Print & distribute bene ADV newsletter

The South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (SC PEBA) is seeking a contractor to print and distribute the annual Benefits Advantage Newsletter for retirees, COBRA participants, and survivors. The solicitation requires printing approximately 110,000 copies of a 24-page saddle-stitched newsletter with specific technical specifications, including 10.875" x 16.875" flat size, folding to 8.375" x 10.875", printed on 60 lb. white offset text stock using 2-color black and spot ink. The contractor must have Adobe InDesign CC, Illustrator CC, and PhotoShop CC capabilities, and be able to handle file transfers via FTP. Key deliverables include copy-ready materials by August 19, 2019, newsletter delivery by September 16, 2019, and mailing to specified addresses. The solicitation (5400017823) requires online bid submission by June 12, 2019, at 11:00 AM EST, with questions due by June 3, 2019, at 5:00 PM EST. Award notification is scheduled for June 17, 2019, with a contract term of one year and two potential one-year renewals.

The procurement allows for South Carolina Resident Contractor and Resident Subcontractor preferences as defined in Section 11-35-1524 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. Bidders must submit a completed Cost Schedule, signed documents, a Certificate of Existence, Certificate of Insurance with $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate coverage, three project references, and two hard copy samples of finished printed work. The total bid must include all printing and delivery costs, with postage to be reimbursed separately. The contractor is responsible for address verification using NCOA software and applying postal permits. Award will be made to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, with the contract covering three potential years (2019-2021). While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, the solicitation provides opportunities for local and small businesses through its preference provisions. The total project value is not precisely specified, but will be based on the per-issue printing and distribution costs for 110,000 newsletters.