Printing of Transit Guides for SUNTRAN

The City of Ocala is conducting a Request for Quotation (RFQ# GRM/250306) for printing transit guides for the SunTran public transit system. The procurement seeks a vendor to produce 20,000 copies of a comprehensive transit guide, which will include general riding information, system map, and timetables for seven routes. Specific technical requirements mandate the guides be printed on 80lb house gloss text paper, using 4/4 Process + Flood Gloss AQ ink, with a flat size of 11.00 x 8.50 inches and a final folded size of 5.5 x 8.50 inches. The selected vendor must complete printing and delivery within one month after receiving the approved PDF version from the City. Evaluation criteria will focus on pricing, with the contract awarded to the lowest bidder meeting all specified requirements. The solicitation was originally posted on May 1, 2025, with proposals due by May 13, 2025. The contract will be funded through federal assistance under the Urban Mass Transportation Act, requiring compliance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidelines.

The procurement includes a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goal of 2.55%, with specific requirements for DBE involvement and reporting. Eligible bidders must be capable of meeting federal grant clauses, which include extensive compliance measures related to equal employment opportunity, civil rights, and ethical business practices. The City requires detailed documentation of DBE utilization, with contractors needing to provide quarterly reports and demonstrate good faith efforts in minority business enterprise participation. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the unit-based pricing structure allows the City to pay only for actual units provided, with potential for additional as-needed orders. The solicitation emphasizes that DBE firms are defined as for-profit small businesses at least 51% owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, including Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans, and women. Contractors must be prepared to comply with comprehensive federal regulations and provide extensive documentation throughout the contract period.