RFI_EMM_DLASM.pdf

RFI (Request for Information) DLA Strategic Materials

Electrolytic Manganese Metal (EMM) Follow-up Questions

1. Description: The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Strategic Materials is seeking information in regards to the industry packaging methodologies for EMM shipment and storage.

2. Objective: To adjust the Statement of Work for better integration of the standard industry packaging methods and the DLA Strategic Materials storage requirements. DLA Strategic Materials may issue a new request for proposal (RFP) without limitations or security requirements. The link to the previous EMM RFP is provided below.

https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=971c6b44cb57ba468e3f35e2fd5207e 9&tab=core&_cview=1

3. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. Further, DLA Strategic Materials is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that DLA Strategic Materials will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely a the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

4. Requested Information:

Packaging: Could you please explain in detail your company’s standard packaging for delivery to your customers/buyers?

a. To be more specific, we believe most standard packaging consists of super sacks.

Could you tell us if this is correct?

b. What is the normal gross weight, tare weight and net weight of your standard packaging?

c. Please provide the dimensions of packaging, height, length, width.

d. If packaging in super sacks is it delivered on a pallet? Or, is it transported via forklift by the lifting hoops only?

e. Do you or your buyers stack this material for storage? If so, how high can it safely be stacked and are there any special materials, containers or precautions required?

https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=971c6b44cb57ba468e3f35e2fd5207e9&tab=core&_cview=1 https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=971c6b44cb57ba468e3f35e2fd5207e9&tab=core&_cview=1

f. Because we intend to store this material long-term do you have any longevity studies of your standard packaging? Or, do you have information from your buyers on their long-term storage experience?

g. Please explain the industry standard for packaging and delivering EMM.

h. If your manufacturing and packaging facilities are designed and/or function to accommodate a certain size of super sack could DLA Strategic Materials specify a super sack that has the same size characteristics, but with performance characteristics that would provide a longer term for storage (shelf-life).

i. Do you have a recommended super sack specification for storing this material long-term?

Environmental: Could you please provide us with information about how industry safeguards its employees and the environment from the health hazards of the material, particularly those hazards identified in the SDS?

a. SDSs for this material state: Contact with water or moist air may generate flammable and/or toxic gases.

i. Could you provide some information about how industry is able to store/transport the material in super sacks that are not waterproof, given this concern with the material?

ii. Can you provide information about how industry prevents any contact of the material with water or moist air?

iii. How is this material stored/transported in humid locales?

b. SDSs state: Ventilation equipment should be explosion-resistant if explosive concentrations of material are present.

i. What is the explosive concentration level of this material?

ii. Does dumping out a super sack to process or repackage the material cause any changes in the explosive concentration? And is ventilation equipment required to perform these actions (dumping out to process or repackage)?

Shipping/Transportation: Is it required that this material, EMM, be delivered in closed, dry, shipping containers to the storage facility in the United States or is there a potential that it would be delivered on open flatbed trailers? If open flatbed trailers are used, do you have a recommended method to protect the material from the elements such as water or moist air?

5. Responses:

DLA Strategic Materials requests responses to the questions provided in Section 4 from industry, other Government agencies, and all other interested parties. Interested parties may respond to all or only some of the questions. Not responding to this RFI, in whole or in part, does not preclude participation in a future RFI or RFP, if issued. However, response to this RFI may assist the Government with revision of the SOW to industry standard.

Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. There is no page limitation for responses. White Papers shall contain a cover sheet. The cover sheet shall include the following, at a minimum:

• Interested Party Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from the mailing address), phone number, and fax number;

• Business type (e.g., large business, small business) based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 331110 – Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing (1500 employees);

• A designated point of contact of the Interested Party, including that contact’s name, title, direct phone number, and e-mail address; and

• A statement providing the conditions, if any, under which the Government may release Proprietary Information (PROPIN) to Government support contractors assisting with technical evaluation.

If an interested party’s response contains PROPIN, contact the Contracting Officer for additional instructions.

White Papers with a Cover Sheet shall be submitted electronically, in Microsoft Word (Office 2010 compatible) format or in PDF, not later than 5 December 2018, 12:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time), but responses may be submitted at any time prior to this deadline. Submissions shall be e-mailed to SMContracting@dla.mil, and respondents are strongly encouraged to send an e-mail notifying the Contracting Officer that a response has been submitted.

In the event that interested parties require additional time to respond to this RFI, please contact the Contracting Officer as soon as practical.