Jacket: 746-524

Title: ISS 2023 Planners

Agency: 7510-14

Bid Opening: November 2, 2022 at 2 p.m. Eastern

Bid Terms Discounted Total

$160,061.00 2.0% 20 days $156,859.78

$200,963.81 2.0% 15 days $200,963.81

$255,555.00 5.0% 20 days $242,777.25

$255,000.00 1.0% 20 days $252,450.00

$455,000.00 3.0% 20 days $441,350.00

* Monarch Litho LLC

Contractor Name

INCEPT LLC DBA Print Pkg Postal

LAS VEGAS COLOR GRAPHICS

MCDONALD & EUDY

LUX FINANCIALS LLC

* AWARDED
Specifications by JH Jacket 746-524

Page 1 of 16 NASA (7510-14) Req. 3-00006

Reviewed by EBR 

 

BID OPENING: Bids shall be opened at 1:00 p.m., prevailing Dallas, TX Time, on October 28, 2022 at the U.S. 

Government Publishing Office, Dallas, TX. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this will NOT be a public bid 

opening.

ISSUE DATE: October 19, 2022

ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE AWARD CONCERNING THESE SPECIFICATIONS, CALL (214) 767-0451, 

EXT. 5 (Jim Hunt). NO COLLECT CALLS.

SPECIFICATIONS

U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO)

Southcentral Regional Office

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. 01-18)) and GPO Contract Terms, Quality Assurance Through Attributes 

Program for Printing and Binding (GPO Publication 310.1, effective May 1979 (Rev. 09-19)).

PRODUCT: This specification is for proofing, printing, binding and delivery of pamphlets (planners).

TITLE: ISS Planner 2023

QUANTITY: 100,000 copies.

QUALITY LEVEL: II Quality Assurance Through Attributes (GPO PUB 310.1, effective May 1979 (Rev. 09-

19)) applies.

TRIM SIZE: 13 x 9-1/2”

PAGES: 28 text pages plus wrap-around cover

PRINTING: Covers and text print four color process throughout with no blank pages. Cover and text pages print 

head to foot in landscape orientation with full or partial bleeds throughout pamphlet on all four edges. Copy consists 

of type, rules, solids, gradients, screens, line-art illustrations, reverses, and four-color process halftones. Tight 

registration. After printing, coat covers 1 and 4 with UV coating and covers 2-3 plus ALL text pages with a gloss 

aqueous coating. The coatings must be evenly applied with no trapped foreign particles or air bubbles.

GOVERNMENT TO FURNISH:

- Purchase Order

- Adobe InDesign document files with links and fonts included plus an Adobe Acrobat PDF file (as a visual)

will be sent to the contractor after award via GPO’s File Sharing application or uploaded to the contractor’s 

secure SFTP site. Purchase Order, complete shipping addresses and pallet guidelines will be emailed to the 

contractor after award.

NOTE: GPO Imprint information does not print on this product.

ELECTRONIC MEDIA:

- PLATFORM: Macintosh Version 10.11.1.
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- COLOR: CMYK

- FONTS: Provided 

- OUTPUT: 175 minimum line screen.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

- Contractor must have the ability to edit PDF files (when furnished by the Government) or native files.

- Contractor is not to request that electronic files provided be converted to a different format. If contractor wishes 

to convert files to a different format, the final output must be of the same or higher quality and at no additional cost 

to the Government.

- 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.

- Identification markings such as register marks, commercial identification marks of any kind, etc., except form 

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

- 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 your contract administrator.

- The contractor shall create/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.

- When PostScript Files are not furnished - prior to making revisions, the contractor shall copy the furnished files 

and make all changes to the copy. 

- Upon completion of this order, the contractor must furnish final production native application files (digital 

deliverable) and one "press quality" PDF file with the furnished media. Storage media must be MAC/PC compatible. 

The digital deliverables must be an exact representation of the final product and shall be returned on the same type 

of storage media as was originally furnished. The Government will not accept, as digital deliverables, PostScript 

files, Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) files, or any proprietary file formats other than those 

supplied, unless specified by the Government.

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. 

TEXT: JCP Code* A181, No. 1 Coated Text, White, Gloss-Finish, Basis Size 25 X 38" Basis Weight 100 lb.

COVERS: JCP Code* L11, No. 1 Coated Cover, White, Gloss-Finish, Basis Size 20 X 26" Basis Weight 120 lb.

INK: Four-color process plus UV and aqueous gloss coating.

MARGINS:

All pages have full bleeds, all edges. Bleeds are included in the native/PDF files provided.

PROOFS:

Digital content and high-resolution color proofs required:

THREE (3) sets of digital color content proofs. Direct to plate must be used to produce the final product with a 

minimum of 2400 x 2400 dpi. Proofs must be created using the same Raster Image Processor (RIP) that will be 

used to produce the product. Proofs shall be collated with all elements in proper position (not pasted up), imaged 

face and back, trimmed and folded to the finished size of the product. 

THREE (3) sets of digital one-piece composite laminated halftone proofs on the actual production stock (Kodak 

Approval, Polaroid PolaProof, CreoSpectrum, or Fuji Final Proof) with a minimum resolution of 2400 x 2400.

At contractor’s option, TWO (2) sets of inkjet proofs that are G7 profiled and use pigment-based inks may be 

submitted in lieu of digital one-piece composite laminated halftone proofs. A proofing RIP that provides an option 

for high quality color matching such as Device Links Technology and/or ICC Profiles Technology, and meets or 
Jacket 746-524 Page 3 of 16

exceeds industry tolerance to ISO 12647-7 standard for Graphic Technology (as of 2016 and future amendments) 

must be utilized. Proofs must be ripped and sent at plate resolution (minimum of 2400 x 2400 dpi). If using a 1 bit 

tiff, the tiff must be made at a minimum of 2400 dpi. Output must be a minimum of 2400 x 1200 dpi on a 

GRACoL or SWOP certified proofing media. Proofs must contain both of the following to be evaluated for 

accuracy: 3-tier color control strip: IDEAlliance ISO 12647-7 2013(i1), and the GPO Resolution target found 

www.gpo.gov/gporestarget.pdf. NOTE: If a contractor chooses this proof option, prior evaluation and approval 

of this proofing method must be provided by GPO, Quality Control for Published Products, to ensure that the 

final product will be produced in accordance with contract specifications. See instructions at: 

https://www.gpo.gov/docs/default-source/forms-and-standards-files-forvendors/qlsamples6f200c30b44a64308413ff00001d133d.pdf. Failure to obtain this evaluation and approval may 

be cause for the job to be rejected should the final product not match the proofs for color.

Proofs must contain color control bars (such as Brunner, GATF, GRETAG, or RIT) for each color of ink on the 

sheet. Control bars must be placed parallel to the press’s ink rollers and must show areas consisting of minimum 

1/8 x 1/8” solid color patches; tint patches of 25, 50 and 75%; dot gain scale; and gray balance patches for process 

color (if applicable). These areas must be repeated consecutively across the sheet.

The make and model number of the proofing system utilized shall be furnished with the proofs. These proofs must 

contain all elements, be in press configuration and indicate margins. Proofs will be used for color match on press. 

Direct to plate must be used to produce the final product with a minimum of 2400 x 2400 dpi. 

If any contractor's errors are serious enough in the opinion of the GPO to require revised proofs, the revised proofs 

are to be provided at no expense to the Government. No extra time can be allowed for this reproofing; such 

operations must be accomplished within the original production schedule allotted in the specifications.

Contractor is responsible for all costs incurred in the delivery and pickup of proofs. The following proofs will be 

withheld not longer than TWO (2) workdays from date of receipt by the Government** to date proofs are MADE 

AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP by the contractor. It is the responsibility of the CONTRACTOR to make the necessary 

pickup arrangements when notified that the reviewed proofs are available. If an overnight delivery carrier (i.e. UPS 

or Fed Ex) is to be used, contractor MUST include a fully completed return airbill (prepaid by the contractor) with 

the delivered proofs. 

**NOTE: The date of receipt by the Government is NOT considered the first workday.

All proofs and paper samples must be delivered, inside delivery required, by November 7, 2022 to:

NASA-Johnson Space Center

Attn: Kathy Padgett (281-244-0944)

Bldg. 421, Room 109AB 2101 NASA Parkway

Houston, TX 77058

----3 sets of each type of proof, all furnished materials and a prepaid airbill for return of 1 set of proofs.

CONTRACTOR MUST NOT PRINT PRIOR TO RECEIVING AN "OK TO PRINT"

CONTRACTOR TO FURNISH: All other materials and operation necessary to fulfill the contract requirements, 

including secure file transfer protocol (FTP) capability, and any necessary conversion program to utilize 

Government furnished files.

BINDERY: Saddle wire stitch uniformly in two places at top along 13" dimension, trim 3 sides. Paper grain on 

covers must run parallel to spine. Score all folds to prevent cracking along fold. 

DRILLING: Drill one, 1/8" round hole, centered in the 13" dimension, with the center of the hole 1/4" from the 

open edge. Contractor to ensure no loss of information occurs.
Jacket 746-524 Page 4 of 16

PACKING: Box in units of 50. Each shipping container must not exceed 40 pounds when fully packed unless 

otherwise directed.

Pallets are required for shipment(s) to NASA HQ, Houston, TX 77058

The contractor shall furnish all packing materials and shipping containers and pack in such a manner as to 

provide protection against all the normal hazards of cross-country transportation and warehouse storage. 

Shipping containers must have a minimum bursting strength of 275 lbs. per square inch and must not exceed 

40 lbs. after being filled.

Shipping containersmust be packed tightly (add stuffingwhen necessary) andcontents to be in firm contact

top and bottom of the container to prevent shifting and crushing in shipping and storage operations. New

paperboard or corrugated pads will be inserted at top and bottom of each container to protect contents. 

Containers will be sealed with a water resistant adhesive applied to the full area of contact between flaps.

The preferred method of sealing cartons. However, a combination of securely stitching the bottom set of 

flaps and sealing the tope set with a water resistant adhesive is permissible. When this method is used, 

stitching will be done with steel staples or stitching wire not less than 0.017 inchesthick and 0.098 inches

wide. The staples wire must be treated with a coating or plating such as enamel or copper wash which is 

not readily removable stapling or stitching or in shipping and storage operations. Containers are to be 

reinforced with 3-inch wide directional-gummed tape. Use two strips - one each over the top and bottom 

center seams of the carton with ends extending over the carton end-not less than 2-1/2 inches in length. 

LABELING AND MARKING: Label each box with “ISS Planner 2023” and quantity. Contractor to download 

the "Labeling and Marking Specifications" form (GPO Form 905, R. 7-15) from gpo.gov, fill in appropriate blanks, 

and attach to shipping containers.

SCHEDULE:

• Purchase Order and Government furnished material will be available on or before November 2, 2022. 

• Deliver hard proofs and paper samples on or before November 7, 2022.

• Deliver 3,300 planners on or before December 2, 2022.

• Deliver 22,250 planners to Houston, TX on or before December 9, 2022.

• Deliver the balance of planners on or before December 15, 2022.

NOTE: Contractor must notify the ordering agency on the same day that the product ships/delivers via e-mail to 

Kathy Padgett (kathy.padgett-1@nasa.gov) and Jim Hunt (jhunt@gpo.gov). The subject line of this message shall 

be "Distribution Notice for Jacket 746-524, Req 3-00006". The notice must provide all applicable tracking numbers, 

shipping method, and title. Contractor must be able to provide copies of all delivery, mailing, and shipping receipts 

upon agency request.

DISRIBUTION: F.O.B. Destination via traceable means. Contractor to provide tracking for ALL SHIPMENTS to 

kathy.padgett-1@nasa.gov and jhunt@gpo.gov.

Deliver via traceable means, inside delivery, to:

NASA Johnson Space Center

Attn: Kathy Padgett (281-244-0944)

Bldg. 421, Room 109AB

2101 NASA Parkway

Houston, TX 77508

----------------------------------------------22,250 copies/445 boxes plus 200 Blue Label copies deliver on or before 

December 9, 2022.

Note: Contractor MUST provide shipping TRK# to Kathy.padgett-1@nasa.gov within 24 hours after shipping.
Jacket 746-524 Page 5 of 16

Remaining deliveries See Atch A (pages 10-16):

- 3,300 copies/66 boxes ship High Priority (4 US locations, 7 overseas locations) to deliver on or before 

December 2, 2022

Balance of copies deliver on or before December 15, 2022, ***INSIDE DELIVERY REQUIRED***:

- 30,000 copies/600 boxes to Challenger Centers (35 US locations, 2 overseas locations)

- 37,100 copies/742 boxes to NASA Centers and Schools (92 US locations)

- 7,350 copies/147 boxes to other addresses (32 US locations)

DEPARTMENTAL RANDOM COPIES (BLUE LABEL): (200 copies) All orders must be divided into 50 equal 

sublots in accordance with the chart below. A random copy must be selected from each sublot. Do not choose 

copies from the same general area in each sublot. The contractor will be required to certify that copies were selected 

as directed using GPO Form 917-Certificate of Selection of Random Copies. The random copies constitute a part 

of the total quantity ordered, and no additional charge will be allowed.

These randomly selected copies must be packed separately and identified by a special label (GPO Form 2678-

Departmental Random Copies, Blue Label) that must be printed on blue paper and affixed to each affected container. 

The container and its contents shall be recorded separately on all shipping documents and sent in accordance with 

the distribution list to NASA, Houston, TX 77058.

A copy of the purchase order and a signed Certificate of Selection of Random Copies, must be included.

QUALITY ASSURANCE RANDOM COPIES (50 copies): The contractor will be required to complete a 

"Certificate of Selection" furnished by GPO certifying that the copies were selected as directed. Business Reply 

Mail labels will be furnished for mailing the QARC copies. The copies are to be mailed at the same time as the first 

scheduled shipment. A copy of the Purchase Order must be furnished along with the QARC's and Certificate of 

Selection. A U.S. Postal Service approved Certificate of Mailing, identified by Jacket, must be furnished with billing 

as evidence of mailing.

QUALITY ASSURANCE THROUGH ATTRIBUTES: The bidder agrees that any contract resulting from 

bidder’s offer under these specifications shall be subject to the terms and conditions of GPO Pub. 310.1 “Quality 

Assurance Through Attributes – Contract Terms” in effect on the date of issuance of the invitation for bid. All 

GPO publications referenced in these specifications are available on the internet via the GPO web-site, 

https://contractorconnection.gpo.gov.

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

Product Quality Levels:

 (a) Printing (page related) Attributes – Level II

 (b) Finishing (item related) Attributes – Level II

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

ATTRIBUTE SPECIFIED STANDARD ALTERNATE STANDARD*

P-7. Type Quality and Uniformity Approved Proofs File Setup

P-10. Process Color Match Approved Proofs File Setup

*In the event that the Specified Standard is waived, the Alternate Standard will serve as its replacement.
Jacket 746-524 Page 6 of 16

OFFERS: Offers must include the cost of all materials and operations for each item listed in accordance with these 

specifications. In addition to a price for the quantity called for in these specifications, a price must also be submitted 

for each additional 1,000 printed copies at the same time as the initial order. The price for additional quantities must 

be exclusive of all basic or preliminary costs. 

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

bidders MUST submit email bids to bidssouthcentral@gpo.gov for this solicitation. No other method of bid 

submission will be accepted at this time.

The Jacket number (746-524) and bid opening date (October 28, 2022) must be specified in the subject line of the 

emailed bid submission. Bids received after the bid opening time/date specified above will not be considered for 

award. 

NOTE: Bidders are to fill out, sign/initial, and return pages 8-9. 

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.

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 contractor in 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.

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. 
Jacket 746-524 Page 7 of 16

NOTE: Contractors are expected to submit invoices within 30 days of job shipping/delivery.

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/agency/billing-and-payment.

COMPLIANCE REPORTING: Contractors are to report information regarding each order for compliance 

reporting purposes and include date of delivery (or shipment if applicable) for delivery schedules in accordance 

with the contract requirements by faxing to COMPLIANCE to 800-865-5193. Personnel receiving the fax will be 

unable to respond to questions of a technical nature.