519-566 RFQ.pdf

Page 1 of 7 519-566 (4-09091) Specifications by: RW Reviewed by: WL

U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) Midatlantic Region

General Terms, Conditions, and Specifications For the procurement of

SHARP Reprints As requested from U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) by the

US ARMY

BID OPENING: Bids shall be opened virtually at 11:00 AM, Eastern Time (ET), on October 11, 2024, 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.

For information regarding the solicitation requirements prior to award, please contact Russ Ward 757-490-7940 Ext. 7 or wward@gpo.gov.

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 Number and bid opening date 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.

Bidders are to fill out, sign/initial, as applicable, Page 7.

ADDITIONAL EMAILED BID SUBMISSION PROVISIONS: The Government will not be responsible for any failure attributable to the transmission or receipt of the emailed bid including, but not limited to, the following:

1) Illegibility of bid.

2) Emails over 75 MB may not be received by GPO due to size limitations for receiving emails.

3) The bidder’s email provider may have different size limitations for sending email; however, bidders are advised not to exceed GPO’s stated limit.

4) When the email bid is received by GPO, it will remain unopened until the specified bid opening time. Government personnel will not validate receipt of the emailed bid prior to bid opening. GPO will use the prevailing time (specified as the local time zone) and the exact time that the email is received by GPO’s email server as the official time stamp for bid receipt at the specified location.

BIDDER’S NAME AND SIGNATURE: Unless specific written exception is taken, the bidder, by signing and submitting a bid, agrees with and accepts responsibility for all certifications and representations as required by the solicitation and GPO Contract Terms – Publication 310.2. When responding by email, fill out and return one completed copy of all applicable pages (pgs. 9) that include the Jacket Number, Bid Price, Additional Rate, Discounts, Amendments, Bid Acceptance Period, and Bidder’s Name and Signature, including signing where indicated. Valid electronic signatures will be accepted in accordance with the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, § 2. Electronic signatures must be verifiable of the person authorized by the company to sign bids.

OFFERS: Offers must include the cost of all materials and operations for the total quantity ordered in accordance with these specifications. In addition, a price must be submitted for each additional 1,000 copies. The price for additional quantities must be based on a continuing run, exclusive of all basic or preliminary charges and will not be a factor for determination of award.

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GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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)).

GPO Contract Terms (GPO Publication 310.2) – https://www.gpo.gov/docs/default-source/forms-and-standards-files-for-vendors/contractterms2018.pdf.

GPO QATAP (GPO Publication 310.1) – https://www.gpo.gov/docs/default-source/forms-and-standards-files-for-vendors/qatap-rev-09-19.pdf.

PREAWARD SURVEY: In order to determine the responsibility of the prime contractor, the Government reserves the right to conduct an on-site pre-award survey at the contractor's/subcontractor's facility or to require other evidence of technical, production, managerial, financial, and similar abilities to perform, prior to the award of a contract. As part of the financial determination, the contractor in line for award may be required to provide one or more of the following financial documents:

1) Most recent profit and loss statement

2) Most recent balance sheet

3) Statement of cash flows

4) Current official bank statement

5) Current lines of credit (with amounts available)

6) Letter of commitment from paper supplier(s)

The documents will be reviewed to validate that adequate financial resources are available to perform the contract requirements.

Documents submitted will be kept confidential and used only for the determination of responsibility by the Government.

Failure to provide the requested information in the time specified by the Government may result in the Contracting Officer not having adequate information to reach an affirmative determination of responsibility.

NOTE: Prior to award the apparent low vendor must be able to show ability to produce the product in question and may be asked to supply samples of similar items.

PAYMENT: Submitting invoices for payment via the GPO fax gateway (if no samples are required) utilizing the GPO barcode coversheet program application is the most efficient method of invoicing. Instruction for using this method can be found at the following web address: http://winapps.access.gpo.gov/fms/vouchers/barcode/instructions.html

Invoices may also be mailed to: U.S. Government Publishing Office, Office of Financial Management, Attn:

Comptroller, Stop: FMCE, Washington, DC 20401.

For more information about the billing process refer to the General Information of the Office of Finance web page located at https://www.gpo.gov/how-to-work-with-us/vendors/how-to-get-paid

Vendors are expected to submit invoices within 30 days of job shipping/delivery.

MODS: If any additional costs are incurred during the production of this job due to Government action (i.e. AAs), contractor is REQUIRED to submit written request to the Printing Specialist for written approval BEFORE proceeding.

Only a warranted GPO Contracting Officer acting within their appointed limits, has the authority to issue modifications or otherwise change the terms and conditions of this contract. If an individual other than the GPO Contracting Officer attempts to make changes to the terms and conditions of this contract, you shall not proceed with the change and shall immediately notify the GPO Contracting Officer. Proceeding with any work not authorized by the GPO Contracting Officer will be at the Contractor’s own risk.

SUBCONTRACTING: The predominant production function is printing. Must be printed on a press capable of printing all colors in a single pass. Bidders who must subcontract this operation will be declared non-responsible.

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PRODUCTS: Tri-Folded Brochures and Laminated Cards

QUANTITY: 1 ,040,00 tota l pieces Brochure #1 - 20,000 Brochure #2 - 50,000 Senior Leadership Brochure – 100 ,000 Mid-Level Leadership Brochure – 100,000 Junior Leadership Brochure – 100 ,000 DA Civil ians Brochure – 100,000 Family Mbr Brochure – 100,000 Total Brochures = 570 ,000

Touch Card #1 20,000 Touch Card #2 50,000 Senior Leadership Touch Card – 100,000 Mid-Level Leadership Touch Card – 100,000 Junior Leadership Touch Card – 100,000 DA Civil ians Touch Card – 100,000 Total Touch Cards = 470,000

TITLE: S H A R P Re p r i n t s

PAGES: All Brochures are 6 panels, All Touch Cards are 2 pages

TRIM: All Brochures: Flat 11 x 8-1/2” Scored and tri-folded to a finished size of 3-3/8 x 8-1/2” All Touch Cards: 3-3/8 x 2-1/8”

DESCRIPTION: DIGITAL PRINTING IS ACCEPTABLE.

At contractors’ option, the product may be produced via conventional offset or digital printing provided that Quality Level 3 standards are maintained. Final output must be a minimum of 150 line screen and at a minimum resolution of 2400 x 2400 x 1 bit or 600 x 600 x 8 bit depth technology. Digital device must have a RIP that provides an option for high quality color matching such as Device Links Technology and/or ICC Profiles.

Brochures print face and back (head-to-head) with type/rule matter, agency logos, tints/solids and illustrations in 4-color process with some type reversing out to appear white, bleeds all sides.

Touch Cards print face and back (head-to-head) with type/rule matter, agency logos, QR code, fine screen tints/solids, and illustrations in 4-color process with some type reversing out to appear white, bleeds all sides.

Matte laminate the entire surface, after printing, on both sides, with non-yellowing 1.5-1.7 mil (each side) with polyesters (such as polyethylene terephthalate), polypropylene, vinyl, or cellulose acetate. Lamination must not extend beyond edges and must be trim flush (trim 4 sides). The laminate on the product must be evenly applied with no trapped foreign particles or air bubbles, have no distortion of the printed matter, and must remain clear and legible.

PAPER:

Brochures: JCP Code* A261, No. 1 Silk-Coated Text, White, Basis Size 25 X 38", 80 lbs.

Touch Cards: JCP Code* L61, No. 1 Silk / Dull-Coated Cover, White, Basis Size 20 X 26", 100 lbs.

COLOR OF INK:

Brochures: 4CP Touch Cards: 4CP

MARGINS:

Brochures: Inadequate gripper. Follow electronic file.

Touch Cards: Inadequate gripper. Follow electronic file.

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BINDING:

Brochures: Trim 4 sides. Score and fold from a flat size 11 x 8-1/2” to a finished size of: 3-3/8 x 8-1/2”. Score on all folds (cracks or wrinkles are not acceptable).

PROOF:

PDF Proof:

Contractor to submit one Press Quality PDF soft proof (for content only) using the same Raster Image Processor (RIP) that will be used to produce the final printed product. PDF proof will be evaluated for text flow, image position, and color breaks. Proof will not be used for color match. Include REMINDER that agency can keep proof Two (2) workdays. Date of receipt is NOT considered first workday.

Email PDF to: tony.ragin.civ@mail.mil, wward@gpo.gov .

Upon approval of the PDF Proof

PRIOR TO PRODUCTION PROOFS

Prior to the commencement of production of the contract production quantity, the contractor shall submit two samples of all versions to:

Tony Ragin 18466 Quantico Gateway Drive Triangle, VA 22172 Two samples of all versions will be tested for conformance of material(s). Two samples will be tested for usage on the specified equipment and/or for construction. The container and accompanying documentation shall be marked PREPRODUCTION SAMPLES and shall include the GPO jacket, purchase order, and program numbers. The samples must be submitted in sufficient time to allow Government testing of the samples and production and shipment in accordance with the shipping schedule.

The Government will approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the samples within (Two) 2 workdays of the receipt thereof. 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 therefor.

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 and with no extension in the shipping schedule. The Government will require the time specified above to inspect and test any additional samples required.

In the event the additional 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 Contract Clause 12, “Notice of Compliance with Schedules,” of 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 contractor’s risk. 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 in which the contract production quantities are to be manufactured.

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PACKING and SHIPPING: Shrink-wrap all products in 50s.

Individual components are to be packed in cartons by outside code and shipped to the final destination. Pack in new corrugated solid fiberboard containers with minimum bursting strength of 275 psi. DO NOT SHRINK WRAP ITEMS.

Supplied GPO 905 carton labels must be followed. Bulk packaging must be stabilized to avoid bursting or shifting on truck(s) during the delivery process, of which, may cause damage and/or hamper the letter house process.

All inbound materials must arrive on pallets, Pallet size: GMA1 or GMA2 (4-way), length: 48 inches, width: 40/42 inches, Maximum height per pallet: 48 inches, Maximum weight per pallet: 2,500 pounds, Maximum weight per carton:45 pounds.

Failure to properly palletize may be cause for re-palletizing at contractor's expense. See GPO Contract Terms.

DEPARTMENTAL RANDOM COPIES (BLUE LABEL): All orders must be divided into equal sublots in accordance with the chart below. A random copy must be selected from each sublot. Do not choose copies from the same general area in each sublot. The contractor will be required to certify that the copies were selected as directed using GPO Form 917 – Certificate of Selection of Random Copies which can be located on GPO.gov. The random copies constitute a part of the total quantity ordered, and no additional charge will be allowed.

Quantity Ordered Number of Sublots 1,040,00 to tal pieces 50 of each part These randomly selected copies must be packed separately and identified by a special label, GPO Form 2678 Departmental Random Copies (Blue Label), which must be printed on blue paper and affixed to each affected container. This form can be downloaded from GPO.gov. The container and its contents shall be recorded separately on all shipping documents and sent in accordance with the distribution list.

A copy of the print order/specification and a signed Certificate of Selection of Random Copies must be included.

A copy of the signed Certificate of Selection of Random Copies must accompany the invoice sent to U.S. Government Publishing Office, Financial Management Service, for payment. Failure to furnish the certificate may result in delay in processing the invoice.

QUALITY ASSURANCE RANDOM COPIES: In addition to the Departmental Random Copies (Blue Label), the contractor is required to submit quality assurance random copies to test for compliance against specifications. The purchase order/specifications will indicate the number required, if any. When ordered, the contractor must divide the entire order into equal sublots and select a copy from a different general area of each sublot. The contractor will be required to certify that copies were selected as directed using GPO Form 917-Certificate of Selection of Random Copies (located on GPO.gov). Copies will be paid for at the running rate offered in the contractor's bid and their cost will not be a consideration for award. A copy of the purchase order/specifications must be included.

Quantity Ordered Number of Sublots 1,040,00 to tal pieces 50 of each part Business Reply Mail labels will be furnished for mailing the quality assurance random copies. The copies are to be mailed at the same time as the first scheduled shipment. A U.S. Postal Service approved Certificate of Mailing, identified by Jacket and Purchase Order numbers must be furnished with billing as evidence of mailing.

NOTIFICATION OF SHIPMENT:

Contractor must notify the ordering agency on the same day that the product ships/delivers via e-mail sent to tony.ragin.civ@mail.mil, compliance@gpo.gov and wward@gpo.gov. The subject line of this message shall be Distribution Notice for Jacket 519-566. The notice must provide all applicable tracking numbers, shipping method, and Title. Contractor must be able to provide copies of all delivery, mailing, and shipping receipts upon agency request.

DISTRIBUTION:

Ship by traceable means. All expenses incidental to picking up and returning materials and samples must be borne by the contractor.

F.O.B. DESTINATION – CONTRACTOR PAYS THE FREIGHT TO DELIVER. INSIDE DELIVERY MUST

BE MADE BY 2PM LOCAL TIME TO THE BELOW DESTINATION.

Ironmark Warehouse 9015 Junction Drive, Suite 1 Annapolis Junction, MD 20701 Attn: Brandon Jacobs, 888-775-1948 Reference: DPRR SHARP MCP

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SCHEDULE: Adherence to this schedule must be maintained. See "Notice of Compliance with Schedules”, in GPO Pub. 310.2.

Purchase Order and high-resolution files posted to printers FTP site upon award will be ready for pickup no later than October 15, 2024.

Unscheduled material such as shipping documents, receipts or instructions, delivery lists, labels, etc., will be furnished with the 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.

Inside delivery (to arrive at destination) by November 29, 2024, by 2pm local time.

QUALITY ASSURANCE LEVELS AND STANDARDS: The following levels and standards shall apply to these specifications:

Product Quality Levels:

Product Quality Levels:

(a) Printing (form related) Attributes--Level 3

(b) Finishing (item related) Attributes -- Level 3

Inspection Levels (from ANSI/ASQC Z1.4):

(a) Non-destructive Tests -- General Inspection Level I.

(b) Destructive Tests -- Special Inspection Level S-2.

Specified Standards-- The specified standards for the attributes requiring them shall be:

ATTRIBUTE SPECIFIED STANDARD

P-7. Type Quality and Uniformity Approved Preproduction Samples

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Bidders must fill out this page and return it.

BID PRICE: $ ADDITIONAL RATE: $ PER M

DISCOUNTS: Discounts are offered for payment as follows: Percent, calendar days.

See Article 12 “Discounts” of Solicitation Provisions in GPO Contract Terms (Publication 310.2).

AMENDMENT(S): Bidder hereby acknowledges amendment(s) number(ed)

BID ACCEPTANCE PERIOD: In compliance with the above, the undersigned agree, if this bid is accepted within calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the bidder) from the date for receipt of bids, to furnish the specified items at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated points(s), in exact accordance with specifications.

NOTE: Failure to provide a 60-day bid acceptance period may result in expiration of the bid prior to award.

BIDDER’S NAME AND SIGNATURE: Unless specific written exception is taken, the bidder, by signing and submitting a bid, agrees with and accepts responsibility for all certifications and representations as required by the solicitation and GPO Contract Terms – Publication 310.2. When responding by email, fill out and return one copy of all pages in “SECTION 4. – SCHEDULE OF PRICES,” including initialing/signing where indicated. Failure to sign the signature block below may result in the bid being declared non-responsive.

Bidder (Contractor Name) (GPO Contractor’s Code)

(Street Address)

(City – State – Zip Code)

By (Printed Name, Signature, and Title of Person Authorized to Sign this Bid) (Date)

(Person to be Contacted) (Telephone Number) (Email)

THIS SECTION FOR GPO USE ONLY

Certified by: Date: Contracting Officer: Date:

(Initials) (Initials)