2026-002 Envelopes

The City of Allentown, Pennsylvania is soliciting sealed quotes for recycled commercial envelopes under Quote 2026-002, with a public opening on April 24, 2026 at 2:00 PM and questions due April 14, 2026 at 4:00 PM. Two preference programs affect award. The City grants a 5 percent local preference to Allentown resident businesses whose principal place of business, or an office with at least five employees, is located in the City, provided the resident bid price multiplied by 0.95 is lower than the nonresident bid. The resident preference is capped at $2,500 according to the bidder forms. An Identified Business Enterprise (IBE) preference covers small, small diverse, veteran-owned, and Section 3 resident businesses, and an IBE bid is considered if it falls within 5 percent of the lowest non-IBE bid.

Bidders must also complete the MBE/WBE Subcontractor and Supplier Solicitation and Commitment Form. Bidders must contact certified MBE/WBE firms at least ten days before the opening, document every solicited and unsolicited MBE/WBE quote, and match vendor certifications to the work scope. Omitting this form on bids exceeding $40,000 is grounds for rejection as non-responsive. Post-award, the prime contractor must file quarterly MBE/WBE utilization reports.

The scope covers fifteen line items of #9 and #10 plain and window envelopes, printed with department return addresses and, for some lines, black-and-white city seal imprints. Quantities range from 1 to 20 cases per line. Envelopes must be recycled paper with at least 30 percent post-consumer content, meet USPS regulations, and process on Pitney Bowes Relay 5000 equipment. Prices must include delivery, packing, and labor. Delivery is due by June 1, 2026 to the Building Maintenance facility at 641 South Tenth Street, Allentown, PA 18103, with 24-hour notice to the Bureau of Building Maintenance. The City intends one initial order and reserves the right to order additional envelopes.

The contract begins on purchase order issuance, pricing remains firm for one year from award, and the City may extend the contract six months on written notice. Bidders must post a bid bond, certified check, irrevocable letter of credit, or bank check equal to 10 percent of the bid total, with original security due within seven calendar days of City contact. Unit prices prevail over extended totals in evaluation.

Submissions are accepted only through PennBid, which requires vendor registration, and faxed or emailed bids are rejected. Required forms include the Contractor's Qualification Statement, Resident Preference Form, IBE Preference Form, and Political Contribution Disclosure Form. Vendors must also keep the Vendor Diversity Business Classification Form current, submitting it annually to purchasing.agent@allentownpa.gov.