Jacket: 741‐201 Quantity: 15,603,200

Title: IRS Envelopes E178, 4‐3/8 x 9‐3/4" ‐ Multi‐dimensional WindowAgency: Treasury, Internal Revenue ServiceBid Opening: 5/31/2023 at 2:00 PMAbstracted by: Teresa Shoffstall ‐ 5/31/2023Verified by: Melita Webb ‐ 6/1/2023

Contractor Name Bid

Additional

Rate Per 1,000 Prompt Payment Discount Offer Terms

Prompt Payment

Discount Offer

Extended 

JJ Collins $ 311,130.00 $ 19.94 0.00% NET $ ‐ 

Envelope 1 $ 314,156.80 $ 20.13 2.00% 10 DAYS 

The Envelope Printery $ 339,821.26 $ 21.77 5.0% 21 DAYS 16,991.0

$ 

Double Envelope $ 326,106.88 $ 20.90 1.0% 20 DAYS 3,261.0

$ 

Cenveo Worldwide $ 323,766.40 $ 20.75 0.00% NET $ ‐ 

Printing Resources $ 325,326.72 $ 20.85 0.00% NET $ ‐ 

Husky Envelope $ 338,433.40 $ 21.69 0.00% NET $ ‐ 

Bridge The Gap Ent. + Cenveo $ 339,369.60 $ 21.75 0.00% NET $ ‐ Advanced Image Direct $ 356,540.00 $ 22.85 0.00% NET $ ‐ 

Love Envelope $ 358,249.47 $ 22.96 0.00% NET $ ‐ 

Mac Paper Convertors $ 369,795.84 $ 23.70 0.00% NET $ ‐ 

Response Envelope $ 419,726.08 $ 26.90 0.00% NET $ ‐ 

St. Louis Print Group $ 440,010.24 $ 28.20 2.00% 20 DAYS 8,800.2

$ 

Tri‐State Envelope $ 583,871.74 $ 37.42 0.00% NET $ ‐ 

Unofficial Abstract
Page 1 of 12

Treasury, Internal Revenue Service

Jacket 741-201 

Written by: TS 

Reviewed by: WL Requisition 3-04954

U.S. Government Publishing Office

Columbus, Ohio

General Terms, Conditions, and Specifications

for the procurement of

IRS Envelopes E178, 4-3/8 x 9-3/4”- Multi-dimensional Window

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

Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service

BID OPENING

Bids shall be opened at 2:00 PM prevailing Columbus, OH time on May 31, 2023.

BID SUBMISSION

Bidders MUST submit email bids to bidsnortheast@gpo.gov for this solicitation. No other method of bid submission will 

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

submission. Bids received after 2 PM prevailing Columbus, Ohio time on the bid opening date specified above will not 

be considered for award.

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.

Any questions before or after award concerning these specifications call Teri Shoffstall at (614) 488-4616, Ext. 6. No 

collect calls. Email: tshoffstall@gpo.gov.

OFFERS

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. The price for additional quantities 

must be based on a continuing run, exclusive of all basic or preliminary charges and will not be a factor for determination 

of award.
Jacket 741-201 Page 2 of 12

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 Pub. 310.2, effective 12/1/87, Rev. 01-18) and GPO Contract 

Terms, Quality Assurance Through Attributes Program (GPO Pub. 310.1, effective May 1979, (Rev. 09/19).

GPO Contract Terms (GPO Publication 310.2):

https://www.gpo.gov/docs/default-source/forms-and-standards-files-for-vendors/contractterms2018.pdf

GPO QATAP (GPO Publication 310.1):

https://www.gpo.gov/docs/default-source/forms-and-standards-files-for-vendors/qatap-rev-09-19.pdf

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 sheets

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.

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.

SUBCONTRACTING

The predominant production function is the manufacture of the envelopes and the printing of the envelopes. Bidders who 

must subcontract these operations may be declared non-responsible.

GOVERNMENT IN-PLANT INSPECTIONS

The Government reserves the right to have Government representative(s) inspect any operation under this contract at the 

start of its production and at any time during production. In addition to the inspections indicated, the Government 

reserves the right to inspect all stages of production.
Jacket 741-201 Page 3 of 12

TITLE

General purpose envelope E-178, Tri-fold, Left window, (CPS East & West G48 PRC1 Version)

PRODUCT

These specifications cover the production of non-standard window envelopes requiring such operations as reproducibles, 

printing, die cutting, construction, packing, and distribution.

These envelopes are used in the processing of time sensitive taxpayer correspondence. Complete production and timely 

delivery, are critical to the mission of the IRS. Failure to receive envelopes on schedule can cause stock outages and 

excess cost and/or work stoppages or costly work-arounds at IRS processing centers.

QUANTITY

15,603,200 envelopes. 

Eight partial deliveries to two different addresses. See details under “SCHEDULE” and “DISTRIBUTION”

NUMBER OF PAGES

Face and back.

TRIM SIZE

After envelope construction: 4-3/8 x 9-3/4” plus flap.

GOVERNMENT TO FURNISH

IRS Envelope Specification Sheet. 

IRS 6153 Shipping Label.

IRS Pallet Specifications. 

GPO Purchase Order.

Certificate of Selection of Random Copies. 

Labels for Blue/Yellow Random Copies

CONTRACTOR TO FURNISH

All materials and operations, other than those listed under “Government to Furnish”, necessary to produce the products in 

accordance with these specifications.

ELECTRONIC PREPRESS

Contractor will create Print File, per supplied IRS Specification sheet, ensuring compliance with applicable USPS 

regulations. Exhibit 1 on page 9

Stock designs are acceptable for security tint with the exception of proprietary designs or company logo, which are not 

permitted. 

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 GPO contract administrator immediately.

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.

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.
Jacket 741-201 Page 4 of 12

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

with the furnished material. The digital deliverables must be an exact representation of the final printed product and shall 

be returned on suitable storage media or e-mailed upon request. 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. NOTE: Government will accept Adobe Acrobat Portable Document 

Format (PDF) files as digital deliverables when furnished by the Government.

PROOFS

Contractor to submit one Press Quality PDF soft proof, 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 print breaks, and must 

show all elements relative to print and construction, in proper position, imaged face and back. Email proofs on or before 

June 7, 2023 to Carl.M.Slater@irs.gov ; Stan.L.Tubbs@irs.gov ; and tshoffstall@gpo.gov . 

Do not print prior to receipt of proof approval. Proofs will be held for 1 workday.

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. All paper used must be 

of a uniform shade.

White Writing or Wove basis weight: 24 lbs. per 500 sheets, basis size: 17 x 22”, equal to JCP Code V20.

INK/PRINTING

Black ink, Helvetica (or equal) typeface, follow Envelope Specification Sheets, Exhibit 1 on page 9 for typeface sizes. 

All printing shall comply with all applicable U.S. Postal Service regulations.

Prior to construction, face side of sheet consists of First-Class mailing indicia and 4 additional text lines. Back of sheet 

consists of security design, ensuring complete opacity up to gum line, preventing show through of any material contained 

therein.

MARGINS

Follow margins on the Government furnished Envelope Specification Sheet, Exhibit 1 on page 9.

CONSTRUCTION OF ENVELOPES

Envelopes shall be open side. Contractor has the option to manufacture high cut diagonal or side seams, with commercial 

flap that is slightly rounded or slight “v” shaped. 

The flap must be a minimum of 2-3/16” and must not exceed 2-1/4” 

Gum line must exceed the throat by at least 3⁄4” 

Envelopes with diagonal seams shall be sufficiently high cut so as to prevent the flap adhesive from contacting the 

envelope contents. Sealed seams shall not adhere to the inside of the envelope for either construction style. Envelopes 

shall be free from cuts, folds, tears, machine marks, foreign matter, dirt, ink smears, and adhesive stains.

Construction shall comply with all applicable U.S. Postal Service regulations
Jacket 741-201 Page 5 of 12

FLAP ADHESIVE

Flap adhesive shall be a water activated type of such a consistency to prevent premature sealing and curling of the 

envelope after drying.

The flap adhesive shall be uniformly applied and have a minimum thickness of 0.015mm (0.0006 inch). The flap shall be 

capable of being quickly and securely sealed using fingertips after moistening the adhesive. When opened 15 to 20 

seconds after sealing, the flap shall pull fibers from the body of the envelope from not less than 75% of the adhesive area 

of the flap beyond the throat, up to a maximum width of one-inch gum strip from the edge of the flap

Flap requires full gum, with a consistent line of adhesive. Split gum flaps will not be accepted.

WINDOW

Die cut one multi-dimensional window, See Exhibit 1, Page 9 for window dimensions and placement. Windows shall 

have rounded or slightly rounded corners and covered with a 1.5 mil clear polystyrene window material glued securely on 

all interior edges so as not to interfere with insertion of contents.

Window shall comply with all applicable U.S. Postal Service regulations.

QUALITY ASSURANCE LEVELS AND STANDARDS

The following levels and standards shall apply to these specifications:

Product Quality Levels:

(a) Printing Attributes – Level IV

(b) Finishing Attributes - Level IV

Inspection Levels (from ANSI/ASQC Zl.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 PDF/Average Type Dimension

PACKING

Pack envelopes 500 per box, un-banded, with flaps folded down. Five boxes of envelopes per carton.

Envelopes shall be securely packed in cartons so as to prevent curling or warping due to excessive space. 

Cartons shall have a minimum bursting strength of 1 379 kPa (200 pounds per square inch) or a minimum edge crush test 

(ECT) of 7 700 N per m width (44 pounds per inch width). 
Jacket 741-201 Page 6 of 12

DEPARTMENTAL RANDOM COPIES (BLUE LABEL/YELLOW LABEL)

Departmental Random Copies (Blue and Yellow) are required with each partial delivery. 

Production quantity is to be divided into 200 equal sublots. A random Blue Label copy and a random Yellow Label copy 

must be selected from each sublot. Do not choose copies from the same general area in each sublot.

The random copies constitute a part of the total quantity ordered, and no additional charge will be allowed.

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 for Blue Label Copies and yellow paper for Yellow Label 

Copies and affixed to each affected carton. This form will be supplied upon award and may also be downloaded from 

www.gpo.gov. 

A copy of the purchase order/specification and a signed Certificate of Selection must be included with blue and yellow 

samples.

LABELING AND MARKING

Reproduce carton label, IRS Form 6153 (Rev. 3-2006), from furnished PDF file. Complete the carton label as appropriate, 

without deleting any information that was pre-populated upon receipt. Information necessary to complete required 6153 

carton label is on the purchase order and Envelope Specification Sheet. 

Exhibit 2a, page 10, and Exhibit 2b, page 11.

All cartons must have a fully completed IRS Form 6153 attached.

PALLETIZING

Pallets are required. There shall be no more than one partial pallet per delivery.

Except for size, pallets must conform with Federal Specifications NN-P 71C, and any amendments thereto, as follows: 

Type III, Group 2 or 3, four way (partial) flush pallet, size L 48” x W 40”. Full entry MUST be on the 40” width.

Cartons must be fastened securely to the pallet in a manner that will prevent lateral movement but will permit ready 

removal without damage to the containers.

Corner beads and stretch-wrapping is required.

Pallets shall be stacked with reverse layer pattern to insure acceptance and safe delivery by common carriers. Maximum 

height (including pallet) 55”. See Exhibit 3, page 12. If this is not possible contact GPO Contracting Officer.

Pallets shall be suitably packed so as to insure acceptance and safe delivery by common carrier. Double stacking pallets is 

not permitted. 

Strict adherence to these dimensions is necessary to meet requirements of IRS storage facilities. Receipt of incorrect 

pallet configuration may result in a charge assessed against the contractor for each incorrect pallet. This charge will cover 

costs incurred by the Government in re-palletizing the shipment onto correct pallets.

SCHEDULE

Adherence to this schedule must be maintained. See “Notice of Compliance with Schedules”, in GPO Pub. 310.2, Rev. 

1-18. Purchase Order and furnished material will be e-mailed from U.S. Government Publishing Office, by June 5, 2023.

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.
Jacket 741-201 Page 7 of 12

DELIVERY DATES

• Partial #1: 1,950,400 envelopes delivered to Detroit, MI 48226 on or before July 6, 2023

• Partial #2: 1,950,400 envelopes delivered to Ogden, UT 84404 on or before July 7, 2023

• Partial #3: 1,950,400 envelopes delivered to Detroit, MI 48226 on or before July 11, 2023

• Partial #4: 1,950,400 envelopes delivered to Ogden, UT 84404 on or before July 13, 2023

• Partial #5: 1,950,400 envelopes delivered to Detroit, MI 48226 on or before July 18, 2023

• Partial #6: 1,950,400 envelopes delivered to Ogden, UT 84404 on or before July 20, 2023

• Partial #7: 1,950,400 envelopes delivered to Detroit, MI 48226 on or before July 25, 2023

• Partial #8: 1,950,400 envelopes delivered to Ogden, UT 84404 on or before July 27, 2023

Quantities above include 200 blue label and 200 yellow label randomly selected samples.

DISTRIBUTION

Deliver envelopes, f.o.b. destination by traceable means to two locations using the schedule above and the addresses 

below: 

CPS-East CPS-West Warehouse

985 Michigan Avenue Business Depot Ogden

Detroit, MI 48226 112 North 700 West, Bldg. 4B

Ogden, UT 84404

All expenses incidental to picking up and returning materials and samples must be borne by the contractor.

Delivery appointment is required. Contractor or contractor agent must call in advance to schedule delivery. Due to high 

security at IRS Facilities, delivery agent may be required to provide detailed information regarding driver identity and 

delivery equipment. Contact information for delivery appointment will be provided upon award.

Customer Samples:

Upon shipment of Partial #1, 10 samples from the start of production must be banded with a copy of the purchase order

and shipped Overnight, fob destination, by traceable means, using small package carrier (no USPS), to:

IRS

ATTN: Carl Matt Slater

M/S 8100

1160 West 1200 South 

Ogden, UT 84404

DISTRIBUTION NOTICES

Upon Shipment of each partial, notify ordering agency via email, subject line to read: 

"DISTRIBUTION NOTICE-741-201_3-04954". 

Body of email to include:

Title: “General purpose, Tri-fold, Left window, (CPS East & West G48 PRC1 Version)”

Shipping Method

Tracking.

Email addresses for Distribution Notices will be provided upon award.

RECEIPT FOR DELIVERY

As applicable, the contractor must furnish their own receipts for deliveries. These receipts must include the GPO jacket 

number; total quantity delivered number of cartons, and quantity per carton; date delivery made; and signature of the 

Government agent accepting delivery. The original copies of these receipts must accompany the contractor’s invoice for 

payment.
Jacket 741-201 Page 8 of 12

BID OFFER

SHIPMENT(S): Shipment(s) will be made f.o.b. destination from: City _______________________, State________

JACKET NO: 741-201

BID PRICE: $_________________________

ADDITIONAL RATE: $__________ per ___________

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).

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.

Failure to provide a 60-day bid acceptance period may result in expiration of the bid prior to award.

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

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 (page 8) 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.

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

Bidder 

(Contractor 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)

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

THIS SECTION FOR GPO USE ONLY

Contracting Officer Review_____________ Date ___________ Certifier _______________ Date

(initials) (initials)
Jacket 741-201 Page 9 of 12

EXHIBIT 1: E-178-2 ENVELOPE SPECIFICATION SHEET
Jacket 741-201 Page 10 of 12

EXHIBIT 2a: IRS FORM 6153 CARTON LABEL – DETROIT, MI
Jacket 74

1-201 Page 11 of 12

EXHIBIT 2b: IRS FORM 6153 CARTON LABEL – OGDEN, UT
Jacket 741-201 Page 12 of 12

EXHIBIT 3: IRS PALLET SPECIFICATIONS