451829-830.pdf

Specifications by TB Strapped Jackets 451-829 & 451-830 Page 1 of 50 IRS (4830-62) Reqs. 6-03784 & 6-00958 Reviewed by JB

BID OPENING: Bids shall be opened virtually at 11:00 am, Eastern Time (ET), on September 17, 2026 at the U.S.

Government Publishing Office. All parties interested in attending the bid opening shall email bids@gpo.gov one (1) hour prior to the bid opening date and time to request a Microsoft Teams live stream link. This must be a separate email from the bid submission. The link will be emailed prior to the bid opening.

STRAPPED JACKETS: THESE TWO JACKETS WILL BE AWARDED TOGETHER BASED ON THE

LOWEST TOTAL COST. HOWEVER FOR BUDGETARY PURPOSES, CONTRACTOR MUST PROVIDE AN

INDIVIDUAL BID PRICE FOR EACH JACKET AND THEN A TOTAL BID COST.

BID SUBMISSION: Bidders MUST email bids to bids@gpo.gov for this solicitation. No other method of bid submission will be accepted at this time. The Jacket Numbers 451-829 & 451-830 and bid opening date (September 17, 2026) must be specified in the subject line of the emailed bid submission. Bids received after the bid opening date and time specified above will not be considered for award.

BID RESTRICTION: Bidders MUST have an IRS pre-approved security clearance at the bidder’s physical location(s) will be used in the production of products for this contract. NOTE: If bidder does not have these requirements completed prior to the bid opening date, the bidder will be declared non-responsible.

ISSUE DATE: September 10, 2026

ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE AWARD CONCERNING THESE SPECIFICATIONS, CALL (214)767-0451, x8 (Tom Bacon).

SPECIFICATIONS

U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO)

Purchase Division

All the requirements of these specifications apply equally to all items unless otherwise indicated.

GPO CONTRACT TERMS: Any contract which results from this Invitation for Bid will be subject to the applicable provisions, clauses, and supplemental specifications of GPO Contract Terms (GPO Publication 310.2, effective December 1, 1987 (Rev. 01-18)) and GPO Contract Terms, Quality Assurance Through Attributes Program for Printing and Binding (GPO Publication 310.1, effective May 1979 (Rev. 09-19)).

SCOPE: These specifications cover the production of tax packages (consisting of tax payment vouchers, instruction booklets, return envelopes, and a mailout envelope) requiring such operations as electronic prepress, printing/variable imaging, binding/construction, inserting, and mailing.

FORM NO/TITLE:

Jacket 451-829: Form 1041-ES (OCR) (2026) Payment Vouchers Jacket 451-830: Form 1040-ES/V (OCR) (2026) Payment Vouchers

QUALITY LEVEL: III Quality Assurance Through Attributes (GPO Publication 310.1, effective May 1979 (Rev.

09-19)) applies.

QUANTITY:

Jacket 451-829: Approximately 800,000* Packages Jacket 451-830: Approximately 750,000* Packages

Page 2 of 50 Jacket 451-829/830

*Final quantity and address files will be furnished on or about December 18, 2026.

For the final quantity, the Government may submit increases or decreases of up to 25% of the final quantities.

These quantity adjustments may be made by email and will be the final quantity prior to deducting the NCOALINK undeliverables. (See requirements specified herein.) These adjustments will not change the scheduled dates for turnover to USPS.

If no quantity changes have been received by this date, the bid quantity will stand as the final contract quantity.

Any adjustments in quantity and price will be based on the contractor's additional rate and will be addressed in a Contract Modification.

No shortages or overruns will be allowed.

PAGES:

Jacket 451-829: Form 1041-ES (OCR) – 1041-ES (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher: 2-page – face only.

1041-ES (OCR) Instruction Booklet: Four (4) pages.

1041-ES (OCR) Return Envelope: Face and back (after construction).

Mailout Envelope: Face and back (after construction).

There are four (4) 1041-ES common return envelopes to a package.

Jacket 451-830: Form 1040-ES/V (OCR) –

1040-ES (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher: 2 pages.

1040-V (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher and Instructions: 2 pages.

1040-ES (OCR) Instruction Booklet: Sixteen (16) pages.

1040-ES (OCR) Return Envelope: Face and back (after construction).

1040-V (OCR) Extended-Flap Return Envelope: Face and back (after construction).

Mailout Envelope: Face and back (after construction).

There are four (4) common 1040-ES return envelopes to a package.

There are seven (7) different 1040-V extended-flap return envelopes but only one to a package. Data files will indicate which envelope to use.

TRIM SIZES:

Jacket 451-829:

1041-ES (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher: 8 x 12” to 8-1/2 x 17”.

1041-ES (OCR) Instruction Booklet: 8 to 8-1/2 x 10-7/8”. (At contractor’s option, the 10-7/8” dimension can be up to 11”).

1041-ES Return Envelope: 3-5/8 x 8-1/2” – plus flap (with covered window).

Mailout Envelope: Must not exceed 6-1/8 x 9-3/4” – plus flap (with covered window).

Jacket 451-830:

1040-ES (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher Sheet: 8 x 12” to 8-1/2 x 17”.

1040-V (OCR) Payment Voucher and Instructions: 8 x 12” to 8-1/2 x 17”.

1040-ES (OCR) Instruction Booklet: 8 to 8-1/2 x 10-7/8”. (At contractor’s option, the 10-7/8” dimension can be up to 11”).

Page 3 of 50 Jacket 451-829/830

1040-ES Return Envelope: 3-5/8 x 8-1/2” – plus flap (with covered window).

1040-V Extended-Flap Return Envelope: 4-1/4 x 9” – plus extended flap.

Mailout Envelope: Must not exceed 6-1/8 x 9-3/4” – plus flap (with covered window).

STOCK/PAPER: The specifications of all paper furnished must be in accordance with those listed herein or listed for the corresponding JCP Code numbers in the “Government Paper Specification Standards No. 13” dated September 2019.

Government Paper Specification Standards No. 13 – https://www.gpo.gov/docs/default-source/forms-and-standards-files-for-vendors/vol_13.pdf.

Strict adherence to the following ruling and writing qualities must be observed for the specified stocks.

All text paper used in each copy must be of a uniform shade.

Jacket 451-829:

1041-ES (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher –

White Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Bond, basis weight: 24 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22”, equal to JCP Code O-25.

1041-ES (OCR) Instruction Booklet –

White Bond, basis weight: 20 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22”, equal to JCP Code G10; or, White Writing, basis weight:

20 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22”, equal to JCP Code D10; or, White Uncoated Text, basis weight: 50 lbs. per 500 sheets, 25 x 38”, equal to JCP Code A60; or, White Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Bond, basis weight: 24 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22”, equal to JCP Code O-25; or, White/Natural (MUST be light shade) Newsprint, basis weight: 27.7 or 30 lbs. per 500 sheets, 24 x 36”, equal to JCP Code A15.

ALL Envelopes –

White Writing Envelope, basis weight: 24 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22”, equal to JCP Code V20.

Jacket 451-830:

1040-ES/V (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher –

White Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Bond, basis weight: 24 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22”, equal to JCP Code O-25.

1040-ES (OCR) Instruction Booklet –

White Bond, basis weight: 20 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22”, equal to JCP Code G10; or, White Writing, basis weight:

20 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22”, equal to JCP Code D10; or, White Uncoated Text, basis weight: 50 lbs. per 500 sheets, 25 x 38”, equal to JCP Code A60; or, White Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Bond, basis weight: 24 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22”, equal to JCP Code O-25; or, White/Natural (MUST be light shade) Newsprint, basis weight: 27.7 or 30 lbs. per 500 sheets, 24 x 36”, equal to JCP Code A15.

ALL Envelopes –

White Writing Envelope, basis weight: 24 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22”, equal to JCP Code V20.

PRINTING/VARIABLE IMAGING:

Jacket 451-829:

1041-ES (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher – Print face only in black ink and one Pantone ink (TBD). Printing consists of text and line matter. Image face and back in black only. Imaging consists of text matter (name/address), carrier route endorsement, OCR scanline, and barcodes – including a 2D barcode. (See “IMAGING REQUIREMENTS.”) Vouchers print/image four-up to a sheet. Each voucher on a sheet image with the same name/address and barcodes.

(See Exhibit A)

Page 4 of 50 Jacket 451-829/830

1041-ES(OCR) Instruction Booklets – Print head-to-head in black ink only. Printing consists of text and line matter and may contain halftones.

1041-ES (OCR) Return Envelopes – Print face and back (after construction) in carbon base black ink only. Printing consists of text and line matter. Envelopes also contain Facing Identification Marks (FIM). The FIM bars are printed on the upper right face of each envelope. The FIM bars are the same on all four envelopes.

Mailout Envelope (1041-ES (OCR)) – Print face and back (after construction) in black ink only. Printing consists of text and line matter. It is the contractor’s responsibility to determine what language is required on the envelope for international mail. (See Exhibit B) (There will be approximately 750 envelopes for the 1041-ES that will require a copy change on the face of the envelope for International Mail.)

Printing on all envelopes (return and mailout) shall be in accordance with the requirements for the style envelope ordered. All printing shall comply with all applicable U.S. Postal Service regulations. Envelopes shall accept printing without feathering or penetrating to the reverse side.

All envelopes (return and mailout) require a security tint printed on the inside (back – before construction) in black ink. Contractors may use their own design but must guarantee that the design will ensure complete opacity and prevent show-through of any material contained therein.

Jacket 451-830:

1040-ES (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher – Print face only in black ink and one Pantone ink (TBD). Printing consists of text and line matter. Image face and back in black only. Imaging consists of text matter (name/address), carrier route endorsement, OCR scanline, and barcodes – including a 2D barcode. (See “IMAGING REQUIREMENTS.”) Vouchers print/image four-up to a sheet. Each voucher on a sheet image with the same name/address and barcodes.

(See Exhibit A)

1040-V (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher – Print face only in black ink and one Pantone ink (TBD). Printing consists of text and line matter. Image face and back in black only. Imaging consists of text matter (name/address), carrier route endorsement, OCR scanline, and barcode. (See “IMAGING REQUIREMENTS.”) Name/address will be imaged in two locations on the voucher sheet. (See Exhibit B)

1040-ES (OCR) Instruction Booklet – Print head-to-head in black ink only. Printing consists of text and line matter and may contain halftones.

1040-ES (OCR) Return Envelopes – Print face and back (after construction) in carbon base black ink only. Printing consists of text and line matter. Envelopes also contain Facing Identification Marks (FIM). The FIM bars are printed on the upper right face of each envelope. The FIM bars are the same on all four envelopes.

1040-V (OCR) Extended-Flap Return Envelope – Print face and back (after construction) in carbon base black ink and Pantone 100 Yellow ink. Printing consists of text and line matter and an Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb).

Envelopes also contain FIM bars. The FIM bars are printed on the upper right face of each envelope. The FIM bars are the same on all seven different return envelopes. (See Exhibit C)

Mailout Envelope (1040-ES/V (OCR) – Print face and back (after construction) in black ink only. Printing consists of text and line matter. It is the contractor’s responsibility to determine what language is required on the envelope for international mail. (See Exhibit D) (There will be approximately 1,500 envelopes for the 1040-ES/V that will require a copy change on the face of the envelope for International Mail.)

Printing on all envelopes (return and mailout) shall be in accordance with the requirements for the style envelope ordered. All printing shall comply with all applicable U.S. Postal Service regulations. Envelopes shall accept printing without feathering or penetrating to the reverse side.

All envelopes (return and mailout) require a security tint printed on the inside (back – before construction) in black ink. Contractors may use their own design but must guarantee that the design will ensure complete opacity and prevent show-through of any material contained therein.

Page 5 of 50 Jacket 451-829/830

IMAGING REQUIREMENTS (For both jackets): Vouchers require computerized imaging, either impact or nonimpact (repetitive data on each voucher within a package) of the name/address, carrier route endorsement, scanline, and barcode directly on the product in OCR-A, Font Size 1, utilizing the furnished CD-ROMs.

The IRS will send the CD-ROMs to the contractor. One hundred percent retrieval of all necessary information is required. It is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that the imaging equipment used for this contract has the capability to image all required areas. The imaging must be in non-magnetic black ink and cannot contain any magnetic properties such as ferrous oxide.

Imaging must meet the following requirements:

The size of the type must be either 10 or 12 points in height – not characters to the inch. Use the larger of the two type sizes to fit the product. The font may be Helvetica, Siemens Gothic Text, Siemens Essay Standard, Scitex Gothic International Medium, or Kodak Gothic. Any other type must be approved before the preproduction conference.

Imaging must be black.

All characters must align.

No missing data or entries.

No duplicate data or entries.

“Labels” on the extended flap will have no more than five (5) lines – seven (7) lines including carrier route endorsement line and intelligent mail barcode.

There will be a maximum of 39 characters per line - spaced 6 lines per inch vertically.

No broken characters.

No smearing.

No visible wicking.

No visible gloss.

Reflectance of characters shall be visually uniform across the whole label.

SCANLINE (Jacket 451-829): The scanline must print in OCR-A, alphanumeric type font, size 1; must be vertically positioned 1/2” from the bottom of the voucher to the bottom of the scanline; and the rightmost character must end 3-1/2” from the right edge of the form. Contractor must allow a clear band of 1/4” above and below the midpoint of the scanline; the scanline should occupy the center of the clear band.

The minimum acceptable clear space between characters is 0.014”. Characters in the scanline must not run out of the optical reader’s field of view. Over the 7-5/8” line of print, the line should not be skewed more than 1.4 degrees. The maximum allowable rotation of the character image is +1.5 degrees measured relative to the baseline of the scanline.

All scanlines on the forms must be either laser imaged or computer imaged in the specified readable OCR ink. The characters must be clean and sharp with well-defined edges. They must have uniform density, no voids or fill-ins, and the strokes must be of average thickness. The ink must be sufficiently non-reflective. In addition, there should be no extraneous ink or other marks around the characters. Non-scan information on the voucher should be printed in inks that do not absorb light to which the scanning device is sensitive.

Ensure one blank field between each element as described below –

1041-ES (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher

NNNNNNNNN AA AANN NN N NNNN NNN (Contractor to create PDF 417 barcode of scanline.)

A B C D E F G

Key: N – Numeric A – Alpha

A. EIN 9 N Varies B. Check Digit 2 N Varies C. Name Control 4 A Varies D. MFT 2 N Constant “05” E. TIN Type 1 N Constant “2” F. Tax Period 4 N Varies YYYYMM – where YYYY = current year plus 1 G. Transaction Code 3 N Constant “660”

Page 6 of 50 Jacket 451-829/830

SCANLINE (Jacket 451-830): The scanline must print in OCR-A, alphanumeric type font, size 1; must be vertically positioned 1/2” from the bottom of the voucher to the bottom of the scanline; and the rightmost character must end 3-1/2” from the right edge of the form. Contractor must allow a clear band of 1/4” above and below the midpoint of the scanline; the scanline should occupy the center of the clear band.

The minimum acceptable clear space between characters is 0.014”. Characters in the scanline must not run out of the optical reader’s field of view. Over the 7-5/8” line of print, the line should not be skewed more than 1.4 degrees. The maximum allowable rotation of the character image is +1.5 degrees measured relative to the baseline of the scanline.

All scanlines on the forms must be either laser imaged or computer imaged in the specified readable OCR ink. The characters must be clean and sharp with well-defined edges. They must have uniform density, no voids or fill-ins, and the strokes must be of average thickness. The ink must be sufficiently non-reflective. In addition, there should be no extraneous ink or other marks around the characters. Non-scan information on the voucher should be printed in inks that do not absorb light to which the scanning device is sensitive.

Ensure one blank field between each element as described below –

1040-ES (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher

NNNNNNNNN AA AANN NN N NNNN NNN (Contractor to create PDF 417 barcode of scanline.)

A B C D E F G

Key: N – Numeric A - Alpha

A. TIN/SSN 9 N Varies B. Check Digit 2 N Varies C. Name Control 4 A Varies D. MET 2 A/N Varies E. TIN Type 1 N- Varies F. Tax Period 4 N Varies G. Transaction Code 3 N Varies H. Payment Amount 11 N Varies

1040-V (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher NNNNNNNNN AA AANN NN N NNNN NNN (Contractor to create PDF 417 barcode of scanline.)

A B C D E F G

Key: N – Numeric A - Alpha

A. TIN/SSN 9 N Varies B. Check Digit 2 N Varies C. Name Control 4 A Varies D. MET 2 A/N Varies E. TIN Type 1 N- Varies F. Tax Period 4 N Varies G. Transaction Code 3 N Varies H. Payment Amount 11 N Varies

MARGINS: Unless otherwise specified, margins will be as contained in furnished media.

BINDING/CONSTRUCTION:

Jacket 451-829

1041-ES (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher – Each voucher sheet will have four (4) horizontal perforations (slit or slot, with black ink) located 2” from the top, and then every 3” between vouchers, creating four individual vouchers (each 8 x 3” in size) below the 2” top flap. Vouchers must be perforated so that they are easily and cleanly separated.

Page 7 of 50 Jacket 451-829/830

Fold voucher sheet down to 8 x 3” for insertion into mailout envelope. The imaged name/address on back of sheet must be facing out when folded for visibility through the mailout envelope window. All folds must be on the perforations.

1041-ES (OCR) Instruction Booklet – Fold from 16 x 10-7/8” down to 8 x 10-7/8”, title out. Trim three sides. Letter fold booklet for insertion into mailout envelope.

1041-ES (OCR) Return Envelope – Envelopes are open side, with gummed, fold-over flap for sealing, and contain high-cut side or diagonal seams, at contractor’s option.

Flap depth is at contractor’s option but must comply with all USPS requirements. Flap must be coated with suitable glue that will securely seal the envelope without adhering to contents, not permit resealing of the envelope, and permit easy opening by the recipient. The sealed seams shall not adhere to the inside of the envelope. Envelopes shall be free from cuts, folds, tears, machine marks, foreign matter, dirt, ink smears, and adhesive stains.

Mailout Envelope –

1041-ES (OCR) - Envelopes are open side, with gummed, fold-over flap for sealing, and contain high-cut side or diagonal seams, at contractor’s option.

Flap is a 1-3/8” straight flap with a 5/8” to 3/4” gummed area. Flap must be coated with suitable glue that will securely seal the envelope without adhering to contents, not permit resealing of the envelope, and permit easy opening by the recipient. The sealed seams shall not adhere to the inside of the envelope. Envelopes shall be free from cuts, folds, tears, machine marks, foreign matter, dirt, ink smears, and adhesive stains.

Face of envelope to contain one (1) die-cut address window with slightly rounded corners. Size and location of window is to be determined by the contractor provided that the visibility of the mailing address and barcode is not obscured, and other extraneous information is not visible when material is inserted into the envelope.

Window is to be covered with a suitable transparent, low-gloss, poly-type material that must be clear of smudges, lines, and distortions. Poly-type material must be securely affixed to the inside of the envelope so as not to interfere with insertion of contents. Window material must meet the current USPS readability standards/requirements.

The size of the envelope (not to exceed 6-1/8” x 9-3/4”) and the size and location of the envelope window are at the contractor’s discretion provided that the required contents to be inserted fit properly in the mailout envelope and that the visibility of the name/address and barcode on the vouchers is not obscured and other extraneous information is not visible.

Contractor is responsible for the envelope and envelope window meeting and passing all USPS requirements, including the “tap” test.

Jacket 451-830

1040-ES (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher – Each voucher sheet will have three horizontal perforations (slit or slot, with black ink) located every 3” between vouchers creating four individual vouchers – each 8 x 3” in size. Vouchers must be perforated so that they are easily and cleanly separated.

1040-V (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher – Voucher sheet has one horizontal perforation (slit or slot, with black ink) located 3” from the bottom edge of voucher creating a detachable voucher – 8 x 3” in size.

The 1040-ES (OCR) Payment Voucher and 1040-V (OCR) Payment Voucher are attached. At the contractor’s option, the two voucher sheets can be attached in one of the following ways:

Fold from 17 x 12” to 17” down to 8 x 12” to 17” and trim three sides. Perforate on fold (slit or slot, with black ink). When folded, the printing on both leaves will be facing out, perforated fold to left with 1040-V (OCR) voucher facing up. Voucher sheets must be perforated so that the two leaves are easily and cleanly separated.

Fold from 8 x 12” to 17” down to 8 x 6” and trim three sides. Perforate on fold (slit or slot, with black ink).

When folded, the printing on both leaves will be facing out, perforated fold at top with the 1040-V (OCR) voucher facing up. Voucher sheets must be perforated so that the two leaves are easily and cleanly

Page 8 of 50 Jacket 451-829/830 separated. (At contractor’s option, the 1040-ES (OCR) and Form 1040-V can be slit nest from a single 17 x 14” sheet to two (2) 8-1/2 x 14” forms folded together. The detachable payment voucher must be 8 x 3”).

NOTE: Lead or right edge of voucher sheet must have a clean edge with no perforations.

Fold attached voucher sheets from 8 x 12” to 17” down to 8 x 3” for insertion into mailout envelope. The imaged name/address on the 1040-V Tax Payment Voucher must be facing out when folded for visibility through mailout envelope window. All folds must be on the perforations.

NOTE: It is the contractor’s responsibility to assure that the recipient name/address on the 1040-ES (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher sheet corresponds to the name/address on the 1040-V (OCR) Payment Voucher sheet.

1040-ES (OCR) Instruction Booklet – At contractor’s option, the booklet can be bound in one of the following ways:

Fold from 32 x 10-7/8” down to 8 x 10-7/8”, title out, with three parallel, wraparound folds.

Saddle-wire stitch in two places and trim three sides. Each product must contain complete four-page signatures after trimming. Single leaves connected with a lip (i.e., binding stub) to left or right side of stitches will not be allowed. (NOTE: In lieu of saddle-stitching, contractor can paste on fold.)

Letter-fold booklet suitable for insertion into mailout envelope.

1040-ES (OCR) Return Envelope – Envelopes are open side, with gummed, fold-over flap for sealing, and contain high-cut side or diagonal seams, at contractor’s option.

Flap depth is at contractor’s option but must comply with all USPS requirements. Flap must be coated with suitable glue that will securely seal the envelope without adhering to contents, not permit resealing of the envelope, and permit easy opening by the recipient. The sealed seams shall not adhere to the inside of the envelope. Envelopes shall be free from cuts, folds, tears, machine marks, foreign matter, dirt, ink smears, and adhesive stains.

1040-V (OCR) Extended-Flap Return Envelope – Envelopes are open side, with extended, gummed, fold-over flap for sealing, and contain high-cut side or diagonal seams, at contractor’s option.

Flap depth is 2-1/2” with a 1-3/4” gummed area. Envelopes must have a fold at the bottom. (The bottom may not be glued.) Perforate the flap (slit or slot, without ink) horizontally 1-1/4” from, and parallel to, the flap fold. Perforate vertically 3-7/16” from left and right edges. No perforations are allowed on the bottom and top folds. (See Exhibit D.)

Flap must be coated with suitable glue that will securely seal the envelope without adhering to contents, not permit resealing of the envelope, and permit easy opening by the recipient. The sealed seams shall not adhere to the inside of the envelope. Envelopes shall be free from cuts, folds, tears, machine marks, foreign matter, dirt, ink smears, and adhesive stains.

Mailout Envelope –

1040-ES/V (OCR) - Envelopes are open side, with gummed, fold-over flap for sealing, and contain high-cut side or diagonal seams, at contractor’s option.

Flap is a 1-3/8” straight flap with a 5/8” to 3/4” gummed area. Flap must be coated with suitable glue that will securely seal the envelope without adhering to contents, not permit resealing of the envelope, and permit easy opening by the recipient. The sealed seams shall not adhere to the inside of the envelope. Envelopes shall be free from cuts, folds, tears, machine marks, foreign matter, dirt, ink smears, and adhesive stains.

Face of envelope to contain one (1) die-cut address window with slightly rounded corners. Size and location of window is to be determined by the contractor provided that the visibility of the mailing address and barcode is not obscured, and other extraneous information is not visible when material is inserted into the envelope.

Window is to be covered with a suitable transparent, low-gloss, poly-type material that must be clear of smudges, lines, and distortions. Poly-type material must be securely affixed to the inside of the envelope so as not to interfere with insertion of contents. Window material must meet the current USPS readability standards/requirements.

The size of the envelope (not to exceed 6-1/8” x 9-3/4”) and the size and location of the envelope window are at the contractor’s discretion provided that the required contents to be inserted fit properly in the mailout envelope and that

Page 9 of 50 Jacket 451-829/830 the visibility of the name/address and barcode on the vouchers is not obscured and other extraneous information is not visible.

Contractor is responsible for the envelope and envelope window meeting and passing all USPS requirements, including the “tap” test.

INSERTING: Gather all components of each tax package for insertion into mailout envelope as follows:

Jacket 451-829:

Package Form 1041-ES (OCR) Mailer –

One (1) 1041-ES (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher

One (1) copy of the 1041-ES (OCR) Instruction Booklet

Four (4) 1041-ES (OCR) Return Envelopes (At contractor’s option, the four envelopes may be paper banded together to create one insert.)

Insert the above components into mailout envelope with recipient’s name and address on the 1041-ES (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher facing out for visibility through mailout envelope window. (NOTE: As long as the recipient’s name and address on the 1041-ES (OCR) payment voucher is visible through the envelope window, the order of insertion for the remaining components is at the contractor’s discretion.)

NOTE: It is the contractor’s responsibility to assure that only the name/address and barcode on the Tax Payment Voucher sheet will be visible through the window of the mailout envelope and that only the required components as specified above are inserted into each mailout envelope.

CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO ENSURE MAILER ENVELOPES ARE COMPLETELY SEALED.

Jacket 451-830

Package 1040-ES/V (OCR) Mailer –

One (1) 1040-ES (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher/1040-V (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher (attached)

One (1) copy of 1040-ES (OCR) Instruction Booklet

Four (4) 1040-ES (OCR) Return Envelopes (At contractor’s option, the four envelopes may be paper banded together to create one insert.)

One (1) 1040-V (OCR) Extended-Flap Return Envelope

Insert the above components into mailout envelope with recipient’s name and address on the 1040-ES/V (OCR) Tax Payment Voucher facing out for visibility through mailout envelope window. (NOTE: As long as the recipient’s name and address on the 1040-ES/V (OCR) payment voucher is visible through the envelope window, the order of insertion for the remaining components is at the contractor’s discretion.)

NOTE: It is the contractor’s responsibility to assure that only the name/address and barcode on the Tax Payment Voucher sheet will be visible through the window of the mailout envelope and that only the required components as specified above are inserted into each mailout envelope.

CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO ENSURE MAILER ENVELOPES ARE COMPLETELY SEALED.

PROOFS:

For each jacket, email PDF Proofs of all products to michael.s.king@irs.gov and tbacon@gpo.gov.

In addition, email 50 variable imaged production samples of the 1041-ES, 1040-ES and 1040-V vouchers to michael.s.king@irs.gov.

NOTE: See Schedule below for complete Proof schedule and proof hold time.

The contractor must not print prior to receipt of an “O.K. to Print.”

PRIOR TO PRODUCTION SAMPLES:

mailto:michael.s.king@irs.gov mailto:tbacon@gpo.gov mailto:michael.s.king@irs.gov

Page 10 of 50 Jacket 451-829/830

Jacket 451-829:

Prior to the commencement of production of the contract production quantity, the contractor shall submit prior to production samples of the 1041-ES (OCR) payment voucher sheet only.

Form 1041-ES (OCR) – Using furnished test CD-ROMs (containing taxpayer data) and the “O.K. to Print” copy, the contractor shall submit no less than 100 domestic & 100 foreign samples of the 1041-ES (OCR) payment voucher sheet for one (1) lockbox bank.

Payment vouchers shall be printed/imaged, as specified herein, and must be of the size, kind, and quality that the contractor will furnish. Samples will be inspected and tested for conformance of materials and must comply with the specifications as to construction, kind, and quality of materials. All samples must be printed on the required stock for the vouchers as specified under “STOCK/PAPER.”

NOTE: The IMb must be imaged on the prior to production samples. The contractor must contact its local postal representative for specific instructions.

Scanline: 123456789 AA TAXP 30 0 202312 610 ECRLOT **CO l7

Name S18 and JAMES A & ANDREA A TAXPAYER Address l6305 Main Ave N.W. 000 [denotes tray number] Data: ANYTOWN US 99999-9999

(include intelligent mail barcode)

IRS Internal Revenue Service P.O. Box P.O. Box 1214 Address Charlotte, NC 28201-1214 Data: (include intelligent mail barcode)

The vouchers must be perforated – bursted (not cut) to produce single vouchers. Vouchers will be tested on bank voucher equipment, Falcon Reds and NCR9810.

Form 1041-ES – Ship 100 domestic & 100 foreign variable prior-to-production samples for the 1041-ES (OCR) voucher sheet, at contractor’s expense, by an overnight delivery service to (address is subject to change):

J P Morgan Chase (Ogden Service Center – 09) Commerce Crossings Four Attn: Melissa Coyle 5101 Interchange Crossings Four Louisville, KY 40229

The contractor must include one Lockbox Problem Report Form per bank shipment and mark all container labels as “TEST SAMPLES for IRS Package 1041-ES (OCR). The container and accompanying documentation shall include the GPO purchase order & jacket number.

Contractor must email tracking information for this package to michael.s.king@irs.gov.

Contractor must submit samples within five (5) workdays of “O.K. to Print” on static PDF proofs.

The Government will approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the samples within nine (9) workdays of the receipt of the samples at the control banks specified above. Approval or conditional approval shall not relieve the contractor from complying with the specifications and all other terms and conditions of the contract. A conditional approval shall state any further action required by the contractor. A notice of disapproval shall state the reasons therefore.

If the samples are disapproved by the Government, the Government, at its option, may require the contractor to submit additional samples for inspection and test in the time and under the terms and conditions specified in the notice of rejection. Such additional samples shall be furnished, and necessary changes made, at no additional cost to the Government. The Government will require the time specified above to inspect and test any additional samples required.

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In the event that the samples are disapproved by the Government, the contractor shall be deemed to have failed to make delivery within the meaning of the default clause in which event this contract shall be subject to termination for default, provided however, that the failure of the Government to terminate the contract for default in such event shall not relieve the contractor of the responsibility to deliver the contract quantities in accordance with the shipping schedule.

In the event the Government fails to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the samples within the time specified, the Contracting Officer shall automatically extend the shipping schedule in accordance with article 12 “Notice of Compliance with Schedules” of contract clauses in GPO Contract Terms (GPO Publication 310.2, effective December 1, 1987 (Rev. 01-18)).

Manufacture of the final product prior to approval of the sample submitted is at the risk of the contractor. Samples will not be returned to the contractor. All costs, including the costs of all samples, shall be included in the contract price for the production quantity.

All samples shall be manufactured at the facilities and on the equipment in which the contract production quantities are to be manufactured.

Jacket 451-830

Prior to the commencement of production of the contract production quantity, the contractor shall submit prior to production samples of the 1040-ES (OCR), 1040-V (OCR) payment voucher sheets only.

Form 1040-ES/V (OCR) – Using furnished test CD-ROMs (containing taxpayer data) and the “O.K. to Print” copy, the contractor shall submit not less than 500 samples each of the 1040-ES (OCR) and 1040-V (OCR) payment voucher sheets for one (1) lockbox bank.

Payment vouchers shall be printed/imaged, as specified herein, and must be of the size, kind, and quality that the contractor will furnish. Samples will be inspected and tested for conformance of materials and must comply with the specifications as to construction, kind, and quality of materials. All samples must be printed on the required stock for the vouchers as specified under “STOCK/PAPER.”

For the prior to production samples only, at contractor’s option, the 1040-ES (OCR) and 1040-V (OCR) sample vouchers sheets may be single (4up) sheets or attached as required under “BINDING/CONSTRUCTION.”

NOTE: The IMb must be imaged on the prior to production samples. The contractor must contact its local postal representative for specific instructions.

Scanline: 123456789 AA TAXP 30 0 202312 610 ECRLOT **CO l7

Name S18 and JAMES A & ANDREA A TAXPAYER Address l6305 Main Ave N.W. 000 [denotes tray number] Data: ANYTOWN US 99999-9999

(include intelligent mail barcode)

IRS Internal Revenue Service P.O. Box P.O. Box 1214 Address Charlotte, NC 28201-1214 Data: (include intelligent mail barcode)

The vouchers must be perforated – bursted (not cut) to produce single vouchers. Vouchers will be tested on bank voucher equipment, Falcon Reds and NCR9810.

Form 1040-ES/V – Ship 500 copies each of the variable prior-to-production samples for the 1040-ES voucher sheet and 1040-V voucher sheet, at the contractor’s expense, by an overnight delivery service to each of the following to (address is subject to change):

J P Morgan Chase (Austin Service Center-18 and Kansas City Service Center-11) Attn: Jason Zummo Suite 114

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830 Tyvola Road Charlotte, NC 28217

The contractor must include one Lockbox Problem Report Form per bank shipment and mark all container labels as “TEST SAMPLES for IRS Package 1040-ES/V (OCR). The container and accompanying documentation shall include the GPO purchase order & jacket number.

Contractor must email tracking information for this package to michael.s.king@irs.gov.

Contractor must submit samples within five (5) workdays of “O.K. to Print” on static PDF proofs.

The Government will approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the samples within nine (9) workdays of the receipt of the samples at the control banks specified above. Approval or conditional approval shall not relieve the contractor from complying with the specifications and all other terms and conditions of the contract. A conditional approval shall state any further action required by the contractor. A notice of disapproval shall state the reasons therefore.

If the samples are disapproved by the Government, the Government, at its option, may require the contractor to submit additional samples for inspection and test in the time and under the terms and conditions specified in the notice of rejection. Such additional samples shall be furnished, and necessary changes made, at no additional cost to the Government. The Government will require the time specified above to inspect and test any additional samples required.

In the event that the samples are disapproved by the Government, the contractor shall be deemed to have failed to make delivery within the meaning of the default clause in which event this contract shall be subject to termination for default, provided however, that the failure of the Government to terminate the contract for default in such event shall not relieve the contractor of the responsibility to deliver the contract quantities in accordance with the shipping schedule.

In the event the Government fails to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the samples within the time specified, the Contracting Officer shall automatically extend the shipping schedule in accordance with article 12 “Notice of Compliance with Schedules” of contract clauses in GPO Contract Terms (GPO Publication 310.2, effective December 1, 1987 (Rev. 01-18)).

Manufacture of the final product prior to approval of the sample submitted is at the risk of the contractor. Samples will not be returned to the contractor. All costs, including the costs of all samples, shall be included in the contract price for the production quantity.

All samples shall be manufactured at the facilities and on the equipment in which the contract production quantities are to be manufactured.

QUALITY CONTROL: Vouchers will be tested on bank equipment, Falcon Reds and NCR9810.

The contractor must maintain a thorough quality assurance program to guarantee that not more than five (5) percent of the delivered vouchers contain an illegible (non-scannable) line on the voucher when run on Falcon Reds and Banc Tec Models TRP 700, 9400, 9500, DP500, or Unisys scanner models.

The contractor must provide for replacement of any damaged or mutilated voucher sets or illegibly addressed packages. The contractor must immediately replace any damaged/mutilated or illegibly addressed voucher sets during the imaging operation. Replacement must be accomplished as damage occurs in order to maintain proper zip code sequence. The contractor will be furnished a record layout.

Any packages damaged so as to be unusable during the folding and inserting operations must be replaced at the end of the run by using the 2D barcode unique number on the vouchers to re-run replacement voucher sets. These packages can go with the residual mail but must be accounted for with the IRS mail coordinator and/or mail listing.

Any damaged, mutilated, or illegibly addressed packages MUST be shredded immediately after replacement.

NOTE: IRS quality pulls must contain the 2D barcode and unique number as well. The contractor must provide sufficient detail to fulfill the contract requirements ensuring that there is 100% mailing and that there are no missing pieces.

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Contractor must use Perfect-Match System with a camera to read 2D sequence number PDF 417 barcode to ensure 100% mailing. Contractor must have a system using the 2D barcode to account for every piece of mail to prevent double stuffs and duplicates. The 2D barcode with unique number must be imaged in the address panel and appear through the window envelope. The 2D PDF 417 barcode with scanline information must appear on all versions of the (OCR) Taxpayer Vouchers.

SCHEDULE: Adherence to the schedule must be maintained.

Purchase Order will be issued on or before September 30, 2026.

When applicable, hard copy furnished material will be sent to the contractor.

Proofs are to be delivered to:

IRS / New Carrollton Federal Building Attn: Michael King / C9-245 5000 Ellin Rd.

Lanham, MD 20706

No definite schedule for pickup of material can be predetermined at this time.

The following schedule begins the workday after notification of the availability of furnished material; the workday after notification will be the first workday of the schedule.

Schedule for Proofs and Prior to Production Samples –

Contractor must submit proofs within two (2) workdays of notification of availability of furnished material.

Proofs will be withheld no more than two (2) workdays from their receipt at the ordering agency. (The first workday after receipt of proofs at the ordering agency is day one (1) of the hold time.)

When required, contractor must submit revised proofs within one (1) workday of receipt of changes/corrections on initial proofs.

Revised proofs will be withheld no more than two (2) workdays from their receipt at the ordering agency.

(The first workday after receipt of revised proofs at the ordering agency is day one (1) of the hold time.)

Contractor must submit prior to production samples within five (5) workdays of “O.K. to Print” on proofs.

The Government will approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the samples within nine (9) workdays of the receipt thereof.

Jacket 451-829

Schedule for 1041-ES Production –

Copy for 1041-ES Payment Voucher, 1041-ES Return Envelope, and the Mailout Envelope will be furnished on or about November 30, 2026.

Test CD-ROMs containing addresses for prior to production samples will be furnished on or about November 30, 2026.

Final quantity and address files will be furnished on or about December 18, 2026.

Copy for the 1041-ES Instruction Booklet will be furnished on or about January 29, 2026.

Earliest date contractor can start mailing the 1041-ES packages is February 12, 2026.

Complete mailing must be made by no later than March 5, 2026.

If any “on or about” date that copy is to be received by the contractor falls on a Federal holiday, the “on or about” date will be extended to the next Federal workday.

The ship/deliver date indicated is the date products ordered for mailing f.o.b. contractor’s city must be delivered to the U.S. Postal Service.

Unscheduled material such as shipping documents, receipts or instructions, delivery lists, labels, etc., will be furnished with each order or shortly thereafter. In the event such information is not received in due time, the contractor will not be relieved of any responsibility in meeting the shipping schedule because of failure to request such information.

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For compliance reporting purposes, the contractor must notify the U.S. Government Publishing Office of the date of shipment or delivery, as applicable. Upon completion of each order, contractor must contact the Shared Support Services Compliance Section via email at: compliance@gpo.gov or via telephone at (202) 512-0520. Personnel receiving the email or call will be unable to respond to questions of a technical nature or to transfer any inquiries.

Jacket 451-830

Schedule for 1040-ES/V Production –

Copy for 1040-ES Tax Voucher Sheet, 1040-V Payment Voucher and Instructions, 1040-ES Return Envelope, 1040-V Extended-Flap Return Envelope, and the Mailout Envelope will be furnished on or about October 16, 2026.

Test CD-ROMs containing addresses for prior to production samples will be furnished on or about November 30, 2026.

Final quantity and address files will be furnished on or about December 18, 2026.

Copy for the 1040-ES Instruction Booklet will be furnished on or about February 12, 2026.

Earliest date contractor can start mailing the 1040-ES/V packages is February 26, 2026.

Complete mailing must be made by no later than March 12, 2026.

If any “on or about” date that copy is to be received by the contractor falls on a Federal holiday, the “on or about” date will be extended to the next Federal workday.

The ship/deliver date indicated is the date products ordered for mailing f.o.b. contractor’s city must be delivered to the U.S. Postal Service.

Unscheduled material such as shipping documents, receipts or instructions, delivery lists, labels, etc., will be furnished with each order or shortly thereafter. In the event such information is not received in due time, the contractor will not be relieved of any responsibility in meeting the shipping schedule because of failure to request such information.

For compliance reporting purposes, the contractor must notify the U.S. Government Publishing Office of the date of shipment or delivery, as applicable. Upon completion of each order, contractor must contact the Shared Support Services Compliance Section via email at: compliance@gpo.gov or via telephone at (202) 512-0520. Personnel receiving the email or call will be unable to respond to questions of a technical nature or to transfer any inquiries.

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATIONS APPLY TO BOTH JACKETS.

PREAWARD TEST: The contractor being considered for award will be required to demonstrate the ability to produce the items required in these specifications at the requisite quality level by completing a preaward test.

The Government reserves the right to waive the preaward test if there is other evidence that, in the opinion of the Contracting Officer, indicates that the contractor being considered for award has the capability to successfully produce the items required.

For the preaward test, the Government will furnish an email file (containing 5,000 dummy records – each containing a dummy 2D barcode) using the same media stipulated in these specifications. The furnished material will be representative of the items that are to be produced under these specifications.

The prospective contractor shall image the 5,000 2D barcodes on the required stock for the vouchers as specified under “STOCK/PAPER.”

Preaward test samples must be submitted within five (5) workdays of receipt of furnished test material.

Preaward test samples must be submitted to the address(es) specified at time of the preaward test.

If preaward test samples are disapproved by the Government, the contractor may be permitted, at the option of the Government, additional time to correct defects and/or submit revised test samples if so notified by the Contracting Officer.

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In the event the revised preaward test samples are disapproved by the Government, the contractor shall be deemed to have failed to comply with the applicable requirements of these specifications and may be reason for a determination of non-responsibility.

Failure to deliver completed preaward test samples within the stated time period may disqualify the contractor from further consideration for award.

All operations necessary in the performance of this preaward test shall be performed at the facilities and on the equipment in which the contract production will be performed.

No charges will be allowed for costs incurred in the performance of this preaward test.

IRS IN-PLANT LIAISON: One or more IRS representatives may be stationed at the contractor’s and/or subcontractor’s facility to provide project coordination in the receipt of CDs and monitoring of the printing, imaging, binding/construction, quality control sample selection, inserting, staging, and distribution of the packages. These liaisons do not have contractual authority and cannot make changes to the specifications or contract terms but are to bring any and all defects they see to the attention of the company Quality Control Officer. These liaisons will have full and unrestricted access to all production areas where IRS work is being produced. The contractor will furnish office space to include a desk, telephone, and personal computer with CD drive and internet access to send and receive emails.

Additionally, the contractor will provide a barcode scanner to the liaisons for reading Intelligent Mail Barcodes (IMb) – when applicable. The personal computer must be loaded with Adobe Acrobat 8.0 and current Microsoft Office software suite for submitting reports. Access to a fax machine will also be required for the liaisons. This space will be in an enclosed, secure area adjacent to the binding/construction/mailing operations. Desk and telephone access are also required for a postal clerk during the turnover of packages to the Postal Service.

The contractor and in-plant liaison will conduct product sampling. The contractor must make contractor-pulled samples available to the liaison for review. The liaison will review contractor samples each day. The liaison will also pull his/her own quality samples from each production line throughout the day.