Transit Bus and Shelter Advertising Services

The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA, operating as Cincinnati Metro) is soliciting proposals from experienced advertising service providers to manage and operate its interior and exterior transit advertising program under RFP #082-2026, with proposals due July 6, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. EST. No formal small business participation goal has been established, though bidders are encouraged to include small and disadvantaged businesses where feasible.

The scope encompasses marketing and selling advertising space on transit buses (interior frames, interior digital monitors, and exterior vinyl applications) and designated bus shelters throughout SORTA's service area covering Cincinnati, Hamilton County, and portions of Butler, Clermont, and Warren Counties. The contractor must manage client relationships, print and install advertising materials, maintain ad quality, conduct monthly quality control inspections at both operating garages, and deliver detailed monthly revenue remittance reports documenting all gross sales by advertiser and property type. All advertising content must comply with SORTA's Advertising Policy, which prohibits demeaning content based on protected characteristics, tobacco products, profanity, violence, unlawful goods or services, obscene material, sexually suggestive content, false or misleading speech, and material encouraging disregard for transit safety. The contractor assumes all operating costs and is responsible for damage to SORTA assets caused by installation or removal, except normal wear and tear.

The contract term is five years with contract administration at Queensgate Operating Garage (1401 Bank Street, Cincinnati) and Bond Hill Operating Garage (4700 Paddock Road, Cincinnati). The contractor must submit a guaranteed minimum monthly payment or percentage of net advertising sales revenue, whichever is greater, with monthly payments due by the 20th of each following month. Proposers are encouraged to offer more than 50 percent of annual net advertising sales revenue.

Evaluation criteria are weighted: Revenue Proposal (50 points), Project Approach and understanding of SORTA's needs (30 points), and Firm and Staffing Qualifications including at least three years of successful experience in multi-year revenue contract management and transit advertising services (20 points). The non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting was held June 9, 2026; questions were due June 12, 2026.