IDPH Media advertising RFP

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is seeking a vendor to assist in planning and executing comprehensive public relations and marketing programs through a Request for Proposal (RFP). The selected vendor will be responsible for strategic media advertising, including purchasing media across print, electronic, out-of-home, digital, and social platforms, sharing graphics with existing platforms, creating new graphics, and organizing public releases of publications. Key deliverables include managing social media across multiple platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Bluesky), developing creative content, and providing comprehensive campaign analytics with a focus on multicultural outreach targeting African Americans, LatinX/Hispanics, LGBTQIA+, and hard-to-reach communities. The RFP evaluation will be based on a total of 1,975 points, with 1,000 points for technical requirements, 200 points for commitment to diversity, 675 points for demonstrations, and 100 points for pricing. Vendors must achieve a minimum of 900 points on technical and diversity components to be eligible for demonstrations. The solicitation includes a non-mandatory pre-submission conference on December 20, 2024, with proposals due January 30, 2025, at 2:00 PM CST. Demonstrations are scheduled for February 24-28, 2025, with an anticipated contract award on March 18, 2025.

The contract includes a 13% Business Enterprise Program (BEP) goal for businesses owned by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities, with opportunities to meet this requirement through subcontractors. The initial contract term is 60 months, with potential renewals up to an additional 5 years, not to exceed 10 years total. The annual budget is $5 million, with a total anticipated budget of $25 million for the initial contract term, to be spent between July 1st and June 30th of each state fiscal year. The contract will be funded through state appropriations with possible partial federal funding. This is a new initiative for IDPH with no incumbent vendor, and the agency encourages creative approaches with campaign themes and tones varying based on desired outcomes. The solicitation includes a detailed Commitment to Diversity evaluation process that considers factors such as BEP goal compliance, subcontracting with women, minority, or disabled-owned businesses, DEI spend percentages, time commitments, written DEI policies, and diversity in organizational staffing. Vendors must provide extensive documentation to support their diversity credentials, including contracts, receipts, timesheets, policy documents, and staffing lists.