Program 173-S Page 1 of 10

Specifications by LH

Reviewed by LDG

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

Washington, DC

GENERAL TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND SPECIFICATIONS

For the Procurement of

Business Cards

as requisitioned from the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) by the

Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)

Single Award

TERM OF CONTRACT: The term of this contract is for the period beginning Date of Award and ending November 

30, 2023, plus up to two (2) optional 12-month extension periodsthat may be added in accordance with the “OPTION 

TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT” clause in SECTION 1 of this contract. 

BID OPENING: Bids shall be opened at 11:00 a.m., prevailing Washington, DC time, on December 1, 2022 at the 

Government Publishing Office, Washington, DC. (Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this will not be a public bid 

opening.)

BID SUBMISSION: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the physical office will not be open to the public. Based on 

this, bidders must submit email bids to: bidsapsdc@gpo.gov . No other method of bid submission will be accepted at 

this time. The program number and bid opening date must be specified in the subject line of the emailed bid 

submission. (Bids received after 11:00 a.m. on the bid opening date specified above will not be considered for award.)

BIDDERS, PLEASE NOTE: These specifications have been extensively revised; therefore, all bidders are cautioned 

to familiarize themselves with all provisions of these specifications before bidding. 

Abstracts of contract prices are available at https://www.gpo.gov/how-to-work-with-us/vendors/contract-pricing.

For information of a technical nature, contact Lisa Hollingsworth at lhollingsworth@gpo.gov or (202) 512-0307.
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SECTION 1. - GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

GPO CONTRACT TERMS: Any contract which results from this Invitation for Bid will be subject to the applicable 

provisions, clauses, and supplemental specifications of GPO Contract Terms (GPO Publication 310.2, effective 

December 1, 1987 (Rev. 1-18)) and GPO Contract Terms, Quality Assurance through Attributes Program for Printing 

and Binding (GPO Publication 310.1, effective May 1979 (Rev. 9-19)).

GPO Contract Terms (GPO Publication 310.2) – https://www.gpo.gov/docs/default-source/forms-and-standards-filesfor-vendors/contractterms2018.pdf

GPO QATAP (GPO Publication 310.1) – https://www.gpo.gov/docs/default-source/forms-and-standards-files-forvendors/qatap-rev-09-19.pdf

QUALITY ASSURANCE LEVELS AND STANDARDS: The following levels and standards shall apply to these 

specifications:

Product Quality Levels:

(a) Printing (page related) Attributes -- Level III.

(b) Finishing (item related) Attributes -- Level III.

Inspection Levels (from ANSI/ASQC Z1.4):

(a) Non-destructive Tests - General Inspection Level I.

(b) Destructive Tests - Special Inspection Level S-2.

Specified Standards: The specified standards for the attributes requiring them shall be:

Attribute Specified Standard

P-7. Type Quality and Uniformity Average Type Dimension in Publication/Electronic Media

P-9. Solid and Screen Tint Color Match Pantone Matching System

OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT: The Government has the option to extend the term of 

this contract for a period of 12 months by written notice to the contractor not later than 30 days before the contract 

expires. If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this clause, 

except, the total duration of the contract may not exceed three (3) years as a result of, and including, any extension(s) 

added under this clause. Further extension may be negotiated under the “EXTENSION OF CONTRACT TERM”

clause. See also “ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT” for authorized pricing adjustment(s).

EXTENSION OF CONTRACT TERM: At the request of the Government, the term of any contract resulting from 

this solicitation may be extended for such period of time as may be mutually agreeable to the GPO and the contractor.

ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT: The pricing under this contract shall be adjusted in accordance with this 

clause, provided that in no event will any pricing adjustment be made that would exceed the maximum permissible 

under any law in effect at the time of the adjustment. There will be no adjustment for orders placed during the first 

period specified below. Pricing will thereafter be eligible for adjustment during the second and any succeeding 

performance period(s). For each performance period after the first, a percentage figure will be calculated as described 

below and that figure will be the economic price adjustment for that entire next period. Pricing adjustments under this 

clause are not applicable to reimbursable postage or transportation costs, or to paper, if paper prices are subject to 

adjustment by separate clause elsewhere in this contract.

For the purpose of this clause, performance under this contract will be divided into successive periods. The first period 

will extend from the beginning of the contract to September 30, 2023 and the second and any succeeding period(s) 

will extend for 12 months from the end of the last preceding period, except that the length of the final period may 

vary. The first day of the second and any succeeding period(s) will be the effective date of the economic price 

adjustment for that period.
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Pricing adjustments in accordance with this clause will be based on changes in the seasonally adjusted “Consumer 

Price Index For All Urban Consumers - Commodities Less Food” (Index) published monthly in the CPI Detailed 

Report by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The economic price adjustment will be the percentage difference between Index averages as specified in this 

paragraph. An index called the variable index will be calculated by averaging the monthly Indexes from the 12-month 

interval ending three (3) months prior to the beginning of the period being considered for adjustment. This average is 

then compared to the average of the monthly Indexes for the 12-month interval ending June 30, 2023 called the base 

index. The percentage change (plus or minus) of the variable index from the base index will be the economic price 

adjustment for the period being considered for adjustment.

The Government will notify the contractor by contract modification specifying the percentage increase or decrease to 

be applied to invoices for orders placed during the period indicated. The contractor shall apply the percentage 

increase or decrease against the total price of the invoice less reimbursable postage or transportation costs and 

separately adjusted paper prices. Payment discounts shall be applied after the invoice price is adjusted.

PREAWARD SURVEY: In order to determine the responsibility of the prime contractors or any subcontractor, the 

Government reserves the right to conduct an on-site preaward survey at the contractor’s/subcontractor’s facility or to 

require other evidence of technical, production, managerial, financial, and similar abilities to perform, prior to the 

award of a contract. As part of the financial determination, the contractorsin line for award may be required to provide 

one or more of the following financial documents:

1) Most recent profit and loss statement 

2) Most recent balance sheet 

3) Statement of cash flows 

4) Current official bank statement

5) Current lines of credit (with amounts available) 

6) Letter of commitment from paper supplier(s) 

7) Letter of commitment from any subcontractor

The documents will be reviewed to validate that adequate financial resources are available to perform the contract 

requirements. Documents submitted will be kept confidential, and used only for the determination of responsibility by 

the Government. Failure to provide the requested information in the time specified by the Government may result in 

the Contracting Officer not having adequate information to reach an affirmative determination of responsibility.

ASSIGNMENT OF JACKETS, PURCHASE AND PRINT ORDERS: A GPO jacket number will be assigned and 

a purchase order issued to the contractor to cover work performed. The purchase order will be supplemented by an 

individual print order for each job placed with the contractor. The print order, when issued, will indicate the quantity 

to be produced and any other information pertinent to the particular order.

ORDERING: Items to be furnished under the contract shall be ordered by the issuance of print orders by the 

Government. Orders may be issued under the contract from Date of Award through April 30, 2023, plus for such 

additional period(s) as the contract is extended. All print orders issued hereunder are subject to the terms and 

conditions of the contract. The contract shall control in the event of conflict with any print order. A print order shall 

be “issued” upon notification by the Government for purposes of the contract when it is electronically transmitted or 

otherwise physically furnished to the contractor in conformance with the schedule. 

REQUIREMENTS: This is a requirements contract for the items and for the period specified herein. 

Shipment/delivery of items or performance of work shall be made only as authorized by orders issued in accordance 

with the clause entitled “ORDERING.” The quantities of items specified herein are estimates only and are not 

purchased hereby. Except as may be otherwise provided in this contract, if the Government’s requirements for the 

items set forth herein do not result in orders in the amounts or quantities described as “estimated,” it shall not 

constitute the basis for an equitable price adjustment under this contract. 
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Except as otherwise provided in this contract, the Government shall order from the contractor all the items set forth 

which are required to be purchased by the Government activity identified on page 1. 

The Government shall not be required to purchase from the contractor requirements in excess of the limit on total 

orders under this contract, if any. 

Orders issued during the effective period of this contract and not completed within that time shall be completed by the 

contractor within the time specified in the order, and the rights and obligations of the contractor and the Government 

respecting those orders shall be governed by the terms of this contract to the same extent as if completed during the 

effective period of this contract. 

If shipment/delivery of any quantity of an item covered by the contract is required by reason of urgency prior to the 

earliest date that shipment/delivery may be specified under this contract, and if the contractor will not accept an order 

providing for the accelerated shipment/delivery, the Government may procure this requirement from another source. 

The Government may issue orders which provide for shipment/delivery to or performance at multiple destinations. 

Subject to any limitations elsewhere in this contract, the contractor shall furnish to the Government all items set forth 

herein which are called for by print orders issued in accordance with the “ORDERING” clause of this contract. 

ADDITIONAL EMAILED BID SUBMISSION PROVISIONS: The Government will not be responsible for any 

failure attributable to the transmission or receipt of the emailed bid including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Illegibility of bid.

2. Emails over 75 MB may not be received by GPO due to size limitations for receiving emails.

3. The bidder’s email provider may have different size limitations for sending email; however, bidders are

advised not to exceed GPO’s stated limit.

4. When the email bid is received by GPO, it will remain unopened until the specified bid opening time.

Government personnel will not validate receipt of the emailed bid prior to bid opening. GPO will use the

prevailing time (specified as the local time zone) and the exact time that the email is received by GPO’s email 

server as the official time stamp for bid receipt at the specified location.

PAYMENT: Submitting invoices for payment via the GPO fax gateway (if no samples are required) utilizing the 

GPO barcode coversheet program application is the most efficient method of receiving payment. Instruction for using 

this method can be found at the following web address:

http://winapps.access.gpo.gov/fms/vouchers/barcode/instructions.html 

Invoices may also be mailed to: U.S. Government Publishing Office, Office of Financial Management, Attn: 

Comptroller, Stop: FMCE, Washington, DC 20401. 

For more information about the billing process, refer to the General Information of the Office of Finance web page 

located at: https://www.gpo.gov/how-to-work-with-us/vendors/how-to-get-paid 

Contractor’s billing invoice must be itemized in accordance with the items in the “SCHEDULE OF PRICES.” 
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SECTION 2. - SPECIFICATIONS

SCOPE: These specifications cover the production of business cards requiring such operations as on-line ordering, 

data capture, composition, printing, binding, packing, and distribution. 

TITLE: Business Cards. 

NUMBER/FREQUENCY OF ORDERS: Orders will be placed via the contractor’s web-based on-line ordering 

system. (See “ON-LINE ORDERING.”) Approximately one to two print orders (GPO Form 2511) per month will be 

emailed to contractor listing the orders placed via the on-line ordering system, and may contain up to 24 different 

names. 

QUANTITY: 250 or 500 cards per individual name. 

NUMBER OF PAGES: Face only. 

TRIM SIZE: 3-1/2 x 2”.

GOVERNMENT TO FURNISH: The contractor is to keep the furnished agency logo throughout the term of the 

contract. The logo will remain the same on every order. During the term of the contract, a different logo may be 

furnished to be used on all cards. 

Electronic media will be furnished as follows – 

Platform: Windows or Macintosh System (current or near current version). 

Storage Media: Email. 

Files will be furnished in native application format.

Software: Adobe InDesign CC; Adobe Illustrator CC; All platform system and software 

upgrades (for specified applications) which may occur during the term of the 

contract must be supported by the contractor. 

Fonts: All printer and screen fonts (Berling and Gotham) will be furnished. 

The contractor is cautioned that furnished fonts are the property of the Government 

and/or its originator. All furnished fonts are to be eliminated from the contractor’s 

archive immediately after completion of the contract.

Additional Information: All illustrations are scanned into electronic files. 

Pantone will be used for color identification. 

GPO Form 952 (Desktop Publishing - Disk Information) will be furnished.

Identification markings such as register marks, commercial identification marks of any kind, etc., except GPO imprint, 

form number, and revision date, carried in the electronic files, must not print on finished product.

CONTRACTOR TO FURNISH: All materials and operations, other than those listed under “GOVERNMENT TO 

FURNISH,” necessary to produce the product(s) in accordance with these specifications.
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ON-LINE ORDERING: The contractor must provide an Internet-based on-line ordering system site with the 

following capabilities:

1. The contractor’s web-site must contain an individual template for the business card as specified in this 

contract. There will be up to three (3) different layouts for the business cards.

2. The contractor’s ordering system must provide a fillable form specifically designed to accept data and place 

an Order Request as a one-step process. The form will contain pre-populated, choice and fillable fields.

3. Placement of an Order Request must result in the immediate generation of an on-line proof that must be 

approved by requestor, and, may require the approval of requestor’s supervisor.

NOTE: The actual order will not be “placed” until Electronic Confirmation is entered into the contractor’s 

on-line ordering system by MCC’s print administrator. 

REPORTS: The contractor must generate and submit a monthly report to the agency. The report shall contain: the 

date orders were placed; names of persons placing the order; total number of orders placed; confirmation code; and 

billing information.

COMPOSITION: The contractor will be required to create business cards for each individual’s pertinent information 

as submitted by on-line ordering. 

There will be up to three (3) different layouts for the business cards. 

The fonts for all text matter are Berling and Gotham.

ELECTRONIC PREPRESS: Prior to image processing, the contractor shall perform a basic check (preflight) of the 

furnished media and publishing files to assure correct output of the required reproduction image. Any errors, media 

damage, or data corruption that might interfere with proper file image processing must be reported to the agency.

The contractor shall create or alter any necessary trapping, set proper screen angles and screen frequency, and define 

file output selection for the imaging device being utilized. Furnished files must be imaged as necessary to meet the 

assigned quality level.

NOTE: Contractor must remove extra space on orders for names without a middle initial.

When required by the Government, the contractor shall make minor revisions to the electronic files. It is anticipated 

that the Government will make all major revisions.

Prior to making revisions, the contractor shall copy the furnished files and make all changes to the copy.

PROOFS: Proofs will consist of an immediate on-line proof of the Order Request.

The contractor must not print prior to receipt of an “OK to Print” in the form of an on-line Electronic 

Confirmation entered into contractor’s on-line ordering system.

STOCK/PAPER: The specifications of all paper furnished must be in accordance with those listed herein or listed 

for the corresponding JCP Code numbers in the “Government Paper Specification Standards No. 13” dated September

2019.

Government Paper Specification Standards No. 13 - https://www.gpo.gov/docs/default-source/forms-and-standardsfiles-for-vendors/vol_13.pdf

All paper used in each order must be of a uniform shade.

Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Smooth Cover, basis weight: 110 lb.
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PRINTING: Text matter and logo for the different layouts print in Pantone 281 Blue, Pantone 193 Red, and black.

MARGINS: Margins will be as indicated on the print order or furnished media.

BINDING: Trim four sides.

PACKING: Pack in suitable boxes in quantities of 250 or 500, as ordered. Affix a sample card to each box for 

identification. Shipping containers must be of sufficient strength as to insure against damage to the product during 

shipment and that the package will not open or split during shipment. 

LABELING AND MARKING: Contractor to download GPO Form 905 (R. 7-15) – Labeling and Marking 

Specifications which can be located on gpo.gov, fill in appropriate blanks, and attach to shipping containers.

DISTRIBUTION: Deliver f.o.b. destination to the Millennium Challenge Corporation, 1099 14th Street, NW, Suite 

700, Washington, DC 20005-3550.

SCHEDULE: Adherence to this schedule must be maintained. Contractor must not start production of any job prior 

to receipt of an Electronic Confirmation for each electronic order placed on the web site.

No definite schedule for placement of orders can be predetermined.

The following schedule begins the workday after issuance of a Confirmed Electronic Order on the web site; the 

workday after notification will be the first workday of the schedule.

Contractor must complete production and distribution within seven (7) workdays after receipt of a Confirmed 

Electronic Order via the on-line ordering system. A Print Order (GPO Form 2511) will be emailed at a later date 

listing the orders placed via the on-line ordering system, and may contain up to 24 different names.

The ship/deliver date indicated on the print order is the date products ordered for delivery f.o.b. destination must be 

delivered to the destination(s) specified.

Unscheduled material such as shipping documents, receipts or instructions, delivery lists, labels, etc., will be furnished

with the order or shortly thereafter. In the event such information is not received in due time, the contractor will not 

be relieved of any responsibility in meeting the shipping schedule because of failure to request such information.

For compliance reporting purposes, the contractor must notify the U.S. Government Publishing Office of the date of 

shipment or delivery, as applicable. Upon completion of each order, contractor must contact the Shared Support 

Services Compliance Section via email at compliance@gpo.gov or via telephone at (202) 512-0520. Personnel 

receiving emails or calls will be unable to respond to questions of a technical nature or to transfer any inquiries. 
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173-S (11/23)

SECTION 3. - DETERMINATION OF AWARD

The Government will determine the lowest bid by applying the prices offered in the “SCHEDULE OF PRICES” to the 

following units of production which are the estimated requirements to produce one (1) year’s production under this 

contract. These units do not constitute, nor are they to be construed as, a guarantee of the volume of work which may 

be ordered for a like period of time.

The following item designations correspond to those listed in the “SCHEDULE OF PRICES”.

(1) (2)

I. 30 2
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173-S (11/23)

SECTION 4. - SCHEDULE OF PRICES

Bids offered are f.o.b. destination.

Prices must include the cost of all required materials and operations for each item listed in accordance with these 

specifications.

Bidder must make an entry in each of the spaces provided. Bids submitted with any obliteration, revision, or 

alteration of the order and manner of submitting bids may be declared nonresponsive.

An entry of NC (No Charge) shall be entered if bidder intends to furnish individual items at no charge to the 

Government. Bids submitted with NB (No Bid), NA (Not Applicable), or blank spaces for an item may be declared 

non-responsive.

The Contracting Officer reserves the right to reject any offer that contains prices for individual items of production 

(whether or not such items are included in the DETERMINATION OF AWARD) that are inconsistent or unrealistic in 

regard to other prices in the same offer or to GPO prices for the same operation if such action would be in the best 

interest of the Government.

All invoices submitted to the GPO shall be based on the most economical method of production.

Contractor’s billing invoices must be itemized in accordance with the line items in the “SCHEDULE OF PRICES.”

Failure to submit invoices as required may result in delay of payment or rejection of invoice.

I. COMPLETE PRODUCT: Prices offered shall include the cost of all required materials and operations 

(including processing of on-line orders, composition, generation of on-line proofs, generation of reports and card 

stock) necessary for the complete production and distribution of the product listed in accordance with these 

specifications.

Per Box Per Box

of 250 Cards of 500 Cards

(1) (2)

Per Name (Face Only).................................................................... $_____________ $_____________

_________________

(Initials)
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173-S (11/23)

SHIPMENT(S): Shipments will be made from: City __________________________, State ________________

The city(ies) indicated above will be used for evaluation of transportation charges when shipment f.o.b. contractor’s 

city is specified. If no shipping point is indicated above, it will be deemed that the bidder has selected the city and 

state shown below in the address block, and the bid will be evaluated and the contract awarded on that basis. If 

shipment is not made from evaluation point, the contractor will be responsible for any additional shipping costs 

incurred.

DISCOUNTS: Discounts are offered for payment as follows: __________ Percent, _________calendar days. See 

Article 12 “Discounts” of Solicitation Provisions in GPO Contract Terms (Publication 310.2).

AMENDMENT(S): Bidder hereby acknowledges amendment(s) number(ed) ____________________________

BID ACCEPTANCE PERIOD: In compliance with the above, the undersigned agrees, if this bid is accepted 

within____________ calendar days (60 calendar days unless a different period is inserted by the bidder) from the date 

for receipt of bids, to furnish the specified items at the price set opposite each item, delivered at the designated 

points(s), in exact accordance with specifications. Failure to provide a 60-day bid acceptance period may result in 

expiration of the bid prior to award.

BIDDER’S NAME AND SIGNATURE: Unless specific written exception is taken, the bidder, by signing and 

submitting a bid, agrees with and accepts responsibility for all certifications and representations as required by the 

solicitation and GPO Contract Terms – Publication 310.2. When responding by email, fill out and return one copy of 

all pages in “SECTION 4. – SCHEDULE OF PRICES,” including initialing/signing where indicated. Valid electronic 

signatures will be accepted in accordance with the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, §2. Electronic signatures 

must be verifiable of the person authorized by the company to sign bids.

Failure to sign the signature block below may result in the bid being declared non-responsive.

Bidder ____________________________________________________________________________________

 (Contractor’s Name) (GPO Contractor’s Code)

_________________________________________________________________________________________

(Street Address)

_________________________________________________________________________________________

(City – State – Zip Code)

By _______________________________________________________________________________________

(Printed Name, Signature, and Title of Person Authorized to Sign this Bid) (Date)

_________________________________________________________________________________________

(Person to be Contacted) (Telephone Number)

________________________________________________________________________________________

 (Email) (Fax Number)

___________________________________________________________________________________________

THIS SECTION FOR GPO USE ONLY

Certified by: __________ Date: __________ Contracting Officer: __________ Date: __________

(Initials) (Initials)

____________________________________________________________________________________________
Title: Business Cards

HEH Solutions

BASIS OF

ITEM NO. DESCRIPTION AWARD UNIT RATE COST UNIT RATE COST UNIT RATE COST UNIT RATE COST

I. COMPLETE PRODUCT:

(a) Per Name face only...........................

 (1) Per Box of 250 Cards 30 41.00 1,230.00 62.50 1,875.00 47.28 1,418.40 40.00 1,200.00

 (2) Per Box of 500 Cards 2 48.45 96.90 125.00 250.00 55.79 111.58 55.00 110.00

CONTRACTOR TOTALS $1,326.90 $2,125.00 $1,529.98 $1,310.00

DISCOUNT 0.00% $0.00 5.00% $106.25 0.00% $0.00 0.25% $3.28

DISCOUNTED TOTALS $1,326.90 $2,018.75 $1,529.98 $1,306.72

Panther Graphics Thermoquick, Inc. Previous Contractor

BASIS OF

ITEM NO. DESCRIPTION AWARD UNIT RATE COST UNIT RATE COST UNIT RATE COST

I. COMPLETE PRODUCT:

(a) Per Name face only...........................

 (1) Per Box of 250 Cards 30 39.50 1,185.00 59.00 1,770.00 47.60 1,428.00

 (2) Per Box of 500 Cards 2 45.75 91.50 75.00 150.00 58.50 117.00

CONTRACTOR TOTALS $1,276.50 $1,920.00 $1,545.00

DISCOUNT 0.00% $0.00 2.00% $38.40 2.00% $30.90

LH DISCOUNTED TOTALS $1,276.50 $1,881.60 $1,514.10

Better Deal

Prescott, AZ

Davis Consultant

Fort Wayne, IN

Envision Print

Wichita, KS

Rochester, PA Fredericksburg, VA Sheer Graphics

Los Angeles, CA

Page 1 of 1

(Awarded)