The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) is a component of the Department of the Treasury that designs, engraves, and prints U.S. banknote currency and other U.S. security products. In support of these operations at BEP's District Currency Facility (DCF), located in Washington, DC, the BEP, Office of Quality Operations (OQO) requires two (2) UV-Vis-NIR Spectrophotometers. The spectrophotometers are required to measure the optical properties of ink and paper.
The purpose of this acquisition is to purchase two (2) new UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer that is capable of performing inspection of incoming ink and paper materials for their specified optical properties. In the quality laboratories, the spectrophotometer is used to measure optical properties of incoming ink and paper materials. These optical properties need to meet certain specifications in order to ensure the materials are of sufficient quality to be used in production. Therefore, a spectrophotometer capable of accurately measuring these qualities is essential for the currency production process. The current spectrophotometer units have reached end-of-life and must be replaced. The new spectrophotometer units need to be purchased, delivered, and installed. BEP personnel must be trained by qualified contractors. As a result, BEP needs to complete the acquisition and qualification of new equipment to replace the current units.
