Sources_Sought_Comprehensive_Uniform_Program_DFOM_FY27.pdf

Comprehensive Uniform Program – DFOM

Sources Sought

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is conducting market research to determine the availability of qualified businesses capable of performing a Comprehensive Uniform Program for the Division of Facilities Operations and Maintenance (DFOM). This Sources Sought notice is issued for planning purposes to identify potential sources, including small business concerns, that can provide recurring uniform processing, laundering, machine pressing, pickup and delivery, garment identification and tracking, repairs and mending, accessories and embroidery, and new uniform/replacement support for designated DFOM employees.

The Contractor shall provide qualified personnel, management, technical expertise, supervision, labor, materials, transportation, equipment, garment tracking systems, and administrative support necessary to provide a complete uniform service program. The requirement supports approximately 280–300 DFOM employees, with scalability of approximately plus or minus 15 percent. Services are expected to include twice-weekly pickup and delivery, laundering and machine pressing, repairs, replacements, fittings, inventory accountability, barcode or RFID tracking, and delivery of uniforms in clean and serviceable condition. Work will be performed at NIH facilities in Bethesda, Maryland, and other designated NIH locations.

Each designated employee is expected to be supported with a baseline uniform issue consisting of thirteen (13) shirts, thirteen (13) trousers, and two (2) lightweight jackets. Special uniform categories may include 100 percent cotton uniforms for mechanical/pipefitting and allergy-sensitive personnel, long-sleeve garments for Central Utilities personnel, and flame-resistant/arc flash-rated uniforms for High Voltage personnel compliant with applicable safety requirements, including NFPA 70E, where required.

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 812332 – Industrial Launderers. The corresponding small business size standard is $47 million. The Government anticipates the use of a Firm-Fixed-Price contract structure with a Base Year and option periods.

Market research currently available from the acquisition package indicates that the requirement is a recurring commercial service for industrial laundering and uniform program management.

Similar sources may include industrial laundries, uniform rental and supply contractors, textile service companies, commercial laundry service providers, and firms specializing in managed uniform programs with garment tracking, delivery logistics, repairs, embroidery, and replacement ordering. Current market research should be supplemented by review of SAM.gov entity registrations, SBA Dynamic Small Business Search, GSA/Best-in-Class or other Government-wide acquisition resources as applicable, prior Government uniform/laundry contract history, local and regional industrial laundry providers capable of serving the Bethesda, Maryland area, and responses received to this Sources Sought notice.

The small business prime contractor will be required to meet the requirements of FAR Clause 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting. Capability Statements should demonstrate how the respondent plans to perform the required portion of contract performance using its own employees and resources, including management, customer service, route delivery, laundering/processing oversight, garment accountability, and quality control functions, as applicable.

POTENTIAL SOURCES SHALL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IN

THEIR RESPONSE:

The contractor must include in its Capability Statement: (1) company name, address, phone number, and e-mail address for the company point of contact; (2) Unique Entity ID, CAGE code, and certification of business size under NAICS 812332; (3) socioeconomic status, if applicable, such as small business, 8(a), HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, veteran-owned small business, woman-owned small business, or small disadvantaged business; (4) staff expertise, management approach, facilities, equipment, route/delivery capability, and availability to perform work on this specific contract; (5) current in-house capability and capacity to meet FAR 52.219-14; (6) experience providing industrial laundering, uniform rental/supply, garment tracking using barcode or RFID systems, repairs/mending, embroidery, fitting services, replacement ordering, and quality control; (7) prior completed projects of similar size, scope, and complexity, including support for approximately 280–300 employees or comparable volume; (8) examples of prior completed Government contracts, references, contract numbers if available, periods of performance, and points of contact; and (9) confirmation that the company is registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). Contractors may obtain information on registration and annual confirmation requirements through SAM at https://www.sam.gov.

Requirement Summary

• Uniform processing services, including pickup, laundering, machine pressing, and delivery.

• Garment identification and tracking, including barcode or RFID tracking systems and labeling of uniforms.

• Repairs and mending, including button replacement, seam repair, zipper replacement, and related maintenance necessary to keep garments serviceable.

• Accessories and embroidery, including hats, belts, and embroidery consistent with NIH branding requirements.

• New uniforms and replacement garments as required by the Government.

• Employee fittings and issuance of uniforms within fifteen (15) business days, as applicable.

• Twice-weekly pickup and delivery, anticipated for Tuesday and Thursday between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM; when a scheduled service day falls on a Federal holiday, service would be performed on the next business day.

• Delivery of uniforms on hangers, covered in protective plastic, and labeled by employee.

• Provision of recurring management information, including weekly inventory logs, delivery receipts, monthly performance reports, quarterly reconciliation reports, a Quality Control Plan, and a Transition Plan.

• Performance objectives may include 100 percent on-time delivery, at least 98 percent cleanliness compliance, repairs completed within five (5) days, new uniforms issued within fifteen (15) days, and complaints resolved within three (3) days.

Anticipated CLIN Structure

CLIN Description 0001 Uniform Processing Services 0002 Garment Identification and Tracking 0003 Repairs and Mending 0004 Accessories and Embroidery 0005 New Uniforms and Replacement Orders

The Capability Statement is limited to five (5) pages in size, excluding standard cover page information if used. Interested vendors capable of furnishing the Government with the services specified in this Sources Sought notice should submit their Capability Statement to the e-mail address below. Capability Statements are due July 17, 2026, Eastern Time (ET). All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement. Capability Statements received by the date and time identified above will be considered by the agency. Capability Statements must be submitted via e-mail only to Michele Johnson at michele.johnson@nih.gov. FAXED OR

POSTAL MAILED COPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

DISCLAIMER AND IMPORTANT NOTES: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in responses. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published on SAM.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in the response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).