RFI-Rock Salt and Ice Melt.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Subject: Facilities Management Branch – Nationwide Rock Salt and Ice Melt Supply for Institutions

RFI Number: RFI-BOP-Rock Salt and Ice Melt Supply

Issue Date: 7/14/2026

Response Due Date: 7/29/2026

1. PURPOSE

This Sources Sought Notice / Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for market research purposes in accordance with FAR Part 10. It does not constitute a solicitation and does not commit to the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract. Responses will not be considered proposals and will not form the basis for award.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Facilities Management Branch, is conducting market research to identify qualified vendors capable of supplying rock salt and ice melt to support winter grounds and road maintenance operations at our 122 operating institutions. To find locations of Bureau of Prisons correctional facilities, please visit https://www.bop.gov.

2. BACKGROUND

The Federal Bureau of Prisons Facilities Management Branch provides Buildings and Grounds maintenance operations utilizing inmate work programing, staffed journeyman level tradesmen, and contractors to maintain current, modernize or modify facilities as well as construct new to meet ever changing mission requirements. Currently the BOP provides facilities and maintenance operations for approximately 122 institutions nationwide.

3. OBJECTIVE

The intent of this RFI is to assess vendor capabilities, product availability, regulatory compliance, nationwide distribution capacity, pricing structure, and operational support related to rock salt and ice melt for winter road & sidewalk safety maintenance operations at various Bureau of Prisons nationwide.

4. SCOPE OF INFORMATION REQUESTED

Interested vendors are requested to provide detailed responses addressing the following areas:

A. Company Information:

1. Company name and corporate structure

2. Business address and primary points of contact

3. UEI and CAGE code information, if applicable

4. Recommended NAICS and Product Service Code (PSC)

5. Years in business

6. Relevant experience supplying:

• correctional facilities,

• government agencies,

• military commissaries,

• large institutional retail operations, or

• controlled retail environments

7. Financial and operational capacity to support nationwide fulfillment

8. Distribution and warehousing capabilities

9. Is your company a rock salt or ice melt manufacturer, distributor, broker, or reseller?

10. What is your company’s geographic coverage, including the states and regions they can support and any areas you cannot provide asphalt supply services too.

https://www.bop.gov/

11. How would your company provide nationwide coverage (owned plants, supplier agreements, subcontractors, etc.)

12. What are the names and the approximate number of suppliers would you anticipate utilizing for up to 10 projects per year for the next 5 years?

13. What is the typical lead time from order to delivery?

14. What are the minimum and maximum order amounts?

15. What are your quality assurance procedures, including compliance with applicable ASTM, AASHTO, or state DOT specifications?

16. Do you have experience of performing similar nationwide or multi-state distribution contracts, including contract value and customer references?

17. Do you anticipate using subcontractors and, if so, what percentage of the work would be subcontracted?

18. For small businesses ONLY. Does your company think it can comply with the applicable limitations on subcontracting?

19. Are there any concerns with the Nonmanufacturer Rule if they are not producing the rock salt or ice melt?

20. Do you have any recommendations regarding the contract structure, such as a single-award IDIQ, multiple-award

IDIQ, BPA, or regional contracts?

21. What is your suggested CLIN structure and ordering process?

22. Are there any best commercial practices the Government should consider?

23. What are the major risks or barriers that could affect successful nationwide performance?

24. Can you support deliveries to all 48 contiguous states (or Alaska and Hawaii, if applicable)?

25. What percentage of CONUS can you support without adding additional suppliers?

26. Would regional awards be more efficient than a single nationwide award? Why?

27. What ordering and dispatch system do you use to coordinate deliveries across multiple locations?

B. Product Information:

Provide detailed information for rock salt and ice melt supply products proposed, including:

1. What types of ice melt do you have available for distribution?

2. What modes of delivery do you offer (examples: bags, pallets, tri axle loads, buckets)

3. Do you offer supply in different modes of delivery (see above examples) and which ones?

4. Unit packaging configuration / trucking, 3rd party delivery hauler

5. Maximum requirements during shipping (what are your limitations on distance before product cools?)

6. How is your company’s pricing is typically structured (fixed pricing, index-based pricing, regional pricing, transportation charges, fuel surcharges, etc.)?

7. Do you provide Safety Data Sheets (if applicable)

8. What packaging or delivery features do you anticipate needing that are relevant to institutional security?

5. OPERATIONAL AND DISTRIBUTION CAPABILITIES

Respondents shall describe:

1. National distribution capabilities

2. Warehousing locations

3. Ability to fulfill recurring large-volume orders

4. Average lead times

5. Backorder mitigation strategies

6. Inventory management systems

7. Product tracking and lot traceability

8. Expiration-date management procedures, and

9. Ability to ship directly to federal correctional institutions nationwide

Include any experience supporting:

• secure facilities,

• restricted-access delivery environments, or

• controlled inventory programs

Vendors shall identify:

• states or jurisdictions with known sales or distribution restrictions impacting proposed products

• procedures used to monitor regulatory changes

• methods for ensuring compliant interstate shipment and distribution, and

• any limitations affecting nationwide fulfillment capabilities

6. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Responses are due no later than 10:00am ET July 29, 2026.

Submit via email to: bwilson1@bop.gov Subject Line: RFI-BOP-Rock Salt and Ice Melt Supply

Limit responses to 10–15 pages or fewer (excluding attachments). Only high-level ROM estimates and assumptions are requested at this time.

7. DISCLAIMER

This RFI is issued solely for market research purposes under FAR Part 10. It does not constitute a solicitation or offer.

The Government will not reimburse any costs associated with response preparation or participation in this market research.

11. Reference Information

General information on BOP institutions: https://www.bop.gov mailto:bwilson1@bop.gov https://www.bop.gov/