Diploma Supply and Printing Services

The University of Wisconsin System Administration (UWSA) Office of Procurement is seeking bids for a comprehensive diploma supply and printing services contract covering all four-year and two-year campuses within the University of Wisconsin System. The procurement encompasses the production and purchase of diploma covers, standard diplomas, miniature diplomas, and certified electronic diplomas. Vendors must be capable of printing and mailing standard diploma orders within 10 days, utilizing specific mailing envelope packaging with security glue strips, and potentially offering alternative manufacturing methods like specialized foils and high-resolution printing. The bid submission deadline is September 21, 2023, at 3:00 PM Central Daylight Time, with a desired contract go-live date of November 1, 2023, replacing the current agreement expiring on October 31, 2023. Alternative material samples must be submitted to Eric Johnson at UW-Shared Services in Madison, Wisconsin. Bidders are advised to conduct online research to estimate graduate numbers by campus, as precise annual quantities are not currently available. The UWSA reserves the right to award the contract to multiple providers based on line item pricing and organizational best interests.

The contract is not mandatory for individual campuses, with those declining participation required to conduct their own procurement. Currently, two incumbent contractors share the work on approximately a 65-35 basis. No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly mentioned in the procurement documents. The contract allows flexibility in several service requirements, including separate shipping of diplomas and covers, name imprinting on covers, miniature diploma offerings, and delivery timeframes. While specific budget ranges were not detailed, the comprehensive nature of the contract covering multiple campuses suggests a potentially significant procurement value. Vendors must be prepared to meet specific technical requirements, such as using security glue strips for mailing and offering alternative printing technologies. The UWSA's procurement approach indicates a preference for competitive, flexible solutions that can accommodate the diverse needs of the University of Wisconsin System's campuses.