Soup Base and Gravy Mix Co-Brand Questions and Answers.docx
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- Solicitation number
- CP-03-17-25-01
- Issued by
-
AbilityOne
About this file
This file is a Questions and Answers document for a Sources Sought notice related to a co-branding opportunity for Soup Bases and Gravy Mixes with the AbilityOne Program. SourceAmerica is seeking a U.S. commercial manufacturer to partner in producing 6 gravy mix flavors: Low Sodium Chicken, Low Sodium Brown, Brown, Chicken, Turkey, and Country. The annual requirement is 354,470 lbs, with the potential to surge up to 300% during full-scale mobilization, totaling approximately 183,240 cases.
The selected manufacturer must possess a nationally recognized brand, demonstrate commitment to supporting nonprofit employment for people with disabilities, and be willing to provide technical support, field assistance, and marketing collaboration. The product must be shelf-stable, Berry Amendment compliant, and meet federal government standards. Responses are to be submitted to Angel Chipiwalt at achipiwalt@sourceamerica.org by 04/17/2025, with no formal document required - only a company letterhead response demonstrating product and manufacturing criteria. The ultimate goal is to continue offering these soup bases and gravy mixes through the AbilityOne Procurement List while creating employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
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Q. Could you advise on whether we are to submit a bid via this solicitation or will there be a separate participation request being that we are the incumbent.
A. No separate participation request, responses to this sources sought for co brand should be sent to Angel Chipiwalt at achipiwalt@sourceamerica.org
Q. Is there a formal document to complete and submit?
A. No formal document to complete, submit response demonstrating product and manufacture criteria on company letterhead to Angel Chipiwalt at achipiwalt@sourceamerica.org
Q. The notification indicates you are seeking sources for 6 soup bases and gravy mixes. Gravy mixes are shown but there are no soup bases indicated.
A. The gravy mix serves both as gravy or a soup base.
Q. Is the 354,470 lbs the 300% that we must be willing to provide.
A. The notice states “In the event of a surge or Full-Scale Mobilization the Soup Base and Gravy Mix Co-branding Partner must be willing to provide up to 300% of the annual requirement of 354,470 Lbs of Soup Bases and Gravy Mixes.”
Q. Is there any more information available regarding the needed pack sizes for each SKU?
A. UOI is CS. CS = 8/12 oz. containers.
Q. How many cases of each?
A.
9,381 cs Low Sodium Chicken 12,995 cs Low Sodium Brown 10,238 cs Brown 8,355 cs Chicken 3,596 cs Turkey 8,708 cs Country No guarantee of how many cases will actually be bought.
Q. How many cases are ordered at one time?
A. Orders vary.
Q. What are the actual ingredients of each gravy.
A. Recipes are proprietary to manufacturers.
Q. What size do you require us to quote?
A. The notice is not requesting manufacturers to submit quotes.
Q. What on-going technical support is required for gravy?
A. The supplier provides the technical support for the gravies supplied. Support can vary greatly. Some examples could be anything from shelf life trials, what region and dates the poultry was slaughtered, representation at tradeshows, packaging design, regulatory questions or compliance.
Q. What field support is required?
A. The supplier provides field support for the gravies supplied. Support can vary greatly. Some examples could be anything from shelf life trials, what region and dates the poultry was slaughtered, representation at tradeshows, packaging design, regulatory questions or compliance.
Q. What do they mean by working with AbilityOne to market the product(s). Isn't that the function of the non-profit?
A. The Co Brand partner would work with the Federal Contractor (CW Resources) on the marketing efforts.
Q. I did not see any specific FAR or DFAR call-out requirements regarding the solicitation, am I missing those?
A. No.
Q. In terms of logistics, what would the co-packing/co-branding arrangement look like?
A. The arrangement would be determined once a co brand partner is selected.
Q. As we're putting together pricing should we plan for all-inclusive in terms of packaging, ingredients, containers, labels etc?
A. At this stage we are seeking a co brand partner that meets the product and manufacture criteria listed in the notice, no pricing required at this time.
Q. Or would you provide us with approved packaging, labels, ingredients etc which we would then package and deliver?
A. Those arrangements would be determined once a co brand partner is selected Q. Would LTL or freight shipping be acceptable for delivery or do you require a personal delivery?
A. Shipping arrangements would be determined once co brand partner is selected.
Q. Is there an insurance policy liability minimum that you require in order to do business with us?
A. Those requirements would be determined once co brand partner is selected.
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