50% sodium hydroxide solution (caustic soda)

This is a Sources Sought Notice ONLY. Requests for copies of a solicitation will not receive a response. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is issuing this Sources Sought Notice in order to identify companies, preferably small businesses that can supply 50% sodium hydroxide solution (caustic soda) delivered by tank truck or in drums (see attachment). The material shall be suitable for use as an ingredient in water-based wiping solution for currency printing presses at the BEP. The BEP reserves the right to modify its specification at any time. Interested vendors are to submit their interest in writing to the Contract Specialist identified herein along with the following, but not limited to information: 1) reference to Sources Sought number; 2) company name, address, telephone number, and website address (if available); 3) the type of business (large or small); 4) the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a technical point of contact having the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with Government representatives and 5) literature regarding the capability of your company to supply this item. Responses to this Notice should be received no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time January 08, 2014 and shall be submitted via e-mail to Brian Petchel, Contract Specialist at brian.petchel@bep.gov. This Notice is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal or Request for Quote or as an obligation on the part of BEP for conducting a follow-on-acquisition. BEP does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this Notice, or otherwise pay for the information requested. No entitlement or payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by BEP will arise as a result of submission of responses to this Notice and BEP use of such information. BEP recognizes that proprietary data may be part of this effort. If so, respondents are responsible for identifying proprietary components, interfaces and equipment, and clearly mark restricted or proprietary data and present it as an addendum to the non-restricted / non-proprietary information. See Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 3.104.4. In the absence of such identification, BEP will assume to have unlimited rights to all technical data in the information paper. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS EXISTS AT THIS TIME. The North American Industries Classification System (NAICS) code for this is 325180 Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing with a size standard of 1000. This Notice is not to be construed as a commitment by BEP and does not imply an intention or the opportunity to acquire funding to support current or future efforts. The point of contact for this Notice is: Brian Petchel, brian.petchel@bep.gov, 202-874-1981 Email responses to this Notice shall be sent to the attention of individual listed above. Due date for responses are no later than 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time January 08, 2014.