Bureau of Engraving and 

Printing 

FY 2014 

President’s Budget 
BEP - 2 

Table of Contents

Section 1 – Purpose ....................................................................................................................... 3

1A – Mission Statement .............................................................................................................. 3

1.1 – Resource Detail Table ........................................................................................................ 3

1B – Vision, Priorities and Context ............................................................................................ 3

Section 2 – Budget Adjustments and Appropriation Language ............................................... 7

2.1 – Budget Adjustments Table ................................................................................................. 7

2A – Budget Increases and Decreases Description..................................................................... 7

2.2 – Operating Levels Table .................................................................................................... 10

2B – Appropriations Language and Explanation of Changes ................................................... 11

2C – Legislative Proposals........................................................................................................ 11

Section 3 – Budget and Performance Plan ............................................................................... 12

3A – Manufacturing .................................................................................................................. 12

3.1.1 – Budget Activity Budget and Performance Plan ............................................................ 14

Section 4 – Supplemental Information ...................................................................................... 15

4A – Capital Investment Strategy ............................................................................................. 15
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Section 1 – Purpose 

1A – Mission Statement 

To develop and produce United States currency notes trusted worldwide. 

1.1 – Resource Detail Table 

Dollars in Thousands

Bureau of Engraving and Printing FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 FY 2012 to FY 2014

Budgetary Resources Actual Estimated Estimated $ Change % Change

FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT FTE AMOUNT

Revenue/Offsetting Collections

Other Income

Federal Reserve Notes 0697,980 0638,150 0651,755 0(46,225) .00 -6.62%

Other Security Products 07,000 05,000 05,000 0(2,000) .00 -28.57%

Currency Reader Program 00

0

2,000 05,000 05,000 .00 N/A

Total Revenue/Offsetting Collections 0704,980 0645,150 0661,755 0(43,225) .00 -6.13%

Expenses/Obligations

Manufacturing

Direct Manufacturing 725 386,980 725 376,150 735 379,175 10 (7,805) 1.38% -2.02%

Indirect Manufacturing 1,147 318,000 1,135 267,000 1,143 277,580 (4) (40,420) -0.35% -12.71%

Currency Reader Program 0 0 2 2,000 2 5,000 2 5,000 N/A N/A

Total Expenses/Obligations 1,872 704,980 1,862 645,150 1,880 661,755 8 (43,225) 0.43% -6.13%

Net Results 00

0

0

0

0

0

0

.00 N/A

1B – Vision, Priorities and Context 

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) produces US currency notes ordered by the Federal 

Reserve Board. The Bureau began printing currency in 1862 and operates on the basis of 

authority conferred upon the Secretary of the Treasury by 31 U.S.C. 321(a) (4) to engrave and 

print currency and other security documents. Operations are financed through a revolving fund 

established in 1950 in accordance with Public Law 81-656. This fund is reimbursed for direct 

and indirect costs of operations, including administrative expenses, through product sales. In 

1977, Public Law 95-81 authorized the Bureau to include an amount sufficient to fund capital 

investment and to meet working capital requirements in the prices charged for products, 

eliminating the need for appropriations from Congress. 

The Bureau also provides technical assistance and advice to other Federal agencies in the design 

and production of documents which require counterfeit deterrent features, due to their innate 

value or other characteristics. Other activities at the Bureau include engraving plates and dies; 

manufacturing inks used to print security products; purchasing materials, supplies and 

equipment; and storing and delivering products in accordance with customer requirements. 

The mission of the BEP is to develop and produce United States currency notes, trusted 

worldwide, in support of Treasury’s strategic goal of “Enhance U.S. Competitiveness and 

Promote International Financial Stability and Balanced Global Growth. 
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FY 2014 Priorities 

 Achieve BEP’s strategic goals - Produce U.S. currency that functions flawlessly in 

commerce; create innovative currency designs to provide effective counterfeit deterrence and 

meaningful access to currency note usage for all; and organizational excellence and customer 

satisfaction through balanced investment in people, processes, facilities, and technology. 

 Product quality - Produce and deliver currency notes ordered by the Federal Reserve Board 

that consistently meet the customer’s high quality standards. 

 Counterfeit Deterrence – Conduct research and development, and collaborate with key 

stakeholders in order to deter counterfeiting and maintain public trust in the security and 

reliability of U.S. currency notes. 

 Meaningful Access – Assist users of U.S. currency, including the blind and visually 

impaired, with the use and denomination of currency 

Progress on prior year priorities 

 Continued production of the redesigned $100 note - BEP partnered with major stakeholders 

to resolve the technical challenges preventing consistent, quality production of the NexGen 

$100 note, the most problematic of which was creasing. BEP has been able to address this 

significant technical problem and successfully began production of the redesigned $100 notes 

in early 2012. 

 Acquire equipment that will enable the addition of tactile features to U.S. currency that will 

assist users of U.S. currency, including the blind and visually impaired, with the use and 

denomination of currency. In 2013, the Bureau will be investing in screen printing press 

technology to expand its capability to utilize a wide range of materials and designs to provide 

meaningful access and improve counterfeit deterrence for Federal Reserve Notes. 

 Meaningful Access – The Bureau launched the EyeNote application for Apple devices with 

cameras in April 2011. EyeNote is a mobile device application which uses image 

recognition technology to denominate US currency. The application, which is free, was 

recognized by Government Executive magazine as one of the “10 mobile apps that are 

changing the way government does business”. In 2014, BEP will implement a currency 

reader distribution program with an initial five-state rollout which will run for approximately 

six months before a national rollout in FY 2015. 

During FY 2014, BEP expects to produce and deliver 8.0 billion notes to the Federal Reserve 

Board to meet currency demand. This represents a small increase in the number of notes 

produced from the 7.7 billion note program expected to be delivered in the FY 2013 program. In 

order to meet continued international demand, the anticipated denominations ordered will be the 

more costly higher denominated notes. 

The importance of producing and delivering currency of consistently high quality, note after 

note, cannot be overstated, especially for the redesigned $100 note. The prevalent use of the 

$100 note throughout the world and its global reputation as a store of value requires the 
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production of the new $100 note to continue at increased levels through 2014. Increased 

production of the redesigned $100 note is in support of the transition from old note designs to 

new designs and to meet demand in the U.S. and abroad. It is estimated by the Federal Reserve 

that as many as two-thirds of all $100 notes circulate outside the United States. The redesign of 

the $100 note marked the completion of a multi-year initiative to implement the most ambitious 

currency redesign in United States history. 

Over the last decade, research and development of new technologies for possible use in currency 

production has become a priority at the Bureau as more sophisticated counterfeit deterrent 

features are needed to protect future generations of currency notes. Via its website 

www.bep.gov and other Federal business opportunity websites, BEP seeks information about 

obtaining, testing, and evaluating technologies or materials that may have potential application in 

the development of new counterfeit deterrent features in currency notes. Technologies or 

materials submitted for consideration are reviewed for inherent and relative effectiveness as 

potential new security features. They are also reviewed for compatibility with design and 

production factors, for durability, environmental acceptability, and for processing requirements. 

After obtaining submitter approval, BEP may also request experts working under government 

contracts to provide technical evaluation and adversarial analysis of possible counterfeit 

deterrent features. These features of interest include ink (intaglio, typographic and off-set) and 

ink additives, alternate and traditional substrates (paper or other media), substrate additives, 

design elements or techniques, diffractive, reflective, or other optically variable materials, 

laminated materials, hot-stamped materials, and others. 

BEP supports a comprehensive anti-counterfeiting program built around aggressive law 

enforcement, effective note design, and public education. The Bureau will continue its work in 

2014 with the Advanced Counterfeit Deterrent (ACD) Steering Committee to research and 

develop future currency designs that will enhance and protect U.S. currency notes. The ACD 

Committee includes representatives from BEP, the Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Secret 

Service, and the Federal Reserve Board. 

Although BEP will continue to strive in 2014 to meet required reductions in travel spending, 

these goals are difficult to achieve because of BEP’s need for extensive mission critical travel.

However, new processes have been put into place to ensure conference and training travel is both 

essential and cost effective. 

Work will continue in FY 2014 on the goal of enabling the Nation’s currency to better serve 

domestic and international users, including the blind and visually impaired. The Bureau will be 

incorporating features into the next redesign of currency that will assist every American to better 

use and denominate currency. BEP will continue its efforts to research and develop tactile 

features that will enhance future note designs. Testing and refinement of features will continue to 

determine which processes and features work best at the production volumes needed for U.S. 

currency. While no timetable has been set for the introduction of this currency, the next redesign 

will incorporate changes to make U.S. currency more accessible to those who are blind and 

visually impaired. 
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The FY2014 Budget request funds an implementation of a BEP Currency reader distribution 

pilot program. Under this program, United States citizens and legal residents who are blind or 

visually impaired are provided a currency reader to aid in the denomination of US currency. The 

FY2014 request is based on an initial state rollout program which will run for approximately six 

months giving BEP time to assess response levels and program effectiveness before a planned 

national rollout in FY 2015.
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Section 2 – Budget Adjustments and Appropriation Language 

2.1 – Budget Adjustments Table 

Dollars in Thousands

Bureau of Engraving and Printing FTE Materials Operating & 

Capital Total

FY 2012 Actual 1,872 $704,980 - $704,980

FY 2013 Estimated 1,880 $274,644 $370,506 $645,150

Changes to Base:

Maintaining Current Levels (MCLs): - - $4,605 $4,605

Pay-Raise - - $1,979 $1,979

Non-Pay - - $2,626 $2,626

Efficiency Savings: - - ($15,000) ($15,000)

IT Savings due to Implementation of Manufacturing 

Support System - - ($3,500) ($3,500)

Reduced Labor costs due to spoilage reductions - - ($1,500) ($1,500)

Leverage Technology Investments - WCF Public 

Tour - - ($1,000) ($1,000)

Offer separation incentives (VERA/VSIP) - - ($400) ($400)

Strategic Alignment Initiative with US Mint and other 

Treasury bureaus - - ($1,000) ($1,000)

Defer Targeted Facility Improvements in

Washington DC - - ($5,600) ($5,600)

Close DC Public Tour during safety renovations - - ($2,000) ($2,000)

Subtotal Changes to Base - - ($10,395) ($10,395)

Total FY 2014 Base 1,880 $274,644 $360,111 $634,755

Program Changes:

Program Increases: - $12,000 $15,000 $27,000

Anticipated changes in FY 2014 Currency 

Manufacturing Program - $12,000 - $12,000

Install Screen Press for Tactile Features - - $10,000 $10,000

Continue Currency Reader Loan Program Pilot 

Implementation - - $5,000 $5,000

Total FY 2014 Request 1,880 $286,644 $375,111 $661,755

2A – Budget Increases and Decreases Description 

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing formulates its annual budget request based on an 

estimated order from the Federal Reserve Board. In July preceding the start of the fiscal year, 

the Bureau receives a finalized Federal Reserve note print order which may differ from the 

estimated order due to the uncertainty of international markets. BEP's original FY 2013 budget 

request was based on a 7 billion-note program, however, the Federal Reserve Board currency 

order for 2013 increased from the original 7 billion-note volume to a revised 8 billion-note 

estimate due to an increase in the demand for U.S. currency. The increase in the FY 2013 

currency manufacturing program increased the costs of materials and operating expenses directly 

related to the manufacturing process. BEP also requests additional staff (18 FTE) to meet the 

Federal Reserve's requirements and reduce overtime costs. 

The Bureau is changing direction on a proposed Currency Reader Coupon Program. As an 

alternative, the Bureau will implement a phased program to loan currency readers to the blind 

and visually impaired beginning in late 2013. The phased program replaces the previous coupon 

program, with expected funding needs of only $2 million in FY 2013 instead of the original 

estimate of $69,357,000, which was intended to fund the entire coupon program. A national 

rollout is planned for FY 2015. 
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Maintaining Current Levels (MCLs) ...................................................... +$4,605,000 / +0 FTE

The funding level required to continue Bureau of Engraving and Printing operations with no 

increase to program resources is +$4.2 million to fund both pay and non-pay budget 

requirements. This includes $2.0 million for pay and $2.2 million for non-pay categories, 

excluding raw materials purchases for currency production.

Pay-Raise +$1,979,000 / +0 FTE 

The President’s Budget proposes a 1 percent pay-raise for federal employees in 2014.

Non-Pay +$2,626,000 / +0 FTE 

Funds are required for inflation adjustments in non-labor expenses such as travel, contracts, rent, 

supplies, and equipment. 

Efficiency Savings .................................................................................... -$15,000,000 / +0 FTE

IT Savings due to Implementation of Manufacturing Support System -$3,500,000 / +0 FTE 

BEP’s implementation of a modern IT platform has enabled the transition to cloud hosting, 

eliminated costly legacy systems and has reduced overall operating and maintenance costs. 

Reduced Labor costs due to spoilage reductions -$1,500,000 / +0 FTE 

As a result of spoilage reduction efforts, BEP anticipates better production yields which will in 

turn reduce overtime costs. 

Leverage Technology Investments - WCF Public Tour -$1,000,000 / +0 FTE 

By expanding the use of hand held and other interactive devices, BEP would convert the Western 

Currency Facility Public tour into a more self-guided tour, reducing the need for contracted tour 

guide services. 

Offer separation incentives (VERA/VSIP) -$400,000 / +0 FTE 

BEP plans to continue current right-sizing efforts by offering separation incentives 

(VERA/VSIP). Staff reductions in G&A will enable BEP to fill gaps in direct manufacturing 

and quality assurance positions. Savings reflect the net budget impact of reductions of high 

salary positions being replaced by, on average, more junior, lower salary staff. 

Strategic Alignment Initiative with US Mint and other Treasury bureaus -$1,000,000 / +0 FTE 

BEP plans to leverage cost savings initiatives as a result of the Strategic Alignment Initiative 

with the United States Mint and other bureaus.

Defer Targeted Facility Improvements in Washington DC -$5,600,000 / +0 FTE 

Deferring selected capital improvements for BEP’s Washington DC facility pending the outcome 

of the BEP facility study will likely have little or no impact on BEP’s primary mission. 

Close DC Public Tour during safety renovations -$2,000,000 / +0 FTE 
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BEP proposes closing the public tour in Washington DC for renovations that will increase safety 

for our visitors. By closing the tour during the renovation period, construction upgrades can 

occur unimpeded and be competed in a shorter time frame. After completion of the renovations, 

the tour will reopen and tours will resume at a normal tour schedule. This temporary closing of 

the tour will decrease contract costs while having no impact on BEP’s primary mission of 

developing and producing United States currency notes, trusted worldwide. 

Program Increases .................................................................................. +$27,000,000 / +0 FTE

Continue Currency Reader Loan Program Pilot Implementation +$5,000,000 / +0 FTE 

The FY2014 Budget increase funds the implementation of the BEP Currency reader distribution 

program. The funding request is based on an initial five-state rollout program which will run for 

approximately six months, giving BEP time to assess response levels and program effectiveness 

before a planned national rollout in FY 2015.

Anticipated changes in FY 2014 Currency Manufacturing Program +$12,000,000 / +0 FTE 

Program increases in FY 2014 are based on expected increases in FRB currency note orders and 

accelerated development of tactile features for meaningful access. 

Install Screen Press for Tactile Features +$10,000,000 / +0 FTE 

The Bureau is focused on building the capability to produce new currency designs with tactile 

features to provide meaningful access to US currency for the blind and visually impaired. 

Extensive market research identified potential methods of giving meaningful access and 

additional security features to U.S. banknotes; it was determined that a screen printing press 

provided the needed flexibility in developing new banknote features for the future. 
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2.2 – Operating Levels Table 

Dollars in Thousands

Bureau of Engraving and Printing FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014

Object Classification Actual Estimated Estimated

11.1 - Full-time permanent 187,799 162,750 166,289

11.3 - Other than full-time permanent 0 1,000 1,000

11.5 - Other personnel compensation 12,418 2,250 2,250

11.6 - Overtime 0 18,000 17,100

11.9 - Personnel Compensation (Total) 200,217 184,000 186,639

12.0 - Personnel benefits 53,482 47,550 48,400

13.0 - Benefits for former personnel 97 0 0

Total Personnel and Compensation Benefits $253,796 $231,550 $235,039

21.0 - Travel and transportation of persons 2,183 1,300 1,330

22.0 - Transportation of things 395 250 270

23.1 - Rental payments to GSA 6,017 2,000 2,000

23.2 - Rental payments to others 0 1,000 1,000

23.3 - Communication, utilities, and misc charges 19,188 13,750 13,750

24.0 - Printing and reproduction 1,142 500 500

25.1 - Advisory and assistance services 8,644 3,600 3,250

25.2 - Other services 71,804 42,450 45,153

25.3 - Other purchases of goods & serv frm Govt accounts 1,044 0 0

25.4 - Operation and maintenance of facilities 0 8,750 8,750

25.5 - Research and development contracts 0 5,000 5,000

25.7 - Operation and maintenance of equip 0 9,250 9,500

26.0 - Supplies and materials 297,532 265,500 275,963

31.0 - Equipment 43,235 60,000 60,000

42.0 - Insurance claims and indemnities 0 250 250

Total Non-Personnel 451,184 413,600 426,716

Total Budgetary Resources $704,980 $645,150 $661,755

Budget Activities:

Manufacturing 704,980 645,150 661,755

Total Budgetary Resources $704,980 $645,150 $661,755

FTE 1,872 1,880 1,880
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2B – Appropriations Language and Explanation of Changes 

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing receives no appropriated funds from Congress. 

2C – Legislative Proposals 

Cooperative Efforts

For FY 2014, Treasury proposes to remove section 113 from the FY 2013 bill which requires 

approval of Congressional committees prior to implementing cooperative arrangements between 

the United States Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). This change would 

increase Treasury’s flexibility to use the Economy Act to implement potential cooperative efforts 

such as shared administrative services that could reduce unnecessary duplication of effort and 

thus improve cost efficiency at the BEP and at the United States Mint. Treasury would still 

consult with the Committees on any major reorganization as required by section 608. 

[SEC. 113. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this or any other Act 

or source to the Department of the Treasury, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the 

United States Mint, individually or collectively, may be used to consolidate any or all functions 

of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the United States Mint without the explicit approval 

of the House Committee on Financial Services; the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and 

Urban Affairs; and the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 

Senate.] 
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Section 3 – Budget and Performance Plan 

3A – Manufacturing 

($661,755,000 from expenses/obligations): 

The BEP has one budget activity: Manufacturing. This budget activity supports all of BEP’s 

strategic goals. The goal owner for the Manufacturing budget activity is BEP’s Deputy Director 

Leonard Olijar. 

Description of Performance:

Manufacturing Costs for Currency (dollar cost per 1,000 notes produced) is an indicator of 

manufacturing efficiency and effectiveness of program management. This measure is based on 

contracted price factors and anticipated productivity improvements, as well as the mix of 

denominations ordered year to year. As more sophisticated counterfeit deterrent design features 

are produced, paper and ink costs increase, resulting in increased total manufacturing costs. 

Actual performance against standard cost depends on BEP’s ability to meet annual spoilage, 

efficiency, and capacity utilization goals. In order to meet this measure, costs and other standard 

manufacturing performance metrics are tracked at each stage of production and corrections are 

made on the shop floor. In addition, production and quality metrics are discussed on a monthly 

basis at the executive level and corrective action plans are developed. The manufacturing cost of 

currency metric has performed at or better than its annual targets for the past seven years. In 

2012 the cost of manufacturing was lower than anticipated, as the actual result realized for this 

measure was $42.00 per 1,000 notes produced against a target of $48.00. The performance goals 

for both 2013 and 2014 reflect the increased production of high cost redesigned $100 notes as a 

proportion of the total annual order, and are set at $55.00 in both 2013 and 2014. 

Percent of currency notes returned due to defects is an indicator of the Bureau’s ability to 

provide a quality product. All notes delivered to the Federal Reserve go through rigorous quality 

inspections during the manufacturing process. In addition, notes are inspected a final time using 

the same inspection systems used at the Federal Reserve Banks. These inspections ensure that 

all counterfeit-deterrent features, both overt and covert, are functioning as designed. BEP’s FY 

2012 target for this performance metric was .0001 percent and BEP was able to meet the target. 

An infinitesimal number of notes are returned due to defects; In FY 2012 only 1500 notes were 

returned out of the 8.4 billion notes produced. BEP anticipates similar results in the future, and 

BEP’s target for this performance metric will be held constant at .0001 percent for FY 2013 and 

FY 2014. 

BEP’s Best Places to Work in Federal Government Ranking is a based on the results of the 

Partnership for Public Service data on three questions in the Federal Employee Viewpoint 

Survey. This survey is sent annually to all Federal employees seeking their opinion on their 

organization’s leadership and programs relating to fairness, employee empowerment and 

recognition. BEP’s performance plan for this metric was to improve its previous ranking of 174 

out of 240. BEP’s 2012 ranking was 178 out of 292, increasing from the 28th percentile to the 39th 

percentile. BEP’s overall index score (which measures BEP’s performance related to employee job 

satisfaction and commitment) rose to 60.7 in 2012 from 60.0 in 2011 and the Bureau’s Best Places to 

Work scores improved in 10 out of 13 categories this year. The Bureau will continue to sponsor 
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activities and encourage employee engagement by contributing ideas and participation in events 

which are aimed at improving the work environment for all employees. The Bureau will 

continue these efforts and is confident that this positive direction will continue. BEP will 

continue to target achievement of an improvement in rank by getting into the top 100. 

Reduction in Regulated Waste (Millions of pounds of regulated air emissions, wastewater, and 

solid waste combined) is a quantitative indicator of the effectiveness of BEP environmental 

programs, which are assessed through the BEP ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management 

System (EMS). This reflects the maturation of the EMS as well as the Bureau’s commitment to 

continually improve its Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) performance, as both of the 

Bureau’s two manufacturing facilities received unconditional recertification to the ISO 14001 

standard in FY 2012. BEP’s FY 2012 performance of 32 million pounds of regulated waste for 

this metric was against a target of 32.7 million pounds. 

Lost Time Accident Rate per 100 Employees measures the Bureau’s ability to reduce injuries 

and illnesses in the workplace. BEP’s key performance indicator is the annual Occupational 

Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) reportable lost time case rate and number of lost 

workdays. In 2012 BEP’s lost time case rate decreased favorably by more than 25 percent 

during the fiscal year to 1.4 against a target of 1.7 cases per 100 employees The Bureau remains 

committed to improving the safety of its employees and has undertaken analysis to determine the 

root causes of injury and to identify best practices in safety. BEP will continue to allocate 

resources to have the greatest impact on preventing future injuries. BEP’s target for this 

performance metric will be held constant at 1.7 per 100 employees for FY 2013 and FY 2014. 
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3.1.1 – Budget Activity Budget and Performance Plan 

Dollars in Thousands

Manufacturing Budget Activity

Resource Level FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014

Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Estimated Estimated

 Expenses/Obligations $493,000 $476,700 $469,000 $555,000 $517,750 $704,980 $645,150 $661,755

Budget Activity Total $493,000 $476,700 $469,000 $555,000 $517,750 $704,980 $645,150 $661,755

Measure FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014

Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Target Target

Best places to work in Federal 

Government ranking 

N/A N/A N/A N/A 174 178 N/A N/A

Lost time accident rate per 100 

employees 

N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.4 1.9 1.7 1.7

Manufacturing Costs For 

Currency (Dollar Costs Per 

Thousand Notes Produced) ($) 

28.71 29.47 32.77 44.85 34.6 43.34 55.0 55.0

Percent of currency notes 

delivered returned due to 

defects 

N/A N/A N/A N/A .0 .0 .0 .0

Reduction to BEP's three major 

regulated waste streams (air 

emissions, wastewater, and 

solid waste)

N/A N/A N/A N/A 32.7 31.2 30 30

Key: N/A - Not in Effect; DISC - Discontinued; B - Baseline

Prior to FY 2012, BEP reported activities related to securing and maintaining control over currency notes in a 

separate Protection and Accountability budget activity. These activities, and the resources to support them, are now 

reported under the Manufacturing activity.
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Section 4 – Supplemental Information 

4A – Capital Investment Strategy 

The Bureau’s mission to develop and produce U.S. Currency notes, trusted worldwide, demands 

that BEP continually update and improve its manufacturing processes by investing in new 

technologies and innovations. BEP is in the process of completing multi-year investments in 

state-of-the-art printing, electronic inspection and finishing equipment for the Washington, DC 

and Fort Worth, Texas production facilities. 

The Bureau uses information technology (IT) and IT-embedded investments in supporting the 

technical development, manufacturing, and inspection of Federal Reserve notes. The 

technological sophistication of BEP’s manufacturing platforms requires a commensurate 

investment in the Bureau’s information technology. These investments will enable nearly all of 

the Bureau’s production related business decisions to be driven by near real-time manufacturing 

performance metrics. 

BEP’s manufacturing investments are designed to increase security while also building the 

capability to produce new currency with tactile features, in order to provide meaningful access to 

US currency for the blind and visually impaired. Through extensive market research, BEP 

determined that a rotary screen printing press provided the needed flexibility in developing 

potential banknote features for the future. The Bureau is in the process of acquiring a single 

commercial rotary screen press to test the technology’s capability of meeting the production 

specifications of US currency notes. 

The full FY 2014 Capital Investment Plan for the BEP is available on the Treasury website 

(link). 

http://www.treasury.gov/about/budget-performance/Pages/summary-of-capital-investments.aspx