RFP 27-06 Hawaii Tourism Consulting Svcs for Cruise Industry

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) is seeking an experienced cruise industry consultant under a fixed-price contract with a total potential value of $260,000 over a thirty-six-month term running from September 2026 through August 2029, structured in three annual periods of $60,000, $100,000, and $100,000 respectively. The consultant will serve as a strategic advisor to HTA on Hawaiʻi’s cruise market, acting as the primary liaison between international, national, and local cruise stakeholders while enhancing visitor experiences, addressing legislative and industry challenges, improving resident sentiment, and strengthening coordination among cruise lines, local tour operators, and community partners. The scope includes providing ongoing industry intelligence, monitoring port calls and operational trends across the Hawaiian Islands, and delivering actionable recommendations aligned with HTA’s regenerative tourism model. All deliverables must use proper Hawaiian orthography and comply with accessibility standards under the ADA and Rehabilitation Act. The contract is funded by Hawaiʻi State General Funds, with unexpended funds reverting to the State at conclusion. Payment will be milestone- or deliverable-based, with invoices submitted via email and processed within thirty calendar days of satisfactory performance, subject to final acceptance and a compliant Vendor Certification (CVC). Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Hawaii Electronic Procurement System (HIePRO) by August 11, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. HST and are subject to strict formatting requirements, including a maximum 30-page PDF for Part 1, separate Excel or Word files for budget and activity metrics, and a second PDF containing all required attachments such as the Corporate Resolution, Conflict of Interest Disclosures, Standard Qualifications Questionnaire, and Contractor References. Proposals must be in English, on U.S. standard 8.5 x 11-inch paper, with 12-point font, and may not include PowerPoint slides, video, or audio materials. Evaluation will be conducted in two phases: an initial pass/fail classification followed by a weighted scoring of Overall Capabilities of Firm and Qualifications of Personnel (35%), Familiarity with Hawai‘i Brand and Product (15%), Cost Points Conversion (6%), and unweighted factors including Work Plan Strength and Price Reasonableness. The award will go to the most advantageous offeror based on total score, with ties broken by higher Work Plan and then higher Qual