Marketing, Advertising and Communications Services: The San Joaquin Council of Governments (sjcog.org) and Dibs Program (dibsmyway.com)

The San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) from full-service marketing agencies with experience in brand development and management; marketing and advertising; social media strategy, implementation and management; website design, development and maintenance; public relations; and market research.

From this solicitation, SJCOG is seeking to establish an on-call shortlist of qualified professional agencies to be utilized on a as needed basis over a period of five years from the date of approval by the SJCOG Board. The total amount payable by SJCOG shall not exceed a cumulative maximum total value of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) (“NTE Sum”). It is understood and agreed that there is no guarantee, either expressed or implied that this dollar amount will be authorized through Task Orders Contracts as a result of competitive selection.

SJCOG anticipates the list to be active for various assignments and reserves the right to limit the number of qualified firms for the shortlist to five. SJCOG is seeking agencies that have experience thinking differently and unconventionally with the goal of pushing boundaries with products, technology and services. The services would support all areas of SJCOG (described at sjcog.org) as well as the dibs program (described at dibsmyway.com), a transportation demand management program administered by SJCOG that serves multiple counties. A brief overview of SJCOG roles is included below.

SJCOG is the planning, financing and coordinating agency for the San Joaquin region overseeing transportation, housing and habitat conservation. SJCOG is a joint-powers authority with a board of directors comprised of elected representatives from Escalon, Lathrop, Lodi, Manteca, Mountain House, Ripon, San Joaquin County, Stockton, and Tracy. SJCOG’s broad range of responsibilities include managing the Measure K transportation sales tax program, collecting county demographic and economic data, airport land use planning, and regional air quality. SJCOG partners with a network of local governments, private organizations and community groups to deliver a variety of local, state and federal programs that support the streets, roads, highways, public transit, and other transportation resources that help our residents get where they need to be. It is also responsible for assigning each city and the county its fair share of affordable housing.

Since 1969, SJCOG has filled a variety of niches for its member jurisdictions. A short description of each of these roles is contained below:

A. Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA)

In 1973, SJCOG was recognized as the Regional Transportation Planning Agency for San Joaquin County. Initially the designation related solely to the administration and allocation of Transportation Development Act funds for public transit and possible road and street projects. However, over time the RTPA designation has expanded such that SJCOG is the agency responsible for adopting a Regional Transportation Plan and a Regional Transportation Improvement Program that programs state and federal funds within the region’s boundaries. In addition, the designation gives SJCOG planning and coordination responsibilities over most federal and state funding programs for transportation administered by the State of California.

B. Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

Metropolitan Planning Organization is a federal designation identifying SJCOG as the agency responsible for carrying out federal guidelines, regulations and statutes for planning and coordination. SJCOG’s region is designated as a Transportation Management Area and SJCOG is carrying out state and federal Congestion Management functions.

C. Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC)

In August 1973, the Board of Supervisors and the mayor of each city designated SJCOG as the appropriate agency to assume the planning responsibilities of the Airport Land Use Commission. The ALUC is responsible for preparing and enforcing an Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP) around each public access airport in San Joaquin County. The purpose of the ALUCP is to maximize public safety and long-term effectiveness of airports by eliminating the use of conflicting land uses. A partial update of the ALUCP was completed in June 2009, which included all public access airports except the Stockton Metropolitan Airport. An update to the ALUCP to include Stockton Metropolitan Airport was completed in Fiscal Year 2015-16.

D. Census Data Center (CDC)

The State of California participates in a national State Data Center Program with the U.S. Bureau of the Census and by maintaining the legislatively mandated State Data Center (SDC). The SDC is located within the Demographic Research Unit of the California Department of Finance. SJCOG is an affiliate data center within the California State Data Center Program. In this role, SJCOG receives reports and documentation from the U.S. Bureau of the Census. SJCOG generates numerous reports using the most current census data available. SJCOG also assists the Census Bureau in various special census projects. In addition, SJCOG works with the State of California Department of Finance, which is responsible for annual updates on California and local demographics. Starting in 2007, and continuing through this year, SJCOG partnered with University of the Pacific’s Center for Business and Policy Research to provide data center services and various demographic and economic studies for both internal use and dissemination to the public and other stakeholders through a wide variety of mediums.

E. Congestion Management Agency (CMA)

Following approval of Proposition 111 by California state voters in June 1990, SJCOG was named the Congestion Management Agency for San Joaquin County in 1991.

F. Local Transportation Authority (LTA)

In November 1990, San Joaquin County voters passed Measure K, a half-cent increase in sales tax to support specific transportation improvements. SJCOG is designated as the Local Transportation Authority, the agency responsible for administering the sales tax program and delivering the projects identified in the measure’s Expenditure Plan. Measure K was renewed for 30 years to 2041 in November 2006.

G. San Joaquin-Merced Transportation Demand Management (dibs)

As a Transportation Control Measure and TDM Program, SJCOG provides a commuter service program under the auspices of dibs and serves the counties of San Joaquin and Merced. dibs offers a trip planning system (NorCal GO), vanpool incentives, community and employer outreach, an emergency ride home program and coordinates special events. The goal of the program is to help meet community objectives by reducing congestion and improving air quality by promoting smart travel options such as carpooling, transit, vanpooling, biking and walking. Services for Merced County are provided through a contract with MCAG.

H. Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)

The state establishes affordable housing targets for each county. In San Joaquin County, SJCOG is responsible for determining the fair share distribution of those affordable units among our member jurisdictions. This responsibility is codified in state law. Per SB 375, the RHNA process is an integral part of developing a Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) for the San Joaquin County region. The current RHNA (2023-2031) was completed as a coordinated effort with the 2022 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and SCS. It was adopted by the SJCOG Board in September 2022 and approved by the California of Housing and Community Development in October 2022. This process occurs every eight years, so the next update will occur in 2030 concurrent with the 2030 RTP/SCS update.

I. Lead Agency - Transportation Air Quality Attainment

Per the National Clean Air Act Amendments (1990) and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control Plan adopted by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, SJCOG serves as joint lead agency for transportation/air quality attainment in San Joaquin County. SJCOG has signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding with San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, other Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Local Transportation Commissions in San Joaquin Valley to coordinate transportation/air quality planning functions.

J. San Joaquin County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan

SJCOG invested over seven years in the development of the San Joaquin County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan. The plan designates a subsidiary of the Council of Governments, SJCOG Inc., as the implementing agency of plan activities. The plan calls for the mitigation of approximately 100,000 acres of development through the acquisition of conservation easements over a 50-year period.