SF 1009 - SAP Sole Source v10-18_MJE CO signed_Redacted.pdf

1. Identification of the requesting activity and contracting activity.

The requiring activity is the Office of Engraving at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). Contracting Activity is for the acquisition of Raw Nickel Material for Electrolytic Plating.

2.a A description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency’s needs.

This is a Brand Name Justification and Approval under FAR Subpart 6.10(d) for the procurement of nickel “S” Pellets.

2.b Name and business size of the vendor. N/A 2.c Requisition No. TBD

3. IGCE/Estimated dollar value.

The IGCE amount of the brand name requirement is $43,659.20. This is a one-time purchase requirement.

4.a Identification of the circumstances that preclude competition (Check the appropriate box that applies).

Urgency Exclusive licensing agreements Brand-name Industrial mobilization.

Other

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited:

The Government currently uses the VALE’s nickel “S” pellets unique specifications and concerning the purity of nickel to ensure continuity of operations. Changing the specification of this nickel would require additional testing through the Change Control Board and would cause an untimely delay in production.

Vale is the only manufacturer of Nickel “S” Pellets that adheres and/passes to the stringent standard of the Bureau’s current requirements for its components. The specifications listed below ensure that the electrolytic process is completed properly. The nickel plates are used directly in the printing of the BEP’s currency, which must function flawlessly in commerce. If a new vendor or new grade of nickel is to be provided in currency production, then it will have to undergo a Change Control Board (CCB) Verification and Validation (V&V) Level Two (2) test. This test could take several months for completion and such a delay would impede and possibly shut down currency production. Furthermore, nickel that does not adhere to these specifications (due to growths, impurities, visual appearance or otherwise) run the risk of interfering with the performance of the plating process. Failure of new product to conform could result in as many as two hundred thousand (200,000) production currency sheets to be mutilated or damage to a press as a result of material failure. At this time, BEP has not identified other manufacturing sources that offer comparable product with similar quality to retain and guarantee BEP currency standards. No other vendors/sources have been identified to offer a comparable product with similar quality to retain and guarantee BEP currency standards. To ensure uninterrupted currency production, the BEP has determined that only the supplies produced by Vale will satisfy the agency’s unique requirements for the current currency series.

5. Any other important information.

The nickel pellets was solicited in SAM.gov from July 31, 2025 to August 30, 2025 under the