Printed Materials for Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus

The City of Santa Monica's SaMoDOT department is seeking a qualified vendor to produce a comprehensive range of printed materials and signage for the Big Blue Bus transit system through an Invitation to Bid (ITB) released on December 8, 2025. The procurement covers 155 line items of print production materials, including bus stop and facility signage, service change signage, onboard customer information materials, fleet graphics, decals, and related collateral for the transit agency's 195-vehicle fleet serving a 58-square-mile service area with over 930 stops. Vendors must use UV ink, 4-color process, and PMS colors, and provide materials containing at least 30% post-consumer recycled content. All materials must be produced and delivered within 14 calendar days following proof approval, with high-resolution digital color proofs provided at no additional cost. The bid submission deadline is December 18, 2025, at 3:00 PM Pacific Time, with vendor questions due by December 11, 2025, at 3:00 PM Pacific Time. Electronic submissions are required through the City's e-Procurement Portal, and the contract includes four optional one-year renewal periods at the same price, terms, and conditions.

The procurement appears to have no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though vendors must possess a valid California contractor's license at the time of bid submission. Successful bidders will be required to comply with the City's non-discrimination policy and ADA requirements. The City reserves the right to award the bid to separate vendors on individual line items and to reject any or all bids. Vendors must specify any additional fees such as freight and fuel surcharges in their bid submissions and cannot impose minimum order requirements. Pricing must be submitted through the e-Procurement Portal, with all prices quoted F.O.B. destination in Santa Monica, California, and payment terms of net thirty days from delivery and invoice receipt. While no specific contract value is mentioned, the extensive scope of 155 line items and the comprehensive nature of the print production materials suggest a significant procurement opportunity for qualified printing vendors capable of meeting the City's detailed specifications and sustainability requirements.