RFI-Water Loop Treatment.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Subject: Facilities Management Branch – Nationwide Water Loop Treatment Service and Supply for Institutions

RFI Number: RFI-BOP- Water Loop Treatment Service and Supply

Issue Date: 7/14/2026

Response Due Date: 8/3/2026

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 boiler and chiller water loop treatment service and chemical supply 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 and service capacity, pricing structure, and operational support related to water loop treatment services and associated chemical supply 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 water treatment chemical 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 water loop treatment 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 water loop treatment chemicals?

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?

28. Will your techs be able to pass a background check in order to work within the secure confines of a Bureau of

Prisons institution?

B. Product Information:

Provide detailed information for water loop chemical supply and service products proposed, including:

1. What types of hot and cold water loop chemicals and services do you have available for distribution? (the Bureau of Prisons operates both hot water and steam boiler plants, as well as chiller plants)

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. What is the frequency of a normal service contract?

5. Would chemical additions be included in the price of a testing service contract?

6. Would a weekly or monthly testing and service, be accompanied with a viewable sample which can be utilized to track the efficiency of the water loop over time?

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 10:00 am ET August 3, 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/