RFP #4159: HS Yearbooks, Caps Gowns Tassels Stoles, and Diploma Covers Inserts

MADISON METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

1 General Information

1.1 Introduction and background

The purpose of this document is to provide interested parties with information to enable them to prepare and submit a proposal for High School Yearbooks, Caps/Gowns/Tassels/Stoles, and Diploma Covers/Inserts. The District as represented Office of Schools and Learning intends to use the results of this solicitation to award a contract for purchasing - High School Yearbooks, Caps/Gowns/Tassels/Stoles, and Diploma Covers/Inserts.

Approximately 25,500 students, about 60% of which are minority, are currently enrolled in the Madison Metropolitan School District (District), making it the second largest school district in the State of Wisconsin. The District employs 2,664 teachers, 141 administrators and 1,382 support personnel, plus 2,200 part time staff (including substitute teachers and summer recreation workers). The District includes 52 school buildings in a 72 square mile area that includes the City of Madison and all or parts of several surrounding municipalities, with 33 elementary schools (grades 4K through 5) 12 middle schools (grades 6 through 8) and 6 high schools, one of which is a small alternative high school (grades 9 through 12). Several of the schools at each level have been named National Schools of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. The District also operates early childhood programs and alternative programs for middle and high school students as well as maintaining additional sites such as the Administration Building, the Maintenance/Food Service Building, the Mansfield and Lussier Stadiums, and the Affiliated Alternatives.

Madison Metropolitan School District believes every school should be a thriving school that prepares each student to graduate from high school ready for college, career and community. We strive to ensure that students are on-track to graduate, that every student has access to a challenging and well-rounded education, and that students, families and employees experience a positive school and district climate. The District’s strategic framework recognizes the following priorities in working toward the realization of our vision: 1) Empower School Communities – We will empower principals along with school teams, providing them the resources, flexibility and integrated support necessary to collaboratively create strategies with students, staff and families that accelerate student progress; 2) Invest In People – We will commit to investing in and fully supporting our staff, with a focus on anti-racist, culturally responsive and inclusive teaching and powerfully aligned hiring, placement, induction, professional growth, coaching and evaluation practices; 3) Streamline Priorities – We will focus the work of the central office team on breaking down systemic barriers and filling gaps in access, services and resources; 4) Plan for the Future – We will think and plan long-term in partnership and collaboration with our students, families, staff and the larger Madison community.; and 5) Embrace Innovation – To address challenges without clear solutions, we will adopt new mindsets toward risk-taking and support people in bold, new and innovative work within the classroom and beyond.

(MMSD’s Strategic Framework can be found athttps://www.madison.k12.wi.us/about/mmsd-excellence-together/strategic-framework)

Because of the District’s sound financial management practices, Madison Metropolitan School District is one of only a few Wisconsin districts to have an “AA+ stable” bond rating.

1.2 Instructions to Proposers

1.2.1 Public Records & Confidentiality

Unless otherwise noted, names of all organizations submitting proposals will be publicly available after the date and time specified as the deadline for submitting proposals. Proposals will be open to public inspection after award(s).

1.2.2 Amendments & Revisions

Revisions to this request for proposal, including due date, may be made by an official written amendment issued by Purchasing Services. Please check whether any amendments have been issued prior to submitting a proposal and do not submit a proposal before the School District issues its formal response to questions about the RFP.

1.2.3 Submission Logistics

Correspondence must reference the proposal number.

The original proposal may be submitted via US mail, hand delivery or a delivery service and must be received by PBPA – Room 200A at 545 West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53703-1967. Proposals not date/time stamped by PBPA – Room 200 (608) 204-7819 staff (or designee) by the posted date and time shall be considered late and shall be rejected.

Any entity submitting a proposal has no enforceable right to amend its proposal after the submission deadline.

1.2.4 Tax Status

The MMSD is exempt from Federal Excise and Wisconsin State Sales tax.

1.3 Scope

1.3.1 Project Description

For Yearbooks: We are seeking to contract with a vendor with a reputation as a service leader(s) in the yearbook publishing industry and who is known for their flexibility and innovative solutions to deliver the required services described within this RFP.

For Caps/Gowns/Tassels/Stoles: We are seeking to contract with a vendor that can provide required quantities of caps, gowns, and honor cords that meet the specifications outlined within this RFP.

For Diploma Covers/Inserts: We are seeking to contract with a vendor that can provide required quantities of diploma covers and inserts that meet the specifications outlined within this RFP.

1.3.2 Objectives

Obtain proposals from firms that are capable of providing required quantities of yearbooks that meet the specifications outlined in this procurement document.

Obtain proposals from firms that are capable of providing required quantities of caps/gowns/tassels/stoles that meet the specifications outlined in this procurement document.

Obtain proposals from firms that are capable of providing required quantities of diploma covers/inserts that meet the specifications outlined in this procurement document.

1.3.3 Needs

The contract or contract extension for all of the current vendors for these services expires on June 30, 2026. We would like to create a multiyear contract(s) for all of these services.

1.3.4 Current Operations

Walsworth is the current vendor for yearbooks.

Midwest Scholastic is the current vendor for caps/gowns/stoles/tassels.

Herff Jones is the current vendor for diploma covers/inserts.

1.4 Request for Proposal Process

This document is a Request for Proposal. It differs from a Request for Bid in that the District is seeking a solution as described herein, not a bid meeting firm specifications for the lowest price. As defined in the American Bar Association Model Procurement Code, Competitive Sealed Proposals will be evaluated based upon criteria formulated around the most important features of a product or service, of which quality, testing, references, and availability or capability, may be overriding factors, and price may not be determinative in the issuance of a contract or award. The proposal evaluation criteria should be viewed as standards which measure how well a vendor’s approach meets the desired requirements and needs of the District.

1.5 Procuring and contracting department/division

This Request for Proposal (RFP) is issued by Madison Metropolitan School District, Purchasing Services, which is the sole point of contact for the District during the Request for Proposal process. The person responsible for managing this procurement process is Dana Scheel, Manager – Procurement & Contract

As it pertains to this RFP, vendors shall NOT have contact with anyone other than the Manager – Procurement & Contract Services (if absent, the Lead Purchasing Clerk) through the duration of this RFP process. All communication pertaining to this RFP must be in writing by email (preferred) or US mail.

Any contract(s) resulting from this RFP will be administered by Madison Metropolitan School District, Office of Schools and Learning. The contract administrator will be Roxanne Amundson, Executive Assistant.

1.6 Definitions

The following definitions are used throughout this document.

RFP means Request for Proposal

District/MMSD means Madison Metropolitan School District.

Vendor/Proposer means a firm submitting a proposal in response to this RFP.

Contractor means proposer awarded the contract.

1.7 Clarification and/or revisions to the specifications and requirements

In order for your organization to directly receive updates to this Request for Proposal, including responses to submitted questions/inquiries, please complete Appendix D: Intentions to Submit a Proposal and Question/Inquiries. This document (Appendix D) can be emailed to bids@madison.k12.wi.us and it will assist in allowing the District to provide timely information to interested parties.

Any questions concerning this RFP must be submitted in writing in the format provided in Appendix D of this document by e-mail (preferred) or US mail on or before March 24, 2026 - 2:00 PM (CST) to:

Dana Scheel

Manager – Procurement & Contract – PBPA

Madison Metropolitan School District

545 West Dayton Street

Madison, WI 53703-1967

Phone: (608) 204-7819 Email: bids@madison.k12.wi.us

During the selection process, vendors/proposers are specifically prohibited from contacting the District/schools to “prospect” for new business; introduce the firm’s staff; provide marketing or promotional materials; discuss advantages/benefits of their company, and/or discuss the disadvantages of working with their competitor(s). Vendors/proposers with questions about what constitutes allowable behavior during the selection process for this RFP should submit questions in writing to the above email address. Attempts to contact a District employee (including school personnel), official, or representative in any manner contrary to the requirements set forth in this document may lead to vendors/proposers being disqualified from consideration.

An electronic version of the RFP is available on the District’s web site:

www.madison.k12.wi.us/doingbusiness

Vendors/Proposers should raise any questions, exceptions, or additions they have concerning the RFP DOCUMENT as early as possible in the RFP process. If a vendor discovers any significant ambiguity, error, conflict, discrepancy, omission, or other deficiency in this RFP, the vendor should immediately notify the above named individual of such error and request modification or clarification of the RFP document.

In the event that it becomes necessary to provide additional clarifying data or information, or to revise any part of this RFP, revisions/amendments and/or supplements will be provided to all known recipients of this initial RFP or posted to the District’s Website at:

www.madison.k12.wi.us/doingbusiness

1.8 Debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment or declared ineligible

Contractors doing business with the MMSD must provide certification that they are not debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, are not in the process of being debarred, or are not voluntarily excluded from conducting business with a federal department or agency of the federal government.

MMSD may exclude a contractor or its subcontractor from participating in the RFP process and/or contract award if the organization or its principal(s) has(have) been debarred or excluded from doing business with the Federal Government.

1.9 Accessibility guidelines related to proposed software and hardware

Vendor should demonstrate that each software and/or hardware proposed conforms to the accessibility guidelines established by the World Wide Web Consortium's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG 2.0).

In addition, Vendor should demonstrate that each software and/or hardware conforms to the accessibility guidelines established by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794d), as amended. (Section 508 is the section of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act that states that all electronic and information technology procured, used, or developed by the federal government after June 25, 2001, must be accessible to people with disabilities. Affected technology includes hardware such as copiers, fax machines, telephones, and other electronic devices as well as application software and websites.)

Vendor may demonstrate compliance with such guidelines by submitting a VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) or comparable documentation.

1.10 Vendor conference

A vendor conference could be held virtually on April 2, 2026 at 10:00 am (CST) to respond to written questions (paragraph 1.7 above), field additional questions, and/or provide additional instruction to vendors. If no questions are received in accordance with paragraph 1.7 above and/or it is deemed unnecessary by the MMSD, the District reserves the right to cancel the vendor conference. All vendors who intend to respond to this RFP and attend the scheduled vendor conference should contact Dana Scheel prior to the scheduled conference to confirm whether or not it will occur. If so, vendors are strongly encouraged to attend the vendor conference.

1.11 Reasonable accommodations

The District will provide reasonable accommodations, including the provision of informational material in an alternative format, for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you need accommodations at a proposal opening/vendor conference, contact Purchasing Services at (608) 204-7819.

1.12 Calendar of Events

Listed below are specific and estimated dates and times of actions related to this Request for Proposal (RFP). The actions with specific dates must be completed as indicated unless otherwise changed by the District. In the event that the District finds it necessary to change any of the specific dates and times in the calendar of events listed below, it will do so by issuing a supplement to this RFP. There may or may not be a formal notification issued for changes in the estimated dates and times.

Date	Event
March 16, 2026	Date of RFP Issue
March 24, 2026 – 2:00 PM (CST)	Submission of questions/inquiries due (see paragraph 1.7 & Appendix D)
April 2, 2026	Vendor conference (if necessary, see 1.9 above)
April 10, 2026 (estimate)	Response to vendor questions/inquiries (to include supplements or revisions) posted on the District’s website
April 21, 2026 – 2:00 PM (CST)	Proposals due from vendors
April 24, 2026 (estimate)	Interviews by invited vendors (if applicable)
May 1, 2026 (estimate)	Demonstration by invited vendors or on-site visits by evaluation committee (if applicable)
May 11, 2026 (estimate)	Recommendation
May 18, 2026 (estimate)	Board of Education approval
May 22, 2026 (estimate)	Notification of intent to award

1.13 Contract Term and Funding

Any contract(s) resulting from this RFB will be administered by Madison Metropolitan School District, Office of Schools and Learning. The contract administrator will be Roxanne Amundson, Executive Assistant.

The contract shall be effective on the date indicated on the purchase order or the contract execution date and shall run from the date a contract is awarded through June 30, 2029, with an option by mutual agreement of the District and contractor, to renew for Two (2) additional one-year periods unless amended, cancelled or rebid.

1.14 State of Wisconsin VendorNet registration

The District makes use of the State of Wisconsin’s purchasing information and vendor notification service. Anyone may access VendorNet on the Internet at http://vendornet.state.wi.us.

2 Preparing and submitting a proposal

2.1 General Instructions

The evaluation and selection of a contractor and the contract will be based on the information submitted in the vendor’s proposal plus references and any required on-site visits or oral presentations. Failure to respond to each of the requirements in the RFP may be the basis for rejecting a proposal.

Elaborate proposals (i.e., expensive artwork, binders) beyond a sufficiently presented, complete, effective and securely bound proposal, are not necessary or desired.

2.2 Proprietary information

All restrictions on the use of data contained within a proposal and all confidential information must be clearly stated on the attached “Designation of Confidential and Proprietary Information” form. Proprietary information submitted in a proposal, or in response to the RFP, will be handled in accordance with applicable law.

To the extent permitted by law, it is the intention of the District to withhold the contents of the proposal from public view until such times as competitive or bargaining reasons no longer require non-disclosure, in the opinion of the District. At that time, all proposals will be available for review in accordance with the Wisconsin Public Records Law.

2.3 Incurring costs

The District is not liable for any cost incurred by proposers in replying to this RFP.

2.4 Submitting the proposal

Proposers must submit ONE hardcopy original (identified as such), ONE electronic version (memory stick or e-mail attachment), and Five (5) hardcopies including all materials required for acceptance of their proposal by April 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM (CST) to:

Dana Scheel

PBPA – Room 200A – Purchasing Services

Madison Metropolitan School District

545 West Dayton Street

Madison, WI 53703-1967

At proposal opening, only the names of responding vendors are provided. No further information will be available until contract award.

Proposals must be time/date stamped as received by PBPA – Room 200 (or designee) on or before the specified date and time provided above. Proposals not so stamped will not be accepted. Receipt of a proposal by the District’s mail system does not constitute receipt of a proposal by Purchasing Services, for purposes of this RFP.

All proposals MUST be packaged, sealed and show the following information on the outside of the package:

Proposer’s name and address

Request for proposal number

Proposal due date

2.5 Proposal organization and format

Proposals should be typed and submitted on 8.5 by 11 inch paper bound securely. Proposals should be organized and presented in the order and by the number assigned in the RFP. Proposals must be organized with the following headings and subheadings:

2.5.1 Response to vendor/proposer qualifications (See Section 4):

Introduction

Organizational capabilities

Key staff

References

2.5.2 Response to requirements (See Section 5):

2.5.3 Cost proposal (See Section 6):

2.5.4 Required forms (See Section 9):

Attachment A Bidder Certification and Sign-Off

Attachment B Vendor Information

Attachment C Vendor Reference

Attachment D Designation of Confidential and Proprietary Information

Attachment E Cost Summary Page

Attachment F Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion

Appendix A Affirmative Action Requirements for Contractors and Vendors

Appendix B Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer Information Report

Appendix C Affirmative Action & equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement

Appendix D Intention to Submit a Proposal and Questions/Inquiries

2.6 Multiple Proposals

A vendor/proposer may submit multiple proposals; however each proposal must conform fully to the requirements for proposal submission. Each such proposal must be separately submitted and labeled as Proposal #1, Proposal #2, etc. on each page included in the response. Alternate acquisition plans do not constitute multiple proposals.

2.7 Oral Presentations and site visits

Top scoring vendors based on an evaluation of the written proposal may be required to participate in interviews and/or site visits to support and clarify their proposals, if requested by the District. The District will make every reasonable attempt to schedule each presentation at a time and location that is agreeable to the proposer. Failure of a proposer to conduct to interview or permit a site-visit on the date scheduled may result in rejection of the vendor’s proposal.

2.8 Demonstrations

Top-scoring vendor(s) may be required to install and demonstrate its product(s) and/or service(s) at a District site. Product(s) being demonstrated must be delivered to the District site upon a two (2) week notice by the District to the vendor(s) and must be installed and ready for the demonstration within one (1) week of delivery. The District will furnish detailed specifications concerning the demonstration site and the particular test it will use to exercise the vendor’s product(s) and/or service(s). Failure of a vendor to furnish the product(s) and/or service(s) it has proposed for demonstration within the time constraints of the preceding paragraph may result in rejection of that proposal. Failure of any product(s) and/or service(s) to meet the District’s specified requirements during the demonstration may result in rejection of the vendor’s proposal.

The successful demonstration of the vendor’s product(s) and/or service(s) does not constitute acceptance by the District. Any product(s) and/or service(s) furnished by the vendor for the purposes of this demonstration must be identical in every respect to those which will be furnished if a contract results.

2.9 Samples

The sample, where required, unquestionably shows a quality as good as or better than that described in the specifications. The sample furnished by the successful proposer shall be retained by the Procurement and Contracts Manager until after delivery by the successful bidder.

Samples shall be clearly labeled as “Sample” and shall be identified with the Proposer’s name, the RFP number, and due date.

Samples shall be delivered no later than April 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM to:

Dana Scheel

PBPA – Room 200A – Purchasing Services

Madison Metropolitan School District

545 W Dayton St., Madison, WI 53703

A Proposer may request the return of the samples at its own expense. Samples shall be retrieved within 30 calendar days of the Notice of Award. Any samples not retrieved within the designated time period will be disposed of at the District’s discretion.

2.10 Withdrawal of proposals

Proposals shall be irrevocable until contract award unless the proposal is withdrawn. Proposers may withdraw a proposal in writing at any time up to the actual proposal closing date if the proposal has already been received by Purchasing Services. To accomplish this, the written request must be signed by an authorized representative of the proposer and submitted to purchasing services. If a previously submitted proposal is withdrawn before the proposal due date and time, the proposer may submit another proposal at any time up to the original proposal closing date and time.

3 Proposal Selection and Award Process

3.1 Preliminary Evaluation

The proposals will first be reviewed to determine if requirements in Section 2.0 are met and if additional requirements are met (see all requirement sections). Failure to meet mandatory requirements will result in the proposal being rejected. In the event that all vendors do not meet one or more of the mandatory requirements, the District reserves the right to continue the evaluation of the proposals and to select the proposal which most closely meets the requirements specified in this RFP.

3.2 Proposal Scoring

Accepted proposals will be reviewed by an evaluation committee and scored against the stated criteria. The committee may review references, request interviews, and conduct an on-site visit and use the results in scoring the proposals. Diverse-owned businesses are encouraged to participate in this solicitation and may receive a 5% preference. To qualify, vendors must be certified by the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program or participate in the Wisconsin Diversity Procurement Network.

3.3 Right to reject proposals and negotiate contract terms

The District reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to waive minor irregularities and technicalities. The judgment of the District on such matters shall be final. The District further retains the right to negotiate the terms of the contract, including the award amount, with the selected proposer prior to entering into a contract. If contract negotiations cannot be concluded successfully with the highest scoring proposer, the District may negotiate a contract with the next highest scoring proposer.

3.4 Evaluation Criteria

The proposals will be scored using the following:

Criteria	Weight (%)
Cost	30
Organization’s Ability to Meet Service and Support Requirements	30
Organization Qualifications/Experience	25
Documentation Qualifying Vendor as a Diverse-owned Business Firm	5%
References	10
TOTAL	100%

3.5 Award and final offer(s)

The District may recommend a contract be awarded to the vendor with the highest total score as outlined in section 3.4, or may recommend that contracts be awarded to multiple proposers to provide portions of the services or goods proposed. Alternatively, multiple vendors with the highest total scores may be requested to submit final and best offers. If final and best offers are requested, they will be evaluated against the stated criteria, scored and ranked in the same manner described above to determine the vendor with the highest total score.

4 Vendor/Proposer Qualifications

4.1 Introduction

Please provide an appropriate brief introduction as it pertains to your organization.

4.2 Organizational capabilities

Describe the firm’s experience and capabilities in providing similar services to those required. Be specific and identify projects, dates, and results.

4.3 Key Staff

Provide resumes describing the educational and work experiences for each of the key staff who would be assigned to the project.

4.4 References

Proposers must include in their RFPs a list of organizations, including points of contact (name, address, and telephone number), which can be used as references for work performed in the area of product(s) or service(s) required. Selected organizations may be contacted to determine the quality of work performed and personnel assigned to the project. The results of the references will be provided to the evaluation team and used in scoring the written proposals.

5 Requirements

5.1 Mandatory requirements

The following requirements are mandatory and must be complied with.

Mandatory requirements – Diploma Covers/Inserts

The following requirements are mandatory and must be complied with.

Mandatory requirement 1: Current (Expected) Specifications

Diploma Covers

Madison West High School:

6x8 padded diploma cover

Bright fold foil imprint (WTX font, 36pt line one, 25pt line two)

Debossed w/etch

Royal blue w/white liner & yellow ribbons

Madison East High School:

6x8 padded diploma cover

Bright gold foil imprint (WTX font, 36pt line one, 25pt line two)

Etch but no debossing

Purple w/white liner & yellow ribbons

Robert M. La Follette High School:

6x8 padded diploma cover

Silver imprint (WTX font, 36pt line one, 25pt line two)

Etch but no deboss

Maroon w/white liner & silver ribbons

Vel Phillips Memorial High School:

6x8 padded diploma cover

Silver imprint (WTX font, 36pt line one, 25pt line two)

Etch but no deboss

Dark Green w/white liner & silver ribbons

Capital High School:

6x8 padded diploma cover

Silver imprint (WTX font, 36pt line one, 25pt line two)

Etch but no deboss

Navy blue w/white liner & silver ribbons

Malcolm Shabazz City High School:

6x8 padded diploma cover

Silver imprint (WTX font, 36pt line one, 25pt line two)

Etch but no deboss

Black w/light yellow liner & orange ribbons

Innovative High School:

6x8 padded diploma cover

Gold imprint (WTX font, 36pt line one, 25pt line two)

Etch but no deboss

Black w/white liner & gold ribbons

Envelopes: White - 9-3/4" x 7-3/4" with Flap Desirable

Estimated Quantities:

East High School   450

Robert M. LaFollette High School 450

Vel Phillips Memorial High School 575

West High School 650

Capital High School 75

Malcolm Shabazz City High School 50

Innovative High School 30

Total Estimated Covers           2,280

Diploma Insert

Size: 8" Wide by 6" High

Material: Approximately 110# Index Paper

Color: White

Printing: See Attached Samples Which Shall Become Part of

These Specifications

Lettering: Black

Style: Combination of Standard Old English and Old English                         Shadow

Type: Linotype

Student Name: Engrossed (To Be Identified At Time of Purchase Order)

Logo:

Estimated Quantities

East High School - East High School Seal 400

Robert M. La Follette High School - La Follette School Seal 400

Vel Phillips Memorial High School - Memorial School Seal 500

West High School - West School Seal 700

Malcolm Shabazz City High School - School Logo 30

Capital High School - School Logo 70

Innovative High School -School Logo 30

TOTAL     2,130

Name and Titles:

Superintendent Facsimile Signatures the Same for All Schools*

President Facsimile Signatures the Same for All Schools*

Vice President Facsimile Signatures the Same for All Schools*

Principal Facsimile Signature Varies for Six High Schools*

* Signatures to be provided to Successful Bidder with Purchase Order.

Contemporary Date Line:

"Given at Madison, Wisconsin, this month of June, 2026" (EXAMPLE)

Diploma Insert - Blank

Specifications:  Same as Diploma Inserts (Item 2, Completed) with the following exceptions:

Quantities: 260 (Estimate of 50 for Each Large High School; 30 for Three Small High Schools)

Student Name: Leave Blank

Diploma Insert - Blank – 75 to 100 each Large High  School; 10 to each Small High School

Specifications: Same as Diploma Inserts (Completed) with the following exceptions:

Quantities: Estimated 300 to 400 (75-100 Each Large High School; 10 to Each Small High School)

Student Name: Leave Blank

Date Line:

"Given at Madison, Wisconsin, this month of           "

Signature: Changes May Be Required

Mandatory requirement 2: A sample cover and envelope plus sample diploma inserts with protective cover and silk fabric pocket color for each of the four high schools must be submitted so as to arrive on or before proposal opening. In addition, a padded cover should also be provided along with specification details and costing information.

Mandatory requirement 3: Proofs of printed covers and inserts may be requested by the Madison Metropolitan School District before final approval is made.

Mandatory requirement 4: The proposer will note proposed prices shall be quoted NET, TAX EXEMPT, INCLUDE ALL DISCOUNTS, F.O.B. Madison, WI 53718. Prices must be provided on appropriate line after each item quoted. Prices are to be in effect during the 2026 calendar year. The Madison Metropolitan School District reserves the right to purchase additional items herein with possible slight changes at the unit costs indicated on the bid form for any graduating seniors in 2026. In general, these additional quantities will be small. A purchase order will accompany all orders.

Mandatory requirement 5: Madison Metropolitan School District anticipates that the delivery of Items 1, 2, and 3 will have to be on or before May 1, 2026. All items must be delivered to locations specified on purchase orders. Purchase orders for Item 4 may be issued with initial purchase orders and/or at any time during the school year. Quantities, delivery location, and student names, if applicable, and possible new signature facsimiles will be included with purchase orders. Purchase orders issued during the year will identify delivery locations to either individual high schools or to the Office of Purchasing Services. A packing slip shall accompany all deliveries and include purchase order number.

Mandatory requirement 6: The right is reserved to reject any or all proposals or to waive any informality in any proposal received, or to accept all or any part of any proposal considered to be in the best interest of the Madison Metropolitan School District.

Mandatory requirements –Yearbooks

Mandatory requirement 1: Processes and Methods

1. Describe templates/design materials you would offer to schools

2. Describe your panel flow system

3. Describe options related to submission methods

4. Describe submission requirements (single page, minimum number of pages, unlimited number of pages)

5. Describe options for establishing submission deadlines (single deadline, can each school establish their own, provide your latest due date for submissions to facilitate a mid-May delivery date)

6. Describe proofing processes (methods you offer for submission, timeline for returning proofs following submission, etc.)

7. Describe staged printing process (submission deadlines to ensure late season athletics and activities are included)

8. Describe issues related to product quantity (when/how can we adjust – both increase or decrease quantities related to books or number of pages, can you guarantee that a certain number of yearbooks would be provided at delivery time.

Mandatory requirement 2: Support for Technology

1. Describe the yearbook curriculum, software (desktop, online, concurrent) that would be supplied (would your software be available for preview/demo)

2. Describe plug ins, fonts, clip art, templates, design and materials kits available to teachers

3. What training/materials would be available for students and teachers and in what formats

4. Describe online support and resources available to us

5. Describe availability of a “live” graphic artist available to us for consulting (specify if this service is built into cost of books, is there a cap on availability of this service, if this is an extra cost please provide that information)

6. Describe availability and process for contacting the Plant Representative (provide hours and days of the week)

7. Describe availability and support available through the Local Representative

8. Describe any and all additional fees that would be applied.

Mandatory requirement 3: Value Added Services – what products/services would you be able to provide, usually at no cost to the District.

1. Describe availability of an equipment fund (for purchase of cameras, etc.)

2. Describe industry software available to the schools

3. Describe availability of image archive

4. Describe local/regional workshops for students and teachers (location, dates, cost, etc.)

5. Describe incentives provided to yearbook students (t-shirts, hats, etc.)

6. Describe marketing support and materials available to the school to increase yearbook sales

7. Describe any electronic version/archive of yearbooks available to staff (would this also be available for the school to sell)

8. Describe your ability to provide “Year In Review” information to be included in yearbooks for schools that have interest in this

9. Describe how you will support the school to ensure all students who want a yearbook, but cannot afford it, receive a copy at no charge.

10. Describe your on-line sales process

11. Describe the in-school support your area representative can provide

12. Describe how your area representative will support the school to resolve time sensitive issues or mistakes

13. Describe other value-added services you offer

Mandatory requirement 4: Cost

1. Please complete the Specification/Cost Sheet for each high school found under Attachment E within the original RFP

2. Using a separate document provide information related to available cover options (foil, emboss, deboss, etc.) as well as additional costs related to these options.

3. Additional cost if pages are added or subtracted up until final page submission

4. Additional costs or fees that pertain to the yearbook process (deadlines, support, supplements, etc.)

Mandatory requirement 5: Samples

1. Vendors submitting proposals must supply 4 (four) sets containing (3) three different samples of yearbooks they have produced with specifications similar to those represented in our specifications provided in Attachment E. The District is interested in samples from various geographical areas throughout the United States versus from one region of the country. In tab #9, the vendor should describe each yearbook they are submitting and provide the yearbook advisor and their contact information. Yearbooks should be shipped and clearly labeled as part of the proposal submission.

2. Using Attachment B, provide a minimum of three references from school districts that have recently received similar services and products (high school yearbooks) from your company. If this proposal includes software developed specifically for MMSD or as a part of a program MMSD would use, vendor may submit a VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) or must provide comparable documentation to satisfy the requirement in paragraph 1.8 (evaluated by MMSD Legal Services).

Mandatory requirements – Caps/Gowns/Tassels/Stoles

Mandatory requirement 1: Describe your process for ordering and distribution

Mandatory requirement 2: Describe availability and support available through the Local Representative on and leading up to and on graduation day

Mandatory requirement 3: Describe your pricing and payment structure; indicate how and when rates change

Mandatory requirement 4: Describe the availability and structure of payment plans

Mandatory requirement 5: Describe how you will work with the school and/or families to ensure all students who want to wear a cap/gown/cord stole, but cannot afford it, are able to do so at no charge. (Note: this is particularly important if the color / sheen do not match the current stock of donations)

Mandatory requirement 6: Describe how you will support, on site, on graduation day to provide lost or forgotten materials

Mandatory requirement 7: Describe student ability to purchase items ala carte

Mandatory requirement 8: Expected Specifications in table below. Additional cord colors may be needed for recognitions and programs such as Honors, High Honors, Student Congress, National Honor Society, AVID, etc. Quantities are estimated and will vary slightly based on number of each school’s graduates:

...

	Cap	Tassel	Gown	Cord	Stole
East	Color: Purple Quantity: ~450	Color: Purple/Gold Quantity: ~450	Color: Purple Quantity: ~450	Honor Color: Purple/Gold Congress Color: Gold Honor - ~150 Congress - ~40	Color: Gold Quantity: ~450
La Follette	Color: Maroon Quantity: ~450	Color: Gray/Maroon Quantity: ~450	Color: Maroon Quantity: ~450	Honor Cords: Gray/Maroon ~ Grad Academy: Blue/White ~10 NHS: Gold ~ 25 DLI: Light Blue ~ Quantity TBD AVID: Royal Blue ~ Quantity TBD Student Council: Silver ~10 DECA: Blue/Gold/White ~10	Color: Silver (or Gray) Quantity: ~450
Memorial	Color: Green Quantity: ~600	Color: Green/White Quantity: ~600	Color: Green Quantity: ~600	Honors/High Honors Color: Gold ~150	Color: White Quantity: ~600
West	Color: Blue Quantity: ~600	Color: Blue/Maize Quantity: ~600	Color: Blue Quantity: ~600	Color: Yellow Quantity: ~300	Color: Maize Quantity: ~600
Capital High	Color: Navy Quantity: ~150	Color: Silver/Navy Quantity: ~150	Color: Navy Quantity: ~150	Color: N/A Quantity: 0	Color: Silver Quantity: ~150
Innovative High	Color: Black Quantity: ~50	Color: Gold Quantity: ~50	Color: Black Quantity: ~50	Color: Gold Quantity: ~5	Color: Gold Quantity: ~50
Shabazz	Color: Multi (students choose color) Quantity: ~75	Color: Rainbow Quantity: ~75	Color: Black Quantity: ~75	Color: N/A Quantity: 0	Color: Black (with printed logo) Quantity: ~75