R -- 360VU BRAND LAUNCH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Notice Date

March 12, 2001

Contracting Office

National Institute of Standards & Technology, Acquisition & Assistance Div.,100 Bureau Drive Stop 3572, Bldg. 301, Rm B117, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-3572

ZIP Code

20899-3572

Solicitation Number

N/A

Response Due

March 19, 2001

Point of Contact

Susan Brinkman, Contracts Specialist, 301-975-8007; Romena Moy, Contracting Officer, 301-975-4999.

E-Mail Address

NIST Contracts Office (Contract@nist.gov)

Description

This is an amendment to a previous synopsis dated March 2, 2001. The answers to the following questions are as follows. THE RESPONSE DATE HAS BEEN CHANGED TO 3:00p.m., MARCH 19, 2001. 1. Will any NIST, MEP, 360vu, etc. logos or other required graphic elements be provided in a Mac format, or is scanning/cleanup of art required? Answer: Graphics can be provided in Mac format. 2. Is the desired product of modest quality, or is it high-end? Is this determined on a piece-by-piece basis, with some items, such as shells and newsletters being of modest quality, and others, such as pocket folders, being more high-end and design-intensive? Answer: All products should be of high-end quality 3. For pieces such as the packaging solutions (3-ring binders or expandable envelopes) and the spiral-bound Participant Workbook, should the estimated cost be through design and final graphic files only, or should an estimated cost-per-piece for the completed package be included in the quotation? Answer: The estimated cost should be through design and final graphic files. No publishing or printing is required. 4. Should the quotation be based on copywriting being required for all deliverables as appropriate, as opposed to a quotation for editing only of electronically supplied draft copy? Answer: Final copy will be provided -- no editing is necessary 5. For pieces requiring stock photos, should the cost of stock photos, either a ballpark or a cost range be included in the quotation? Answer: All stock photos to be provided by NIST. 6. Does each of the 2 versions of shell paper (one with the 360vu center-type mark, one with the 360vu corporate mark) require its own distinct design, or will the only difference be the logo or other slight variation(s)? Answer: There should be slight variations 7. Regarding the fabrication and installation of the large banners at the Gaithersburg site: does the location of the banner installation require any special equipment (e.g. height of lobby)? Should banners include grommets and rope for hanging, or will other hardware/frames be required? Answer: Banners should include grommets and rope for hanging. 8. Regarding the fabrication and packaging of the smaller banners: Should the banners include grommets and rope for hanging, or will other hardware be required? Answer: The banners should include grommets and rope for hanging. Will product messaging or a teaser be required for the special packaging? Answer: All final copy and messages to be provided. Is the special packaging for the product launch, or is it meant to be durable or have any other special requirements? Answer: No special packaging required -- just shipping. Will the packaging be the primary mailer, or will it need to fit inside another type of overnight or delivery package? Answer: The packaging will be the primary mailer. 9. When a vendor needs to be identified for the production/printing of various items, is a minimum number of possible vendors required, or should the offeror select one vendor, based on lowest price? Answer: A single vendor for production/printing should be selected based on quality & price. 10. Regarding the ordering process: should a range of costs for developing a process be given? This could be a simple form-based procedure, or could be a password-protected section on the web site. Are there available MEP resources for overseeing the ordering process? Is there a current ordering system for other programs that is effective? Answer: This should be a simple form on our website for centers to order materials as necessary. We have a similar ordering system in place. 11. Does the 360vu calendars require a unique message and/or graphic on each of the 360 pages? What is the number of colors to be used for this piece? Answer: Yes, there should be a different message and/or graphic on each page (message will be provided by NIST). This will be a 4 color piece. 12. Should the banner design/template for the two newsletters (MEP Network version, SME version) be completely different, or should there be a strong family connection between the two? Are the desired templates Mac or PC-based? Answer: There should be a strong family connection between the two newsletters. The desired templates are Mac-based. 13. Can the three PowerPoint templates (MEP, 360vu Corporate, 360vu center versions) utilize the same general design, with minor variations, or should each have a different look/feel, requiring three unique designs? Answer: The three templates can have the same general design with minor variations. 14. Will any required graphics/photos be provided for the web site? Will scanning be required, or will all be in an electronic format? Answer: Stock photos will be provided by NIST. Vendor may need to provide some graphics. All will be in electronic format. 15. Will exact specifications and models numbers be provided for the exhibits and trade show booth? Answer: Yes Is there a specific vendor that the offeror is required to use? Answer: No Will any photos or graphics be provided/required? Answer: Photos will be provided by NIST; graphics required. 16. To confirm, the 360vu product line requires templates to be developed for a total of 28 courses. Should there be an overall family look for all 360vu lines, with each product having its own graphic element or color that is unique to the product line, while still maintaining the family look? Answer: Yes 17. Can the quotation be based on the assumption that the overall design will first be approved from a representative number of comps, and from the approved design, templates will then be developed for each piece, rather than presenting designs for all required templates for the initial presentation? Answer: Yes, the design will be approved first and then templates will be developed. 18. Labels for large fiberboard cases are required only for the Lean product line? Answer: Yes 19. Should the quotation for the direct mail pieces include all creative, including concept, copy and layout? Answer: The quote should include layout only How many teaser cards will be designed for each piece? Answer: 3/piece Will there be an opportunity to investigate/suggest other more cost-effective formats? Answer: Yes 20. In Collateral Materials Item #2 360vu Decision (Sales) Kit. Are we to provide pricing for one unit as a container for the sales kit? 20.b. If not for one unit then how many units will be required? Answer for 20 & 20b: We would like 500 sales kits to be created. Please provide a price for the packaging for 500 Sales Kits. 20c. Are the stickers or branding elements to be added to the Collateral Materials 360vu Decision (Sales) Kit a separate item from the stickers in Promotional Material Item 3? Answer for 20c: Theoretically the stickers could be used for both. NIST would like vendor recommendation for identity to be added to collateral material. 20d. If these are a different type of sticker what are the design specifications? Or should we rely on the specifications in Promotional Material Item 3? Answer: N/A 21. Is stock photography to be provided or are we to price stock images as part of our pricing? Answer: Stock photography to be provided by NIST. 21a. If we are to purchase stock imagery certain information will be required to price the stock photography: Answer: N/A 22. In Collateral Item 6 there is a requirement for spot illustrations. Will these be original artwork or stock images? Answer: NIST will provide artwork. 23. Please define "Shell Paper" as used in Collateral Materials Items 7, 8, and 9. Answer: Stationary-like paper that we can laser print onto such materials as fact sheets, press releases, etc. 24. In Promotional Materials Item 5 there is a requirement for a 360 page calendar. Is this a misprint? Answer: It will be a 365 page calendar. Tear off block type. 25. In Communications Material Item 1 newsletter will this item be printed on a web press or offset? Answer: This is unknown at the moment. If this information is necessary for proposal, please contact Contracts Specialist or Officer. 26. In On-Line Collateral Item 4 "NIST MEP would do architecture?" please define the term architecture as it relates to the deliverable in this line item? Answer: No coding/programming required. Vendor will be responsible for concept/design (look & feel of web-site only) 27. In Exhibits Item 4 can you provide dimensions, drawings, or reference for exactly what size graphics will be required to retro fit the "Comdex" Exhibit? Answer: Please see dimensions in Exhibits Task -- Bullet #4 28. Will printer specifications to account for press type, dot gain, and other variables be supplied to the winning bidder? Answer: NIST will be supply printer specs as needed, but no printing is necessary for vendor. 29. Will NIST MEP supplied images be provided digitally or will they need to be scanned? Answer: Images will be provided digitally. 30. Will samples provided be returned to the bidder? Answer: Yes

Web Link

NIST Contracts Homepage (http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/contract.htm)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010314/RSOL013.HTM (W-071 SN50F9C1)