Your PSB advisor will help you to assemble a skilled team from our extensive network of internal and external partners, including vendors collaborating with MIT through the Smart Buy Purchasing Initiative. Ask your PSB advisor to share vendor portfolios on file. Reviewing samples of past work will help you to narrow down vendor selection.
The PSB network of vendors includes:
- Graphic designers and production artists
- Illustrators
- Photographers
- Printers (digital, offset, web)
- Producers of signage, banners, and promotional materials
- Web designers and developers
- Writers, editors, and proofreaders
Through the Smart Buy Purchasing Initiative, we have identified a core group of printing vendors that offer the MIT community top-quality service at competitive prices. Compare printers and find out more about this streamlined process.
PSB works only with those vendors who:
- Produce a high-quality end product.
- Offer competitive pricing on a nonprofit scale.
- Provide good customer service.
- Deliver work on time.
- Exhibit professionalism.
- Build positive relationships with their clients.
- Pay attention to detail.
Consult your PSB advisor for counsel on all vendor-related questions, from resolving an issue with a vendor to evaluating whether a vendor is charging you the right fee for services. Your PSB advisor also will help clarify Institute regulations for hiring external vendors and will guide you in processing the necessary paperwork.
Three things you'll want to know about procuring services from outside vendors:
- Vendor services that are priced at $5,000 and above will require a minimum of three competitive bids from related vendors.
- The lowest bidder is not always the winning bidder—the vendor may not be selected, for example, if unable to meet a schedule that has changed or if another vendor is better equipped to meet the needs of the project.
- PSB does not act as a fiscal middleman—clients pay vendors directly.
On an ongoing basis, we work closely with our partners at MIT Web Communications Services (WCS) to seek out prospective vendors and conduct vendor reviews. This process brings fresh talent to the Institute publishing community and ensures that MIT is working with the most qualified vendors using the most up-to-date technologies supported by the best customer service.
We encourage you to share information and experiences about vendors—both present preferred vendors and new vendors with whom you've worked. Feedback from our MIT clients is vital to the PSB process.
If you are a communications professional interested in becoming a preferred MIT vendor, contact a PSB advisor. The criteria we consider when choosing preferred vendors include:
- Résumé, portfolio, or samples
- Equipment list
- Description of business practices
- Environmental efforts
- References from clients both inside and outside MIT
- Submission of request for solutions (RFS) and independent contractor forms
- Interview with key PSB staff members
- Financial review, Dunn & Bradstreet report
- Nonprofit pricing
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