In what circumstance would collating and assembly be handled by an external vendor?

The correct answer is when dealing with extra-large documents. This situation often necessitates the involvement of an external vendor due to the sheer volume of materials that may exceed in-house capabilities or resources. Large documents typically require specialized equipment and expertise, as they may incorporate numerous pages, complex layouts, or specific formatting that can be cumbersome to handle internally. Additionally, external vendors often have the capability to efficiently process large quantities of printed materials, ensuring timely delivery and quality control.

In contrast, smaller, simpler documents can typically be handled in-house with existing resources and do not usually require outsourcing. Standard-sized projects also tend to be manageable without external assistance, as they fall well within the norm of what office equipment can efficiently produce. Lastly, when personal involvement is crucial, it implies that the task requires direct attention and oversight from someone within the organization, which again indicates an internal handling rather than outsourcing to a vendor.