Specifications include, but are not limited to: This Request for Proposals (RFP) aims to seek proposals from qualified destination marketing publishers who have a working knowledge of the tourism industry and can demonstrate the necessary experience to produce a Visitors Guide for Coastal Mississippi’s leisure travel market. Prospective respondents are to submit proposals for the publication's design, printing, advertising sales, and digital guide creation. Proposals must be submitted in accordance with the conditions outlined in this RFP. Although we intend to contract with the person/company that best meets the qualifications to complete the scope of work, COASTAL MISSISSIPPI may terminate the negotiations if they are unsuccessful in reaching an agreement on all matters, including the scope of work and cost. COASTAL MISSISSIPPI intends to contract with a qualified agency or publisher to support its continued recovery efforts, stemming from the negative economic impacts of COVID-19. Future projects undertaken by the selected agency or publisher that are enumerated or implied to fall under the scope of this RFP may be paid in whole, in part, or not at all by federal and state grants. The aforementioned grants may be currently awarded to COASTAL MISSISSIPPI or may be awarded in the future. These funds may be used so long as it is deemed appropriate under the scope of the grant and meet the legal requirements of such. COASTAL MISSISSIPPI reserves the right to make these determinations on an as-needed basis, and any payments are not to be construed as a grant award unless explicitly stated to be such. Coastal Mississippi makes no warranties, express or implied herein, regarding grant awards in this RFP. COASTAL MISSISSIPPI wishes to employ an outside agency or publisher with destination marketing experience to produce a Visitors Guide for consumer distribution. The agency should recommend an overall strategy and layout to clearly position COASTAL MISSISSIPPI to visitors as an affordable and attractive open destination for those who enjoy traveling, specifically in its top drive markets and fly markets. It will be imperative to ensure that this scope of services adheres to any changing public health guidelines and is conveyed in an informed manner. The selected agency’s responsibilities will include the following: Minimum quantity: Format size: Would like two options proposed, 8.5” x 11” and a version no smaller than 6” x 9”; Stock: Recommend stock for front and back cover, interior pages; Pages: Minimum 48 pages + 4-page cover; Text: Content provided by publisher with Coastal Mississippi’s approval; Photography: Provided by publisher with Coastal Mississippi’s approval, Coastal Mississippi with share images with photo releases when available; Development: Kick-off meeting to review layout and develop project timeline, milestone meetings to ensure project timeline and delivery; Clear, concise, collaborative, and easily accessed communications by selected publishers with Director of Marketing and Marketing Managers as needed to keep projects on target and on time; All edits at the discretion of Coastal Mississippi before final approval
