THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is issuing a new request for information as a follow up to Request for Information (RFI) No BEP-RFI-12-0201 in order to identify companies, preferably small businesses, that can provide a currency reader for the blind and visually impaired that denominates U.S. currency. This RFI is for both manufacturers and re-sellers of currently available currency reader devices. The BEP is issuing this RFI as a white paper request from the vendor community to provide information to assist the BEP in its market research.

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED DRAFT STATEMENT OF WORK

Respondents are asked to provide information in response to the following:

• Describe the warranty for the device (limits, time frame, does the warranty start when the device is shipped to the government or when end user receives the device?).
• Describe your manufacturing operation (monthly production capacity and strategic plan for scaling up manufacturing capacity). If you are a reseller, please provide documentation from manufacturer.
• Describe your distribution operation (monthly distribution capacity and strategic plan for scaling up distribution capacity). Please provide specifications on pallet size and how many devices will fit on a pallet.
• Does your organization fall under one or more of the following categories: woman-owned, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned or Alaskan Native owned; small business or disadvantaged small business; 8(a) or HUBZone business?
• What would be the cost to include a form either in the unit or on the outside of the package (Government provided or Contractor provided)? This form would contain Government contact information.
• The draft statement of work (SOW) for the reader is attached. If your reader does not meet all of the technical requirements or if you have a question about any other aspect of the draft SOW, please address in your response.
• In order for your company to be authorized to do business with the Federal Government, you must be registered in the System for Award Management or https://www.sam.gov/

The currency reader MUST be able to read and denominate the NexGen $100 Note, which is to be released in the fall of 2013. If you need a sample note for upgrading and testing your reader, please go to http://www.newmoney.gov/stakeholder/banknote.htm and follow instructions.

II. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Electronic responses to this notice are due no later than 4:00 P.M. Eastern Time, July 08, 2013 and shall be sent to [email protected]. These submissions shall be no longer than 10 pages and be in a Windows compatible format. Please include the following:

a. Company Information and Point of Contact ("POC"):
• Company's Name
• Street Address, City, State, and Zip Code
• Contact information for identified POC, including e-mail, telephone number and facsimile number.

b. Capability Information: Service/Capability Literature and other supporting documentation that demonstrates your company's ability and certification to provide the subject services and supplies.

CONFIDENTIALITY:
Respondents are solely responsible for properly marking and clearly identifying any proprietary information or trade secrets contained within their response. The Government will not be liable for, or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly marked and clearly identified. Proprietary information received in response to this RFI will be safeguarded and handled in accordance with applicable Government regulations. Submissions may be subject to public discourse as required or permitted by law.

DISCLAIMER:
This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI is for informational planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government for any actual procurement of materials, machinery, or services. This notice does not constitute a solicitation or a promise of a solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI are solely at the responding parties' expense. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract or agreement. Respondents will not be notified of the results. The BEP will not be obligated to pursue any particular acquisition alternative as a result of this RFI. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if one is issued.

III. NOTICE POINT OF CONTACT INFORMATION: The point of contact for this notice is:
Name: Mr. Brian Petchel,
Phone: 202-874-1981
E-mail: [email protected]