230000001410 - RFP Documents- MDOS Certificate of Title Forms- 3-15-23.docx

Michigan.gov/MiProcurement proposal instructions Department of Technology Management and Budget Certificate of Title Forms Request for Proposal No. 230000001410 Solicitation Manager Name: Valerie Hiltz Direct Phone: 517-249-0459 Email: hiltzv@michigan.gov Main Phone: 1-855-MI-PURCH 1-855-647-8724 This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) for:

The printing of Michigan Department of State (MDOS) Certificate of Titles RFP Timeline

*A bidder’s proposal received at 3:00:01 p.m. Eastern is late and subject to disqualification.

This RFP is subject to change. Check www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS for current information.

1. PROPOSAL PREPARATION. The State recommends reading all RFP materials prior to preparing a proposal, particularly these Proposal Instructions and the Vendor Questions Worksheet. Bidders must follow these Proposal Instructions and provide a complete response to the items indicated in the table below. References and links to websites or external sources may not be used in lieu of providing the information requested in the RFP within the proposal. Include the bidder’s company name in the header of all documents submitted with your proposal. Note that all documents and information submitted as part of a proposal will become public record immediately upon receipt by the State. Proposals received by the State may be posted on the State’s publicly available website after bidders are notified of the award recommendation.

Samples are Required. In addition, by the proposal deadline, the bidder must submit samples of work that are identical to the proposed Contract Activities. Samples must be clearly labeled with the bidder's name and RFP number and sent to the Solicitation Manager:

Valerie Hiltz Elliot Larsen Building, 322 S. Walnut Street, 2nd Floor North, Lansing, MI 48933 Samples not destroyed in testing will be returned at the bidder's expense, if requested in writing by the proposal deadline. If a manufacturer submits samples on behalf of the bidder, the bidder, by the proposal deadline, must submit written confirmation from the manufacturer indicating that it will supply the materials indicated.

RFP Structure and Documentation

2. CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE STATE. The sole point of contact for the State concerning this RFP is listed on the Cover Page. Contacting any other State personnel, agent, consultant, or representative about this RFP may result in bidder disqualification.

3. PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING.

A pre-proposal meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern via Microsoft Teams:

Microsoft Teams meeting Join on your computer, mobile app or room device Click here to join the meeting Meeting ID: 298 188 446 027 Passcode: chkmdV Download Teams | Join on the web Or call in (audio only) +1 248-509-0316,,656850692# United States, Pontiac Phone Conference ID: 656 850 692#

The purpose of the pre-proposal meeting is to discuss the RFP and the work to be performed. Statements made by the Solicitation Manager or designee at a pre-proposal meeting are not considered modifications to the RFP. If, however, the Solicitation Manager determines modifications to the RFP are warranted after the meeting, modifications will be posted in writing on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS as explained in the Modifications section of this document.

Accessibility requests for reasonable accommodations at the pre-proposal meeting should be made with the Solicitation Manager at least 10 business days before the date of the meeting. Accommodation requests received outside this time period cannot be guaranteed.

4. MODIFICATIONS. The State may modify this RFP at any time. Modifications will be posted on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS. This is the only method by which the RFP may be modified.

5. QUESTIONS. Bidder questions about this RFP must be emailed to the Solicitation Manager no later than the time and date specified on the Cover Page. In the interest of transparency, only written questions are accepted. Answers to questions will be posted on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS. Submit questions using the format below; a Microsoft Excel format or similar is suggested.

6. DELIVERY OF PROPOSAL.

Electronic – The bidder must submit its proposal, all attachments, and any modifications or withdrawals electronically through www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS. The price proposal should be saved separately from all other proposal documents. The bidder should submit all documents in a modifiable (native) format (examples include but are not limited to Microsoft Word or Excel and Google Docs or Sheets). In addition to submitting documents in a modifiable format, the bidder may also submit copies of documents in PDF. Attachment file size is limited to 6 MB per document. Bidder’s failure to submit a proposal as required may result in disqualification. The proposal and attachments must be fully uploaded and submitted prior to the proposal deadline. Do not wait until the last minute to submit a proposal, as the SIGMA VSS system requires the creation of an account and entry of certain information, in addition to uploading and submitting the materials. The SIGMA VSS system will not allow a proposal to be submitted after the proposal deadline identified in the solicitation Closing On/Closing Date fields (Summary view/Detail view), even if a portion of the proposal has been uploaded.

Questions on how to submit information or how to navigate in the SIGMA VSS system can be answered by calling (517) 284-0540 or (888) 734-9749. The Solicitation Manager will not provide assistance related to the submittal of the proposal and all attachments on the day of the proposal deadline. Responsibility for a complete submission lies with the bidder. Note that all documents and information submitted in any manner as part of a proposal will become public record immediately upon receipt by the State. Proposals received may be posted by the State on the State’s publicly available website after bidders are notified of the award recommendation.

7. EVALUATION PROCESS. The State will evaluate each proposal based on the following factors:

Proposals receiving 80 or more technical evaluation points will have pricing evaluated and considered for award.

The State may utilize all bidder information, without regard to a proposal’s technical score, to determine fair market value for goods or services sought. The State is not obligated to accept the lowest price proposal. If applicable, the State’s evaluation will include consideration of a bidder’s qualified disabled veterans/service-disabled veteran owned business(QDV/SDVOB) status under MCL 18.1261(8). Additional information on the SDVOB preference is available at: Michigan.gov/SDVOB.

The State strongly encourages strict adherence to the Contract Terms. The State reserves the right to deem a bid non-responsive for failure to accept the Contract Terms. Nevertheless, the bidder may submit proposed changes to the Contract Terms in track changes (i.e., visible edits) with an explanation of the bidder’s need for each proposed change. Failure to include track changes with an explanation of the bidder’s need for the proposed change constitutes the bidder’s acceptance of the Contract Terms. General statements, such as that the bidder reserves the right to negotiate the terms and conditions, may be considered non-responsive. Failure to respond timely to requests for proposed changes to Contract Terms during ongoing negotiations may be cause for disqualification.

The State may but is not required to conduct an on-site visit to tour and inspect the bidder’s facilities; require an oral presentation of the bidder's proposal; conduct interviews, research, reference checks, and background checks; and request additional price concessions at any point during the evaluation process.

8. NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY. The State reserves the right to issue a Notice of Deficiency to bidders if the State determines after the proposal deadline that a portion of the RFP was deficient, unclear, or ambiguous. Failure to respond to a Notice of Deficiency timely may be cause for disqualification.

9. CLARIFICATION REQUEST. The State reserves the right to issue a Clarification Request to a bidder to clarify its proposal if the State determines the proposal is not clear. Failure to respond to a Clarification Request timely may be cause for disqualification.

10. RESERVATIONS. The State reserves the right to:

a. Disqualify a bidder for failure to follow these instructions.

b. Discontinue the RFP process at any time for any or no reason. The issuance of an RFP, your preparation and submission of a proposal, and the State’s subsequent receipt and evaluation of your proposal does not commit the State to award a contract to you or anyone, even if all the requirements in the RFP are met.

c. Consider late proposals if: (i) no other proposals are received; (ii) no complete proposals are received; (iii) the State received complete proposals, but the proposals did not meet mandatory minimum requirements or technical criteria; or (iv) the award process fails to result in an award.

d. Consider an otherwise disqualified proposal if no other proposals are received.

e. Disqualify a proposal based on: (i) information provided by the bidder in response to this RFP; (2) the bidder’s failure to complete registration on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS ; or (3) if it is determined that a bidder purposely or willfully submitted false or misleading information in response to the RFP.

f. Consider prior performance with the State in making its award decision.

g. Consider overall economic impact to the State when evaluating proposal pricing and in the final award recommendation. This includes but is not limited to: considering principal place of performance, number of Michigan citizens employed or potentially employed, dollars paid to Michigan residents, Michigan capital investments, job creation, tax revenue implications, and economically disadvantaged businesses.

h. Consider total-cost-of-ownership factors (e.g., transition and training costs) when evaluating proposal pricing and in the final award recommendation.

i. Refuse to award a contract to any bidder that has failed to pay State taxes or has outstanding debt with the State.

j. Enter into negotiations with one or more bidders on price, terms, technical requirements, or other deliverables.

k. Award multiple, optional-use contracts, or award by Contract Activity.

l. Evaluate the proposal outside the scope identified in the Evaluation Process section of this document if the State receives only one proposal.

11. AWARD RECOMMENDATION. The contract will be awarded to the responsive and responsible bidder who offers the best value to the State, as determined by the State. Best value will be determined by the bidder meeting the minimum point threshold and offering the best combination of the factors stated in the Evaluation Process section of this document, and price, as demonstrated by the proposal. The State will post an Award Recommendation and Evaluation Synopsis on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS or in the manner it was originally published.

12. DEBRIEF MEETING AND BID PROTEST. The State will post an Award Recommendation and Evaluation Synopsis which will provide instructions on how to request a debrief meeting.

If you wish to initiate a protest of the award, you must submit your written protest electronically at BidProtest-DTMB@michigan.gov no later than 4:00 p.m., 10 business days after posting the Award Recommendation and Evaluation Synopsis on SIGMA VSS. The State reserves the right to adjust this timing and will publish any change.

Additional information about the protest process is available at DTMB - Programs and Policies (michigan.gov) under the “Bidder Protests” link.

13. STATE ADMINISTRATIVE BOARD. Contracts equal to $250,000 or greater than require approval by the State Administrative Board. The State Administrative Board’s decision is final; however, its approval does not constitute a contract. The award process is not complete until the awarded contractor receives a contract fully executed by all parties.

14. GENERAL CONDITIONS. The State will not be liable for any costs, expenses, or damages incurred by a bidder participating in this solicitation. The bidder agrees that its proposal will be considered an offer to do business with the State in accordance with its proposal, including the Contract Terms, and that its proposal will be irrevocable and binding for a period of 180 calendar days from date of submission. If a contract is awarded to the bidder, the State may, at its option, incorporate any part of the bidder’s proposal into a contract. This RFP is not an offer to enter into a contract. This RFP may not provide a complete statement of the State’s environment or contain all matters upon which agreement must be reached. The bidder understands that their proposal will become public record immediately upon receipt by the State. Other than verified trade secrets, proposals submitted via www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS are the State’s property.

15. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT FORM AND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT. As a public record, all portions of the bidder’s proposal and resulting contract are subject to disclosure as required under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231, et seq. However, the State may exempt some information from disclosure as permitted by law. Under MCL 18.1261(13)(b), records containing “a trade secret as defined under section 2 of the uniform trade secrets act, 1998 PA 448, MCL 445.1902,” are exempt from disclosure under FOIA. In addition, “financial or proprietary information” submitted with a bidder’s proposal is exempt from disclosure under FOIA. A bidder’s failure to comply with this Section is grounds for rejecting a bidder’s proposal as non-responsive. As a part of its proposal, each bidder must follow the procedure below.

SUBMIT A COMPLETED “CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT FORM” (CT FORM) WITH YOUR BID. Completion and submission of the CT Form is required regardless of whether the bidder seeks confidential treatment of information. Failure to submit a completed CT Form may be cause for disqualification from the solicitation process. If a bidder fails to properly complete and submit the CT Form or otherwise fails to follow CT Form instructions, the proposal may be publicly disclosed in its entirety without redaction after an award recommendation.

Complete and sign Section 1 of the CT Form if the bidder does NOT request confidential treatment of information contained in its proposal; or

i. Complete and sign Section 2 of the CT Form if the bidder requests confidential treatment of certain information. Bidder must also submit a “Public Copy” of the proposal with the trade secret, financial, and proprietary information redacted and clearly labeled as the “Public Copy.”

ii. Failure to complete and sign a CT Form may result in disqualification of the bidder. If a bidder fails to properly complete and submit the CT Form or otherwise fails to follow the CT Form instructions, the proposal, in its entirety, will be treated as a “Public Copy” and may be publicly disclosed by the State without redaction after bidders have been notified of an award recommendation.

b. FOIA REQUESTS. If a FOIA request is made for a bidder’s proposal, the Public Copy may be distributed to the public along with the bidder’s CT Form. The CT Form is a public document and serves as an explanation for the redactions to the Public Copy. Do not put any trade secret, financial, or proprietary information in the CT Form. Do not redact the CT Form itself.

c. NO ADVICE. The State will not advise a bidder as to the nature or content of documents entitled to protection from disclosure under FOIA or other laws, as to the interpretation of such laws, or as to the definition of trade secret or financial or proprietary information. Nothing contained in this provision will modify or amend requirements and obligations imposed on the State by FOIA or other applicable law.

d. FAILURE TO REQUEST CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT. Failure to request material be treated as confidential as specified herein relieves the State, its agencies, and personnel from any responsibility for maintaining material in confidence.

e. Bids containing a request to maintain an entire proposal as confidential may be rejected as non-responsive. Bidders may not request confidential treatment with respect to resumes, pricing, and marketing materials. The State reserves the right to determine whether material designated as exempt by a bidder falls under MCL 18.1261 or other applicable FOIA exemptions. If a FOIA request is made for materials that the bidder has identified as trade secret, financial, or proprietary information, the State has the final authority to determine whether the materials are exempt from disclosure under FOIA.

f. Bidder forever releases the State, its departments, subdivisions, officers, and employees from all claims, rights, actions, demands, damages, liabilities, expenses and fees, which arise out of or relate to the disclosure of all or a portion of bidder’s proposal submitted under this RFP. Bidder must defend, indemnify and hold the State, its departments, subdivisions, officers, and employees harmless, without limitation, from and against all actions, claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, attorney fees, and expenses (including those required to establish the right to indemnification), arising out of or relating to any FOIA request, including potential litigation and appeals, related to the portion of bidder’s proposal submitted under this RFP that bidder has identified as a trade secret, or financial or proprietary information. The State will notify bidder in writing if indemnification is sought. The State is entitled to: (i) regular updates on proceeding status; (ii) participate in the defense of the proceeding; (iii) employ its own counsel; and to (iv) retain control of the defense, or any portion thereof, if the State deems necessary. Bidder will not, without the State’s written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld), settle, compromise, or consent to the entry of any judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any claim, action, or proceeding. If a State employee, official, or law is involved or challenged, the State may control the defense of that portion of the claim. Any litigation activity on behalf of the State, or any of its subdivisions under this Section, must be coordinated with the Department of Attorney General. An attorney designated to represent the State may not do so until approved by the Michigan Attorney General and appointed as a Special Assistant Attorney General.

confidential treatment form INSTRUCTIONS. Bidder must complete either Section 1 or Section 2 of this CT Form and sign where indicated. Do not complete both sections. This CT Form must be signed by the individual who signed the bidder’s proposal. A completed CT Form must be submitted with your proposal, regardless of whether your proposal contains confidential information.

Failure to submit a completed CT Form with your bid is grounds for rejecting the proposal as non-responsive. If a bidder fails to properly complete and submit the CT Form or otherwise fails to follow CT Form Instructions, the proposal, in its entirety, will be treated as a “Public Copy” and may be publicly disclosed by the State without redaction after bidders have been notified of an award recommendation. See the Confidential Treatment Form and The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) sections of the Proposal Instructions for additional information.

Section 1. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT IS NOT REQUESTED This section must be completed, signed, and submitted with the proposal if the bidder does not request confidential treatment of any material contained in the proposal. If this section is completed, do not complete Section 2. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT IS REQUESTED.

By signing below, the bidder affirms that confidential treatment of material contained in their proposal is not requested.

RFP Number

RFP Title

Signature

Date

Printed Name, Title, Company

Section 2. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT IS REQUESTED This section must be completed, signed, and submitted with the proposal if bidder requests confidential treatment of any material contained in the proposal. Submission of a completed CT Form is required to request confidential treatment. If this section is completed, do not complete Section 1. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT IS NOT REQUESTED.

Provide the information in the table below. Bidder may add rows or additional pages using the same format shown in the table. Bidder must specifically identify the information to be protected as confidential and state the reasons why protection is necessary.

The CT Form will not be considered fully complete unless, for each confidentiality request, the bidder: (1) identifies the Proposal Page #, Section #, and Paragraph #, (2) identifies whether the material is a Trade Secret (TS), Proprietary Financial Information (FI), or Proprietary Information (PI), and (3) explains the specific legal grounds that support treatment of the material as TS, FI, or PI. Bidders must provide a complete justification as to how the material falls within the scope of an applicable FOIA exemption or relevant case law. Bidders must not simply cite to an applicable exemption or case name. Bidders must also provide the contact information for the person at their organization authorized to respond to inquiries by the State concerning the material.

Bidder must also submit a “Public Copy” of the proposal with the trade secret, financial, and proprietary information redacted and clearly labeled as the “Public Copy”.

(1) Proposal Page #, Section #, Paragraph # (2) Material is Trade Secret (TS), Proprietary Financial Information (FI), Proprietary Information (PI) (3) Applicable FOIA Exemption with Written Justification (4) Bidder Contact Information

By signing below, the bidder affirms that confidential treatment of material contained in their proposal is requested and has attached to this form a redacted “Public Copy” of the bidder’s proposal.

RFP Number

RFP Title

Signature

Date

Printed Name, Title, Company vendor questions worksheet Provide a detailed response to each question. “You” and “company” refers to the bidder.

1. Contact Information

Bidder’s sole contact person during the RFP process. Include name, title, address, email, and phone number.

Person authorized to receive and sign a resulting contract. Include name, title, address, email, phone number and vendor customer code in SIGMA VSS.

2. Company Background Information

Legal business name and address. Include business entity designation, e.g., sole proprietor, Inc., LLC, or LLP.

What state was the company formed in?

Phone number.

Website address.

Number of years in business.

Number of employees.

Legal business name and address of parent company, if any.

Has there been a recent change in organizational structure (e.g., management team) or control (e.g., merger or acquisition) of your company? If the answer is yes: (a) explain why the change occurred and (b) how this change has affected your company.

Discuss your company’s history. Has growth been organic, through mergers and acquisitions, or both?

Has bidder ever been debarred, suspended, or disqualified from bidding or contracting with any entity, including the State of Michigan? If yes, provide the date, the entity, and details about the situation.

Has your company been a party to litigation against the State of Michigan? If the answer is yes, then state the date of initial filing, case name and court number, and jurisdiction.

Within the last 5 years, has your company or any of its related business entities defaulted on a contract or had a contract terminated for cause? If yes, provide the date, contracting entity, type of contract, and details about the termination or default.

State your gross annual sales for each of the last 5 years.

If receiving a contract under this RFP will increase your gross revenue by more than 25% from last year’s sales, explain how the company will scale-up to manage this increase.

Describe partnerships and strategic relationships you think will bring significant value to the State.

State the physical address of the place of business that would have primary responsibility for this account if bidder is awarded a contract under this RFP.

3. Qualified Disabled Veteran/Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Program

To demonstrate qualification as a qualified disabled veteran, you must provide:

(a) Proof of service and conditions of discharge (DD214 or equivalent);

(b) Proof of service-connected disability (DD214 if the disability was documented at discharge or Veterans Administration Rating Decision Letter or equivalent if the disability was documented after discharge); and

(c) Legal documents setting forth the ownership of the business entity.

In lieu of the documentation identified above, you may provide proof of certification by the National Veterans Business Development Council.

Enter the names of documents submitted with your proposal to demonstrate status as a qualified disabled veteran.

4. Participation in RFP Development or Evaluation

If you enter “YES”, you are not eligible for contract award or to work as a subcontractor for the awarded vendor.

If you enter “YES,” you are not eligible for contract award. An awarded vendor may not partner or subcontract with anyone to provide goods and services required under a resulting contract if that subcontractor or partner assisted in the development of this solicitation.

If you enter “YES”, you are not eligible for contract award or to work as a subcontractor for the awarded vendor.

5. State of Michigan Experience and Prior Experience

Does your company have experience working with the State of Michigan? If so, please provide a list (including the contract number) of the contracts you hold or have held with the State for the last 10 years.

Describe at least 3 relevant experiences, other than with the State of Michigan, from the last 5 years supporting your ability to successfully manage a contract of similar size and scope for the work described in this RFP.

At least one of the experiences listed must reflect work that is currently in production.

Experience 1

Company name.

Contact name.

Contact role at time of project.

Contact phone.

Contact email.

City.

State.

Zip.

1. Project name and description of the scope of the project.

2. What role did your company play?

3. How is this project experience relevant to the subject of this RFP?

Dollar value.

Start and end date (mm/yy – mm/yy)

Status (completed, live, other – specify phase)

Results obtained.

Experience 2

Company name.

Contact role at time of project.

City.

1. Project name and description of the scope of the project.

Dollar value.

Start and end date (mm/yy – mm/yy)

Status (completed, live, other – specify phase)

Results obtained.

Experience 3

Company name.

Contact role at time of project.

City.

1. Project name and description of the scope of the project.

Dollar value.

Start and end date (mm/yy – mm/yy)

Status (completed, live, other – specify phase)

Results obtained.

6. Standard Contract Terms

7. Insurance Requirements

8. Michigan Economic Impact

Number of employees currently employed at locations within the State of Michigan.

Number of additional employees to be employed at locations within the State of Michigan if awarded this Contract (if any)

Minimum wage paid to employees employed at locations within the State of Michigan.

Average wage paid to employees employed at locations within the State of Michigan.

Percentage of employees employed at locations within the State of Michigan that are covered by employer-provided health insurance.

9. Labor, Antidiscrimination and Environmental Laws Compliance

Bidder must disclose any violations of state or federal labor, antidiscrimination and employment laws and regulations received within the past five years.

Bidder must disclose any violations of state or federal environmental laws and regulations received within the past five years.

10. Supplier Diversity

11. Other

12. Response to State Requests

Contractor must enter company name here.

Schedule A – statement of work contract activities Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 230000001410 Certificate of Title Printing This schedule identifies the anticipated requirements of any Contract resulting from this RFP. The term “Contractor” in this document refers to a bidder responding to this RFP, as well as the Contractor who is awarded the contract. The term “bidder” is used to identify where specific responses to the RFP are required.

The Contractor must respond to each requirement or question and explain how it will fulfill each requirement. Attach any supplemental information and appropriately reference within your response.

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CONTRACTORS/BIDDERS: There are specific requirements for which acceptance must be simply acknowledged through a checkbox(es), and others that require further explanation. Click one checkbox and complete the entries as identified.

BACKGROUND

The Michigan Department of State issues certificates of title for vehicles, watercraft, mobile home, and salvage vehicles. The certificates of title are issued as proof of ownership after certain transactions are processed. Titles are also required before some vehicles/vessels can be plated and/or registered.

SCOPE

Any contract resulting from this RFP will be for the provision of Michigan Certificates of Title as listed in Schedule D and per the specifications, terms, conditions, and requirements of this RFP. Schedule D will not be published with this solicitation due to security constraints. If your company intends to bid on this RFP, please send an email to the Solicitation Manager, Valerie Hiltz at hiltzv@michigan.gov. By submitting a request for a copy of Schedule D you are doing so with the understanding that your company agrees that this information is confidential and will not be shared.

The Contractor will have the sole responsibility of procuring all paper stock, printing of the titles, and incorporating all required security features. The Contractor must furnish to the State all services, staffing, labor, equipment, materials, supplies, and other work incidental or necessary for the completion of the contract.

REQUIREMENTS

1. General Requirements

1.1. Product Specifications

A. Basic Information

1. The Contractor will provide the various Certificate of Title Forms in the size, format, and colors as specified in Schedule D- Form Specifications.

2. A sequential control number must be printed on the face of the Certificate of Title forms using dual image numbering so that a mirror image of the control number will be seen from the back of the Certificate of Title.

a. There will be no duplication of numbers.

b. Missing numbers are not to exceed .01% of the total run.

c. There must be no overruns or under-runs.

d. A guaranteed list of missing numbers in sequential order must be provided to the agency upon delivery.

e. Beginning and ending control numbers will be provided to the Contractor.

f. Cartons containing missing control numbers are to be clearly identified on the outside of the box indicating any number(s) missing.

3. The State reserves the right to make any format, color, or text changes during the Contract period.

4. The Certificate of Title Forms must be able to be mechanically processed, by the State, on the following equipment without modifications:

· OCE Vario Stream 6100 Printer

· Kyocera ECOSYS P3145dn

· Pitney Bowes Mailstream Evolution Inserter

· Pitney Bowes Folder Model FD90

· Pitney Bowes FPS Inserter

· Formax FD550 Forms Burster

· A new cutsheet printer is in the process of being purchases. The forms must be able to be run on this new machine as well.

5. The State is not obligated to purchase in any specific quantity.

List all exception(s):

B. Preliminary Work

1. For each job, the Contractor must perform all typesetting, ruling and other necessary operations to prepare orders for press or prepare negatives and plates for press. The Contractor will not duplicate the plates by photographing another Contractor's work.

2. The Contractor must assist the agency in preparations and layout when requested to do so at no charge to the State.

3. Presswork must not occur, nor printing initiated until the paper stock and the watermark is approved in writing by the Program Manager.

4. The Contractor must furnish samples to the Program Manager, or their designee, when requested.

List all exception(s):

C. Security Features The following features must be contained in the Certificate of Title.

1. Paper Stock.

a. 24# Bond.

b. MDOS is currently using continuous feed paper but will be transitioning to cut sheet paper in the future.

Understanding the paper market, the State is willing to consider other paper weights if it would mean that there would be a more stable supply of the paper.

Bidder, Please provide other paper weight options you would propose for the State’s consideration, explain the advantages of switching to that weight paper, and provide the cost differential for the proposed alternate paper weight in the box below:

2. Watermark.

The State requires that the Contractor watermark the paper with the unique MDOS watermark used in the current titles. The current watermark is being created by a dandy roll owned by the state. The watermark is a custom watermark created specifically for the State to be used in the manufacturing of this paper.

a. Watermark cylinders or other devices will not be produced without written approval of design by the Program Manager, or their designee.

b. Watermark must be placed in a paraded vertical pattern along the Right 1/3 portion of the face of the title.

c. Watermarks must be crisp and clearly legible to the naked eye with any light source.

d. If the existing dandy roll is to be used, the Contractor must include in their proposal pricing the cost to have the existing roll shipped from the current mill in Canada to the facility of their choice if they are not proposing to secure paper from the current paper mill.

e. If the selected mill is unable to use the existing dandy roll and a new watermark apparatus must be manufactured, this will be initiated via a Delivery Order and billed separately.

1) The Contractor will work with the State in creating the watermark design which meets MDOS requirements.

2) Watermark cylinders or other devices will not be produced without written approval of design by the Program Manager, or their designee.

3) The apparatus and its use will be accepted based on preliminary paper run proofs.

4) Once accepted, any changes made to the watermark must receive prior written approval from the Program Manager, or their designee.

List all exception(s):

3. Fugitive Ink The face of the Certificate of Title, except as specified otherwise below, must be printed with fugitive ink so any attempted chemical alteration erases the background.

List all exception(s):

4. Thermochromic Inks The backside of the Certificate of Title must contain a stripe printed with thermochromic ink along each vertical edge of the Certificate of Title.

a. The vertical stripe must run the full length of the Certificate of Title and must be no less than 3/16" and no more than 5/16" in width.

b. The vertical stripe will appear in such a manner that it does not obstruct any printed area on the Certificate of Title Form.

c. The vertical stripe must contain an alternating pattern consisting of the State logo and the word "Michigan" visible to the human eye.

List all exception(s):

a. The front side of the Certificate of Title must contain an image of the State Seal. Micro-printing must be used on the face of the Certificate of Title in circular fashion in the logo portion of the state seal.

b. Letters are applied in a continuous tone and magnifications of 8X or more will be needed to authenticate.

List all exception(s):

6. Toner Anchorage

List all exception(s):

7. Prismatic Printing All Certificate of Title Forms must have a pantograph pattern using two (2) colors of ink from a single press unit.

a. The process blends the colors together vertically. This will be used for the State Seal which will be in the center of the Certificate of Title Form with one (1) color ink behind it.

b. From both sides of the State Seal, a different color will blend into the single color in the middle.

c. Color selections made by the state are confidential and the color names and prismatic color numbers will be held in record by the State and by the Contractor.

d. Currently the State utilizes a shell pantograph pattern. MDOS would like to transition to a circular pantograph pattern and would like to view samples with this pattern.

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a. This chemical reagent must affix dyes and make most print and pen inks very difficult to remove via chemical or other means by "binding" the ink to the paper fiber.

b. Because it becomes part of the very paper itself, this protection will be present on both sides of the document.

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9. Fluorescent Ink Watermarks The ink on the back of the Certificate of Title must fluoresce under an ultraviolet light ("black light").

a. The pattern will be a State Logo: one line consisting of an outline of the state with the word "Michigan" printed upside down, and the next line consisting of the word "Michigan" with the outline of the state printed upside down.

b. The fluorescent ink to be used on these certificates will be formulated by SIPCA Ink and will include the two additional safety features which they have incorporated into their fluorescent ink.

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10. Color Photography Protection The hidden "Void" must be visible on the largest number settings on current color copiers. The background colors on the Certificate of Title must blend vertically within the pantograph pattern.

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11. Dual Image Numbering

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12. High Resolution Printing

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13. Warning Band

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14. Suggestions.

The State will expect the Contractor to suggest and make the State aware of new security features that may become available during the resulting contract.

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At this time, if the Bidder has any suggested security features that are not listed in this RFP, please offer those suggestions, and explain the benefits of these features in the box below.

If the Bidder is offering additional security feature suggestions, in the box below, please indicate what the price differential would be to include them in our titles.

15. Samples to be Provided with RFP Bidder must provide samples highlighting each of the twelve security features required in the specifications above.

The samples you submit may include one or many of security features requested.

Bidders must number each sample, to correspond with the table below, and indicate below what features are being represented in that sample.

These samples must be mailed and received by the required Proposal Response Date and Time. (See Proposal Instructions Section 1. PROPOSAL PREPARATION, Samples Required.)

Add additional lines as necessary to list all samples.

D. Proofs At the inception of the contract the Contractor will work with the MDOS Program manager and staff to design the Certificate of Title forms.

1. The Contractor will include the cost of Pre-production proofs, both digital and press proofs in the Contract price.

2. Once digital proofs have been accepted, the Contractor will deliver press proofs to the State within seven (7) business days for the MDOS Program Manager review and approval. Approval will be provided to the Contractor in writing.

3. In the event the State requires changes be made to the certificate of title form, the State will make every effort to allow an eight (8) week notification period prior to the requested delivery date. Pre-production proofs will be required for all changes.

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Bidders may…