This is a Request for Information (RFI) (hereinafter Notice). This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, request for bids or quotations, nor, a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. The purpose of this notice is to obtain knowledge and information for project planning purposes only. In accordance with FAR 15.201, the BEP is seeking industry comments on draft specifications for the manufacture and supply of currency, non-currency and security inks . Copies of the draft specifications are available upon written request to the point of contact listed below. Interested suppliers are required to submit a letter of intent and execute a Non-Disclosure Agreement with the BEP to receive a copy of the draft specifications. Interested suppliers' letter (s) of intent will be accepted during the open period of this notice; however, please be advised that release of the specification may take up to one week for processing. As a part of extensive market research, the BEP encourages industry and interested suppliers to submit questions or comments regarding the draft specification and/or suggestions to improve the upcoming anticipated solicitation to promote competition and stimulate response from prospective offerors. All comments and questions should be submitted in writing to the within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice. Inquiries are to be addressed to Ms. Joy Garnett, Contract Specialist via email at
[email protected] and Ms. Kathleen Barton, Contracting Officer via email at
[email protected]. Oral requests for draft specifications will not be honored. Responses to this Notice should, at a minimum, include the following : 1. Information regarding capabilities for planning purposes; 2. Literature demonstrating the Respondents capability to manufacture and supply currency, non-currency and other security inks; 3. Respondent's DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HUBZone, etc.) pursuant to the applicable NAICS code; 4. Respondent's technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses; 5. Possible solutions and approaches that may currently exist in the marketplace, and information regarding innovative ideas or concepts regarding the manufacture and supply of currency, non-currency and security ink as it pertains to the draft specifications; 6. Subcontracting possibilities, specifically for small businesses; 7. Place of manufacture; 8. Any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the requirements. 9. Environmental Health & Safety requirements; 10. Green products or services, biobased product and/or energy efficient requirements; All responses shall be limited to a maximum of 20 pages. The due date for responses is no later than June 30, 2015 at 4:00 p.m., EST . In accordance with FAR 15.201 (e), responses to Requests for Information are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract or agreement. This Notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. All costs associated with responding to this Notice are solely at the responding party's expense. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Further, the Government may contact the responding party for additional information regarding the information submitted as part of this market research effort. Any interested party responding to this Notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. Information provided will be used to assess alternatives available for the potential requirement and may lead to the development of a solicitation. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. Failure to respond to this notice does not preclude participation in any future solicitation should one materialize. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in an interested party's response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). If so, respondents are solely responsible for properly marking and identifying such information within their response. It is the BEP's intent to periodically update this notice as Government requirements are finalized and to incorporate industry comments and concerns as appropriate. Interested parties may register on FedBizOpps for electronic notification of updates to this notice.