MPA-479 Communications, Marketing and Advertising Services

The State of Rhode Island is soliciting proposals for a Master Price Agreement covering Communications, Marketing and Advertising Services (MPA-479), with proposals due July 8, 2026, and vendor questions due June 29, 2026.

Bidders may apply for inclusion in one or more of four service categories: strategic marketing and outreach consultation, technical services including production of materials, research-based services, and media buying services. Current MPA-479 vendors are required to submit technical proposals for continued inclusion. The MPA will serve as a statewide master price agreement with applicability to political subdivisions, municipalities, and institutions of higher education authorized by law.

For Categories 1–3 (strategic marketing, technical services, and research-based services), pricing is hourly, fully loaded, submitted via rate matrix with job-function specifications; agencies are authorized to negotiate lower rates or fixed-fee arrangements project-by-project. Category 4 (media buying) includes commissionable services plus non-commissionable services (social media strategy, production technical fixes, benchmarking research, inter-agency partnership development), with vendors submitting blended hourly rates for non-commissionable work. Technical proposals for all categories must achieve a minimum score of 80 out of 100 points to advance to the qualified vendor list. Pricing is evaluated separately using a relative scoring formula where the lowest cost bidder receives 100 percent of available cost points.

The initial contract period begins October 1, 2026, for three years with options to renew for two additional 12-month periods at the State's discretion, based on vendor performance and fund availability. A 0.33 percent contract administrative fee will be withheld from vendor invoices. Required insurance includes general liability of $1 million per occurrence, workers' compensation of $100,000 per occurrence, automobile liability of $1 million, and professional liability (errors and omissions) of $2 million. Vendors must submit the Vendor Certification Form, Supplemental Bidder Attestation Form (attesting no conflicts of interest with Rhode Island state officials and no material participation in RFP formation), and MBE Participation Acknowledgment Form. Proposals must be submitted electronically through Ocean State Procures; late submissions will not be accepted.