RFI adhesive.docx

Request for Information/Proposal (Market Research) FPI-RFI-Adhesive # RFI0007-24 Issue Date: April 10, 2024 Submittal Due Date: April 22, 2024 @ 2:00 pm EST

400 First Street, NW

SUBJECT: THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FOR ADHESIVE USED IN FURNITURE MANUFACTURING All information in this request is considered confidential and shall not be used by the Respondent for any reason other than responding to this request. This is a Request for Information (RFI) and your response is NOT an offer. The results of this Request for Information (RFI) will be used to develop an Acquisition Strategy, AND WILL NOT RESULT IN A CONTRACT OF ANY TYPE.

This request does not obligate UNICOR OFG to pay any cost that any Respondent incurs in the preparation of its response. All cost associated with the preparation of a response to this request will be borne solely by the Respondent. All submitted responses shall become the property of UNICOR OFG and will not be returned.

UNICOR, Federal Prison Industries (FPI) is soliciting proposals for potential contractors to provide adhesive to be used in the manufacture of office furniture at three (3) FPI Office Furniture Plants.

Current Locations:

UNICOR, Federal Prison Industries 846 NE 54th Terrace Coleman, FL 33521

UNICOR, Federal Prison Industries 1400 Dale Bumpers Rd Forrest City, AR 72335

UNICOR, Federal Prison Industries 539 West Summit Rd Ashland, KY 41102

DESCRIPTION/STATEMENT OF WORK

Offerors will provide a comprehensive list of specifications of adhesive and demonstrate a record of actual performance or accomplishment in the manufacture of adhesive to be used to the manufacture of office furniture.

ADHESIVE #1 SPECIFICATIONS:

· Water and polyvinyl emulsion for high pressure decorative laminates (HPDL).

· Glue spreader or spray application (glue spreader/pinch roller, glue spreader/hot press applications): suitable for post forming applications

· Heat resistance

· No stirring requirement, ready to use from container.

· 55 gal. drums

· Substrate use between 65⁰F. and 85⁰F.

· Non-flammable

· Viscosity 2850 cps (typical)

· Coverage (Spreader) ~229 ft² / gal @ 7 wet mils

· Coverage (Spray) ~ 255 ft²/ gal (bonded)

· Hot press time 1-2 minutes @ 40-50 psi and 180⁰ F-200⁰F.

· Open Time 2-5 minutes

· SCAQMD and Ozone Transport Commission (OTC) compliant

· Testing samples for atomizing and manual spreading application for examination, experimenting analysis and assessment

ADHESIVE #2 SPECIFICATIONS:

· High strength, excellent adhesion, transparent, semi-flexible dried film

· Synthetic resin based adhesive

· Used for high strength general woodworking

· Viscosity 5,500 cps+700 @ 75 degrees F

· Solids 44.5% + 2.5

· Density 1.08 g/cc

· pH 7.5 +/- 1.0

· Use with mechanical glue spreader, paint roller or brush,

· Dried Film Transparent, semi-flexible

· Minimum application temperature 70 degrees F

· 450 lb drum or 2,400 lbs tote

· Shelf Life Three (3) months in original container when stored in a cool dry area.

ADHESIVE #3 SPECIFICATIONS:

· Premium grade versatile adhesive, produces water resistant bonds in conjunction with catalysts, dries clear

· Reactive polyvinyl acetate

· Used for high quality woodworking, finger jointing, laminating, and general assembly

· Viscosity(cps) 5,000 – 7,000 @ 75 degrees F

· Solids (%) 48.0 – 52.0

· Density (lbs/gal) 9.0 – 9.4

· pH 4.0 – 6.0

· Can be used in cold press, hot press, or high frequency units

· White, brown, or black

· 475 lbs drum or 2,400 lbs tote

· Shelf life six (6) months

ADHESIVE #4 SPECIFICATIONS:

· Specific gravity 0.98

· Gardner Color 7.5 maximum

· Viscosity @325 degrees F 18,000 – 24,500 cps

· Viscosity @350 degrees F 10,000 – 14,000 cps

· Viscosity @375 degrees F 7,000 – 10,000 cps

· Ring & Ball softening point 225 +/-5 deg F

· Suggested running temperature 325 – 375 degrees F

· 180 Deg Peel 6.32 lbs/in

· Rolling Ball Track 2.0 inches

· Shear (1 kg @ 72 degrees F) >100 hrs

· SAFT 185 degrees F

ADHESIVE #4 SPECIFICATIONS:

· Pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive that exhibits a light color, low viscosity and high tack

· Viscosity 4,200 cps @ 350 degrees F

· Softening Point 205 degrees F

· Application Temp 300 – 350 degrees F

· 180 Peel 8.5 lbs

· Loop Tack 7.5 lbs

· SAFT/500 grams 145 degrees F

· Coat Weight Target 1.5 Mils

· Shelf life twelve (12) months

Perspective Offerors will be required to provide samples at the time of solicitation offer submission. Samples submission instructions will be supplied within the solicitation.

Offerors should be capable of presenting oral presentations if necessary.

UNICOR, FPI is seeking information about the Contractor’s capability to provide adhesive to be used in the manufacture of office furniture. All interested parties shall furnish the following minimum information:

1. Name of Company

2. Telephone number and email address

3. Company profile

4. Provide Business Size (i.e. Large, Small, Socio Economic Category)

5. Is your company ISO 9001 certified or any other certifications?

6. Can your company meet the ANSI Bifma Standard?

7. Will your company be able to provide independent testing reports?

8. Any other information the contractor deems pertinent to this request.

Any questions as a result of this Request for Information (RFI) shall be addressed in writing to peyton.perry@usdoj.gov no later than 10:00 am Wednesday, April 15, 2024. No phone calls will be accepted.

Once a solicitation is issued, any prospective offeror must be registered in the Systems for Award Management (SAM) https://sam.gov/SAM before award can be made.

Response Deadline: Monday, April 22, 2024 at 2:00 pm EST Responses shall be sent via email only to Peyton.perry@usdoj.gov.