Lake County Michigan Tourism Brand & Marketing Asset Development RFP 2026
Lake CountyCounty · Lake County, MI- Due
- Oct 1, 2026
- Deadline passed
- Contract term
- 1 year
- Primary contact
- Jodi Nichols
- (231) 742-3328
The 30-second brief
Lake County, Michigan, through the Lake County Economic Development Alliance (LCEDA), is soliciting proposals for the development of a county-wide tourism brand and associated marketing assets. The scope of work includes discovery and strategy (stakeholder engagement, asset inventory, competitive analysis), visual design (logo, tagline, color palette, branding guidelines, and visitor information kiosk prototypes), and a comprehensive marketing campaign strategy. Additionally, the project requires the development of a functional interactive website with an events calendar and QR code integration for community kiosks. The anticipated budget range is $100,000 to $150,000. Proposals are due by 5:00 PM ET on October 1, 2026, with a target project duration of approximately 12 months from contract execution.
Logo, Tagline, Color palate, Branding guidelines, Tourism website, Events calendar, Community information kiosks, Marketing campaign strategy, Templates for social media/e-newsletter/flyers/billboards
Relevant experience with comparable communities (30%), Quality and creativity of design portfolio (25%), Proposed approach and methodology (15%), Pricing and value (15%), Team qualifications (15%)
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Summary
Lake County, Michigan, through the Lake County Economic Development Alliance (LCEDA), is soliciting proposals for the development of a county-wide tourism brand and associated marketing assets.
The scope of work includes discovery and strategy (stakeholder engagement, asset inventory, competitive analysis), visual design (logo, tagline, color palette, branding guidelines, and visitor information kiosk prototypes), and a comprehensive marketing campaign strategy. Additionally, the project requires the development of a functional interactive website with an events calendar and QR code integration for community kiosks. The anticipated budget range is $100,000 to $150,000. Proposals are due by 5:00 PM ET on October 1, 2026, with a target project duration of approximately 12 months from contract execution.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
9- Logo
- Tagline
- Color palate
- Branding guidelines
- Tourism website
- Events calendar
- Community information kiosks
- Marketing campaign strategy
- Templates for social media/e-newsletter/flyers/billboards
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
9- Firm Overview
- Relevant Experience
- Proposed Approach & Methodology
- Team & Staffing
- Pricing & Budget
- References
- Timeline Confirmation
- Terms & Disclosures
- Appendix A: Additional Requirements Checklist
REQUIRED STAFFING
4- Submit to
- [email protected]
- Duration
- 12 months
- Scope location
- Lake County, MI
- Reported agency
- Lake County Economic Development Alliance
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from Lake County?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is October 1, 2026. The solicitation specifies required deliverables that must be addressed in your response. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: [email protected]. For questions, contact Jodi Nichols.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including Lake County in MI, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Jodi Nichols at (231) 742-3328. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What staffing is required for this project?
This solicitation outlines specific staffing requirements. The required roles include: project manager, lead designer, lead website developer, marketing strategist. Proposers should demonstrate relevant qualifications and experience for each required role.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: Logo, Tagline, Color palate, Branding guidelines, Tourism website, Events calendar, Community information kiosks, Marketing campaign strategy, Templates for social media/e-newsletter/flyers/billboards. Proposals should clearly address how each deliverable will be met.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Relevant experience with comparable communities (30%), Quality and creativity of design portfolio (25%), Proposed approach and methodology (15%), Pricing and value (15%), Team qualifications (15%)" Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from Lake County?
All active and historical solicitations from Lake County are tracked and searchable. As a county agency, Lake County regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
What is the contract term for this solicitation?
The anticipated contract term is 1 year. Contract terms may include renewal options.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: Firm Overview, Relevant Experience, Proposed Approach & Methodology, Team & Staffing, Pricing & Budget, References, Timeline Confirmation, Terms & Disclosures, Appendix A: Additional Requirements Chec. Additionally, proposals should address staffing requirements as outlined in the solicitation. Review the full document from Lake County for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Lake County, MI. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.