Inactive

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has interest in and is seeking to identify suppliers of Energy Curable Intaglio and/or Letterpress Inks. Energy curable inks include those designed to cure s... The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has interest in and is seeking to identify suppliers of Energy Curable Intaglio and/or Letterpress Inks. Energy curable inks include those designed to cure solely using Ultraviolet (UV) light or other mechanism, for example electron beam (EB), magnetic induction, long wave (NIR), or ultrasonically. Hybrid inks that cure by a combination of energy curing are also being considered. The ink should comply with environmental regulations in Fort Worth, Texas, and Washington DC. In addition, inks compatible with cotton linen substrates are preferred. Response to this notice should include the following: 1. Technical/Product information to minimally include: a. Viscosity b. Yield Value c. Tack d. Shelf Life e. Range of Typical Ink Film Heights (i.e., Maximum, minimum, average in micrometers) 2. Range of colors available 3. Cured Print of the energy cured ink 4. A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the product 5. Minimum order quantity 6. Vendor's technical and administrative point of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses for UV curable and UV curable hybrid links 7. The applicable wavelength, or wavelength range for ink curing. In the case of UV curing systems, please provide the energy of the incident light required to fully cure a film Submit the following: Two Step Process Step 1: A current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) should be emailed to Carolyn.Sulla@bep.gov and Valerie.Catlett@bep.gov for review by BEP/OEHS to determine if the ink can possibly be used at BEP facilities. In addition, vendors may be contacted if clarification is needed. Step 2: If the SDS is determined to be a potential source for BEP use, an email from Carolyn.Sulla@BEP.gov and/or Valerie.Catlett@bep.gov will be sent to you to submit a sample of the ink. This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI is for informational planning purposes only and it should not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any actual procurement of materials, machinery, or services. This notice does not constitute a solicitation or a promise of a solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to a contract for any supply or service. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI are solely at the responding parties’ expense. Respondents are solely responsible for properly marking and clearly identifying any proprietary information or trade secrets contained within their response. The Government will not be liable for nor suffer any consequential damages resulting from any proprietary information not properly marked and clearly identified. Proprietary information received in response to this RFI will be safeguarded and handled in accordance with applicable Government regulations. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract or agreement. The BEP will not be obligated to pursue any acquisition alternative as a result of this RFI, hereinafter Notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, request for bids or quotations, nor a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. The purpose of this RFI is to obtain knowledge and information for project planning purposes only.