ASVAB Exploring Career Guide (DD Form 1304-5WB)

Location:	Federal
Posted:	Apr 13, 2026
Due:	Apr 20, 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.

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Specifications by EB

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Reviewed by

Jacket 432-953

DLA

Requisition 5-321315W-940564

BID OPENING: Bids shall be opened virtually at 1pm Eastern Time (ET), on April 20, 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 jacket 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 will not be considered for award.

Note: The GPO 910 “BID” Form is no longer required; bidders are to fill out, sign/initial, as

applicable, and return page 8.

For information regarding the solicitation requirements prior to award and for contract administration

after award, contact Eric Battle at ebattle@gpo.gov or 312-353-3916 ext. 5.

ADDITIONAL EMAILED BID SUBMISSION PROVISIONS: The Government will not be

responsible for any failure attributable to the transmission or receipt of the e-mailed bid including, but

not limited to, the following:

(1) Emails over 75 MB may not be received by GPO due to size limitations for receiving emails.

(2) The vendor’s email provider may have different size limitations for sending e-mail, however

vendors are advised not to exceed GPO’s stated limit.

(3) Illegibility of bid.

(4) When the email bid is received by GPO it will remain unopened until the specified bid

opening time. Government personnel will not validate receipt of the e-mailed bid prior to bid

opening. GPO will use the prevailing time (specified as the local time zone) and the exact time

that the e-mail is received by GPO’s email server as the official time stamp for bid receipt at the

specified location.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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 (revised 9-19).

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

standardsfiles-for-vendors/contractterms2018.pdf.

SUBCONTRACTING: Accordingly, Contract Clause 6, "Subcontracts," the provisions of GPO

Contract Terms (GPO Publication 310.2, effective December 1, 1987 (Rev. 01-18) are modified to

permit subcontracting of the binding operations only.

NOTE: Any operations or functions that will be subcontracted for the performance of this contract must

be disclosed prior to award. As part of the responsibility, the Government may evaluate the capability of

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Jacket 432-953

any subcontractor(s) to be utilized in the performance of this contract.

PREDOMINANT PRODUCTION FUNCTION: The predominant production function is offset

printing. This function may NOT be subcontracted. Contractors who subcontract this function will be

declared not responsible.

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

standards-files-for-vendors/qatap-rev-09-19.pdf.

PRODUCT: Saddle-Stitch Career Guidebooks with glued in NCR form

TITLE: ASVAB Exploring Career Guide (DD Form 1304-5WB)

QUANTITY: 500,002 (includes 200 Departmental Random "Blue Label" Copies) plus 50 QARCS. Plus

50 QARCs and two (2) sets of Digital Deliverables

TRIM SIZE: Book Constructed size: 17 x 11”; folded to 8-1/2 x 11”

FYI Form: 16 x 10-1/2” flat, folded to 8 x 10-1/2” included is a ¾” stub

PAGES: 32 pages plus separate wraparound cover.

GOVERNMENT TO FURNISH: via email and GPO File Sharing Site after award.

One (1) Purchase Order

One (1) Zip File containing all production files.

One (1) InDesign File, Links, Text, High Resolution Print PDF.

GPO Form 892 (R. 12/17) Proofs

GPO Form 2678 (departmental random copies-blue label).

GPO Form 917 (Certificate of Selection).

GPO Form 915 (Business Reply Label).

GPO Form 2686 QARC Random copies sampling & shipping instructions.

Contractor to download the "Labeling and Marking Specifications" form (GPO Form 905, R. 7-15) from

gpo.gov, fill in appropriate blanks, and attach to shipping containers.

CONTRACTOR TO FURNISH: All materials and operations, other than those listed under

“GOVERNMENT TO FURNISH,” necessary to produce the product(s) in accordance with these

specifications.

ELECTRONIC PREPRESS: Prior to image processing, the contractor shall perform a basic check

(preflight) of the furnished media and publishing files to assure correct output of the required

reproduction image. Any errors, media damage, or data corruption that might interfere with proper file

image processing must be reported to the contract administrator.

The contractor shall create or change any necessary trapping, set proper screen angles and screen

frequency, and define file output selection for the imaging device being utilized. Furnished files must be

imaged as necessary to meet the assigned quality level.

Minimum 175-line screens required.

PROOFS:

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E-MAIL PROOFS (indicate margins): CONTRACTOR MUST NOT PRINT PRIOR TO RECEIVING

AN "OK TO PRINT". One set of E-Mailed Electronic Page Proofs. Contractor to submit one “Press

Quality” PDF “soft” proof (for content only) using the same Raster Image Processor (RIP) that will be

used to produce the final printed product. PDF proof will be evaluated for text flow, image position, and

color breaks. Proof will not be used for color match.

E-Mailed proofs (marked with Jacket/Req. Number plus return name and E-Mail address) directly to the

Agency at Jerad.Vogt@dla.mil and ebattle@gpo.gov. Contractor must call GPO Contract Compliance

Section at (202) 512-0520 immediately upon E-Mailing proofs and immediately upon receiving the

returned proofs (or OK E-Mail) back from the Department. Proofs will be withheld not more than (3)

workdays from receipt at the Department to receipt in the contractor's plant.

AFTER EMAIL PROOFS APPROVAL

Prior to the commencement of production of the contract production quantity, the contractor shall

submit samples to: HQ USMEPCOM, ATTN: J-3 (Jaime Clayton), 2834 Green Bay Road, North

Chicago, IL 60064-3091. Two (2) samples will be tested for conformance of material(s). Two (2)

samples will be tested for usage on the specified equipment and/or for construction. The container and

accompanying documentation shall be marked PREPRODUCTION SAMPLES and shall include the

GPO jacket, purchase order, and Req. No. The samples must be submitted in sufficient time to allow

Government testing of the samples and production and shipment in accordance with the shipping

schedule.

The printer must furnish the government with 2 final master CDROM sets in original formats and digital

deliverables (after any editorial or production changes have been completed). Send these to HQ

USMEPCOM, Attn: J-3 (Ms. Clayton), 2834 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064-3091. Prior to

bindery and shipping, 10 approval copies must be received NLT 5 days prior to actual bindery and

shipping. Mail approval copies to HQ USMEPCOM, Attn: J-3 (Ms. Clayton), 2834 Green Bay Road,

North Chicago, IL 60064-3091.

Approval must be given before shipping begins. The Government will approve, conditionally approve,

or disapprove the samples within (3) workdays of the receipt thereof. Approval or conditional approval

shall not relieve the contractor from complying with the specifications and all other terms and conditions

of the contract. A conditional approval shall state any further action required by the contractor. A notice

of disapproval shall state the reasons therefor.

If the samples are disapproved by the Government, the Government, at its option, may require the

contractor to submit additional samples for inspection and test, in time and under the terms and

conditions specified in the notice of rejection. Such additional samples shall be furnished, and necessary

changes made, at no additional cost to the Government and with no extension in the shipping schedule.

The Government will require the time specified above to inspect and test any additional samples

required. In the event the additional samples are disapproved by the Government, the contractor shall be

deemed to have failed to make delivery within the meaning of the default clause in which event this

contract shall be subject to termination for default, provided however, that the failure of the Government

to terminate the contract for default in such event shall not relieve the contractor of the responsibility to

deliver the contract quantities in accordance with the shipping schedule.

In the event the Government fails to approve, conditionally approve, or disapprove the samples within

the time specified, the Contracting Officer shall automatically extend the shipping schedule in

accordance with Contract Clause 12, "Notice of Compliance with Schedules," of GPO Contract Terms

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(GPO Publication 310.2, effective December 1, 1987 (Rev. 01-18)). Manufacture of the final product

prior to approval of the sample submitted is at risk of the contractor. Samples will not be returned to the

contractor. All costs, including the costs of all samples, shall be included in the contract price for the

production quantity. All samples shall be manufactured at the facilities in which the contract production

quantities are to be manufactured.

Proofs will NOT be returned. Contractor to accept approval via email.

THE CONTRACTOR MUST NOT PRINT PRIOR TO RECEIPT OF AN "OK TO PRINT".

STOCK/PAPER: The specifications of all paper furnished must be in accordance with those listed herein

or listed for the corresponding JCP Code numbers in the “Government Paper Specification Standards No.

13” dated September 2019. https://www.gpo.gov/docs/default-source/forms-standards-pdf-

files/vol_13.PDF.

Book Cover: L50, Matte-Coated Cover, Basis Size 20 X 26" Basis Weight 80lb

Book Text: JCP Code* A240, Matte-Coated Text, Basis Size 25 X 38" Basis Weight 70lb

FYI Form: JCP Code* O80, Carbonless Bond; White and Colors, Basis Size 17 X 22" Basis Weight 20lb

Form: Part 1: White Carbonless Bond, Spot CB, grammage 75 g/m2 (basis weight: 20 lbs. per 500 sheets,

17 x 22"), equal to JCP Code O-80, with exception to weight.

Form: Part 2: White Carbonless Bond, Spot CF, grammage 75 g/m2 (basis weight: 20 lbs. per 500 sheets,

17 x 22"), equal to JCP Code O-80, with exception to weight.

Grain must run parallel to spine. Cracks and wrinkles are unacceptable. See also “Binding” herein.

All paper and materials used in each copy must be of a uniform shade. All paper and materials used in

printing and binding this publication must come from the same lot.

White bond paper that matches the carbonless paper in color as close as possible. This would have the

files ASVAB_FYI_front.ai and ASVAB_FYI_percentile.ai printed front and back.

Form: Part 3: White Bond, grammage 75 g/m2 (basis weight: 20 lbs. per 500 sheets, 17 x 22"), equal to

JCP Code G-10. Contractor to match shade of white to carbonless as closely as possible.

PRINTING: Must be printed on a press capable of printing all ink colors in a single pass through the

press (minimum of four printing units).

DIGITAL PRINTING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE

Cover: Covers 1 thru 4 print face and back (head to head) type/rule matter, photos, illustrations, and

screens/solids in 4-color process with some type reversing out to appear white. All covers bleed. After

printing, apply a clear, non-yellowing matte aqueous coating over the entire surface of covers 1-4 and

spine to prevent scratching and smearing.

Text: Prints type/rule matter, photos, illustrations, and screens/solids head-to-head in 4-color process with

some type reversing out to appear white. Text pages have uncommon bleed throughout. Solid areas must

appear completely even and free of any variation, picking, or pinholes. Coverage MUST appear solid and

uniform.

FYI Form: The form is a 3-part set; sets will be joined by a ¾” stub at the right and firm glued at the left.

3-part form should be located between the last page and cover.

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Part 1 is the page that faces up when the document is open, and the test side faces up. Part 1 prints on

carbonless bond, face only in 4-color process, no bleeds. Three spot carbonless areas, CB, to be on the

back of “ASVAB_FY_test.ai” (part 1). Dimensions for the carbonless areas are 9/16 x 6-1/2” in 3 strips.

See sample for placement.

Part 2: Prints on carbonless bond, face only in 4-color process, bleeds at the bottom. Three spot carbonless

areas, CF, to be on the front of “ASVAB_FY_score.ai” (part 2). Dimensions for the carbonless area are

9/16 x 6-1/2” in 3 strips. See sample for placement; must register to part 1 exactly. Transfer to be black in

color. NOTE: Image transfer must be dark and clear. Each part in a set must be legible, and characters

clearly read, when written with pencil or pen. Images to be permanent. Transfer to last at least two years.

Part 3: Prints on white bond (not NCR), that matches the carbonless paper in color as close as possible,

face and back in 4-color process, bleeds on the back head, foot, and right. Files are named

“ASVAB_FYI_front.ai” for the outside cover (back) and “ASVAB_FYI_percentile.ai” for the inside

(face).

Any banding, roller marks, or variation in density within solid areas is not acceptable. Offsetting is not

acceptable.

If the contractor has any questions, concerns, or notices any discrepancies between the furnished material

(including the artwork) and the specifications, IMMEDIATELY contact Eric Battle at ebattle@gpo.gov

or 312-353-3916 ext. 5.

INK: 4-color process - Plus aqueous

MARGINS: Inadequate gripper. Follow electronic files. The contractor is responsible for establishing

margins, for the final trim size selected, to ensure no loss of printed information. Maintain uniform

margins for the page numbers within 3/8” to ½” from the page’s edge; the contractor shall adjust for creep

(as necessary) to maintain uniform margins throughout.

BINDING:

Book Saddle-wire stitch in two places along the 11” side and trim 3 sides. Score covers along the spine;

ensure that scored and coated covers do not crack or split at the spine.

Form: Form sets contain ¾” perforated glue stub along the 10-1/2” right dimension (when part 1 is facing

up) and must be firmly glued along the 10-1/2” left dimension. The glue and stub must keep the 3 parts

intact.

Fold form in half, to 8 x 10-1/2” with Part 3 to the outside. Follow construction guides furnished.

3-part form should be located between the last page and cover.

The form must be inserted and adhered with a small amount of fugitive glue diameter, cannot be inserted

loose. NOTE: Do not use excessive glue that it will bleed through pages.

PACKING / LABELING:

Pack 50 books (with adhered forms) per carton. Note: Contractor is responsible for packaging product

snug with no room for movement and damage. If necessary, cartons must be packaged with adequate filler

material to protect contents during shipping and storage.

Special care must be taken to ensure the book pages are not damaged during packing and transit.

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