Title
The Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit, Water and Sewerage Department authorizes the Director to approve DWSD Contract No. 6007354, with Accuform Printing & Graphics, to provide Printing Services, for a total contract amount not-to-exceed $240,000.00 and a term of three (3) years. This also authorizes the Director to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
Body
Agenda of August 20, 2025
Item No. 2025-175
Contract No.: 6007354
Contractor: Accuform Printing & Graphics, 7231 Southfield Freeway, Detroit, MI 48228
Contract Amount: $240,000.00
Contract Term: Three (3) years
TO: The Honorable
Board of Water Commissioners
City of Detroit, Michigan
FROM: Gary Brown, Director
Water and Sewerage Department
RE: Proposed DWSD Contract 6007354
Printing Services
Accuform Printing & Graphics
MOTION
Upon recommendation of Marqaicha Welch, Procurement Manager, the Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit, Water and Sewerage Department authorizes the Director to approve DWSD Contract No. 6007354, with Accuform Printing & Graphics, to provide Printing Services, for a total contract amount not-to-exceed $240,000.00 and a term of three (3) years. This also authorizes the Director to take such other action as may be necessary to accomplish the intent of this vote.
BACKGROUND / JUSTIFICATION
DWSD is in need of external printing services, including offset printing, digital printing, die-cutting and special production needs which are required for customer education and construction outreach activities coordinated by the Public Affairs Division. The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) Print Shop at the Water Board Building provides some printing services to DWSD through a Shared Services Agreement; however, there are limitations including the GLWA Print Shop does not have the equipment for offset, digital and die-cutting such as punching holes for door hangers and 2) GLWA shared services printing costs have substantially increased. DWSD Public Affairs will address this by 1) entering into this contract with a qualified external printing vendor and 2) upgrading the printing equipment within the Public Affairs Division to print more everyday items in-house, such as fliers and booklets.
As for as offset and external printing under this contract, DWSD needs these types of printing services to generate door hanger notices for Field Services (M&R), Capital Improvement Program water and sewer upgrades, Lead Service Line Replacement, Lifeline and EasyPay, emergency notifications and other customer communication. Additionally, signage for DWSD events, programs and projects; sticker sheets and books for youth outreach; and customer mailer (outside of billing) for specific customer education is part of the contract. Public Affairs will manage the contract and produce the content while working with internal DWSD groups.
The following are the External Printing Services to be provided in Fiscal Years 2025-2028:
• Door hangers for customer notifications (emergency and non-emergency) with die-cut holes and double-sided of various sizes.
• Sandwich boards (triangular signs that are double-sided and durable for outdoor use) to inform customers and the public of DWSD programs, construction projects and community meetings.
• Posters of various sizes, including laminated for durability, to inform customers and the public of DWSD programs, construction projects and community meetings.
• Sticker sheets for customer education purposes most notably when engaging younger audiences or using the stickers as reminders of what to flush.
• Booklets including customer education for school children, flooding and basement backup and water quality report (Consumer Confidence Report).
• Miscellaneous offset and digital printing services which may include a mailer to customers for customer education, separate from the mailed/emailed bills.
DWSD will utilize internal resources for most printing needs and the GLWA Print Shop for smaller projects including the Board Book.
PROCUREMENT METHOD
This procurement was competitively solicited through a Request for Bids (RFB) per Requisition 533619, which was fully approved on 4/10/25 which was canceled in error; a replacement Requisition 537158 was submitted in the new fiscal year. The RFB was advertised on the Michigan Inter-Governmental Trade Network (MITN) BidNet website for 28 calendar days (6/16/25 - 7/14/25). MITN published this opportunity to 538 companies and 59 firms downloaded the bid package. Four (4) bids were received:
|
Bidder |
Bid Total |
Equalization Credits |
Total |
|
Accuform Printing & Graphics |
$37,537.40 |
n/a |
$37,537.40 |
|
Inland Press |
$33,331.50 |
n/a |
$33,331.50 |
|
Image Printing |
$34,707.50 |
n/a |
$34,707.50 |
|
Vomela Commercial Group |
$40,676.79 |
n/a |
$40,676.79 |
A bid from Image Printing was deemed non-responsive for failure to meet the minimum qualifications. Bids from Inland Press and Vomela Commercial Group were deemed non-responsible for failure to submit all required forms and affidavits.
The evaluation of the bids was based on the lowest bid price. As the apparent equalized low bidder, Accuform Printing & Graphics, was evaluated and determined to be responsive. The bid tab and responsiveness evaluation, and Accuform Printing & Graphics’ bid was forwarded to the Public Affairs Division. Therefore, it is recommended that Accuform Printing & Graphics be awarded the contract resulting from RFB 533619A in the amount of $240,000.00
Accuform’s clearances are pending and once approved a contract document will be sent to the vendor for signature.
SUMMARY
A. Contract No.: 6007354
B. Contractor: Accuform Printing & Graphics
C. Anticipated Contract Term: 3 years
D. Contract Amount: $240,000.00
E. Anticipated FY Breakdown:
FY 26-27: $80,000.00
FY 27-28: $80,000.00
FY 28-29: $80,000.00
F. Funding Source: O & M Funds
G. GL String: 5720-20168-483421-626100-000205-10790-0000-000000
- 47% Water
5820-20179-493421-626100-000226-15805-0000-000000- 53% Sewer
This proposed contract was presented to the DWSD Finance Committee on August 6, 2025. Per the DWSD Procurement Policy, Mayoral Review approval will also be obtained.