Printing, Binding and Distribution of 2016 Medicare and You Handbooks

The U.S. Government Publishing Office intends to issue a solicitation for "Invitation for Bids" for the printing, binding and distribution of approximately 37,800,000 "Medicare and You" Handbooks. Multiple awards may be made for this solicitation. There will be approximately three to ten items (Area Specific Handbooks) for each lot. Each item will have an estimated 144-192 page publication with separate wraparound cover, perfect bound. All text pages will print in two colors (black and one Pantone color) throughout, with no blank pages. Each item will contain: Covers: Print in 4-color process and one Pantone color, plus coating - Covers 1, 2 and 3 are common to all books and cover 4 is specific to each area. Text Pages: Print in two colors (black and one Pantone color) - Fixed section, estimated to be approximately 144 pages, is common to all books. - Variable section, unique and located at the end of each Area-Specific Handbook, range between approximately 16-48 pages. The total requirement of this product is approximately 37,800,000 handbooks, divided into lots of approximately 6,300,000 Area-Specific Handbooks. Quantities for each item will vary from approximately 100,000 to 3,000,000. Contractor(s) will be required to mail the majority of the contract quantity by single copies via U.S. Mail using Government-furnished mailing permit. The balance quantities to be bulk shipped to approximately 25-300 locations via reimbursable small parcel carrier. It is the Government's intent to award one to six separate contracts for individual lots of approximately 6,300,000 copies each. Award will be made based on th combination of lots that results in the lowest overall cost to the Government and responsible offerors whose offer to the Government is determined to be fair and reasonable. At the time of bid submission, all plants specified in the Contractor's bid production plan MUST be certified by GPO's "Quality Control for Procured Printing Branch" at the appropriate specified quality level. The paper stock requirement for this contract is anticipated to be JCP L-50 Matte Coated 65 lb. Cover for the covers and JCP A-235 (Publication Grade) Matte Coated 40 lb Book for the text. Vendors/Contractors are required to submit (by May 21, 2015) paper samples which they would like to be considered for GPO's "Qualified Products List" in regards to the Medicare and You contract. Vendors/Contractors must submit the paper manufacturer's certification, at the time of paper sample submission, that the text paper they are proposing has no less than 10% post-consumer fiber. Vendors/Contractors who would like their papr products to be considered for the "Qualified Products List" must submit 25 sheets of 8-1/2 x 11" paper for testing and evaluation. The samples shall be identified as QPL Samples and include the product name or identification number, JCP number, recycled content and typical characteristics of the product. They shall be sent to the following address: U.S. Government Publishing Office Chief, Testing and Technical Services Branch 732 North Capitol Street, NW Stop: QCT, Room B502, QC Samples Washington, DC 20401