This Request for Proposals (RFP) from the City of Buffalo seeks a vendor to provide printing and electronic certified mailing services for tax bills, user fee bills, exemption forms, and foreclosure notices. The vendor must be located in Erie County and have the capacity to handle large volumes of mail with quick turnaround times. Key requirements include adherence to strict production schedules, quality control, and compliance with postal regulations. The RFP also includes an optional section for handling undeliverable returned mail. Proposals are due by May 14, 2026. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for April 30, 2026.
The bid notice states that proposals are due by May 14, 2026, at 11:00 am EST. The printing, finishing, and mailing processes are to be completed within specific timeframes outlined in the production schedules, such as June 23, 2026, for the first tax billing cycle.
The bid notice does not explicitly detail payment terms. However, it mentions that the proposed prices shall remain firm and irrevocable for a period of ninety (90) days following the city's receipt of the proposal and award of the contract.
The bid notice states that while total costs will be considered, they are not the only factor. The city intends to award the contract to the offeror whose proposal is deemed to be in the best interests of the taxpayers, considering factors such as experience, qualifications, financial stability, and minority/women workforce development.
The City requires prompt and reliable service. Successful offerors must demonstrate experience in municipal tax billing (minimum of five years), have a shop located in Erie County available for visits and inspections, and possess the capacity to move seventy-five thousand (75,000) packages with quick turnaround, including flexibility for rush orders with a maximum turnaround time of thirty-six (36) hours.
The bid notice does not explicitly detail penalties for non-compliance. However, it states that in the event of the offeror's noncompliance with nondiscrimination clauses, the contract may be canceled, terminated, or suspended, and the offeror may be declared ineligible for future city contracts.
The bid notice indicates a mandatory pre-proposal conference on April 30, 2026, at 11:00 am at the Division of Purchase, 65 Niagara Square, Room ****, the offeror must have a shop located in Erie County available for visits and inspections.
The bid notice states that samples of various items will be available at the Division of Purchase, 65 Niagara Square, Room **** City Hall, Buffalo, NY. These include tax billing foreclosure notices, tax billing mailing and return envelopes, senior citizen and disability exemption forms, user fee billing envelopes, and residential exemption postcards.
The bid notice specifies a question submission deadline of April 16, 2026, by 4:00 pm via email. Answers to questions will be posted on the City of Buffalo website on April 23, 2026.