Jacket: 534-590/591

Title: Participant Guides

Agency: VA

Bid Opening: November 8, 2023 at 2PM

Bid Terms Discounted Total

$171,387.00 2.00% 20 days $167,959.26

$198,804.02 0.50% 20 days $197,810.00

$235,532.00 2.00% 20 days $230,821.36

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DC Printing

Contractor Name

Advantage

Monarch
Specifications by ms Jackets: 534-590s

Reviewed by cs 

Page 1 of 7 

BID OPENING: Bids shall be opened at 2:00 p.m., prevailing Central Standard Time (CST), on 

November 8, 2023 for the U.S. Government Publishing Office, Northcentral Region. This will NOT be a public bid 

opening.

STRAPPED JACKETS: THESE TWO JACKETS WILL BE AWARDED TOGETHER BASED ON THE LOWEST 

TOTAL COST. HOWEVER FOR BUDGETARY PURPOSES, CONTRACTOR MUST PROVIDE AN 

INDIVIDUAL BID PRICE FOR EACH JACKET AND THEN A TOTAL BID COST.

 

BID SUBMISSION: Bidders MUST submit email bids to bidsnorthcentral@gpo.gov for this solicitation. No other 

method of bid submission will be accepted at this time. See also “ADDITIONAL EMAILED BID SUBMISSION 

PROVISIONS”.

The Jacket number “534-590s” and bid opening date “November 8, 2023” must be specified in the subject line of the 

emailed bid submission. Bids received after “2:00 p.m. Central Standard Time” on the bid opening date specified 

above will not be considered for award.

 

All the requirements of these specifications apply equally to all items unless otherwise indicated.

Any questions before award concerning these specifications call Mike Szopo, at 312-353-3916 x 4 or email at 

mszopo@gpo.gov

PRODUCT: Perfect bound books. 

BIDDERS, PLEASE NOTE: GPO has issued a new GPO Publication 310.2, GPO Contract Terms - Solicitation 

Provisions, Supplemental Specifications, and Contract Clauses (Rev 1-18). Prospective bidders should carefully read 

this publication as the applicable terms within become an integral part of this contract. The document is posted at 

https://www.gpo.gov/how-to-work-with-us/vendors/forms-and-standards along with a list of major revisions.

PREDOMINANT PRODUCTION FUNCTION: The predominant production function is the printing. This function 

may NOT be subcontracted. Contractors who subcontract this function will be declared non-responsible.

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 10 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. 

PREAWARD SURVEY: In order to determine the responsibility of the prime contractor 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 low contractor may be required to provide one or more 

of the following financial documents the same workday, or as required, from the notification to submit: 

1) Most recent profit and loss statement 

2) Most recent Balance Sheet 
Page 2 of 7 Jacket: 534-590s 

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 a timely manner may result in the Contracting Officer 

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

TITLE: 

Jacket: 534-590: VBA 6.0 BAS Participant Guides - RESERVE COMPONENT

Jacket: 534-591: Participant Guides 6.0 (Second Order)

QUANTITY: 

Jacket: 534-590: 1,642 copies. 

Jacket: 534-591: 41,951 copies. 

(includes 2 GPO inspection copies of each jacket), 

TRIM SIZE:

8-1/2 x 11” – adjust cover and spine as needed.

PAGES: Approx.

Jacket 534-590: 220 pages plus separate wraparound cover.

Jacket 534-591: 220 pages plus separate wraparound cover.

PRINTING: 

Covers: 1 & 4 and spine print in 4-color process type and line matter with illustrations, type reversing and bleeds

uncommon. After printing, flood coat covers 1 & 4 and the spine with a clear, non-yellowing dull/silk varnish.

Cover 2 and 3 are blank.

Text: Prints head to head in 4-color process type and line matter with illustrations and type reversing. Bleeds 

throughout. 

GOVERNMENT TO FURNISH: PDF files will be shared via GPO fileshare after award. 

NOTE: Contractor to resize/correct files for bleed at no added cost to the government.

NOTE: If changes are made to the files furnished, during the proofing stage, at the agency's request, or per the 

specifications, the contractor must create a revised CD with all changes incorporated therein for return to the agency 

after completion of the order.

BASIC CHECK OF FURNISHED MEDIA AND FILES: Prior to image processing, the contractor is responsible 

for performing a basic check (preflight) of the furnished media and files. If any errors, media damage, or data corruption 

that might interfere with proper file imaging are discovered during inspection by the contractor, work should be 

discontinued after the entire order has been inspected. Further instructions should be requested from the GPO Contract 

Administrator. 

This preflight should identify any problem areas with the digital file submission and should include but not be limited 

to missing or damaged fonts, damaged disks, missing bleeds, improper trim size and/or margins, only low resolution 

files included for illustrations, and improper color definition. The contractor is also responsible for creating or altering 

any necessary trapping, setting proper screen angles and frequency, adjusting copy for trim size and folds, and defining 

proper file output selection for the imaging device being used. All furnished files must be imaged as necessary to meet 
Page 3 of 7 Jacket: 534-590s 

the assigned quality assurance through attributes program (QATAP) level.

RIGHTS ON DATA: The fonts provided (see GOVERNMENT TO FURNISH) are the property of the ordering 

agency and are provided for use on this contract only. Using the furnished fonts on any job other than the one for which 

the fonts were submitted violates copyright law. All fonts should be eliminated from contractor's archive immediately 

after completion of the production run.

IDENTIFICATION MARKS: Identification markings such as register marks, ring folios, rubber stamped jacket 

numbers, commercial identification marks of any kind, etc., including GPO imprint, form number, and revision date, 

carried on copy, electronic files, or film, 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.

PROOFS: 

Email PDF proofsto: Nelson.Colon@va.gov ; Penny.Woods2@va.gov ; Brian.Mano@va.gov and mszopo@gpo.gov

Contractor must confirm receipt of proofs by calling: Nelson Colon, 202-380-5074. 

Approval will come from Nelson Colon, Penny Woods, or Brian Mano. 

Proofs will be withheld not more than 2 workdays from receipt in agency until contractor is notified of an "OK to 

proceed". Contractor must not proceed prior to receipt of an "OK to proceed". 

Contractor to submit one "Press Quality" PDF "soft" proof (for content only) using the same Raster Image Processor 

(RIP) that will be used to produce the final printed product. PDF proof will be evaluated for text flow, image position, 

and color breaks. Proof will not be used for color match. 

STOCK: 

Cover: JCP Code* L11, White No. 1 Gloss Coated Cover, Basis Size 20 X 26", Basis Weight, 100lb.

Text: JCP Code* A60, White Uncoated Text, Basis Size 25 X 38", Basis Weight, 60lb. 

BINDING: 

Perfect bind on the left 11" dimension, using Polyurethane Reactive (PUR) adhesive. 

Hinge score approximately 3/16” from bind on front and back covers. Trim three sides. Perfect binding must withstand 

extensive handling by end user without damage to the binding or pages, without separating from the binding.

PACKAGING, LABELING, AND MARKING: Noncompliance with the packing and marking instructions will be 

cause for the Government to take corrective action in accordance with GPO Pub. 310.2. Label in accordance with GPO 

Contract Terms.

Pack each item separate and identify.

Shrink wrap each copy.

Pack suitable per shipping cartons.

No loose items in cartons are permitted. Include sufficient inner packaging in submitted price. Ensure sufficient inner 

packaging to ensure no damage occurs during shipping.

At the Government’s option, any items damaged during production or shipping may be required to be re-fulfilled in 

an expedited manner, including expedited handling, expedited production, and expedited shipping. Or, contractor may 

be required to waive the cost of any items received in damaged condition.
Page 4 of 7 Jacket: 534-590s 

Mark/label each shipping container with the Requisition No., Jacket number, and title, corresponding to contents.

Cartons not to exceed 45 pounds each when full. 

Pack GPO copies suitably.

PALLETIZING: Contractor will be required to furnish pallets, for bulk shipments, in shipping containers, when the 

containers fill two or more layers on the pallet. Palletize in accordance with GPO Pub. 310.2.

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

specifications:

Product Quality Level:

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

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

(c) Exception – None. 

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: Approved proofs

P-l0. Process Color Match: Electronic media

DISTRIBUTION: 

Deliver f.o.b. destination (at contractor’s expense) - all domestic addresses. 

Ship f.o.b. contractor’s city (at contractor’s expense) - all foreign APO/FPO/DPO addresses. 

Jacket 534-590: approx. 6 total destinations – follow the distribution list. 

Jacket 534-591: approx. 110 total destinations – follow the distribution list. 

Email mszopo@gpo.gov to receive the distribution lists.

See distribution lists for individual destination quantities. 

NOTE: PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION to column N with special notes regarding deliveries.

NOTE: All delivery and USPS shipping costs must be included in bid price.

All APO/FPO/DPO addresses must be mailed Priority Mail with the USPS. Make sure to include the Unit Number and 

box numbers if assigned (ie; 1 of 2, 2 of 2, etc.). To prevent mail from entering foreign mail networks, do not include 

city or country names in the APO/FPO/DPO shipping addresses. These must be included in the total bid cost.

2 copies of each Jacket marked Inspection Copies and with GPO jacket number to: U.S. GPO, Attn: Compliance -

Mike Szopo, residential Chicago IL address to come. Email mszopo@gpo.gov for address after award.

NOTIFICATION: All items must be sent by traceable means. Immediately after shipping, distribution lists with 

tracking information added must be emailed to: Nelson.Colon@va.gov ; Penny.Woods2@va.gov ; 

Brian.Mano@va.gov and mszopo@gpo.gov
Page 5 of 7 Jacket: 534-590s 

SCHEDULE: See Notice of Compliance with Schedules in GPO Publ. 310.2.

Award will be made and Government furnished material and purchase order will be available for pickup on or before

November 13, 2023

PDF proofs are due on or before November 20, 2023. Proofs will be withheld not more than 2 workdays from 

receipt by the Government.

Deliver complete on or before January 16, 2024 to all domestic destinations. 

Ship in time to ensure complete delivery on or before January 16, 2024 to all foreign APO/FPO/DPO destinations.

Contractor MUST email delivery verification information to VerifyChicago@gpo.gov within 24 hours of delivery. 

Enter the Jacket number in the subject line and place method of shipment and the delivery date in the body of the 

message. Failure to follow this procedure may result in delayed payment after invoicing.

 

Offers must include the cost of all materials and operations for the total quantity ordered in accordance with these 

specifications. In addition, a price must be submitted for each additional 1,000 copies per each item. The price for 

additional quantities must be based on a continuing run, exclusive of all basic or preliminary charges, (i.e., running 

rate not including makeready) and will not be a factor for determination of award.

PAYMENT: 

It is requested that the contractor invoice GPO within 10 workdays from the date of complete distribution for timely 

payment and customer billing closeout. Contractor must include Proof of Delivery (POD) for the complete quantity, 

including the GPO Inspection Copies (when required), with their invoice for payment to prevent delays in the GPO 

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 invoicing. 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.
Page 6 of 7 Jacket: 534-590s 

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

TOTAL BID PRICE $_______________________ ADDITIONAL RATES: Mark below PER_1,000 sets

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 agree, 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.

NOTE: 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 completed 

copy of all applicable pages that include the Jacket Number, Bid Price, Additional Rate, Discounts, Amendments, Bid 

Acceptance Period, and Bidder’s Name and Signature, including 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.

Bidder ___________________________________________________________________________________ 

(Contractor Name) (GPO State and 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)

 ____________ 

 (Initials)

(COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THIS PAGE WITH YOUR BID)

************************************************************************************

THIS SECTION FOR GPO USE ONLY

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

 (Initials) (Initials)

************************************************************************************

See next page for specifying bid.

 
Page 7 of 7 Jacket: 534-590s

BID PRICES:

Jacket 534-590: $_______________________ ADDITIONAL RATE: $____________PER 1,000 copies 

Jacket 534-591: $_______________________ ADDITIONAL RATE: $____________PER 1,000 copies 

Total: $_______________________

 ____________

 (initials)

(COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THIS PAGE WITH YOUR BID).