Department of the Treasury (DY), Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Procurement Office, Room 708-A, 14th and C Streets, SW, Washington, D.C. 20228-0001, Pamela M. Switzer, Contracting Officer, 202/874-3254

36 -- PRINTING PLATE PANTOGRAPH MACHINE SOL BEP-95-74(TN) DUE 022896. Contact Larry W. McCain, Contract Specialist, 202/874-3139. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has a requirement to procure three (3) Plate Pantograph Machines One (1) for the Washington, D.C. facility and one (1) for the Fort Worth, Texas facility) with an option to purchase one (1) additional Plate Pantograph Machine for the Washington, D.C. facility. The delivery of the base quantity of two (2) plate pantograph machines is 180 calendar days from date of contract award, with an option to purchase one (1) additional pantograph machine within twelve (12) months after delivery of the base quantity and to be delivered 180 calendar days from the date the option is exercised. The BEP presently uses a manual pantograph machine which incorporates eight separate industrial diamond tipped styluses to trace Securities Printing Plates. The pantograph is used to engrave a thirty thousandth of an inch tall, four digit number or script signatures typical of those appearing on U. S. currency, up to about 1.125 inches in length onto an asphalt coating on the Nickel Printing Plate at thirty-two specific locations on the plate. The pantograph uses a 50:1 reduction with tracing dies in the production of the numbers. The industrial diamond styluses are counterbalanced such that a very fine adjustment of the force of the stylus on the plate is maintained. This counterbalancing allows the styluses to float with the variations in thickness of the printing plates without damaging the plates. The force is limited to only scratch through the asphalt coating on the plates without digging into the nickel surface. The present pantograph requires the operator, a skilled engraver, to align the position of each diamond stylus prior to engravings the number at eight separate locations on the plate. The engravings are then inspected and the plate moved to engrave at another eight separate, locations on the plate. Photographs of the plate pantograph machine presently in use at the BEP will be provided with the solicitation when issued. This procurement is 100% set-aside for small business. All requests must be submitted in writing and respondents are required to state if they are a small-business manufacturer, distributor, or wholesale dealer. The solicitation will be available on or about February 29, 1996. All interested small businesses must submit a written request for a copy of Solicitation BEP-95-74(TN) to the Contract Specialist, Larry W. McCain. No telephone requests will be honored. See Numbered Note 1 and 26. (057)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0275 19960301\36-0001.SOL)