Sole_Source_Notice_of_Intent 75A50326Q00016 .pdf

General Information Document Type: Sole Source Notice of Intent Solicitation Number: 75A50326Q00016 Posted Date: June 08, 2026 Response Date: June 12, 2026 1:00 PM ET NAICS Code: 561910

Contracting Office Address

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), 2945 Flowers Rd. South Atlanta, GA 30341

Description This is a NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT (as prescribed in RFO 6.301-1). This notice of intent is for informational and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), intends to award a sole source contract to Sonoco Protective Solutions, 3930 Ventura Drive, Suite 450, Arlington Heights, IL 60004 for the acquisition of Sonoco Thermo-Safe Endurotherm and Refrigerants Insulated Temperature Shipping Containers.

The statutory authority for this sole source acquisition is 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) as implemented by RFO 6.103-1 Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The NAICS Code for this procurement is 561910, Packaging and Labeling Services. The period of performance is 12 months.

The Sonoco Endurotherm systems currently in use by SNS have been validated and approved by the SNS Quality Control Team for specific vaccine and ancillary configurations. The TC-391 shipper is the only shipping container currently qualified and approved by SNS for the temperature-controlled vaccine shipment configurations required under this effort. Transitioning to an alternate shipping system would require extensive qualification testing, ISTA validation, quality review, operational training, and approval processes that would delay mission readiness for deployment of replacement and emergency response capabilities.

The purpose of this requirement is to provide SNS with a means to ship temperature-controlled products using preconditioned shipping containers in order to support “emergency responses” and daily customer shipments. SNS has a need for significant quantities of Preconditioned Controlled Temperature Shipping Containers that do not require the use of Dry-Ice.

The following technical specifications are necessary to fulfill our requirements:

• Temperature controlled packing validated to maintain contained product at a temperature range of 2°C and 8°C for at least 92 hours with preconditioning

• Maintain a temperature range of 2°C and 8°C during transit regardless of external temperatures experienced during transit to any populated location.

• The use of Dry Ice to maintain temperature requirements is not acceptable.

• Up to three box sizes are expected to use for shipping vaccine type items.

• ISTA-3A Drop Test and ISTA 7D Winter and Summer Protocol will be followed and documented to ensure that the container can maintain the set standards mentioned.

• Information must be reviewed and approved by SNS QC Team.

• The refrigerants will have a minimum shelf life of 2-4 years while in storage and not used for CCM shipments (longer shelf life is preferred).

• The shipping/insulated box will have a minimum shelf life of 4 years while in storage and not used for CCM shipments (longer shelf life is preferred).

• Manufacture date, manufacturer item/model number and manufacture name will be printed on the container in a visible location when the product is stored in warehouse racking.

• Contractor shall provide end user operation packaging protocol instructions for each model purchased

• Contractor shall provide web sites and phone contact information for end user to contact for technical assistance.

• Contractor shall include statements on end user directions for safe disposal and any associated material risks by end user.

• Contractor shall describe their QA/QC Validation Approach.

• Contractor shall describe their General Qualification Acceptance Criteria.

• Contractor shall describe their testing philosophy approach and methodology (Software and Hardware, Factory Acceptance Testing).

• Contractor shall provide Qualification verification letter for all units sold.

• Contractor shall define how future upgrades affect other listed requirements.

• Passive temperature maintenance capability is required to activate (non-electrical).

• The ability to be stored by means of stacking or palletizing in ambient temperature between 17°C and 25°C (63°F and 77°F) is preferred to maintaining the container in full, ready-to-use.

Sonoco Protective Solutions is the sole manufacturer of the currently qualified Endurotherm shipping systems approved by SNS for these specific vaccine shipment configurations. The existing qualification, validation, and operational approvals associated with these systems support continuity of operations and mission readiness requirements.

As a result of this Notice of Intent, no competitive solicitation will be posted on SAM.gov. The Government intends to negotiate and award with Sonoco Protective Solutions. However, all responsible sources that believe they can meet these requirements may submit their capabilities/qualifications statement.

All capabilities/qualification statements must be received NO LATER THAN June 12, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET and sent to the Contracting Officer Akela Long via email at Akela.Long@hhs.gov, and Contract Consultant Carolyn Knight at Carolyn.Knight@hhs.gov with the solicitation number #75A50326Q00016 referenced in the subject line. TELEPHONE CALLS WILL NOT BE

ACCEPTED.

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action will be based upon responses received to this notice and is solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer.

This notice is not a request for competitive quotations. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. Responses to this notice must demonstrate the respondent's capability to meet the requirement. A determination by the Government not to compete the requirement based upon responses received is solely within the discretion of the Government.

mailto:Demetrius.Kittrell@hhs.gov mailto:Carolyn.Knight@hhs.gov