USPS Requests Info on Innovative Design, Print Production of Stamps

AURORA, CO—April 16, 2013—This notice is being issued by the United States Postal Service (Postal Service or USPS) as a Research and Development Request for Information (RFI) Sought. The Postal Service desires to obtain U.S. domestic sources of information to serve as a market survey to aid in exploring opportunities to revise its stamp non-artistic design and manufacturing process. The Postal Service is particularly interested in leveraging advanced or state-of-the-art design and printing technologies available and is also seeking additional potential sources to manufacture stamps. The Postal Service does not presently intend to award a contract, but desires information on capability, experience, innovative methodologies and other information to be used in postage stamp non-artistic design and manufacturing process strategy formulation.

INTRODUCTION:

The Postage Stamp serves various functions. The postage stamp has a cash value and is a pre-paid receipt for future postal services to be rendered upon demand. It is also a colorful collector’s item that can be held for enjoyment and on speculation of a future value (Philatelic purposes.) It is a secure paper designed and manufactured to deter counterfeiting or duplication. Stamps are also engineered to work in tandem with equipment and electronic processes in order to automate the movement of mail and parcels.

BACKGROUND:

Currently, Postage Stamps are printed using four methods: Offset, Intaglio, Rotogravure and the combination of Offset and Intaglio. They are printed with high resolution of 300 to 500 screen lines, and include micro-printing techniques, as well as scrambled image overlays not visible to the naked eye. Some Stamps include luminescent or metallic inks adding value to Philatelic purposes. They are also coated with a phosphorescent agent that allows the envelope to be automatically positioned for machine cancellation, sorting and bar-coding. Stamps are manufactured with both water activated gum (WAG) and pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) on the backing sufficient to avoid corner lift during processing. The papers and adhesives are designed to be environmentally friendly and recyclable. The components are also designed to withstand the adverse effects of atmospheric elements over the long term (e.g., storage, collection, processing, distribution, and delivery). Finally, the product is manufactured in optimal economic order quantities to reduce cost and maximize margin (contribution).

INNOVATIVE OR CREATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR PROPOSED DESIGN (EXCLUDING ARTISTIC) AND MANUFACTURING PROCESS(ES):

The USPS is interested in exploring other possible creative or innovative solutions and/or manufacturing process(es) that may enhance or improve the effectiveness and lower the total cost of ownership of non-artistic design and/or manufacturing based on best business practices and state-of-the-art or cutting edge technology or product design innovation(s). As part of conducting its due diligence and additional market research, the Postal Service desires to review information concerning digital printing and any new material, material enhancements or chemical enhancements that should be considered.

SUPPLIER CAPABILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS:

To assist in assessing current and future products and technologies capable of achieving the high level objectives and requirements as well as developing a future path for postage stamps, the USPS is requesting information from industry. Interested and capable sources are asked to submit a white paper containing a description of the above areas of interest. Submissions should focus on information concerning available, emerging (for which at least a proof-of-concept has been demonstrated), or required capabilities or technologies. The white paper responses should be written from a solutions perspective showing how the materials, technologies, or processes would improve or enhance the current state at an overall lower total cost of ownership.

The USPS requires printers with in-depth security printing experience and adequate familiarity with the range of postage stamps and stamp formats currently produced for the United States, including but not necessarily limited to: stamp panes / sheets; sheetlets of stamps suitable for dispensing through ATM machines; booklets of stamps; and coils of stamps. The postage stamps must be printed by using printing processes with inherent or added security features, including, but not limited to, some or all of the following: gravure; intaglio; offset lithography; flexography; and digital. Additional security features would include fine/high-line screens, micro-printing, special inks, phosphor and/or other taggants, and/or hidden/covert imaging.

Finished goods would need to be fully processed, die-cut or finished, packaged and prepared for shipping with the necessary carton, pallet, label, shipping and documentation required. All manufacturing must be performed by a company with U.S. based operations (which would manufacture the product in the United States or one of its territories or possessions). All facilities would be required to have the highest levels of security and limited-access controls. All materials would require end-to-end accountability, with all non-conforming material requiring certified destruction, initially by shredding to specified material sizes.

DETAILS:

The purpose of this RFI is to gather information about those high-level capabilities and areas of interest discussed above. To the extent simplifying assumptions are needed, respondents are encouraged to make and document such assumptions in their responses. If you are interested in participating in the RFI for Stamp Manufacturing and the subsequent supplier prequalification process, please send an e-mail message to carlos.a.vilches@usps.gov with the Subject Line: "Stamp Manufacturing Sources Sought Notice."

Please include the following information in the body of your e-mail message: (1) Company Name; (2) Complete Mailing Address; (3) Point of Contact (POC); (4) POC title; (5) POC Telephone Number; and (6) POC e-mail address.

Interested parties should submit white papers not to exceed 10 pages, with one inch margins, and no smaller than 10 pt Times New Roman or Arial font in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Attach the white paper to your e-mail. The white paper, at a minimum, should address the following: (A) Recommended non-artistic design and/or manufacturing process(es); (B) Detailed description of creative or innovative non-artistic design or manufacturing process(es) sufficient to allow for validation and analyses; and (C) A summary of capabilities and experience with security printing, extent of familiarity with and knowledge of the range of USPS postage stamps, and the general requirements as described above. The USPS primary POC will provide an acknowledgement of receipt if the request for return receipt is included with the e-mail response.

All expressions of interest and inquiries must be submitted by e-mail. All information submitted will be adequately safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with USPS policies. All submissions must be clearly marked with the following caption: Releasable to United States Postal Service Employees or Authorized Representatives for Evaluation Purposes Only. The Postal Services reserves the right to request further clarification to enhance the Postal Service’s understanding of the respondent’s submittal. White papers that fail to comply with the above instructions, or present ideas not pertinent to subject, may not be reviewed.

RFI RESPONSES WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM UNITED STATES COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS ONLY. FOREIGN PARTICIPATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED

RESPONSE DEADLINE:

By 5:00 PM Mountain Time, Friday, May 17, 2013

USPS PRIMARY POINT OF CONTACT:

Carlos A. Vilches
Purchasing and Supply Management Specialist
United States Postal Service
Supply Management
Customer Products & Fulfillment CMC
3300 South Parker Road, Suite #400
Aurora, CO 80014-3500
T – (303) 743-1270
F – (303) 743-1231
E-mail: carlos.a.vilches@usps.gov

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal, This RFI Sought Notice does not constitute a Request for Proposals, and it is not a commitment by the Postal Service to purchase products or services. The POSTAL SERVICE DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION OR OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. Information submitted in response to this RFI is submitted at no cost to the USPS and will not be returned.