Marketing, Advertising & Public Relations Services for SD State Fair

The South Dakota State Fair, a division of the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, is seeking proposals for a comprehensive marketing, advertising, and public relations services contract to support the annual South Dakota State Fair and Wheel Jam events. The procurement is structured as a Request for Proposal (RFP) #24RFP11800, soliciting services from experienced and creative marketing agencies specializing in digital marketing, display ads, web design, graphic design, public relations, and audio/visual production. Desired deliverables include developing advertising campaigns, designing printed materials, executing media buying, maintaining websites, managing social media integration, and providing on-site support during the State Fair. The agency will be responsible for advising on marketing strategies, creating campaigns, and producing various promotional materials across multiple platforms. Evaluation criteria will focus on specialized expertise, available resources, past performance, cost, project management techniques, and familiarity with the project locale. Key deadlines include proposal submissions due by 5:00 PM CT on December 10, 2024, with an anticipated contract award and negotiation date of December 19, 2024. The resulting contract will cover a five-year period from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2029.

The RFP does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The current vendor has expressed interest in responding to the RFP, indicating potential incumbent participation. The State Fair will retain some internal capabilities for organic social media and website updates, requiring the selected agency to integrate with existing infrastructure. The annual marketing budget is consistently $100,000 for the State Fair and $10,000 for Wheel Jam, both subject to potential annual adjustments. The contract is non-exclusive, allowing the State to contract with additional firms for specialized services or utilize in-house capabilities for certain advertising and promotional efforts. The total contract amount will not exceed a specified budget and will include the contractor's travel, accommodations, meals, and other incidental expenses. Pricing and specific contract terms will be negotiated with the highest-ranked offeror, with the State reserving the right to reject any or all proposals and select the offer providing the best overall value.