PROGRAM 1050S TERM: October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017 as the base year with a 4 year extension potentia

TITLE: MS Patient Newsletter

BASIS Helmer Printing Lithexcel KB Offset Printing Inc McDonald & Eu

ITEM NO. & DESCRIPTION OF Beldenville WI Albuquerque NM State College PA Temple Hills M

AWARD UNIT RATE COST UNIT RATE COST UNIT RATE COST UNIT RATE 

I. COMPLETE PRODUCT:

(a) Printing in four color process, cost per page

(1) Makeready and/or Setup................................................ 16 25.00 400.00 138.00 2208.00 30.00 480.00 65.00 

(2) Running per 100 copies................................................... 3840 1.07 4108.80 6.00 23040.00 1.00 3840.00 1.35 

II. ADDITIONAL OPERATIONS:

(a) Computer time‐work, per hour............................................. 2 45.00 90.00 80.00 160.00 45.00 90.00 75.00 

(b) Folding to 5‐1/2 x 8‐1/2"; tabbing and

addressing, cost per 100 newsletters................................. 380 5.00 1900.00 8.00 3040.00 5.00 1900.00 6.50 

(c) Color proof, cost per page...................................................... 16 6.00 96.00 20.00 320.00 15.00 240.00 5.00 

CONTRACTOR TOTALS 6,594.80 $ $28,768.00 $ 6,550.00 $ 

DISCOUNT 2% 131.90 $ 1% 287.68 $ NET $ ‐ 1% 

$ 

DISCOUNTED TOTALS 20 days 6,462.90 $ 20 days 28,480.32 $ 30 days 6,550.00 $ 20 days 

$ 

AWARDED

Reviewed by:___________
Program 1050S; 5 yrs. Page 1 of 9

Specifications by FB

Reviewed by DG

U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

Seattle, Washington

GENERAL TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND SPECIFICATIONS

For the Procurement of

MS Patient Newsletter

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

Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence

Veterans Health Administration

Portland, OR

Single Award

The term of this contract is for the period

beginning October 1, 2016, and ending September 30, 2017

BID OPENING: Bids will be publicly open at 2:00 P.M., prevailing Seattle, WA, time on September 22, 2016.

CONTRACT TERM: The term of this contract is for one year (the base year), and four option years. Attention is 

directed to the clauses: “Economic Price Adjustment,” and “Option to Extend the Contract Term.”

Fill out and mail Section 4; Schedule of Prices; of this specification with a copy of the 910 form to: U.S. 

GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE; 4735 E. Marginal Way South; Seattle; Washington; 98134. Mark 

your bid “ATTN: 1050-S” on the outside of the envelope.

The following web address will allow you to print a copy of the 910 form. 

http://www.gpo.gov/pdfs/vendors/sfas/bids910.pdf

The following web address will allow you to print a copy of the current pricing abstract.

http://www.gpo.gov/gpo/abstracts/abstract.action?region=Seattle Scroll down and click on 1050-S. 

The spread sheet will be in a PDF format.

For information of a technical nature call Felicia Buchko, Ext. # 3, or email fbuchko@gpo.gov, other questions 

should be directed to the contract administrator, Lautretz Moore, Ext. # 2, or e-mail lmoore@gpo.gov Phone: 

(206) 764-3726 (no collect calls).
MS Patient Newsletter Page 2 of 9

1050S; 5 yrs.

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 Pub. 310.2, 

effective December 1, 1987 (Rev. 6/01)), and GPO Contract Terms, Quality Assurance Through Attributes 

Program (GPO Pub. 310.1, effective May 1979 (revised December 1992)).

http://www.gpo.gov/pdfs/vendors/sfas/terms.pdf http://www.gpo.gov/pdfs/vendors/sfas/qatap.pdf

The above links will enable viewing of the most current versions of the afore mentioned documents.

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

to these specifications:

SUBCONTRACTING: The predominant production function is presswork.

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

specifications:

Product Quality Levels:

(a) Printing Attributes -- Level III.

(b) Finishing Attributes -- Level III.

Inspection Levels (from MIL-STD-105):

(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 Government furnished digital files

P-8. Halftone Match (Single and Double Impression) Government furnished digital files

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

P-10. Process Color Match Approved proof.

OPTION EXTENSION OF CONTRACT TERM: The Government has the option to extend the term of this 

contract for a period of 12 months by written notice to the contractor no 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 5 years as a result of, and including, any extension 

added under this clause. Further extension may be negotiated under the “Extension of Contract Term” clause. 

See also “Economic Price Adjustment” for periodic pricing revision.

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

Government reserves the right to conduct a pre-award survey or to require other evidence of technical, 

production, managerial, financial, and similar abilities to perform, prior to the award of a contract.
MS Patient Newsletter Page 3 of 9

1050S; 5 yrs.

ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT: The prices set forth in this contract shall be adjusted in accordance with the 

provisions of this clause, provided that in no event will prices be revised to exceed the maximum permissible 

under any law existing as of the date of the contract or as may be hereafter promulgated.

Price adjustment period: For the purpose of this clause, the program years shall comply with the Contract Term 

clause. There shall be no price adjustment for orders placed during the first program year of this contract.

Price adjustment: The prices shall be adjusted on the basis of the "Consumer Price Index For All Urban 

Consumers - Commodities Less Food", published monthly in the CPI Detailed Report by the U.S. Department of 

Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the following manner:

(1) The contract price of orders placed during the adjusted period (excluding reimbursable postage or 

transportation costs) shall be adjusted by the percentage increase or decrease in the average, seasonally 

adjusted Consumer Price Index as follows: An index shall be calculated by averaging the 12 seasonally adjusted 

months ending 3 months prior to the expiration of the first program year of the contract. This average is then 

compared with the average index for the 12-month period ending 3 months prior to the beginning of the contract, 

called the base index. The percentage increase or decrease by comparing these two indexes shall be applied to 

the contractor's invoices for orders placed during the price adjustment period.

(2) The Government will notify the contractor in writing of the percentage increase or decrease to be 

applied to any invoices to be submitted for orders subject to price adjustment in accordance with this clause. 

Such percentage will be determined from the published index as set forth above. The contractor shall apply the 

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

costs. Any applicable discounts will be calculated on the basis of the invoice price as adjusted.

If the Government exercises an option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this economic price 

adjustment clause.

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

Government. Orders may be issued under this contract from October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017, plus 

for such additional periods as the contract is extended. All print orders issued hereunder are subject to the terms 

and conditions of this contract. This contract shall control in the event of conflict with any print order. A print 

order shall be "issued" for purposes of this contract, when it is either deposited in the U.S. Postal Services mail or 

otherwise furnished to the contractor in conformance with the schedule.

PAYMENT: Submit all vouchers to: Comptroller, Stop FMCE, Financial Management Service, 

U.S. Government Publishing Office, Washington D.C., 20401. Using the GPO barcode cover sheet 

and faxing your invoice to GPO is the fastest and safest method of being paid. Your voucher goes 

directly into the electronic database of vouchers and is scheduled for payment. The following 

website address will allow you to create the GPO payment barcode cover page. 

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

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.

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.
MS Patient Newsletter Page 4 of 9

1050S; 5 yrs.

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.

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.

FACSIMILE BIDS: The solicitation provision in GPO Contract Terms (Pub. 310.2) permitting facsimile bids 

means a bid that has been transmitted to and has been received by a commercial enterprise via facsimile and 

subsequently delivered to the Government. Facsimile bids transmitted to GPO offices will not be 

considered.
MS Patient Newsletter Page 5 of 9

1050S; 5 yrs.

SECTION 2.- SPECIFICATIONS

SCOPE: These specifications cover the production of a saddle-stitched newsletter requiring such operations as 

printing, binding, packing and delivery.

TITLE: MS Patient Newsletter.

FREQUENCY OF ORDERS: Approximately 2 orders per year.

QUANTITY: Approximately 24,000 copies per order.

NUMBER OF PAGES: 8 pages; self-cover.

TRIM SIZE: 8-1/2 x 11"

GOVERNMENT TO FURNISH: 

CD-ROM and DVD’s, both IBM and/or Macintosh compatible. Software on the above disc will be InDesign and 

PDF files. The contractor must have the current versions and up-grade as they become available.

The Government furnished materials may be posted to the contractor’s FTP website.

Mailing list in Excel, zip code sorted.

Print orders.

GPO Form 905 for shipping container labels.

Identification markings such as register marks, ring folios, rubber stamped jacket numbers, commercial 

identification marks of any kind, etc., except form number, and revision date, carried on copy or film, must not 

print on finished product.

WARNING: The excel mailing list contains PII (Personally Identifiable Information). Contractor is responsible for 

protecting contents of file. NOTE: Prior to award the contractor is required to submit a written explanation as to 

how the contractor will safeguard the data provided. 

All electronic media provided by the Government, or/and duplicates made by the contractor or his representatives, 

must be kept accountable and under reasonable security to prevent their unauthorized release. Discs are not to 

be duplicated in whole or part for any other purpose than to create material to be used in the performance of this 

contract. All duplicate media shall be degaussed or securely overwritten and any printouts and nonerasable 

media shall be destroyed by the contractor.

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.

The contractor will host a website with secure FTP service using either Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Transfer 

Layer Security (TLS) encryption. The servers must be redundant and located in a secure locked, climate 

controlled, fire-resistant facility. 

This website must allow the agency to post packaged InDesign folders and print from the site when required.

The contractor must provide website information allowing the ordering agencies to post and retrieve Government 

furnished materials and proofs from their secure website. 
MS Patient Newsletter Page 6 of 9

1050S; 5 yrs.

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 Seattle Regional Office. 

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 specified quality level.

Upon completion of each 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 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.

COMPUTER TIME-WORK: Consists of minor repairs and/or corrections required by the ordering agency on 

electronic camera copy. Time-work will be rounded up to closest 15-minute increments. Prior to work, the 

contractor will be required to inform the agency of the approximate time required for repairs or 

corrections.

FILM/REPRODUCIBLES: Film is not required.

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. 12" dated March, 2011. http://www.gpo.gov/pdfs/customers/sfas/vol12/vol_12.pdf. 

Color of paper furnished shall be of a uniform shade and a close match by visual inspection of 

the JCP and/or attached color sample(s). The Contracting Officer reserves the right to reject 

shipments of any order printed on paper the color of which, in his opinion, materially differs 

from that of the color specified.

White Dull Coated Book; basis weight: 80 lbs. per 500 sheets, basis size 25 x 38", equal to JCP Code A260.

PRINTING: Print head-to-head in four color process. The self-cover newsletter has heavy ink coverage.

MARGINS: Bleed 4 sides.

PROOFS: Proofs must contain color control bars for each color of ink on the sheet. Control bars must be placed 

parallel to the press’s ink rollers. The control bars (such as Brunner, GATF, GRETAG, or RIT) 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 and indicate margins. Proofs will be used for color match on press.

Produce one set of inkjet proofs that are G7 profiled and use pigment-based inks. A proofing RIP that provides 

option for high quality color matching such as Device Links Technology and/or ICC Profiles. Technology, and 

meet or exceed industry tolerance to ISO 12647-2 standard for Graphic Technology (as of 3/19/09 and future 

amendments) must be utilized. Output must be a minimum of 720 x 720 dpi on a GRACoL or SWOP certified 

proofing media. Proofs must contain one of the following color control strips to be evaluated for accuracy: 

IDEAlliance ISO 12647-7 (2007 or later) Wedge or P2P25 Target.

The contractor must not print prior to receipt of an "OK to print."

BINDING: Saddle stitching and trim three sides. No binding stubs are allowed. Finished trimmed signatures 

must be one piece and measure 11 x 17”. Saddle stitch in 2 places on the 11 side.

Approximately 19,000 newsletters per order will require folding to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2” and tabbed to meet the current 

United States Postal Mailing requirements. 
MS Patient Newsletter Page 7 of 9

1050S; 5 yrs.

PACKING: Shrink wrap or paper band in quantities of 50 (newsletters shipping to the agency).

LABELING AND MARKING: Use GPO form 905 to mark all shipping containers.

The Contractor will be required to run the mailing list through NCOA software and supply a list of incorrect

addresses back to the agency for revision. 

The contractor will address and apply a contractor supplied bulk mailing permit to each of the approximately 

19,000 newsletters requiring mailing. No international addresses, the mailing will be evenly distributed across the 

nation.

DISTRIBUTION: All mailed copies will be f.o.b. contractor’s city. The contractor will be reimbursed for postage 

by submitting mailing receipts with their invoice.

Deliver the balance f.o.b. destination to:

Portland, OR 97239

Upon completion of each order, all originals must be returned to the ordering Department.

All expenses incidental to picking up Government furnished material, returning materials, submitting proofs, and 

furnishing sample copies must be borne by the contractor.

SCHEDULE: Adherence to this schedule must be maintained. The schedule starts the day after the agency 

notifies the contractor the available of a print order and/or GFM.

Contractor must not start production of any job prior to receipt of the individual print order (GPO Form 2511).

Government furnished material must be picked up from and delivered to the ordering Department (f.o.b. 

destination).

The contractor has 15 workdays to deliver mailed copies to a U S Postal Office and delivery the balance to the 

agency.

The proof will be held 4 workdays.

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

furnished with each 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.
MS Patient Newsletter Page 8 of 9

1050S; 5 yrs.

SECTION 3.- DETERMINATION OF AWARD

The Government will determine the lowest bid by applying the prices quoted in the "Schedule of Prices" to the 

following units of production which are the estimated requirements to produce 12 months' work 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 the term of this contract.

The following item designations correspond to those listed in the "Schedule of Prices."

 (1) (2)

I. (a) 16 3,840

II. (a) 2

(b) 380

(c) 16
MS Patient Newsletter Page 9 of 9

1050S; 5 yrs.

SECTION 4.- SCHEDULE OF PRICES

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), N/A or blank spaces for an item may be declared nonresponsive.

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 vouchers submitted to the GPO shall be based on the most economical method of production. Fractional parts 

of 100 will be prorated at the per 100 rate.

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

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

specifications.

Makeready Running Per

and/or Setup 100 Copies

 (1) (2)

(a) Printing in four color process,

Cost per page. $_________ $_________.

II. ADDITIONAL OPERATIONS:

(a) Computer time-work, per hour. $_________.

(b) Folding to 5-1/2 x 8-1/2”; tabbing and

addressing, cost per 100 newsletters. $_________.

(c) Color proof, cost per page. $_________.

BIDDER'S NAME AND SIGNATURE: Fill out and return all pages in "Section 4.- Schedule of Prices, initial or 

sign each in the space provided, and submit with the GPO Form 910, "Bid". Only the original is required. Do not 

enter bid prices on the GPO Form 910. NOTE: The schedule of prices will prevail in instances where prices are 

inadvertently entered on GPO Form 910.

Bidder______________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

City – State

__________________________________________________________________________

Signature and title of person authorized to sign this bid

__________________________________________ __________________________

Person to be contacted Telephone Number