SUBJECT
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Approve selection committee’s recommendation to authorize staff negotiations with &Barr to provide advertising and marketing services for Visit Central Florida. (No fiscal impact)
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DESCRIPTION
Tourism & Sports Marketing requested that Procurement solicit proposals from qualified firms to provide full-service advertising and marketing services. Services include innovative creative development, strategic media planning and buying, tourism-focused storytelling, and integrated campaign development and execution.
Request for proposal (RFP) 26-345 Advertising & Marketing Services for Visit Central Florida was issued, and nineteen proposals were received. The selection committee met on September 14, 2026, to evaluate and score proposals The four highest scored firms were elevated to interviews. On September 21, 2026, the selection committee conducted interviews and received presentations from the proposers. After the interviews the selection committee ranked the proposers. The consensus of the selection committee was to request the Board authorize staff to enter into negotiations with the two highest ranked proposers interviewed, beginning with the highest ranked proposer &Barr.
The following is a listing of the firms and their rankings:
Firm Location Rank
&Barr Orlando, FL 1
Karsh Hagan Madden Denver, CO 2
Spark Tampa, FL 3
Brisdel, Voss & Associates, Inc Milwaukee, WI 4
A recommendation of award was posted, and no protests were received.
RECOMMENDATION
Request Board approve the selection committee’s recommendation to authorize staff contract negotiations starting with the highest ranked proposer, &Barr to provide advertising and marketing services for Visit Central Florida.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact during negotiations.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tabatha Shirah
Procurement Analyst
(863) 534-5935
tabathashirah@polkfl.gov