Request for Information.CT2400-27.TerryMicrofiber.pdf

U. S. Department of Justice

UNICOR

Federal Prison Industries, Inc.

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE and

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

FPI-RFI-CT2400-27 November 12, 2026

Title: Sources Sought Notice and Request for Information for Berry Compliant Poly Terry Microfiber Fabric for military washcloths

BACKGROUND:

Federal Prison Industries, Inc., (“UNICOR”), is a wholly owned, self-sustaining Government corporation established by Executive Order 6917 in 1934 to provide meaningful work experience and vocational training for federal inmates. Operating within the Department of Justice, UNICOR offers a diverse portfolio of high-quality products and services—ranging from office furniture and apparel to electronics manufacturing and administrative services—primarily to federal agencies. As a mandatory source of supply for federal procurement under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 8.3, UNICOR utilizes this market research to identify qualified commercial partners and evaluate industry capabilities to support its manufacturing and service operations.

UNICOR, manufactures and supplies a variety of textiles items for distribution to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to support clothing for the U.S. military.

The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice (Notice) and Request for Information (RFI) is to obtain market research from qualified sources capable of supplying poly terry microfiber fabric to support UNICOR’s military washcloth production line. The information received will assist UNICOR staff in developing an acquisition plan for this material.

This Notice and RFI are issued solely for market research and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quotation (RFQ), or a commitment to award a contract. The purpose of this Notice and RFI is to gather information from qualified sources capable of supplying these materials, enabling UNICOR to maintain production efficiency.

SCOPE:

UNICOR seeks to establish a contract with a qualified awardee that would consist of a 1-year base period and four additional option years, if exercised. The selected contractor will be responsible for providing the rolled fabric for the washcloths that are manufactured at our Terre Haute, IN facility, as well as any new production introduced during the life of the contract.

UNICOR, Federal Prison Industries, seeks to ensure a continuous and reliable flow of materials required to support the military washcloth production line.

REQUIREMENT:

Poly Terry Microfiber specifications:

DESCRIPTION: 100% Poly Terry Microfiber, Brown SIZE: Fabric must be at least 12.25” wide, length is negotiable

FIBER CONTENT:

Shall be a 100% polyester terry microfiber (400 filament – 48 filaments warp per inch) warp knitted with polyester scrim (see 6.5). The finished cloth shall not present a dermal health hazard when used as intended (see 3.12) and shall conform to the physical requirements of Table I when tested as specified in Purchase Description document GL/PD-11-09A on pages 3 and 4.

COLOR:

Fabric shall be brown 436. Colors shall be uniform in shade and appearance throughout each production lot.

The following will not be acceptable:

• Miscolored yarns

• Foreign yarn contamination

• Color streaking

• Dye variation outside approved tolerances

• Visible weaving or knitting defects

UNIT/MEASURE: Yard (Yd.)

TESTING

REQUIREMENTS: Refer to pages 3-6 for testing requirements of GL/PD 11-09A

ESTIMATED

QUANTITY: Minimum Monthly Requirement: 16,000 yards

NOTES AND

ADDITIONAL

REQUIREMENTS

Rolls must be palletized, banded, and strapped.

Each shall contain a roll ticket with the roll number, yardage, weight, and shade lot identification.

A Certificate of Conformance and test results must accompany or precede each shipment of material.

All fiber, yarn, fabric manufacturing, dyeing, and finishing operations shall comply with the Berry Amendment.

Maintain traceability documentation for all components.

Failure to supply these documents may cause the shipment to be rejected.

PROPOSED

PRODUCTION LEAD

TIME

120 days from award.

INTERESTED FIRMS SHOULD PROVIDE INFORMATION ADDRESSING THE

FOLLOWING TO ASSIST UNICOR IN EVALUATING MARKET CAPABILITY AND

PLANNING FUTURE PROCUREMENT ACTIONS:

CONTRACTOR NAME:____________________________________

CONTACT INFORMATION:________________________________

A. COMPANY INFORMATION

QUESTIONS ANSWERS

1 How long has your company been in business?

What is your company’s socioeconomic classification (e.g., Large Business, Small Business, HUBZone, etc.)?

Does your company participate in other federal contract vehicles? If yes, please list them.

B. RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND CAPABILITIES

What experience does your company have in producing or supplying poly terry microfiber cloth?

Which federal agencies, institutional customers, or large businesses does your company currently support with these materials?

C. PRODUCTION CAPACITY AND DELIVERY

What is your company’s monthly production capacity for poly terry microfiber cloth?

What are your standard lead times for various order quantities?

Can your company scale production to meet UNICOR’s fluctuating volume requirements?

After contract award, what production lead time do you propose?

D. PRICING AND CONTRACT CONSIDERATIONS

If you are not the manufacturer of the fabric, who do you plan to use for greige fabric and dyeing and finishing?

If your company can provide 100% U.S.-origin content, identify each U.S.

supplier and manufacturing facility supporting that claim.

RESPONSE DEADLINE: FOR PLANNING PURPOSES AND TO ENSURE BEING

INCLUDED IN OUR MARKET RESEARCH FOR THIS SERVICE, RESPONSES MUST

BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN 2:00 PM (EST) ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23,

2026.

RESPONSES SHALL BE SENT VIA EMAIL ONLY TO RENEE STANCIL AT

Renee.Stancil@usdoj.gov mailto:Renee.Stancil@usdoj.gov