THIS IS AN INTENT TO AWARD NOTICE. NOTHING HEREIN SHOULD BE MISCONSTRUED AS A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS, QUOTES, OR BIDS. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source, Crane & Co., Inc. under the authority of FAR subpart 6.302-1 which authorizes other than full and open competition when the supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source...and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirements. 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 (NXG) $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 June 6, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. EST. 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. Questions regarding this procurement should be addressed to Kathleen Barton via email at
[email protected]. Telephonic requests will not be honored.