Denominating US Currency by the Blind and Visually Impaired

Denominating Currency for the Blind and Visually Impaired The Bureau or Engraving and Printing is interested in reviewing, testing, and evaluating technologies or materials with potential application to assist the blind and visually impaired to easily identify the denomination of U.S. currency. The Bureau is interested in reviewing all types of products, materials and technologies. Products of interest include, but are not limited to the following: ink (intaglio, typographic and offset) and ink additives, alternate and traditional substrates (paper or other medium), substrate additives, design elements and/or techniques and currency denominating devices. 1. Any product/material/printing methodology submitted will be evaluated to assess: a. Compatibility with existing designs and currency manufacturing processes b. Acceptability with respect to environment, safety and health c. Effectiveness, durability and reliability as a denominating methodology d. Ease of currency denomination identification 2. Any technology/device submitted will be evaluated to assess: a. Convenience and ease of use for the blind and vision-impaired community to operate b. Whether it can be transported in a pocket with a reasonable battery/charge life c. Whether it can read a banknote and determine its denomination in less than five seconds d. Whether the misread rate is no greater than one per thousand notes read e. Whether it allows for upgrades of future currency designs f. Whether the design can read current, circulating currency in a wide range of physical conditions g. If design allows, permit the denominating technology to be used in other portable devices such as cell phones 3. Submissions should include: a. Technical descriptions with or without samples/device b. Availability and price for purchase of larger test quantities of materials (if applicable) or devices c. Estimated cost in production (device or material) and cost in quantity (technology) d. Information on the development status and ownership of the intellectual property for this product, material or technology. For initial screening purposes, interested parties are requested to submit preliminary samples and a brief technical description (1-2 paragraphs) plus price information for the possible purchase of larger test quantities. The Bureau may procure additional samples for further evaluation. Information shall be submitted to Bureau of Engraving & Printing, Office of Acquisition, Attn: Kathleen Willett, 14th and C Streets, SW, Washington, DC 20228. If you have any questions, please contact Kathleen Willett via email at kathleen.willett@bep.treas.gov.