U.S. Government Printing Office, Purchase Division, Printing Procurement Department, Stop: PPP, Room C817, Washington, DC 20401

T -- PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION OF MEDICARE PUBLICATIONS DUE 050798 POC Jon Carr, 202-512-0307, fax 202-512-1671 or 1733 WEB: Request for Information on Medicare Handbook, http://www.gpo.gov/procurement/bids/synopsis.shtml. E-MAIL: jcarr@gpo.gov, jcarr@gpo.gov. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. PLEASE RESPOND BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS MAY 7, 1998. Respond in writing to Jon Carr, U.S. Government Printing Office, Room C-817, Mail Stop PPP, North Capitol and H Street, NW, Washington, DC 20401, fax 202-512-1671 or 1733, e-mail jcarr@gpo.gov General Publication Specifications -- Mailing a minimum of 500 versions of Medicare publications totaling approx. 36,200,000 self-mailers. Publications are 8-1/2 x 11", preferably saddle-wire stitched. Cover stock is 50# white vellum-finish cover, Text stock is 60# white offset book. Note: See question 3 below concerning paper stock. Style #1 -- Publications consist of a separate wraparound cover plus 32 constant/fixed pages (same for all copies) plus from 8 to 16 variable pages (varies by version). Minimum of 388 versions totaling approx. 23,900,000 copies with a breakdown as follows: 119 to 1,000 copies = 5 versions; 1,001 to 5,000 copies = 28 versions; 5,001 to 10,000 copies = 46 versions; 10,001 to 20,000 copies = 77 versions; 20,001 to 40,000 = 85 versions; 40,001 to 100,000 copies = 78 versions; 100,001 to 300,000 copies = 57 versions; 300,001 to 500,000 = 9 versions; 500,001 to 600,000 = 2 versions; and approx. 1,008,000 copies = 1 version. The 388 (or more) versions for this style are to be mailed nationwide. There is a version with its unique 8 to 16 pages for each "cluster" of Zip Codes that are serviced by a unique set of health care plans. These versions are for "Elig benes" indicated in the additional information attached. Style #2 -- Publications consist of a separate wraparound cover plus 32 constant/fixed pages (same 32 pages as Style #1 -- same for all copies) plus 8 variable pages (varies by version). 55 English versions totaling approx. 9,742,000 copies. Each of the 55 versions for this style is for a state or territory of the U.S. These versions are for "Elig benes" on the attached where certain plans may not be available. Style #3 -- Same printing description as Style #2, except in Spanish. Only one version totaling approx. 334,000 copies. Style #4 -- Publications consist of a separate wraparound cover plus 16 constant/fixed pages (same as the first 16 pages of Style #1 -- same for all copies) plus 4 variable pages (varies by version). 55 English versions totaling approx. 2,070,000 copies. Each of the 55 versions for this style is for a state or territory of the U.S. in the same manner as Style #2, but these versions are for "Inelig benes" on the additional information attached to GPO's web page. Style #5 -- Same printing description as Style #4, except in Spanish. Only one version totaling approx. 142,400 copies. Please respond to the following questions -- Government-Furnished Material consists of: 1) Files are created in WordPerfect. The contractor would be required to either recreate the files in a professional level program (e.g., QuarkXPress) or to receive/create PDF files from WordPerfect. Which would you prefer? Also, please comment on the "Integrated" and "Modular" manuscript approaches on the additional information attached to GPO's web page. The mailing addresses will be furnished in 5-digit Zip Code, CASS certified sequence: 2a) Can you manipulate the address file(s) to Zip + 4 without changing the integrity of the addresses (must not be processed through NCOA)? 2b) Can you furnish a fixed price bid including the cost for sorting/handling/preparation for shipping to each BMC/SCF in the country? Shipment will be made using Government-furnished bills of lading. Paper: Text stock must maintain the opacity of the 60# offset. Printing consists of type and line matter, no halftones/flat tones. 3) Do you have any suggestions for paper options which will minimize mailing weight and maintain minimum requirements indicated? Printing: 4a) What printing process would you use to produce the 4 to 16 pages which will be different for all of the approx. 500 versions? Note: These variable pages are together as consecutive pages. 4b) Where in the publication would you prefer these variable pagesbe located? What are the consequences if they are the a) center spread, or b) the last pages of the text? 4c) What printing process would you use to produce the constant/fixed pages? 4d) What percentage would the following scenarios increase the cost of a single-color product - 4d.1) 2-color cover with single-color (black) text. 4d.2) 2-color cover and 2-color text. 4d.3) 2-color cover, 2-color constant text pages, and single-color variable text pages (black). Binding: Saddle-stitching is preferred because it allows the product to lay flat when open. 5) Do you have any suggestions for an alternate binding style? Schedule: 6) How many weeks production would you require for delivery to BMC's/SCF's between Oct. 1 and 15, 1998? Follow-On Project (Separate Contract): The mass-mailing described will be immediately followed by monthly mailings of approx. 200,000 copies (this quantity includes various copies of the minimum 500 different versions indicated). The constant/fixed pages would remain unchanged, however the variable pages and distribution will be updated on a monthly basis. If you would be interested in this contract: 7) What printing process(es) would you suggest as the most cost efficient, taking into account the smaller quantities of the printing runs? Do you have any other suggestions or comments? (0114)

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