Specifications include, but are not limited to: The project includes: Approximately 82,000 Notices – STARS Rollout 3 Postcards; to be mailed approximately October 23, 2023; and Approximately 68,000 Notices – STARS Rollout 3 Webinar Postcards; to be mailed approximately January 2, 2024. Paper: 6” x 9” white 80 lb. Creator Silk CV stock. Bidders are asked to submit two bids: First, based on virgin stock as specified; second, based on using 50% recycled paper equivalent to that specified. Brightness and opacity of samples must be maintained. Ink: 4/4 color process printed both sides. A Heat Set printing process or a similar process must be used for printing to ensure against fading and smudging. Composition: Printer will be provided camera-ready copy. Camera-ready copy will be available electronically (Adobe pdf). The vendor must ensure that no changes/errors will result from conversion of files. Vendor will be fully responsible for correcting any errors without cost to the State and without affecting the delivery dates stated below. Addressing: The postcards must be addressed with the recipient’s name, mailing address, city, state, and ZIP code for mailing sprayed directly on the postcards. The data will be provided by MRS. The data file will be provided on compact disk, zip code sorted. Security of Data. All data provided by the Bureau or duplicates made by the contractor or its representatives and any resultant printouts must be kept accountable and under security (approved by the Bureau) to prevent their release to any unauthorized persons. Data may not be duplicated in whole or in part for any purpose other than to create materials to be used in the performance of this proposal. The contractor agrees to make no use of the data other than as set forth and prescribed by this proposal. Any edited address overruns or other use of the data which result in the printout of material other than that specifically required for the performance of the contract will be held by the contractor in a secure place and destroyed pursuant to directions to be subsequently issued by the Bureau. Upon completion of the imaging operation, the contractor will promptly return the data furnished by the Bureau to the Bureau, using a shipping means by which the data can be readily traced in the event of misdirection or loss. Quality. Laser quality black ink (at 100%), 300 x 300 DPI or greater. Print must be crisp and clear; characters must not touch and there must be no smudging. Proofs: Blue line proofs are required to show color breaks, registration, and pagination. Delivery: Item A: Approximately 82,000 printed STARS Rollout 3 Postcards to be delivered FOB to the State Postal Center, 85 Leighton Rd, Augusta, Maine by October 23, 2023; Item B: Approximately 68,000 printed STARS Rollout 3 Webinar Postcards to be delivered FOB to the State Postal Center, 85 Leighton Rd, Augusta, Maine by January 1, 2024. Packing: Each item must be packed separately in cartons of no more than 2,500 each. Each carton is to be clearly labeled as follows: "quantity - STARS Rollout 3 Postcards,"or “quantity - STARS Rollout 3 Webinar Postcards.” Forms within the carton are to be wrapped or banded in lots of 500 each. NOTE: No underruns. Overrun not to exceed 3% EXTENSION: The State of Maine reserves the right to extend the purchase order for up to five years from the date of the original purchase order for reprints. Total period may not exceed 5 years. Note: The same quantities must be ordered, and vendor must hold price in order for extension to apply. RECYCLED CONTENT: Bids offering paper or paper products with a minimum of 30% PC recycled material content that are within 10% of the lowest bid that meets all other specifications may receive up to a 10% price preference. In order to be considered, you must indicate that you are bidding recycled paper. If bidding recycled, please disclose the recycled content in the comments section of your solicitation response.
