Attachment 1- Nickel S Pellets Specification.pdf

Version 01/25/2018

Nickel Pellets Specifications

SECTION I: Background

1.1 The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is a component of the Department of the Treasury that designs, engraves and prints U.S Federal Reserve notes and other U.S. security products. Manufacturing processes occur at BEP’s District of Columbia Facility (DCF) located in Washington D.C. and in the Western Currency Facility (WCF) located in Fort Worth, TX. BEP’s primary customer is the Federal Reserve Board (FRB).

SECTION II: Purpose

2.1 The purpose of this procurement is to procure nickel pellets for use in BEP’s DCF and WCF electroplating processes.

2.2 Scope of the Product, Service, or Outcome.

The contractor shall furnish all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, management, supervision, and other items necessary to provide the specified nickel pellets as defined in this specification. When each individual delivery order is placed, the contractor shall comply with the specific requirements reflected on the order.

SECTION III: Technical Requirements/Tasks/Outcomes

3.1 The contractor shall provide the anodes listed in Table 1 below:

Table 1

Nickel Description BEP Stock Item Number Nickel Anodes- Spherical Pellet ENG1300

• Additional Nickel Types: Additional nickel types other than that listed in

Table 1 may be identified for future use by the BEP. BEP stock item numbers will be assigned to these nickel types. Additional requirements will be added to the specification if necessary.

3.2 Special Delivery Instructions

Deliveries to WASHINGTON, D.C. ANNEX BUILDING – (LOADING DOCK ON “D” STREET SW, BETWEEN 13th & 14th STREETS SW):

Vendors must call the appointment hotline at (202) 874-2333 twenty-four (24) hours in advance to schedule approximate delivery times. The hotline is manned from 6:30 am to 2:15 pm Monday through Friday. A voicemail message maybe left after normal working hours. Deliveries are accepted between 8:00 am and 2:15 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Over the road vehicles having an overall height exceeding 12’6” (3.8 meters) empty, or an overall length exceeding 42’ (12.2 meters) cannot be accommodated at our receiving platform.

To resolve any delivery issue, please contact Shipping & Receiving at (202) 874-3620 care of Material Handler/Leader.

Deliveries to FORT WORTH, TX FACILITY, 9000 BLUE MOUND ROAD, FORT WORTH, TEXAS: Vendors must call the Receiving Area at (817) 847-3822 at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance to schedule all deliveries. Appointments may be made during normal working hours of 7:00 am to 3:00 pm or after hours at (817) 847- 3831. Receiving hours are from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm local time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. To resolve any delivery issue, please contact Shipping & Receiving at

(817) 847-3831 or (817) 847-3822.

Delivery Requirements The following DELIVERY information must be provided when scheduling delivery appointments:

Name of supplier/manufacturer Delivery Order Number Total number of items Total weight Date and time of delivery

3.3 Performance/ Delivery Period

Ordering Period 1 30 October 2025 through 29 October 2026 Ordering Period 2 30 October 2026 through 29 October 2027

Ordering Period 3 30 October 2027 through 29 October 2028 Ordering Period 4 30 October 2028 through 29 October 2029 Ordering Period 5 30 October 2029 through 29 October 2030

3.4 Place/ Location of Performance/ Delivery

Bureau of Engraving and Printing Bureau of Engraving and Printing Eastern Currency Facility (DCF) Western Currency Facility (WCF) 14th and C Streets, SW 9000 Blue Mound Road Washington, DC 20228 Fort Worth, TX 76131

3.5 Special Requirements.

3.5.1 Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The (COR) will be identified by separate letter issued by the CO. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the Contract and assists in Contract administration. The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract; perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance; maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract; issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, specifications; monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the CO and Contractor of any deficiencies; coordinate availability of government furnished property, and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially with regard to changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the Ordering Periods and conditions of the Contract.

4.0 Applicable Documents

The issues of the documents are those in effect on the date of the solicitation unless otherwise stated.

4.1 Government Documents

4.1.1 Specifications, Standards and Handbooks. The following documents form a part of this specification to the extent specified herein.

Bureau of Engraving and Printing Specifications

L: VAB Specification for Vendor Affixed Barcode Labels for Bureau of Engraving and Printing Materials (current version). (Single copies of BEP specifications are available from the Contracting Officer, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Office of Acquisition, 14th and C Streets, SW, Washington DC 20228.)

4.1.2 Other Government Documents, Drawings, and Publications. The following other government documents, drawings, and publications form a part of this document to the extent specified herein.

Bureau of Engraving and Printing Test Methods:

Not Applicable

(Single copies of BEP specifications are available from the Contracting Officer, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Office of Acquisition, 14th and C Streets, SW, Bureau of Engraving and Printing Documents:

75B-07.0-05 EHS Requirements for Purchased Materials 75D-07.0-07 Restricted Materials at DCF

(Single copies of BEP specifications are available from the Contracting Officer, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Office of Acquisition, 14th and C Streets, SW,

4.2 Non-Government Publications

The following documents form a part of this specification to the extent specified herein.

• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Methods o B 39 Standard Specification for Nickel

• E 1587 Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Refined Nickel

• E 1019 Standard Test Methods for Determination of Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen and Hydrogen in Steel and Nickel and Cobalt Alloys (Request for copies should be addressed to the American Society for Testing and Materials:

1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1137. ASTM methods are also available for purchase at the following website: www.astm.org)

• National Motor Freight Classification Rules and Standard for Packaging (The National Motor Freight Classification rules and standards for packaging are available at www.nmfta.org)

Non-Government standards and publications are available from the organizations that prepare or distribute the documents. These documents may also be available from other informational services.

4.3 Order of Precedence

In the event of a conflict between the text of this document and the reference cited herein, the text of this document takes precedence. However, nothing in the document supersedes applicable laws and regulations unless a specific exemption has been obtained.

5.0 Requirements

5.1 Material: The nickel anodes shall be suitable for electroplating currency printing plates. The nickel anodes shall be sulfur depolarized. The nickel anodes shall meet the performance, health and safety, environmental and other requirements specified herein. The nickel manufacturer shall not make any changes to the raw materials, production equipment, or processes used in manufacturing the nickel anodes without prior written BEP approval.

5.1.1 Performance: The nickel anodes shall perform satisfactorily as a material for electroplating currency printing plates at the BEP. The plates electroplated with nickel material shall not have digs, cracks, pits, and other imperfections which would render it unfit for use at the BEP.

5.1.2 Appearance: The nickel anodes shall have a silvery lustrous finish.

5.2 Shelf Life: The nickel anodes shall have an indefinite shelf life from date of delivery.

http://www.astm.org/ http://www.nmfta.org/

5.3 Physical Requirements: The contractor shall supply nickel anodes that meet the physical requirements in Table II.

Table 2

Physical Requirements Spherical Pellets

(ENG1300)

Shape Spherical pellet

Size Diameter 0.24-0.55 inch (6-14 mm) Thickness -

Appearance Silvery white lustrous finish Type Sulfur Depolarized

5.4 Chemical Composition Requirements: The contractor shall supply nickel anodes that meets the chemical composition requirements in Table 3.

Table 3

Composition by Mass (as Percentages) Spherical Pellets

(ENG1300)

Element Maximum Nickel - Sulfur - Iron 0.001

Copper 0.001 Carbon 0.005

5.4.1 Stability: The nickel anodes shall not show any visible and measurable evidence of deterioration or change in chemical properties that would render it unfit for its intended purpose when stored under ambient conditions in the BEP warehouse facility.

5.5 Recycled Material: In accordance with the Federal Procurement policy, the BEP encourages the use of the highest percentage of recovered materials practicable in the manufacture and delivery of the finished material specified herein, as long as the specification requirements are met.

5.6 Environmental, Health, and Safety Requirements: The contractor shall comply with the requirements of Environmental, Health and Safety for Materials Specifications (See attachment 75D-07.0-05 EHS Requirements for Purchased Materials).

6.0 Quality Assurance Provisions

6.1 Contractor Quality Assurance Plan: The contractor shall rely on its existing quality assurance system. This system shall be appropriate to assure that the material supplied to the BEP meets the requirements of this specification. In cases where the prime contractor is a “broker” or “regular dealer” and not the manufacturer of the materials to be delivered under the terms of the contract, the BEP may request that the contractor provide a copy of the current quality assurance system document of its first tier subcontractors. The quality assurance system document may be used by the BEP as the basis for conducting the quality audit.

6.2 Inspection and Testing

6.2.1 Responsibility for Inspection and Testing: Unless otherwise specified in the contract or in the delivery order, the supplier is responsible for the performance of all inspection requirements as specified herein. Except as otherwise specified in the contract or order, the supplier may utilize its own facilities or other facilities suitable for the performance of the inspection requirements, unless disapproved by the BEP. The BEP reserves the right to perform any of the inspections set forth in the specification where such inspections are deemed necessary to assure that the materials conform to prescribed requirements.

6.2.2 BEP Testing: The BEP will randomly evaluate the composition of the nickel anodes for conformance with the requirements of paragraph 4.1.2, Table 3 by an independent analytical laboratory, and conformance with requirements of paragraph 5.0 of this specification.

6.2.3 Sampling: Sampling for inspection and testing shall be conducted in accordance with ASTM B39. The lots shall be expressed in units of drums and shall consist of a single manufacturer’s batch or run and must have reasonable uniform properties.

6.3 Testing: Tests shall be conducted in accordance with ASTM methods in paragraph paragraph 4.2

6.3.1 The following ASTM test method shall be used to determine sulfur and carbon contents: E1019 Standard Test Method for Determination of Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen and Hydrogen in Steel and in Nickel and Cobalt Alloys

6.3.2 The following ASTM test method shall be used to determine the nickel content: E 1587 Standard Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Refined Nickel

6.3.3 Alternative Methods of Analysis: The Contractor may use other proven or suitable test methods for determination of the chemical composition provided an approval is granted in advance by the Contracting Officer.

6.4 Inspection: Drums of nickel shall be visually evaluated to ensure compliance with the

Packaging, Packing, and Marking requirements of this specification.

6.5 Contractor Documentation:

6.5.1 Certificate of Conformance: The contractor shall certify in writing that the nickel supplied in each delivery is in compliance with all the requirements including health, safety and environmental as set forth in this specification. The signed and dated certification shall include a statement of the recovered material content, if applicable. The certificates of conformance and the reports of inspection and tests shall be received with or prior to each shipment.

6.5.2 Inspection and Test Reports: The contractor shall furnish copies of reports showing the results of inspection, analysis and test for each shipment of nickel to the BEP. The report shall be furnished with and before each shipment of nickel. The results of the inspections and tests shall be provided to the COR in electronic form prior to or on the date of each shipment of nickel.

7.0 Preparation for Delivery

7.1 Packaging: The Nickel Anodes- Spherical Pellets shall be packaged and shipped in metal drum containers containing approximately 308 pounds (140 kilograms) of material.

Packaging shall provide protection against loss and damage during shipping, handling, and storage. The packaging shall comply with applicable Department of Transportation Rules and regulations and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the National Motor Freight Classification Rules and Container Specifications.

7.1.1 Palletization: The drums shall be delivered on sturdy pallets that permit four-way entry by a forklift truck and pallet jacks. The pallets may be slatted, and if slatted, the space between the two adjacent boards shall not exceed 12.5 centimeters (4.9 inches). The pallet shall have the capacity to hold four drums.

There shall be two metal straps securing the drums on each pallet. These straps shall encircle the upper half and lower half of the drums and shall be light enough so that it does not slip. The contractor may propose alternative packing for BEP approval.

7.2 Marking

7.2.1 Drum Marking: Each drum shall be plainly marked on two opposite sides.

“Nickel Anodes- Spherical Pellets”, BEP Stock Number ENG1300, with net and gross weight (in pounds), the manufacturer’s lot number- and the name of the contractor. The product identification markings shall be legible and a color contrasting to that of their background. Each drum shall be labeled in accordance with applicable Department of Transportation’s Rules and Regulations, applicable HMIS labeling and with the information required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Hazard Communication Standard.

7.2.2 Skid Load Marking: Each load shall be legibly marked on two opposite sides with the following:

• Nickel Anodes- Spherical Pellets o BEP Stock Number o Gross weight of loaded skid (given in both kilograms and pounds) o Net weight of drums given in both kilograms and pounds o Date of manufacture o BEP delivery order number o Contractor’s name o Expiration date o Storage conditions

7.2.3. Size and Color of Marking: The drum markings shall be legible. BEP stock item name and number shall not be less than 25 mm (1 inch high), and labeled in accordance with applicable Department of Transportation Rules and regulations with the information required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Hazard Communication Standard.

7.2.4 Barcode Labeling: Barcode labels applied to drums shall conform to the “Specification for Vendors Affixed Barcode Labels for BEP Materials”. Each drum shall be marked in accordance with the categories of section 4.1.1 of the cited label specification with the following barcode information:

Table 4

Barcode Information Specification Category Label Information

Product Description Nickel Anodes- Spherical Pellets Delivery Order # BEP delivery order number

Part # BEP stock item number Quantity Net weight of drum contents in pounds

Serial/Lot # Manufacturer’s lot or batch number Weight Gross weight of drum and contents in pounds

8.0 Notes

8.1 Intended Use- Nickel anodes are used for electroplating currency printing plates in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing manufacturing facilities in Washington D.C. and Fort Worth, TX

8.1.1 Definitions: Certain words and phrases are frequently used in this specification. The following rules will apply:

8.1.2 “Shall” the emphatic form of the verb is used whenever a requirement is intended to express a provision that is binding.

8.1.3 “Will” is intended to express a declaration of purpose on the part of the Government. It may also be used to indicate simple futurity.

8.1.4 “Should” is used whenever a non-mandatory requirement is judged to be the best characteristic for the material or product. As such, this requirement may be graded during the evaluation of the material in order to assist in the selection of the best qualified material.