Marketing Services to Advance Global Thought Leadership

The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is seeking a full-service global integrated marketing agency to develop and execute a comprehensive thought leadership strategy for the Center for BrainHealth. The procurement aims to expand the Center's leadership position, reinforce scientific evidence, and counter misinformation about brain health through targeted marketing services. Specific deliverables include developing 1-2 controlled content pieces and 2-3 blog posts quarterly, implementing a media strategy, securing 4-6 speaking engagements annually for BrainHealth leaders, and providing weekly strategic planning and counsel. The RFP requires vendors to be independent global marketing agencies with in-house offices, demonstrated experience in the brain health category, and proven outcomes in health and wellness. Evaluation criteria will weight annual fees at 40%, understanding of the BrainHealth category at 20%, leadership in key growth segments at 20%, team expertise at 10%, demonstrated results at 5%, innovative approaches to technology and AI at 3%, and proposed added value at 2%. The solicitation was issued on December 5, 2025, with proposals due by December 19, 2025, at 2:00 PM CST, for a one-year contract with two optional one-year renewal periods.

The procurement includes a mandatory Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Subcontracting Plan, requiring vendors to demonstrate good faith efforts to utilize Texas-certified HUB vendors. Proposers must complete and submit the HUB Subcontracting Plan with their bid response, with failure to do so rendering the proposal non-responsive. The solicitation allows proposers to indicate HUB certification or Small Business Administration (SBA) small business status, and provides opportunities for other University of Texas System institutions and government agencies to potentially utilize the resulting contract through group purchasing arrangements. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the contract requires comprehensive insurance coverage, including Workers' Compensation with $1 million employer liability limits, Commercial General Liability of at least $1 million per occurrence, and Comprehensive Automobile Liability coverage. The procurement is governed by Texas law, with venue in Dallas County, and includes provisions for compliance with various state and federal regulations, including ethics policies, conflict of interest guidelines, and data protection standards.