The MS Department of Employment Security (here in after "MDES, Agency, or State") is requesting sealed bids to establish a contract that will provide Print & Mailing services from qualified, experienced, responsible, and financially sound firms. The Mis

The Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) is soliciting sealed bids to establish a firm fixed-price contract for comprehensive printing and mailing services, with a contract term beginning September 27, 2026, and extending through September 26, 2029, with the possibility of two one-year renewals subject to funding and performance approval. The contract, identified by solicitation number 1671-26-R-RFPR-00001, requires vendors to provide end-to-end services including printing, sorting, folding, inserting, mailing, and return mail processing for unemployment insurance and other agency-related materials, with strict adherence to same-day or next-day dispatch timelines, USPS presort and automation standards, and CASS-certified address verification. All mailings must feature Intelligent Mail Barcodes and comply with USPS Publication 28, while handling sensitive data such as Federal Tax Information and Personally Identifiable Information under HIPAA, PCI-DSS, NIST SP 800-88, and IRS Publication 1075 requirements, with mandatory encryption, secure destruction protocols, and annual security training for all personnel. The evaluation process is a trade-off model where price accounts for 35% of the score, but technical capability and managerial experience—including proven track record with unemployment mailings, in-state facility location, scalability, and system reliability—are critical determinants of award, with higher-priced proposals potentially selected if they demonstrate superior quality and performance. Proposals must be submitted as one signed original and four copies to MDES in Jackson, MS, along with an electronic link, by June 24, 2026, and must include full compliance certifications regarding debarment status, Mississippi state registration, insurance coverage, no contingent fees or gratuities, and independent pricing. Contractors must also acknowledge and comply with stringent security obligations including real-time incident reporting within one hour of discovery, prohibition of remote home office work, flow-down of requirements to subcontractors, and absolute restriction on public disclosure of breaches without prior written authorization from MDES or SSA. All services must be performed from within the United States, with facilities subject to government inspection, and the estimated contract value is $1,500,000 over the base and optional periods.