USM-HQ-12-0013.pdf

Invitation to Pre-Qualify

Sources Sought:

The United States Mint is seeking qualified North American Manufacturers for the possible acquisition of Packaging and Packaging Products. This Request for Information (RFI) is not a solicitation nor does it constitute an assurance that a solicitation will be forthcoming. This RFI is an invitation to pre-qualify to receive an invitation to bid, should the United States Mint elect to proceed.

The United States Mint is not at this time seeking formal proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Interested parties may submit questions via email prior to the closing date.

Background:

The primary mission of the United States Mint is to produce an adequate volume of circulating coinage for the nation to conduct its trade and commerce.

In addition, the United States Mint produces coins, medallions, and various kinds of numismatic items that are available to the general public. Examples of these are: presidential $1 coins, American Eagle 22K and 24K gold, silver and platinum coins, commemorative coins, and bronze medals. From time-to-time the United States Mint has various requirements for packaging for recurring, non-recurring, or untraditional products or sets. These products are, and will be highly scrutinized by customers of the United States Mint. Quality of workmanship and cosmetic appearance is therefore of paramount importance.

Packaging Categories:

The United States Mint is looking for North American Manufacturers that produce Packaging and Packing Products. Coins may be provided in a variety of finishes: circulating quality, uncirculated, proof and reverse proof. Therefore, packaging requirements range in complexity from basic coin boards to premium finished wooden boxes. These requirements are placed under one of the following five (5) categories (see pictorial examples):

• Premium Category includes high end, high quality presentation cases made of high end materials such as:

leather, wood, metal and leather-like materials. Contractor recommendations for other materials that give the appearance (i.e. look/feel) of high end are welcome.

• Traditional Category includes traditional packaging for coin sets, either boxes or presentation cases with coin wells sized to fit encapsulated coins. Packaging in this category ranges from basic wrapped boxes, jewelry/clamshell cases, etc. with outer boxes.

• Blister Type Packaging Category includes any package, card, folder, etc., in which the coin or coins are protected in some type of clear but fairly sturdy material other than a traditional coin capsule or a coin capsule embedded into a card or folder.

• Collections Category includes packaging designed to hold coins that are collected independently from the package. Packaging may be for encapsulated coins, or for coins collected from circulation. This packaging may range from something very basic, such as a quarter board or coin album to something very elaborate, such as a subscription case for gold coins.

• Display/Presentation Packaging

Category includes display or presentation packaging very specifically intended and suitable for display. This may include, but is not limited to, high-end folder/portfolio packaging, framed displays or shadow boxes.

Invitation to Pre-Qualify Instructions:

If your company manufactures any or all of the above described packaging, please follow the instructions closely and respond per the instructions. Contractors may provide capability information pertaining to some or all of the above categories.

Interested manufacturers should provide general information regarding their company. If you are categorized as a small business, please include narrative accordingly. Brochures and other published materials may be attached to the response. At a minimum, the following information should be provided:

• Company Name Address City, State, Zip Code

• Location(s) of North American manufacturing facilities your company would use for production.

• Information regarding your company and number of years in business. Size?

• List of customers and size of projects that are comparable to the packaging needs of the United

States Mint. Manufacturers should provide no less than two (2) references.

• Specific point of contact. Including: name, phone number and email address.

• DUNS Number and Tax Payer ID Number.

• Has your company done business with the Federal Government, if so, provide a description including what you provided and who it was for.

• Please include pictures of same/similar products you have produced that fall into the categories under Requirements below.

Contractor submissions should not exceed 15 single-sided pages to include all attachments excluding brochures and published materials. Additional pages (beyond the 15 page limit) will not be reviewed.

Do not submit Proprietary information. If proprietary information is submitted it will be destroyed before further evaluation. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

The NAICSs code for this RFI are 326199 All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing, 326112 Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet (including Laminated) Manufacturing, 326140 Polystyrene Foam Product Manufacturing, 326150 Urethane and Other Foam Product (except Polystyrene) Manufacturing, 322221 Coated and Laminated Packaging Paper Manufacturing, and 322221 Coated and Laminated Packaging Paper Manufacturing.

Please note: The United States Mint’s Public Enterprise Fund statute, 31 U.S.C. § 5136, states, in pertinent part, "provisions of law governing procurement or public contracts shall not be applicable to the procurement of goods or services necessary for carrying out Mint programs and operations."

How will your application to Pre-Qualify be reviewed:

US Mint reviewers will review the submissions that meet the invitation to pre-qualify instructions, for;

• Written text / information

• Past experience

• Product examples, diagrams, or samples

• Production quantities (with minimum quantities of 50,000 units)

The US Mint will only review submissions that are in compliance with the pre-qualify instructions.

Interested capable vendors should forward their written responses to this RFI, specifically addressing the items above; the submission should be submitted to garnel.palin@usmint.treas.gov cc:

dean.bidle@usmint.treas.gov by 5:00PM EST Tuesday, January 17, 2012. Electronic submissions are preferred, but vendors may also mail submissions; mailed submissions must be received by 5:00PM EST Tuesday, January 17, 2012.

mailto:garnel.palin@usmint.treas.gov� mailto:dean.bidle@usmint.treas.gov�

PREMIUM

TRADITIONAL

BLISTER COLLECTION

DISPLAY

EXAMPLES OF PACKAGING

As stated in the FRI, coin packaging used by the United States Mint can vary in complexity from basic coin boards, to coin capsules, blister type packaging, coin folders, and even premium wood/leather boxes.