Tourism Advertising and Marketing Services

The State of Texas, through the Office of the Governor’s Economic Development and Tourism Office, is seeking a full-service advertising agency to develop and execute a comprehensive, strategic tourism marketing campaign designed to position Texas as a premier travel destination and substantially increase visitor travel to the state. The contract, issued under solicitation number RFP-301-26-07016 with a NAICS code of 541810, requires the selected agency to create and implement an annual Strategic Marketing Plan that includes branded elements such as slogans and logos approved by the Office of the Governor, innovative advertising creative with compelling imagery and call-to-action messaging, and a media strategy spanning both domestic and international markets. The agency must also coordinate promotional events and supply supporting collateral materials, with all deliverables subject to written acceptance by authorized OOG personnel based on the OOG’s sole judgment of quality and compliance. Performance is expected to commence on the effective date of contract execution and extend through August 31, 2027, with the option for up to three additional one-year renewals through August 31, 2030, and a possible six-month extension through February 28, 2031. The contract is estimated at a maximum value of $55 million for the initial performance period, with costs primarily structured around a fixed monthly service fee covering all standard services and goods outlined in the statement of work, while external expenses such as pre-approved travel will be reimbursed as separate reimbursables. Proposals will be evaluated in three distinct phases with weighted criteria focused on the quality of the Strategic Marketing Plan, proposal responsiveness, monthly fee competitiveness, company experience and qualifications, and creative presentation, with oral presentations forming part of Phase II. Applicants must submit a complete response including mandatory exhibits such as the Execution of Response with certification, Respondent Information Form, Conflict of Interest Disclosure, HUB Subcontracting Plan, Cost Proposal Fee Schedule, and FCPA Certification, all formatted and submitted as one original signed hard copy, three additional hard copies, and one digital PDF on USB drive—email submissions are strictly prohibited. The agency must comply with stringent ethical, legal, and operational standards including Texas Public Information Act requirements, anti-corruption provisions under the FCPA, adherence to the Texas Prompt Payment Act, GAAP/IAS accounting practices, commercial general liability and workers’ compensation insurance, data security protocols aligned with state IT standards, and full cooperation with audits and inspections. All parties are subject to contract termination