Professional Marketing and Communication-Services (A)

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) is seeking a full-service marketing and public relations firm through Request for Proposal (RFP) #269-2025-1842(A) to supplement its internal resources with specialized marketing and communication services. The procurement focuses on obtaining comprehensive expertise in general marketing, public relations, digital communications, community engagement, event planning, and crisis communications. Key deliverables include developing integrated marketing campaigns, creating creative assets, managing media relations, supporting website development, conducting market research, and providing performance reports. The primary objectives are to promote CATS' services, engage the community, increase fixed-route ridership, and strengthen the transit system's brand identity and visibility. The proposal is due on September 25, 2025, with a pre-proposal meeting already conducted, and vendors must submit all documents electronically through the Bonfire procurement portal. The initial contract term will be three years with potential for two additional one-year renewals, contingent on performance and mutual agreement.

The procurement includes specific Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation requirements, with bidders expected to demonstrate good faith efforts in engaging DBE firms even if they cannot meet the full DBE utilization goals. Subcontractors and suppliers must be comprehensively listed, including details such as annual gross receipts, firm age, and NAICS codes, with DBE supplier utilization counted at 60% toward the DBE goal. Potential vendors must complete multiple certification forms, including documents verifying they are not debarred, suspended, or excluded from public transactions. While specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive scope suggests a significant investment in marketing and communication services for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg transit system. Bidders must provide detailed company backgrounds, references, and evidence of past performance in similar municipal or transit-related marketing projects, with the city reserving the right to reject any proposals that do not meet its stringent requirements.