TITLE: OES Survey Packages

TERM: September 1, 2020 thru Aug. 31, 2021

Department of Labor

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)PROGRAM 262-S

BASIS OF

ITEM NO. DESCRIPTION AWARD UNIT RATE COST UNIT RATE COST UNIT RATE COST 

I. EMAIL TRANSMISSION TEST:

Email Transmission Test---------per test---------- 1 NC 0.00 100.00 100.00 1,750.00 1,750

II. PRIOR TO PRODUCTION SAMPLES:

Prior to production samples per order 1 2,500.00 2,500.00 2,200.00 2,200.00 7,500.00 7,500

III. PRINTING/VARIABLE IMAGING, BINDING, AND

CONSTRUCTION:

(a) Prenote Letter:1. Printing face only in black, including binding

---------------------------per letter-------------------------

 (1) Makeready and/or Setup------------------------------- 108 5.00 540.00 25.00 2,700.00 750.00 81,000

 (2) Running Per 1,000 Copies 374 80.00 29,920.00 174.00 65,076.00 47.44 17,742(b) Collection Letter:

Printing/imaging in black, including binding ......per letter 

(1) Makeready and/or Setup------------------------------- 432 5.00 2,160.00 NC 0.00 750.00 324,000

(2) Running Per 1,000 Copies 626 80.00 50,080.00 32.00 20,032.00 47.44 29,697

(c ) Survey Form:

Face only in black, including binding--per letter

Printing/imaging in black, including binding ......per form

(1) Makeready and/or Setup------------------------------- 324 5.00 1,620.00 100.00 32,400.00 750.00 243,000

(2) Running Per 1,000 Copies 498 175.00 87,150.00 550.00 273,900.00 69.18 34,45

(d) Business Reply Envelope (State Specific):

Printing in black (including security tint),including cost of envelope----per envelope

 (1) Makeready and/or Setup------------------------------- 324 5.00 1,620.00 NC 0.00 500.00 162,000

(2) Running Per 1,000 Copies 498 32.00 15,936.00 50.00 24,900.00 38.98 19,412

(e ) Double Window Mail-out Envelopes:

Printing security tint, includingcost of envelope ...... per envelope

(1) Makeready and/or Setup------------------------------- 10 5.00 50.00 NC 500.00 5,000

(2) Running Per 1,000 Copies 1,498 22.00 32,956.00 40.00 59,920.00 38.98 58,392

(f) Blank Survey Forms:

Printing in black, including bindingper form ......

 (1) Makeready and/or Setup------------------------------- 108 5.00 540.00 50.00 5,400.00 750.00 81,000

(2) Running Per 1,000 Copies 36 165.00 5,940.00 200.00 7,200.00 69.18 2,490

(g) Blank Business Reply Envelopes,

Printing in black (including security tint),including cost of envelopes----per envelope

 (1) Makeready and/or Setup------------------------------- 108 NC NC 500.00 54,000

(2) Running Per 1,000 Copies 25 32.00 800.00 34.00 850.00 38.98 974

(h) Blank Double Window Mail-out Envelope:

Printing security tint, includingcost of envelope

(1) Makeready and/or Setup------------------------------- 2 NC 0.00 NC 0.00 500.00 1,000

(2) Running Per 1,000 Copies 13 22.00 286.00 38.00 494.00 38.98 506

(IV) PACKING AND DISTRIBUTION:(a) Inserting letters, forms, and/or BRE

envelopes (as applicable)into mail-out envelope------per 1,000 mailers ...... 1,498 107.00 160,286.00 60.00 89,880.00 674.25 1,010,026

(b) Packing and sealing shipping containers

for blank supplies------------per container ...... 25 2.00 50.00 4.00 100.00 100.00 2,500

CONTRACTOR TOTALS 392,434.00 585,152.00 2,136,443

DISCOUNT 0.25% 981.09 2% 11,703.04 0% 0

DISCOUNTED TOTALS 391,452.91 573,448.96 2,136,443

AWARDED

NPC, INC.

CLAYSBURG, PA

GRAY GRAPHICS

CAPITOL HEIGHTS, MD 20743

POLARIS DIRECT LLC

HOOKSETT, NH

Page 1 of 1
Program 262-S Page 1 of 29 

Specifications by MRN 

U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 

Washington, DC 

GENERAL TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND SPECIFICATIONS 

For the Procurement of 

OES Survey Packages 

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

Department of Labor 

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 

Single Award 

TERM OF CONTRACT: The term of this contract is for one year beginning September 1, 2020 and ending 

August 31, 2021, plus up to four (4) optional 12-month extension period(s) that may be added in accordance with 

the “OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT” clause in SECTION 1 of this contract. 

BID OPENING: Bids shall be opened at 11:00 a.m., prevailing Washington, DC Time, on August 5, 2020, at the 

Government Publishing Office, Washington, DC. (Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 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 bidsapsdc@gpo.gov for this solicitation. No other method of bid submission 

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

the emailed bid submission. Bids received after 11:00 a.m. on the bid opening date specified above will not be 

considered for award. 

RESTRICTION ON LOCATION OF PRODUCTION FACILITIES: All production facilities used in the 

manufacture of the product(s) ordered under this contract must be located within a 250-mile radius of the zero 

milestone Washington, DC. 

BIDDERS, PLEASE NOTE: These specifications have been revised. All bidders are cautioned to familiarize 

themselves with all provisions of these specifications before bidding. 

GPO has issued a new Government Paper Specification Standards, No. 13, dated September 2019. Prospective 

bidders should carefully read this publication as the applicable standards 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. 

Abstracts of contract prices are available at: https://www.gpo.gov/how-to-work-with-us/vendors/contract-pricing. 

For information of a technical nature, contact Cecilia Dominguez Castro at: cdominguezcastro@gpo.gov or (202) 

512-0307. 
OES Survey Packages Page 2 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

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 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)). 

GPO Contract Terms (GPO Publication 310.2) – https://www.gpo.gov/docs/default-source/forms-and-standardsfiles-for-vendors/contractterms2018.pdf. 

GPO QATAP (GPO Publication 310.1) – https://www.gpo.gov/docs/default-source/forms-and-standards-files-forvendors/qatap-rev-09-19.pdf. 

SUBCONTRACTING: Subcontracting is allowed for the manufacturing of the envelopes only. 

If the contractor uses a subcontractor for the manufacturing of the envelopes, it is the responsibility of the 

contractor to ensure that the envelopes are to specification, will work in the contractor’s machines, and are USPS 

compliant. 

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

these specifications: 

Product Quality Levels: 

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

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

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 O.K. Press Sheets 

Special Instructions: In the event that inspection of press sheets is waived by the Government, the following listed 

alternate standards (in order of precedence) shall become the Specified Standards: 

P-7. O.K. Prior to production samples, O.K. proofs, average type dimension, electronic media. 

Prior to award, contractor may be required to provide information related to specific equipment that will be used 

for production. 

OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT: The Government has the option to extend the 

term of this contract for a period of 12 months by written notice to the contractor not 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 five (5) years as a result of, and including, any 

extension(s) added under this clause. Further extension may be negotiated under the “EXTENSION OF 

CONTRACT TERM” clause. See also “ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT” for authorized pricing 

adjustment(s). 
OES Survey Packages Page 3 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

EXTENSION OF CONTRACT TERM: At the request of the Government, the term of any contract resulting

from this solicitation may be extended for such period of time as may be mutually agreeable to the GPO and the

contractor. 

ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT: The pricing under this contract shall be adjusted in accordance with this

clause, provided that in no event will any pricing adjustment be made that would exceed the maximum

permissible under any law in effect at the time of the adjustment. There will be no adjustment for orders placed

during the first period specified below. Pricing will thereafter be eligible for adjustment during the second and

any succeeding performance period(s). For each performance period after the first, a percentage figure will be

calculated as described below and that figure will be the Economic Price Adjustment for that entire next period.

Pricing adjustments under this clause are not applicable to reimbursable postage or transportation costs, or to

paper, if paper prices are subject to adjustment by separate clause elsewhere in this contract. 

For the purpose of this clause, performance under this contract will be divided into successive periods. The first

period will extend September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021, and the second and any succeeding period(s) will 

extend for 12 months from the end of the last preceding period, except that the length of the final period may 

vary. The first day of the second and any succeeding period(s) will be the effective date of the Economic 

Price Adjustment for that period. 

Pricing adjustments in accordance with this clause will be based on changes in the seasonally adjusted “Consumer

Price Index For All Urban Consumers - Commodities Less Food” (Index) published monthly in the CPI Detailed

Report by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

The Economic Price Adjustment will be the percentage difference between Index averages as specified in this

paragraph. An index called the variable index will be calculated by averaging the monthly Indexes from the 12-

month interval ending three (3) months prior to the beginning of the period being considered for adjustment. This

average is then compared to the average of the monthly Indexes for the 12-month interval ending May 31, 2020,

called the base index. The percentage change (plus or minus) of the variable index from the base index will be the

Economic Price Adjustment for the period being considered for adjustment. 

The Government will notify the contractor by contract modification specifying the percentage increase or

decrease to be applied to invoices for orders placed during the period indicated. The contractor shall apply the

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

costs and separately adjusted paper prices. Payment discounts shall be applied after the invoice price is adjusted. 

SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: The contractor shall comply with the Print Contract Confidentiality and 

Security Requirements included in Attachment A. 

PUBLIC TRUST SECURITY REQUIREMENTS: This contract has been designated Public Trust Position 

Level 5C. Due to the sensitive nature of the information contained in the products produced under this contract, 

contractor employees performing under this contract must have Public Trust Position Level 5C clearance. 

WARNING: Proper control and handling must be maintained at all times to prevent any information or materials

required to produce the product ordered under these specifications from falling into unauthorized hands. Unless

otherwise indicated herein, all extra copies, materials, waste, etc., must be destroyed in accordance with the 

approved “Security Control Plan” as specified under “PREAWARD PRODUCTION PLANS.” 

PREAWARD SURVEY: In order to determine the responsibility of the contractor, the Government reserves the 

right to conduct an on-site preaward survey at the contractor’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: 
OES Survey Packages Page 4 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

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) 

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. 

The Preaward Survey will include a review of the contractor’s quality control plan, mail, material, personnel, 

production, and security plans as required by this specification. 

PREAWARD PRODUCTION PLANS: The contractor shall present, in writing, to the Contracting Officer 

within three (3) workdays of being notified to do so by the Contracting Officer or his/her representative, detailed 

plans as specified below. The workday after notification to submit will be the first day of the schedule. 

The proposed plans are subject to Government approval, and award will not be made until approval of 

same. The Government reserves the right to waive some or all of the preaward survey plans if there is 

other evidence that, in the opinion of the Contracting Officer, indicates that the contractor being 

considered for award has already demonstrated their compliance with the requirements of the below plans. 

Quality Control Plan: The contractor shall provide and maintain, within their own organization, an independent 

quality assurance organization of sufficient size and expertise to monitor the operations performed, and inspect 

the products of each operation to a degree and extent that will ensure the Government’s quality assurance, 

inspection, and acceptance provisions herein are met. The contractor shall perform, or have performed, the 

process controls, inspections, and tests required to substantiate that the products provided under this contract 

conform to the specifications and contract requirements. The contractor shall describe in detail their quality 

control/quality assurance and recovery plans describing how, when, and by whom the plans will be performed. 

These plans shall include a detailed explanation of both staff and management activities and responsibilities. 

The plans must provide for periodic samplings to be taken during the production run and shall contain control 

systems that will detect defective, missing, or mutilated pieces. The plans shall detail the actions to be taken by 

the contractor when defects, missing, or mutilated items are discovered. These actions must be consistent with the 

requirements found in GPO Contract Terms (GPO Publication 310.2, effective December 1, 1987 (Rev. 01-18)). 

The plan shall monitor all aspects of the job including material handling and mail flow, to assure that the 

production and delivery of OES Survey Packages meet specifications and Government requirements. This 

includes maintaining 100% accountability in the accuracy of imaging and mailing of all pieces throughout each 

run. The contractor must ensure that there are no missing or duplicate pieces. 

The quality control plan must also include examples and a detailed description of all reports or logs the contractor 

will keep documenting the quality control inspections performed on each run. 

Furthermore, the plan must include the names of all quality assurance officials and describe their duties in 

relationship to the quality control plan. 

The Government will periodically verify that the contractor is complying with the approved quality control plan 

through on-site examinations and/or requesting copies of the contractor’s quality assurance records and quality 

assurance random copies. 
OES Survey Packages Page 5 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

NOTE: In the event that the Government has suspended or limited travel, the contractor shall have the 

capabilities to use Apple FaceTime to show BLS a subset of the samples before the items are mailed. A video 

chat over Facetime while a contract company employee opens and reviews the sample, as described in the 

contractor’s “Quality Control Plan,” so the Government can see the actual materials being reviewed before 

approving the items for mailing. 

Mail Plan: This plan shall include sufficient detail as to how the contractor will comply with all applicable U.S. 

Postal Service (USPS) mailing requirements as listed in the USPS Domestic and International Mail Manuals in 

effect at the time of the mailing and other USPS instructional material such as the Postal Bulletin. 

Material Handling and Inventory Control: This plan shall explain in detail how the following materials will be 

handled: incoming raw materials; preproduction materials inspections, work-in-progress materials; quality control 

inspection materials; USPS inspection materials; and all outgoing materials cleared for USPS pick-up/delivery. 

Personnel Plan: This plan shall include a listing of all personnel who will be involved with this contract. For any 

new employees, the plan shall include the source of these employees and a description of the training programs 

the employee will be given to familiarize them with the requirements of this program. 

Production Plan: This plan shall include items such as a detailed listing of all production equipment and 

equipment capacities to be utilized on this contract. Any equipment to be utilized on this contract must have been 

in use for at least one (1) year at time of bid submission. 

Security Control Plan: The proposed Security Control Plan must address, at a minimum, the following: 

 Materials: How all accountable materials will be handled throughout all phases of production. This plan 

shall also include the method of disposal of all production waste materials. 

 Production Area: The contractor must provide a secure area(s) dedicated to the processing and storage of 

data for “OES Survey Forms,” either a separate facility dedicated to this product, or a walled-in limitedaccess area within the contractor’s existing facility. Access to the area(s) shall be limited to securitytrained employees involved in the production of OES Survey Forms. 

 Information Technology Security: The contractor must submit an information technology system security 

plan as it relates to BLS data storage and processing that summarizes the physical and logical protections 

that are in place at the designated printing location, including audit mechanisms used to ensure that these 

security measures are fully implemented. 

Part of the Security Control Plan shall include a floor plan detailing the area(s) to be used, showing existing walls, 

equipment to be used, and the printing and finishing locations. 

PREAWARD TEST: The contractor being considered for award may be required to demonstrate its ability to 

produce the items required in these specifications at the requisite quality level by completing a preaward test. The 

Government reserves the right to waive the preaward test if there is other evidence that, in the opinion of the 

Contracting Officer, indicates that the contractor being considered for award has the capability to successfully 

produce the items required. 

For the preaward test, the Government will furnish files (via encrypted email) that are representative of the 

materials to be furnished under these specifications. Files will consist of templates for each item in the packages 

for the static printing and a database consisting of “dummy” variable data for the imaging, state addresses, and a 

mandatory statement to be imaged on certain items. 

The prospective contractor must produce and assemble 50 samples of a complete survey form package. 
OES Survey Packages Page 6 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

The samples will comprise different states. The variable data may include tables (e.g., wage tables) and/or 

graphics (e.g., map). Ordering agency will specify which items are to have the mandatory statement imaged on it. 

The form package consists of a variable form, BRE envelope, and mail-out envelope. 

The prospective contractor must print/variable image, bind, construct, and assemble (as applicable) in accordance 

with the requirements specified herein. Samples must be printed on the required stock as specified herein. 

DO NOT SEAL MAIL-OUT ENVELOPES. 

The test samples from this test will be used by the Government to evaluate the contractor’s capability to comply 

with the applicable requirements of these specifications and the contractor’s ability to maintain the requisite 

quality level throughout the term of the contract. Failure to produce the test samples in accordance with the 

requirements of this contract and at the requisite quality level may be reason for a determination of nonresponsibility. 

Contractor to deliver the test samples to BLS, Attn: Amy Bierer. Address to be determined at the time of the 

preaward test. 

Contractor must notify GPO the same day as delivery of test samples. 

NOTE: At the Government’s option, a BLS representative may be on-site for the preaward test.

Contractor must submit preaward test sample within five (5) workdays of receipt of furnished test materials. 

If the preaward test samples are disapproved by the Government, the contractor may be permitted, at the option of 

the Government, additional time to correct defects or to submit an additional test samples if so notified by the 

Contracting Officer. 

In the event the revised test samples are disapproved by the Government, the contractor shall be deemed to have 

failed to comply with the applicable requirements of these specifications and may be reason for a determination of 

non-responsibility. 

Failure to deliver the completed test samples within the stated time period may disqualify the contractor from 

further consideration for award. 

All operations necessary in the performance of this test shall be performed at the facilities and on the equipment 

in which the contract production will be performed. 

No charges will be allowed for costs incurred in the performance of this preaward test. 

UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: Unique identification numbers will be used to track each individual 

form and letter, thereby providing 100% accountability. This enables the contractor to track each form/letter 

through completion of the project. The contractor will be required to create a test sample every 4,000 forms and 

letters. This sample must have a unique number and must be produced on each form and letter. The contractor 

will generate a list of the unique identifying numbers for each sample. As samples are pulled, the unique numbers 

will be marked off the list. This enables the contractor to track which samples have been produced and pulled and 

what records have been produced. 

The contractor may create their own sequence number to facilitate their sorting and inserting process. 
OES Survey Packages Page 7 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

RECOVERY SYSTEM: A recovery system will be required to ensure that all defective, missing, or mutilated 

pieces detected are identified, reprinted, and replaced. The contractor’s recovery system must use the unique 

alpha/numeric identifiers assigned to each piece (including quality control samples) to aid in the recovery and 

replacement of any defective, missing, or mutilated pieces, and must be capable of tracking and/or locating any 

individual piece of mail from the time it leaves the press, up to and including when it is off-loaded at the U.S. 

Postal Service (USPS) facility. An explanation of the contractor’s sequential numbering system is required to 

understand the audit trail required for each and every piece. 

100% ACCOUNTABILITY OF PRODUCTION AND MAILING: Contractor must have a closed loop 

process to determine that the data from the original print file is in the correct envelope with the correct number of 

form pages and inserts (i.e., letter, CRE envelope). Mailout packages requiring print regeneration must be 

reprinted from their original print image with the original job ID and piece ID remaining unchanged as each 

mailpiece continues through the inserting life cycle. This process will repeat itself (since subsequent reprint runs 

may yield damages) until all mailpieces from the original print run have been inserted and accounted for. 

Using an automated camera or other mechanical automated monitoring system, contractor must be able to verify 

that every survey mail-out package is correct. Each item in the package (state-specific BRE envelope and survey 

form,) MUST belong to the correct State. The system should also run additional checks to track the number of 

packages assembled and match counts against the database to validate the number of packages produced by State 

and survey form type. It should verify the address and USPS barcode are visible. If there are any 

mismatches, missing pieces, or packages out of sequence, a warning should result and the production shut down 

until the issue is resolved. All warnings and shutdowns and the nature of the warning or shutdown should be 

logged. The log should be available for review by the Government representatives. The contractor must submit 

for the Government’s approval any barcodes, sequence numbers, or other insignia as well as it’s placement on the 

materials used for the monitoring system. 

ON-SITE REPRESENTATIVES: On-site BLS representative(s) may be stationed at the contractor’s facility to: 

provide project coordination in receipt of email transmissions; verify addresses; monitor the printing, inserting, 

mail processing, quality control, sample selections, and inspections; and monitor the packing and staging of the 

mail. These coordinators will not have contractual authority and cannot make changes in the specifications or in 

contract terms but will bring any and all defects detected to the attention of the company Quality Control Officer. 

The BLS representative(s) must have full and unrestricted access to all production areas where work on this 

program is being performed. 

NOTE: In the event that the Government has suspended or limited travel, the contractor shall have the 

capabilities to use Apple FaceTime to show BLS a subset of the samples before the items are mailed. The 

Government may require a video conference over Facetime while a contractor employee opens and reviews the 

sample, as described in the contractor’s “Quality Control Plan,” so the Government can see the actual 

materials being reviewed before approving the items for mailing. 

Further, the BLS representative(s) will request samples from each of the 54 States and Territories to be pulled 

from the production line for their inspection. The samples will be pulled most likely at a rate of one out of every 

150 packages (except for States or Territories with fewer than 150 units, which must have at least one sample 

pulled) but that will be confirmed or adjusted by the on-site BLS representative during the production process. 

NOTE: Pulled samples will not be required for the Prenote packages. 

Any samples that have been hand inserted should not be sealed before they are delivered to the BLS 

representative(s). 

The contractor will be required to provide one private office of not less than 150 square feet, furnished with one 

desk, one swivel arm chair per representative, one telephone, access to a continuously operational high-speed 

wired or wireless internet connection, and a fax machine. The contractor should be prepared to provide full access 

to the production areas where the contract is being carried out. 
OES Survey Packages Page 8 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

POSTAWARD CONFERENCE: Unless waived by the Contracting Officer, the total requirements of the job 

including the production plan, delivery dates, scheduling, and turn-around times, and the installation of 

encryption software (if required), may be reviewed by Government representatives with the contractor’s 

representatives at the GPO, Washington, DC, immediately after award of this contract. At the option of the 

Government, the postaward conference may be held via teleconference. 

NOTE: Person(s) that the contractor deems necessary for the successful implementation of the contract must be 

in attendance. 

PREPRODUCTION MEETING: The Government’s representatives may request preproduction meeting(s)

with the contractor’s representatives to be held at the contractor’s facility after award of the contract to review the

contractor’s production plan and to establish coordination of all operations. Attending this meeting will be

representatives from BLS. At the Government’s option, in lieu of meeting at the contractor’s facility, the meeting

may be held via teleconference. NOTE: Person(s) that the contractor deems necessary for the successful 

implementation of the contract must be in attendance. 

Option Years: For each option year that may be exercised, the Government’s representatives may request a

meeting with the contractor’s representatives to be held at the contractor’s facility to discuss the requirements of

that contract year’s jobs. At the Government’s option, in lieu of meeting at the contractor’s facility, the meeting

may be held via teleconference. 

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. 

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

Government. Orders may be issued under the contract from September 1, 2020 through August 31, 2021, plus 

for such additional period(s) as the contract is extended. All print orders issued hereunder are subject to the 

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

print order shall be “issued” upon notification by the Government for purposes of the contract when it is 

electronically transmitted or otherwise physically furnished to the contractor in conformance with the schedule. 

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. 
OES Survey Packages Page 9 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

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. 

PRIVACY ACT NOTIFICATION: This procurement action requires the contractor to do one or more of the 

following: design, develop, or operate a system of records on individuals to accomplish an agency function in 

accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, Public Law 93-579, December 31, 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a) and applicable 

agency regulations. Violation of the Act may involve the imposition of criminal penalties as stated in 5 U.S.C. 

552a (i)(1) CRIMINAL PENALTIES. It is incumbent upon the contractor to inform its officers and employees of 

the penalties for improper disclosure imposed by the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a, specifically, 5 U.S.C. 

552a (i)(1) CRIMINAL PENALTIES and m(1) GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS. 

PRIVACY ACT 

(a) The contractor agrees: 

(1) to comply with the Privacy Act of 1974 and the rules and regulations issued pursuant to the Act in the 

design, development, or operation of any system of records on individuals in order to accomplish an 

agency function when the contract specifically identifies (i) the system or systems of records and (ii) the 

work to be performed by the contractor in terms of any one or combination of the following: (A) design, 

(B) development, or (C) operation; 

(2) to include the solicitation notification contained in this contract in every solicitation and resulting 

subcontract and in every subcontract awarded without a solicitation when the statement of work in the 

proposed subcontract requires the design, development, or operation of a system of records on individuals 

to accomplish an agency function; and 

(3) to include this clause, including this paragraph (3), in all subcontracts awarded pursuant to this contract 

which require the design, development, or operation of such a system of records. 

(b) In the event of violations of the Act, a civil action may be brought against the agency involved where the 

violation concerns the design, development, or operation of a system of records on individuals to accomplish 

an agency function, and criminal penalties may be imposed upon the officers or employees of the agency 

where the violation concerns the operation of a system of records on individuals to accomplish an agency 

function. For purposes of the Act when the contract is for the operation of a system of records on individuals 

to accomplish an agency function, the contractor and any employee of the contractor is considered to be an 

employee of the agency. 

(c) The terms used in this clause have the following meanings: 

(1) “Operation of a system of records” means performance of any of the activities associated with 

maintaining the system of records including the collection, use, and dissemination of records. 
OES Survey Packages Page 10 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

(2) “Record” means any item, collection or grouping of information about an individual that is maintained by 

an agency, including, but not limited to, his education, financial transactions, medical history, and 

criminal or employment history and that contains his name, or the identifying number, symbol, or other 

identifying particular assigned to the individual, such as a finger or voice print or a photograph. 

(3) “System of records” on individuals means a group of any records under the control of any agency from 

which information is retrieved by the name of the individual or by some identifying number, symbol, or 

other identifying particular assigned to the individual.

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. 

PAYMENT: Upon completion of each order, prior to submitting billing invoice to GPO for payment, the 

contractor must submit an itemized billing invoice to the ordering agency (agency contact information to be 

provided after award) for verification, approval, and signature. After agency verification/approval, contractor 

must submit the signed billing invoice, including print order, to the U.S. Government Publishing Office. 

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 receiving payment. 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/agency/billing-and-payment.

Contractor’s billing invoices must be itemized in accordance with the line items in the “SCHEDULE OF 

PRICES.” Invoices received that are not itemized may be returned to the contractor for correction and may result 

in delay of payment.
OES Survey Packages Page 11 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

SECTION 2. – SPECIFICATIONS 

SCOPE: These specifications cover the production of the Survey Packages consisting of forms, letters, Business 

Reply Envelope (BRE) envelopes, and mail-out envelopes, requiring such operations as electronic prepress, 

printing and variable imaging, binding, construction, inserting, and distribution. 

TITLE: OES Survey Packages. 

OVERVIEW: The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey collects occupational employment and 

wage information from a yearly sample of about 374,000 establishments located in all 50 states, the District of 

Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. The individual states and territories are responsible 

for processing their portions of the survey. The survey is further split into two fairly equal panels: November and 

May. 

There are 10 mailings each year making up the November and May panels. Each panel contains a prenotification 

(prenote) mailing, an initial mailing, and a first, second, and third follow-up mailings. (NOTE: There may be 

additional mailings if feasible.) 

Order of mailings for each panel is as follows: 

 A prenote letter will be sent first in October and April. 

 Following the prenote mailing, there will be an initial mailing to all establishments in the survey sample 

in November and May. 

 After the initial mailing there will be three (3) follow-up mailings to survey non-respondents that will 

occur approximately four (4) weeks apart. 

The first follow-up mailing, occurring approximately four (4) weeks after the initial mailing, is sent to the 

establishments that did not respond to the initial mailing. The Government may opt to send a reminder 

letter instead of or in addition to a full survey packet for the first follow-up mailing. 

The second follow-up mailing, occurring approximately four (4) weeks after the first follow-up mailing, 

is sent to the establishments that did not respond to either the initial mailing or the first follow-up mailing. 

The third follow-up mailing, occurring approximately four (4) weeks after the second follow-up mailing, 

is sent to the establishments that did not respond to the initial, first follow-up, or second follow-up 

mailings. 

NOTE: Hereinafter, for the purpose of this contract, the term “States” will be all-inclusive referring to all 50 

States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. 

FREQUENCY OF ORDERS: 

Mailings: Approximately 10 to 12 orders per year. 

Separate print orders will be issued for each mailing for each panel. Up to two orders (of the specified range 

above) may be issued outside of the orders specified for each panel for additional copies of the packages. (see 

chart under “QUANTITY.”) 

NOTE: Print orders issued for each mailing for each panel will specify an approximate quantity. The actual 

quantity will be determined when the distribution files have been processed. 
OES Survey Packages Page 12 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

Blank Supplies: Approximately 2 orders per year. 

Print orders will be issued for blank supplies. Blank supplies will consist of survey forms, BRE, and/or mail-out 

envelopes. The forms and BRE envelopes are for each of the State offices and the BLS National office that 

contain no variable or unique data on forms/envelopes and no mailing indicia on envelopes. 

Separate print orders will be issued for the mailings and the blank supplies. 

If required, a separate print order will be issued for the email transmission test and the preproduction print and 

mail run test. 

NUMBER OF PAGES: 

Prenote Letter: Face only (one leaf).

Collection (Initial/Follow-up) Letter: Face and back (one leaf). 

Form: 4 Pages (two face and back leaves). 

BRE Envelope: Face only. 

TRIM SIZES: 

Prenote Letter: 8-1/2 x 11”. 

Collection (Initial/Follow-up) Letter: 8-1/2 x 11”. 

Survey Form: 8-1/2 x 11” final size (folded down from 17 x 11”). 

BRE Envelope: 3-7/8 x 8-7/8” (No. 9), plus flap. 

Mail-out Envelope : 4-1/8 x 9-1/2” (No. 10), plus flap, double-window. 

QUANTITY: 

Mailings Per Panel: See table below: 

Panels 

Prenote 

Mailing 

Initial 

Mailing 

1st Follow-up 

Mailing 

2nd Follow-up 

Mailing 

3rd Follow-up 

Mailing 

November Panel October November December January February 

Prenote Letter 187,0000 

Collection Letter 156,000 82,000 63,000 12,000 

Form 100,000 73,000 76,000 

 

May Panel April May June July August 

Prenote Letter 187,0000 

Collection Letter 156,000 82,000 63,000 12,000 

Form 100,000 73,000 76,000 

NOTE: The quantities specified in the above table are the estimated quantities for each package for each panel. 

The above quantities are estimates only. Actual quantities will be furnished when the distribution files are 

processed. 

 There are two (2) versions of the prenote letter: one in English and one in Spanish. 

 There are three (3) versions of the initial collection letter: two in English and one in Spanish. 

 There are three (3) versions of the follow-up collection letters: two in English and one in Spanish. 

 There are two (2) versions of the form: one in English and one in Spanish. 
OES Survey Packages Page 13 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

The contractor will have to examine fields in the Government provided files to determine which form or letter to 

use for each establishment, generally the State (FIPS) code, the benchmark employment, the mail code, and the 

industry (NAICS) code. There will also be multiple files provided by the Government that contain information for 

different variable fields on the forms and letters. 

Up to two orders outside of the orders specified in the above chart may be issued for up to 100,000 copies of the 

packages. 

Blank Supplies: Approximately 1,000 to 25,000 copies per order. 

NOTE: The blank supply quantities needed for the forms will depend on the sample size for each State as well as 

the distribution of the sample among industries within each State. For example, California needs more forms than 

Vermont because there are more establishments in California (see Attachment P). 

GOVERNMENT TO FURNISH: Unless otherwise specified below, all electronic files will be furnished via 

email or encrypted email (if it contains respondent address files.) 

NOTE: All Adobe Acrobat (PDF) software upgrades which may occur during the term of the contract must be 

supported by the contractor. 

 Two form templates (one English, one Spanish). Adobe Acrobat PDF files (current or near current 

version) (or other mutually agreed upon format) of the forms will be provided (see Attachment E). 

 Two prenote templates (one English, one Spanish). Adobe Acrobat PDF files (current or near current 

version) (or other mutually agreed upon format) of the prenotes will be provided (see Attachment F). 

 Three collection letter templates (two English, one Spanish). Adobe Acrobat PDF files (current or near 

current version) (or other mutually agreed upon format) of the letters will be provided (see Attachment 

G). 

 Industry description, additional survey control information, and information to produce a unique bar code 

to be printed in the Industry Description (see Attachment L) location on the front of each survey form. 

(BLS uses a standard Code 39 barcode in this location.) This information will be unique to each 

individual establishment and will be provided electronically in a consistent format. 

 State letterhead image files: The State letterhead (see Attachment Q) is to be printed on the top of the 

front page of each survey form. The return address portion must line up with the return address window 

of the envelope. The letterhead is unique to each State and will be provided electronically in a consistent 

format. 

 State letterhead format and state-specific information to be included on the form and letters. 

 The letters will be provided to the contractor in a mutually agreeable electronic format along with 

reference files with information needed to merge variable information into each letter. BLS will transmit 

this data to the contractor via email using encryption software. BLS will provide the encryption software 

as well as the private passwords needed to decrypt the data. (See Attachments for examples of the 

prenote, initial, and follow-up letters with an example of the standard text and the information that must 

be merged.) 

 Mail-out envelope specifications (see Attachment I). 

 BRE envelope specifications and indicia information. A separate set of specifications will be provided for 

Guam, which has its own indicia. (See Attachment J.) 
OES Survey Packages Page 14 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

 BRE envelope return address information. This information will be unique to each State and will be 

provided electronically in a consistent format. If a State office moves their physical location during the 

panel, their address information will need to be corrected by the contractor. USPS-approved bar codes 

reflecting the address zip codes will have to be printed on each envelope by the contractor. 

 Approximately seven (7) reference files (usually in an Excel file): A State Address file and a Form or 

letter version file. The State Address file shows the different addresses for each State office (BRE, State 

Employment Statistical Agency (SESA), return address, and shipping address). The Form Cut-off and 

Collection Letter Version File (Attachment M) file shows what version of the collection letter or form an 

establishment should receive based on state FIPS and employment. 

 The unique name, address, and industry information for each survey establishment to be imaged on the 

letters or survey forms. The establishment name and address is printed on the front page of each survey 

form or letter in the Address Label box (see Attachments E through H and Attachment K). The industry 

description, additional survey control information, and information to produce a unique Code 39 bar code 

will be printed in the Industry Description box (see Attachment L) on the front page of each survey form 

and letter (see Attachments E and G). This information will be contained in pipe-delimited text files and 

will be provided in a consistent format (see Attachment N). 

 Dummy survey establishment (furnished as a pipe delimited text file) for use on proofs (file format in 

Attachment N). 

 Five (5) workdays prior to each mail-out, BLS will provide a file containing the name, address, industry 

description, and FIPS code for each establishment to receive a mail-out package. 

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

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

EXHIBITS (Attachments): The facsimiles shown as Attachments E through J are representative of the 

requirements which will be ordered under this contract. However, it cannot be guaranteed that future orders will 

correspond exactly to these attachments. The Attachments are as follows: 

Attachment A: Print Contract Confidentiality and Security Requirements 

Attachment B: Title V – Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficeincy 

Attachment C: Confidential Nature of BLS Statistical Data 

Attachment D: BLS Agent Agreement 

Attachment E: Form Examples 

Attachment F: Prenote Examples 

Attachment G: Initial Collection Letter 

Attachment H: Follow-up Letter 

Attachment I: Mail-out Envelope Specifications 

Attachment J: BRE Envelope Specifications 

Attachment K: Name and Address Information 

Attachment L: Industry Information 

Attachment M: Form Cut-off and Collection Letter Version File 

Attachment N: Example of State Data File Record 

Attachment O: Examples of State Employment Security Agency File Layout 

Attachment P: Example of Blank Forms Distribution Quantities 

Attachment Q: State Letterhead and Logo Files 
OES Survey Packages Page 15 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

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 following will be required by the contractor: 

a) Determine whether the establishment will receive a form or letter and which version based on the mail 

code (prenotification, initial collection, first follow-up collection, etc.), State (FIPS) code, estimated 

employment size, and other Government provided files. 

b) Print the correct OES survey form or letter for each establishment in each mailing. Each establishment 

will have an associated State (FIPS) code, employment size, and industry (NAICS) code, to enable the 

contractor to determine what information will be printed on each for letter or form for each establishment. 

c) On the front page of each survey form or letter, the contractor will print a State’s return address (see 

Attachments E through H), the establishment’s name and address information (see Attachment K), the 

establishment’s industry description (see Attachment L), and a standard Code 39 12-digit barcode (see 

Attachment L) reflecting a unique establishment identification code (IDCF#). (See Attachments E 

through H for examples of a typical OES survey forms and letters.) The location of all address 

information will be located in the same place on each piece of mail so the same envelope can be used. 

BLS will work with the contractor to agree on a fixed number of characters for each printed line. These 

character lengths should remain the same for the period of the contract unless agreed upon by both BLS 

and the contractor. If there is no text in the Government provided file for certain elements (mandatory 

statement, for example), the text should shift up in order to reduce white space. The lines will not be 

allowed to wrap, be truncated, or have the font changed without agreement by both BLS and the 

contractor. 

d) Print a State-specific Business Reply Envelope (BRE) envelope (compliant with USPS regulations) 

matched to the appropriate State address, zip code, USPS-approved zip-code bar code, and the postal 

permit indicia (based on the State code for each establishment). BLS will work with the contractor to 

agree on a fixed number of characters for each printed line. These character lengths should remain the 

same for the period of the contract unless agreed upon by both BLS and the contractor. The lines will not 

be allowed to wrap, be truncated, or have the font changed without agreement by both BLS and the 

contractor. 

e) Obtain a USPS permit number for the purposes of mailing out the survey packages; this permit will be 

tied to a BLS-funded account. The contractor must forward the permit number to BLS. 

f) Create survey form mail-out packages by stuffing the window mail-out envelope with the survey form 

and the State BRE envelope. 

g) Create letter mail-out packages by stuffing the window mail-out envelope with a single letter. 

h) Perform quality checks on 1 out of every 50 mail-out packages, which shall include verifying that: 

 The proper survey form was printed (the survey form is appropriate for the establishment’s industry 

code appearing in the Name and Address location). 

 The proper variable information has been printed on the form. 

 The proper State BRE return envelope has been used (the BRE envelope’s State matches the State 

code appearing in the Name and Address location). 
OES Survey Packages Page 16 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

 The proper window envelope has been used, and the return address and establishment addresses are 

visible through the window. 

 The contents of the mail-out package is complete and legible. 

 The bar codes on the survey form scan and match the establishment’s IDCF# appearing address 

location. 

i) Provide notification that the mailing of the survey mail-out package was done. 

j) The contractor will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement (see Attachment A) ensuring that the 

contractor will abide by BLS standards and regulations regarding the handling and transmittal of 

confidential information and adhere to OMB guidance regarding CIPSEA. In addition, the contractor’s 

facility must be monitored to ensure only authorized personnel are allowed entry and that there is a secure 

environment for the storage of survey forms following printing and prior to mail out. A copy of BLS 

regulations pertaining to confidentiality and security and OMB guidance will be provided (see 

Attachments A through D). 

EMAIL TRANSMISSION TEST: The Government reserves the right to waive the requirements of this test. 

Contractor will be notified at the postaward conference if this test is to be waived. 

Prior to beginning actual production on the contract, there will be a transmission test of the State Address files via 

encrypted email at the start of the contract. This test is to determine that the contractor has the IT infrastructure 

and ability to receive and support the file size and the ability to decrypt the email file. 

The contractor will be required to receive within one (1) workday up to six (6) files (for up to a total of 35Mb 

(consisting of a total of approximately 187,000 addresses). The contractor will be required to perform an address 

count verification within one (1) workday of complete transmission of all address test files. The contractor will be 

required to provide BLS with the exact counts before proceeding with any other processing. 

A BLS representative may be on-site to verify the successful decryption of test files and to ensure that the data 

contained in the files is intact. The BLS on-site representative will provide verification within one (1) workday of 

receipt thereof. 

PREPRODUCTION PRINT AND MAIL-OUT TEST: The Government reserves the right to waive the 

requirements of this test. Contractor will be notified at the postaward conference if this test is to be waived. 

Prior to beginning actual production on the contract, there will be a preproduction print and mail-out test. The 

contractor will be required to produce up to 1,000 complete mail-out packages for each type of mail-out package 

(for certain states) from Government furnished files emailed to the contractor’s facility. NOTE: BLS will notify 

the contractor as to which states. 

This test will include: (1) printing a survey form; collection letter; BRE envelope with each establishment’s State 

address, zip code, and USPS approved zip code bar code; and, (2) inserting the establishment’s survey form, 

solicitation letter, and return envelope into the double-window mail-out envelope in correct sequence. 

The contractor will be required to have all proofing, envelopes, scanning equipment, and reports for 100% 

accountability of production and mailing completed, available, and ready for production prior to beginning the 

test. 

Contractor must complete the preproduction print and mail run test samples within five (5) workdays of receipt of 

print order and furnished materials. 
OES Survey Packages Page 17 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

At least one BLS representative will be on-site during this test to inspect the process and check quality control. 

The BLS representatives will periodically inspect the completed packages, as well as test the accuracy of the bar 

codes. Any changes to the contractor’s quality control plan must be presented to the BLS representatives as well 

as to the GPO representative. 

On-site Government representative(s) will validate samples of the preproduction print and mail-out test. 

NOTE: In the event that the Government has suspended or limited travel, the contractor shall have the 

capabilities to use Apple FaceTime to show BLS a subset of the samples before the items are mailed. The 

Government may require a video conference over Facetime while a contractor employee opens and reviews the 

sample, as described in the contractor’s “Quality Control Plan,” so the Government can see the actual 

materials being reviewed before approving the items for mailing. 

The Government will approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the validation output within two (2) 

workdays of receipt thereof. Approval or conditional approval shall not relieve the contractor from complying 

with the specifications and all other terms and conditions of the contract. A conditional approval will state any 

further action required by the contractor. A notice of disapproval will state the reasons thereof. 

NOTE: Failure to meet the requirements of the Preproduction Print or Mail Run Test is grounds for immediate 

termination of the contract for default. 

The contractor must perform the preproduction print and mail run tests on their equipment and using their 

personnel. The tests must be performed on the printing equipment and inserting machines with required scanning 

equipment that will be used in live production. All samples shall be manufactured at the facilities in which the 

contract production quantities are to be manufactured. 

Contractor will be reimbursed for all operations in accordance with the applicable line items in the “SCHEDULE 

OF PRICES.” 

Upon completion/approval of the test, BLS may take a portion of the samples back to the BLS Office and require 

the contractor to destroy the balance. NOTE: Due to COVID 19, the contractor may be required to ship the 

samples to an address to be determined after award. 

ELECTRONIC PREPRESS: 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 BLS 

agency contact as specified on the print order. 

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. 

Upon completion of the contract (for the static text matter only), 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 or any 

proprietary file formats other than those supplied, unless specified by the Government. NOTE: The Government 

will accept Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) files as digital deliverables when furnished by the 

Government. 
OES Survey Packages Page 18 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

PROOFS: Any proofs requiring respondent identifiable data placement must use the BLS provided 

dummy file. No respondent PII should be printed on proofs. 

NOTE: Proofs will be required for each survey or letter for each State; for the forms with the information merged 

from each State for each mailing; correct letters for each State using the BLS dummy file for each mailing; and 

the return address from each State’s BRE envelope. 

One (1) set of digital color content proofs for each of the products identified above. 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, as 

applicable. 

BLS reserves the right to make changes to all proofs. The Government may require one or more sets of revised 

proofs before rendering an “O.K. to Print.” Author’s Alterations (AA’s) may be required. 

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. 

The contractor must not print prior to receipt of an “O.K. to Print.” 

PRIOR TO PRODUCTION SAMPLES (When ordered): Prior to production samples will be required for 

the BRE Envelopes and the Mail-out Envelopes only. 

Prior to the commencement of production of the contract production quantity of the business reply envelopes and 

the mail-out envelopes, the contractor shall submit not less than one (1) printed, constructed sample for each type 

of envelope for each State. The container and accompanying documentation shall be marked

“PREPRODUCTION SAMPLES” and shall include the GPO jacket, purchase order, and program numbers. 

Option Years: For each option year that may be exercised, the Government’s representatives may require prior to

production samples. The requirements for these samples (as stated below) will remain the same for each year

exercised. The Government reserves the right to waive the prior to production samples. The contractor will be

notified at each year’s meeting (See “PREPRODUCTION MEETING”) if these samples are waived. 

Each envelope shall be printed and constructed as specified and must be of the size, kind, and quality that 

the contractor will furnish. All items must be printed on and constructed from the stock/paper as specified 

herein. 

Contractor to submit all sample envelopes to: BLS, Room 2135, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 

20212. NOTE: Due to COVID 19, the contractor may be required to ship the samples to an address to be 

determined after award.

Contractor must submit the samples within 15 workdays of receipt of the print order and furnished materials. 

The Government will approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the samples within three (3) workdays of 

the receipt thereof. Approval or conditional approval shall not relieve the contractor from complying with 

the specifications and all other terms and conditions of the contract. A conditional approval shall state any 

further action required by the contractor. A notice of disapproval shall state the reasons therefore. 
OES Survey Packages Page 19 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

If the samples are disapproved by the Government, the Government, at its option, may require the contractor 

to submit additional samples for inspection and test, in the time and under the terms and conditions specified in 

the notice of rejection. Such additional samples shall be furnished, and necessary changes made, at no additional 

cost to the Government and with no extension in the shipping schedule. The Government will require the 

time specified above to inspect and test any additional samples required. 

In the event that the samples are disapproved by the Government, the contractor shall be deemed to have failed 

to make delivery within the meaning of the default clause in which event this contract shall be subject to 

termination for default, provided however, that the failure of the Government to terminate the contract for 

default in such event shall not relieve the contractor of the responsibility to deliver the contract quantities in 

accordance with the shipping schedule. 

In the event the Government fails to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the samples within the time

specified, the Contracting Officer shall automatically extend the shipping schedule in accordance with article 

12 “Notice of Compliance with Schedules” of contract clauses in GPO Contract Terms (GPO Publication 

310.2, effective December 1, 1987 (Rev. 01-18)). 

Manufacture of the final product prior to approval of the sample submitted is at the contractor’s risk. Samples 

will not be returned to the contractor. All costs, including the costs of all samples, shall be charged in 

accordance with the applicable line items in the “SCHEDULE OF PRICES.” 

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. Government Paper Specification Standards No. 13 - https://www.gpo.gov/docs/defaultsource/forms-and-standards-files-for-vendors/vol_13.pdf. 

All text paper used in each order must be of a uniform shade. 

The paper to be used will be indicated on each print order. 

Prenote Letters: White Uncoated Text, basis weight: 50 lbs. per 500 sheets, 25 x 38”, equal to JCP Code A60; or, 

at contractor’s option, White Writing, basis weight: 20 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22”, equal to JCP Code D10. 

Collection (Initial/Follow-up) Letters: White Uncoated Text, basis weight: 50 lbs. per 500 sheets, 25 x 38”, equal 

to JCP Code A60; or, at contractor’s option, White Writing, basis weight: 20 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22”, equal 

to JCP Code D10. 

Forms: White Uncoated Text, basis weight: 50 lbs. per 500 sheets, 25 x 38”, equal to JCP Code A60; or, at 

contractor’s option, White Writing, basis weight: 20 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22”, equal to JCP Code D10. 

Business Reply Envelopes: 

May Panel: White Kraft Envelope, basis weight: 28 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22”, equal to JCP Code V15. 

November Panel: Light-Brown (Kraft Shade) Envelope, basis weight: 28 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22”, equal 

to JCP Code V10. 

NOTE: Contractor must provide two (2) samples sheets (each 8-1/2 x 11” in size) of the Light-Brown (Kraft 

Shade) stock to BLS for the purpose of distinguishing the color only. Samples are to be furnished to Amy 

Bierer at an address to be provided after award. 

Mail-out Envelopes: White Writing Envelope, basis weight: 24 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22”, equal to JCP Code 

V20. 
OES Survey Packages Page 20 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

PRINTING/VARIABLE IMAGING: The Government reserves the right to make changes to the format/text 

of the items produced on this contract at any time during the term of the contract. Any stockpiling is at the 

contractor’s own risk. 

Digital printing is allowed for all variable imaging. All imaging shall have a minimum resolution of 600 x 600 

dpi. 

Prenote Letters: Print face only in black ink. Printing consists of text/line matter and agency logo/seal. Variable 

image face only in black. Variable imaged information is based on establishment information and state. Prenote 

letters will have variable information on each piece that must be merged into the letters using the Government 

furnished files. 

Collection (Initial/Follow-up) Letters: Print face and back in black ink. Printing consists of text/line matter and 

agency logo/seal. Variable image in black. Each letter will have variable information on each piece that must be 

merged from the Government furnished files. 

Forms: Print head-to-head in black ink. Printing consists of text/line matter, flat tones, and agency logo/seal. 

Variable image in black. The form will have unique information for each state and establishment that images on 

all four pages. 

BRE Envelopes (State Specific): Print face only (after manufacturing) in black ink. Printing consists the 

appropriate State address, zip code, USPS-approved zip-code bar code, and the postal permit indicia (based on the 

State code for each sample member). 

Mail-out Envelopes: There is no printing on the outside of the mail-out envelopes. 

All envelope printing shall be in accordance with the requirements for the style of envelope ordered. All 

printing shall comply with all applicable U.S. Postal Service regulations. The envelope shall accept printing 

without feathering or penetrating to the reverse side. 

All white envelopes require a security tint (lining is acceptable) printed on the inside (back – before manufacture) 

in black ink. Contractor may use his own design but must guarantee that the product will ensure complete opacity 

and prevent show through of any material contained therein. 

PRESS SHEET INSPECTION: Final makeready press sheets may be inspected and approved at the contractor’s 

plant for the purpose of establishing specified standards for use during the actual press run. Upon approval of the 

sheets, contractor is charged with maintaining those standards throughout the press run (within QATAP tolerances 

when applicable) and with discarding all makeready sheets that preceded approval. When a press sheet inspection 

is required, it will be specified on the individual print order. See GPO Publication 315.3 (Guidelines for 

Contractors Holding Press Sheet Inspections) issued January 2015. NOTE: A press sheet inspection is for the 

purpose of setting specific standards that are to be maintained throughout the entire run. It does not constitute a 

prior approval of the entire run. 

Press sheets must contain 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 1/8 x 1/8” minimum 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 across the entire press sheet. 

Viewing Light: Press sheets will be viewed under controlled conditions with 5000 degrees Kelvin overhead 

luminaries. The viewing conditions must conform to ISO 3664-2009. A viewing booth under controlled 

conditions with 5000 degrees Kelvin overhead luminaries with neutral gray surroundings must be provided. 
OES Survey Packages Page 21 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

MARGINS: Margins will be as indicated on the print order or furnished electronic media. Adequate gripper 

margins on all products. 

BINDING: 

Prenote Letters: Trim four sides. 

Collection (Initial/Follow-up) Letters: Trim four sides. 

Forms: Trim four sides. Fold leaves from 17 x 11” down to 8-1/2 x 11”, recipient name/address out. 

CONSTRUCTION (Envelopes): 

BRE Envelopes (No. 9): Envelope must be open side with high-cut side, diagonal, or center seams (at contractor’s 

option) and gummed, fold-over flap for sealing. Envelopes shall be sufficiently high cut so as to prevent the flap 

adhesive from contacting the envelope contents. The sealed seam(s) shall not adhere to the inside of the envelope. 

Flap depth is at the contractor’s option but must meet all USPS requirements. Envelopes shall be free from cuts, 

folds, tears, machine marks, foreign matter, dirt, ink smears and adhesive stains. 

Mail-out Envelopes (No. 10): Envelopes must be open side with high-cut side, diagonal, or center seams (at 

contractor’s option) and gummed, fold-over flap for sealing. Envelopes shall be sufficiently high cut so as to 

prevent the flap adhesive from contacting the envelope contents. The sealed seam(s) shall not adhere to the inside 

of the envelope. Flap depth is at the contractor’s option but must meet all USPS requirements. Envelopes shall 

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

Face of envelope to contain two die-cut address windows, as follows: 

 Return Address Window: Die-cut window (1 x 3-1/2” in size) with slightly rounded corners. Window is 

to be located 2-1/2” from the bottom edge of the envelope and 1/2” from the left edge of the envelope (the 

long dimension of the window is to be parallel to the long dimension of the envelope). 

 Mailing Address Window: Die-cut window (1-1/8 x 4” in size) with slightly rounded corners. Window is 

to be located 3/4” from the bottom edge of the envelope and 1/2” from the left edge of the envelope (the 

long dimension of the window is to be parallel to the long dimension of the envelope). 

Windows are to be covered with a suitable transparent, low-gloss, poly-type material that must be clear of 

smudges, lines and distortions. Poly-type material must be securely affixed to the inside of the envelope so as 

not to interfere with insertion of contents. Window material must meet the current U.S. Postal Service’s

(USPS) readability standards/requirements. 

Flap Adhesive on All Envelopes: All sealing flap adhesive shall be the water-activated type of such a 

consistency to prevent premature sealing of the flap and curling of the envelope after drying. The adhesive on 

the sealing flaps of the envelopes shall have a minimum thickness of 0.0006 inch uniformly applied. The 

flaps shall not stick to the body of the envelope, but shall be capable of being quickly and securely sealed using 

finger tips after moistening the adhesive. 

INSERTING: 

Letter Packages: Letter-fold the letter and insert into the mail-out envelope with the state return address and 

recipient name and address facing out for visibility through the applicable envelope windows. 

Form Packages: Letter-fold the survey form and insert with BRE envelope (flat, facing back of envelope) into 

mail-out envelope with state return address and recipient name and address facing out for visibility through 

applicable envelope windows. 
OES Survey Packages Page 22 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

NOTE: At contractor’s option, the letter-folds may be either the traditional C-fold or a Z-fold, as long as the 

return address and recipient name/address are visible through the mail-out envelope windows.

It is the contractor’s responsibility to ensure that the return and mailing addresses on the survey form or letters, as 

applicable, will be visible through the applicable window in the mail-out envelope. It is the contractor’s 

responsibility to ensure that only one of the appropriate items for each mail-out package is inserted into each 

mail-out envelope. 

Seal all mail-out envelopes. 

PACKING: For the orders for the blank survey forms and envelopes, collate forms and envelopes by State and 

pack suitable in shipping containers not to exceed 45 pounds when fully packed. NOTE: Forms and envelopes 

for each State may be packed in the same shipping containers. Do not intermix different States blank supplies 

within a shipping container. 

All shipments which fill less than a shipping container must be packaged with materials of sufficient strength and 

durability and in such a manner which will guarantee that the product will not be damaged and the package will 

not open nor split during the delivery/shipping process. 

LABELING AND MARKING (Blank Supplies): 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.

INSERTING, PACKING, LABELING, AND MARKING INSPECTION: Inspection(s) will be required at 

the contractor’s plant for the purpose of ensuring that the inserting operations are being accomplished in 

accordance with contract and requirements. 

An inserting, packing, labeling, and marking inspection is for the purpose of setting specific standards that are to 

be maintained throughout the entire run. It does not constitute a prior approval of the entire run. When an 

inspection is required, the Government will notify the contractor. 

NOTE: In the event that the Government has suspended or limited travel, the contractor shall have the 

capabilities to use Apple FaceTime to show BLS a subset of the samples before the items are mailed. A video 

chat over Facetime while a contract company employee opens and reviews the sample, as described in the 

contractor’s “Quality Control Plan,” so the Government can see the actual materials being reviewed before 

approving the items for mailing. 

DISTRIBUTION: 

 Mail f.o.b. contractor’s city all individual packages to addresses nationwide (to all 50 states, the District 

of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam). 

 When ordered, ship f.o.b. contractor’s city the blank forms and envelopes to the 54 individual State OES 

offices and the BLS National office in Washington, DC. 

Complete addresses and quantities will be furnished with each order. 

Prenote Survey Packages must be presorted to obtain the maximum postage discount allowed by USPS and shall 

be at the Presorted rate. 

All other mail shall be at the First Class rate. 
OES Survey Packages Page 23 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

Orders for the blank forms and envelopes are to be shipped via the ordering agency’s UPS account. The BLS 

account number/information will be provided to the contractor after award. 

Contractor must obtain a USPS permit number for the purposes of mailing out the survey packages; this permit 

will be tied to a BLS-funded account. The contractor must forward the permit number to BLS. 

All mail will be mailed via mailing permits. The contractor will be responsible for obtaining the Presorted/First 

Class mailing permits. The contractor must provide the mailing permit numbers to the agency within 30 calendar 

days after notification of contract award. The agency will link the contractor’s mailing permits to the agency’s 

USPS Enterprise Payment System (EPS). The Government will be responsible for ALL USPS mailing costs. The 

contractor will be responsible for the costs incurred to obtain a mailing permit and an account set-up fee. 

The contractor is cautioned that the “Postage and Fees Paid” mailing permit obtained may be used only for the 

purpose of mailing material produced under this contract. 

Orders that result in mailings of less than 200 pieces or less than 50 pounds will require the contractor to apply the 

appropriate postage to each mailing. Contractor will be reimbursed for postage by submitting a properly 

completed Postal Service form (or equivalent) with the contractor’s billing invoice. 

All copies mailed must conform to the appropriate regulations in the U.S. Postal Service manuals for “Domestic 

Mail” or “International Mail” as applicable. 

Certificate of Conformance: When using Permit Imprint Mail, the contractor must complete GPO Form 712-

Certificate of Conformance (Rev. 10/15) and the appropriate mailing statement(s) supplied by USPS. A fillable 

GPO Form 712 Certificate of Conformance can be found at: http://www.gpo.gov/vendors/sfas.htm. 

Upon completion of each order, contractor must notify the ordering agency (on the same day the order 

mails/ships) via email to the address indicated on the print order. The subject line of the email shall be 

“Distribution Notice for Program 262-S, Print Order XXXXX, Jacket Number XXX-XXX.” The notice must 

provide all applicable tracking numbers, mailing/shipping methods, and title of product. Contractor must provide 

copies of all mailing/shipping receipts and USPS documentation upon completion of each order. 

All expenses incidental to picking up and returning materials (if applicable), submitting proofs and prior to 

production samples, and furnishing sample copies must be borne by the contractor. 

SCHEDULE: Adherence to this schedule must be maintained. The contractor must not start production of any 

job prior to receipt of the individual print order (GPO Form 2511). 

The postaward conference will be immediately after award. Contractor will be notified of the date and time. The 

preproduction meeting date and time will be established at the postaward conference. 

Print orders and furnished materials for the forms, letters, and envelopes, templates, and dummy files will be 

emailed to the contractor. 

Proofs are to be delivered to and picked up from: BLS, Room 2135, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, 

DC 20212. NOTE: Due to COVID 19, the contractor may be required to ship the proofs to an address to be 

determined after award.

The following schedules begin the workday after receipt of the print order and furnished material; the workday 

after receipt will be the first workday of the schedule. 
OES Survey Packages Page 24 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

Schedule for Email Transmission Test: 

 When ordered, the contractor will be required to receive within one (1) workday up to six (6) files (for up 

to a total of 35Mb (consisting of 187,000 total addresses). 

 The contractor will be required to perform an address count verification within one (1) workday of 

complete transmission of all address test files. 

 The BLS on-site representative will provide verification within one (1) workday of receipt thereof. 

Schedule for Preproduction Print and Mail Run Test:

 When ordered, the contractor must complete the preproduction print and mail run test samples within five 

(5) workdays of receipt of print order and furnished materials. 

 The Government will approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the validation output within two (2) 

workdays of receipt thereof. 

Schedule for Proofs and Prior to Production Samples: 

 The contractor must submit all required proofs within 10 workday of receipt of furnished materials. 

 Proofs will be withheld no more than three (3) workdays from their receipt at the ordering agency until 

they are made available for pickup. (The first workday after receipt of proofs at the ordering agency is 

day one (1) of the hold time.) 

 When ordered, contractor must submit prior to production construction samples within 15 workdays of 

receipt of “O.K. to Print” on proofs. 

 The Government will approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the samples within three (3) 

workdays of the receipt thereof. 

Schedule for Production and Distribution for Mailings (as applicable to the mailing): 

Contractor must complete production and distribution within five (5) workdays of receipt of the appropriate 

State’s Establishment names and addresses and Industry Description files. 

NOTE: No mail-out packages should be mailed before the BLS on-site representative has approved them. If the 

packages are hand inserted, the envelopes should not be sealed until the BLS on-site representative has approved 

them. 

Schedule for Blank Supplies: 

Contractor must complete production and distribution within five (5) workdays of receipt of print order and 

furnished materials.

The contractor must notify the U.S. GPO of the date and time the press sheet inspection or packing, labeling, and 

marking inspection can be performed. In order for proper arrangements to be made, notification must be given at 

least 48 hours prior to the inspection. Notify the U.S. Government Publishing Office, Quality Control for 

Published Products, Washington, DC 20401 at (202) 512-0542. Telephone calls will only be accepted between the 

hours of 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., prevailing Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. NOTE: See contract clauses, 

paragraph 14(e)(1), Inspections and Tests of GPO Contract Terms (GPO Publication 310.2, effective December 1, 

1987 (Rev. 01-18)). NOTE: When supplies are not ready at the time specified by the contractor for inspection, 

the Contracting Officer may charge to the contractor the additional cost of the inspection. 
OES Survey Packages Page 25 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

NOTE: Press sheet inspections must be held Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 

p.m. 

The ship/deliver date indicated on the print order is the date products ordered mailing/shipping f.o.b. contractor’s 

city must be delivered to the post office. 

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. 

For compliance reporting purposes, the contractor must notify the U.S. Government Publishing Office of the date 

of shipment or delivery, as applicable. Upon completion of each order, contractor must contact the Shared 

Support Services Compliance Section via email at compliance@gpo.gov. Personnel receiving email will be 

unable to respond to questions of a technical nature or to transfer any inquiries. 
OES Survey Packages Page 26 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

SECTION 3. - DETERMINATION OF AWARD 

The Government will determine the lowest bid by applying the prices offered in the “SCHEDULE OF PRICES” 

to the following units of production which are the estimated requirements to produce one (1) year’s production 

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 a like period of time. 

NOTE: The Determination of Award estimates specified below are based on historical data; however, due to the 

current global pandemic, the contractor is put on notice that the estimated amounts of work anticipated on this 

contract may be significantly impacted during the first period of performance. 

The following item designations correspond to those listed in the “SCHEDULE OF PRICES.” 

I. 1 

II. 1 

(1) (2) 

III. (a) 108 374 

 (b) 432 626 

 (c) 324 498 

 (d) 324 498 

 (e) 10 1,498 

 (f) 108 36 

 (g) 108 25 

 (h) 2 13 

IV. (a) 1,498 

 (b) 25 
OES Survey Packages Page 27 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

SECTION 4. - SCHEDULE OF PRICES 

Bids offered are f.o.b. contractor’s city. 

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), NA (Not Applicable), 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 invoices submitted to the GPO shall be based on the most economical method of production. Fractional parts 

of 1,000 will be prorated at the per-1,000 rate. 

Contractor’s billing invoice must be itemized in accordance with the line items in the “SCHEDULE OF 

PRICES.” 

I. EMAIL TRANSMISSION TEST: Price offered must include all costs incurred in performing the Email 

Transmission Test. These costs shall cover but are not limited to: machine time, personnel, all required 

materials, email transmissions, and any other operations necessary to complete the test in accordance with 

these specifications. 

 Email Transmission Test ........................................................................................... per test ...... $___________ 

II. PRIOR TO PRODUCTION SAMPLES:

 Prior to Production Samples ................................................................................... per order ...... $___________ 

III. PRINTING/VARIABLE IMAGING, BINDING, AND CONSTRUCTION: Prices offered shall include 

the cost of all required materials and operations (including all proofs, paper, and destruction of unused items) 

necessary for the printing/variable imaging, binding, construction, assembly, packing, and distribution of the 

products listed in accordance with these specifications. 

 Makeready Running Per 

 and/or Setup 1,000 Copies 

(1) (2) 

 (a) Prenote Letter: 

 Printing/imaging in black, including binding .................. per letter ...... $___________ $___________ 

_____________ 

(Initials) 
OES Survey Packages Page 28 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

 Makeready Running Per 

and/or Setup 1,000 Copies 

(1) (2) 

(b) Collection Letter: 

 Printing/imaging in black, including binding .................. per letter ...... $___________ $___________ 

 (c) Survey Form: 

 Printing/imaging in black, including binding ................... per form ...... $___________ $___________ 

 

(d) Business Reply Envelope (State Specific): 

Printing in black (including security tint), 

including cost of envelope ......................................... per envelope ...... $___________ $___________ 

(e) Double Window Mail-out Envelopes: 

 Printing security tint, including cost of envelope ...... per envelope ...... $___________ $___________ 

(f) Blank Survey Forms: 

Printing in black, including binding ................................. per form ...... $___________ $___________ 

(g) Blank Business Reply Envelopes, 

Printing in black (including security tint), 

including cost of envelopes ....................................... per envelope ...... $___________ $___________ 

(h) Blank Double Window Mail-out Envelope: 

Printing security tint, including cost of envelope ...... per envelope ...... $___________ $___________ 

IV. PACKING AND DISTRIBUTION: Prices offered must include the cost of all required materials and 

operations necessary for the mailing of the packages, including cost of collating items in proper sequence, 

letter-folding (as applicable) to required size for insertion into mail-out envelope; for the packing of the blank 

supplies including cost of all shipping containers, packing materials, and labeling and marking; and, for 

distribution in accordance with these specifications. 

 (a) Inserting letters, forms, and/or BRE envelopes (as applicable) 

 into mail-out envelope ........................................................................ per 1,000 mailers ...... $___________ 

 (b) Packing and sealing shipping containers for blank supplies ..................... per container ...... $___________ 

LOCATION OF POST OFFICE: All mailing will be made from the __________________________________ 

Post Office located at Street Address _____________________________________________________________, 

City_____________________________, State___________________________, Zip Code __________________ 

_____________ 

(Initials) 
OES Survey Packages Page 29 of 29 

262-S (08/21) 

SHIPMENTS: 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. 

DISCOUNTS: Discounts are offered for payment as follows: __________ Percent ___________ Calendar Days. 

See Article 12 “Discounts” of Solicitations 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 point(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. 

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 copy 

of all pages in “SECTION 4. – SCHEDULE OF PRICES,” including initialing/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’s 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 Address) (Fax Number) 

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 

THIS SECTION FOR GPO USE ONLY 

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

 (Initials) (Initials) 

___________________________________________________________________________________________
Attachment A 

Print Contract Confidentiality and Security Requirements 

BLS Confidentiality and Security Requirements 

1. Work under this contract will involve exposure to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data that were 

collected by the BLS under a pledge of confidentiality for exclusively statistical purposes. 

Statistical purposes are defined as the description, estimation, or analysis of the characteristics of 

groups without identifying the individuals or organizations that comprise such groups, and the 

development, implementation, or maintenance of methods, procedures, or information resources 

that support such purposes. The majority of data collected by BLS are provided on a voluntary 

basis by respondents who have agreed to provide the information for the statistical purpose(s) 

specified by the BLS. A violation of the confidence that respondents place in the BLS would 

endanger the ability of the BLS to carry out its duties. Therefore, the Contractor and its employees 

must handle any such data, that they may come into contact with as a result of contract work, in 

accordance with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA) (44 

USC Section 3561 et seq.) and other applicable Federal laws. Due to the possible exposure to data 

protected by law under CIPSEA, the BLS may, in accordance with this contract, designate 

Contractor employees as agents of the BLS. All such agents are subject to the fines and penalties 

under CIPSEA and any other fines and penalties that apply to the mishandling of confidential 

information. The “Confidential Information Protection” provisions of CIPSEA appear as 

Attachment A of these requirements. 

2. For the purposes of this contract, "confidential information" may include any of the following: 

a. Statutorily Protected Data. Data or information collected by the BLS, including its agents, 

under a pledge of confidentiality and/or data protected from public disclosure under CIPSEA, 

the Wagner-Peyser Act, the Trade Secrets Act, or other Federal laws. 

b. Respondent Identifiable Information. Any representation of information that permits the 

identity of participants in BLS statistical programs to be reasonably inferred by either direct or 

indirect means. BLS-specific examples include but are not limited to survey sample 

composition, lists of reporters, names of respondents, and brand names, regardless of the 

source of such lists or names. 

c. Personally Identifiable Information. Any representation of information about an individual, 

maintained by the BLS, that permits the identity of the individual to whom the information 

applies to be reasonably inferred by either direct or indirect means. BLS-specific examples 

include but are not limited to, education, financial transactions, and medical, criminal, or 

employment history, and information which can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s 

identity, such as their name, social security number, date and place of birth, mother’s maiden 

name, biometric records, etc., including any other personal information which is linked or 

linkable to an individual. 

d. Principal Federal Economic Indicator (PFEI) Pre-release Information. Statistics and analyses 

produced by the BLS that have not yet been released to the public and have been designated 

by the Office of Management and Budget as Principal Federal Economic Indicators. Currently, 

the following BLS data series have been designated as PFEIs: the Consumer Price Index, 

Employment Situation, Employment Cost Index, Producer Price Indexes, Productivity and 

Costs, Real Earnings, and U.S. Import and Export Price Indexes. 

e. Non-PFEI Pre-release Information. Statistics and analyses, not designated as PFEIs, that have 

not yet been released to the public, whether or not there is a set date and time of release 

before which they must not be divulged. 
f. Restricted Access Information. Information describing the internal practices of the BLS that 

should be limited in access to individuals with a need-to-know. BLS-specific examples include 

but are not limited to system security documentation and vulnerability assessments, 

procurement-sensitive information, systems-specific operating procedures, and internal 

reports. 

3. In performing work under this contract, the Contractor agrees that access to the confidential 

information will be restricted to authorized persons. For the purposes of this contract, 

"authorized persons" is defined as: BLS employees and non-BLS employees designated as agents 

of the BLS who are authorized access to the confidential information for the statistical purposes 

set out under this contract and who have signed a BLS Agent Agreement (Attachment B) swearing 

to comply with CIPSEA and other applicable Federal laws in the handling of BLS confidential 

information. 

The parties understand and agree to the following: 

a. Authorized persons granted access to confidential information will not make use of the 

information for any purpose other than to carry out tasks specifically authorized under the 

contract. 

b. Authorized persons will not seek to obtain access to confidential information that is not 

needed to carry out contract work. 

c. The Contractor will promptly furnish to the BLS a list of Contractor employees who the 

Contractor believes require access to BLS confidential information in order to perform work 

on the contract. The BLS will consider such persons for designation as agents of the BLS. If 

the BLS deems it necessary to decline to approve any such employee as an agent, the 

Contractor may furnish the name of another Contractor employee to the BLS for 

consideration. 

d. The BLS will furnish to the Contractor BLS Agent Agreements for all approved agents. The 

Contractor will forward all signed BLS Agent Agreements to the Contracting Officer 

Representative (COR) prior to such agents receiving access to the confidential information. 

e. The Contractor will keep records on current Agent designations and will report such 

information promptly to the COR upon request. 

f. The Contractor will assure that all agents will comply with their obligations under the BLS 

Agent Agreement and under the contract. 

4. Agents shall not be regarded as employees of the United States Government, the Department of 

Labor, or the BLS for any purpose. The parties further understand and agree to the following: 

a. The Contractor shall notify the BLS promptly whenever an agent is no longer associated with 

the Contractor or when an agent no longer requires access to confidential information. The 

Contractor shall notify the BLS immediately whenever an agent’s access to confidential data 

may endanger the confidentiality of data. 

b. BLS may, without advance notice, discontinue or suspend any BLS Agent Agreement or any 

agent’s access to its information at any time, within its own absolute discretion. 

c. In the event of such suspension or discontinuance, the employing Contractor will propose a 

Contractor employee deemed suitable by the BLS as a replacement agent, where such 

employee’s services are needed to carry out the Contractor’s responsibilities under this 

contract. 
d. No BLS Agent Agreement nor any discontinuance nor suspension thereof, nor any denial of 

access to information, will result in any payment of any kind nor any legal liability by the BLS, 

the Department of Labor, or the United States Government. 

e. Discontinuance of any BLS Agent Agreement will not affect any obligation of the Contractor or 

the designated agent to safeguard confidential data or any intellectual property rights set 

forth in this contract or in any BLS Agent Agreement. 

5. The Contractor agrees, in the performance of this contract, to screen employees and to use only 

those employees who have a demonstrated record of honesty, trustworthiness, integrity, and 

reliability as ascertained by the Contractor. All Contractor personnel selected to work under this 

contract may be subject to any Federal background investigation(s) deemed appropriate by BLS, 

including pre-employment checks. 

6. All agents will perform activities subject to this contract under the control of the COR or any other 

BLS official that the BLS designates. 

7. All agents must agree, in writing, to comply with all provisions of law that affect information 

acquired by the BLS including, among other laws, the Trade Secrets Act, the Wagner-Peyser Act, 

and the Privacy Act. They must specifically swear (or affirm) to comply with the provisions of 

CIPSEA, as set forth in the BLS Agent Agreement attached as Attachment B. Agents who 

improperly disclose confidential information may be subject to criminal sanctions. 

8. The Contractor agrees not to divulge, publish, reproduce, or otherwise disclose, in any manner or 

to any extent, confidential information, in whole or in part, to any individual other than authorized 

persons. 

9. The Contractor and all of its employees shall not release any reports or other outputs (including 

those oral or written and regardless of format) prepared using confidential information, unless 

cleared in advance by the COR or other official designated by the BLS. Such clearance will be to 

assure that no such outputs involve the inappropriate release of confidential information. All 

parties, including Contractors and its employees, will be bound by the determinations of such BLS 

official. 

10. The Contractor agrees to notify the COR immediately upon discovering any breach or suspected 

breach of security, or any disclosure of the confidential information. A breach is any opportunity 

for, or actual instance of, an unauthorized individual accessing confidential information. Examples 

of breaches may include mailing respondent surveys to an incorrect address, the loss or theft of a 

computing device, email or fax transmittals of confidential information sent to an unintended 

recipient, or any unauthorized advance release. 

11. The Contractor agrees to notify the COR immediately upon receipt of any legal, investigatory, or 

other demand for access to the confidential information in any form. 

12. The Contractor agrees not to attempt to link BLS confidential information with individually 

identifiable records from any BLS or non-BLS data set without the written approval of the COR. 

The Contractor must show to the satisfaction of the BLS that they are able to legally extend to the 

BLS permission to access all such non-BLS data. Permission must be extended to BLS employees 

and agents to access the non-BLS data. All new data sets created from linking BLS confidential 

information with other data are protected by CIPSEA and must be handled in accordance with the 

provisions in this contract. 

13. In the case that the contract involves the collection of data from respondents, the contractor 

agrees to notify the COR immediately should any respondent require an agreement be signed 

prior to providing data to the BLS. 
14. If any contract employees must be issued BLS Local Area Network (LAN) IDs, then each such 

employee must agree to abide by BLS network “Rules of Behavior” prior to receiving an ID. 

15. The Contractor agrees to cooperate with BLS in administering BLS-supplied confidentiality and 

security trainings to all agents designated under this contract. The Contractor agrees to ensure 

that all agents complete such training within thirty days of being assigned to BLS work and on an 

annual basis thereafter. The Contractor agrees to follow BLS instruction with regard to reporting 

on training completion and to provide reasonable evidence of training completion to the BLS upon 

request. The BLS may consider, but is not obligated to accept, alternate approaches to training 

delivery and reporting that the contractor may propose to meet this requirement. 

16. The Contractor agrees to comply with Federal policies regarding the secure transmission of 

confidential information including both electronic and physical data transfers. The Contractor 

shall consult with the COR to determine which data transfer methods are acceptable for the 

various types of confidential information that are involved in contract performance. Confidential 

electronic data transfers authorized by the COR must utilize encryption technology that meets the 

standards established by the Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 140, “Security 

Requirements for Cryptographic Modules” (FIPS PUBS 140) and any subsequent revisions to these 

standards. Encrypted portable media may be delivered by a courier, a BLS employee, or an 

authorized individual of the recipient, or may be sent via a mail delivery service with tracking 

capability. In person pick up of an appropriately labeled paper copy, by an authorized individual of 

the recipient, is also permitted. 

17. Upon termination or completion of the contract, or at an earlier time if required by the COR, all 

source documents or other media provided to the Contractor by BLS that contain confidential 

information and any documents or other media created by the Contractor that contain 

confidential information must be returned to the COR, or with the COR’s permission, be 

destroyed. The Contractor shall ensure that all data that have been deleted cannot be retrieved 

and reconstructed. All types of digital and/or non-digital media and equipment must be properly 

disposed, cleared, purged, or destroyed in accordance with Federal guidelines. The Contractor 

shall certify that unnecessary data processed during the performance of this contract was purged 

from all data storage components of the Contractor’s computer facilities. The Contractor will 

retain no output after such time as the contract is completed. If the COR directs the Contractor to 

retain any data, the Contractor shall certify that any BLS data remaining in any storage component 

will be safeguarded to prevent unauthorized disclosures in accordance with the terms of this 

contract. The Contractor's failure to surrender or destroy such materials promptly or the 

Contractor's conversion of such materials to a use not authorized by the contract may be a 

violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 641. 

18. The Contractor agrees not to subcontract or transfer any work in the performance of the contract 

that would involve the exposure or disclosure of any BLS confidential information orally, in writing, 

or in any other form, in whole or in part, to the subcontractor or access to such information by the 

subcontractor except with the prior written approval of the COR. The Contractor agrees to include 

BLS confidentiality and security provisions as provided by the COR in all subcontracts awarded to 

carry out work provided for in this contract. The Contractor agrees to consult with the COR 

regarding whether subcontractor employees are required to be designated as agents. The 

Contractor agrees to send to the COR, a copy of any approved subcontract upon execution. 

19. Contractor personnel shall be required to sign any individual agreements governing access to 

information that are required by other Federal agencies as a result of the disclosure of data to 

Contractor personnel pursuant to this contract. 

20. Contractor personnel who have access to pre-release information are prohibited from releasing 

the data to anyone other than authorized employees of the BLS and authorized agents who 

require access to such data for the purposes of carrying out their responsibilities under this 

contract. They shall not gain financially from knowledge of the data. It would be a violation of this 

contract for Contractor personnel to do the either of the following: 
a. Use knowledge of pre-release information to buy or sell stocks, mutual funds, bonds, or 

futures, or to make or divest themselves of other similar investments. 

b. Disclose pre-release information to other persons, or advise or make recommendations to 

other persons based on knowledge of such data. 

21. Privacy Act notification: If applicable, the Contractor will be required to design, develop, or 

operate system(s) of records on individuals, to accomplish an Agency function subject to the 

Privacy Act of 1974, Public Law 93-579 (5 U.S.C., Section 552a) as amended (the Act), and 

applicable agency regulations. Violation of the Act may involve the imposition of criminal 

penalties (FAR 52.224-1). The title(s) of the system(s) of records shall be listed on the respective 

task orders, as appropriate. 

22. The Contractor agrees to: 

a. Comply with the Act and the Agency rules and regulations issued pursuant to the Act in the 

design, development, or operation of any system of records on individuals to accomplish an 

agency function when the contract specifically identifies: 

(1) the system(s) of records; and 

(2) the design, development, or operation work that the Contractor is to perform. 

b. Include the Privacy Act provisions contained in this contract in every solicitation and every 

subcontract, when the work statement in the proposed subcontract requires the design, 

development, or operation of a system of records on individuals that is subject to the Act. 

c. Include, in all data solicitations requesting information to be placed in a Privacy Act System of 

Records, a Privacy Act notification statement provided by the BLS. 

23. Work under this contract will be performed at BLS facilities or other approved worksites. The 

Contractor must provide the COR with a list of worksites for approval at the start of work provided 

for in this contract and subsequent task orders, and must notify the COR in writing of any 

proposed changes (additions or deletions) to the list of worksites. No worksites outside of the 

United States will be permitted. The COR shall indicate approval of the worksites in writing. All 

work provided for under this contract will be performed at those approved locations only. The 

Contractor agrees not to remove any digital and/or non-digital media or equipment containing the 

confidential information from approved worksites. Exceptions to this provision shall be permitted 

only with prior, written approval of the COR in accordance with BLS confidentiality and security 

policies. 

24. The Contractor agrees to maintain secure worksites within the approved facilities for performance 

of work under this contract. The confidential information shall be secured in a manner so that it 

cannot be viewed by, and it is not accessible to, persons who have not been designated as agents 

of the BLS and who have not signed a BLS Agent Agreement. 

25. Contractor use of a Cloud Service Provider (CSP) to service BLS confidential information must be 

through an authorized FedRAMP vendor and the vendor’s FedRAMP package must be reviewed 

and approved by BLS prior to use. Confidential information must have defined access controls and 

be encrypted at rest and in transit to prevent unauthorized access. Only FIPS-validated 

cryptography is approved for use in encrypting Federal information. Any employee of the CSP who 

will require access to unencrypted BLS confidential information (to provide support, aid in 

migration, troubleshoot, etc.) must be designated as a BLS agent and complete the required 

training. 
26. The Federal Information Security Modernization Act tasked the National Institute of Standards and 

Technology (NIST) with providing minimum security requirements for the protection of sensitive 

information while residing in nonfederal information systems. The Contractor agrees to ensure 

that all Contractor-owned systems used to store or process data under this agreement comply 

with all applicable Federal information security directives, acts, laws, regulations, standards, and 

guidelines. The Contractor shall ensure implementation of the respective security controls 

catalogued in the current version of NIST Special Publication 800-171, “Protecting Controlled 

Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations,” and the operating system 

settings recommended by the manufacturers of the commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products 

selected for integration, into any systems used to store or process BLS data. Per NIST 800-171, the 

BLS reserves the right to request the system security plan and any associated plans of action for 

any planned implementations or mitigations. In instances where the Contractor finds that a 

security control does not apply, the Contractor may request an exception. Any exceptions must be 

approved in writing by the BLS. 

27. BLS reserves the right to review and approve or disapprove all the security safeguards instituted to 

comply with the requirements of this contract. BLS also reserves the right on behalf of itself and 

the Government to conduct confidentiality and security compliance reviews as deemed 

appropriate to ensure compliance with all security policies and directives, including unannounced 

security inspections of the Contractor's facilities and approved worksites. Reviews may involve 

inspection of the facilities, technical capabilities, documentation, records, databases, operations, 

and procedures provided for the performance of any work under this contract. The Contractor 

shall support security inspections conducted by Government auditors or other Government 

representatives, as designated by the COR. BLS data physically and/or electronically maintained at 

the Contractor’s worksites will be sufficiently segregated from any other confidential data the 

Contractor maintains in order to facilitate BLS security inspections. No other obligations on the 

part of the Contractor may restrict BLS access to Contractor facilities where BLS confidential 

information is maintained. The Contractor may not put forth legal qualifications for, or in any way 

restrict, BLS access to these systems or facilities for the purpose of determining compliance with 

contract requirements. On the basis of such security inspections, the COR may require specific 

measures in cases where the Contractor is found to be non-compliant with contract requirements. 

The Contractor shall implement such measures as soon as possible without additional cost to the 

Government and support additional reviews as necessary to confirm actions taken to correct 

defects and deficiencies. 

28. In some cases, such as data collection activities, contract work may necessitate handling of 

confidential data away from secure worksites. Where the COR has approved such work 

arrangements in writing, the contractor agrees to maintain all confidential information in a secure 

fashion. The Contractor shall provide the contract employees with instructions on maintaining the 

security of all confidential information. Such instructions are subject to the review and approval of 

the BLS COR upon request. 

29. If the Contractor fails to comply with the requirements contained in this contract, the Contractor 

shall be deemed to have failed to perform the provision of this contract. 
Attachment B 

Title V – Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency 

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION PROTECTION 

AND STATISTICAL EFFICIENCY ACT (CIPSEA) 

PART A—GENERAL

§ 3561. Definitions

In this subchapter: 

(1) AGENCY.—The term ‘agency’ means any entity that falls within the definition of the term 

‘executive agency’, as defined in section 102 of title 31, or ‘agency’, as defined in section 3502. 

(2) AGENT.—The term ‘agent’ means an individual— 

(A) (i) who is an employee of a private organization or a researcher affiliated with an 

institution of higher learning (including a person granted special sworn status by the Bureau 

of the Census under section 23(c) of title 13), and with whom a contract or other agreement 

is executed, on a temporary basis, by an executive agency to perform exclusively statistical 

activities under the control and supervision of an officer or employee of that agency; 

(ii) who is working under the authority of a government entity with which a contract or 

other agreement is executed by an executive agency to perform exclusively statistical 

activities under the control of an officer or employee of that agency; 

(iii) who is a self-employed researcher, a consultant, a contractor, or an employee of a 

contractor, and with whom a contract or other agreement is executed by an executive 

agency to perform a statistical activity under the control of an officer or employee of that 

agency; or 

(iv) who is a contractor or an employee of a contractor, and who is engaged by the 

agency to design or maintain the systems for handling or storage of data received under this 

subchapter; and 

(B) who agrees in writing to comply with all provisions of law that affect information 

acquired by that agency. 

(3) BUSINESS DATA.—The term ‘business data’ means operating and financial data and 

information about businesses, tax-exempt organizations, and government entities. 

(4) DATA ASSET.—The term ‘data asset’ has the meaning given that term in section 3502. 

(5) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘Director’ means the Director of the Office of Management and 

Budget. 
(6) EVIDENCE.—The term ‘evidence’ means information produced as a result of statistical 

activities conducted for a statistical purpose. 

(7) IDENTIFIABLE FORM.—The term ‘identifiable form’ means any representation of 

information that permits the identity of the respondent to whom the information applies to be 

reasonably inferred by either direct or indirect means. 

(8) NONSTATISTICAL PURPOSE.—The term ‘nonstatistical purpose’— 

(A) means the use of data in identifiable form for any purpose that is not a statistical 

purpose, including any administrative, regulatory, law enforcement, adjudicatory, or other 

purpose that affects the rights, privileges, or benefits of a particular identifiable respondent; 

and 

(B) includes the disclosure under section 552 of title 5 of data that are acquired for 

exclusively statistical purposes under a pledge of confidentiality. 

(9) RESPONDENT.—The term ‘respondent’ means a person who, or organization that, is 

requested or required to supply information to an agency, is the subject of information requested 

or required to be supplied to an agency, or provides that information to an agency. 

(10) STATISTICAL ACTIVITIES.—The term ‘statistical activities’— 

(A) means the collection, compilation, processing, or analysis of data for the purpose of 

describing or making estimates concerning the whole, or relevant groups or components 

within, the economy, society, or the natural environment; and 

(B) includes the development of methods or resources that support those activities, 

such as measurement methods, models, statistical classifications, or sampling frames. 

(11) STATISTICAL AGENCY OR UNIT.—The term ‘statistical agency or unit’ means an agency or 

organizational unit of the executive branch whose activities are predominantly the collection, 

compilation, processing, or analysis of information for statistical purposes, as designated by the 

Director under section 3562. 

(12) STATISTICAL PURPOSE.—The term ‘statistical purpose’— 

(A) means the description, estimation, or analysis of the characteristics of groups, 

without identifying the individuals or organizations that comprise such groups; and 

(B) includes the development, implementation, or maintenance of methods, technical or 

administrative procedures, or information resources that support the purposes described in 

subparagraph (A). 
§ 3562. Coordination and oversight of policies

(a) IN GENER AL.—The Director shall coordinate and oversee the confidentiality and disclosure 

policies established by this subchapter. The Director may promulgate rules or provide other guidance 

to ensure consistent interpretation of this subchapter by the affected agencies. The Director shall 

develop a process by which the Director designates agencies or organizational units as statistical 

agencies and units. The Director shall promulgate guidance to implement such process, which shall 

include specific criteria for such designation and methods by which the Director will ensure 

transparency in the process. 

(b) AGENCY RULE S.—Subject to subsection (c), agencies may promulgate rules to implement this 

subchapter. Rules governing disclosures of information that are authorized by this subchapter shall be 

promulgated by the agency that originally collected the information. 

(c) REVIEW AND APP ROV AL OF RU LES.—The Director shall review any rules proposed by an agency 

pursuant to this subchapter for consistency with the provisions of this chapter and such rules shall be 

subject to the approval of the Director. 

(d) REPORTS .— 

(1) The head of each agency shall provide to the Director such reports and other information 

as the Director requests. 

(2) Each Designated Statistical Agency (as defined in section 3576(e)) shall report annually to 

the Director, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of 

Representatives, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the 

Senate on the actions it has taken to implement section 3576. The report shall include copies of 

each written agreement entered into pursuant to section 3576(c)(1) for the applicable year. 

(3) The Director shall include a summary of reports submitted to the Director under this 

subsection and actions taken by the Director to advance the purposes of this subchapter in the 

annual report to Congress on statistical programs prepared under section 3504(e)(2). 

§ 3563. Statistical agencies

(a) RE SPON SIB ILITIES.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Each statistical agency or unit shall— 

(A) produce and disseminate relevant and timely statistical information; 

(B) conduct credible and accurate statistical activities; 

(C) conduct objective statistical activities; and 

(D) protect the trust of information providers by ensuring the confidentiality and 

exclusive statistical use of their responses. 
(2) POLICIES, BEST PRACTICES, AND PROCEDURES.—Each statistical agency or unit shall adopt 

policies, best practices, and appropriate procedures to implement the responsibilities described in 

paragraph (1). 

(b) SUPPORT FR OM OTHE R AGEN CIE S.—The head of each agency shall enable, support, and 

facilitate statistical agencies or units in carrying out the responsibilities described in subsection (a)(1). 

(c) REGULAT IONS .—The Director shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section. 

(d) DEFINIT IONS.—In this section: 

(1) ACCURATE.—The term ‘accurate’, when used with respect to statistical activities, means 

statistics that consistently match the events and trends being measured. 

(2) CONFIDENTIALITY.—The term ‘confidentiality’ means a quality or condition accorded to 

information as an obligation not to disclose that information to an unauthorized party. 

(3) OBJECTIVE.—The term ‘objective’, when used with respect to statistical activities, means 

accurate, clear, complete, and unbiased. 

(4) RELEVANT.—The term ‘relevant’, when used with respect to statistical information, 

means processes, activities, and other such matters likely to be useful to policymakers and public 

and private sector data users. 

§ 3564. Effect on other laws

(a) TITLE 44, UN ITED ST ATES CODE .—This subchapter does not diminish the authority under 

section 3510 of the Director to direct, and of an agency to make, disclosures that are not inconsistent 

with any applicable law. 

(b) TITLE 13 A ND TIT LE 44, UNITED STATE S C ODE.—This subchapter does not diminish the 

authority of the Bureau of the Census to provide information in accordance with sections 8, 16, 301, 

and 401 of title 13 and section 2108 of this title. 

(c) TITLE 13, U NITED STATES C ODE.—This subchapter shall not be construed as authorizing the 

disclosure for nonstatistical purposes of demographic data or information collected by the Bureau of 

the Census pursuant to section 9 of title 13. 

(d) VARIOUS E NERGY STA TUTES.—Data or information acquired by the Energy Information 

Administration under a pledge of confidentiality and designated by the Energy Information 

Administration to be used for exclusively statistical purposes shall not be disclosed in identifiable form 

for nonstatistical purposes under— 

(1) section 12, 20, or 59 of the Federal Energy Administration Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 771, 779, 

790h); 
(2) section 11 of the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 

796); or 

(3) section 205 or 407 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7135, 7177). 

(e) SECTION 201 OF CON GRESSI ON AL BUD GET AC T O F 1974.—This subchapter shall not be 

construed to limit any authorities of the Congressional Budget Office to work (consistent with laws 

governing the confidentiality of information the disclosure of which would be a violation of law) with 

databases of Designated Statistical Agencies (as defined in section 3576(e)), either separately or, for 

data that may be shared pursuant to section 3576(c) or other authority, jointly in order to improve the 

general utility of these databases for the statistical purpose of analyzing pension and health care 

financing issues. 

(f) PREEMPTION OF STAT E LA W.—Nothing in this subchapter shall preempt applicable State law 

regarding the confidentiality of data collected by the States. 

(g) STATUTES REGARDIN G FALSE STATEME NTS.—Notwithstanding section 3572, information 

collected by an agency for exclusively statistical purposes under a pledge of confidentiality may be 

provided by the collecting agency to a law enforcement agency for the prosecution of submissions to 

the collecting agency of false statistical information under statutes that authorize criminal penalties 

(such as section 221 of title 13) or civil penalties for the provision of false statistical information, unless 

such disclosure or use would otherwise be prohibited under Federal law. 

(h) CONST RUCTI O N.—Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as restricting or diminishing 

any confidentiality protections or penalties for unauthorized disclosure that otherwise apply to data or 

information collected for statistical purposes or nonstatistical purposes, including, but not limited to, 

section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 

(i) AUTH ORITY OF C ONG R ESS.—Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to affect the 

authority of the Congress, including its committees, members, or agents, to obtain data or information 

for a statistical purpose, including for oversight of an agency’s statistical activities. 

PART B—CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION PROTECTION

§ 3571. Findings

The Congress finds the following: 

(1) Individuals, businesses, and other organizations have varying degrees of legal protection 

when providing information to the agencies for strictly statistical purposes. 

(2) Pledges of confidentiality by agencies provide assurances to the public that information 

about individuals or organizations or provided by individuals or organizations for exclusively 

statistical purposes will be held in confidence and will not be used against such individuals or 

organizations in any agency action. 
(3) Protecting the confidentiality interests of individuals or organizations who provide 

information under a pledge of confidentiality for Federal statistical programs serves both the 

interests of the public and the needs of society. 

(4) Declining trust of the public in the protection of information provided under a pledge of 

confidentiality to the agencies adversely affects both the accuracy and completeness of statistical 

analyses. 

(5) Ensuring that information provided under a pledge of confidentiality for statistical 

purposes receives protection is essential in continuing public cooperation in statistical programs. 

§ 3572. Confidential information protection

(a) PURP OSE S.—The purposes of this section are the following: 

(1) To ensure that information supplied by individuals or organizations to an agency for 

statistical purposes under a pledge of confidentiality is used exclusively for statistical purposes. 

(2) To ensure that individuals or organizations who supply information under a pledge of 

confidentiality to agencies for statistical purposes will neither have that information disclosed in 

identifiable form to anyone not authorized by this subchapter nor have that information used for 

any purpose other than a statistical purpose. 

(3) To safeguard the confidentiality of individually identifiable information acquired under a 

pledge of confidentiality for statistical purposes by controlling access to, and uses made of, such 

information. 

(b) USE OF STATISTIC AL DAT A O R INFORMAT IO N.—Data or information acquired by an agency 

under a pledge of confidentiality and for exclusively statistical purposes shall be used by officers, 

employees, or agents of the agency exclusively for statistical purposes and protected in accordance 

with such pledge. 

(c) DISCLO SURE OF STATISTIC AL D ATA OR IN FO RM ATION.— 

(1) Data or information acquired by an agency under a pledge of confidentiality for 

exclusively statistical purposes shall not be disclosed by an agency in identifiable form, for any use 

other than an exclusively statistical purpose, except with the informed consent of the respondent. 

(2) A disclosure pursuant to paragraph (1) is authorized only when the head of the agency 

approves such disclosure and the disclosure is not prohibited by any other law. 

(3) This section does not restrict or diminish any confidentiality protections in law that 

otherwise apply to data or information acquired by an agency under a pledge of confidentiality for 

exclusively statistical purposes. 
(d) RULE FOR USE O F D AT A OR IN FORMAT IO N FO R NONSTATIST ICAL PU RP OSES.—A statistical 

agency or unit shall clearly distinguish any data or information it collects for nonstatistical purposes (as 

authorized by law) and provide notice to the public, before the data or information is collected, that 

the data or information could be used for nonstatistical purposes. 

(e) DESIG NATION OF AGE NTS.—A statistical agency or unit may designate agents, by contract or by 

entering into a special agreement containing the provisions required under section 3561(2) for 

treatment as an agent under that section, who may perform exclusively statistical activities, subject to 

the limitations and penalties described in this subchapter. 

(f) FINES AND PENA LTIE S.—Whoever, being an officer, employee, or agent of an agency acquiring 

information for exclusively statistical purposes, having taken and subscribed the oath of office, or 

having sworn to observe the limitations imposed by this section, comes into possession of such 

information by reason of his or her being an officer, employee, or agent and, knowing that the 

disclosure of the specific information is prohibited under the provisions of this subchapter, willfully 

discloses the information in any manner to a person or agency not entitled to receive it, shall be guilty 

of a class E felony and imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or fined not more than $250,000, or both. 
Attachment C 

Confidential Nature of BLS Statistical Data 

Date: September 21, 2006 

Commissioner's Order No. 1-06 

Subject: Confidential Nature of BLS Statistical Data 

1. Purpose. The purpose of this Order is to state the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) policy concerning the 

confidential nature of BLS statistical data. 

2. Reference Office. Office of Administration, Division of Management Systems. 

3. Authority. Secretary's Order 39-72, "Control of Data and Information Collected by the Bureau of Labor 

Statistics," assigns the Commissioner of Labor Statistics responsibility for confidentiality policy and 

procedures related to the protection of BLS data and for deciding on all requests for public disclosure of data 

collected by the BLS. The Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 (CIPSEA), 

Title 5 of Public Law 107-347, establishes statutory provisions protecting the confidentiality of data collected 

by Federal Executive Branch agencies for exclusively statistical purposes under a pledge of confidentiality. 

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998, Public Law 105-220, section 309(a)(2), establishes statutory 

provisions protecting the confidentiality of data collected through the Federal/State Labor Market 

Information programs. The Federal Statistical Confidentiality Order issued by the Office of Management and 

Budget, 62 Federal Register 35043 (June 27, 1997), establishes a consistent government policy protecting 

the confidentiality interests of respondents who provide information for Federal statistical programs. 

4. Directives Affected. Commissioner's Order 3-04, "Confidential Nature of BLS Records," is replaced by this 

Order. In all cases where Commissioner's Order 3-04 is cited as the BLS policy, this Order is henceforth the 

applicable document. 

5. References. Administrative Procedure 2-05, “Responsibility for Safeguarding Confidential Information,” 

Administrative Procedure 2-06, “Informed Consent Procedures,” Commissioner’s Order 3-00, "Contracts and 

Agreements Involving BLS Confidential Data or Privacy Act Data,” Commissioner’s Order 4-00, “Advance 

Release of Embargoed News and Data Releases,” Commissioner’s Order 1-05, “Authorizing Advance Access 

to or Publication of Non-Embargoed News and Data Releases,” and Administrative Procedure 2-99, 

“Requests for Records Under the Freedom of Information Act” provide additional information on the BLS 

confidentiality policy. 

6. Definitions. For purposes of this Order: 

a. Confidential information includes: 

i. Respondent identifiable information. Any representation of information that permits the identity of 

the respondent to whom the information applies to be reasonably inferred by either direct or 

indirect means. 

ii. Pre-release economic data. Statistics and analyses that have not yet officially been released to the 

public, whether or not there is a set date and time of release before which they must not be 

divulged. 
a. Embargoed data. Pre-release economic data for the Principal Federal Economic Indicators 

produced by the BLS. Currently, the following BLS data series have been designated by OMB as 

Principal Federal Economic Indicators: the Consumer Price Index, Employment Situation, 

Employment Cost Index, Producer Price Indexes, Productivity and Costs, Real Earnings, and U.S. 

Import and Export Price Indexes. 

b. Non-embargoed data. Non-embargoed data include all economic data produced by the BLS that 

are not designated as Principal Federal Economic Indicators. This includes statistics and analyses 

that have not yet officially been released to the public, whether or not there is a set date and 

time of release before which they must not be divulged. 

b. Respondent. A person who, or organization that, is requested or required to supply information to the 

BLS, is the subject of information requested or required to be supplied to the BLS, or provides that 

information to the BLS. A person or organization is not required to actually have provided information 

to BLS, or have had information provided to BLS from another source, to be considered a respondent. 

c. Statistical purposes. The description, estimation, or analysis of the characteristics of groups without 

identifying the individuals or organizations that comprise such groups, and the development, 

implementation, or maintenance of methods, procedures, or information resources that support such 

purposes. This definition does not include any use of respondent identifiable information for 

administrative, regulatory, law enforcement, adjudicatory, disclosure under the Freedom of Information 

Act, or other similar purposes that affect the rights, privileges, or benefits of a particular respondent. 

d. Statistical activities. The collection, compilation, processing, or analysis of data for the purpose of 

describing or making estimates or tabulations concerning the whole, or relevant groups or components 

within the economy, society, or the natural environment. Statistical activities include the development 

of methods or resources that support those activities, such as measurement methods, models, statistical 

classifications, or sampling frames. 

e. Authorized persons. Officers, employees, and agents of the BLS who are responsible for collecting, 

processing, or using confidential information in furtherance of statistical purposes or for the other 

stated purposes for which the data were collected. Authorized persons are authorized access to only 

confidential information that are integral to the program or project on which they work, and only to the 

extent required to perform their duties. 

f. Agents. Individuals who meet the definition of agent as set forth by CIPSEA and who have been 

designated by the BLS to perform exclusively statistical activities through an Agent Agreement. 

g. Disclose or Disclosure. The release of confidential information to anyone other than authorized persons 

or the respondent who provided or is the subject of the data. 

h. Advance Release. Providing a BLS news or data release (or any part or derivative of a release) to a 

person or organization outside the BLS prior to its official date and time of public release. 

7. Policy. In conformance with existing law and Departmental regulations, it is the policy of the BLS that: 

a. Respondent identifiable information collected or maintained by, or under the auspices of, the BLS for 

exclusively statistical purposes and under a pledge of confidentiality shall be treated in a manner that 

will ensure that the information will be used only for statistical purposes and will be accessible only to 

authorized persons. 
b. Pre-release economic data, including embargoed data, prepared for release to the public will not be 

disclosed or used in an unauthorized manner before they officially have been released, and will be 

accessible only to authorized persons. 

8. Designation of Authorized Persons. The following categories of individuals are authorized persons: 

a. BLS officers and employees who take the oath of office and who sign the BLS Employee 

Acknowledgment Letter when they enter on duty. 

b. Individuals designated as agents who fall within one of the following categories: 

(1) State agency employees who are directly involved in the BLS/State cooperative programs, who are 

subject to the provisions of the BLS/State cooperative agreement, and who have signed a BLS Agent 

Agreement. 

(2) BLS contract employees whose contract under which they are working contains provisions that 

includes the BLS confidentiality policy and who have signed a BLS Agent Agreement. 

(3) Individuals working under the authority of a separate government entity with which the BLS has 

entered into a contract or other agreement that includes the BLS confidentiality policy and who 

have signed a BLS Agent Agreement. 

(4) Researchers who are affiliated with an organization with which the BLS has entered into a contract 

or other agreement that includes the BLS confidentiality policy, who are working on a temporary 

basis on a statistical project of interest to the BLS, and who have signed a BLS Agent Agreement. 

(5) Any other individuals who are affiliated with an organization with which the BLS has entered into a 

contract or other agreement that includes the BLS confidentiality policy. Such individuals must meet 

the definition of an agent under CIPSEA, and must sign a BLS Agent Agreement. 

9. Delegation of Authority for Designating Agents.

a. The authority for designating agents for access to the confidential National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 

Geocode Files for statistical research is hereby delegated to the Senior Research Economist for 

Employment Research and Program Development. 

b. The authority for designating agents for access to the confidential Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries 

Research File for statistical research is hereby delegated to the Assistant Commissioner for Safety, 

Health, and Working Conditions. 

c. The authority for designating agents for access to all other BLS confidential information is delegated to 

the Associate Commissioner for the office in which the confidential information is maintained. 

d. The authority for designating agents for administrative statistical activities that involve access to 

confidential information is delegated to the Associate Commissioner for Administration. 

e. The authority for designating agents for the provision of contracted services to the BLS that involve 

access to confidential information is delegated to the Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer’s 

Technical Representatives assigned to oversee work on individual contracts. 
f. The authority for designating agents for the purposes of carrying out statistical activities with State 

agencies with which the BLS has written agreements is delegated to the Associate Commissioner for Field 

Operations and the Regional Commissioners. 

g. The authority for designating agents for access to BLS confidential information for authorized fellowship 

programs is delegated to the Associate Commissioner for Survey Methods Research. 

10. Implementation. In the execution of this general policy concerning confidential BLS records, the 

following requirements shall be in effect: 

a. Data collected in cooperation with another Federal or State agency for exclusively statistical purposes 

under a pledge of confidentiality are covered by the policy of this Order and by applicable Federal laws 

governing the handling of confidential information. 

b. Files maintained by another Federal or State agency that are commingled with confidential information 

collected by BLS for exclusively statistical purposes under a pledge of confidentiality are covered by the 

policy of this Order and by applicable Federal laws governing the handling of confidential information. 

Further, any data, including publicly available data, that are commingled with confidential information 

covered by this Order are to be treated as confidential and handled in accordance with this policy. 

c. Universe lists derived from data provided to the BLS for exclusively statistical purposes under a pledge of 

confidentiality shall be kept confidential. 

d. The survey sample composition, lists of reporters, names of respondents, and brand names shall be kept 

confidential, regardless of the source of such lists or names. 

e. Publications shall be prepared in such a way that they will not reveal the identity of any specific 

respondent and, to the knowledge of the preparer, will not allow information concerning the 

respondent to be reasonably inferred by either direct or indirect means. 

f. Frequency count data of establishments tabulated by the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages 

(QCEW) are not considered confidential since general information about an establishment, particularly 

information on the establishment location and line of business (or industry) that would be used in a 

frequency count table, is publicly available. All other information maintained by BLS in the QCEW file, 

including the employment and wages of establishments, is considered confidential and must be handled 

in accordance with this policy and applicable Federal law. 

g. Graphical representations of data, including maps, may be disclosed to the public only if the table 

underlying the graphical representation meets BLS disclosure criteria. 

h. All individuals or organizations, government or private, who enter into a contract or other agreement 

with the BLS for the collection, processing, maintenance, or storage of data shall conform to CIPSEA and 

other applicable Federal laws, to the BLS confidentiality policy, to Commissioner's Order 3-00, 

"Contracts and Agreements Involving BLS Confidential Data or Privacy Act Data,” and to all specific 

procedures published pursuant to this Order. 
i. Each BLS/State cooperative agreement shall designate a State official to serve as a State Cooperating 

Representative. The State Cooperating Representative shall act as the BLS representative for ensuring 

that all provisions of the BLS confidentiality policy are understood and complied with in the cooperating 

State agency. The State Cooperating Representative and all other State agency personnel who receive 

access to BLS confidential information must be designated agents of the BLS in accordance with Section 

8, “Designation of Authorized Persons.” 

j. Any restrictions placed by international sources upon the use of data obtained from those sources shall 

be observed. Also, any limitations placed by the Department of State or other agency upon the use, 

dissemination, or handling of data obtained through Foreign Service channels shall be observed 

wherever applicable. 

k. BLS officers, employees, and agents who are responsible for collecting data shall not sign any 

confidentiality agreements required by respondents. Such agreements may be forwarded to the 

Division of Management Systems for consideration. Signing of building entrance logs, which sometimes 

may contain confidentiality language, is allowed. 

l. Programs are responsible for complying with Disclosure Review Board (DRB) policies established under 

BLS Statistical Policy Directives. In addition, when specific disclosure limitation issues arise, programs 

are responsible for consulting with the DRB prior to disseminating potentially confidential information. 

m. In order for data obtained solely from a publicly available source to be covered under this Order, a 

pledge of confidentiality must be provided to the person or organization that is the subject of the 

information. 

n. Programs may provide data to other BLS programs, with management approval, for the statistical 

purposes of data reconciliation. 

o. Under limited circumstances, advance release of pre-release economic data is permitted with the 

authorization of the Commissioner. Advance release of embargoed data is permitted only under the 

conditions set out in Commissioner’s Order 4-00, “Advance Release of Embargoed News and Data 

Releases.” Advance release of non-embargoed data is permitted only under the conditions set out in 

Commissioner’s Order 1-05, “Authorizing Advance Access to or Publication of Non-Embargoed News and 

Data Releases.” 

11. Exceptions Under Conditions of Informed Consent. Exceptions to the general policy relating to the 

disclosure of confidential information set forth in Section 7, "Policy," or to the provisions listed in Section 

10, "Implementation," shall be granted only under the conditions of informed consent. Proposed informed 

consent arrangements shall be developed in consultation with the Division of Management Systems and 

must be authorized by the Commissioner prior to implementation in accordance with Administrative 

Procedure 2-06, “Informed Consent Procedures.” 

12. Assignment of Responsibility.

a. The Commissioner of Labor Statistics approves all confidentiality policies and procedures related to the 

protection of BLS confidential information and decides all requests for public disclosure of data collected 

by the BLS. 
b. The Associate Commissioner for Administration is assigned responsibility for the following: 

(1) Developing and overseeing all BLS-wide policies and procedures for the safe handling of BLS 

confidential information. 

(2) Ensuring BLS-wide compliance with confidentiality laws, policies, and procedures. 

(3) Overseeing the development and implementation of regular confidentiality training for all BLS 

employees and agents. 

(4) Serving as a BLS Disclosure Officer deciding on requests for public disclosure of BLS confidential 

information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and for establishing BLS-wide procedures 

for the handling of requests for records under FOIA. 

c. All Associate Commissioners are responsible for ensuring full compliance with all confidentiality laws, 

policies, and procedures within their organization. 

13. Disciplinary Actions. It is the policy of the BLS to enforce the provisions of this Order to the full extent of its 

authority. Any unauthorized disclosure or use of confidential information by a BLS officer or employee may 

constitute cause for the BLS to take disciplinary action against that officer or employee including, but not 

limited to, reprimand, suspension, demotion, or removal. Any unauthorized disclosure or use of confidential 

information by a BLS contractor or other agent may constitute cause for removal from further work under 

the contract or other agreement through which access to confidential information is authorized or 

termination of the contract or other agreement. Furthermore, a knowing and willful disclosure by a BLS 

officer, employee, or agent of respondent identifiable information collected for exclusively statistical 

purposes under a pledge of confidentiality would be a violation of CIPSEA and potentially other applicable 

Federal laws that carry criminal fines and penalties. 

14. Effective Date. This Order is effective immediately. 

PHILIP L. RONES 

Acting Commissioner of Labor Statistics 
Attachment D 

BLS AGENT AGREEMENT 

1. I, [Name BLS Designating Official], an authorized official of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. 

Department of Labor, hereby designate [Name of Agent] as a temporary Agent of the BLS, within the 

meaning of the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA), (Attachment 

A), to serve in accordance with this Agent Agreement and agreements entered into between the BLS 

and [Name of Contractor], hereinafter “the Contractor,” for BLS-approved statistical activities, and 

applicable Federal law. 

2. I, [Name of Agent], hereby accept the designation as Agent in paragraph 1. I certify that I have read 

all applicable agreements between the BLS and the Contractor and promise that I will comply with all 

provisions of this Agent Agreement, all agreements between the BLS and the Contractor, and 

applicable law. I will assure that my actions or inactions do not cause the Contractor to violate its 

responsibilities under those agreements. I specifically swear (or affirm) to comply with all provisions of 

law that affect information acquired by the BLS, including, but not limited to, CIPSEA, the Privacy Act, 

the Trade Secrets Act, and the Wagner-Peyser Act, and I understand that my failure to comply with 

these provisions may subject me to criminal sanctions. 

3. We, the parties, understand that the BLS is granting the Agent access to confidential information 

only for the purpose of carrying out the Agent's responsibilities under written agreements between the 

BLS and the Contractor. Confidential information includes respondent identifiable information which is 

protected from unauthorized use or disclosure under CIPSEA. Confidential information may also 

include pre-release, personally identifiable, and restricted access information. The BLS will grant 

access only to that confidential information which is necessary to carry out the Agent’s responsibilities 

under written agreements between the BLS and the Contractor. The Agent will not seek or obtain such 

confidential information for any other purpose. The Agent will return all confidential information to 

the BLS, at the request of the BLS. The Agent will return this information to the BLS when the Agent is 

no longer affiliated with the Contractor or when the Agent has no further responsibilities under these 

agreements which require access to such information. 

4. I, [Name of Agent], will perform all activities subject to this agreement under the control of the BLS 

Contracting Officer Representative or any other BLS official that the BLS designates. I, the Agent, agree 

to comply with all BLS information policies. 

 

5. We, the parties, understand and agree that the Agent will not be an employee of the United States 

government, the Department of Labor, or the BLS for any purpose and will not receive compensation 

or payment of any kind from the BLS, the Department of Labor, or the Government in connection with 

the Agent's activities under this agreement or any other agreements between the BLS and the 

Contractor. Neither this agreement nor any agreement between the BLS and the Contractor provides 

any right of access to BLS information. The parties also understand and agree that the BLS may decline 

to give the Agent access to information and/or to terminate this agreement at any time, without 

notice. The parties agree that neither this agreement, nor any termination thereof will result in any 

legal liability by the BLS, the Department of Labor, or the Government; however, termination will not 
affect the Agent's continuing obligation to safeguard all confidential information, and it will not affect 

any license granted to the Government or any intellectual property rights of the public or the 

Government pursuant to section 6. 

6. I, [Name of Agent], understand that I will not acquire any property rights or interests in data 

accessed, used, or provided as a result of activities performed under this agreement. 

7. I, [Name of Agent], certify that I currently am an employee of the Contractor, and I will notify the BLS 

if I should no longer be affiliated with the Contractor or of any change of status with the Contractor. 

 

8. I, [Name of Agent], fully understand my responsibilities to protect confidential information from 

unauthorized disclosure. I will comply with all instructions of the BLS with respect to such information 

and all security requirements and will avoid all improper use or disclosure of confidential information. 

I will notify the BLS immediately if I become aware of any request or demand for access to confidential 

information. I understand that under CIPSEA, the penalty for a knowing and willful disclosure of 

respondent identifiable information is a class E felony with a fine of not more than $250,000 or 

imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both. 

_______________________________ 

[Name of Agent] 

[Agent’s Organization] 

_______________________________ 

[Name of BLS Official] 

Bureau of Labor Statistics 
Attachment E 

FORM EXAMPLES 

 English 

 Page 1 
 Page 2
 Page 3
 Page 4
SPANISH FORM 

 Page 1 
Attachment F 

PRENOTE EXAMPLES 

 English 

 Highlighting is not to be printed. It shows the location of variable information and the two different 

files that information comes from. 

Address Label (Attachment J) Industry Label (Attachment K)
Spanish 

Variable information location is shown on the English example on the previous page. 

Return Address 

(Attachment M) 

Address Label (Attachment J) Industry Label (Attachment K) 
Attachment G 

INITIAL COLLECTION LETTER Version 1 Page 1 

Return Address 

(Attachment M) 

Address Label (Attachment J) Industry Label (Attachment K) 
INITIAL COLLECTION LETTER Version 1 Page 2 
INITIAL COLLECTION LETTER Version 2 Page 1 

Return Address 

(Attachment M) 

Address Label (Attachment J) Industry Label (Attachment K)
INITIAL COLLECTION LETTER Version 2 Page 2 
INITIAL Collection Letter Version 1 with School 6111 instructions page 1 (chosen by NAICS code of 

establishment) 

Return Address 

(Attachment M) 

Address Label (Attachment J) Industry Label (Attachment K)
INITIAL Collection Letter Version 1 with School 6112 instructions page 1 (chosen by NAICS code of 

establishment) 

Return Address 

(Attachment M) 

Address Label (Attachment J) Industry Label (Attachment K) 
Collection Letter Version 2 

 School 6111 instructions page 2 (chosen by NAICS code of establishment) 
 School 6112 instructions page 2 (chosen by NAICS code of establishment) 
INITIAL COLLECTION LETTER 

 Spanish Version 

 Page 1 Same as English Version 1, including School pages 

 

 Page 2 
Attachment H 

FOLLOW UP LETTER 

Version 1, Page 1 

Return Address 

(Attachment M) 

Address Label (Attachment J) Industry Label (Attachment K)
FOLLOW UP LETTER 

Version 1, Page 2 
FOLLOW UP LETTER 

Version 2, Page 1 

Return Address 

(Attachment M) 

Address Label (Attachment J) Industry Label (Attachment K) 
FOLLOW UP LETTER 

Version 2, Page 2 
FOLLOW UP LETTER 

Spanish 

Page 2 (Page 1 is identical to English, Version 1) 
Attachment I 

MAIL-OUT ENVELOPE SPECIFICATIONS

The Mail-out window envelope will be a standard size #10 envelope with the windows, return address and 

address, on the left side. 

Size: 4 1/8” x 9 1⁄2” 

Top Window: 1” x3 1⁄2”, located 1⁄2” from the left and 2 1⁄2” from the bottom 

Bottom Window: 1 1/8” x 4”, located 1⁄2” from the left and 3⁄4” from the bottom 

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT CORRESPONDENCE, REPLY REQUESTED 
Attachment J 

BUSINESS REPLY ENVELOPE SPECIFICATIONS 

Standard #9 Business reply envelopes. 

There are additional requirements for the design of the Business Reply Envelope. A flyer detailing the US Postal 

Service regulations will be provided including the use of Intelligent Barcodes if needed. 
Attachment K 

Name and Address Information 

NOTE: This is an example of typical information printed on the mailing label. Actual data items are subject to 

change. 

Line 1 = “IDCF #” (6 char) 

 IDCF# (12 char) 

 “EST. EMP: “ (9 char) 

Estimated Employment (up to 6 char)

 

Line 2 = “REFERENCE DATE: “ (15 char) 

 Reference date (12 char) 

Mailing Code (1 char) 

NAICS Code (6 char) 

State initials (4 char) 

Line 3 = Blank 

Line 4 = Blank 

Line 5 = Contact Name/Title

Line 6 = Legal Name (35 char)

Line 7 = Total length for this line is 45 characters 

REPORT FOR: (12 char) 

Space (1 char) 

REPORTING UNIT DESCRIPTION (use as many characters of this field that will fit on the 

line; this field might be blank on some records) 

Line 8 = Street Address Line 1 (35 char)

Line 9 = Street Address Line 2 (35 char)

Line 10 = City (20 Char) 

State (2 char) 

Zip+4 (10 char) 

IDCF# 123456789012 Est. Emp: 123456 

Reference Date: Nov 12, 2010 P 123456 ACBD 

 

Human Resources Manager 

First National Blood Bank 

Report for: This location 

Capitol Hill Branch 

2 Transylvania Ave NE 

Washington, DC 20002-0011 
NOTE: Any blank lines in lines 5-9 should be collapsed. Lines should not wrap. If the line is too long it 

should be truncated. The character limits for each line will be agreed upon by both the Bureau of 

Labor Statistics and the contractor at the beginning of the contract or changed by mutual 

agreement. 

 
Attachment L 

Industry Information 

||||||||||||||||||| 213519 

0987654321-12345 

GENERAL CONTRACTORS PRIMARILY ENGAGED IN HIGHWAY AND STREET 

CONSTRUCTION (EXCEPT ELEVATED HIGHWAYS AND PRIVATE DRIVEWAYS), 

IMPROVEMENTS INCIDENTAL TO SUCH CONSTRUCTION, AND AIRPORTS, 

SIDEWALKS, GUARD RAILS, ETC. 

Line 1 = Bar Code – Code 39 representing 12 digit IDCF#

 NAICS (6 char) 

 

Line 2 = Unemployment insurance account number (16 char) 

Line 3 = Industry Description (385 char)

Note: In the current system, the label data is processed using software from a third party vender BeCubed 

Software Inc. product called “List&Labels” to generate bar codes. The barcode is a standard Code 39 barcode. 
Attachment M 

Form Cut-off and Collection Letter Version File 

FIPS = State code 

Form cutoff = the estimated employment limit to receive a form instead of the collection letter 

3

rd follow up = F for form or E for collection letter during the 3rd follow up mailing 

3

rd follow up cutoff = the estimated employment limit to receive a form instead of the collection letter for the 3rd

follow up mailing 

Letter version = Shows whether the state is using version 1 or version 2 of the collection letter, or Spanish for 

Puerto Rico 
Attachment N 

Example of State Data File Record 

(Text file delimited by pipes) 

NOTE: This is an example of typical information printed on the mailing label. Actual data items are subject to 

change. 

sched_num|mailing|area_code|bmk_empl|refdate|new_refer_date|state_code| 

naics_code|contact|title|legal_name|trade_name|report_unit_at|rpt_unit_descr|addr_line1|addr_line

2|city|state_abbrev|zip_code|zip_ext|staff_code_1|ui_run|descry 

Schedule Number/IDCF#(12 char)

Mailing code(1 char)

Area Code (2)

Employment (5 Char)

REFERENCE DATE: (16 char)

Reference date (11 char)

State FIPS Code (2 char)

NAICS (6 char)

Contact Name (35 char)

Title (35 char)

Legal Name (35 char) Note: Use Legal name only if 

Trade name is blank

Trade Name (35 char)

REPORT FOR: (11 char) 

Note: Total combined length of 

REPORT FOR and RUD should not 

exceed 37 characters. Use the 

total characters from the 

REPORT FOR statement and then 

truncate (if needed) the RUD so 

that the total does not exceed 

37.

Report Unit Description(RUD) (variable – might be blank)

Street Address Line 1 (50 char)

Street Address Line 2 (50 char)

City (30 Char)
State (2 char) 

Zip (5 char)

4-digit Zip extension (4 char)

Mail code (4 CHAR)

UI account number (16 CHAR)

Industry description (385 CHAR)
Attachment O 

Examples of State Employment Security Agency File Layout 

The State return address, , Business Reply Mail (BRM) Envelope address, and State shipping address is sent from the 

State offices to the BLS. After it is reviewed it is sent to the Contractor. Information for each State is included on one 

row of a Microsoft® ExcelTM spreadsheet as shown in the format below. There is a separate tab for each type of address. 

Return Address Tab 

Business Reply Address Tab 

UPS Address Tab 
Attachment P 

Example of Blank Forms Distribution Quantities 

FIPS codes are used for each state’s order and are contained in the first row. 
Attachment Q 

STATE LETTERHEAD and LOGO FILES 

Folder will contain letterhead and/or logo files for each state 

Folder with JPG files 

Example of state letterhead 

Example of state logo