FSA/ARC/PLC POSTCARDS

The U.S. Government Publishing Office, acting on behalf of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, is soliciting bids for the production and mailing of 3,753,960 personalized 4×6 postcards through Solicitation Number 460670, with a response deadline of May 4, 2026. Contractor responsibilities include high-volume 4-color process printing with variable data imaging, using 80 lb. dull-coated cover stock (JCP L60) and ensuring precise bleed matching to approved samples. All postcards must be imaged with unique identifiers, including Intelligent Mail Barcodes and ZIP+4 codes, using CASS and PAVE-certified software to validate and update addresses through NCOA Link, removing undeliverable records and optimizing postage rates. The contractor must perform 100% quality control, maintain full accountability to prevent duplicates or defects, and submit press-quality PDF proofs by May 11, 2026, with no printing permitted without explicit “OK TO PRINT” authorization. Final delivery must be completed by June 1, 2026, with mail shipped F.O.B. the contractor’s facility and labeled per GPO Form 905, affixed to each shipping container. Mailing is executed under a government-paid permit, and the contractor must provide signed shipping receipts and delivery confirmations within one workday. All operations must comply with the USPS Domestic Mail Manual, GPO Publications 310.1 and 310.2, and ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 inspection standards, with quality levels set at Level III for both printing and finishing. The contractor is prohibited from subcontracting the predominant production function and must demonstrate financial responsibility via audited statements if selected. Electronic submissions via email to bids@gpo.gov are mandatory, with a 75 MB file size limit, and must include a completed bid form with price, acceptance period, and verifiable electronic signature under UETA. Invoices must be submitted via GPO’s fax gateway using a barcode coversheet, not through WAWF or IPP. The Government retains rights to inspections and pre-award surveys, and failure to meet any technical, labeling, or reporting requirement renders the bid non-compliant. No socioeconomic set-asides apply, and the GPO imprint is strictly forbidden on finished products; all work is governed by strict compliance, accountability, and delivery timelines with no reimbursement for unauthorized work.