Computer-to-Plate Technology

I. OVERVIEW: 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 Notification for Computer-to-Plate Technologies. BEP is seeking to identify small business sources (i.e. manufacturers or wholesalers) that can supply BEP with a computer to plate system for both wet offset and metal-backed polymer plates used in dry offset printing (See Section II below for a description of BEP's general requirements). II. DESIRED REQUIREMENT: The following represents BEP's basic desired requirements for this technology: 2.1 DRY OFFSET: - Approximate volume of 50 plates per week for metal-backed polymer plates - Resolution of at least 8000 dpi. - Plate size range of 400 x 510mm to 755 x 840mm, with a minimal thickness range of 0.73mm to 2.30mm for metal-backed polymer plates. o Nyloplates: Must have capability to process Flint Group WSII 73W plates at sizes (755 x 840 x 0.73mm) and (400 x 510 x 0.73mm). o Polychablons: Must have capability to process Flint Group WS230S plates at size (765 x 840 x 2.30mm). - Expected press run / plate life of 1.6m minimum impressions for metal-backed polymer plates (for .73mm) - Film output via platesetter 2.2 WET OFFSET: - Approximate volume of 100 plates per week wet offset - Resolution of at least 4000 dpi. - Plate size range of 335 x 485mm to 800 x 1030mm, with a minimal thickness range of 0.12mm to 0.30 mm for wet offset plates. o Thermal Digital (Wet Offset Capability): Must have capability to process aluminum CTP plates for wet offset printing compatible with Komori press (800 x 1030 x 0.3mm), Heidelberg (770 x 1030 x 0.3mm), and Ryobi (335 x 485 x 0.25mm). - Expected press run / plate life of 300k minimum impressions for wet offset - Film output via platesetter III. RESPONSE INFORMATION: Interested Parties whose can supply the aforementioned item are to submit the following information in a Capability Statement: 1) general product/system summary of the system(s) that can be supplied; 2) general manufacturing and delivery lead times; 3) general budgetary cost information, The Capability Statement shall also include the following: 1) Reference to the Sources Sought number; 2) Company name, address, telephone number, and website address (if available); 3) The type of small business; 4) Statement as to whether the company is the manufacturer or wholesaler; 5) 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 6) DUNS number. IV. DUE DATE: Interested Parties are requested to submit their Capability Statement to the point of contact identified below no later than noon Eastern Time on 13 December 2012 to Casey Meng, Contract Specialist via e-mail at Casey.Meng@bep.gov or via fax to 202-874-2200. V. GENERAL INFORMATION: This Sources Sought 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; 52.215-1(e). 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. This notice is not to be construed as a commitment by the BEP and does not imply an intention or the opportunity to acquire funding to support current or future efforts. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the information submitted.