State of Colorado

Colorado State University
Notice of Proposed Sole Source
Solicitation Number: D700707

Comments Submission Deadline

Date & Time:

07/23/2008 03:00 PM MDT

Address:

Colorado State University Purchasing Department 555 S. Howes St. Suite 108 Fort Collins, CO. 80523

Comments:

VENDOR MUST BE AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR OF BRAND BID.

Vendor Qualifications

Colorado State University Global Campus intends to sole source Valassis Direct Mail, Inc. to assist in marketing research, data mining, targeting and execution of direct response tactics, particularly "shared mail" and other mail products.


CSU-GC intends to mail to targets fitting our demographic profile on a regular basis (monthly, perhaps even weekly). Vendor must have targeting ability and national reach.

Valassis has the ability to target prospects using over 2,000 variables including dozens of education variables. It is critical that we deliver the right message to the right prospect; these targeting variables allow us to do just that.

Shared mail: Valassis is the only vendor in the U.S. who can provide weekly loose shared mail delivered directly to the home. The loose aspect of shared mail differs from other vendors who may offer shared mail all within one envelope which may or may not get opened. The loose aspect of shared mail allows ads to be more easily seen and accommodates various shapes and sizes one might use to draw viewers attention. Shared mail also appears to be simply part of your stack of mail.

National Reach: Valassis is the U.S. Postal Service's single largest customer. This allows for economies of scale in negotiated rates they can offer CSU-GC. Valassis is also the only vendor which can reach all of the U.S. Many of CSU-GC students will be from remote areas without access to universities but online. This would allow CSU-GC to economically reach students wherever our intelligence indicates they live without restriction.

Expertise; Valassis has extensive experience with both our competitors and the market in general. Valassis can offer us programs in direct response mail marketing along with results based on actuals from other companies which in turn can assist CSU-GC in cost containment.

- Valassis is the largest customer of the U.S. Postal Service
- They can reach 100% of the U.S.
- Valassis does 90% of all 3rd party co-op direct mail in the U.S.
- They are the only provider of weekly loose shared mail directly to the home.
- One of the largest media buyers in the U.S. delivering over 10B media impressions annually.
- Pioneer of newspaper coupon booklet.
- Relationships with 15k advertisers worldwide.


RESPONSE REQUIRED FROM VENDORS



RESPONSES TO THIS INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

1) A "Point by Point" response to the specifications/features as outlined in the sole source justification and submitted on a separate sheet of paper. This would include but not be limited to a narrative for each specification/feature, documentation to certify and validate vendor specifications, brochures or binders containing vendor specification which can be evaluated by CSU personnel, and any other pertinent information concerning the vendors system. Detailed information is indicated.

2) Vendors must structure their response in the exact order noted below. Responses must be formatted as outlined, followed by a "Point by Point" discussion of each specification/feature.

3) Colorado State University will be the sole judge of equivalence.

4) Any Purchase Order resulting from this Intent To Sole Source Will be Governed by the Terms and Conditions of the Colorado State University Purchase Order.

5) FAILURE TO RESPOND AS INSTRUCTED ABOVE WILL AUTOMATICALLY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION.

Interested parties should read and be familiar with the specifications before responding as the above specifications must be met or exceeded with validation. Responses must be submitted via FAX to (970) 491-5523 no later than the OPENING DATE AND TIME LISTED ON THE INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE.

Point Of Contact

The Colorado Procurement Code provides that a contract may be awarded for a supply or service, without competition, when there is only one source for the required supply or service. Therefore, a "sole source" procurement is justified if there is only one item or service that can reasonably meet the state's need and there is only one vendor who can provide the item or service.

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Additional Information