TREASURY COMMON SERVICES CENTER

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Alternative Raw Materials for Currency Substrate Production

RFI Number: 2031ZA26N00063

Issue Date: October 1, 2026

Response Due Date: December 11, 2026

Issuing Organization: Bureau of Engraving and Printing

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to identify and evaluate currency and security paper substrates manufactured with commercially available and emerging alternative raw materials. The Issuing Organization seeks information regarding paper that could supplement or replace traditional cotton-linen currency paper while maintaining or improving performance, security, durability, sustainability, and manufacturability.

This RFI is issued solely for market research and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation, request for proposal, or commitment to procure products or services.

2. Background

Currency substrates used in the production of banknotes must meet stringent performance and security requirements. Current currency papers are designed to withstand extensive circulation while supporting sophisticated anti-counterfeiting technologies.

The Issuing Organization is interested in gathering information on innovative natural and engineered materials that may provide equivalent or enhanced characteristics, including:

• Durability and longevity in circulation

• Enhanced security feature integration

• Improved environmental sustainability

• Supply chain resiliency

• Manufacturing efficiency

• Cost effectiveness

3. Requested Information

Respondents are invited to provide information regarding one or more alternative substrate materials, including but not limited to:

Natural Fibers

• Hemp

• Cotton

• Flax

• Kenaf

• Abaca (Manila hemp)

• Bamboo

• Agricultural byproduct fibers

• Wood-derived specialty cellulose fibers

• Other renewable natural fibers

Engineered Materials

• Regenerated cellulose fibers

• Nanocellulose materials

• Synthetic polymer substrates

• Hybrid fiber/polymer substrates

• Other advanced materials suitable for secure document production

4. Information Requested from Respondents

For each proposed paper type, respondents should provide the following information:

A. Material Description

• Material composition

• Fiber source(s)

• Manufacturing process overview

• Commercial readiness level

• Current commercial applications

B. Performance Characteristics

• Tensile strength

• Tear resistance

• Caliper ranges

• Grammage ranges

• Lightfastness

• pH

• Fluorescence

• Smoothness

• Ash content

• Fold endurance

• Abrasion resistance

• Moisture sensitivity

• Opacity

• Chemical resistance

• Expected circulation life

• Equilibrium Relative Humidity

C. Security Feature Compatibility

• Watermark integration capability

• Security thread compatibility

• Embedded fiber capability

• Compatibility with optical security features

• Compatibility with machine-readable authentication technologies

• Counterfeit deterrence characteristics

D. Printing Performance

• Offset printing compatibility

• Intaglio printing compatibility

• Letterpress and screen-printing compatibility

• Ink adhesion characteristics

• Surface smoothness and texture

• Resistance to print wear

• Rotary Screen

• Hot Foil Application Presses

E. Sustainability Considerations

• Renewable content percentage

• Recyclability

• Environmental footprint

• Water consumption

• Carbon emissions data

• Sustainable sourcing certifications

F. Manufacturing Considerations

• Existing production capacity

• Supply chain maturity

• Geographic sourcing availability

• Scalability potential

• Processing requirements

• Estimated production costs

• Compatibility with existing currency production infrastructure

5. Additional Supporting Documents

Respondents are encouraged to provide supporting documentation, including:

• Additional laboratory testing results beyond performance characteristics

• Pilot-scale production results

• Industry certifications

• Third-party evaluations

• Compliance with relevant ISO, ASTM, or other standards

• Durability and aging studies

• Field performance data

• Demonstrated applications in secure documents or banknotes

6. Intellectual Property

Respondents shall identify any intellectual property associated with their proposed solution, including:

• Patents

• Patent applications

• Proprietary technologies

• Licensing requirements

• Trade secrets

• Usage restrictions

Respondents should indicate whether rights would be available to Government or commercial users under future contractual agreements.

7. Desired Outcomes

Information gathered through this RFI will assist the Issuing Organization in determining:

• The technical viability of alternative currency substrates

• Potential improvements in durability and security

• Opportunities to reduce environmental impacts

• Supply chain diversification opportunities

• Lifecycle cost savings

• Future research, testing, and procurement strategies

8. Response Format

Responses should be organized as follows:

Section 1: Company Information

• Company name

• Address

• Website

• Business size and status

Section 2: Point of Contact

• Name

• Title

• Email address

• Telephone number

Section 3: Executive Summary

Provide a concise overview of the proposed substrate and its advantages over cotton-linen

Section 4: Technical Response

Address all applicable areas outlined in Sections 3 through 6 of this RFI.

Section 5: Supporting Documentation

Attach technical reports, testing data, certifications, product literature, and relevant references.

Section 6: Commercial Availability

Provide anticipated production timelines and current manufacturing capabilities.

Responses should not exceed 50 pages.

9. Disclaimer

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes.

The Issuing Organization:

• Is not obligated to issue a future solicitation.

• Will not reimburse respondents for costs incurred in preparing responses.

• Reserves the right to use information received for acquisition planning purposes.

• May contact respondents for clarification or additional information.

• May request material samples for evaluation.

• May conduct follow-up discussions with selected respondents.

Submission of a response does not guarantee participation in any future procurement opportunity.

10. RFI Schedule and Submission Timeline

The anticipated schedule for this RFI is as follows:

Milestone Date

RFI Release Date October 1, 2026

Deadline for Submission of Questions October 27, 2026, 5:00 PM ET

Responses to Questions Posted November 17, 2026

RFI Response Due Date December 11, 2026, 5:00 PM ET

Follow-Up Discussions (If Required) December 2026 - January 2027

Completion of Market Research Review February 2027

Submission Instructions

All responses shall be submitted electronically in PDF format to:

Contracting Officer: Wesley Rankins Email: wesley.rankins@bep.gov

Responses must be received no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time on December 11, 2026.

Questions regarding this RFI shall be submitted in writing by the deadline specified above.

Responses to questions may be distributed to all interested parties.

Late submissions may be considered at the sole discretion of the Issuing Organization.