Sources Sought Notice

DESCRIPTION OF INTENT

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE/MARKET RESEARCH SURVEY to request information for Government planning purposes only. The Army Contracting Command – Detroit Arsenal (ACC-DTA) is seeking to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities and qualifications of various members of the community, to include both small and large businesses, for production of the item identified below. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice/Market Research Survey will assist ACC-DTA in planning its acquisition strategy for potential future acquisition. The Government will not award a contract based on this notice, nor will it pay for information provided by respondents.

Container Freight, Utility

8150-01-701-1123

12676735

ESTIMATED QUANTITY

100% Option

END ITEM

Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle (MATV) The Government is seeking to identify qualified sources, both large and small businesses, capable of manufacturing the following item:

Container, Freight Utility This is a general cargo container that is totally enclosed and weatherproof, having a rigid roof, rigid side walls, rigid end walls and a floor. At least one of its end walls is equipped with doors and is intended to be suitable for the transport of cargo of the greatest possible variety.

TECHNICAL DATA

PACKAGE

There is a technical data package (TDP) associated with this procurement. It is distribution statement “D”, which limits access to Department of War (DoW) and U.S. DoW contractors, and is located under the Attachments/Links section of the associated SAM posting.

To view/obtain this TDP, the vendor must have a current DD 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, on file with the Defense Logistics Information Service.

If the vendor has a current certification, they are required to submit a TDP access request via SAM.gov:

a. Navigate to https://www.SAM.gov

b. Search for the sources sought title NSN-8150-01-701-1123: Container Freight Utility

c. Click on the attachments

d. Request access to this document

e. Send your approved DD Form 2345 via e-mail to the following personnel:

Meika Cole

CONTRACT SPECIALIST, ACC-DTA

Email: meika.j.cole.civ@army.mil

Access will be granted, pending verification of the contractor’s active certification. NOTE: The contractor POC that requested TDP access via SAM must be listed as the primary or alternate data custodian on the DD Form 2345 to be granted access.

If the vendor does not have a current certification, they must submit a DD Form 2345 to the United States/Canada Joint Certification Office, along with copies of all supporting documentation. DD Form 2345 and instructions can be found on the Joint Certification Program website at: http://www.dla.mil/HQ/InformationOperations/Offers/Products/LogisticsApplications/JCP.aspx. Processing time is estimated at six (6) to ten (10) weeks after receipt. Upon receipt of certification, the vendor may request access to the TDP as described herein.

Upon completion of the purposes for which Government technical data has been provided, the offeror, and all subcontractors, vendors, and sub-vendors of the offeror, are required to destroy all documents, including all reproductions, duplications, or copies thereof as may have been further distributed. Destruction of this technical data shall be accomplished by shredding, pulping, burning, or melting any physical copies of the TDP and/or deletion or removal of downloaded TDP files from computer drives and electronic devices, and any copies of those files.

** Vendors will need to provide proof that you are able to obtain the source-controlled parts from approved sources. Source controlled parts are provided below with approved vendors, part numbers, and cage codes:

1. Vendor: Clariant Corp

a. Part Number: 10906697

b. Part Name: Indicator, Humidity

c. CAGE Code: 00334

2. Vendor: Seabox

a. Part Number: 12612856

b. Part Name: Container, Freight Utility

c. CAGE Code: 0FXA9

***If vendors choose to not go through the approved sources above, they must confirm that they will go through the process of becoming an approved source. To become an approved source, you would need to submit a SAR package. This link below will allow you to go through the process to become one. https://tacom.army.mil/ombudsman/sap

FIRST ARTICLE TESTING

NO

NOTE: All survey input is voluntary, and no compensation will be made for your firm’s participation. Since this is a Sources Sought Notice, and not a solicitation for receipt of proposals or quotations, the Government does not encourage questions concerning this market research. Furthermore, the Government is not obligated to issue a solicitation or award a contract as a result of this announcement.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE SURVEY

1. You may respond in total, or in part, to this survey. However, all responses must be received no later than 5:00PM EST 06 APRIL 2026

2. All completed surveys shall be sent via e-mail to:

Meika Cole Contract Specialist, ACC-DTA E-mail: meika.j.cole.civ@army.mil

Subject Line: NSN-8150-01-701-1123: Container Freight Utility

3. Relevant sales media and product manuals may be included as attachments with your submission. Please clearly mark all proprietary information. The front page of your response package should state "PROPIETARY INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN" (all caps), if applicable. Also, please provide a release statement indicating that the proprietary information may be distributed to Army personnel involved with this survey.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION & LABELING

The Government acknowledges its obligations under 18 USC §1905 to protect information qualifying as confidential. Pursuant to this statute, the Government is willing to accept any trade secret or confidential restrictions placed on qualifying data forwarded in response to the survey questions, and to protect it from unauthorized disclosure subject to the following:

1. Clearly and conspicuously mark qualifying data as trade secret or confidential with the restrictive legend “CONFIDENTIAL” (all caps), including any explanatory text, so that the Government is clearly notified of what data needs to be protected.

2. In marking such data, please take care to mark only those portions of the data or materials that are truly trade secret or confidential (overbreadth in marking inappropriate data as “CONFIDENTIAL” may diminish or eliminate the usefulness of your response). Use circling, underscoring, highlighting, or any other appropriate means to indicate those portions of a single page that need to be protected.

3. The Government is not obligated to protect unmarked data. Additionally, marked data that is already in the public domain or in the possession of the Government or third parties, or afterward placed into the public domain by the owner or another party through no fault of the Government will not be protected once in the public domain. Data in the Government’s possession will be protected in accordance with the Government’s data rights.

4. Confidential data transmitted electronically, whether by physical media or not, whether by the respondent or by the Government, shall contain any restrictive legend, with any explanatory text, on both the cover of the transmittal e-mail and at the beginning of the file itself. Where appropriate for portions only of an electronic file, use the restrictive legends “CONFIDENTIAL DATA BEGINS:” and “CONFIDENTIAL PORTION ENDS”.

5. In any reproductions of technical data or any portions thereof subject to asserted restrictions, the Government shall also reproduce the asserted restriction legend and any explanatory text.

6. The Government sometimes uses support contractors in evaluating responses. Consequently, responses that contain confidential information may receive only limited or no consideration since the respondent’s marking of data as “CONFIDENTIAL” will preclude disclosure of same outside the Government and therefore will preclude disclosure to support contractors assisting with the evaluation effort.

QUESTIONNAIRE / SURVEY

A) Vendor Profile. Please complete the yellow-highlighted fields below:

1.

COMPANY NAME:

MAILING ADDRESS:

CAGE CODE:

POC NAME / TITLE:

PHONE NUMBER:

E-MAIL ADDRESS:

WEBSITE:

2. Business type for NAICS 332439 - Other Metal Container Manufacturing (Please check all that apply.)

8(a)

Small Disadvantaged

HUBZone

Women-owned

Large Business

None of the Above. Please Explain: ________________

Service-disabled Veteran-owned

Small Business

*If claiming small business status, the information must be verifiable in SAM.gov

3. Please indicate if the NAICS code selected is appropriate, if not, please explain why.

4. Nonmanufacturer Rule. To qualify as a small business concern for set-aside or sole source supply contracts, a small business must meet at least one of the qualifications listed below. Please indicate which qualification, if any, applies to your firm:

Manufacture the product itself; or

Supply a product manufactured by another small business if it is a nonmanufacturer; or

Supply the product of any sized manufacturer if the Small Business Administration has granted a waiver to the nonmanufacturer rule.

5. A current DD 2345, Military Critical Technical Data Agreement, must be on file with the Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS) to access and view the TDP associated with this procurement. Does your firm have a current DD 2345 on file with DLIS?

Yes

No

Approval Pending. Application submitted on: [MM/DD/YYYY]

B) Requirement-specific Information. Please complete the following:

Are there any challenges to proposing a one-year contract with a possible one-year option period?

A. Capability & Experience

1. Past Performance: Has your firm manufactured this type of General Cargo Container (i.e., enclosed, weatherproof, ISO-compatible) for a U.S. Government agency or a commercial customer in the past?

· If yes, please provide the contract number(s), the agency/customer, and a point of contact for each reference.

2. Manufacturing Capability: Is your firm currently capable of manufacturing this item?

· Your response should include a statement of your firm’s expertise, referencing relevant contracts. For each contract, describe the scope, quantity of containers manufactured, and provide a point of contact (name, email, and phone number).

3. Commercial Availability: Is this specific container, or a similar one, available in the commercial marketplace as a Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) item?

· If yes, please provide a summary of its commercial availability and note any differences between the commercial version and the one described in the TDP.

4. Production Location: If your firm was awarded a contract, where would the primary manufacturing and final assembly take place (City, State)?

B. Technical & Quality Assurance

5. Materials and Manufacturing: What primary materials (e.g., specific grades of steel for frame, walls, and flooring) and manufacturing processes (e.g., welding techniques) do you utilize to ensure the container's structural integrity, weatherproofing, and durability in accordance with intermodal standards?

6. Quality Management System: What is your firm’s current Quality Management System (QMS)? Please state if your firm is independently certified (e.g., ISO 9001:2015, etc.).

7. Testing and Compliance: What testing and quality assurance measures do you implement to ensure compliance with relevant military and industry specifications (e.g., ISO 668 for dimensions, ISO 1496 for specifications/testing, and the Convention for Safe Containers (CSC))?

8. Intermodal Integration: Please confirm your container's design can be integrated seamlessly into standard intermodal transport systems (ship, rail, and truck). Describe any testing or certification you have for compatibility with standard handling equipment (e.g., cranes, forklifts).

9. Challenges: What challenges (e.g., supply chain, material sourcing, specific MIL-SPEC compliance) have you faced in past contracts for similar containers, and how did you successfully mitigate them?

10. TDP Review: Do you have any questions or identify any potential issues upon your initial review of the Technical Data Package (TDP)?

C. Source-Controlled Parts & Subcontracting

11. Source-Controlled Part Acquisition: The TDP for this container specifies source-controlled components from Seabox (P/N 12612856) and Clariant Corp (P/N 10906697). Would you be willing to purchase these parts directly from the approved manufacturers or their authorized distributors?

12. Source Approval Request (SAR) Intent: If your firm does not intend to purchase the source-controlled components from the currently approved vendors (Seabox, Clariant Corp), do you intend to become an approved source for these components by submitting a Source Approval Request (SAR) package to the Government?

13. Limitations on Subcontracting (For Small Businesses Only): If you are a small business, please confirm your understanding of and ability to comply with the requirements of FAR Clause 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting.

D. Pricing and Delivery

14. Lead Time: What is your anticipated lead time for delivery of the first unit after order placement? What is your monthly production capacity thereafter?

15. Pricing Model: What pricing model does your firm recommend for this type of contract (e.g., Firm-Fixed-Price)? Are there any factors, such as material price volatility, that could significantly affect pricing?

16. Unit Price: While this is not a quote, please provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) price per container. Please describe your pricing structure, including any potential discounts for larger quantities or for the option year.

D. Additional Information

17. Market Differentiation: Who do you consider to be your main competitor in the intermodal container market? What differentiates your product or company from theirs (e.g., quality, manufacturing process, specific innovations)?

18. Other Information: Is there any other pertinent information that your firm would like to disclose to help us with our market research?