Bureau of the Census, National Processing Center, 1201 East Tenth Street, Jeffersonville, Indiana 47132

74 -- INSERTING SYSTEM SOL 51-SO-BC-9-00020 DUE 082499 POC Contracting Officer is Connie J. Smith. Contract Specialist is Gordon Randall. The Bureau of the Census intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Gunther International Ltd. to provide, install, and support a Gunther Intelligent inserting system. The system must have a means of feeding cut sheets in both 8.5 x 11 and 8.5 x 14 inch sizes. At a minimum the feeder must accomodate both 20 lb. and 24 lb. paper weights. In read mode, the system must have a means of reading a 30 character Interleaved 2 of 5 bar code printed on each sheet. The system must use a bar code that is 100% compatible with existing Gunther EP4000 system. The decoded bar code values must be transmitted to the system controller for action. The controller software will use the bar code information to assemble the package, verify the package integrity, add inserts as necessary, and record the unique ID number on system hard disk in an ASCII text file. The file must include any error codes associated with the assembly of each package. The system software must provide a means of producing error free packages 100% of the time. The software must provide a non-read mode as well, in which the main feeder processes a preset number of sheets per machine cycle. The software must also provide an "inserts only" mode in which the main feeder and folder are not used. The entire contents of the packages will come from the supplemental feeders. The system shall include a means of stitching multi-page packages prior to folding. It must be capable of stitching both 8.5 x 11 and 8.5 x 14 size documents in landscape and portrait orientations. The system must have a means of accumulating the sheets into packages prior to the stitching or folding operation. The system must have a means of accumulating the sets into packages prior to the addition of any supplemental inserts. The system must have a means of folding the sheets into half folds, C folds and Z folds. The folder must be able to fold from one up to fifteen pages when set for half folds, from one to eight pates for C folds, and from one to six for Z folds. It must do thiswithout requiring adjustments to accommodate the varying paper thickness. The system must have a means of adding up to four discrete supplemental inserts to each package. The insert station must be capable of handling pieces ranging in size from .006 to .25 inches in thickness. Each insert station must have a means of detecting miss feeds and double feeds. Stations must be capable of functioning properly at system's full rated speed. The system must have a means of feeding outside envelopes ranging in size from 4 x 6 to 10 x 13 inches. The system must be capable of inserting up to 180 pages of 20 lb. bond paper into an outside envelope. The system must have a means of sealing the packages after assembly. It must provide for selective sealing of the packages. The system must have an accurate means of counting the assembled packages. The counter must be easy for the operator to reset. The system must have a means of conveying or stacking the assembled packages. The system must have a minimum speed of 4200 pieces per hour while reading Interleaved 2 of 5 bar code information on each piece, folding the sheet in a C-fold, and adding a single insert. The system must provide a means of alerting the operator to malfunctions, mechanical errors, software conflicts, and other errors. The resultant contract shall be a firm fixed contract. Notes 1 and 22 apply. Posted 07/02/99 (W-SN350118). (0183)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0284 19990707\74-0001.SOL)