C2026629_Portland Business Journal_SoleSource_Notice.pdf

SOLE-SOURCE DETERMINATION AND JUSTIFICATION

FOR SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

Business Oregon Project Number: C2026629

OregonBuys Solicitation Number: S-12300-00018074

To: Erika Murchison, Procurement & Contracts Manager, Designated Procurement Officer (DPO) Agency: Oregon Business Development Department (OBDD), Arts & Cultural Trust Division Procurement Specialist: Denise Wendler, Procurement and Contract Specialist

Date: September 28, 2026

Re: Sole Source Determination pursuant to Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 279B.075 and Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 137-047-0275

1. Authority to enter into a Sole-Source Contract: ORS 285A.075(3), OAR 123-006-0020, and OAR 137-047-0275

2. Estimated Total Value of Contract: $54,740 from date of signature through 31 July 2027.

3. Prospective Vendor: American City Business Journals, Inc. doing business as (“dba”) Portland Business Journal (“PBJ”)

4. Subject of Contract: Advertising for Oregon Arts Commission & Oregon Cultural Trust (“Arts & Trust”), including specific Arts & Trust events

5. Background:

The Oregon Business Development Department (“Business Oregon”) on behalf of the Oregon Arts Commission plans to purchase advertising for Arts & Cultural Trust awareness, philanthropy, the Oregon Cultural Trust Tax Credit, and Arts & Trust events. This sole source justification supports Business Oregon’s request to enter into a contract with PBJ for advertising through 31 July 2027.

6. Findings:

PBJ is a leading source of news and information for arts and culture patrons in the Portland metropolitan area and the entire state of Oregon. Advertising in the PBJ helps ensure awareness and participation in the Oregon Cultural Trust Tax Credit program, in events and grants sponsored through the Oregon Arts Commission and the Oregon Cultural Trust and promotes philanthropic support for Arts & Trust.

a. Market Research Overall Finding.

PBJ is a widely read publication with advertising across multiple media, including PBJ website, mobile site, newsletters and articles. Advertising through PBJ will increase awareness and understanding of the Oregon Cultural Tax Credit among business leaders, CPAs, advisors, and nonprofit organizations, in turn helping more Oregonians take advantage of the tax credit and increasing awareness of Arts & Culture events and charitable opportunities. Advertising through PBJ will also promote the arts in Oregon by highlighting specific events and philanthropic opportunities. Proposed advertising through PBJ will include, but is not limited to:

1. Arts & Culture Summit & Awards: Advertisements Generating visibility for the December 2026 Summit and Awards and amplify the release of the Creative Economy Report.

C2026629_Portland Business Journal_SoleSource

2. Long-term storytelling: Articles highlight the statewide impact of the Cultural Trust, including support of cultural partners, county and tribal cultural coalitions, and cultural development grants across Oregon.

3. Brand Pillars Hub Advertising (December 2026 – June 2027): highlight Culture & Trust through advertising in PBJ local market, placement in local PBJ navigation bar, PBJ newsletter promotion, PBJ paid amplification.

4. Gold Sponsorship of Corporate Philanthropy Awards and Publisher Dinner (February 2027).

5. Promotion of Arts & Culture Summit Awards: digital promotional placements leading un to the December Arts & Culture Summit Awards event.

6. Email following Arts & Culture Summit: dedicated email amplifying key takeaways from Arts & Culture Creative Economy Report.

7. Reaching aligned audiences: Connect through advertising with corporate philanthropic leaders, business decision-makers, and trusted advisors who can influence chartable giving and promote education about the Oregon Cultural Trust Tax Credit.

b. Findings of Fact pursuant to 279B.075 (2) must include, at a minimum, one of the following:

☐ Pursuant to ORS 279B.075 (2)(a): Compatibility. Provide findings supporting your determination that the efficient utilization of existing goods requires the acquisition of compatible goods or services.

☐ Pursuant to ORS 279B.075 (2)(b): Exchange of Software or Data. Provide findings supporting your determination that the goods or services required for the exchange of software or data with other public or private agencies are available from only one source.

☐ Pursuant to ORS 279B.075 (2)(c): Pilot or Experimental Project. Provide findings supporting your determination that the goods or services are for use in a pilot or an experimental project.

☒ Pursuant to ORS 279B.075 (2)(d): Other findings that support the conclusion that Supplies and Services are available from only one source may include but are not limited to considerations of: unique design, availability, geographic location, exclusive authorized representative, cost of conversion, and warranty services.

Business Oregon also spoke with Willamette Week Give!Guide, Oregon Historia Society Quarterly, Portland Monthly, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and Little Bird Media, and will also be executing contracts with some of these entities. However, in researching other options, Business Oregon found that while there are other news outlets operating in the state, there is no other outlet that operates like the Portland Business Journal, that is offering a similar robust year-end fundraising effort through multiple media, C2026629_Portland Business Journal_SoleSource and that combines outreach to arts and culture influences, tax credit promotion/exposure, and philanthropic outreach with one vendor.

1. Protest:

OAR 137-047-0275(3) provides that an Affected Person may protest OBDD’s determination that the Goods or Services or class of Goods or Services are available from only one source in accordance with OAR 137-047-0710.

To be considered under the rules, protests must be received by email (as determined by the State of Oregon email server) no later than October 7, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., to the Agency Procurement Specialist identified in the first paragraph of this notice.

The Written protest must include:

(a) A detailed statement of the legal and factual grounds for the protest;

(b) A description of the resulting harm to the Affected Person; and

(c) The relief requested.

APPROVED:

Approved by Designated Procurement Officer (DPO) electronically via OregonBuys Erika Murchison, DPO