RFI Amendment.docx

2031ZA25N00012

RFI – SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

Requirements for Suppliers of Ultraviolet (UV) Curable Inks (Amendment in red font)

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI is for information planning purposes only and it should not be construed as a commitment by the Government. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, request for bids or quotations, nor a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. Respondents are solely responsible for properly marking and clearly identifying any proprietary information or trade secrets contained within their response. The Government will not be liable for nor suffer any consequential damages resulting from any proprietary information not properly marked and clearly identified. Proprietary information received in response to this RFI will be safeguarded and handled in accordance with applicable Government regulations. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract or agreement. The BEP will not be obligated to pursue any acquisition alternative as a result of this RFI, hereinafter Notice.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has interest in and is seeking to identify suppliers of Ultraviolet (UV) Curable Intaglio Inks. UV curable inks include those designed to cure solely using Ultraviolet (UV) light using conventional arc lamp or light emitting diode (LED) lamps. In addition, hybrid inks are being considered. For this notice a hybrid ink is one that contains both UV curable components and components that cure through oxidation. Green and black inks are preferred.

The BEP has a dual Ultra-Violet Curing System (UVCS) on an existing sheet fed Koenig & Bauer Mini Orlof, Intaglio Test Press (ITP) located at the Washington, DC Currency Facility.

Suppliers must have intaglio inks cured by either a Light Emitting Diode (LED) UVCS light source or up to two Conventional Arc UVCS light sources.

· The available LED wavelengths of the UVCS are: 365 nm, 385 nm 395 nm and 405 nm.

· The available conventional bulb types of the UVCS are: standard mercury bulb, gallium-indium-doped bulb, iron-doped bulb, and lead-doped bulb.

Intaglio ink films, approximately between 25 and 55 µm thick, should be curable with a maximum UV exposure time of 0.25 seconds. The main ink colors are black and dark green.

The ink should comply with environmental regulations in Fort Worth, Texas, Washington DC and Beltsville, MD. In addition, inks compatible with cotton linen substrates are preferred.

Responses to this notice should include the following:

1. Company Name, UEI, Cage Code, Vendor’s technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

2. Location of manufacture. Indicate if manufacturer or distributor.

3. Identify if there’s an existing contract vehicle related to Ultraviolet (UV) Curable Intaglio Inks and provide the contract number.

4. Technical Data Sheet to include things such as: a description of the material, viscosity, yield value, tack, range of typical ink film heights (i.e. maximum, minimum, average in micrometers) etc.

5. Range of colors available.

6. The applicable wavelength, or wavelength range for ink curing (energy of the incident light required to fully cure a film).

7. Cured print of the UV cured ink. (if can provide in the future “yes” or “no” only).

8. A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the product in United Nations seventh revision of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) format with the Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) value and, if applicable, water content included. A current SDS should be included for review by the BEP to determine if the ink can be used at BEP facilities.

9. Test method used to determine VOC content and/or water content. BEP is required to test the VOC content using ASTM methods D5403 or D7767 and water content, if applicable, using ASTM method D3792.

10. Shelf life or estimated shelf life.

11. Minimum order quantity.

12. Procurement Lead time (time from order to shipping).

Please respond by January 20, 2025, 3:30 PM, Eastern Time (ET).