Multi-Page personalization equipment

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued for market research, budgetary and planning purposes only! The United States Government Printing Office (GPO) is seeking proposals to provide personalization/issuance equipment systems that will be used to issue ICAO 9303 passport size booklets. This Request for Information (RFI) seeks information on the capabilities of personalization equipment manufacturers in the areas of machine design, software integration and necessary multi-page personalization requirements. Respondents should also feel free to submit a system proposal that is close to the requirements but not exactly as defined. A currently commercially ready system may be considered over the specific system defined below. Requirements GPO is responsible for providing customer agencies with secure documents and associated equipment and systems. The issuance equipment system proposed should be able to: Create high resolution color photos and black text that will allow the issuance of ICAO 9303 machine readable compliant documents. Apply a high security laminate over the personalized information. Apply personalization information and security laminate on multiple pages up to 20, including facing pages. Other requirements: The process of printing and laminating a subsequent page should not involve any operator intervention. Once the process of issuing a document has started, the printing and laminating of each page should be handled automatically. Proposed equipment should be able to handle security laminates from any reputable security laminate vendor. Any printing method (i.e. laser, inkjet, thermal, dyes sublimation, etc) will be considered. The foot print of the proposed equipment should be no larger than 4 ft x 10 ft. Variations from this will be considered. Response Criteria Keeping GPO's goals in mind please provide a detailed response that will help us determine what viable technologies are available. In addition to the above listed requirements, please specifically respond to these questions: What if any special exhausting requirements will be necessary? Are there any special materials or consumables other than the security laminates required? What are the electrical and or pneumatic requirements for operation? Is there any harmful waste produced by the system? What data system or format is required to issue with the proposed system? Response Criteria must be submitted to bwilliams@gpo by noon on 1 October 2009 (subject heading "Response Criteria: YOUR COMPANY NAME"). faxed copies are not acceptable. Printing Speed The proposed system should be able to accommodate at a minimum 600 documents with 8 pages personalized in an 8 hour period. The GPO recognizes that documents with more or less printed pages will affect the through put of any proposed system. Required Environment The proposed issuance system should have no extensive environmental requirements for operation other than a typical office environment. NOTE: Fluctuating humidity levels should not affect proposed system equipment. NOTICE: This announcement is a request for information only and does not obligate the GPO in any way. This is not a request for proposal and the GPO will not pay for any information submitted or for any expenses associated with providing information. Any information submitted by respondents to this RFI is strictly voluntary. Material submitted will be deemed proprietary to the extent permitted by applicable laws and requlations if so marked by the respondent. Questions regarding this RFI must be submitted to bwilliams@gpo.gov (subject heading "RFI Questions for ICAO9303": YOUR COMPANY NAME"). Faxed copies are not acceptable. Questions must be submitted by noon 21 September 2009.