Commander, Rock Island Arsenal, Attn: SIORI-CT, Rock Island, IL 61299-5000

T -- COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISE INSTALLATION NEWSPAPER PRINTING POC Burdette Orris, 309-782-8513 E-MAIL: Click here to contact the Contracting Officer, orrisr@ria.army.mil. Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, IL, is seeking a contract to produce its installation newspaper. The contract will be awarded on a "civilian enterprise" (CE) basis. A newspaper printed under a civilian enterprise contract is one which contains advertising. The ads are sold by the company holding the CE contract. All editorial material (i.e. all material which is not advertising) is provided by the Army. NOTE: The term "printer" as used in the remainder of this notice is defined as the company or individual holding the CE contract as prime contractor. No money is paid to the printer by the Army. The printer's costs must be recouped through the sale of advertising. The printer receives exclusive distribution rights on the installation and will be granted use of official distribution channels (e.g. the installation mail system). However, the newspaper may not be sold, nor may it be distributed outside its intended audience. Any profit realized from the sale of advertising is retained in whole by the printer holding the civilian enterprise contract. Rock Island Arsenal's newspaper, which is known as "The Target," is printed once a month on newsprint stock. It is tabloid size and usually 12 pages in length. Approximately 10,000 copies of the newspaper are printed. Most are bundled, top-sheeted and shipped to the installation. About 1,100 are sent out as single mailers, with postage paid by printer. The CE contract will be awarded for an initial period of two years, with options extending the contract to as many as six years. The contract will not contain an "escape clause" that links contract provisions to advertising revenue realized. Failure of the printer to obtain sufficient advertising revenue will not be the basis for a modification of services or products for which the printer has contracted. Here is a list of some restrictions and requirements that the printer holding the CE contract for Rock Island Arsenal must meet. This list is not all-inclusive. The printer must: -- Be able to print editorial copy, photographs and line illustrations at a high level of quality. -- Be able to receive manuscript copy via electronic telecommunications, and be able to lay out type, photographs and art using a desktop publishing system. -- Be able to provide the Army's representative with a wide variety of type sizes and styles for body copy and headlines. -- Be able to make copy changes and corrections at the direction of the Army's representative within 24 hours of the time of final distribution. -- Be able to print photographs and illustrations in color. -- Be willing to accept certain restrictions on advertising, as set in the contract and specified per Army regulation. The CE printer will be ultimately responsible for accepting or rejecting advertising. However, failure to comply with advertising restrictions may be used by the Army as reason to deny distribution of a particular issue through official channels, and to begin actions to terminate the contract for cause. Selection of a CE printer for Rock Island Arsenal will be made by a committee. Information may be presented to the selection committee by a printer in writing, via personal presentation, or both. Interested parties should be prepared to address questions asked by committee members; provide sample copies of their work; and allow Army representatives to tour their facilities. The solicitation will describe the type and format of material to be submitted. The decision of the committee will be based on the best value offered to the Army by the printer. Printers who can provide required services can enhance their chances for selection by offering additional services. A fair and equal opportunity will be afforded to all parties who express an interest in this enterprise. It is anticipated that the solicitation will be issued sometime during the month of September, 2000, with contract performance beginning 30-60 days after contract award. Contact the POC if you want to receive a solicitation. Rock Island Arsenal Home Page Access: http://www.ria.army.mil. Posted 08/22/00 (W-SN488626). (0235)

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