Pub. 10050-LE Medicare and You 2027-LP English

Location:	Federal
Posted:	Aug 12, 2026
Due:	Aug 21, 2026
Agency:	U.S. Government Publishing Office
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Specifications by LH

Reviewed by SG

Page 1 of 8

Jacket 441-052

DHHS/CMS (4120-01) Req. 6-00099

BID OPENING: Bids shall be opened virtually at 11:00 am, Eastern Time (ET), on August 21, 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 specified above will not be considered

for award.

BID SPECIFICATIONS

For the Procurement of

Pub. 10050-LE Medicare and You 2027-LP English

(Self-mailers and Bulk orders for warehouse)

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

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

ADDITIONAL EMAILED BID SUBMISSION PROVISIONS: The Government will not be responsible for any

failure attributable to the transmission or receipt of the emailed bid including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Illegibility of bid.

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

3. The bidder’s email provider may have different size limitations for sending email; however, bidders are advised not

to exceed GPO’s stated limit.

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 emailed bid prior to bid opening. GPO will use the prevailing time (specified

as the local time zone) and the exact time that the email is received by GPO’s email server as the official time stamp for

bid receipt at the specified location.

For information regarding the solicitation requirements, please contact Lisa Hollingsworth at

lhollingsworth@gpo.gov.

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)). 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

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TITLE: Pub. 10050-LE Medicare and You 2027 – LP English

PRODUCT: This specification is for proofing, printing, binding, packing, mailing and shipping of comb bound books,

with secure handling of PII required.

PAGES: 304 plus separate covers and divider page. See Description.

QUANTITY: 24,387 Books

TRIM SIZE: 8-1/2 X 11”

DESCRIPTION: Black plastic comb bound book prints head-to-head in 4 Color Process. Covers 1 thru 4, text and

divider page print type/rule matter, medium ink coverage of black and light ink coverage in yellow (4-color process

build) as highlight to text. Close registration throughout. Divider leaf (pages 257/258) prints on same stock as covers.

SECURITY REQUIRMENTS: Contractor must maintain 100% accountability in the accuracy of imaging and mailing

of all pieces throughout run. The Contractor must ensure that there are no missing or duplicate pieces and/or pieces with

mis-imaged data. The Contractor must also ensure that no defective pieces enter the mail stream.

It is the contractor's responsibility to properly safeguard personally identifiable information (PII) from loss, theft, or

inadvertent disclosure and to immediately notify the Government of any loss of personally identifiable information. PII

is "information which can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity, such as their name, social security

number, biometric records, etc., alone, or when combined with other personal or identifying information which is linked

or linkable to a specific individual, such as date and place of birth, mother's maiden name, etc." (Ref.: OMB

Memorandum 07-16.) Other specific examples of PII include, but are not limited to:

a. Personal identification number, such as passport number, driver's license number, taxpayer identification number, or

financial account or credit card number.

b. Address information, such as street address or personal email address.

c. Personal characteristics, including photographic image (especially of face or other distinguishing characteristic),

fingerprints, handwriting, or other biometric image or template data (e.g., retina scans, voice signature, facial geometry).

SECURITY CONTROL PLAN: The contractor shall maintain in operation an effective security system where items

by these specifications are manufactured and/or stored (awaiting distribution or disposal) to assure against theft and/or

the product ordered falling into unauthorized hands.

Contractor is cautioned that no Government provided information shall be used for non- government business.

Specifically, no Government information shall be used for the benefit of a third party.

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

The plan shall contain at a minimum:

(1) How Government files (data) will be secured to prevent disclosure to a third party prior to and after termination of

contract.

(2) Explain how all accountable materials will be handled throughout all phases of production

(3) How the disposal of waste materials will be handled.

(4) How all applicable Government-mandated security/privacy/rules and regulations as cited in this contract shall be

adhered to by the contractor.

This proposed plan is subject to review and approval by the Government and award will not be made prior to approval

of same.

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Addresses for Mail copies will be furnished in the following method: Electronic file transmission (EFT), the contractor

must obtain approval from CMS IT Security for access to CMS computer systems.

Files are furnished by EFT, a Gentran Mailbox will be setup by CMS to provide access to data files. Immediately after

award, the contractor must submit two (one primary user, and one back-up user) completed APPLICATION FOR

ACCESS TO CMS COMPUTER SYSTEMS at the following internet link:

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/InformationSecurity/Dowloads/EUAaccessform.pdf. The contractor must complete Section 2,

User Information on page 1, and the Applicants Information on page 3 on the Form.

Please note that the Applicants Social Security Number must be provided in order to receive a USERID and gain access

to CMS computer systems. Corporate Tax Identification Numbers are not accepted in lieu of individual SSNs. The

contractor must reapply for access every 12 months during the term of the contract.

Security Exhibits: The following exhibits A through H (See Attachment #2) contain security clauses, information, and

forms:

Exhibit A: CMS Clause 11: CMS Information Security

Exhibit B: CMS Clause 09A-01 Security Clause

Exhibit C: FAQ Supplement to CMS Security Clause 09A-01

Exhibit D: HHS identification (ID) Badge Request HHS-Form 745 (5/07)

(This form is used to initiate background investigations of the two people applying for access to the Gentran mailbox.

No physical access, or badge, to CMS will be granted. Applicants must complete page 1 in its entirety including the

applicant signature along with the date. After completing the form, return all pages to CMS within 24 hours. This form

is to be submitted prior to award and renew annually thereafter if applicable.)

Exhibit E: Application for Access to CMS Computer Systems (Form CMS-20037) (The same applicants submitting the

Form-745 must complete Form CMS-20037 and submit to CMS within 24 hours via an overnight courier, prior to award

and renew annually thereafter if applicable.)

Exhibit F: Data Use Agreement (DUA) (Form CMS-R-0235) (Contractor management must complete CMS-R-0235 and

submit it to CMS prior to award within 24 hours.

Exhibit G: Certificate of Data Destruction (Form CMS-10252) (Contractor must complete CMS-10252 at the expiration

of the DUA.)

Exhibit H: Secure One HHS, Information Security Program Rules of Behavior

NOTE: These forms are provided as attachments (PDF file). See below. A MS Word file will be sent with the GFM upon

award.

All contractor management and employees involved in this contract must read and sign this document. Signed copies of

this document for Gentran applicants and DUA applicants must be submitted to CMS immediately prior to award. Signed

copies for all other employees will be maintained by the contractor and furnished to the Government upon request.

The contractor must submit all completed and signed security forms (original signatures only, no photocopy or facsimile

signatures will be accepted) via an overnight courier to: CMMS, Attn: Keith Williams SL-14-149 (410-786-7855); 7500

Security Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21244. For delivery directly to Attn: Keith Williams SL-14-149 (410-786-7855); the

contractor is encouraged to use an overnight/express mail contractor as determined by CMMS.

GOVERNMENT TO FURNISH: Adobe Acrobat file (fonts included and color mode CMYK) for print files and an

MS Excel spreadsheet for the bulk shipments (See Attachment #1) will be e-mailed at time of award. A Gentran Mailbox

will be set up by CMMS to provide access to data files for the addresses for the self-mailer copies.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

- Contractor must have the ability to edit PDF files (when furnished by the Government).

- Contractor is not to request that electronic files provided be converted to a different format. If contractor wishes to

convert files to a different format, the final output must be of the same or higher quality and at no additional cost to the

Government.

- The contractor is cautioned that furnished fonts are the property of the Government and/or its originator. All furnished

fonts are to be eliminated from the contractor's archive immediately after completion of the contract.

- Identification markings such as register marks, commercial identification marks of any kind, etc., GPO imprint, form

number and revision date, carried in the electronic files, must not print on the finished product.

- 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 your contract administrator.

- The contractor shall create/alter 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.

- When PostScript Files are not furnished - prior to making revisions, the contractor shall copy the furnished files and

make all changes to the copy.

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.

Covers and divider page: JCP Code* K10, Index, White, Basis Size 25.5 X 30.5" Basis Weight 110 lb.

Text: JCP Code* A60, Uncoated Text, White, Basis Size 25 X 38" Basis Weight 60 lb.

INK: Four Color Process

MARGINS: Adequate gripper.

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 proofs will be evaluated for text flow, image

position, and color breaks. Proof will not be used for color match.

The proofs will be checked for quality and compliance with these specifications, approved or approved with comments

and the contractor will be notified within TWO (2) working day after receipt. If, in the opinion of the GPO and/or

Department, the proofs are not a true representation of the furnished copy or contain noticeable defects they will be

rejected must be corrected and reproofed at no additional expense to the Government. The schedule stated elsewhere in

these specifications CANNOT be extended to allow for such reproofing.

Email proofs to keith.williams@cms.hhs.gov; contractor must also copy contract administrator at

lhollingsworth@gpo.gov. GPO jacket number 441-052 must appear on all correspondence.

CONTRACTOR MUST NOT PRINT PRIOR TO RECEIVING AN "OK TO PRINT"

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.

BINDING: Suitably punch along the left 11" dimension and insert black plastic combs of suitable size and capacity to

ensure book lies flat when opened.

PACKING/LABELING: Mark shipping containers as follows:

ICN# 005269 and Pub# 10050-LE 09-26 on all carton labels

****Contractor must label all shipping packages with "Free Matter for the Blind". ****

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Contractor must package mailed quantity, in individual mailing containers, to ensure damage is not incurred during

mailing and to meet all USPS postal requirements for standard mail.

Shrink film wrap suitable.

Pack NTE 40 lbs. per shipping container.

Pallets (required for motor freight shipments only): Pallets must be type III and must conform with Federal Specifications

NN-P-71C, and any amendments thereto except for dimensions and single center stringer. Full entry

MUST be on the 40" width. Receipt of incorrect pallets may result in a charge for each incorrect pallet which will be

assessed against the contractor. This charge will cover additional costs incurred by CMS to repalletize the shipment onto

correct pallets. Loaded pallets must be machine wrapped with shrinkable or stretchable plastic strong enough to retain

the integrity of the pallet during transportation and handling. Do NOT use metal strapping or pallet caps for securing

material on pallets. There must be no more than one partial pallet per destination.

SCHEDULE:

Award will be made and Purchase Order issued by September 4, 2026.

INDIVIDUAL SHIPMENTS: 9,573 single copies mail f.o.b. contractor's city on or before September 30, 2026.

BULK SHIPMENTS: Contractor to deliver 14,811 books to 406 locations in various quantities from a single copy to

3,800 copies from distribution list, plus 1 FDLP copy delivers f.o.b. destination on or before October 9, 2026.

DISTRIBUTION: f.o.b. destination and f.o.b. contractor's city/origin - See Below

All expenses incidental to picking up and returning materials and furnishing samples must be borne by the contractor.

Also, refer to Articles 5 and 6, Supplemental Specifications, GPO Contract Terms, Publication 310.2, revised January

2018.

Mail f.o.b. contractor's city 9,573 individual copies in self-mailers using a contractor created "Free Matter for the Blind"

indicia. Contractor to create mailing indicia. Ensure positioning of address/permit info is in accordance with current

applicable postal regulations. Evidence of mailing must accompany the contractor's invoice for billing.

See MAIL PREPARATION and ADDRESS REQUIREMENTS below.

All shipments below are f.o.b. Destination. INCLUDE CHARGES FOR THESE DELIVERIES IN THE QUOTED

PRICE.

Deliver 14,811 copies to 406 destinations (includes 125 Departmental Random "Blue Label" Copies – Deliver to Line

#407 of distribution list. See attached distribution list (Attachment #1).

Note: For the "Blue Label" Copies -- A copy of the Government furnished certificate (GPO Form 917) must accompany

the voucher sent to GPO, Financial Management Service, for payment. Failure to furnish the certificate may result in

delay in processing the voucher. NOTE: Form is also available at https://www.gpo.gov/docs/default-source/forms-and-

standards-files-for-vendors/form917.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Deliver 2 copies via traceable means to: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Attn: Keith Williams SL-14-149,

(410-786-7855), 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244.

Deliver 1 copy via traceable means to: BAC (C+1) 1523-01, to: US Government Publishing Office, Federal Depository

Library Program, Mail Stop: FDLP, 44 H St., NW, Loading Dock, Washington, DC 20401, Marked Item No. 0512-A-

39.

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

Pub. 10050-LE Medicare and You 2027-LP English

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See also