Awarded vendors
- Duncan Channon, Inc.
Description
Covered California issued a competitive, three‑stage solicitation (RFP 2019‑07) to select a lead advertising agency to design, produce, and manage statewide, multi‑segment integrated marketing campaigns aimed at increasing health‑insurance enrollment. The contract provides an estimated $45 million per year for a five‑year initial term, with optional two‑year extensions, and requires a full‑service agency (or consortium) to handle strategic planning, creative development, media planning and buying, account management, research, evaluation, and multicultural outreach. The award was announced via a Notice of Intent to Award on December 16 2019 to Duncan Channon, Inc. The procurement process included eligibility/capability (Stage 1), site‑visit (Stage 2), and a financial package plus oral presentations (Stage 3).
• Scope: strategic media planning, creative production, media buying across TV, radio, digital, social, and print, with emphasis on English‑, Spanish‑, Asian‑language, and LGBTQ audiences.
• Qualification: California‑based agency with ≥ 50 employees, ≥ $100 million gross billings in two of the three prior years, operating since 01 Jan 2014.
• Budget: approx. $45 million annually (potential up to $540 million with extensions), cost‑proposal evaluated at 40 % of Stage 3 score.
• Timeline: RFP released Aug 2019, final oral presentations Dec 2019, contract start Jan 2020, initial term ends Mar 2025.