COPE.DRAFTWatermark.Specification_B_PCSB-5_dated_March_11_2016.7.15.16.docx

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING

FORT WORTH, TEXAS

BEP SPECIFICATION

FOR

BANDS; PAPER, CURRENCY STRAP AND BUNDLE

1.0 SCOPE AND CLASSIFICATION

1.1 Scope. This specification establishes performance and acceptance requirements for currency strap bands and currency bundle bands suitable for wrapping and containing Federal Reserve Notes Printed at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, hereinafter referred to as BEP.

1.2 Classification. This specification covers two types of paper bands.

1.2.1 Strap Bands. Sheets of Twenty-four (24) printed strap bands used to wrap one hundred notes shall be identified for each denomination as follows:

TABLE I

STRAP BANDS

1.2.2 Bundle Bands. Sheets of ten (10) unprinted bundle bands used to wrap one thousand notes (ten straps of one hundred noted) shall be identified as BEP stock item number 1L001819.

2.0 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

2.1 Government Documents. The issues of the documents are those in effect on the date of the solicitation.

2.1.1 Specifications, Standards, and Handbooks.

Bureau of Engraving and Printing Specification:

L: VAB-1 Bureau of Engraving and Printing Specification for Vendor Affixed Barcode Labels

(Request for copies should be addressed to the Contracting Officer; Bureau of Engraving and Printing; Office of Acquisition; 14th and C Streets, SW; Washington, DC 20228.)

2.1.2 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.

21 CFR 175.105--Food and Drug Administration Regulations for Indirect Food Additives

40 CFR 250--Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guideline for Federal Procurement of Paper and Paper Products Containing Recovered Materials.

(The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and the Federal Register (FR) are for sale on a subscription basis by the Superintendent of Documents; U.S. Government Printing Office; Washington, DC 20402. Reprints of certain regulations may be obtained from the federal agency responsible for their issuance.)

2.2 Non-Government Publications. The following documents form a part of this document to the extent specified herein.

National Motor Freight Classification Rules and Container Specifications

(Request for copies should be addressed to the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc., 2200 Mill Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22314-4654. The National Motor Freight Classification is also available for purchase at the following website: www.smc3.com)

Test Methods and Recommended Practices of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI):

(Request for copies should be addressed to the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, 15 Technology Parkway South, Norcross, Georgia 30092-2928. TAPPI testing methods are also available for purchase at the following website: www.tappi.org)

2.3 Order of Precedence. In the event of a conflict between the text of this document and the references cited herein, the text of this document takes precedence. Nothing in this document, however, supersedes applicable laws and regulations unless a specific exemption has been obtained.

2.4 Internal References. All paragraph and table references will be to paragraphs and tables of this specification, unless stated otherwise.

3.0 REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Materials.

3.1.1 Base Material. The paper for the strap and bundle bands shall be white in color. The BEP recommends the use of the highest percentage of recovered waste material practicable in the manufacture of the finished material. Fifty percent of the fiber used in the paper should originate from waste paper. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines waste paper in 40 CFR 250.4, paragraph (KK).

3.1.2 Adhesive Coating. The adhesive shall be hot melt glue and shall be applied evenly. The thickness of the glue shall be from 0.00127 cm to 0.00203 cm (0.0005” to 0.0008”). The glue shall be colored and non-toxic and shall comply with FDA regulation 21 CFR 175.105. Any glue color may be used provided it is visible and contrasts with the paper.

3.2 Performance. The strap and bundle bands shall be suitable for use in automatic processing on the BEP’s Currency Overprinting and Processing Equipment (COPE) machine; BEP strap and bundle band sealing equipment operates at a sealing temperature from 160 degrees to 175 degrees Fahrenheit.

The sheets shall stack flat so as to be capable of being cut into individual straps and bundles of the correct dimensions with straight and parallel edges. The straps and bundle bands in sheet form or when cut into individual straps and bundle bands shall not block. The packages of currency formed, including the seal quality, shall be acceptable to officials of the BEP and the Federal Reserve System.

3.2.1 Workmanship. The sheets of strap and bundle bands shall be free from dirt and foreign matter, slime holes, tears, wrinkles, ridges, creases, calendar cuts, and other defects that might affect their performance. The hot melt adhesive coating shall be free from dirt and lumps. The stacked sheets shall be free from scraps, slitting residue, and other extraneous materials.

TABLE II

Grammage Grams/square meter 98 109 Caliper

Tensile Strength (Machine Direction) KiloNewtons/meter 4.5 -- Tensile Strength (Cross Direction) KiloNewtons/meter 2.5 -- Tear (Machine Direction) Grams 70 -- Tear (Cross Direction)

3.3.1 Strap Band Dimensions. Each sheet of strap bands shall have two columns of 12 strap bands each. Each of the 24 strap bands in the sheet shall be 4.45 cm by 17.15 cm (1.75” X 6.75”). The tolerances on each dimension shall be + 0.10 cm (0.04”). The maximum sheet width shall be 152.4 cm (60”). There shall be a minimum of 1.27 cm (0.5”) margin on all sides of the sheet. The sheet size of the strap bands shall be 55.88 cm X 44.45 cm (22” X 17.75”).

3.3.2 Strap Band Glue Strip. The glue strip shall be applied at the bottom edge of the bands with the bands oriented so that the text is readable. The width of the glue strip shall be 1.27 + 0.05 cm (0.50 + 0.02”) for each strip. The thickness of the glue shall be 0.0127 cm to 0.00203 cm (0.0005” to 0.0008”). The glue strip shall have enough color to make it slightly visible on the sheet.

3.3.3 Strap Band Printing. Each strap band shall be printed clearly and legibly with a denomination specific text as shown in Figure 1. All straps on a sheet shall be the same denomination. Narrative, letter size and type, portrait, and positioning shall be in accordance with Figure 1, as shown for each denomination. Image steps (spacing) for the printing shall conform to the strap band dimensions in 3.3.1.

3.3.3.1 Solid line on edge. There shall be a continuous line 0.635 cm (0.25”) wide on both sides of the individual strap parallel with the long dimension of the strap. See Figure 1.

3.3.3.2 Alternating diagonal dropout on edge. Strap bands with a continuous alternating diagonal dropout line running the length of the straps shall also be required. See Figure 2.

3.3.4 Strap Band Print Colors. The printing should be a close visual match to that of the current BEP currency straps. Sample straps will be provided by the BEP for color reference.

3.4 Bundle Band Paper. The band material shall conform to the requirements in Table III.

TABLE III

Grammage Grams/square meter 98 109 Caliper

Tensile Strength (Machine Direction) KiloNewtons/meter 6 -- Tensile Strength (Cross Direction) KiloNewtons/meter 2.5 -- Tear (Machine Direction) Grams 90 -- Tear (Cross Direction)

3.4.1 Bundle Band Dimensions. Each sheet of bundle bands shall have two columns of nine bands. Each of the 18 bundle bands shall be 6.03 cm X 37.95 cm (2.375” X 15.5”). The tolerances on each dimension shall be + 0.10 cm (0.04”). The maximum sheet width shall be 152.4 cm (60”). There shall be a minimum 1.27 cm (0.5”) margin on all sides of the sheet.

3.4.2 Bundle Band Glue Stip. The glue strip shall be at the bottom edge perpendicular to the long band dimensions. The thickness of the glue shall be from 0.00127 cm to 0.00203 cm (0.0005” to 0.0008”). The width of the glue strip shall be 2.54 cm (1”).

3.5 Details of Construction. The strap and bundle bands delivered under this specification shall be in sheets. The sheets shall have clean-cut linear and square edges. The stacking of the sheets shall permit satisfactory cutting, feeding and functioning of the bands on BEP equipment, including COPE equipment. The hot melt adhesive on the strap bands shall be on the printed side.

3.6 Health and Safety in Handling and Processing.

3.6.1 OSHA Emission Requirements. During storage, wrapping, and storage of packages after wrapping, the straps and bundle bands shall not emit substances that are established as hazardous. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) and its appendices define health hazards (Part 1200 ©) and list sources to be used in establishing that certain substances at or above certain concentration levels are hazardous (Part 12100 (d)(3)).

3.6.2 Safety and Health. The BEP retains the right to reject any straps or bundle bands that cause adverse effects upon its employees. Adverse effects include, but are not limited to: headache; eye, dermal, nasal, or throat irritation and/or sensitization; nausea and dizziness.

3.6.3 Safety Data Sheets (SDS). All SDSs shall comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements as listed in 29 CFR 1910, Part 1200, paragraphs (g) and (i).

4.0 Quality Assurance Provisions.

4.1 Contractor Quality Assurance. The contractor shall certify that the strap and bundle bands delivered to the BEP meet all the requirements of this specification.

4.2 Inspection and Testing.

4.2.1 Responsibility for inspection and Testing. Unless otherwise specified in the contract or purchase order, the supplier is responsible for the performance of all inspection and testing as specified herein. Except as otherwise specified, the supplier may utilize his own facilities or any commercial laboratory acceptable to the BEP. The BEP reserves the right to perform any inspections and tests set forth in the specification. This may include periodic site visits and quality audits at the facilities of manufacturer.

4.2.2 BEP Testing. The BEP will evaluate the strap and bundle bands on BEP equipment for compliance with the requirements of the section 1.2, “Performance.”

4.2.3 Sampling. Sampling for inspection and testing shall be conducted in accordance with TAPPI method T 400. The sampling plan and the basis for acceptance or rejection shall be as set forth in appendices A, B, and C of T 400. A lot shall be defined as the quantity of bands produced during one manufacturing run. The lot size shall be expressed in units of sheets.

4.3 Testing. Tests shall be conducted in accordance with the following methods.

4.3.1 Test Conditions. Samples shall be conditioned and tested under environmental conditions that meet the requirements of TAPPI method T 402.

4.3.2. Grammage. The grammage of the band shall be determined according to TAPPI method T 410.

4.3.3 Thickness. The thickness of the bands shall be determined according to TAPPI method T 411.

4.3.4 Tear Resistance. The internal tearing resistance of paper shall be determined according to TAPPI method T 414 (Elmendorf method.)

4.3.5 Tensile Strength. The tensile breaking properties of paper and paperboard, using a constant rate of elongation apparatus, shall be determined according to TAPPI method T 494.

4.3.6 Smoothness. The smoothness of paper shall be determined by TAPPI method T 538.

4.4 Inspection. Inspection shall be conducted in accordance with the methods listed in Table IV.

4.5 Contractor Documentation. The contractor shall provide the following documentation on the strap and bundle bands supplied.

4.5.1 Certification. The contractor shall certify that all strap and bundle bands supplied under this specification meet all of the requirements of this specification. The certification shall include a statement of the recycled fiber content of the paper and shall specifically list the post-consumer recovered materials content. Signed certification for each shipment of straps and/or bands supplied to the BEP shall accompany the reports of inspection and tests.

5.1 Packaging

5.1.1 Packaging Rules. The packaging shall conform to any applicable Department of Transportation Rules and Regulations and shall conform to the National Motor Freight Classification Rules and Container Specifications.

5.1.2 Pallet Requirements. The sheets shall be packaged in such a way as to keep the sheets flat during shipment. The sheets shall be delivered on wooden pallets with four-way entry. The sheets shall be stacked with the adhesive side facing up. At a minimum, the load shall be stretch wrapped. Edge guards shall be placed on all four corners and secured with two nylon straps. These straps shall extend under the pallet and over the top, one strap on each side of the pallet load. The straps shall not damage the sheets. The finished loads delivered to the BEP shall not be higher than 0.45 meters (18”) or no more than 5,000 sheets. The sheets shall arrive flat, without curl or wave.

5.1.3 Alternate Methods. The contractor may request authorization for alternate methods of packaging from the Contracting Officer, prior to shipment of any materials.

5.2 Marking.

5.2.1 Pallet Marking. Each pallet shall be legibly marked on two opposite sides with the following:

· “CURRENCY STRAP BANDS” OR “CURRENCY BUNDLE BANDS”

· BEP Stock Number (1L001816, or 1L001819, etc.), as applicable.

· Gross Weight of Pallet or Skid

· Number of Sheets

· BEP Purchase Order Number

· Contractor’s Name

· Date of Manufacture

5.2.2 Size and Color of Marking. The markings shall be legible and of a color contrasting to that of their background. Item name and BEP Stock number pallet markings shall be not less than 25 mm (1 inch) high.

5.3 Barcode Labels. The labels shall conform to the “Specification for Vendor Affixed Barcode Labels for Bureau of Engraving and Printing Materials”. The Part # cited is the BEP Stock Item Number. Each pallet shall be labeled with the bar code information in the following example in accordance with Section 2.1 of the bar cod label specification. A label shall be placed on two opposite sides of each pallet of straps or bundle bands. The bar code information may be combined with the pallet marking cited in Sections 5.2 as long as all required information is present.

Specification Category Label Information

Product Description “CURRENCY STRAP BANDS” or “CURRENCY BUNDLE BANDS”

PO# BEP Purchase Order Number

Part # 1L001816, 1L001817, 1L001818, or 1L001819, etc., as applicable

Quantity Number of sheets of labels on the skid or pallet

Serial/Lot # A manufacturer assigned number identifying the production run

Weight Net weight of the skid or pallet

5.4 Delivery. Items as specified in section 2.0 schedule of supplies/services and all fist article testing materials shall be delivered to the following address:

Bureau of Engraving and Printing District of Columbia Facility Mechanical Examination Operations

6.0 NOTES

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

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

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

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

6.2 Ink Colors. The following heat set web offset ink colors have been used to produce satisfactory strap bands in the past. The source is Flint Ink Corporation, 7190 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, MD 21046. Use of this ink is not required. This information is provided as guidance. The use of this ink is at the risk of the user. The BEP makes no claims that this ink will perform satisfactorily.

6.3 Adhesive. The hot melt adhesive that is identified below has been used to produce satisfactory bands in the past. Use of this adhesive is not required. This information is provided as guidance and the use of this adhesive is at the risk of the user. The BEP makes no claims that this adhesive will perform satisfactorily.

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