Description THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source, Crane & Co., Inc. as provided by 41 U.S.C. 3304 (a)(1), and as implemented under FAR 6.302-1(a)(1)(2)(b)(1)(i), this authority is used in preference to any of the other authorities as it is determined on a reasonable basis that the agency's minimum need can only be satisfied by this extremely unique supply and it is only available from one supplier with unique capabilities, patents and trade marking with exclusivity rights to the BEP. The acquisition is for the optically variable distinctive security thread that has been approved by the Department of the Treasury, Federal Reserve Board (FRB), and United States Secret Service (USSS) for use as an overt security feature of next generation (NexGen) $100 Federal Reserve banknotes. This thread is woven into the distinctive currency paper creating a window thread that is a major security feature used in the production of United States (US) currency banknotes. This notice of intent to solicit and negotiate an award of a sole source contract is not a request for competitive proposals, quote or an invitation for bids. In accordance with FAR subpart 5.207(c)(15)(ii), all responsible sources may provide a capabilities statement for consideration by the BEP no later than 12:00 p.m. EST on Friday March 15, 2019. Any cost associated with the preparation and submission of data or information or any other costs incurred in responding to this notice is the sole responsibility of the respondent and will not be reimbursed by the Government. A determination not to compete this proposed requirement upon receipt of any responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. Telephonic requests are not supported. The NAICS code is 322121 Paper (except Newsprint) Mills and the small business size standard is 1250 employees. All responses shall be submitted in writing, and via email, to the point of contact specified in this notice. Interested parties must be registered and currently active in the System for Award Management (SAM), found at https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ . Responses MUST be received no later than the closing date/time specified in this notice by e-mail or other mail service. Point of Contact regarding this notice is William Brabson, Contract Specialist at
[email protected] Tony Sixon, Contracting Officer, at
[email protected] .