Attachment_B_Statement_of_Work_Rotary_Screen_Press.pdf

Attachment B

Statement of Work Project: External Rotary Screen Press Printing Services

1. Background

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is interested in acquiring rotary screen press printing services to produce a raised tactile feature for denominating U.S. paper currency by hand, as an integral part of providing blind and visually impaired individuals’ meaningful access to U.S. paper currency. UV-curable screen inks (proprietary) require refinement of the ink formulation and therefore extended press runs are needed. Since the BEP currently does not have a rotary screen press, access to a rotary screen press is being sought to perform print trials using government furnished UV-curable screen ink(s) and preprinted non-woven fabric banknote substrate that is plain sized preprinted with offset/intaglio non-secure test images (herein referred to as preprinted sheets) to produce a raised tactile feature. The banknote paper denomination(s) is to be determined.

2. Objective

The BEP’s objective is to obtain printing services utilizing a rotary screen press as described in section 4.0 below to print the specified raised tactile feature with government furnished UV-curable screen ink(s) and preprinted banknote production sheets.

3. Scope of Work

The Contractor is responsible for providing, with exception to those items listed in Section 6.0 below, printing services utilizing a rotary screen press containing an intermediate UV dryer as described in section 4.0 below, materials, labor and all other necessary resources necessary to supply BEP with up to 200,000, 32-subject banknote production sheets, with a screen printed raised tactile feature as outlined in Section 4.0 below.

Printing services may be requested at various times as appropriate to accommodate BEP project milestones. A BPA call shall be issued for each print trial. The print trial shall be scheduled within 30 days of BPA call award. The BPA is subject to terms and conditions of FAR Part 13. All work and information shall be handled in accordance with the requirements of the Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA) (see Section 7 below).

4. General Requirements

The following represent the minimum, but not limited to requirements for the printing services utilizing a rotary screen press to be provided by the Contractor:

4.1 Press

The Contractor is responsible for providing, with exception to those items listed in Section 6.0, printing services utilizing a rotary screen press containing an intermediate UV dryer as described in section 4.0, materials, labor and all other necessary resources necessary to fulfill the requirements of this BPA; The raised tactile feature shall be applied to the preprinted sheets by a rotary screen print process (including an intermediate UV drier for quick ink set or equivalent), using UV-cured ink(s), at speeds comparable to BEP’s production speeds (i.e. 8,000 – 10,000 sheets/hour);

4.2 Screens

Contractor shall provide all screens to print up to 200,000 preprinted banknote production sheets at a raised tactile feature target height of 70 +/- 10 micrometers or height(s) specified by BEP. A new screen shall be used for each ink formulation, artwork image variation, or as needed depending on wear;

4.3 Print Pattern

The print pattern as specified by BEP shall be printed on the back or face of the preprinted sheets. A schematic of the preprinted sheets shall be provided by BEP;

4.4 General

The Contractor shall print the raised tactile feature images as specified by the BEP (i.e. rectangles and numerals) which are exhibited on film(s) and/or softcopy of the layout image file to be provided by the BEP. The location/position of the raised tactile feature to be printed will be indicated in black ink (i.e. rectangles and numerals) on the image file only as a reference since the raised tactile feature is clear. The raised tactile feature shall be printed on preprinted banknote production sheets provided by BEP in the specified locations/positions on each note;

4.4.1 Raised Tactile Feature

The raised tactile feature shall be confined to the BEP specified Images as shown in the artwork and layout to be provided by the BEP;

4.4.2 Target Height

The target height of the raised tactile feature shall be 70 +/- 10 micrometers (or height(s) specified by BEP) above the adjacent surface of the substrate. The number of sheets to be printed with the raised tactile feature will be up to 200,000;

4.4.3 Essential Press Components

The contractor shall ensure that the essential press components are operational, press conditions are optimal, set up and settings are adjusted as needed to ensure satisfactory tactile feature print quality and ink adhesion;

4.4.4 Print Variations

The Contractor shall ensure print variation(s) and paper loads/serial lots are identified and segregated at the press feeder and delivery. Ensure all sheets are accounted for and secured at all times during the print trial. See security considerations in section 5.3 below.

5. Contractor Responsibilities:

5.1 Print Trial

During print trials the Contractor shall allow access to print facilities and accommodate BEP personnel and other parties as determined by the BEP. The BEP personnel may perform the following tasks at minimum: monitor the print trial, evaluate printed sheets, measure the tactile feature physical characteristics and adhesion, modify inks, and provide technical support;

5.2 Screens

Contractor shall provide all screens to print up to 200,000 preprinted banknote production sheets at a raised tactile feature target height of 70 +/- 10 micrometers (or as specified by BEP).

5.3 Security Considerations

A Security Agreement (SA) between the contractor and the BEP shall be required due to the preprinted substrate being U.S. currency production banknote paper.

The banknote paper denomination(s) is to be determined. Details regarding shipping, storage, and handling are specified in the SA, Attachments 2-4. All work and information shall be handled in accordance with the requirements of the Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA) and SA (see Section 7 below);

5.4 Banknote Paper Accountability

Maintain load integrity and sheet accountability. Maintain record of sheets fed, extracted, and delivered.

5.5 Print Trial Schedule

The Contractor shall schedule the print trial within the timeframe specified in the BPA call; Return of preprinted sheets: The Contractor shall return ship preprinted sheets containing the raised tactile feature, make-ready sheets and scraps to the BEP within 15 calendar days after printing. If unused preprinted sheets are retained for additional printing, the additional sheets containing the raised tactile feature, make-ready sheets and scraps shall also be returned to the BEP within 15 calendar days after the completion of any additional printing. All deliverables shall be delivered to the BEP’s Washington, DC facility using return shipment authorization information provided by the BEP.

5.6 Post Award Meeting

The Contractor may be required to participate in a post award meeting at a date and time agreed upon by both parties. The post award meeting may be conducted either in person or via teleconference and will include, but not limited to a discussion of the following: point of contact, expectations, etc.

6. Government Furnished Resources:

6.1 Paper

The substrate, distinctive production banknote paper, 32-subject size sheets (630 mm x 560 mm), will be pre-printed with, offset and intaglio (test images) to simulate the same basic characteristics of current U.S. banknotes. Shall provide up to 200,000 preprinted sheets of the distinctive production paper. The banknote paper denomination(s) is to be determined.

6.2 Artwork File

Provide artwork film and/or file for layout of the tactile feature(s) to be printed by the contractor printing service

6.3 Inks

Shall provide UV-curable screen inks(s) for testing on a rotary screen press.

6.4 Shipping

BEP shall pay shipment of all deliverables. The return authorization and shipping information shall be provided to the contractor.

7. Non-disclosure of Confidential Information & Data

During the period of performance of this effort, the Contractor might acquire access to secure information and data, which is the sole property of BEP, as well as proprietary information and data, which is the sole property of entities other than the contracting parties. The Contractor agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all such information and data and shall not disclose any information and data, interpretations of, and/or derivatives of, such information and data to any unauthorized party without the express written approval of the CO, or of the party in which title is wholly vested. The Contractor hereby agrees to include this clause in all subcontracts or consulting agreements relating to work performed under this contract. The Contractor shall sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to the Government’s release of proprietary and/or sensitive information. The NDA will cover all work to be performed under this BPA and each contract call and shall apply to all Contractor personnel as well as any subcontractors. A copy of the NDA is included as Attachment 1.

8. Personnel Qualifications

Contractor personnel shall be competent, dependable, knowledgeable, trained, inclusive of any necessary or applicable certification and/or license and experience, thereby qualifying them to perform their specific duties in supporting this effort.

9. Project Manager

The Contractor shall submit to the COR a primary point of contact along with a back-up point of contact to act as the project manager for this effort. The project manager shall be responsible for all matters concerning for the duration of this effort and have the authority to bind the Contractor. The Contractor shall submit to the COR the project manager point of contact information (e.g. telephone, fax) within fourteen (14) calendar days of award. Any changes in the project management by the Contractor shall be conveyed to BEP with in two (2) business days.

10. List of Attachments

Attachment 1 Nondisclosure Agreement, -NDA Attachment 2 Security Agreement, Receipt of Distinctive Currency Paper for Off-Site

Testing Attachment 3 Security Storage Requirements for Category III Securities Attachment 4 Security Transportation Requirements for Category III Securities