Tourism Research Services

Collier County, Florida, through its Board of County Commissioners Procurement Services Division on behalf of the Tourism Division, is soliciting proposals for comprehensive tourism research services under Solicitation No. 26-8644. The procurement seeks a qualified firm to conduct research and analytics evaluating the effectiveness of the County's tourism advertising and promotional efforts. The scope of services encompasses four primary research tasks: monthly visitor profile studies through airport interviews, hotel and attraction surveys, and online interviews; monthly hotel occupancy and average daily rate studies with annual comparisons; annual economic impact assessments measuring tax revenue, employment effects, and return on advertising investment; and three to four annual focus group research sessions in domestic and international markets. Proposers must provide monthly and annual costs for each research task, separate pricing for out-of-pocket expenses including travel, and hourly rates for additional work outside the defined scope. The contract term is three years with two optional one-year renewal options, with prices remaining firm throughout the agreement duration. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the County's online bidding platform by April 8, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST and remain valid for 180 days. Evaluation criteria totaling 100 points include cover letter and management summary (5 points), certified woman and minority business enterprise status (5 points), business plan and methodology (20 points), cost of services (20 points), firm experience and capacity (20 points), specialized expertise of team members (20 points), and local vendor preference (10 points). Proposers must submit three to ten client references from similar projects completed within the past two years and sample work products demonstrating previous tourism research deliverables.

Local vendor preference is available for businesses maintaining a physical business address within Collier or Lee County limits with an appropriately zoned location, demonstrating verifiable economic contribution to Collier County through employment or tax base support, and maintaining a current local Business Tax Receipt issued by the Collier County Tax Collector prior to bid submission. Certified woman and minority business enterprise status qualifies for evaluation points. All proposers must meet mandatory compliance requirements including E-Verify enrollment, Florida Certificate of Authority to Conduct Business, Vendor Declaration Statement certifying no collusion or conflicts of interest, Conflict of Interest Certification, and Immigration Certification. Insurance requirements include Worker's Compensation per Florida Statutes Chapter 440, Commercial General Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence with $2,000,000 aggregate, Automobile Liability of $500,000 per occurrence, and Professional Liability coverage, with Collier County named as Additional Insured on all applicable policies. A Bid Bond equal to 5 percent of the cost proposal must accompany the proposal submission, and if the contract exceeds $200,000, Performance and Payment Bonds of 100 percent of the contract award amount are required. Historical annual expenditures for tourism research services approximate $120,000, though the County notes this may not reflect future spending patterns, and the County reserves the right to award to a single proposer or multiple proposers if deemed in the County's best interest. All subcontractors must comply with identical insurance and compliance requirements, and the selected proposer must provide certificates of insurance within five business days of receiving a Notice of Recommended Award.