VA Certificates

Location:	Federal
Posted:	Feb 18, 2026
Due:	Mar 2, 2026
Agency:	U.S. Government Publishing Office
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	89 - Subsistence (Food)
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

Attachment Preview

Program 713-S

Specifications by LGB

Reviewed by LDG

Page 1 of 19

U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

Washington DC

GENERAL TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND SPECIFICATIONS

For the Procurement of

VA Certificates

as requisitioned from the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) by the

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Single Award

TERM OF CONTRACT: The term of this contract is for the period beginning Date of Award (March 2026)

and ending February 28, 2027, plus up to four (4) optional 12-month extension period(s) that may be added in

accordance with the “OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT” clause in SECTION 1 of this

contract.

BID OPENING: Bids shall be opened virtually at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time (ET), on March 2, 2026, at the U.S.

Government Publishing Office. All parties interested in attending the bid opening shall email bids@gpo.gov one

(1) hour prior to the bid opening date and time to request a Microsoft Teams live stream link. This must be a separate

email from the bid submission. The link will be emailed prior to the bid opening.

BID SUBMISSION: Bidders must email bids to bids@gpo.gov for this solicitation. No other method of bid

submission will be accepted at this time. The program number and bid opening date must be specified in the subject

line of the emailed bid submission. Bids received after the bid opening date and time specified above will not be

considered for award.

BIDDERS, PLEASE NOTE: These specifications have been revised; therefore, all bidders are cautioned to

familiarize themselves with all provisions of these specifications before bidding.

Abstracts of contract prices are available at: https://www.gpo.gov/how-to-work-with-us/vendors/contract-pricing.

For information of a technical nature, contact Lou Belden at lbelden@gpo.gov (202) 512-1479.

VA Certificates

713-S (02/27)

SECTION 1. – GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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GPO CONTRACT TERMS: Any contract which results from this Invitation for Bid will be subject to the

applicable provisions, clauses, and supplemental specifications of GPO Contract Terms (GPO Publication 310.2,

effective December 1, 1987 (Rev. 01-18)) and GPO Contract Terms, Quality Assurance through Attributes Program

for Printing and Binding (GPO Publication 310.1, effective May 1979 (Rev. 09-19)).

GPO Contract Terms (GPO Publication 310.2) – https://www.gpo.gov/docs/default-source/forms-and-standards-

files-for-vendors/contractterms2018.pdf.

GPO QATAP (GPO Publication 310.1) – https://www.gpo.gov/docs/default-source/forms-and-standards-files-for-

vendors/qatap-rev-09-19.pdf.

SUBCONTRACTING: Subcontracting is allowed for the manufacturing of the envelopes only.

GPO IMPRINT REQUIREMENTS: The GPO imprint requirement, GPO Contract Terms, Supplemental

Specifications, No. 9, is waived.

QUALITY ASSURANCE LEVELS AND STANDARDS: The following levels and standards shall apply to

these specifications:

Product Quality Levels:

(a) Printing (page related) Attributes – Level III.

(b) Finishing (item related) Attributes – Level III.

Inspection Levels (from ANSI/ASQC Z1.4):

(a) Nondestructive Tests – General Inspection Level I.

(b) Destructive Tests – Special Inspection Level S-2.

Specified Standards: The specified standards for the attributes requiring them shall be:

Attribute

Specified Standard

P-7. Type Quality and Uniformity

O.K. Press Sheets/Approved Prior to Production

P-9. Solid or Screen Tint Color Match

Pantone Matching System

Prior to award, contractor may be required to provide information related to specific equipment that will be used

for production.

OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT: The Government has the option to extend the

term of this contract for a period of 12 months by written notice to the contractor not later than 30 days before the

contract expires. If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this

clause except, the total duration of this contract may not exceed five (5) years as a result of, and including, any

extensions added under this clause. Further extension may be negotiated under the “EXTENSION OF CONTRACT

TERM” clause. See also “ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT” for authorized pricing adjustments.

EXTENSION OF CONTRACT TERM: At the request of the Government, the term of any contract resulting

from this solicitation may be extended for such period of time as may be mutually agreeable to the GPO and the

contractor.

VA Certificates

713-S (02/27)

Page 3 of 19

ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT: The pricing under this contract shall be adjusted in accordance with this

clause, provided that in no event will any pricing adjustment be made that would exceed the maximum permissible

under any law in effect at the time of the adjustment. There will be no adjustment for orders placed during the first

period specified below. Pricing will thereafter be eligible for adjustment during the second and any succeeding

performance period(s). For each performance period after the first, a percentage figure will be calculated as

described below and that figure will be the economic price adjustment for that entire next period. Pricing

adjustments under this clause are not applicable to reimbursable postage or transportation costs, or to paper, if paper

prices are subject to adjustment by separate clause elsewhere in this contract.

For the purpose of this clause, performance under this contract will be divided into successive periods. The first

period will extend from March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027, and the second and any succeeding period(s)

will extend for 12 months from the end of the last preceding period, except that the length of the final period may

vary. The first day of the second and any succeeding period(s) will be the effective date of the economic price

adjustment for that period.

Pricing adjustments in accordance with this clause will be based on changes in the seasonally adjusted “Consumer

Price Index For All Urban Consumers - Commodities Less Food” (Index) published monthly in the CPI Detailed

Report by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The economic price adjustment will be the percentage difference between Index averages as specified in this

paragraph. An index called the variable index will be calculated by averaging the monthly Indexes from the 12-

month interval ending three (3) months prior to the beginning of the period being considered for adjustment. This

average is then compared to the average of the monthly Indexes for the 12-month interval ending

November 30, 2025, called the base index. The percentage change (plus or minus) of the variable index from the

base index will be the economic price adjustment for the period being considered for adjustment.

The Government will notify the contractor by contract modification specifying the percentage increase or decrease

to be applied to invoices for orders placed during the period indicated. The contractor shall apply the percentage

increase or decrease against the total price of the invoice less reimbursable postage or transportation costs and

separately adjusted paper prices. Payment discounts shall be applied after the invoice price is adjusted.

If the Government exercises an option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this economic price

adjustment clause.

NOTE: Economic price adjustments are not cumulative and are to be applied to original bid prices only.

PREAWARD SURVEY: In order to determine the responsibility of the prime contractor/subcontractor, the

Government reserves the right to conduct an on-site preaward survey at the contractor’s/subcontractors’ facility or

to require other evidence of technical, production, managerial, financial, and similar abilities to perform, prior to

the award of a contract. As part of the financial determination, the contractor in line for award may be required to

provide one or more of the following financial documents:

1) Most recent profit and loss statement

2) Most recent balance sheet(s)

3) Statement of cash flows

4) Current official bank statement

5) Current lines of credit (with amounts available)

6) Letter of commitment from paper supplier(s)

7) Letter of commitment from any subcontractor

VA Certificates

713-S (02/27)

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The documents will be reviewed to validate that adequate financial resources are available to perform the contract

requirements. Documents submitted will be kept confidential, and used only for the determination of responsibility

by the Government. Failure to provide the requested information in the time specified by the Government may

result in the Contracting Officer not having adequate information to reach an affirmative determination of

responsibility.

WARNING: Proper control and handling must be maintained at all times to prevent any information or materials

required to produce the product ordered under these specifications from falling into unauthorized hands. Unless

otherwise indicated herein, all extra copies, materials, waste, etc., must be destroyed (see “DISPOSAL OF WASTE

MATERIALS”).

The contractor must guarantee that they will not reproduce, or allow reproduction of the Government furnished

data, nor use or allow any person to use the data or addresses themselves for any other purpose than for the

requirements of this contract.

SECURITY CONTROL PLAN: The contractor shall operate and maintain an effective security system whereby

materials used to perform the contract are manufactured and/or stored (e.g., while awaiting distribution or disposal)

so as to ensure against theft and/or the unauthorized possession of the materials. Contractor is cautioned that

Government provided information shall not be used for non-government business. Specifically, Government

information shall not be used for the benefit of a third party.

The Government retains the right to conduct on-site security reviews at any time during this contract.

Within three (3) workdays of notification, the contractor shall present, in writing to the Contracting Officer, detailed

plans for the following activities. (The workday after notification to submit will be the first day of the schedule.)

These plans are to be emailed to: PublicationServicesDivision@va.gov and to the GPO publishing specialist

(email address to be provided). Contractor must reference the program number in the email.

The following proposed plans are subject to review and approval by the Government, and award will not be made

prior to approval of same. The Government reserves the right to waive some or all of these plans.

The security control plans must address in detail, at a minimum, the following –

 The plan shall contain at a minimum how Government files (data) will be secured to prevent disclosure to

a third party prior to and after termination of contract.

 Explain how all accountable materials will be handled throughout all phases of production.

 How the disposal of waste materials will be handled (see “DISPOSAL OF WASTE MATERIALS”

specified herein).

 How all applicable Government-mandated security/privacy/rules and regulations as cited in this contract

shall be adhered to by the contractor and/or subcontractor(s) (if applicable).

DISPOSAL OF WASTE MATERIALS: The contractor is required to demonstrate how all waste materials used

in the production of this contract will be definitively destroyed (e.g., burning, pulping, shredding, macerating, or

other suitable similar means). Products must be definitively destroyed in a manner that prevents reconstruction.

Definitively destroying the products means the material cannot be reassembled and used in an inappropriate manner

in violation of law and regulations. Upon Government request, contractor is required to show proof of disposal.

NOTE: Disposal of waste materials, as specified herein, is a predominant production function and cannot

be subcontracted.

VA Certificates

713-S (02/27)

Page 5 of 19

POSTAWARD CONFERENCE: Unless waived by the Contracting Officer, the total requirements of the job as

indicated in these specifications will be reviewed by Government representatives with the contractor’s

representatives at the U.S. Government Publishing Office, Washington, DC, immediately after award. At the

Government’s option, the postaward conference may be held via teleconference.

Person(s) that the contractor deems necessary for the successful implementation of the contract must be in

attendance.

WARRANTY: Contract Clause 15, “Warranty,” of GPO Contract Terms (GPO Publication 310.2, effective

December 1, 1987 (Rev. 01-18)) is amended for the solicitation to the effect that the warranty period is EXTENDED

from 120 calendar days to 180 calendar days from the date the check is tendered as final payment. All other

provisions remain the same.

ASSIGNMENT OF JACKETS, PURCHASE AND PRINT ORDERS: A GPO Jacket Number will be assigned

and a Purchase Order issued to the contractor to cover work performed. The Purchase Order will be supplemented

by an individual print order for each job placed with the contractor. The print order, when issued, will indicate the

quantity to be produced and any other information pertinent to the particular order.

ORDERING: Items to be furnished under the contract shall be ordered by the issuance of print orders by the

Government. Orders may be issued under the contract from Date of Award (March 2026), through February

28, 2027, plus for such additional period(s) as the contract is extended. All print orders issued hereunder are subject

to the terms and conditions of the contract. The contract shall control in the event of conflict with any print order.

A print order shall be “issued” upon notification by the Government for purposes of the contract when it is

electronically transmitted or otherwise physically furnished to the contractor in conformance with the schedule.

REQUIREMENTS: This is a requirements contract for the items and for the period specified herein.

Shipment/delivery of items or performance of work shall be made only as authorized by orders issued in accordance

with the clause entitled “ORDERING.” The quantities of items specified herein are estimates only and are not

purchased hereby. Except as may be otherwise provided in this contract, if the Government’s requirements for the

items set forth herein do not result in orders in the amounts or quantities described as “estimated,” it shall not

constitute the basis for an equitable price adjustment under this contract.

Except as otherwise provided in this contract, the Government shall order from the contractor all the items set forth

which are required to be purchased by the Government activity identified on page 1.

The Government shall not be required to purchase from the contractor, requirements in excess of the limit on total

orders under this contract, if any.

Orders issued during the effective period of this contract and not completed within that time shall be completed by

the contractor within the time specified in the order, and the rights and obligations of the contractor and the

Government respecting those orders shall be governed by the terms of this contract to the same extent as if

completed during the effective period of this contract.

If shipment/delivery of any quantity of an item covered by the contract is required by reason of urgency prior to the

earliest date that shipment/delivery may be specified under this contract, and if the contractor will not accept an

order providing for the accelerated shipment/delivery, the Government may procure this requirement from another

source.

The Government may issue orders which provide for shipment/delivery to or performance at multiple destinations.

Subject to any limitations elsewhere in this contract, the contractor shall furnish to the Government all items set

forth herein which are called for by print orders issued in accordance with the “ORDERING” clause of this contract.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.