contractors required to be available on-site in Tempe on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. The City will evaluate proposals using a cumulative point system with the following weighted criteria: firm experience and qualifications (30 points), cost (25 points), method of approach including software and delivery timelines (25 points), digital samples (15 points), and overall RFP response (5 points), with a possible 6-point interview component for a maximum of 200 points. Key deadlines include a March 23, 2026 deadline at 5:00 p.m. Arizona time for inquiries and questions, proposals due April 2, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Arizona time (note: the opportunity posting indicates April 3, 2026 as the due date), and proposal opening via Microsoft Teams at the submission deadline. Submissions must be made through the City's Bonfire procurement portal, and pricing is structured on an hourly rate basis with offerors required to provide base hourly rates for each applicable service category and optional project management rates.

Contractors must be locally based or Arizona-based, with the City expressing a preference for Arizona-based contractors. The RFP does not specify set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or other socioeconomic classifications. The contract term is one year from the date of award, with the City reserving the right to unilaterally extend for 90 days and renew for supplemental terms up to a maximum of four additional years in increments not exceeding one year each. Contractors must maintain specified insurance coverage including commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, workers' compensation insurance, and automobile liability of $1,000,000 per accident. Liquidated damages of $100 per calendar day apply for delivery delays beyond the committed due date. No specific budget range or award value is provided in the RFP documentation; pricing will be evaluated as part of the proposal review process on an hourly rate basis with all administrative, reporting, overhead, and other necessary costs included in the submitted rates.