United States Mint Die Steel Vendor Day Invitation.pdf

UNITED STATES MINT VENDOR DAY

YOU ARE INVITED

The United States (U.S.) Mint is inviting potential vendors to present virtually by the end of July to members of the U.S. Mint Die Manufacturing Divisions to provide insight into their company’s capabilities. Vendors should recognize that this is an opportunity to present themselves and their capabilities to address the bar stock die steel requirements of the U.S. Mint and additional engineering support requests.

The purpose of this requirement is for the U.S. Mint to first, continue receiving quality bar stock die steel for coinage dies of the steel grades that have been used successfully in the past.

Additionally, the U.S. Mint is interested in research and development assistance to identify potential new steel grades for coinage dies. This may include but is not limited to sample lots, testing for die life, and engineering assistance from the contractor.

These presentations will allow interactions between various internal Mint stakeholders and the contractors responsible for steel production and research. These presentations may educate decisions that will impact the U.S. Mint’s approach to current and new die steel products to meet its customers’ expectations.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Invited vendors should view this as an opportunity to share knowledge and expertise with the U.S.

Mint in an open forum.

Vendors are encouraged to provide a virtual presentation via Teams that covers a company overview, manufacturing process discussion, and a description of their testing capabilities.

Additional details on the engineering support available shall be provided to understand how the contractor can best work with the U.S. Mint for potential new steel grades used for coinage dies.

Any innovations that are unique to the contractor shall be highlighted.

BACKGROUND

The U.S. Mint has a requirement to acquire high grade steel in bar form suitable for the manufacture of coinage dies used to produce proof and circulating coins to meet the nation's numismatic and commercial needs. Presently, the following steel grades are used in U.S. Mint dies: 52100, A2, A9, L6, and S7. Products shall be electric arc melted, argon oxygen decarburization/vacuum oxygen decarburization (AOD/VOD), or equivalent secondary ladle refinement process steel. Additional vacuum arc remelted (VAR) and vacuum induction melted (VIM) processes may be requested.

The Die Manufacturing Division of the United States Mint is divided between the U.S. Mint's Philadelphia, PA facility and the Denver, CO facility. The die manufacturing facilities are responsible for the production of all dies used in the manufacture of the nation's coinage and produce over 100,000 dies each year. These dies are utilized at the four minting operations of the United States Mint which are located at Philadelphia, PA, Denver, CO, San Francisco, CA, and West Point, NY.

UNITED STATES MINT VENDOR DAY

Die manufacturing is an integral component of the overall coining operation. Dies are produced by hubbing the transverse cross-section of the bar and machining to final size, followed by hardening and tempering treatments. In addition, the field of a proof die is polished to a mirror finish. Any evidence of pitting or surface imperfections, however minute, is reason for rejection of the die for use. Direct laser engraving is also utilized in die manufacturing.

WHAT DOES THE U.S. MINT WANT?

To support productive discussions, vendors should help U.S. Mint stakeholders gain a clear understanding of their manufacturing processes, quality management systems, steel testing approaches, and the engineering support they can provide.

U.S. MINT AUDIENCE

Vendors should be aware that internal U.S. Mint attendees may include key stakeholders such as:

• involved in die manufacturing,

• responsible for the numismatic and circulating dies,

• representing the Quality Division,

• representing the Manufacturing Division,

• representing executive leadership.

CAPABILITIES

The U.S. Mint requires individual contractors to address what they perceive to be the needs of the U.S. Mint as they are shown in the invitation to the Vendor Day and its attached documents.

Can you provide your business overview and available products? Can you describe how the U.S.

Mint can work with you as a contractor for designing and testing new steel grades for coinage purposes? Do you have capabilities that you would like to showcase? Your efforts may address these questions and any other topics that you feel are appropriate during the presentation timeslot.