Diplomas, inserts, covers

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) is seeking proposals through RFP-21423 for diplomas, inserts, and diploma covers for approximately 30 schools with graduating seniors. The procurement aims to establish term contracts with qualified vendors to provide high-quality diploma-related materials, with specific requirements including 6" x 8" diplomas on 100% linen rag content and matching diploma covers with school name foil stamping. Proposals are due on August 21, 2025, at 12:00 pm, with questions accepted until August 8, 2025. The contract will run from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028, with two optional one-year renewal periods. Evaluation criteria will be comprehensive, with price weighted at 50% of the total score, prior experience at 15%, and quality of services at 35%. Last year, approximately 2,600 diplomas and/or blank inserts were ordered, and vendors must submit samples with their quotes. Pricing should include shipping and handling, and the district reserves the right to reject any proposals or award contracts to multiple vendors.

The district has established a goal of 20% Diversity Business Enterprise (DBE) participation for this supply contract, indicating a preference for diverse vendor participation. While no specific incumbent vendors are mentioned, the RFP suggests a competitive bidding process open to multiple vendors capable of meeting the detailed specifications. The cost proposal forms indicate pricing opportunities for multiple school years (2025-2030), with vendors able to quote costs for diploma production, blank inserts, diploma covers, and additional services such as plate charges, imprint options, and emergency shipping. Though a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the historical order of 2,600 diplomas provides a baseline for potential contract value. Vendors will need to provide per-unit pricing for each school year and indicate potential percentage increases or decreases for subsequent years, allowing for flexible pricing structures within the multi-year contract framework.