Clackamas County Magazine Printing

Clackamas County's Procurement Division is seeking a printer for a three-year contract to produce and distribute the county magazine to approximately 180,000-190,000 households. The Invitation to Bid (ITB) requires a vendor capable of printing magazines ranging from 24-40 pages (typically 32 pages) on eco-friendly paper, preparing the publications for bulk mailing, and delivering them to the post office. Key procurement requirements include detailed pricing for printing and bulk mailing, with provisions for a 3% inflation rate in years two and three and an anticipated increase of 4,000 households annually. The bid solicitation establishes minimum qualifications related to company history, operational capacity, and ability to meet specified timelines. Bidders must submit comprehensive pricing, including optional digital magazine platform costs, with the contract anticipated to begin in September 2021. The bid was originally due on August 25, 2021, with the county planning to award the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder based on specific evaluation criteria outlined in the ITB.

The procurement does not explicitly indicate specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged businesses. The Notice of Intent to Award document reveals that Journal Graphics, Inc. was the apparent successful bidder, with a bid of $53,066 for printing a 40-page, 190,000-copy magazine and an additional $7,785 for mail preparation. A competing bidder, Courier Graphics, submitted lower pricing at $37,029 for printing and $1,549 for mail prep. The total contract value is estimated at approximately $60,851 for a single publication cycle, with potential variations based on page count and mailing volume. The county is considering future digital magazine platform integration, suggesting potential for technological expansion beyond traditional print delivery. While specific budget ranges are not comprehensively detailed, the procurement indicates a multi-year contract with built-in pricing adjustments to accommodate potential growth and inflationary increases.