Sponsorship Development and Event Marketing

Arapahoe County, Colorado is seeking a non-exclusive advertising agency to provide comprehensive sponsorship development and event marketing services through Solicitation Number 25-42. The procurement targets qualified individuals or firms capable of supporting County-hosted events, cultural festivals, and community celebrations, with specific focus on the Arapahoe County Fair and up to two additional Open Spaces-related signature events. Proposers must submit detailed fee proposals that may include commission structures for sponsorship sales and media placements, with an emphasis on transparency and cost-effectiveness. The evaluation criteria are comprehensive, encompassing 25% weight for experience with sponsorship development, 15% for understanding County needs, 25% for creativity and professionalism, 15% for past performance and references, and 20% for cost-effectiveness. Critical procurement dates include August 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. for questions and August 27, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. for proposal submissions, both to be completed through www.bidnetdirect.com/colorado. Proposals are limited to 20 pages and must include an executive summary, firm description, proposed approach, staffing plan, timeline, three client references, current client list, and compensation schedule.

The initial contract term is set for three years from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028, with potential for one additional three-year renewal based on performance and budget availability. While no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types are mentioned, the RFP implies a competitive procurement open to various professional marketing and sponsorship development firms. The scope of work requires the selected contractor to serve as the County's advertising agency of record, handling sponsorship development and sales, media planning and placement, and event support and administration. An annual cap on total payments will be applied, though specific budget ranges are not explicitly detailed in the provided documentation. The RFP suggests flexibility in compensation models, indicating the County is open to innovative approaches that demonstrate value and effectiveness in generating sponsorships and marketing support for county events.