RFI0034-26 panels.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION:

OFG-RFI0034-26 Wood Panels

RFI Disclaimer This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for informational and planning purposes and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a solicitation or procurement process will follow. Participation in this RFI does not provide any advantage or special consideration in any future tender, solicitation, or procurement activity.

Should a solicitation be released, it will be posted under “Contracting Opportunities” on SAM.gov. It is the responsibility of prospective offerors and bidders to monitor SAM.gov for any related announcements.

This RFI does not commit the U.S. Government to any specific course of action. Respondents are advised that the Government will not reimburse any costs associated with responding to this RFI. All expenses incurred by interested parties are solely their responsibility.

Overview Federal Prison Industries (FPI), operating as UNICOR, is seeking information from industry regarding a potential five‑year agreement for various species of wood plywood and panels. These materials will support UNICOR’s Office Furniture Group in manufacturing wood Office Furniture components to be assembled by FPI inmate workers for sale to Federal Government customers. These panels are currently finished using a flat line finishing system.

Current delivery locations include:

· FCC Forrest City AR The primary objectives of this RFI are to collaborate with industry to best structure a future Request for Proposal (RFP) and to:

1. Expand the pool of domestic, small‑business vendors. With tariffs imposed on materials entering US, UNICOR is seeking to ensure a domestic cost effective source of materials.

2. Increase engagement and participation from qualified and capable suppliers.

This RFI serves as the initial step toward enhancing market awareness and guiding the development of an eventual RFP.

A listing of some of the panels in use currently are listed below. Currently the highest volume and most critical material is the PNL1923. Estimated usage will be provided in the full solicitation, as well as a full listing of required panels. This listing is not inclusive.

PNL1923

DESCRIPTION: CHERRY/CHERRY, 3-PLY PANEL

PARTICLEBOARD CORE

GRADE: A-B, PLAIN SLICED BOOKMATCHED, CHERRY

UNICOR PART NUMBER: PNL1923

SIZE: 3/4" X 4' X 8'

VENEER THICKNESS 1/48"

NO SHOP GRADE, NO SAP ON BACK,

NO VISIBLE GLUE LINES ACCEPTED

BOTH SIDES WILL BE BOOK MATCHED, FULL LENGTH, PLAIN SLICED VENEER OF

LIKE SPECIES

A OR FACE SIDE SHALL HAVE SLICES NO LESS THAN 5#, B SIDE SHALL HAVE

SLICES NO LESS THAN 3#, WITH A SANDED THICKNESS OF NO LESS THAN 1/32#

VISABLE GLUE LINES, ROUGH CUT, OPEN GRAIN, OR SHALEING SHALL NOT BE

ACCEPTED

FILLED HOLES, SPLITS, JOINTS, OR POCKETS ARE NOT PERMITTED

PANELS SHALL BE PRESANDED WITH 150 GRIT ABRASIVE TO MIMIC FACTORY

OPERATIONS

MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO HPMA HP-1 1992

,ANSI A208, 2-1994 AND FEDERAL

SPECIFICATION AA-T-00633

TOLERANCE:DIMENSIONS: (+/-) 1/32"

SQUARENESS:PANELS,DIAGONAL MEASURE,

LARGER THAN 48"X48" (+/-) 1/16"

SMALLER THAN 48"X48" (+/-) 1/16"

EACH SHIPMENT OF PANELS MUST BE

ACCOMPANIED BY A SIGNED CERTIFICATE OF

COMPLIANCE REFERENCING LABORATORY TEST

DATA FOR THAT SHIPMENT

ALL PANELS MUST CONFORM TO ALL

REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED IN HARDWOOD

PLYWOOD AND VENEER ASSOCIATION INTERIM

STANDARD HP-1 1994

CORE: PARTICLEBOARD WITH THE FOLLOWING

AVERAGE PROPERTIES BASED ON 3/4" BOARD

TO ANSI STANDARD 208.1

SCREW HOLDING, FACE- 300 LB.

SCREW HOLDING, EDGE- 250 LB.

AVERAGE DENSITY SHALL NOT BE MORE THAN

10% BELOW THE NOMINAL DENSITY AS STATED

BY THE MANUFACTURER

M.O.E.- 326300 PSI

M.O.R.- 2103 PSI

INTERNAL BOND STRENGTH- 80 PSI

THE USE OF PARTICLEBOARD

WHICH DOES NOT MEET THE

ABOVE SPECIFICATION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE

FOR USE IN OUR PRODUCTS

REJECTED PANELS TO

BE REMOVED AT SUPPLIER'S EXPENSE AND REPLACED AT BUYER'S REQUEST

DELIVERIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT A SIGNED CERTIFICATE OF

CONFORMANCE

NOT MEETING SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO REJECTION

PNL1927

DESCRIPTION: CHERRY/CHERRY, 3-PLY PANEL

PRB CORE ***CROSS-GRAIN, GRAIN TO RUN WITH 4' DIMENSION***

UNICOR PART NUMBER: PNL1927

SIZE: 3/4" X 10' X 4'

GRADE: A-1

FACE/BACK: PLAIN SLICED BOOKMATCHED, CHERRY

VENEER THICKNESS: 1/48"

NO SHOP GRADE, NO SAP ON BACK

NO VISIBLE GLUE LINES ACCEPTED

PAPERBACK VENEER, BOTH SIDES WILL BE BOOK MATCHED, FULL LENGTH, PLAIN

SLICED VENEER OF LIKE SPECIES

A OR FACE SIDE SHALL HAVE SLICES NO LESS THAN 5#, B SIDE SHALL HAVE

SLICES NO LESS THAN 3#, WITH A SANDED THICKNESS OF NO LESS THAN 1/32#

VISABLE GLUE LINES, ROUGH CUT, OPEN GRAIN, OR SHALEING SHALL NOT BE

ACCEPTED

FILLED HOLES, SPLITS, JOINTS, OR POCKETS ARE NOT PERMITTED

PANELS SHALL BE PRESANDED WITH 150 GRIT ABRASIVE TO MIMIC FACTORY

OPERATIONS

MANUFACTURED ACCORDING TO HPMA HP-1 1992

,ANSI A208, 2-1994 AND FEDERAL

SPECIFICATION AA-T-00633

TOLERANCE:DIMENSIONS: (+/-) 1/32"

SQUARENESS:PANELS,DIAGONAL MEASURE,

LARGER THAN 48"X48" (+/-) 3/32"

SMALLER THAN 48"X48" (+/-) 1/16"

EACH SHIPMENT OF PANELS MUST BE

ACCOMPANIED BY A SIGNED CERTIFICATE OF

COMPLIANCE REFERENCING LABORATORY TEST

DATA FOR THAT SHIPMENT

ALL PANELS MUST CONFORM TO ALL

REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED IN HARDWOOD

PLYWOOD AND VENEER ASSOCIATION INTERIM

STANDARD HP-1 1994

CORE: PARTICLEBOARD WITH THE FOLLOWING

AVERAGE PROPERTIES BASED ON 3/4" BOARD

TO ANSI STANDARD 208.1

SCREW HOLDING, FACE- 300 LB.

SCREW HOLDING, EDGE- 250 LB.

AVERAGE DENSITY SHALL NOT BE MORE THAN

10% BELOW THE NOMINAL DENSITY AS STATED BY THE MANUFACTURER

M.O.E.- 326300 PSI

M.O.R.- 2103 PSI

INTERNAL BOND STRENGTH- 80 PSI

THE USE OF PARTICLEBOARD

WHICH DOES NOT MEET THE

ABOVE SPECIFICATION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE

FOR USE IN OUR PRODUCTS

REJECTED PANELS TO

BE REMOVED AT SUPPLIER'S EXPENSE AND REPLACED AT BUYER'S REQUEST

DELIVERIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

WITHOUT A SIGNED CERTIFICATE OF CONFORMANCE

NOT MEETING SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO REJECTION

PNL0264

DESCRIPTION: CHERRY/CHERRY,3-PLY PANEL

PARTICLEBOARD CORE ***CROSS-GRAIN***

UNICOR PART NUMBER: PNL0264

SIZE: 3/4" X 96 1/2" X 60 1/2"

GRADE:A-1

FACE/BACK:PLAIN SLICED BOOKMATCHED,CHERRY

VENEER THICKNESS:1/48"

***GRAIN TO RUN WITH 60" DIMENSION***

NO VISIBLE GLUE LINES ACCEPTED

TOLERANCE:DIMENSIONS: (+/-) 1/32"

SQUARENESS:PANELS,DIAGONAL MEASURE,

LARGER THAN 48"X48" (+/-) 1/16"

SMALLER THAN 48"X48" (+/-) 1/16"

EACH SHIPMENT OF PANELS MUST BE

ACCOMPANIED BY A SIGNED CERTIFICATE OF

COMPLIANCE REFERENCING LABORATORY TEST

DATA FOR THAT SHIPMENT

ALL PANELS MUST CONFORM TO ALL

REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED IN HARDWOOD

PLYWOOD AND VENEER ASSOCIATION INTERIM

STANDARD HP-1 1994

CORE: PARTICLEBOARD WITH THE FOLLOWING

AVERAGE PROPERTIES BASED ON 3/4" BOARD

TO ANSI STANDARD 208.1

SCREW HOLDING, FACE- 300 LB.

SCREW HOLDING, EDGE- 250 LB.

AVERAGE DENSITY SHALL NOT BE MORE THAN

10% BELOW THE NOMINAL DENSITY AS STATED

BY THE MANUFACTURER

M.O.E.- 326300 PSI

M.O.R.- 2103 PSI

INTERNAL BOND STRENGTH- 80 PSI

THE USE OF PARTICLEBOARD

WHICH DOES NOT MEET THE

ABOVE SPECIFICATION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE

FOR USE IN OUR PRODUCTS

REJECTED PANELS TO

BE REMOVED AT SUPPLIER'S EXPENSE AND REPLACED AT BUYER'S REQUEST

DELIVERIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT A SIGNED CERTIFICATE OF

PNL0274

DESCRIPTION:CHERRY/CHERRY

UNICOR PART NUMBER: PNL0274

GRADE:A-1

FACE/BACK:PLAIN SLICED BOOKMATCHED,CHERRY

VENEER THICKNESS:1/48"

NO VISIBLE GLUE LINES ACCEPTED

TOLERANCE:DIMENSIONS: (+/-) 1/32"

SQUARENESS:PANELS,DIAGONAL MEASURE,

LARGER THAN 48"X48" (+/-) 1/16"

SMALLER THAN 48"X48" (+/-) 1/16"

EACH SHIPMENT OF PANELS MUST BE

ACCOMPANIED BY A SIGNED CERTIFICATE OF

COMPLIANCE REFERENCING LABORATORY TEST

DATA FOR THAT SHIPMENT

ALL PANELS MUST CONFORM TO ALL

REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED IN HARDWOOD

PLYWOOD AND VENEER ASSOCIATION INTERIM

STANDARD HP-1 1994

CORE: PARTICLEBOARD WITH THE FOLLOWING

AVERAGE PROPERTIES BASED ON 3/4" BOARD

TO ANSI STANDARD 208.1

SCREW HOLDING, FACE- 300 LB.

SCREW HOLDING, EDGE- 250 LB.

AVERAGE DENSITY SHALL NOT BE MORE THAN

10% BELOW THE NOMINAL DENSITY AS STATED

BY THE MANUFACTURER

M.O.E.- 326300 PSI

M.O.R.- 2103 PSI

INTERNAL BOND STRENGTH- 80 PSI

THE USE OF PARTICLEBOARD

WHICH DOES NOT MEET THE

ABOVE SPECIFICATION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE

FOR USE IN OUR PRODUCTS

REJECTED PANELS TO

BE REMOVED AT SUPPLIER'S EXPENSE AND REPLACED AT BUYER'S REQUEST

DELIVERIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT A SIGNED CERTIFICATE OF

Background Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (FPI), operating under the trade name UNICOR, was established by statute and Executive Order 6917 in 1934. Its mission is to equip federal inmates with meaningful job skills and work experience to support successful reintegration into their communities. FPI fulfills this mission without the use of appropriated taxpayer funds and is unique in operating as a manufacturing enterprise within the Federal Government.

FPI consists of seven business sectors:

· Agribusiness

· Electronics

· Clothing & Textiles

· Fleet Services

· Recycling

· Office Furniture

· Services Across its 85‑year history, FPI has adapted to evolving market demands, offering hundreds of products and services to Federal agencies including the Department of Justice, Department of Defense, and Defense Logistics Agency, while also serving select private‑sector customers.

RFI Objectives and Questions To support development of an effective and competitive RFP, FPI seeks industry feedback on the following:

RFI Question 1: Please confirm your interest in participating in this RFI/RFP process and provide an overview of your company’s background.

RFI Question 2: Are your panel and plywood materials manufactured in the United States? If not, please specify the country of origin RFI Question 3: Is your company currently registered as a small business in SAM.gov?

RFI Question 4: Please provide general market information, including:

• Industry‑standard lead times

• Appropriate pricing index for Economic Price Adjustments

• Standard ordering quantities

Submission Guidelines Please structure your responses by referencing the corresponding “RFI Question #” designation.

Information provided may lead to one‑on‑one market research discussions or further industry engagement. While all feedback will be reviewed and considered, FPI makes no commitment to adopt any specific recommendations.

Responses are requested no later than 12:00 PM EST, Thursday, September 17, 2026.

Please submit electronically to: tiffani.balestrini@usdoj.gov Subject line: “RFI RESPONSE -FABRIC OFG‑RFI0034‑26 (Your Organization Name)”