REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) STATE PURCHASE-FY25-0261-SL: Tourism Research Services

Background
The State of Missouri, through the Department of Economic Development, Division of Tourism, is issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) for Tourism Research Services. The purpose of this RFP is to obtain competitive sealed proposals for research services aimed at measuring the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, developing new advertisements and promotional materials, and assessing the economic impact of the tourism industry on Missouri's economy.

The Division of Tourism has a long-standing commitment to promoting Missouri as a premier travel destination and relies on extensive marketing research to inform its strategies.

Work Details
The contractor shall provide research services including but not limited to:
1. Marketing Effectiveness Study;
2. Advertising Testing/Concept Study;
3. Missouri Tourism Economic Impact Analysis Study;
4. County-by-County Economic Impact Study.

The contractor must have at least five years of experience in travel and tourism research, data collection, and analysis. The contractor's team must include executive-level personnel with relevant experience and qualifications in research methodologies. They will be responsible for developing a detailed research plan for each study, including objectives, sample design, survey questions, and timelines. Specific deliverables include comprehensive reports detailing findings from each study conducted.

Period of Performance
The contract period will commence upon award and will last for one year, with potential renewal options for three additional one-year periods.

Place of Performance
Research services will be performed primarily in Missouri, with deliverables submitted to the Missouri Division of Tourism located at 301 W High Street, Room 290, Jefferson City MO 65101.

Bidder Requirements
Vendors must be registered in MissouriBUYS with 'Prospective' or 'Spend Authorized' status to submit a proposal. They must also meet minimum experience qualifications as outlined in Section 2: Scope of Work. Additionally, vendors are required to comply with all applicable federal and state laws regarding discrimination in employment and must maintain enrollment in the E-Verify program if applicable.