How to respond to the QED maintenance notice from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing

What BEP plans to buy

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing intends to award Authentix, Inc. a sole-source contract for preventive and remedial maintenance of Quality Evaluation Detectors (QEDs). Service is planned at the contractor’s repair depot, for a 12-month base period and four 12-month option periods.

This is a notice of intent, not a request for competitive proposals. BEP says Authentix is the sole-source provider because the systems are proprietary, require access to classified information for servicing, and Authentix does not use third parties for system-level services. Responses will help the government decide whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Deadline and what happens next

Responses are due November 14, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. EST. BEP says the solicitation will not be posted, and the government may decide not to compete the requirement.

Who this opportunity may suit

This notice is most relevant to firms that can provide QED maintenance and can address the stated proprietary-system and classified-information constraints. It may also interest other sources that believe they can perform the requirement and want BEP to consider whether competition is possible.

Interested sources must be registered and currently active in the System for Award Management (SAM).

How to access the notice and respond

Use the portal’s “View original source” option to open the opportunity. If the first click takes you to the portal homepage, click it again. A free account may be needed to view documents, though many bids do not require one.

Submit information to the contracting officer identified in the notice by the stated deadline. The notice lists Contracting Officer Laqulla Williams and provides her email address. Make sure your SAM registration is active when you respond.

Prepare a useful response

Briefly explain your firm’s relevant QED maintenance experience and how it could meet the service need. Address the notice’s stated constraints directly, including proprietary systems, classified-information access, and whether your firm would perform system-level services.

Keep the response focused on information that could help BEP assess whether another source can perform the requirement. Check that your SAM status is active and allow time to submit before the deadline.