Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a qualified service provider for the printing of the City of Cape Town's flagship publications (such as the Annual Report and the Integrated Development Plan) as well as ad hoc publications, on an "as and when required" basis. The service provider must meet high standards of print quality, meet tight deadlines, and provide samples of similar work for evaluation.

Scope

The scope includes:

• Printing of flagship publications: Annual Report, IDP, Scorecards, EPIC, SDBIP Corporate and Directorate Books, Infrastructure Reports, etc.
• Printing of ad hoc publications, mainly A4, A5, and square formats, with variable page counts and binding types (saddle stitch, PUR bound, thread sewn, PUR bound, etc.).
• Provision of print samples for quality assessment.
• Delivery of printed publications to specified addresses within Cape Town.
• Application of special treatments (e.g., varnishing) upon request, with additional charges.
• Adherence to specified print quality standards, including proofing and colour matching.

Technical Requirements

The technical specifications include:

• Printers must have a full A1 Sheet 5 colour press with an inline coating unit (or equivalent).
• Maximum turnaround time per publication: 10 working days from artwork handover to delivery.
• Use of EFI Colour Proofing System in accordance with Fogra standards for ISO 12647 with embedded reference profile.
• Delivery to one specified address per publication, with shrink-wrapping in parcels of 5, 10, or 20 copies.
• Provision of colour-correct proofs for final approval.
• Application of special treatments such as varnishing, with additional charges.
• Samples of previous corporate reports (A4 size) must be provided for quality evaluation.
• Print quality, binding, and finishing must meet industry standards.

Skills and Experience Requirements

The tenderer must demonstrate:

• Ownership or access to a full A1 Sheet 5 colour press with inline coating (proof required).
• Experience in printing corporate reports or similar publications, with a minimum of 1 year, preferably more.
• Provision of samples of printed corporate reports (saddle stitched, PUR bound, thread sewn) for evaluation.
• Capability to produce high-quality colour proofs and meet tight deadlines.
• Technical competence in printing, binding, and finishing processes.
• Financial stability and compliance with tax and legal requirements.
• Ability to deliver within specified timeframes and handle special print treatments.
• Experience in handling large-format printing equipment and colour management systems.