Ultraviolet Curable Print Coatings

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) issues this Sources Sought Notice (Notice) to identify coating manufacturers or other company, preferably a small business, demonstrating extensive expertise manufacturing and / or applying printed coatings on non-woven fabric. The BEP intends to evaluate UV coatings for use on U.S. currency. The BEP is interested in identifying materials exhibiting the following characteristics: 1) cure using a conventional UV unit over the entire print speed range up to and including a nominal 10,000 sheets per hour; 2) raised coarse or smooth, low tack texture when fully cured; 3) chemical, laundering and abrasion resistance once fully cured on non-woven fabric / currency substrate; 4) firm adhesion to plain currency substrate and other ink when subjected to laundering and crumpling; 5) facilitate accurate and precise positional and dimensional spot application using the single coating unit of the BEP's 5-color perfecting Komori G40 press; and 6) comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Transportation (DOT), and other applicable standards. The BEP requests interested companies to submit technical information including, but not limited to, the following: 1) reference to Sources Sought number; 2) company name, address, telephone number, and website address (if available); 3) company's large or small business classification; 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; 5) annotated printed samples demonstrating the breadth of the company's conventional UV cured coating portfolio and experience. Preferably, some samples will demonstrate experience with precise spot coating techniques, thickness range and adhesion to plain non-woven fabric as well as printing over oxidative inks such as offset or intaglio; 6) listing of the company's current coating products exhibiting some or all the five (5) preferred characteristics, pricing information and recommended optimal coating unit configuration(s). If possible, explain any potential limitations and challenges in achieving of the aforementioned desired characteristics as well as a coating thickness greater than 65 - m with your UV cured coatings; 7) list of any previous consultant services your company provided and your typical fee structure; 8) research or white papers related to similar special print coating applications. The BEP should receive responses no later than 2:30 P.M. Eastern Time November 13, 2012 and shall be submitted via e-mail to, Yvette Anderson, Contract Specialist at yvette.anderson@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; 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. Sample submissions NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS EXISTS AT THIS TIME. The North American Industries Classification System (NAICS) code for this is 333244. 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. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the information submitted.