SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- Currency Reader Distribution Program - Contract Program Support
- Notice Date
- 8/31/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541611
— Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), Office of Acquisition, 14th & C Streets, S.W., Washington, District of Columbia, 20228
- ZIP Code
- 20228
- Solicitation Number
- BEP-RFI-12-ACCESSSUPPORT
- Archive Date
- 10/13/2012
- Point of Contact
- Berel Dorfman, Phone: 2028743602
- E-Mail Address
-
berel.dorfman@bep.gov
(berel.dorfman@bep.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This is a Request for Information (RFI) to gain market information about program support services that could assist the U.S. Department of Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Prinitng (BEP), in developing and implementing a meaningful access program to help the blind and sight impaired easily identify paper currency denominations through the use of a currency reader device and/or application. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. The U. S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), is interested in identifying contracting entities that can supply educational and communication support services to the BEP as part of the outreach effort for the forthcoming Currency Reader Distribution Program. BEP is issuing this RFI as a white paper request from the vendor/contract services community to provide information to assist BEP in developing its meaningful access program. This white paper is part of BEP's market research. BACKGROUND: On October 3, 2008 the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued its ruling in ACB vs. Paulson requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to provide meaningful access to U.S. currency for the blind and visually impaired by the next currency redesign. Prior to the Court's ruling, BEP commissioned a study to review and analyze the needs of the blind and visually impaired. The study can be found on BEP's website at http://www.moneyfactory.gov/uscurrency/meaningfulaccess.html. After the completion of the study, BEP proposed three recommended accommodations, which the Secretary of the Treasury has approved: 1. Tactile Feature: Adding a raised tactile feature to U.S. currency unique to each U.S. Federal Reserve note that BEP may lawfully change. 2. High Contrast Numerals: Continuing the program of adding large, high-contrast numerals and different colors to each denomination that BEP is permitted by law to alter. 3. Currency Reader Program: A supplemental currency reader distribution program for blind and visually impaired U.S. citizens and those legally residing in the U.S. BEP will establish a process to loan and distribute currency readers to the blind and visually impaired, at no cost to them, as a solution to provide accessibility to U.S. currency. The potential currency reader loan program will be implemented prior to the distribution and full circulation of the currency redesigned with tactile features. REQUEST FOR WHITE PAPER: In order to develop an effective currency reader distribution program, the BEP seeks to identify contract resources that can support the BEP in implementing its Currency Reader Distribution Program. Specifically, services may include: contract support to develop training for those who will be responsible for assisting blind or visually impaired individuals in their requests to obtain a currency reader device from the government; to create instructional program information for print and online content; and, to identify optimal communications vehicles to best reach intended audiences nationwide. Submissions under this white paper may include, but are not limited to: examples of previously implemented communication, training, and outreach plans and projects; plan and project proposals; and/or a detailed statement of the contractor's services and expertise and how it relates to and would serve the BEP's Currency Reader Program. Respondents are asked to provide the following information: • Company name, point of contact, email address, telephone number and web address. • A brief description of your company's experience in developing and implementing training programs and targeted messaging/communications at a national level. • Specifically, identify any experience you have developing programs targeted to the blind and visually impaired community. Describe your experience using emerging technologies and communication practices for best reaching the blind or visually impaired persons. • Identify any training work you have conducted where you have served as a representative for a government agency or organization to others. Have you previously acted in a liaison capacity between two organizations to coordinate project plans? Describe the implementation and outcome. • Describe work performed in coordination with advocacy groups, grassroots organizations, associations, or similar organizations to communicate information to their members and/or a targeted audience. • Are you able to reach a national audience by leveraging cost effective communication avenues (e.g., public service announcements, social media, email, etc.)? Please explain and provide examples. • Describe your experience and knowledge base in creating content for websites to deliver information and program messaging. • Describe training methods you have used and method of delivery (e.g., on-site, online, pre-recorded, etc.). • Are you familiar with, and have you developed communication that is compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973? Please explain. • What reporting methods do you have in place to track training and communication effectiveness metrics? • What testing of the training and/or content messaging do you practice to gauge initial feedback and/or effectiveness? • Are you affiliated with or previously conducted work for any blind and visually impaired organizations? • Is your company currently listed on a GSA schedule? If not, do you plan to bid on a GSA schedule in the next 12 months? • Does your organization fall under one or more of the following categories: woman-owned, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned or Alaskan Native owned; small business or disadvantaged small business; 8(a) or HUBZone business? • Do you have the ability to scale your personnel/team up or down as needed? Submissions to this RFI are due no later than September 28, 2012, 2:00 PM EST. The length of the white paper shall be no longer than 10 pages - including graphics and marketing materials. All responses shall be in Windows compatible format. Responses may be submitted by hard copy or email to: Bureau of Engraving and Printing Office of Acquisitions Attn: Berel Dorfman 14th and C Streets, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20228-0001 Berel.Dorfman@bep.gov CONFIDENTIALITY: 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, or suffer any consequential damages for 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. Submissions may be subject to public disclosure as required or permitted by law. DISCLAIMER: This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI is for informational planning purposes and is not to 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 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. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract or agreement. Respondents will not be notified of the results. The BEP will not be obligated to pursue any particular acquisition alternative as a result of this RFI. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if one is issued.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/TREAS/BEP/OPDC20220/BEP-RFI-12-ACCESSSUPPORT/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 14th and C Streets, S.W., Washington, District of Columbia, 20228-0001, United States
- Zip Code: 20228-0001
- Zip Code: 20228-0001
- Record
- SN02864687-W 20120902/120901000128-074e1c0791c46e367b0b79732d4516d6 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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