Tourism Marketing Agency Services - RFP

Tooele County and the Tooele County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism are issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to procure comprehensive tourism marketing agency services designed to increase visitation and strengthen the county's reputation as a recreation destination. The procuring agencies seek qualified marketing and advertising firms capable of developing and implementing a digital-first marketing program targeting out-of-state visitors and specialty recreation markets, with emphasis on key destinations including the Bonneville Salt Flats, Burt Brothers Motorpark (Utah Motorsports Campus), the Peak Sports and Entertainment Complex, and Wendover Airfield. Required deliverables and services include digital advertising through Google, YouTube, and social media platforms; professional video production; website search engine optimization and enhancement; influencer partnerships; creative asset development; and measurable analytics demonstrating return on investment through visitor spending and tourism-related economic activity. Proposers must submit a cover letter with contact information, a technical proposal addressing firm overview and relevant experience, and a separate cost proposal with transparent disclosure of media commissions, markups, vendor rebates, agency management fees, media placement budgets, and content production costs. The evaluation process consists of four stages: initial compliance review, technical proposal evaluation (100 points maximum), interviews for qualifying proposers scoring at least 75 points (50 additional points), and cost analysis (50 points based on lowest bid formula). All creative assets, video footage, photography, advertising materials, and campaign data developed under the contract shall become the property of Tooele County and the Tooele County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism. The question-and-answer period closes at 4:00 pm on March 20, 2026, proposals are due by 4:00 pm on March 27, 2026, and final award notification is anticipated for April 3, 2026.

The RFP documents do not specify set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise restrictions, or incumbent vendor information. However, the solicitation imposes specific programmatic requirements regarding the use of Utah Office of Tourism co-op marketing grant funds, mandating that at least 75 percent of the total $251,876 co-op grant (minimum $188,907) be directed toward out-of-state marketing efforts primarily through digital media channels. The total anticipated first-year budget is approximately $300,000, with the County expecting that 85 to 90 percent of all funds will be allocated toward media placement, content production, and visitor acquisition activities. The contract term is one year from the date of execution, with optional renewal periods available at the County's sole discretion, and the County reserves the right to cancel the procurement process at any time or terminate the contract with 30 days' written notice for convenience or 10 days to cure for cause. Vendors may claim business confidentiality for specific proposal elements such as non-public financial statements or employee contact information by submitting the required Claim of Business Confidentiality form; however, pricing and cost proposals cannot be classified as confidential under Utah law.