SOURCES SOUGHT
T -- Production of Sequentially Numbered Security Checks in Multiple Formats for the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) - Attachment A
- Notice Date
- 5/13/2015
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 323111
— Commercial Printing (except Screen and Books)
- Contracting Office
- Government Printing Office, Customer Services Department, Agency Publishing Services, Stop: CSAC, 732 North Capitol Street, N.W., Washington, District of Columbia, 20401, United States
- ZIP Code
- 20401
- Solicitation Number
- GPO-RFI-15-CS001
- Archive Date
- 6/18/2015
- Point of Contact
- Julie A. Hasenfus, Phone: 202-512-0655, David T. Ward, Phone: 202-512-0938
- E-Mail Address
-
jhasenfus@gpo.gov, dward@gpo.gov
(jhasenfus@gpo.gov, dward@gpo.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Current GPO contract specifications with exhibits This is a Request for Information. The synopsis provided is for informational and planning purposes only and should not be construed as a formal solicitation or as an obligation or commitment by the Government to reply to the information received, to later publish a solicitation, or to award a contract based on this information. PURPOSE: The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) intends to gather information from vendors and organizations with experience in security check production. Responses are sought from interested and responsible vendors for the purpose of developing requirements for the future production of printed U.S. Treasury checks. The Government is considering changes in the product format, design, and materials in order to achieve a number of desired objectives: 1. Minimize production cost 2. Ensure continuous product availability 3. Utilize requirements that are common to the security check industry and which numerous commercial sources can provide 4. Maintain certain requirements for product design and security (see Minimum Mandatory Requirements stated below). GPO seeks information in the form of clear and definitive written documentation describing the vendor's capabilities to meet mandatory requirements and detailed suggestions for product revisions. Responses should address each of the specific requirements in sufficient detail to enable GPO to determine current market capabilities, including strengths and limitations. BACKGROUND: The current GPO contract (Attachment A) provides details about current Treasury check requirements including descriptions of eleven (11) required check formats. All of the specified requirements with exception of the minimum mandatory requirements identified in this RFI are subject to evaluation of suggested revisions and possible adoption of changes that would help the Government meet stated objectives. Efforts to convert check users to electronic payment methods have resulted in significant quantity reductions over the past decade. However the production of printed checks will continue to be a statutory requirement. In 2014, Treasury disbursed approximately 64 million printed checks. It is anticipated that this quantity may reduce to approximately 42 million checks per year by 2020. Thereafter, through gradual reduction, the quantity is projected to reach its lowest level of approximately 25-30 million checks per year by 2030. Quantities are expected to remain at that minimum from that point forward. The vast majority of check production in 2014 was accounted for as follows: • Roll stock format H (95%) • Roll stock format K (3%) • Marginally punched continuous fanfold format D (2%) Marginally punched continuous sheet formats J and GS were also ordered in very small quantities. This indicates that the remaining formats specified in the current contract will be used minimally in the future. However, some Federal customers may have a need to order in those formats so there is a need to support the production of all formats. NOTE: The Government does not intend to change the minimum requirement that formats H and K must continue to be produced on rolls. Due to processing center limitations, sheet fed checks are not an option for these two formats. There are currently two Regional Treasury Financial Processing Centers located in Kansas City, MO (KFC) and Philadelphia, PA (PFC). The Government will consider options to store finished product at these distribution points. MINIMUM MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS : Qualified sources would need to be able to meet the following eleven (11) specific check production parameters. 1. Check Roll - Format H a. Two-up marginally punched continuous roll b. Overall width is 15-7/8", includes a 9/16" marginal aligning strip left and right. c. Each roll contains a leader strip (with alignment marks) a minimum of five (5) feet, 80,000 total checks, and a trailing strip of five (5) feet minimum. d. Maximum roll size 30" in diameter with a 5" (inside diameter) suitable core. 2. Check Over Stub - Format K a. Two-up marginally punched continuous roll with statement below check b. Overall width is 15-7/8", includes a 9/16" marginal aligning strip left and right. c. Horizontal perforations at the bottom of each check, every 6-1/2". d. Each roll to contain a leader strip (with alignment marks) a minimum of five (5) feet, 40,000 checks and 40,000 statements, and a trailing strip of five (5) feet minimum. 3. Check is 3.25 in height. 4. Inventory Control Numbers are currently formatted as follows. The alpha identifier can likely be changeable but the 9 digit scheme must remain. These are preprinted on every check page on the form. a. Checks in Roll Formats H and K Numbering: K NNN,NNN,NNN (processed at KFC) P NNN,NNN,NNN (processed at PFC) b. Specimen Checks for Roll Format Numbering X NNN,NNN,NNN (addition of a preceding "X") c. Check Over Stub Format G Numbering: NNN,NNN,NNN d. Specimens for Check over Stub Format Numbering: GX NNN,NNN,NNN 5. Tractor feed is 0.5 inches. 6. Paper must be able to fuse with MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) Code toner/developer. 7. Paper must include a "Torch Sensor Trigger Mark" located on the left margin of the web. This mark is used for torch sensor alignment and calibration in order for the "Intelligent Trigger System" to trigger the Videk camera at the correct timing. 8. All checks and blank check paper must be produced within the Continental United States. 9. The contractor must be able to provide a contingency plan for an alternate production site 10. Subcontracting for printing, numbering, or waste destruction will not be permitted. 11. Separate Indemnity and Performance bonds are required in amount of $500,000 each. RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS : For the purpose of this RFI, vendors that have the capability to meet the minimum mandatory requirements are invited to submit complete details describing how they would address the check requirements. After demonstrating specifically how the minimum mandatory needs can be achieved, vendors are encouraged to further examine all of the requirements within the current contract specification (Attachment 1). Vendors are asked to identify any requirements that describe exceptions to their capability or which are considered to be a deviation from standard industry practices. Responders are asked to describe any suggestion that could yield a cost saving or improvement through the Government's acceptance of an alternate design, material, job component, production method, or other change in the non-mandatory elements contained in the previous contract. Proposed alternatives should be supported by identifying the relative cost of producing the product as specified in comparison to the cost of producing the product using the suggested alternative. Here is an example of the type of detail requested to be included in the response at a granular level: Refer to the Security Precautions Required section on page 7, stating that "armed guards and alarm system shall be on duty and operational at all times, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week". The cost to meet this requirement is approximately "X" per 12-month period. If the Government would accept another method of providing similar levels of security (describe the alternative in detail), it could reduce the cost approximately "Y" (an estimated dollar amount or %). General marketing information or incomplete responses may not be considered. Reference to vendor websites where research could be conducted independently by the Government without explanation by the vendor is not considered to be a desired response. The information obtained may be utilized in the preparation of a contract solicitation provided the Government finds it in its best interest. Proprietary information, if any, should be kept to a minimum in the response and MUST be clearly marked. All submissions become the Government's property and will not be returned. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement or any follow-up information requests. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS : Written response should be concise and are limited to 25 pages or less and identify the company's point of contact. Response must be sent electronically via e-mail to jhasenfus@gpo.gov. The subject line of the email should contain the RFI number GPO-RFI-15-CS001. No telephone, mail, or fax responses will be accepted.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/b83c74ded3fec612c56b25e2b8909285)
- Place of Performance
- Address: This is an RFI with no place of performance., Requesting office is U.S. Government Printing Office, 732 North Capitol Street, NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20401, United States
- Zip Code: 20401
- Zip Code: 20401
- Record
- SN03729500-W 20150515/150513234710-b83c74ded3fec612c56b25e2b8909285 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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