RFP 25024 ACC Transit Bus Advertising Program Management

The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County Transit Department (ACCTD) is seeking competitive proposals for an On-Board Transit Advertising Program Management contract through RFP #25024. The procurement aims to secure a vendor to develop and manage a comprehensive advertising program for Athens Transit, covering 37 vehicles including 32 Gillig buses and 5 Paratransit vans, with 1,012 total advertising spaces across exterior and interior locations. Proposals are due by 10:00 AM ET on September 17, 2025, and must be submitted electronically through OpenGov Procurement, requiring vendors to create a free account on the platform. The contract will commence on January 1, 2026, with an initial two-year term and options to extend for three additional one-year periods. Key deliverables include complete management of the advertising program, encompassing sales, production, installation, removal, and maintenance of advertising media, with a primary objective of maximizing advertising revenue while maintaining community-appropriate standards. The contractor must provide a Letter of Credit for 50% of the minimum guaranteed contract amount and submit monthly detailed billing reports. Evaluation criteria will likely focus on the proposed percentage of net advertising sales revenue and the contractor's ability to effectively manage and monetize the transit advertising spaces.

While the RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises, it requires vendors to adhere to strict advertising content guidelines that prohibit political, religious, obscene, or controversial advertisements. The digital advertising network will be operated by Message Point Media, which will receive 5% of revenue from the contractor's share. The financial structure mandates that the selected contractor pay Athens-Clarke County Transit Department a minimum of 50% of annual net advertising sales revenue, with proposals encouraging higher percentages. Although a specific budget range is not provided, the contract's potential value will be directly tied to the advertising revenue generated across the 37-vehicle fleet. The RFP suggests a robust opportunity for advertising firms with experience in transit advertising management, particularly those capable of maximizing revenue while maintaining community standards and working within the existing digital advertising infrastructure provided by Message Point Media.