Alaska is taking bids to make its own Made in Alaska merchandise

The state is taking bids to make apparel and merchandise carrying the Made in Alaska bear logo. The contract is capped at $15,000 and goes to the lowest bidder rather than to a scored proposal. Bids are due at 1 pm Sept. 30 and will be opened publicly that day.

Bidders need a Made in Alaska permit, and the notice says it has to be in hand only by the close of bidding, so a shop without one can still put a bid together. The permit costs $25 per product line, up to $75 a year, and requires that a product be at least 51 percent produced in Alaska.

Anything bid above $15,000 is rejected without being read. The Division of Community and Regional Affairs is running the solicitation, and questions go to procurement officer Augustina Sanchez.