ICF2527008_ACBJ_SoleSource_Notice.pdf

SOLE-SOURCE DETERMINATION AND JUSTIFICATION

FOR SUPPLIES AND SERVICES

Business Oregon Project Number: ICF2527008

OregonBuys Solicitation Number: S-12300-00016225

To: Erika Murchison, Procurement and Contracts Manager, Designated Procurement Officer From: Oregon Business Development Department (“Business Oregon”), Communications & Research

Agency Procurement Specialist: Kellie Stavang, Procurement and Contract Specialist, Kellie.Stavang@biz.oregon.gov

Date: March 04, 2026

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

1. Authority to enter into a Sole-Source Contract: OAR 125-246-0170(2)(c)(H) and OAR 137- 047-0275

2. Estimated Total Value of Contract: $75,300 over 6 months

3. Prospective Contractor/Vendor: American City Business Journals, Inc. doing business as

Portland Business Journal

4. Subject of Contract: Business Oregon’s Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) and Recruitment Campaign

5. Background:

Oregon is at a pivotal moment for economic development. The State’s reputation as a place to do business has declined significantly. With falling employment, wages, and population, Oregon now faces significant economic challenges that are restricting growth and causing the State to miss key opportunities. Addressing Oregon's economic and business climate challenges will require coordinated efforts across multiple fronts. Business Oregon is the State's economic development agency and a key priority is to expand our reach to potential beneficiaries of programs and services and to target out-of-state marketing to better support existing business recruitment team activities.

Lastly, Business Oregon aims to engage with the business community at a more personal and direct level to establish our leadership in economic development and instill trust in the work we are doing and the outcomes we strive to achieve.

This sole source justification supports Business Oregon’s request to enter into a contract

ICF2527008_ACBJ_SoleSource_Notice Page 2 of 4 with American City Business Journals, Inc. doing business as Portland Business Journal. This project is to use the communications channels and assets of Portland Business Journal (“PBJ”) to :

1) engage with Oregon business decision-makers to communicate the State's commitment to helping businesses stay here and grow here, and

2) market Oregon to out-of-state recruitment targets in connection with other Business Oregon recruitment events such as planned trade show participation.

The Business Journal has a unique set of assets to deliver on both fronts:

1) Private hosted dinner meetings with Oregon business leaders. The PBJ has access to C-level business leaders to secure attendance at private dinner events to use as a platform to hear what their needs are, communicate that Business Oregon is here to assist, and establish our role leading the State’s economic development strategy.

2) Event sponsorship of existing popular PBJ events that market our suite of services, showcase we are doing something to lead the State’s economic recovery and growth, and access lists of participants.

3) Advertising on PBJ Oregon platforms. The Portland Business Journals core media products of a weekly printed newspaper and online media platform provide access to dedicated readers interested in business and government news related to Oregon.

4) Advertising on American City Business Journals, Inc. platforms in target markets outside Oregon.

6. Findings:

a. Market Research Overall Finding.

In reviewing other Oregon-based media outlets that report on business and economic issues — including the Oregonian/OregonLive, The Register-Guard, The Bend Bulletin, Portland Tribune, Willamette Week, Salem Reporter, Oregon Business Magazine, and local broadcast outlets such as KOIN, KGW, and OPB — none were able to meet the full scope of services required for this project.

While these outlets provide reporting on business and the economy, they lack three critical capabilities that the Portland Business Journal (PBJ) uniquely offers:

1) A multi-market footprint through American City Business Journals (ACBJ)

PBJ is the only Oregon-based outlet that is part of a national business media network with 45 business communities and 9M+ readers nationwide along with access to digital advertising inventory in California markets such as Silicon Valley and Sacramento.

No other Oregon media outlet operates in multiple out-of-state markets or can provide coordinated, multi-market digital visibility that aligns with Business Oregon’s recruitment strategy.

2) High-profile business events that attract large numbers of business leaders

PBJ produces large-scale business events with thousands of attendees annually, including

ICF2527008_ACBJ_SoleSource_Notice Page 3 of 4 the Fastest Growing Private 100 and Most Admired Companies events. These events offer exposure before, during, and after the event through PBJ’s publication ecosystem.

Other Oregon outlets either do not produce events of this scale, do not attract comparable concentrations of high-level business decision-makers, or cannot offer integrated sponsorship, speaking opportunities, and post-event coverage.

3) Unique access to C-suite leaders through private, publisher-hosted dinners

As part of American City Business Journals established relationships with executives, PBJ alone can convene curated, invitation-only publisher dinners with C-level leaders specifically for Business Oregon. No other Oregon outlet maintains equivalent executive networks or offers any comparable private engagement format that allows for candid, relationship-building discussions with top corporate leaders.

Together, these elements — multi-state reach, large-scale events with concentrated business audiences, and exclusive C-suite engagement opportunities — form an integrated package required for Business Oregon’s retention and recruitment strategy. After reviewing all other Oregon news and media outlets, none were able to provide this combination.

Therefore, based on this market research, PBJ is the only vendor capable of delivering the full set of services needed to meet the project goals.

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.

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 combines these four areas with one vendor.

ICF2527008_ACBJ_SoleSource_Notice Page 4 of 4

7. 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 March 13, 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