Tourism International Representation - Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Benelux Markets

Collier County's Procurement Services Division has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 25-8420 seeking a full-time international tourism representation firm to promote the Naples, Marco Island, and Everglades destination in the Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and BeNeLux markets. The selected vendor will be responsible for developing annual marketing plans, managing social media communications, coordinating public relations, participating in trade shows, conducting familiarization trips, and maintaining databases of trade and media contacts. The contract term is intended to be three years with two potential one-year renewal options, with proposals due on November 28th, 2025, at 3:00 PM EST. Proposals will be evaluated using a 100-point scoring system across seven criteria: cover letter (5 points), certified woman/minority business status (5 points), business plan (20 points), cost of services (20 points), firm experience and capacity (20 points), team member expertise (20 points), and local vendor preference (10 points). The evaluation process will include developing a shortlist, potential oral presentations, and negotiations with top-ranked proposers. Vendors must submit proposals electronically through the county's online bidding system, with all proposals remaining valid for 180 days from the submission date.

The procurement opportunity includes several set-aside and qualification considerations for potential vendors. Proposers must be enrolled in the E-Verify program and provide proof of employment eligibility, possess appropriate business licenses, and adhere to conflict of interest guidelines. The county offers preference points for certified woman/minority businesses and local vendors with a Collier County business address. Vendors must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence), Professional Liability ($1,000,000 per claim), and Workers' Compensation, with Collier County named as an additional insured. While no specific incumbent vendor is mentioned, the county has historically spent approximately $180,000 on similar services, though this may not indicate future spending patterns. The contract will be awarded as a fixed-price professional service agreement, with the county intending to pay a flat annual fee plus reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses, with no markup allowed on expenses such as travel, registration, and miscellaneous costs.