SOURCES SOUGHT
99 -- Counterfeit Deterrence Banknote Feature
- Notice Date
- 1/18/2005
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 339999
— All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), Office of Procurement, 14th & C Streets, S.W., Washington, DC, 20228
- ZIP Code
- 20228
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-SSR-05-0004
- Response Due
- 3/22/2005
- Archive Date
- 3/22/2005
- Description
- This sources sought synopsis is for a unique counterfeit deterrent feature that can be incorporated into currency paper or applied onto currency paper. The feature will be used by the general public as a visual aid to authenticate U.S. currency. Specifically, the BEP is looking for a counterfeit deterrent feature that is 1)based on leading edge technology, and 2) cannot be easily duplicated, simulated or counterfeited, using commercially available equipment or techniques. For example, features that can be simulated to produce a passable pretense or outward appearance of the feature are not acceptable. Additionally, the technology must provide a unique and distinctive feature for U.S. currency. Sources that are interested in responding to this announcement shall provide a technical description of the feature and the material from which it is made to include how the material and feature are manufactured, a description of the technology used or proposed to be used to manufacture the feature, how the feature would be incorporated or applied to currency paper, and a description of variations of the feature that are available, e.g., colors, graphics or visual effects. To the extent possible under this announcement, provide sufficient information on the feature or the manufacturing technology to distinguish the feature or the technology from features currently available in commercial or banknote applications. Include identification of unique components of the feature and suggestions on the methodologies or techniques to integrate it in currency notes in order to maximize its effectiveness as an authentication feature. The feature may be based on or related to features or technologies which are available for commercial or banknote formats, provided it is unique in its characteristics and distinguishable as a unique feature or device. Sources shall also provide projections on the production readiness of the feature including manufacturing capacity and estimated delivery timeframes for production quantities. Sources shall specifically address their ability to begin delivery of production quantities of this feature to the BEP between March 2006 and June 2006. If any portion of the manufacturing process is to be subcontracted, this shall also be noted. Sources shall submit 50 prototype samples in the dimensions proposed for use on currency notes with the response to this synopsis for the Bureau to review and evaluate. These prototype samples shall not be returned. The Bureau may award a production contract as a result of this announcement, if this announcement results in a feature that is selected for potential incorporation into U.S. currency. Interested sources shall submit their response to this announcement in triplicate to Jennifer L. Sellers, Contracting Officer, Bureau of Engraving, Office of Procurement, Room 708A, 14th and C Streets SW, Washington, DC 20228. Responses shall be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than March 22, 2005. Questions may be submitted to Ms. Jennifer Sellers at (202) 874-3148 or via e-mail at jennifer.sellers@bep.treas.gov There are no specifications at this time, however it is desired that the overt feature/material have a caliper of 40 micrometers or less. Samples of the overt feature/material may be tested and will be expected to meet the following durability requirements: 1. Chemical Resistance. The feature shall exhibit chemical resistance when tested in accordance with BEP STM 300.003 using the chemicals listed in the table below. The chemical resistance of the feature shall meet or exceed acceptable quality levels in unprinted currency paper, printed paper, and finished currency notes. Chemicals Concentration Sulfuric Acid, HSO Reagent Grade, 1% v/v, aqueous Sodium Hydroxide, NaOH Pellets, ≥97% assay, 2% w/v, aqueous Sodium Hypochlorite, NaOCl 5.25% household bleach diluted 1:4 with tap water. Bleach not to exceed 6 months old. Ethanol, CHOH Denatured, 190 proof Tetrachloroethylene, CCl Reagent grade, undiluted Toluene, CHCH Certified ACS Grade, undiluted Acetone, CHO Certified ACS Grade, undiluted Gasoline, unleaded Undiluted Mineral Spirits Odorless, undiluted, Properties: Boiling Point Range 171? 204?C @760 mm Hg; Flash Point, minimum 48?C 2. Abrasion Resistance. The feature shall not be significantly degraded or eliminated as compared to an un-abraded specimen when evaluated as specified in accordance with ASTM D 5264. 3. Resistance to Laundering. The feature shall be resistant to laundering when evaluated in the laundry test in accordance with BEP STM 300.002. 4. Crumple Test. The feature should be resistant to crumpling and should be clearly recognizable and functional, when evaluated in the crumple test in accordance with BEP STM 300.001. 5. Folding Endurance. The feature shall attain a minimum of 3.0, in log10 units, double folds without failure according to TAPPI Test Method T-511. Folding endurance is reported as the logarithm (to the base 10) of the number of double folds required to break the material (feature). 6. Light fastness. The color and gloss of the feature shall be resistant to fading and color changes after exposure to the light produced by a Xenon-arc for a period up to 72 hours. The light fastness of the color and gloss shall meet or exceed acceptable quality levels when tested in accordance with ASTM G155. 7. Hot Water Resistance. The feature shall be resistant to any degradation or deterioration when subjected to hot water. The hot water resistance of the feature shall meet or exceed acceptable quality levels when tested. Testing shall consist of immersing samples into a 75? C +/- 2? C water bath for 30 minutes, and then removed from the water bath for comparison to a reference film sample that has not been immersed in hot water. 8. Elongation. The feature shall be resistant to rupturing or breaking and shall be resistant to degradation or elimination when subjected to strain. The feature shall meet or exceed acceptable quality levels when tested for elongation in accordance with TAPPI Test Method T-494. The samples shall be compared to an un-stretched sample of reference material.
- Place of Performance
- Address: N/A
- Record
- SN00736324-W 20050120/050118212000 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
| FSG Index | This Issue's Index | Today's FBO Daily Index Page |