The Starkville Visitors & Convention Council intends to contract with a qualified agency to support its continued recovery efforts, stemmed from the negative economic impacts of COVID-19. This contract will be funded through federal ARPA dollars for Mississippi Tourism Recovery, II. As such, preference will be given to companies with offices in Mississippi or who employ Mississippi residents.
This RFP has been issued to seek qualified firms who have a working knowledge of the tourism industry and can demonstrate the necessary experience to produce messaging and ad design and provide placement strategy for our leisure travel market. This RFP is no way commits the Starkville Visitors & Convention Council to award a contract, to pay any costs in preparation of a proposal, or to contract for the goods and/or services offered.
Although it is the Starkville Visitors & Convention Council’s intent to contract with the person/company that best meets the qualifications to complete the scope of work, the Starkville Visitors & Convention Council may terminate the negotiations if they are unsuccessful in reaching an agreement on all matters including the scope of work and cost.
Please view the RFP and supplemental documents below for more information on the scope of work and how to submit a bid. Responses may be received electronically at phunt@starkville.org on or before 5:00 p.m. CDT on April 21, 2023.
Timeline
| RFP available to agencies | March 20, 2023 |
| Final day to submit questions regarding this RFP | March 30, 2023 |
| Notice of Intent to Bid due by 5:00 p.m. CDT | March 31, 2023 |
| Questions answered | April 7, 2023 |
| Proposals due by 5:00 p.m. CDT | April 21, 2023 |
| Proposals evaluated by the RFP committee | April 27 – 27, 2023 |
| Agencies under consideration will be interviewed. Follow-up interviews will be conducted during this time frame, as needed. | May 2 – 4, 2023 |
| Top-scoring agency will present their suggested plans to the Starkville Visitors & Convention Council Board of Directors | May 10, 2023 |
| Agency selected, and contract negotiations begin | May 11, 2023 |
| Work begins for a limited duration, decided in contract negotiations | June 1, 2023 |
RFP & Supplemental Documents
Proposals are due on or before 5:00 pm Central Standard Time on April 21, 2023.
- Advertising Agency RFP (PDF)
- Notice of Intent to Bid (PDF)
- Certification Statement (PDF)
- Official Contact (PDF)
- References (PDF)
