Jacket: 734‐722

Title: Participant Guides 5.0

Agency: Dept. of VA

Bid Opening: January 10, 2023 at 2PM

Bid Terms Discounted Total

$138,766.00 0.25% 20 days $138,419.09

$191,191.00 2.00% 20 days $187,367.18

$209,942.00 7.00% 20 days $195,246.06

$221,000.00 2.00% 20 days $216,580.00

$228,010.05 0.50% 20 days $226,870.00

$255,555.00 5.00% 20 days $242,777.25

$346,490.00 1.00% 20 days $343,025.10

days $0.00

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days $0.00

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days $0.00

I‐Color

Contractor Name

Monarch Litho

Colonial Press

Incept

Advantage

LVC

McDonald & Eduy
Specifications by cs Jackets: 734-722

Reviewed by ms

Page 1 of 6 

BID OPENING: Bids shall be opened at 2:00 p.m., prevailing Central Standard Time (CST), on January 10, 2023

for the U.S. Government Publishing Office, Northcentral Region. Due to COVID-19, this will NOT be a public bid 

opening.

 

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

MUST submit email bids to bidschicago@gpo.gov for this solicitation. See also “ADDITIONAL EMAILED BID 

SUBMISSION PROVISIONS”. 

No other method of bid submission will be accepted at this time. 

The Jacket numbers “734-722” and bid opening date “January 10, 2023” must be specified in the subject line of the 

emailed bid submission. Bids received after “2:00 p.m. Central” on the bid opening date specified above will not be 

considered for award.

Any questions before award concerning these specifications call Chuck Szopo, at 312-353-3916 x 6 or email at 

cszopo@gpo.gov

PRODUCT: Perfect bound book,

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.

NOTE: Doing Business with GPO Customer Services During Coronavirus Pandemic. Contractors should 

continue performance on contracts. Contractors must continue to fully comply with the terms and conditions of these 

contracts. Deliveries, proof approvals, and press sheet inspections for agencies may be impacted. It is requested that 

contractors contact a Government employee at the delivery location to confirm their availability to receive prior to 

shipping. 

Schedules and other adjustments will be made in accordance with GPO Contract Terms. Caution should be used to 

safeguard all products should any delivery delays be imposed by the Government.

As a reminder, contractors must furnish contract compliance information required in accordance with GPO Contract 

Terms, Contract Clause 12: Notice of Compliance With Schedules.

Contractors should immediately contact your GPO contract administrator(s) and/or contracting officer(s) to identify 

impacted orders if any delay is anticipated, including temporarily closure of a production facility or the planned 

suspension of any services.

If you have any questions on a particular contract, please contact the Customer Services contract administrator and/or 

contracting officer for your contract (best method of communicating with them is via email). Office team e-mail 

addresses can be found at https://www.gpo.gov/how-to-work-with-us/agency/services-for-agencies/procurementservices-team. 
Page 2 of 6 Jacket: 734-722

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 

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: Participant Guides (5.0).

QUANTITY: 41,548 copies (includes 2 GPO samples).

PAGES: 198 pages plus separate cover (head to head).

TRIM SIZE: 8-1/2 x 11”.

PRINTING:

Covers: 1 & 3, spine, and all text pages print in 4-color process, illustrations, type and line matter, flattones/solids 

with reversing, bleeds uncommon. Covers 2 & 4 are blank.

After printing, flood coat covers 1-4 and the spine and all text pages with a clear, non-yellowing gloss varnish.

GOVERNMENT TO FURNISH: PDF files will be emailed after award.

Contractor to resize/correct files for bleed and add blanks as needed 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.
Page 3 of 6 Jacket: 734-722

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 

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 proofs to: Nelson.Colon@va.gov ; Penny.Woods2@va.gov ; Brian.Mano@va.gov and cszopo@gpo.gov

Contractor must confirm receipt of proofs by calling: 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* A181, White No. 1 Gloss-Coated Text, Basis Size 25 X 38", Basis Weight, 70lb.

BINDING:

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

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.
Page 4 of 6 Jacket: 734-722

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.

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. 

83 total destinations – follow the distribution list

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

See distribution lists for individual destination quantities. 

NOTE: Pay particular attention to column M with special notes regarding deliveries.

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

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

Chuck Szopo, residential Chicago IL address to come. Email cszopo@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 cszopo@gpo.gov

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

January 12, 2023.
Page 5 of 6 Jacket: 734-722

PDF proofs are due on or before January 18, 2023. Proofs will be withheld not more than 2 workdays from receipt 

by the Government.

Deliver complete on or before February 21, 2023 to all 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: 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 6 Jacket: 734-722

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. 

BID PRICE: $_______________________ ADDITIONAL RATE $__________________PER_1,000 

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 & 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)

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