IFB C5613290-D - Correctional Peace Officer Programmatic Marketing

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Contracts Management Branch, has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB C5613290-D) for Correctional Peace Officer Programmatic Marketing Services. This procurement seeks a contractor to provide comprehensive digital marketing and advertising services designed to increase applications for Correctional Officer positions, with a target of 3,000 applications per month. Required deliverables include development of detailed work plans and budget plans within 30 days of contract award, execution of bi-monthly creative production, quarterly quality control audits, facilitation of bi-weekly meetings with the CDCR Recruitment and Career Services Project Manager, annual market research utilizing focus groups and surveys, weekly reporting of marketing metrics, hosting of 18 virtual career fairs annually, and management of email and text drip campaigns with mixed media advertisements. The contractor must employ qualified staff including a Project Manager, Creative Staff, and Digital Staff, each with a minimum of two years of relevant experience, and must provide three professional references demonstrating at least 24 months of law enforcement recruiting experience within the past 36 months. Letters of inquiry are due April 20, 2026, with bid submissions due May 4, 2026, by 11:00 AM, followed by public bid opening on May 5, 2026. The anticipated service commencement date is July 1, 2026, with an initial contract term of two years and an optional one two-year extension available at the same rates.

The IFB is exempt from DVBE (Disadvantaged Veteran Business Enterprise) mandatory requirements but offers a voluntary DVBE incentive of 1-5 percent (not exceeding $500,000) for responsive bids from responsible bidders proposing DVBE participation. A five percent Small Business/Micro Business preference applies to certified small businesses, capped at $50,000, and a five percent non-small business preference is available for bids proposing 25 percent or greater Small Business/Micro Business subcontractor participation. Government Code 14838 requires CDCR to meet a 25 percent Small Business participation requirement. The State's current maximum budget for services is $1,650,000, excluding the optional extension, with compensation structured according to rates specified on Exhibit B-1 covering both personnel services and direct marketing costs. All bids must be submitted electronically in PDF format to CDCR-CMB-Non-IT-Service-Bids@cdcr.ca.gov with required documentation including the OBS 300 form, rate sheet, three references, staff resumes, and various certifications. The award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder; in case of tie bids, the State will apply discount preferences or conduct a coin toss or lot drawing.