Department of Treasury (DY), Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Office of Procurement, 14th & C Sts., S. W., 705-A, Washington, D. C. 20228

36 -- ON-LINE INSPECTION AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR U.S. CURRENCY SOL BEP-97-19(N) DUE 062397 POC Contact Tina McGuire, Contract Specialist, 202/874-2451. This is a combination synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This RFP is identified by No. BEP-97-19(N) and incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 90-46. The contract type will be firm fixed price for a base and three option periods. The scope of work includes supply of all material and labor, to fabricate and deliver On-Line Inspection and Control Systems. Upon delivery of the initial systems, the Contractor shall furnish three (3) copies of assembly and detail drawings, with electrical schematics for all components. At a minimum, the system shall: 1) integrate with all generations of the De La Rue Giori/KBA I-10 sheet-fed intaglio printing presses in use at the BEP; 2) provide tailored operator and press control feedback to minimize production of unacceptable currency, eliminate further processing of unacceptable sheets, and maximize the yield of unflawed notes salvaged from each flawed sheet; 3) provide assurance that the system is functioning properly; 4) automatically compensate for variations in sheet position, camera sensitivity and illumination; 5) perform print inspection, reporting and press interface functions; 6) perform all functions at speeds up to 12,500 sheets per hour, automatically adjust to changes in press speed, and sustain production for up to 24 hours per day; 7) classify each sheet in real-time as being either acceptable or unacceptable using operator set criteria and control press functions accordingly. The system shall correctly classify the sheet 99.8% of the time; 8) allow entry of the denomination (4 alphanumeric), load number (8 alphanumeric), two (2) badge numbers (7 each numeric) and press number (3 numeric). This may be accomplished automatically via communication with the I-10 press console and/or manual entry using a barcode scanner or a keyboard; 9) display and report the following information at the conclusion of each load which is approximately 20,000 sheets (inspection system and press control settings, "Reference" information, number of total, inspected, uninspected, acceptable and unacceptable sheets, flaw type(s) versus number of occurences for each note); 10) transmit all inspection and system related data to the BEP's Oracle database and/or the existing Remote Data Storage System for each load; and 11) be constructed in accordance with the National Electric Code and applicable sections of OSHA. For the base period of 12 months, the Contractor is required to deliver six systems: two systems within 45 calendar days after contract award, another two (2) systems within 87 calendar days after award, and the final two (2) systems within 129 calendar days after award. An optional quantity of two (2) additional systems may be exercised by the Contracting Officer by written notice to the Contractor 30 calendar days prior to expiration of the base period. Option Period 1 shall be for a period of 12 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option (for an additional four (4) systems) by written notice to the Contractor 30 calendar days prior to expiration of the option period. All units shall be delivered FOB destination within consignee's premises to the BEP's Shipping and Receiving Department located at 9000 Blue Mound Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76131. The Contractor is required to contact the BEP's Shipping and Receiving Section's appointment hotline (817) 847-3831, at least 72 hours in advance to schedule all deliveries. The BEP will integrate the On-Line Inspection and Control System Interface with the printing press PLC and test to ensure that the system complies with all specification requirements. The system will be tested for repeatability and accuracy of the evaluation process by using currency containing flaws of known size, density and location. The constructive acceptance period will be 30 calendar days after delivery of the equipment. The FAR provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and includes the following addenda: for offerors wanting to observe the BEP's currency printing operation, a site visit will be held on June 11, 1997, at the Fort Worth facility. To register, contact Tina McGuire at (202) 874-2451 as soon as possible. Offerors are advised to include a completed copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items, with its offer. Call Tina McGuire (202) 874-2451, to request a copy of these representations and certifications. The FAR provision 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items is applicable and includes the following addenda: Paragraph (a) is hereby modified to address the evaluation which will be conducted. The BEP will evaluate the following factors: 1) conformance with specified requirements; 2)sheet currency inspection and press interface or similar experience; 3) compatability with the different I-10 press delivery configurations; and 4) ability to meet the specified delivery schedule. The system's technical merit, compatability, proposed delivery, and past performacne are of equal importance. Offerors shall provide reference information for the same or similar work (including point of contact and telephone number) for no more than three (3) references. Between proposals with different technical ratings, a determination will be made as to whether the additional technical merit or benefits reflected by a higher priced proposal warrants payment of the additional price or cost. The Government reserves the right to conduct a pre-award site visit of the prospective offeror's proposed system. FAR Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and includes the following addenda: Paragraph (a) is hereby modified to identify the constructive acceptance period of 30 calendar days after delivery of the equipment. Paragraph (h) is hereby modified to add FAR Clause 52.227-14, Limited Rights to Technical Data, Alternate II (JUN 1987). Paragraph (o) is hereby modified to add the following sentence: "In addition, the Contractor shall provide a one (1) year express warranty for all parts and labor". FAR Clause 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and the following clauses cited in the clause are applicable to this acquisition; 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government, with Alternate I (41 U.S.C. 253g and 10 U.S.C. 2402); 52.203-10, Price or Fee Adjustment for Illegal or Improper Activity (41 U.S.C. 423); 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns and Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns [15 U.S.C. 637 (d)(2) and (3)]; 52.219-9, Small, Small Disadvantaged and Women-Owned Small Business Subcontracting Plan [15 U.S.C. 637 (d)(4)]; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (E.O. 11246); 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Special Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans (38 U.S.C. 4212); 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Handicapped Workers (29 U.S.C. 793); 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era (38 U.S.C. 4212); 52.225-9, Buy Amerian Act-Trade Agreements Act -- Balance of Payments Program (41 U.S.C. 10, 19 U.S.C. 2501-2582). Offers may be submitted on letterhead stationary and, at a minimum, shall contain: (1) the solicitation number; (2) the name, address, point of contact and telephone number of the offeror; (3) terms of any express warranty; (4) price and discount terms (price for six (6) units and six (6) optional units); (5) "remit to" address, if different from mailing address; (6) a completed copy of the representations & certifications; (7) a statment specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation; and shall describe the following: (8) the method of flaw detection and how the information is interpreted to arrive at an acceptability determination; (9) attribute and/or method satisfying each specified requirement; (10) positioning/warping capabilities (angular, lateral, longitudinal), method (note vs. sheet) and tolerances; (11) available upgrades for software/hardware which may provide greater utility to the BEP (higher resolution, registration measurements, counterfeit deterrent inspection) and their cost; (12) subsystems, if any, such as password protection, diagnostics and downtime analysis; (13) data sent to the BEP's database (i.e., accountability, inspection results, faults, and machine events); (14) detail of the technical documentation provided with the system; and (15) press interface architecture and function. Offerors that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation, may be excluded from consideraton. Offers are due by June 23, 1997, 2:00 PM EST. Offers shall be mailed to: The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Office of Procurement, Room 705-A, 14th and C Streets, S. W., Washington, D. C. 20228-0001, Attn: Tina McGuire. All responsible businesses may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. (0154)

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