Department of Treasury (DY), Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Office of Procurement, 14th & C Sts., S. W., 708-A, Washington, D. C. 20228

36 -- PRINTING PLATE PANTOGRAPH MACHINE SOL BEP-95-74(TN) DUE 100196 POC Contact Larry McCain, Contract Specialist, 202/874-3139. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing's (BEP) requirement to procure three (3) Plate Pantograph Machines as previously synopsized on March 4, 1996 is changed as follows: The 100% Small Business Set-Aside determination has been waived and this procurement action is now Full and Open Competition. Those company's listed on the previous mailing list need not respond, as they have already been provided the solicitation and amendment. This requirement is in the following quantities: One (1) Plate Pantograph for the Fort Worth, Texas facility and one (2) Plate Pantograph for the Washington, D. C. 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 256 calendar days and 287 calendar days respectively, from date of contract award, with an option to purchase one (1) additional Plate Pantograph Machine within twelve (12) months after delivery of the base quantity and to be delivered 167 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 the 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 engraving 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. All interested businesses must submit a written request for a copy of Solicitation BEP-95-74(TN) to the Contract Specialist, Larry W. McCain. Respondents are required to state if they are a manufacturer, distributor, or wholesale dealer. The solicitation will be available on August 16, 1996. No telephone requests will be honored. See Numbered Note 26. (0208)

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