Suppliers of Ultraviolet (UV) Curable Inks

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), a civilian agency within the Department of the Treasury, is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) to identify suppliers of Ultraviolet (UV) Curable Intaglio Inks, with a specific focus on green and black inks. The agency requires these specialized inks to be compatible with their dual Ultra-Violet Curing System on a Koenig & Bauer Mini Orlof Intaglio Test Press, capable of curing within 0.25 seconds for film thicknesses between 25-55 micrometers. Potential suppliers must demonstrate compliance with environmental regulations across BEP locations in Fort Worth, Texas, Washington DC, and Beltsville, MD. The evaluation criteria will include technical specifications such as color range, wavelength requirements, curing capabilities, and compatibility with cotton linen substrates. Respondents are expected to provide comprehensive documentation, including company information, manufacturing locations, technical data, Safety Data Sheets with VOC information, and procurement details. The response deadline is January 20, 2025, at 3:30 PM Eastern Time, with submissions required to include a detailed technical package.

This pre-solicitation notice does not indicate a specific set-aside designation and is currently in a market research phase to identify potential ink suppliers. While no incumbent contractors are mentioned, the RFI suggests the BEP is exploring new or alternative sources for UV curable intaglio inks. No specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the documentation. The procurement appears focused on obtaining inks that meet precise technical specifications, with particular emphasis on LED wavelength compatibility (365nm, 385nm, 395nm, 405nm) and conventional arc light sources. Suppliers will need to provide information on minimum order quantities, procurement lead times, and shelf life of the proposed inks. The NAICS classification for this opportunity is 325910 (Printing Ink Manufacturing), and the PSC category is 6810 (Chemicals), indicating a specialized industrial procurement process. This RFI represents a preliminary market exploration and does not constitute a formal solicitation or government commitment.