validation sticker stock

The State of Maine Division of Purchases is soliciting bids on validation sticker stock for license plate retroreflective sheeting, with a due date of May 21, 2008 — a date now closed and included here for reference only.

The scope encompasses retroreflective license plate validation stickers with pressure-sensitive adhesive backing and clear-coat finishing. Stickers must meet specified coefficients of retroreflection for white, orange, and gold colors; maintain minimum retroreflection retention of 90 percent when wet; retain adhesive durability for the full plate-issue life; and remain cleanable with water, detergent, and common solvents. Security marks reading "Official Use Only" must be visible only at perpendicular viewing angles and spaced no more than 0.75 inches apart on nominal 1 inch by 1.5 inch stickers. The sheeting must process without cracking or flaking, remain compatible with transparent and opaque inks and clear coats, and accommodate additional validation stickers during service life.

Prequalification of materials is mandatory before bid consideration. Manufacturers must demonstrate conformance through testing in actual weathering conditions for at least one-half the length of sticker issue or provide corporate certification of successful use for yearly vehicle registration validation. Bidders must submit technical data including curing time and temperature requirements, copies of ISO 9000 series Quality Standards certification, and pre-production samples consisting of fifty sheets of each specified size and color with all proposed inks, thinners, and clear coats for testing at the state production facility.

The successful bidder shall furnish all inks, clear coat, and thinners at no additional cost and provide competent technical service without cost until quality production is achieved, including on-site service available within 48 hours of notification of production difficulties. Reflective sheeting must be packaged in stacks of 150 sheets with chipboard protection, wrapped in polyethylene, and shipped in wooden boxes on pallets.

Under Maine's General Terms and Conditions, the contractor warrants all articles conform to specifications and are free from defects, with a one-year remedy period following final acceptance. The Division reserves the right to reject defective articles and may reject entire shipments if sample inspection reveals ten percent defective items. Contractor is responsible for all shipping and packaging costs and must adhere strictly to delivery schedules.