120 Government Paper Specification Standards | September 2019 | No.13
Introduction.
Attention is invited to the following sections of Title 44
U.S. Code relative to the procurement of paper for the
United States Government. By letter dated December
17, 1998, the Joint Committee on Printing requested
the GPO Director to carry out the Committee’s
authorities and responsibilities contained in the
following sections of Title 44.
Section 509-“Standards of paper;
advertisements for proposals; samples.
The Joint Committee on Printing shall fix upon
standards of paper for the different descriptions of
public printing and binding and the Director of the
Government Publishing Office, under their directions,
shall advertise in six newspapers or trade journals,
published in different cities, for sealed proposals to
furnish the Government with paper, as specified in the
schedule to be furnished applicants by the Director,
setting forth in detail the quality and quantities required
for the public printing. The Director shall furnish
samples of the standard of papers fixed upon to
applicants who desire to bid.
(Pub. L. 90-620, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1244.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Based on 44 U.S. Code, 1974 ed., Section 5 (Jan. 12,
1895, ch. 23, Section 3, 28 Stat. 601; Mar. 3 1925, ch.
421, section 1, 43 Stat. 1105).
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 515, 1121 of this title.”
Section 513-“Comparison of paper and
envelopes with standard quality.
The Director shall compare every lot of paper and
envelopes delivered by contractor with the standard of
quality fixed upon by the Joint Committee on Printing
and may not accept paper or envelopes which do not
conform to it in every particular. A lot of delivered paper
or envelopes which does not conform to the standard
of quality may be accepted by the Committee at a
discount that in its opinion is sufficient to protect the
interests of the Government.
(Pub. L. 90-620, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1245.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Based on 44U.S. Code, 1964 ed., Section 9 (Jan. 12,
1895, ch. 23, Section 7, 28 Stat. 602; June 20, 1936,
ch. 630, title VIII, section 13, 49 Stat. 1553).
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 515, 1121 of this title.”
Section 514-“Determination of quality paper.
The Joint Committee on Printing shall determine
differences of opinion between the Director of the
Government Publishing Office and the contractor for
paper respecting the paper’s quality and the decision of
the Committee is final as to the United States. (Pub. L.
90-620, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1245.)
HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES
Based on 44 U.S. Code, 1964 ed., Section 10 (Jan. 12,
1895, ch. 23, Section 8, 28 Stat. 602; Mar. 3, 1917, ch.
163, section 6, 39 Stat. 1121).
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 515, 1121 of this title.”
Product Quality Index.
The following acceptance criteria shall be employed to
evaluate the paper’s conformance to specification.
Paper that does not meet all specification values
shall be accepted with no discount providing that the
minimum acceptable Product Quality Index (PQI) has
been met.
The PQI for a specific paper is determined by assigning
demerits to each deficient quality characteristic based
on test results. The demerits assigned will vary with
category of deficiency. A minor defect shall be assigned
4 demerits, a major defect 12 demerits and a critical
defect 36 demerits.
The PQI does not apply whenever an individual property
requires “not less than” or “not greater than” in the
specification. PQI is applicable only to properties
where a tolerance is provided in the specification. “Not
less than” means that the test results cannot be less
than the requirement cited in the specification. “Not
greater than” means that the test results cannot be
more than the requirement cited in the specification.
Not meeting the “not greater than” or “not less than”
requirement means that the paper shall be considered
critically defective, and subject to outright rejection.
Definitions.
Minor Defect: Any deviation from a specified value
which does not materially reduce the usability of the
paper for its intended purpose or require special
procedures for printing or processing.
Major Defect: Any deviation from specified values,
other than critical, that could result in failure, or
materially reduce the usability of the paper for its
intended purpose; or may require special procedures
for printing or processing, or is a significant deviation
from specifications, established standards, or average
process capability, or may materially affect the
appearance of the product.
Critical Defect: Any deviation from specified
requirement that judgment and experience indicate
would result in the paper being unusable for its