City Manager’s Office
www.santa-ana.gov/cm
Item # 14
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
August 4, 2026
TOPIC: Communications and Media-Related Services
AGENDA TITLE
Agreement with Tripepi Smith and Associates, Inc. for Communication and Media- Related Services (Specification No. 25-147) (General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Tripepi Smith and Associates, Inc. to provide communication and media-related services for a three-year term in an amount not to exceed $150,000 annually from August 4, 2026 through August 3, 2029 with the option for two (2) one-year extensions for a total not-to-exceed amount of $750,000 (Agreement No. A-2026-XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
The City of Santa Ana issued Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 25-147 to solicit qualified firms to provide communication and media-related services. These services include strategic communications, digital and social media management, media relations, creative content development, event production support, website services, output and distribution services, and staff training to support the City's ongoing public information and community engagement efforts.
The purpose of these services is to support the City's public information, community engagement, branding, and outreach efforts through strategic communication and professional content development. Effective communication helps keep residents informed, engaged, and connected to the programs, services, and initiatives that impact their community. By providing timely, accurate, and accessible information across a variety of platforms, these services promote transparency, encourage community participation, and enhance the City's ability to reach and engage diverse audiences.
Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 25-147 was issued on December 18, 2025, on the City’s online bid management and publication system. A summary of vendor participation and results is as follows:
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists August 4, 2026
5 9
4 6
265 Vendors notified
18 Santa Ana vendors notified
57 Vendors downloaded the RFP packet
14 Responsive proposals received
2 Responsive proposals received from Santa Ana vendors
Proposals were opened on February 10, 2026, and evaluated. Fourteen proposals were received by the RFP deadline and were determined to be responsive to the specifications and met the City's requirements. An evaluation committee reviewed and scored all 14 proposals using the evaluation criteria established in the RFP. The four highest-ranked firms are summarized below:
Firm Rank Score
Tripepi Smith and Associates 1 94.67
JPW Communications 2 94.33
Rocket Launch 3 89.00
Communications LAB 4 88.33
Staff recommends awarding an agreement to the highest-ranked firm, Tripepi Smith and Associates. Based on the evaluation process, the firm demonstrated the strongest overall qualifications, technical expertise, staffing resources, and strategic capabilities to effectively support the City's communications and public engagement objectives. The agreement includes a standard termination provision that allows the City to terminate the agreement upon thirty (30) days' written notice.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding is available in the current FY 2026-27 budget, and funding for subsequent fiscal years will be included in proposed budgets for City Council consideration. Funding allocations for the renewal option years will follow the same account allocation shown below. The table below shows the breakdown for the three-year term and the renewal options:
Fiscal
Year
Department Accounting
Unit –
Account #
Fund
Description
Accounting
Unit, Account
Description
Amount
FY 26-27 City 01103012- General Fund Professional $150,000 Manager’s 62300 Contract
Office Services
FY 27-28 City 01103012- General Fund Professional $150,000 Manager’s 62300 Contract
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists August 4, 2026
5 9
4 6
Office Services
FY 28-29 City 01103012- General Fund Professional $150,000 Manager’s 62300 Contract
Office Services
FY 29-30 City 01103012- General Fund Professional $150,000 Manager’s 62300 Contract
Office Services
FY 30-31 City 01103012- General Fund Professional $150,000 Manager’s 62300 Contract
Office Services
TOTAL $750,000
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Agreement with Tripepi Smith and Associates
Submitted By: Paul Eakins, Public Affairs Information Officer Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager