RFR 2205. Q and A.pdf

# Bidder Question MSLC Answer 1 Is it possible to bid this using a paper escalader/de‐escalader? With the current paper market conditions we feel that would be in the best interest for all parties.

Please complete the cost table(s) provided (Attachment S1 and/or S2). On an annual basis market fluctuations will be taken into account up to 10%.

2 In section 2.1.2 – Minimum Bidder Requirements, “certification from all paper vendors is required”. Please clarify if you want a page certifying the specification of the paper, if you want to know if a bidder is able to buy from a paper vendor or something else.

Yes, a letter from the paper supplier must be provided certifying the Bidder's ability to purchase.

3 On the bet slip bid, it states MSLC will not provide mechanicals. Will artwork be provided for the current games and then design be required on subsequent games/changes?

MSLC will provide a bet slip image for current games. The vendor will be required to create the final artwork to be printed and will revise this artwork if changes are needed.

4 What is the current price per roll of ticket stock (paper and conversion costs) and plate charge from the current vendor?

Pricing has fluctuated due to market conditions.

5 What is the current price per thousand bet slips (paper and conversion costs) and plate charge from the current vendor?

Pricing has fluctuated due to market conditions.

6 What is the current type of paper used for the bet slips and who is the manufacturer for that paper?

Please reference RFR# 2205 Section 3.2.1 for paper specifications.

7 Due to paper shortages, is it still mandatory to abide by 30% post‐ consumer/recycled content in the paper as outlined in the RFR?

The MSLC prefers to use recycled paper whenever possible, if needed the MSLC will consider non‐recycled paper. This option will require testing and written approval from the MSLC.

8 If uncoated offset is unavailable due to the paper market issues, what alternative paper is acceptable?

MSLC would need to test and approve any alternative paper options a Bidder proposes.

9 Section 3.2.3 (page 26) ‐ Must be produced on a web offset press, however, Section 3.3.4 (page 28) says they are to be printed on two sides by gravure offset lithography or flexography. Which is correct?

Either of these would be accepted dependent on testing and approval by

MSLC.

10 In section 3.3.12 – When it says that vendor must supply 1 case of samples from each position on each run, does that mean you want a case of samples from every stream off of the press?

Bidder samples must ensure that all positions are supplied.

11 Section 3.4.4 for bet slips gives a max. skid height of 53 inches. Section 4.4 for ticket stock says the skids have a max. height of 63 inches. Could you please verify the betslip and ticket stock skids have different maximum skid heights?

This is correct.

12 What volume of slips will be ordered in each of the 6 bet slip carton sizes. Please see RFR Section 3.4.5.2 for estimated bet slip volumes. These numbers are to provide an estimate only and may fluctuate.

RFR 2205 ‐ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

13 With freight market getting tighter, most freight companies are using 53 ft.

trailers to maximize what they can haul and the 48 ft. trailers are becoming more difficult to find. We have checked with 7 different carriers and only one has a few of the 48 ft. trailers. Would you accept a 53 ft. trailer if the 48

ft. trailers are unavailable?

Yes, 53ft. trailer is acceptable.

14 The Commonwealth Terms and Conditions embedded into the Phase I response have instructions to initial each page, however, if we add the initials, the file cannot be saved. Should we send that page as a separate file?

Yes, please send as a separate file if needed.

15 Can a prime contractor who is able to be certified as a Diverse Supplier with the State of Massachusetts count their contract dollars toward the Supplier Diversity Plan? The SDP portion of the Phase I response packet states, “M/WBEs and SDVOBEs are strongly encouraged to submit Quotes in response to this Bid, either as prime contractors, joint venture partners or subcontractors.” However, The Supplier Diversity form states that a bidder may not list their own company as an SDP partner.

The Supplier Diversity Plan must only include Bidder partnerships with M/WBEs and SDVOBEs and cannot include the Prime Bidder's own contract dollars.

16 Will bidders who don’t offer a prompt payment discount be disqualified? Bidders who do not offer a prompt payment discount will not be disqualified from bidding, though participation in this program is strongly encouraged.

17 Is there an intent to contract this lot RFR# 2205 to a single provider or to have a primary and secondary supplier for ticket stock and betcards?

The MSLC reserves the right to award any contract to a single vendor or multiple vendors, in the best interest of the MSLC.

18 Should we submit our Phase I responses separately for bet slips and for ticket stock or is one set of Phase I responses submission for both bids/Categories acceptable?

One set of the Phase I response is acceptable.

19 Since there is no uncoated offset paper available now and will probably no longer be available to print Mass bet slips why does it have to be OCR which typically relates to offset paper?

Any non offset paper would require a sample be provided for testing and/or approval. Bidders are encouraged to provide options in their bid response to address this.