Title
Request to Issue Request for Proposals for FY 2017-18 Tourism & Hospitality Advisory Board Funds
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for use of FY 2017-18 Tourism & Hospitality Board (THAB) funds.
Report
Summary
THAB is the City of Phoenix board that, annually, seeks and reviews proposals for projects and/or programs that enhance the City's tourism and hospitality industry. The 14-member Board is comprised of eight hoteliers (one from each council district), two at-large members from hospitality-related industries, two citywide representatives, one non-voting representative from City staff, and one non-voting member from the Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau (known as Visit Phoenix).
Procurement Information
The proposal evaluation criteria with the corresponding points (up to 1,000 points available) is as follows:
1. Strength of Proposal, 375 points. The Proposer should clearly show how it will: (a) promote the City of Phoenix as a destination; (b) attract visitors to Phoenix through conventions, trade shows, and special events; (c) promote general tourism for Phoenix; and (d) generate hotel room night bookings by visitors and/or tourists.
2. Funding Request/Scope of Work, 325 points. The funding request/scope of work must clearly delineate how the funds will be used. Proposers must provide details about how proposed conventions, trade shows, special events, multiple-day events, programs, or projects will attract visitors to the City of Phoenix.
3. Proposer Qualifications and Experience, 250 points. The Proposer must clearly delineate its firm's qualifications and experience with promoting tourism for a major city.
4. Overall Responsiveness to RFP Evaluation Criteria and Requirements, 50 points. Proposals will be rated on how well they met the evaluation criteria overall.
The RFP will be issued by or before Aug. 1, 2017. A formal recommendation for award of a contract will be presented to City Council by or before Dec. 30, 2017.
Advertising for the RFP will be placed on the City of Phoenix website and in the Arizona Business Gazette, Arizona Informant, Prensa Hispana, and the Record Reporter.
Contract Term
The contract term will be for five years without any extension options.
Financial Impact
The budget is not to exceed $500,000 over the life of the contract. THAB is funded through the Sports Facilities Fund, which is the hospitality industry's share of special excise taxes on hotel/motel lodging and rental cars.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Downtown, Aviation, Economy and Innovation Subcommittee recommended approval of this item on May 3, 2017, by a 3-0 vote.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Paul Blue and the Phoenix Convention Center Department.