Device Assisted Security Feature - R&D

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI is for informational planning purposes only and it should not to be construed as a commitment by the Government for any actual procurement of materials, machinery, or services. This notice does not constitute a solicitation or a promise of a solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to a contract for any supply or service. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI are solely at the responding parties` expense. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). If so, respondents are solely responsible for properly marking and identifying such information within their responses for Information (RFI) (hereinafter Notice).

Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract or agreement. The BEP will not be obligated to pursue any particular acquisition alternative as a result of this RFI. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if one is issued.

The U. S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), is interested in obtaining, testing, and evaluating technologies and/or materials with potential application in device-assisted, user-interpreted counterfeit deterrent features on future generations of U. S. currency. Proposed counterfeit deterrent features should be novel and not widely available in the marketplace. Proposed features may be incorporated into the banknote or applied to the note. An effective device-assisted user-interpreted feature should be extremely difficult to simulate or duplicate, but should be easy to authenticate by the public using a ubiquitous, readily available and low cost device. Examples of these devices include but are not limited to optical filters, magnifiers, low cost laser pointers, LED flashlights, magnets, and cell phones.

Technologies and/or materials submitted for consideration will be reviewed for inherent and relative effectiveness as a security feature, and may be further assessed for compatibility with design and production factors, durability, environmental acceptability, and other processing requirements.

The Bureau will only consider technologies, materials, and detection systems for which at least laboratory feasibility has already been demonstrated (i.e. concept proven, lab prototypes or samples available). For initial screening purposes, interested parties are requested to submit:
1. preliminary samples and
2. a brief technical description to:

Bureau of Engraving & Printing
Office of Acquisitions
Attn: Alejandro Bulux
14th and C Streets, SW
Washington, D.C. 20228-0001

The Bureau may submit offered technologies to outside technical experts under government contracts for their evaluation subject to the approval of the submitting party. Previously submitted materials or technologies need not be resubmitted. If you have any questions please contact Alex Bulux via e-mail at Alejandro.Bulux@bep.gov.

Contracting Office Address:
14th and C Streets, SW
Washington, D.C. 20228

The point of contact for this Notice is:
Alejandro Bulux
Alejandro.Bulux@bep.gov

Secondary Point of Contact:
Antonio Sixon
Contracting Officer
Antonio.Sixon@bep.gov

Email responses to this Notice shall be sent to the attention of individuals listed above. Respondents are requested to submit the aforementioned Capability Statement to the point of contact identified above between time of posting to 5:00 PM Eastern Standard time, February 5, 2021.