SPECIAL NOTICE
74 -- Paper Counting Machines
- Notice Date
- 3/20/2015
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 423420
— Office Equipment Merchant Wholesalers
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, U. S. Census Bureau, Acquisition Division, 1201 East 10th Street, Jeffersonville, Indiana, 47130
- ZIP Code
- 47130
- Solicitation Number
- RFI2015-0002
- Point of Contact
- TINA M. JORAE, Phone: 8122183351, Cherie H. Guilford, Phone: 8122183351
- E-Mail Address
-
TINA.M.JORAE@CENSUS.GOV, Cherie.H.Guilford@census.gov
(TINA.M.JORAE@CENSUS.GOV, Cherie.H.Guilford@census.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- REQUEST FOR INFORMATION For Paper Counting Machines National Processing Center 1.0 Description 1.1 The United States Census Bureau, National Processing Center in Jeffersonville, Indiana is seeking information on how an interested contractor could provide specific information from vendor's state-of-the-art paper counting machines. The Bureau intends this RFI to provide key information on cost and upgrade credit of Census equipment, and technical capabilities of paper counting machines using current industry standards. 1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the National Processing Center is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondees are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement. 2.0 Background The Bureau requires continued premier performance, operational excellence, exceptional intelligence and exemplary services from the most current state-of-the-art version of high-speed, high-capacity paper counting equipment. The use will support the automated kit assembly lines for production of decennial kits for the 2020 Census, and possibly the Dress Rehearsals for the 2020 Census operations. Currently, the National Processing Center has to hand count articles required for kit production if the material was not contracted to be packaged in specific quantities. This is a costly, time-consuming task that makes kit assembly an inefficient operation. There are several sizes, material used, lengths, widths, paper sheens, paper thickness, carbon paper, and non-carbon paper forms that NPC uses in the kit assembly operation. The purpose of this RFI is to solicit information on how best to achieve the Bureau's requirement. 2.1 Planned Production: The planned production of using the paper-counting machine would begin as early as July 2017. 2.2 Delivery Period: The delivery period for installing the paper counting machines would be as early as July 1, 2017. 3.0 Requested Information Vendor Information The Bureau is interested in understanding the profile of the companies responding to this RFI. Accordingly, please respond to the following points of interests: 3. A. Company Information Please provide company information below. 1. Organization Name 2. Contact person's name and title 3. Contact person's email address and telephone number 4. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number 5. Primary North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code(s) 6. Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code 7. Number of years company experience with paper counting equipment 8. Business Classification/Socio-Economic Status (e.g., large, small, 8(a), women owned, Veteran Owned) 9. Annual revenue, for the last two years, related to the sales of high volume paper counting devices 10. Annual revenue, for the last two years, related to the sales of high volume paper counting devices to the federal government 11. Annual Volume, for the last two years -(number of paper counting devices shipped to customers 3. B. Operating Sites Please provide the following information about your operating sites. 1. The number of actual active sites operating your high volume paper counting devices. For each site, describe the number of devices. 2. Describe the business summarize any additional value added services you provide. 3. What is your geographic reach across the lower 48 US States? Territories relative to installed customer base, sales and service, and maintenance and repair services (whether company direct or contracted third-party services). 4. What is your capability and experience processing and executing diverse ordering scenarios, specifically orders that require multiple ship-to locations across the states? 5. What is your capability to deliver on short notice for emergency requirements? 6. What is your flexibility to customize, noting specific past performance experiences with government agencies? 7. What is a recent (within a year) experience where you provided high customer satisfaction? 8. Provide any other information that describes your diversified customer portfolio. 4.0 Device Capabilities, Features, and Functions The Bureau requires performance of high volume paper counting devices. It is important that the devices count a myriad of sizes, thicknesses, and different types of paper, and batch according to kit requirements. The Bureau seeks information on the following points of interest to meet operational performance and identify capabilities from the paper counting devices. Please address the capabilities of the devices to successfully conduct and conquer challenges of a demanding and time-restrictive operation, such as a large-scale census: 4. A Paper Counting Processing Please describe paper counting processing, by answering the following questions. 1. What are the types (i.e., paper, card stock, plastics) that the paper counter machine can count and batch? 2. What is the minimum length and width that can be used in the paper counting machine? 3. Can you count a perforated edge with carbon and carbonless paper on only one edge? 4. What is the maximum length of paper that can be used on the paper counting machine, (i.e., 11 x 17 inches)? 5. How does the tabbing function work? 6. Is there a maximum amount for tab inserts? 7. What types of paper finishes can the paper counting machine handle (i.e. glossy, matte, slick)? 8. Can the paper counting machine count bi-fold paper? Tri-fold pamphlets? 9. What is the maximum thickness of paper that the paper counter machine can count? 4. B Critical Path Processing Please describe your standard processing. 1. What is the throughput of the paper-counting machine (counts per minute)? Include total volumes for a typical 8-hour shift. 2. What are the quality assurance processes? 3. How do you support batch processing? 4. What is the document feeding mechanism? 5. How does the machine loosen pages to ensure none are stuck together? 4. C Exception Processing 1. How does your paper-counting machine identify and correct for double feeds or document jams? 2. What type of waste does the system create? 3. How often does the user have to empty waste? 4. What are your built-in waste components? 5.0 System Requirements, Specifications, and Interface 5. A System Requirements and Specifications 1. What are the equipment electrical requirements and specifications (load, etc)? 2. What are the environmental controls for temperature, and humidity requirements? 3. What is the proprietary and standard software needed (include versions)? Identify those that come bundled with the system. 4. Is there any required communication, peripheral or supplemental hardware? If so, describe. 5. How does the system receive software or firmware updates? 6. What is the expected life cycle of a devise running at full capacity? 5. B User Interface Describe the interface for the Bureau users. If your device is multi-purpose or modular, describe each module or function. 1. What is the ability to modify the interface to limit options for varying operator use? 2. What is the type of user display (i.e. touch screen, mouse driven, etc.?) 3. How large is the monitor and what is the type of screen? (i.e. LCD) 4. What user confirmations/prompts does the system require during processing? 5. Are there requirements for user names and passwords? 6.0 Shipping and Installation 6. A Shipping Please describe how you would ship the devices to the National Processing Center in Jeffersonville, IN. 1. Do you contract shipping of equipment via dedicated equipment moving companies or via common carrier? 2. What packing and/or shipping precautions do you take to ensure there is no damage to equipment? 6. B Installation Please describe how the devices would be unpackaged and installed. 1. Provide your standard pre-installation requirements. 2. What is your installation plan from equipment delivery to the final test including the time required to install on a "per machine" basis? 3. What is your ability to support multiple machine installations at the same site? 7.0 Training, Support, and Maintenance Please describe the following points of interest: 7. A Course Schedule of Training 1. Levels of training (including simple and complex maintenance) 2. Training duration for each course schedule 3. Operational training (for managers) 4. Operator training, including cleaning and adjustment (include frequency of cleaning needed) 5. Preventive maintenance (vendor supplied) 6. In-house maintenance training 7. B Technical Support System Describe your technical support services in terms of the following: 1. Provide a listing of your current technical support services for your installed base of customers to include any response-based support as well as on-site support. 2. What are your rapid support capabilities from technical experts familiar with the product line and able to utilize a keen sense of how to address our demanding needs, thus offering prompt resolutions and service upon request? 3. What successful technical collaborations have you had with a customer to diagnose and rectify issues (give an example)? 7. C Maintenance Servicing 1. Where are your service and technical support locations? 2. What is your response time from these locations (to Jeffersonville, IN)? 3. Provide examples of Service Level Agreements that you support for your current customer base. 4. To what degree do you train the maintenance personnel who service your equipment? 5. What certifications and on-going training requirements do you require of your service personnel? 8.0 Safety and Security Please describe the following points of interest: 8. A Safety Specification Sheets Provide safety specification sheets that address safety considerations including: 1. Machine guarding 2. Safety interlocks 3. Lockout-Tag out provision 4. Operating temperature range 5. Decibel rating for the equipment 6. Ergonomic feature 7. Any safety certifications relative to the equipment 8. B Occupational Safety 1. How are the machines cleaned and what products do you recommend for performing cleaning tasks? 2. Is there any exposure to hazards during installation, use or maintenance (i.e., moving parts, blades, heat, fumes, electrical or mechanical hazards)? 3. Does your equipment meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Electrical Code, American National Standards Institute, National Fire Protection Association, Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory requirements? 4. What other Government compliance or certifications does the equipment hold? 5. Are there any emissions from the equipment electro-mechanical system or computer component system? 6. Was there an instance where your equipment required customization to meet local codes and regulations at the time of installation? If so, please describe. 7. What are your built-in safety features? 9.0 Technical Trends While reducing total costs for the kit assembly operation is a core objective, equally important is ensuring the Bureau has the right technology to accomplish our mission. Keeping this in mind, please address the following areas: 1. From your perspective, what are the key technical trends that will influence the high volume paper counting industry in the next 2 - 5 years? 2. In what ways do you see yourself competing in the marketplace in the next 2 -5 years? 3. In what ways do you see yourself as a leader in the marketplace? 4. From a contract and pricing perspective, what procurement methods have you found most effective in balancing the need for periodic technology refreshment while also ensuring competitive pricing as technology continues to evolve? (i.e., buy new, buy used, lease, buy back, etc.) 5. What major business benefits the Bureau would realize from using your equipment? 10.0 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. 10.1 Submit papers in Microsoft Word format and including attachments should not exceed twenty (20) pages with Arial font greater than or equal to 11 pt. Submissions are due no later than 20 April 2015, 10:00 A.M. EST. Responses can be submitted via mail to the U.S. Census Bureau, 1201 East 10TH Street, Jeffersonville, IN 47132 or by email to tina.m.jorae@census.gov no later than 4:00 P.M. Eastern Time on April 20, 2015. Mark the subject line for responses "{Company Name}=RFI- Paper Counting Devices". Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. The Bureau will maintain all information gathered during market research as confidential. Respondents are strongly encouraged to limit submission of general marketing materials and focus on responding to the specific questions posed in this RFI. Please direct any technical questions to Edmond Jarrell, by e-mail at Edmond.r.jarrell@census.gov, or by telephone at 812-218-4090. 10.2. Section 1 of the white paper shall provide administrative information, and shall include the following as a minimum: 1. Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact. 2. Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541512, Computer Systems Design Services. "Small business concern" means a concern, including its affiliates that is independently owned and operated, not dominant in the field of operation in which it is bidding on Government contracts, and qualified as a small business under the criteria and size standards in 13 CFR part 121. A small business concern for the purposes of this procurement is generally defined as a business, including its affiliates, averaging no more than ____[fill-in]____ million dollars in annual receipts. Annual receipts of a concern that has been in business for 3 or more complete fiscal years means the annual average gross revenue of the concern taken for the last 3 fiscal years. Annual receipts of a concern that has been in business for less than 3 complete fiscal years means its total receipts for the period it has been in business, divided by the number of weeks including fractions of a week that it has been in business, and multiplied by 52. Respondees are cautioned, however, that this is a general description only. Additional standards and conditions apply. Please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 19 for additional detailed information on Small Business Size Standards. The FAR is available at http://www.arnet.gov. 10.3 The facility security clearance of the offeror.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOC/CB/JeffersonvilleIN/RFI2015-0002/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: 1201 East 10th Street, Building 66 Room 149, Jeffersonville, Indiana, 47132, United States
- Zip Code: 47132
- Zip Code: 47132
- Record
- SN03674468-W 20150322/150320234719-d3348d92b688f2503ea9789cade62cf1 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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