The U.S. Government Printing Office intends to issue a solicitation for "Invitation for Bids" for the printing, binding, and distribution of approximately 42,000,000 "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 140-180 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 four 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 book.
Text Pages: Print in two colors (black and one Pantone color)
Fixed section, estimated to be approximately 128 pages, is common to all books. Variable section, unique and located at the end of each Area-Specific Handbook, ranges between (approximately) 20-60 pages.

The total requirement of this product is approximately 42,000,000 handbooks, divided into lots of approximately 7,000,000 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 the 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 7,000,000 copies each. Award will be made based on the combination of lots that results in the lowest overall cost to the Government, and responsible offerors whose offer the Government has determined to be fair and reasonable.

The paper stock requirement for this contract is anticipated to be:

Covers - JCP L-50 Matte Coated 65 lb. Cover and/or JCP L-60 Dull Coated 60 lb. Cover.

Text - JCP A-235 (Publication Grade) Matte Coated Book (JCP Standard Variance = 40 lb. basis weight with Bursting Strength not less than 8 lbs/in², Opacity Average not less than 89%, Thickness not less than 0.0027", and Gloss Average not greater than 25%).

Vendors/Contractors are required to submit (by March 21, 2011) 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 who would like their paper 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 Printing Office
Chief, Testing and Technical Services Branch
Stop: QCT, Room B502, QC Samples
Washington, DC 20401

Schedule:
The fixed section text files are expected to be available on June 24, 2011.
The variable section text files are expected to be available on September 15, 2011.
All mailing and bulk shipment MUST be complete by September 30, 2011.
The solicitation for "Invitation for Bids" is expected to be released on May 20, 2011.