Social Security Cards - Form SSA-3000

Location:	Federal
Posted:	Feb 13, 2026
Due:	Feb 27, 2026
Agency:	U.S. Government Publishing Office
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	70 - General Purpose Information Technology Equipment (including software). 71 - Furniture
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Program 831-S (R-1)

Specifications by MRN

Page 1 of 57

U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

Washington, DC

GENERAL TERMS, CONDITIONS, AND SPECIFICATIONS

For the Procurement of

Social Security Cards - Form SSA-3000

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

Social Security Administration

Single Award

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

ending May 31, 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 February 27, 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.

BID ACCEPTANCE PERIOD EXCEPTION: The minimum time period for acceptance of bids on Program 831-S

by the Government is 180 calendar days. To be responsive, a bidder must insert in the bid acceptance portion of bid

submission a bid acceptance period of 180 days or more. It is cautioned that if the bidder makes no entry, a bid

acceptance period of 60 calendar days will automatically be applied, and the bid will be rendered non-responsive.

(Refer to “BID ACCEPTANCE PERIOD” in SECTION 4.)

BID RESTRICTION: Bidders must have an SSA pre-approved security clearance at the bidder’s physical

location(s) that will be used in the production of products for this contract. NOTE: If bidder does not have these

requirements completed prior to bid submission, the bidder will be declared non-responsible.

RESTRICTION ON LOCATION OF PRODUCTION FACILITIES: Due to the security requirements set forth

in these specifications, the product must be produced in the continental United States. The Federal Bureau of

Investigation has limited jurisdiction outside of the United States and would not be able to oversee and enforce these

requirements.

BIDDERS, PLEASE NOTE: This program was formerly Program 381-S. These specifications have been

extensively revised; therefore, all bidders are cautioned to familiarize themselves with all provisions of these

specifications before bidding, with particular attention to: a) all security requirements/clauses/specifications; b)

“PREAWARD PRODUCTION PLANS”; and c) SSA EXERNAL SERVICE PROVIDER SECURITY

REQUIREMENTS,” specified in SECTION 1 of the contract specification.

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 Traci Cobb at tcobb@gpo.gov or (404) 605-9160 x4.

Social Security Cards – Form SSA-3000

831-S (R-1) (05/27)

Page 2 of 57

SECTION 1. - 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 (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 NOT allowed. (NOTE: Contractor is allowed to dispose of materials at

an off-site location. See “PREAWARD PRODUCTION PLANS, Disposal Plans” specified herein.)

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

specifications:

Product Quality Levels:

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

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

(1) Type Quality and Uniformity (Attribute P-7) – Number of breaks and/or fill-ins in the microprint line

(every 2-1/8”) shall not exceed 12. Any break and/or fill-in in excess of the 12 allowed (per 2-1/8”) will

be considered a major defect.

(2) Trim size (Attribute F-1) – Margins and registration must be maintained within plus or minus 1 mm. A

variance in excess of plus or minus 1 mm will be considered a major defect.

(3) All elements of manufacture of these continuous forms, such as printing, punching, perforation,

registration, etc., shall be of such precision as to ensure continuous operation on the following printers

and inserters (performance standards are container-related requirements): BlueCrest EPIC Inserters and

Document Data Solutions (DDS) iDataPrint FS-1200 printing system.

The following standards shall apply to containers of forms. Each container of forms shall be assigned a performance

defect if it has more than one stoppage due to any manufacturing deficiency.

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

(a) Form-related attributes and other form-related requirements: General Inspection Level I.

(b) Container-related requirements (e.g., breaks, splices, warning signals, performance tests) and destructive tests:

Special Inspection Level S-3.

Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL):

(a) Form-related attributes and other form-related requirements: 1.0 critical defect per 100 forms and 6.5 total

defects per 100 forms (total defects equal critical defects plus major defects). One form equals one unit of

product.

(b) Container-related requirements: 2.5 performance defects per 100 containers. One container of forms equals

one unit of product.

NOTE: Form-related defects shall be accumulated separately from container-related defects. A lot may be

unacceptable for form-related defects, for container-related defects, or for both.

Social Security Cards – Form SSA-3000

831-S (R-1) (05/27)

Page 3 of 57

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

Attribute

Specified Standard

P-7. Type Quality and Uniformity

P-9. Solid and Screen Tint Color Match

O.K. Press Sheets

Special Instructions: In the event that inspection of press sheets is waived by the Government, the following listed

alternate standards (in order of precedence) shall become the Specified Standards:

P-7. Average Type Dimension.

P-9. Pantone Matching System.

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 actual production may not exceed five (5) years as a result of, and including, any

extension(s) added under this clause. Further extension may be negotiated under the “EXTENSION OF CONTRACT

TERM” clause. See also “ECONOMIC PRICE ADJUSTMENT” for authorized pricing adjustment(s).

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.

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 Date of Award to May 31, 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 February 28, 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.

Social Security Cards – Form SSA-3000

831-S (R-1) (05/27)

Page 4 of 57

PAPER PRICE ADJUSTMENT: Paper prices charged under this contract will be adjusted in accordance with

“Table 9 - Producer Price Indexes and Percent Changes for Commodity Groupings and Individual Items” in Producer

Price Indexes report, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as follows:

NOTE: For the purpose of this contract, the Paper Price Adjustment will be based on the date of actual production.

Actual production begins December 1, 2026.

1. BLS code 0913-01 for Offset and Text will apply to all paper required under this contract.

2. The applicable index figures for the month of November 2026 will establish the base index.

3. There shall be no price adjustment for the first three production months of the contract.

4. Price adjustments may be monthly thereafter, but only if the index varies by an amount (plus or minus)

exceeding 5% by comparing the base index to the index for that month which is two months prior to the

month being considered for adjustment.

5. Beginning with order placement in the fourth month, index variances will be calculated in accordance with

the following formula:

X – base index x 100 = ____%

base index

where X = the index for that month which is two months prior to the month being considered for adjustment.

6. The contract adjustment amount, if any, will be the percentage calculated in 5 above less 5%.

7. Adjustments under this clause will be applied to the contractor’s bid price(s) for line item III. “PAPER” in the

“SCHEDULE OF PRICES” and will be effective on the first day of any month for which prices are to be

adjusted.

The Contracting Officer will give written notice to the contractor of any adjustments to be applied to invoices for

orders placed during months affected by this clause.

In no event, however, will any price adjustment be made which would exceed the maximum permissible under any

law in effect at the time of the adjustment. The adjustment, if any, shall not be based upon the actual change in cost to

the contractor, but shall be computed as provided above.

The contractor warrants that the paper prices set forth in this contract do not include any allowance for any

contingency to cover anticipated increased costs of paper to the extent such increases are covered by this price

adjustment clause.

GOVERNMENT TESTING: The Quality Control for Published Products Section of the U.S. Government

Publishing Office will inspect all shipments (partial or complete) received at the Social Security Administration,

Baltimore, MD, to ensure compliance to specifications. This inspection will determine the acceptability or non-

acceptability of the shipment received. Testing will not relieve the contractor from compliance with the following

items listed under “QUALITY ASSURANCE LEVELS AND STANDARDS: (1) Product Quality Levels: item

(c)(3); (2) Inspection Levels (ANSI/ASQC Z1.4): item (b); and, (3) Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL): items (a) and

(b).” Social Security Cards will be randomly selected from containers throughout the shipment. The cards selected

will then be taken to the GPO for examination and testing.

GENERAL INSPECTIONS: In addition to the Government inspection that will be made upon receipt of the first

print order (see “SCHEDULE”), quality assurance inspections by Government personnel may be made at the

contractor’s plant during any phase of production.

Social Security Cards – Form SSA-3000

831-S (R-1) (05/27)

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SECURITY INSPECTIONS: A security inspection will be conducted by Government personnel upon receipt of

each shipment. This inspection is to ensure that the contractor is conforming to the distribution and transportation

security requirements of the specifications. As part of the inspection, the armed guards (see “DISTRIBUTION,

Transportation”) will be required to show proof of identity (a current state issued driver’s license and/or a photo

identification card issued by the secured carrier), and their current state-specific permit to carry a firearm.

PLATES: The contractor shall notify the Government prior to making any duplicate plates or other media that could

be used to reproduce any portion of the product produced on this contract. In addition, the contractor is required to

maintain a log of all media used in the performance of this contract.

Plates broken or worn out during the term of the contract and all plates in the possession of the contractor at the time

of expiration of the contract shall be disposed of as directed by the Contracting Officer. When requested by the

Government, the contractor must provide a copy of the log listing all Government material currently in their

possession.

DIGITAL FILE (ELECTRONIC MEDIA) SECURITY: The GPO will provide the contractor with a digital

version of the form. The content of this material has been labeled with a Public Trust Position Designation Level 5C

(see “SECURITY REQUIREMENTS).

The contractor shall protect the digital file at all stages of the production process, from receipt until all traces of the

file have been removed from the contractor’s active files, backup files, and/or archival storage.

The digital file will be transmitted to the contractor with a full security characterization and specification of any

special handling requirements (either explicitly or by reference to an approved source, such as a Digital File Security

Plan, the contract, etc.) The contractor should not accept any digital file for which this controlling information is

absent.

Electronic Media Protection:

 The contractor shall lock any electronic media received from the Government in a work area safe when not

being used or reviewed.

 The electronic media will be logged in and out of the safe by designated users only.

 Material produced that could be used to create an original form, such as a master digital file, will be logged in

and out by designated user only.

 The contractor shall ensure that the digital file has been removed from all systems across the contractor’s

network. Within 10 workdays of notification to do so, the contractor must furnish an affidavit to the

Contracting Officer confirming final cleanup.

Workstation Access:

 All persons entering or leaving the work area must log in and out with the date and time of entry and exit.

 The access log will remain in the work area and must be maintained by the person responsible for that area.

The log may be subject to review and inspection by the Government at any time.

 Workstations must be password protected.

Securing Digital Files:

Digital files will be saved either to a removable hard drive or a secure server. Hard drives will be locked in the safe in

the work area when the room is vacated and/or at the end of each workday. If the contractor intends to store files on a

secure server, the contractor must submit their plans for secure file storage to the Contracting Officer (in addition to

the plans required under “PREAWARD PRODUCTION PLANS, Security Control Plan”) for their approval.

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