6" x 9" Business Reply Mail Envelopes

The State of Maine is requesting bids for 6" x 9" business reply mail envelopes with a proposal due date of April 27, 2010. A recycled content price preference applies to bids offering paper products containing a minimum of 30% postconsumer recycled material that fall within 10% of the lowest compliant bid; qualifying bids may receive up to a 10% price advantage. Additionally, Maine's mandatory wood and paper products sourcing policy requires bidders to specify the percentage of postconsumer recycled fiber content and certified virgin fiber content from forest operations certified by the American Tree Farm System, Forest Stewardship Council, Master Logger Certification Program, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, or Sustainable Forestry Initiative. The state reserves authority to award based in part on recycled or certified fiber content, permitting a price premium of up to 4% above the lowest bid to achieve 100% postconsumer recycled or certified virgin fiber content; if no bids meet the 100% threshold, preference will be granted to products with the highest percentage of recycled or certified content, provided the cost does not exceed 4% above the lowest bid.

The envelopes must comply with USPS regulations for first-class mail with postage paid by the addressee, including proper placement and sizing of FIM and POSTNET barcodes to meet USPS automation standards. Artwork is provided based on a template for the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child & Family Services in Skowhegan, Maine, bearing USPS Permit No. 8 for Augusta.

The contract is subject to extension beyond its initial expiration date at the state purchasing director's discretion with vendor consent, with a maximum total period not to exceed three years. An overrun not to exceed 3% of the bid amount is permitted. Vendor past performance may be considered in award decisions.