RFP #6247 public library print materials and related services

The County of Ventura General Services Agency Procurement Services is soliciting proposals through RFP #6247 for public library print materials and related services to support Ventura County Library's thirteen service locations, including a mobile library system. The procurement seeks qualified vendors to supply print books, non-print materials (including audiobooks, DVDs, and CDs), and optional cataloging and processing services to serve adult, young adult, and children's audiences in English, Spanish, and other languages. Deliverables include provision of an online selection and ordering platform at no additional cost, bibliographic support with duplicate checking, standard library search fields, and integration with the SirsiDynix Symphony Integrated Library System (ILS). Required qualifications include demonstrated expertise and regular engagement in library material supply, company profile and qualifications, personnel qualifications with resumes, two years of financial statements, and a minimum of three client references from similar projects within the last three years. Vendors must submit cost proposals utilizing the provided Cost Proposal Form with firm and fixed discount percentages from publisher's list prices across multiple material categories and itemized pricing for processing services including MARC record cataloging, property labels, mylar jackets, barcode application, RFID tag activation, spine labels, and collection stickers. Questions must be submitted by March 30, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PDT, with proposals due no later than April 17, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PDT. Evaluation and award are anticipated for May 2026, with work commencement to be determined following a required meeting between the County and selected vendor.

The RFP documentation does not explicitly identify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to specific enterprise categories. The County has historically relied on a primary vendor but must establish a new contractual arrangement due to recent changes in the library vendor marketplace, though no incumbent vendor is identified in the solicitation materials. Proposers must comply with the County's Recycled Content Paper Policy (SB 1383), including providing written certifications under penalty of perjury confirming postconsumer recycled content percentages for applicable paper products. All proposals must be submitted online through the Ventura County Vendor Information Portal (Bonfire) at ventura.bonfirehub.com, with no hard copy, email, facsimile, or telephone submissions accepted. The County estimates an annual expenditure of approximately $400,000 for print materials provided for planning purposes only, with no guarantee of minimum or maximum purchase volumes. The resulting contract shall have an initial term of two years with options to renew for up to three additional one-year periods, subject to Board of Supervisors appropriation of funds, and the County reserves the right to award to a single offeror or multiple offerors by category.