Library Collection Materials Vendor (Book Jobber)

The State of Michigan Department of Education, Office of Financial Management, is issuing a Request for Proposal to procure a Book Jobber vendor to provide comprehensive library collection materials purchasing services for the Library of Michigan. The primary deliverables include negotiating book discounts, purchasing materials in both single items and bulk quantities, and providing shipping services to single or multiple locations throughout Michigan with repackaging and drop-shipping capabilities as required. The vendor must establish a defined online order placement process, place orders within 48 hours of receiving complete information, maintain a toll-free customer service number available during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time), and designate a Program Manager responsible for day-to-day contract operations. Evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: prior experience with libraries (25 percent), vendor qualifications (25 percent), project plan (20 percent), overall RFP compliance (15 percent), and price proposal (15 percent), with proposals achieving a minimum of 80 technical evaluation points eligible for pricing evaluation. The proposal deadline is March 21, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. EDT, with an anticipated contract commencement date of May 1, 2018. The contract term extends through April 30, 2021, with renewal options for up to three additional one-year periods at the State's sole discretion.

The RFP contains no identified set-asides or restrictions limiting responses to particular enterprise types or disadvantaged business designations, and no incumbent vendor information is specified. Pricing must remain firm through April 30, 2021, with adjustments available only upon renewal option requests and only when supported by documented cost changes. The contractor must maintain commercial general liability insurance of $1,000,000, automobile liability insurance of $1,000,000, and workers' compensation coverage according to applicable law. Payment terms are Net 45 days unless the contractor offers a quick payment discount. The Library of Michigan estimates annual orders between $30,000 and $50,000, though no guarantee of specific monthly orders or amounts is provided. No bidders' conference or site visits are mentioned as part of the procurement process.