Currency and Security Inks

Added: Oct 05, 2012 11:25 am Modified: Jan 17, 2013 10:20 amTrack Changes

The purpose of this amendment, amendment no. 001 is to respond to questions received and to amend various sections of the solicitation. See below

I.Response to Questions received:
1. Question No. 001 - WARRANTY: On pages 24 and 34 (of 54), the RFP specifies a warranty period of 180 days. Each of the three individual Specification documents indicates a required shelf life of 365 days. Does the BEP desire a warranty period of 180 or 365 days?

Response No. 001: 365 days. The solicitation has been amended to reflect these changes.

2.Question No. 002 - VOC: On page 48 (of 54), the RFP specifies a VOC ceiling of 12%. The individual Specification documents state:
Metallic Intaglio: 4% and 12% mentioned in Section 3.9.2. (The present Metallic inks are maximum 12%.)
Offset: 30% mentioned in Section 3.7.1. (The present offset inks are maximum 30%.)
Infrared Transparent Green Intaglio: 12% mentioned in Section 3.6.1. (The present IRT intaglio inks are maximum 12%.)

Response No. 002: Section M.2(a)(1)(ii) of the solicitation has been amended as follows;

FROM "ii) Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Content

The VOC content of the material sample will be evaluated to ensure that it is less than or equal to 12.0 percent by weight (reference Section 3.7.1 of Attachment A-1, Section 3.9.2 of Attachment A-2, and Section 3.6.1 of Attachment A-3 of this solicitation). Any material sample containing greater than 12.0 percent by weight of VOCs shall be given a FAIL rating. Those samples meeting the VOC requirement shall be given a PASS rating. Reference: Environmental, Health and Safety for Materials Specifications of Attachment A-1, A-2, and A-3."

TO "ii) Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Content

The VOC content of the material sample will be evaluated to ensure that it is less than or equal to the applicable percent by weight as specified in Section 3.7.1 of Attachment A-1, Section 3.9.2 of Attachment A-2, and Section 3.6.1 of Attachment A-3 of this solicitation. Any material sample containing greater than the percent by weight of VOCs as specified in the applicable specific specification shall be given a FAIL rating. Those samples meeting the VOC requirement shall be given a PASS rating. Reference: Environmental, Health and Safety for Materials Specifications of Attachment A-1, A-2, and A-3."

Overall, BEP's intent is for the VOC level specified in each of the individual specification document to apply.

3.Question No. 003 - COLOR SPECIFICATIONS FOR OFFSET INKS: With reference to Section 3.3.4, Table II of the Specification document, SICPA agrees with the necessity of individual specs on L*, a*, and b*. Will the successful offeror have the opportunity to fine tune the specs in Table II with the BEP, based on the offeror's actual equipment?

Response No. 003: It is recommended that Offerors include within their response an elaboration of what they mean by ‘fine tune' and how it impacts the terms and conditions of the solicitation.

4.In Attachment A-3 BEP Specification for Cylinder-Wipe, Non-Heatset, Intaglio, Sheet-Fed, Infrared-Transparent Green Currency Ink section 2.1.2 Other Government Documents, Drawings and Publications it refers to the BEP's document entitled Environmental, Health and Safety for Materials Specification. (Attachment). Can BEP provide a copy of the BEP Environmental, Health and Safety for Materials Specification document?

Response No. 004: See attached document entitled, "BEP - 75.00 (4.4.6) 34.2 DC Materials Boilerplate". This is BEP's procedure for the purchase of materials.

II.Various Amendments to the solicitation. Refer to the attached solicitation document entitled "Amendment No. 001" for a copy of the solicitation reflecting various amendments.