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This IS NOT a request for bids, quotes, or proposals. This is a Sources Sought announcement and for informational purposes only. The purpose of this notice is to conduct market research and obtain inf... This IS NOT a request for bids, quotes, or proposals. This is a Sources Sought announcement and for informational purposes only. The purpose of this notice is to conduct market research and obtain information from qualified sources. No award may be issued from this Request for Information (RFI) Notice. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is the printer of United States Currency and certain other security documents. The BEP is seeking sources for the acquisition of an oven. If your company can meet the operational requirements, please respond via the email below. Include the following information: company contact information, business size classification, estimated pricing, and all technical and sizing information related to the oven. Below we have provided a brief description of our process and desired requirements. Plate Description: BEP will be drying large metallic plates composed of nickel, brass, bronze, or stainless steel. The exact specifications of engraved plates will vary, and overall size will vary from approximately 400 mm x 400 mm x 1 mm up to 900 mm x 900 mm x 1 mm with mass not exceeding 12 kg each. A series of 3 punched holes, approximately 26 mm in diameter may be provided along two opposing edges of the plates for support during drying if required. The plates will be covered in a very thin layer of water/alcohol (IPA) mixture that must be dried off. The goal of the requested oven is the effective drying of the plates. Operational Requirements: Must be able to achieve a minimum temperature of 50 C (+/- 10 C) and at least up to 110 C (+/- 10 C). We are willing to accept temperatures higher than 110 C Temperature setting must be controllable and adjustable. Preferably digital A timer capability triggering a shutdown would be desirable, but not required Must be able to dry a minimum of three plates concurrently (largest size and weight) Preferably, plates are positioned in a vertical manner during the drying process The plates cannot be touching each other during the drying process We are amenable to varying mounting or rack configurations Oven design should aim to minimize/eliminate the surface area of the plate that is contacting the inside of the oven. It is acceptable for the four edges of the plate to be in contact with the inside of the oven Oven should be designed using durable and safe material that will not deteriorate over time due to heating Oven must be no more than 48” W x 65” D and 80” H including all protrusions and be front loading (loading must occur from the 48” W side). Preferably, oven will be as small as possible, while meeting all operational requirements Infrastructural Requirements: Electricity and compressed air are available at the installation site, but natural gas is not Must be compatible with 240 three phase power Must be capable of integration into an exhaust/ventilation system (vent/opening is acceptable) The BEP requests qualified sources to discuss the following in their response How would the proposed oven accommodate different sized plates? Different weights? What is the approximate cycle time of the proposed oven? Minimum number of plates per hour? Maximum? Would the oven be capable of handling varying types of metallic plates? What regular maintenance would the oven require? What control systems does the oven include? What are the utility requirements? How does the proposed oven manage exhaust? What is the place of manufacture or equipment origin? What is the estimated lead time? What is the estimated total cost? Please provide the following: Company name, address, phone number, primary contact(s), email address, ALL applicable NAICS code(s), business size (i.e., small/large), company's socioeconomics (i.e., woman-owned, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, HUBZone, 8(a), etc.) and DUNS Number. Interested vendors shall provide a response to this notice via email by 3 January 2022 at 1:00P.M. (EST). All responses must be in writing only via email to the point of contacts specified in this notice. Telephone responses will NOT be accepted. AT THIS TIME NO SOLICITATION EXISTS. (DO NOT REQUEST A COPY OF A SOLICITATION). A FUTURE NOTICE MAY BE POSTED IF A SOLICITATION IS RELEASED. Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any interested party responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. Interested parties are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback with respect to any information submitted. No Proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation.