GPO RFI-Offset and Inkjet-Treated Paper

The Government Publishing Office is conducting market research through RFI-26-0028 to evaluate industry capability in supplying offset and inkjet-treated paper products for congressional print operations. The effort aims to assess the availability, production capacity, supply chain readiness, and Rough Order of Magnitude pricing for both paper types, with a focus on transitioning from traditional web offset paper to inkjet-treated alternatives while maintaining concurrent supply during a phased transition period. Deliveries are required at the GPO’s Washington, DC headquarters or Laurel, Maryland facility, with orders to be fulfilled within one month of placement. Responses must include detailed capability information such as past performance, contract vehicles, manufacturing sources, lead times, minimum order quantities, and ROM pricing, with submissions limited to 20 pages in PDF format and sent via email by May 11, 2026. The paper must adhere to stringent Government Paper Specification Standards, particularly JCP A160, JCP D10, JCP J10, JCP J20, and JCP J30, with technical requirements including a minimum brightness of 88%, color variation within ΔE 1.0, pH levels of at least 7.0, and a minimum of 2% calcium carbonate for buffering. Cleanliness standards restrict dirt specks to no more than 250 per square meter for select grades, and physical properties such as bursting strength, density, and formation are evaluated through a Product Quality Index that assigns demerit scores for minor, major, or critical deviations, with any score below 70 resulting in automatic rejection. The paper must be acid-free, meet specific thickness and tearing thresholds, and be free of watermarks and two-sided printing. While no formal contract value or unit pricing is established, six CLINs define base quantities of 40-pound paper in various widths for both offset and inkjet-treated types. The RFI does not include FAR clauses, socioeconomic set-asides, or formal contract terms, nor does it require UEI or CAGE codes, but it does encourage the use of paper with at least 30% post-consumer content and offers incentives for higher levels. The contracting officer is Jasmin Webb, with Tawanda Mizelle as the primary point of contact for technical inquiries.