Released-W912C321Q0009-ElMorroNewspaper-20210823.pdf

SEE ADDENDUM

(No Collect Calls)

W912C321Q0009 23-Aug-2021

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER

787-707-2487

8. OFFER DUE DATE/LOCAL TIME

10:00 AM 10 Sep 2021

5. SOLICITATION NUMBER 6. SOLICITATION ISSUE DATE

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012)

Prescribed by GSA – FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

(TYPE OR PRINT)

(SIGNATURE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER)

ADDENDA ARE

26. TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT (For Gov t. Use Only )

23.

CODE 10. THIS ACQUISITION IS

SUCH ADDRESS IN OFFER

17b. CHECK IF REMITTANCE IS DIFFERENT AND PUT

BELOW IS CHECKED

TELEPHONE NO.

W912C39. ISSUED BY

18b. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN BLOCK 18a. UNLESS BLOCK

7. FOR SOLICITATION

INFORMATION CALL:

a. NAME

ANGEL D GARAY

2. CONTRACT NO. 3. AWARD/EFFECTIVE DATE 4. ORDER NUMBER

(TYPE OR PRINT)

30b. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 30c. DATE SIGNED 31b. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

30a. SIGNATURE OF OFFEROR/CONTRACTOR 31a.UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

0 27a. SOLICITATION INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-1. 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-3. 52.212-5 ARE ATTACHED.

25. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

1. REQUISITION NUMBER

20.

ADDITIONAL SHEETS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SPECIFIED.

OFFEROR TO COMPLETE BLOCKS 12, 17, 23, 24, AND 30

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

SEE SCHEDULE

ARE NOT ATTACHED

27b. CONTRACT/PURCHASE ORDER INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE FAR 52.212-4. FAR 52.212-5 IS ATTACHED. ADDENDA ARE ARE NOT ATTACHED

(BLOCK 5), INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONS OR CHANGES WHICH ARE

SET FORTH HEREIN, IS ACCEPTED AS TO ITEMS:

. YOUR OFFER ON SOLICITATION

28. CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN THIS DOCUMENT AND RETURN

% FOR:SET ASIDE:UNRESTRICTED ORX

SMALL BUSINESS

17a.CONTRACTOR/ CODE FACILITY

OFFEROR CODE

MICC - FT BUCHANAN

FT BUCHANAN

DIRECTORATE OF CONTRACTING

34 SOUTH GATE RD, STE 1104

FORT BUCHANAN PR 00934-4206

18a. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY CODE

RATED ORDER UNDER

DPAS (15 CFR 700)

13a. THIS CONTRACT IS A

13b. RATING

CODE15. DELIVER TO CODE W5K9H7 16. ADMINISTERED BY

12. DISCOUNT TERMS11. DELIVERY FOR FOB DESTINA-

TION UNLESS BLOCK IS

MARKED

SEE SCHEDULE

14. METHOD OF SOLICITATION

RFQ IFB RFPX

FORT BUCHANAN

FORT BUCHANAN

FORT BUCHANAN

GUAYNABO PR 00934

TEL: FAX:

787-707-2491FAX:

TEL: 787-707-2487 SERVICE-DISABLED

VETERAN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS

8(A)

HUBZONE SMALL

BUSINESS

SIZE STANDARD:

1,000

NAICS:

511110

OFFER DATED

29. AWARD OF CONTRACT: REF.

DELIVER ALL ITEMS SET FORTH OR OTHERWISE IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND ON ANY

COPIES TO ISSUING OFFICE. CONTRACTOR AGREES TO FURNISH AND

EMAIL:

TEL:

31c. DATE SIGNED

SEE SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/ SERVICESITEM NO. QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

24.22.21.19.

WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS (WOSB)

ELIGIBLE UNDER THE WOMEN-OWNED

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM

EDWOSB

32g. E-MAIL OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

SOLICITATION/CONTRACT/ORDER FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS

(CONTINUED)

PAGE 2 OF30

ACCEPTED, AND CONFORMS TO THE CONTRACT, EXCEPT AS NOTED: ______________________________________________________

32a. QUANTITY IN COLUMN 21 HAS BEEN

RECEIVED INSPECTED

32b. SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32c. DATE 32d. PRINTED NAME AND TITLE OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVE

32e. MAILING ADDRESS OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE 32f . TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE

37. CHECK NUMBER

FINALPARTIALCOMPLETE

36. PAYMENT35. AMOUNT VERIFIED

CORRECT FOR

34. VOUCHER NUMBER

FINAL

33. SHIP NUMBER

PARTIAL

38. S/R ACCOUNT NUMBER 39. S/R VOUCHER NUMBER 40. PAID BY

41a. I CERTIFY THIS ACCOUNT IS CORRECT AND PROPER FOR PAYMENT

41b. SIGNATURE AND TITLE OF CERTIFYING OFFICER 41c. DATE

42a. RECEIVED BY (Print)

42b. RECEIVED AT (Location)

42c. DATE REC'D (YY/MM/DD) 42d. TOTAL CONTAINERS

STANDARD FORM 1449 (REV. 2/2012) BACK

Prescribed by GSA – FAR (48 CFR) 53.212

AUTHORIZED FOR LOCAL REPRODUCTION

PREVIOUS EDITION IS NOT USABLE

SEE SCHEDULE

20.

SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES/ SERVICES

21.

QUANTITY UNIT

22. 23.

UNIT PRICE

24.

AMOUNT

19.

ITEM NO.

W912C321Q0009

Section SF 1449 - CONTINUATION SHEET

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Printing and distribution of El Morro shall be financed entirely by the Contractor.

1. The MICC Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico Installation is an element of the U.S. Federal Government. This agreement is a U.S. Government contract authorized under the provisions of the Department of Defense Instruction 5120.04 as an exception to the Government Printing and Biding Regulations published by the Joint Committee on Printing. Although this contract is not subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or the Defense FAR Supplement, FAR clauses useful in protecting the interests of the U.S. Government and implementing those provisions required by law are included in this contract.

2. Quotes shall be emailed to Angel Garay at: angel.d.garay2.civ@mail.mil and to Maria Otero at:

maria.d.otero4.civ@mail.mil. Quotes are due to the Government on or before the time listed above the 1449 (top page) or as amended. Offeror shall submit a signed SF 1449, completed information from the supplemental section and respond to the Capability/ Technical Plan as requested in the Quote Preparation instructions. Unnecessarily elaborate proposals are not desired.

3. Since cost is not a factor in the evaluation of this agreement, award will be based on response to Elements 1 through 11 (see below) and the offeror’s experience and qualifications

4. The period of performance is 1 October 2021 through 30 September 2022 with plus four (4), one

(1) year option periods.

5. Written questions must be furnished to the Government no later 3 September 2021; in order to ensure a timely response is provided by the solicitation closing date. All questions are to be submitted in writing at the time indicated in the solicitation or they may not be addressed before solicitation closing date; therefore, offerors are advised to submit questions as soon as possible.

Please provide your company name, telephone, point of contact, e-mail address, and solicitation number on all questions. The Government will respond to questions via the issuance of an amendment which incorporates the question and the Government’s response.

6. DUNS NUMBER ______________________________.

7. TAXPAYER ID #______________________________.

8. CAGE CODE __________________________________.

9. SYSTEM for AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM) REGISTRATION: An Active SAM Registration is required of all Department of Defense contractors. SAM registration enables electronic funds transfer of contract payments. If your company is not already actively registered, please register in the SAM database at www.sam.gov. If your company is currently registered and close to expiring, begin/complete the process for SAM registration renewal.

a. A DUNS number is required for SAM registration. If your company does not have a DUNS #, obtain one by calling 800-333-0505.

b. Whether your company is a current or new registrant in the SAM database, your registration must indicate that you are a provider of NAICS 511110, or a NAICS of similar business size, under the Goods – Services section of the registration to be eligible to receive a contract for this solicitation.

c. If the prospective awardee for this request for quotes is not actively registered in the SAM database by close of solicitation, including NAICS 511110, or a NAICS of similar business size, under the Goods – Services section, depending on mission requirements, the government reserves the right to proceed to award to the next otherwise successful actively registered offeror.

10. Contract Administrator: Angel Garay

If you have questions pertaining to this contract after contract award (i.e. questions regarding delivery, invoice procedures, etc.), please request assistance from the Contract Administrator.

Be sure to include the contract number in your request for assistance. Requesting contract administration assistance from any other individual could result in a delayed response.

11. Contracting Officer: Maria Otero

12. Government POC: To Be Determined at the time of Award.

13. The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions. Therefore, the offeror’s initial offer should contain the offeror’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

14. INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

Quotes shall be submitted prior to the closing date and time identified in Block 8 on the SF 1449.

Offeror’s quotes shall be emailed to angel.d.garay2.civ@mail.mil and to Maria Otero at:

maria.d.otero4.civ@mail.mil. Submit signed and dated quote at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. Failure to provide all required documents or information may exclude the Offeror(s) from further consideration.

1. INTRODUCTION

a. In order for quotes to receive full consideration for award, offerors shall ensure that the information furnished in support of the quote is factual, accurate, and complete. Failure to provide the information requested in the Request for Quote (RFQ) may render the Offeror’s quote ineligible for further consideration for award.

b. Time for Submission. Responses to the RFQ shall be submitted and received by the closing date and time indicated in the Solicitation, in the content, format, and copies specified.

c. Time for Acceptance. The quote will remain valid until 31 January 2021.

d. If an offeror believes that the requirements in these instructions contain an error, an ambiguity, omission, or are otherwise unsound, the offeror shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer in writing with supporting rationale.

e. The Quote. The submission of the documentation specified below will constitute the offeror’s acceptance of the terms and conditions of the RFQ, concurrence with the Performance Work Statement, and the proposed contract type.

2. QUOTE PREPARATION INSTUCTIONS:

The offeror shall submit a Capability/ Technical Plan addressing all of the elements that follow.

Each element shall be discussed in two paragraphs or less. The mission Capability/ Technical Plan shall be clear, concise, and include sufficient detail for effective evaluation and for substantiating the validity of stated claims.

Element 1: Location..

Element 2: Publishing Capabilities. The contractor shall have desktop publishing capabilities compatible to that maintained at the PAO (currently Adobe Creative Cloud 2020 (Photoshop & InDesign)) to facilitate typesetting, layout and graphics production and file exchange.

Element 3: Content to Advertising Ratio. The contractor plan for Content to Advertising Ratio and the page layout plan.

Element 4: Selling Experience. The contractors experience selling advertising for print publications published on a recurring basis (i.e. other than/in addition to annual).

Element 5: Technology. The contractor has the technology to do the work (an FTP site/servers, email, telephone/data lines, and remote publication review capability).

Element 6: Spot Color/ Four Color Process. The contractor has the capability to incorporate spot color and four-color process and half-tone photos in the publication.

Element 7: Personnel/ Equipment. The contractor has the personnel and equipment required to deliver the finished product to Fort Buchanan in a timely manner and in accordance with the terms of the contract.

Element 8: Personnel for Graphic Design. The contractor has the personnel necessary to address questions related to newspaper/graphic design.

Element 9: Size/ Number of Pages. The contractors plan to print a newspaper within SOW specifications for size and the number of pages.

Element 10: Printing/ Distributing Experience. The contractor has at least 3 years of experience in printing a civilian-enterprise newspaper or similar publication.

Element 11: Fort Buchanan “El Morro” Newspaper. The contractors plan to provide the Fort Buchanan Newspaper within the SOW specifications in accordance with the terms of the contract.

15. EVALUATION CRITERIA:

A. BASIS FOR AWARD

A single NO COST Contract will be awarded for this acquisition based on the overall quote that is determined to be the most beneficial to the Government with appropriate consideration given to all elements. Offers must propose to perform all aspects of the Statement of Work (SOW).

The Government may select for award an offer in which the merit given on the Technical proposal is deemed most advantageous to the Government based upon the probability of successfully performing the required efforts of the SOW.

The Government reserves the right to conduct exchanges if it is determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary. The Government may reject any or all quotes if such action is in the public interest and waive informalities and minor irregularities in quotes received.

B. ELEMENTS TO BE EVALUATED

The following evaluation elements will be used to evaluate each quote. An award will be made to the offer whose quote is most advantageous to the Government based upon an assessment of the evaluation Elements described below.

See Elements 1 through 11 above.

C. EVALUATION APPROACH

The overarching evaluation approach for all factors and elements are as follows.

Evaluation criteria consists of 11 elements in the Mission Capability/ Technical Plan.

Technical Rating.

The Government will evaluate technical quotes to determine the merit of each offeror’s proposed approach to meeting the technical requirements of the SOW based on the elements identified.

The Government will evaluate the offeror’s overall proposal plan to ascertain the probability of successfully performing the required efforts of the SOW.

16. OTHER INFORMATION:

a. Security Requirements: Contractor personnel or any representative of the Contractor entering USAG-Fort Buchanan shall abide by all security rules and regulations. Contractor personnel shall meet with the USAG-Fort Buchanan Security Officer at the Visitor Control Center not later than (NLT) two days after contract award for security in processing. For in processing, contractor personnel shall provide two forms of identification, i.e., birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, etc. to the security officer. Contractor personnel shall obtain an Access Card issued for one (1) year. This AC serves as identification to access USAG-Fort Buchanan.

b. Subject to Search: All persons, bags, purses or other packages or parcels and vehicles on USAG-Fort Buchanan are subject to search.

c. Base Access: The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring that all Contractor personnel authorized to perform work under this contract obtain base access. All Contractor employees will be issued an Access Card and be required to display the badge visibly above the waist at all times.

d. Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The contracting officer, Contracting Officers Representative (COR), and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings the contracting officer will apprise the contractor of how the government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.

e. Primary Point of Contact (POC). The Contractor will be responsible for the performance of the provided service or work. An alternate shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The alternate shall be designated in writing to the Contracting officer NLT 24 hours after contract award.

f. Identification of Contractor Employees: All contract personnel attending meetings and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed.

g. The Contractor shall not employ any person who is an employee of the United States Government if the employment of that person would create a conflict of interest.

h. Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): The COR will be nominated by the requiring activity and appointed by the contracting officer by separate letter. A copy of the COR’s appointment letter will be sent to the awarded Contractor, identifying the designated duties and limitations of the COR. The COR is not authorized to change any terms or conditions in the contract that pertain to cost, schedule, performance, quality, quantity, or other legal aspects of the resulting order.

STATEMENT OF WORK

STATEMENT OF WORK

US Army Garrison Fort Buchanan’s Public Affairs Office Civilian Enterprise Newspaper

“EL MORRO” NEWSPAPER

I. INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND

A. FORT BUCHANAN OVERVIEW

Fort Buchanan Installation is located in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.

Fort Buchanan's continuing goal is to provide excellent customer service and facilities and to enhance the quality of life for all who train, work or live here. The Fort Buchanan community truly is unique, with active, reserve and civilian components working together for the betterment of all facets of life at the installation.

B. ARMY NEWSPAPER MISSION

Army newspapers are authorized unofficial publications that support Army command information objectives and facilitate accomplishment of the command or installation mission.

Command information assists in providing timely, accurate, truthful two-way communication between commanders and internal/external audiences. Army newspapers provide a primary means to communicate mission-essential information and provide feedback to the commander. The newspaper is used to improve morale, welfare, discipline, and esprit de corps, as well as to supplement or expand the readers’ knowledge.

C. FORT BUCHANAN NEWSPAPER

Fort Buchanan’s newspaper, “El Morro”, a Civilian-Enterprise (CE) newspaper published under the provisions of Army Regulation 360-1 (The Army Public Affairs Program) and Department of Defense Instruction 5120.4 (Department of Defense Newspapers, Magazines and Civilian Enterprise Publications) at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. It is the only publication of its kind produced on the installation.

D. HISTORICAL INFORMATION:

The newspaper’s audience includes military personnel stationed at or training at the installation, members of the civilian and contracted workforce, family members, retirees, veterans, visitors, elected officials, etc.

El Morro is often used as a tool to communicate Garrison activities to senior military, business leaders, and elected officials.

The number of military personnel conducting training at the post fluctuates weekly; therefore, the number of papers printed for each issue varies. Historical distribution has ranged from approximately 8,000 copies per issue to approximately 10,000 copies. On average historically, approximately 8,000 copies are printed per issue. Special editions of the newspaper, which are intended to fulfill command information needs on a more-than-one-time basis, have had distribution totals not exceeding 10,000 copies.

II. STATEMENT OF WORK

A. SCOPE

1. Printing and distribution of El Morro shall be financed entirely by the Contractor.

The Contractor shall provide personnel, equipment, labor, supplies, tools, materials, supervision and other items necessary for design, assemble, print and distribute a minimum of 8,000 copies monthly of “El Morro” at no cost to the Government to distribution points (See Technical Exhibit 2) at USAG-FB, local and federal agencies within the San Juan Metro area, US Army Reserve Headquarters, Puerto Rico National Guard Headquarters, and other designated locations around the island of Puerto Rico. El Morro is published monthly (the first day of every month) by using editorial material, editorial page layouts and instructions supplied by the Government.

2. The Contractor shall make available an electronic process to review all documents to meet publication submission deadlines as well as make available dedicated personnel to work directly with newspaper staff. Those personnel must be available by e-mail, phone, and possibly through video teleconferencing if available. Alternatively, if no electronic process is possible, B. CONTRACTOR-FURNISHED ITEMS/SERVICES

1. General

a. The Contractor shall furnish necessary supplies, repair parts, materials, tools and support equipment required to perform all services.

b. The Contractor shall establish toll-free communications links, to include phone and email.

c. The Contractor shall establish and maintain an electronic link with the PAO via electronic mail to facilitate transfer of editorial copy, photographs, graphics, and layouts from the PAO to the printer.

Computer applications and software will be compatible to that presently in place at the PAO, including but not limited to the following, Windows 10-compatible computers, Microsoft Outlook and Adobe Creative Cloud 2020 (Photoshop & InDesign).

d. The contractor shall have desktop publishing capabilities compatible to that maintained at the PAO (currently Adobe Creative Cloud 2020 (Photoshop & InDesign) to facilitate typesetting, layout and graphics production and file exchange.

e. The Contractor shall be responsible for the final composition and electronic assembly, to include preparation (toning to ensure best reproduction and other adjustments) and final placement of photographs in accordance with PAO guidance, of each page of El Morro subject to the guidance and direction of the Commander or his designated representative. The PAO will produce layouts of editorial content using software identified in paragraph d., above for the Contractor’s use/incorporation/conversion into the total product.

f. The Contractor will comply with provisions of DoD Instruction 5120.4, AR 360-1, and the provisions and requirements as contained herein. A copy of these regulations may be obtained through the Contracting Officer.

C. SPECIFIC TASKS

4.1 BASIC SERVICES. The contractor shall collect ads, assemble, lay out, print and deliver a minimum of 10,000 copies monthly 12 months of the year of the newspaper on El Morro's scheduled publication day, the first day of every month.

4.2. Collect Ads: The Contractor shall solicit vendors for advertising in El Morro.

4.2.1 General Advertising. The Contractor shall accept for publication only those advertisements which conform to the principles of good taste. The Contractor shall not accept or print advertising objectionable or obscene in nature; or which reflects adversely upon the Government of the United States or any of its components; or which is detrimental to its internal/external audience at USAG-Fort Buchanan. The USAG-Fort Buchanan Commander has the authority to prohibit distribution on the installation of a CE publication containing advertising he or she determines likely to promote a situation leading to potential riots or other disturbances, or when the circulation of such advertising may present a danger to loyalty, discipline, or morale of personnel. The Contractor shall provide electronic copies of any advertisement deemed to be questionable in nature to the PAO at least a week prior to publication for review. If the Contractor prints the issue containing the objectionable advertisement(s), the USAG-Fort Buchanan Commander may prohibit distribution in accordance with DoD Directive 1325.6.

4.2.1.1 The contractor shall not solicit an advertisement which implies discrimination with regard to race, creed, age, color, sex, or national origin of the purchaser, user, or patron. Even if their advertisements do not imply it, the Contractor shall ensure that advertisers do not practice such discrimination. Under no condition shall the contractor allow a business establishment listed by USAG-Fort Buchanan Military Community as “off limits” to advertise in El Morro.

4.2.1.2 The Contractor shall ensure that commercial businesses soliciting military personnel through advertising in the publications are ethical in describing goods, services, commodities and sale terms (including guarantees, warranties, etc.).

4.2.1.3 The Contractor shall ensure advertisements offering credit terms shall carry a clear statement of the total cash price, as well as the total credit costs, including all charges. If payments are shown, the number amount of each, and the time period shall also be shown. These shall be shown clearly in the advertisements in type no smaller than 6-point.

4.2.1.4 The Contractor shall provide free classified ads for service members throughout Puerto Rico.

4.2.2 Real Estate Advertising. The Contractor shall ensure advertising for off-post housing available for real estate, sale, or lease by an owner, manager, rental agency, agent, or individual shall include only those available on a nondiscriminatory basis for all personnel. No facility shall be advertised without the Contractor having been notified in writing that open-housing practices are enforced by the owner, manager, rental agency, agent or individual.

4.2.2.1 The Contractor shall carry the following disclaimer near real estate advertising in the publication:

“All real estate advertised in this publication is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin, or an intention to make such preference, limitation or discrimination. The Contractor shall not knowingly accept any advertisement for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised in this publication are available on an equal opportunity basis.” Further, the Contractor shall not accept for publication in El Morro any real estate sale or rental ad that specifies that only certain military grades, to the exclusion of others, are invited to buy or rent.

4.2.3 Advertising Restrictions.

4.2.3.1 The Contractor shall ensure any advertisement which appears to be editorial copy shall be clearly marked at top and bottom in no smaller than 8-point bold or 10-point type “paid advertisement,” which shall be enclosed in a minimum .5 ruled, framed box.

4.2.3.2 The Contractor shall ensure that all prospective advertisers are aware that El Morro is an unofficial publication. In addition, any letters or brochures designed to procure the sale of advertising space in these publications shall state that it is an unofficial publication.

4.2.3.3 The Contractor shall not accept for publication advertisements that are worded or phrased to give the reader the impression the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard in any sense endorse, guarantee or sponsor any product or service.

4.2.3.4 The Contractor shall ensure El Morro publication (newspaper) shall not carry advertising which contains photographs of individuals in uniform. Excluded from this prohibition are Government appropriated or non-appropriated fund advertisers and pictures of actors or story characters in advertising for movies, plays or books.

4.2.3.5 The Contractor agrees not to enter into any exclusive advertising agreement with any firm, broker or individual for the purpose of selling advertising associated with this contract.

4.2.3.6 The Contractor shall ensure advertising complies with all requirements of Federal and Puerto Rico laws. This includes credit disclosure requirements and restrictions on advertising by persons not licensed in a particular profession or occupation.

4.2.4 Page Dummies: The Contractor agrees to furnish to the PAO one hundred percent (100%) of the complete advertising-page dummies no later than two weeks prior to the date of publication. When holidays occur affecting the makeup or distribution deadlines contained herein, the Contractor agrees to adjust the delivery date accordingly. Unless otherwise previously agreed to by both parties, those pages designated in Para. 5.3.1.2 (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 13, the double truck) shall be assumed by the PAO as always available for editorial material.

4.2.5 Advertisement Accuracy. The Contractor shall be responsible for the accuracy of any advertisement appearing in the newspaper. Advertisers shall be notified that their advertisements shall not conflict with maintaining the morale, welfare and discipline of the Command and will be notified when any are contrary to law or DoD or Military Services regulations.

4.2.6 Ads Reviewed: The Contractor shall have all advertisements reviewed by the PAO no later than two weeks prior to publication.

4.3. Assemble/Lay Out. The contractor shall assemble and lay out the publications as follows:

4.3.1 Ad-to-Editorial Copy Ratio - The Contractor shall ensure the ratio is not larger than sixty percent (60%) advertising to forty percent (40%) editorial per single issue, without prior approval or request by the PAO. Four issues of the newspaper during the year shall have a maximum of seventy percent (70%) advertising to thirty percent (30%) editorial, which shall be jointly agreed upon by the Contractor and PAO. Ad-to-Editorial ratio shall not exceed fifty-fifty percent (50%-50%) on an overall annual basis.

4.3.1.1 The Contractor shall ensure any advertising insert or supplement in the newspaper shall not count in the total ad-to-copy ratio as advertising. Also, the PAO shall be notified prior to and approve the insertion of all such inserts and supplements. Advertising supplements shall have “Paid Advertising” in 8-or 10-point type and boxed in a minimum .5-point frame on the top or bottom of each page.

4.3.1.2 The Contractor shall ensure a minimum of 6 newspaper pages shall be kept free of advertising , and (based on a 20-page newspaper) these shall include pages 1, 2, 3, 4 and 10 and 11 – (center pages) and increase or decrease proportionally to the number of pages available (minimum 14 pages) unless agreed upon by Contractor and PAO. Four additional pages shall contain no more than fifty percent (50%) advertising. The PAO may obtain additional ad-free pages if the size of the paper increases beyond 20 pages.

4.3.1.3 The Contractor shall ensure no editorial material shall appear on or after the first classified-advertising page of an issue.

4.3.1.4 The PAO shall have the option to move ads and ad-free pages, unless ads are necessarily dummied “do not move,” for layout purposes. The Editor understands this option shall be exercised with discretion and shall coordinate any move with the Contractor first.

4.3.2 The Contractor shall include only material which reflects the standards of decency characterizing all the military services (Army, Navy, U.S. Air Force, Marines, U.S. Coast Guard), and particular to this contract the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, Puerto Rico National Guard and USAG Fort Buchanan, as determined by the Government. The USAG-Fort Buchanan Commander reserves the right to prohibit distribution of publications when, as determined by the USAG-Fort Buchanan Commander, the publications includes advertising that undermines the command’s successful mission performance and preservation of morale and discipline or that is otherwise contrary to the best interests of the command.

4.3.3 The PAO shall ensure material appearing in El Morro shall be factual, objective, accurate, balanced, impartial, and as timely as practical. Present and future tense materials shall have priority over other materials.

4.3.4 Nameplate. The Contractor shall ensure the nameplate of each issue shall include the statement:

“U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan.”

4.3.5 Masthead. The Contractor shall ensure the masthead shall include the name and telephone number of the PAO as the Commander’s liaison with the Contractor, the name of the Printing firm, frequency of publication, method of reproduction, and total amount of circulation. The names of PAO personnel shall be carried under a section of the masthead entitled “Editorial Staff.”

4.3.6 Unless otherwise authorized by the PAO editorial staff, advertising on all pages shall be blocked across the top of the ad block, if horizontal in format, or along a vertical line the length of the page, if vertical format, to facilitate contemporary modular design of editorial material. Ads within ad space shall fill the entire ad space. An alley of one pica between ads and editorial copy must be maintained. All published ads shall be rectangular forms. Purchased ad space must be filled by either enlarging ads or by bordering ads around the perimeter of purchased space. No ads shall be allowed to run without a framed border on the outside perimeter. The weight of the perimeter borders shall be consistent to within one (1) point of other borders on the page.

4.3.6.1 The Contractor shall not run ads sideways nor upside down to attract attention. Ads shall be sold only in 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-column widths. Ads shall not be horizontally combined to form widths other than 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 columns.

4.3.7 The PAO will specify layout and design of editorial content of El Morro. Column width for 8-, 9-, 10- , 11- and 12-point body type shall be no less than 12 picas and not greater than 24 picas. Columns or blocks of less than 12-picas width shall appear as white space.

4.3.8 Allotting and filling ad space: The Contractor shall assume full responsibility for filling all space set aside on the advertising page dummies for advertising. In the event tentative advertising does not materialize, the Contractor shall give the PAO the option to fill the reserved space. Should the contractor fill the space with public service or “house” advertising, the space shall not be counted as editorial space.

4.3.9 Web pages. Contractor shall code El Morro articles in the Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) to be uploaded by the Public Affairs Office on USAG Fort Buchanan website on the World Wide Web.

4.3.10 In addition, the Contractor shall provide at publication day a PDF file on the Contractor-provided website of the just-published newspaper (including advertisements).

4.4. Approval

4.4.1 PAO Clearance. The Contractor shall have all content, including advertisements, reviewed and approved by the Government prior to publication. Pages shall be sent by e-mail to the PAO with completed advertisements in place for review by Wednesday morning of the two weeks prior publication.

Failure to do so shall constitute a violation of the contract. Any decision by the contractor to accept or reject an advertisement is final.

4.4.2 The printing and distribution of El Morro will be monitored by the PAO. Only those photographs, news stories, editorials, headlines, captions, and any other editorial material approved by the PAO will be used in any edition of El Morro. The USAG-Fort Buchanan commander or PAO representative provides overall oversight and final approval authority for the news and editorial content of the paper.

4.5 Printing

4.5.1 The Contractor shall print El Morro (8,000 copies of El Morro, 12 months per year) as follows:

4.5.1.1 Color. The Contractor shall provide four-color process and spot color on the cover and throughout the Publications. The Contractor shall prepare all color overlays, masks or keys for each issue for which color is used. All available color positions shall be noted on dummies supplied to the PAO no later than noon Friday prior to El Morro publication The Contractor shall place no specific limit to the number of full-color photos or bleeds. Additional pages using spot color, color posterization and/or the Contractor shall provide inks on color paper stock. The PAO may choose to use these techniques on any of the four-color process pages also.

4.5.1.2 The Contractor’s standard samples of spot color shall be incorporated and made part of the contract. These colors may be used in 10 percent increments from 10 to 100 percent for both spot color and duotone purposes. Electronic versions are acceptable.

4.5.1.3 Color Separations. The Contractor shall perform quality assurance on all pages of El Morro assuring proper press registration during each press run.

4.5.1.3 Graphic Art Assistance. The Contractor shall provide original state-of-the-art graphics equipment and software necessary to ensure complete graphic art support, including knowledge of layout principles and aesthetic design concepts in all aspects of the creative process from conception to completion.

4.5.1.4 Editorial and Design Assistance. Provide advance design and planning to include assistance with editorial content assembly, layout sheets, color sequence options and a glossary of terms.

4.5.1.5 Cover. The Contractor shall match the outside front cover to approved color key from art or photos provided by the PAO, using the four-color process reproduction, exact register.

4.5.1.6 Layout. Production of page flats shall be completed according to the guidance and instruction of PAO representatives. The PAO has the responsibility to determine final layout and design to communicate to the audience for which El Morro is intended. The Contractor shall provide the PAO final page proofs to include editorial content, photos and advertisements.

4.5.1.7 Paper Stock. The Contractor shall print El Morro on a minimum of 30 lb. post-consumer recycled newsprint with 40 percent recycled and recyclable newsprint on web offset presses.

4.5.1.8 Color Separations. The Contractor shall provide a printed sample of all color reproductions to the PAO prior to the final press run. Both the Contractor and the PAO or Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will approve the registration of color separations.

4.5.1.9 The Contractor shall furnish at least 48 extra, ad-free pages throughout the year for special editorial issues or inserts. If the Contractor requests and the PAO approves, however, these special issues may contain ads. Any ad space approved by the PAO shall not be counted in the 48-page total.

4.5.1.10 Legal Public Holidays: When the publication date falls on a holiday, El Morro shall be published on the preceding workday. Any federal holiday falling on a Saturday shall be observed on the preceding Friday; holidays falling on a Sunday shall be observed on the following Monday.

4.5.2 Disclaimers: The Contractor shall print the following disclaimers Page 2 of each copy of every issue of El Morro, in type no smaller than 6-point bold or 8-point: “The appearance of advertising in the publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by Department of the Army or (Contractor’s firm name) of the products or services advertised. All editorial content of El Morro is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the USAG-Fort Buchanan Public Affairs Office. El Morro is printed by (Contractor’s firm name), a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Army, Department of Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Coast Guard or USAG Fort Buchanan, under exclusive written contract with the Commander, US Army Garrison Fort Buchanan. The civilian printer is responsible for commercial advertising. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation of this policy of equal opportunity by an advertiser shall result in the refusal to print advertising from that source.”

4.6 Equipment. General. The Contractor shall furnish all necessary supplies, repair parts, materials, tools and support equipment required to perform all services.

41.6.1 The Contractor shall use current industry standards in remote-page makeup to allow the remote user to edit screen-resolution versions of the graphics for size, cropping, rotation and page placement.

These images shall be sent to the Contractor’s “parent” system for high-resolution imaging. The production process begins with scanning continuous-tone photos at the Contractor’s site, using their high-resolution equipment to digitize and automatically adjust the photo, applying the appropriate corrections for both the tonal range of the original photo and the physical characteristics of the Contractor’s lithographic media and printing presses.

4.6.2 N/A

4.7. Publication Distribution

4.7.1 El Morro – The Contractor shall deliver the newspapers on the scheduled production day to the named distribution points. Distribution points shall be as indicated herein. El Morro shall be financed entirely by the Contractor. The Government shall not be responsible for debts that may be incurred in the printing and distribution of El Morro.

4.7.1.1 The number of newspapers to be delivered each month is subject to change by the Government when necessitated by significant increases or decreases of personnel at USAG-Fort Buchanan. Such increases or decreases will not exceed ten percent (10 %), unless previously agreed to by both parties of this contract.

4.7.2 News Stands. PAO will provide newsstands for El Morro distribution within the military installation.

4.7.3 One hundred copies of the newspaper shall be delivered by the Contractor to the PAO in the headquarters building (Bldg. 390) no later than 8:00 a.m. the day of publication.

4.7.4 Delivery to other locations. The Contractor shall make bulk deliveries of El Morro to various other points at USAG-Fort Buchanan and the San Juan metropolitan area in accordance with the distribution list, which will be furnished and periodically updated by the PAO. Delivery to such facilities as the post exchanges, commissaries, bowling alleys, cafeterias, and Post Exchange concessions will be made after they are open so that newsstands inside such establishments can be serviced. Delivery to these locations will be completed by 10 a.m. on the day of publication.

4.7.7 Conditions of Delivery. The Contractor shall open all newspaper bundles and place all papers front page up toward the viewer in all locations to which delivery personnel have access. Locations that are inaccessible shall have their bundles dropped at specified location near the entrance, under cover if possible, and wrapped in a plastic bundle bag to ensure that neither bad weather nor wind causes damage to the papers or allows them to be blown out of the bundle.

4.8 Miscellaneous

4.8.1 Restrictions. The Contractor is prohibited from entering into exclusive advertising agreements with any firm, broker, or individual for the purpose of selling advertising associated with this contract. As used in DODI 5120.4 (Department of Defense Newspapers, Magazines and Civilian Enterprise Publications), “exclusive” is defined as “appertaining to one subject alone; not including, admitting, or pertaining to other. Shutting out; debarring from interferences or participation: vented in one person, alone. Exclusive advertising agreements or exclusive dealing arrangements are defined as agreements to deal exclusively with one seller or buyer. Such arrangements or agreements are an express violation of DODI 5120.4.

4.8.2 The Contractor shall not conduct opinion polls, surveys, or straw votes on political campaigns, candidates, or issues for publication in the newspaper. The newspaper shall not contain political campaign news, editorials, cartoons or other items which are partisan in nature and not within the mission of the organization and its command information objectives. The newspaper shall not carry partisan political advertising or advertising which is political in nature. The USAG-Fort Buchanan Commander reserves the right to prohibit the distribution of the newspaper, as determined by the USAG-Fort Buchanan Commander, the newspaper, must not include prohibited political advertising. The Contractor may print or insert into the newspaper a short survey on buying habits of the readership to aid in ad sales, with the understanding that the PAO would have approval authority for such a survey.

4.8.3 Bingo Games and Lotteries: The Contractor shall not advertise bingo games and lotteries conducted by a commercial organization whose primary business is conducting lotteries.

4.8.4 Information Control. Specific items of command information printed in El Morro may be made available by the Government to anyone else who requests it, following distribution of the newspaper.

Such requests shall be referred to the PAO. Under no circumstances shall the Contractor make such material available to third parties.

4.8.5 Use of Seals, Insignia or Emblems. Any statement that implies that El Morro is an official publication of the Department of the Army is prohibited. Official Department of the Army seals, insignia, or emblems shall not be used in the flag or masthead.

4.8.6 Government Funds. Neither US Government Appropriated Funds, nor Non-appropriated Funds, stationery, nor other materials shall be used to print or distribute El Morro. The revenue which the Contractor receives from the sale of advertisements in the newspaper shall constitute full payment to the Contractor.

4.8.7 Cost, Profit and Debt: Printing and distribution of El Morro shall be financed entirely by the Contractor. The Government will not be responsible for debts that may be incurred in the printing and distribution of El Morro. The Contractor shall not charge for the paper; it shall be distributed free.

4.8.8 Use of Mails. The Contractor shall not use DOD postage and fees-paid indicia labels for distribution of copies of the publications, and shall maintain a mailing list, including those names and addresses provided by PAO for official distribution of El Morro.

4.8.9 First-Use Rights and Distribution Rights. First use of command information material produced by the PAO and exclusive distribution rights on the installation are granted to the Contractor, as contractual consideration for producing El Morro.

4.8.10 Trademarked Name: The name of the newspaper resulting from this Contract will be El Morro.

Said name, property and registered trademark of the Government will not be subject to registration as a trademark by the Contractor for the Contractor’s exclusive use. The Contractor has no authority to permit or authorize other firms or persons to use said name.

4.8.11 The Contractor agrees to cover the cost of color separations throughout El Morro, including front page photographs and double trucks.

4.8.12 The Contractor shall provide the PAO a yearly digital archival record (rather than a bound paper copy) of each year’s editions no later than March 1 of the following year. The Contractor shall maintain 40 copies of each issue of the newspaper during the term of the contract. Upon advance notification of the PAO, the Contractor shall keep additional copies of any issue the PAO feels there will be a greater demand for.

4.8.13 Contractor shall also provide CDs containing each issue for the past six months, no later than 30 days after the last of the issues for that six-month period.

4.8.14 The Contractor shall maintain, for at least two (2) years, a morgue file of at least 25 copies of each issue of El Morro. These will be used by the PAO as emergency reserve copies for such things as special requests, etc.

4.9 Personnel

4.9.1 Training. The Contractor shall provide an experienced, professionally trained staff, fully versed in all phases of the operation of the system that can provide training and support to PAO. Contractor’s in-house staff shall provide basic training necessary in the operation of the editorial system. Contractor shall provide a comprehensive training schedule, mutually agreed upon by the Contracting Officer, PAO and the Contractor within 30 days after contract award.

4.9.1.2 Web Editor. Contractor shall provide a graphic artist knowledgeable in the Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) and other techniques used on the World Wide Web. The Public Affairs Office shall code El Morro material to be placed on the USAG-FB web page by noon, the day of publication.

4.9.1.2.1 Advance Design and Planning: The production staff shall understand and implement modern newspaper design techniques and plan production requirements of future issues of the newspaper.

4.9.1.2.2 The production staff shall design and layout of the newspaper to facilitate communication of information objectives as provided by the PAO.

4.9.1.2.3 The production staff shall paste-up final page proofs with coordination and approval of PAO representatives. The Commander or designated representative sets communication objectives. The PAO has the responsibility to determine final layout and design to communicate to the audience for which the publication is intended.

4.9.1.2.4 The production staff shall provide all typesetting support: Copy will be set at specifications designated by the Editor.

4.9.1.2.5 The production staff shall provide final color keys for approval, when appropriate. Color keys will be approved by both the Contractor, or representative, and the Editor, or the PAO.

4.9.1.2.6 The Contractor shall provide complete training upon installation of editorial system and shall provide ongoing training as requested by the PAO for new, incoming personnel to the PAO and for updates to the system. The Contractor shall provide a comprehensive schedule, mutually agreed upon by the PAO and Contractor, for installation and training on the computer equipment to the PAO. The Contractor’s training is planned in several stages to coincide with the phases of equipment installation.

During initial equipment installation, the Contractor shall provide a minimum of two eight-hour sessions.

Ongoing follow-up training shall be conducted both at the Contractor’s premises and on-site at the PAO, as agreed to by the PAO.