Insulated shipping boxes

USDA, National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL), Ames, Iowa Warehouse has a requirement for insulated shipping boxes.

We are seeking interested sources from small-businesses that are capable of providing supplies that meet the following specification:

Four (4) different sized insulated shippers that have been certified to ship UN3373 Category B Substances:   

1. First insulated shipper must have 1-1/2” thick Styrofoam cooler with the outside cardboard box having dimensions of: 11-1/4” length x 9-1/2” width x 8-1/2” height.
2. Second insulated shipper must have 1-1/2” thick Styrofoam cooler with the outside cardboard box having dimensions of: 11-1/2” length x 10-1/2” width x 15” height.
3. Third insulated shipper must have 1-1/2” thick Styrofoam cooler with the outside cardboard box having dimensions of: 16-1/2” length x 16-1/2” width x 17” height.
4. Fourth insulated shipper must have 1-1/2” thick Styrofoam cooler with the outside cardboard box having dimensions of: 22-1/2” length x 18-3/4” width x 13-1/2” height.

All shippers must have a box certificate of at least: Edge Crush Test – 32 lbs./In, Size Limit 75 inches, Gross weight 65 lbs.

All shippers must be delivered assembled (Styrofoam cooler inside the cardboard box with the bottom portion of the box taped up) and on pallets.

All shippers must have package orientation arrows pre-printed on two sides of the box according to IATA 7.4.4 or 7.4.5.

To determine technical capability, a sample of each shipper needs be sent to NCAH, at no additional cost to the government, to confirm that boxes meet the specifications listed above.

Samples address:

NCAH Warehouse

Attention: Dave Hampe

1920 Dayton Ave

Ames, IA  500104

The estimated quantities per year are: 

Box A:   9,000

Box B:   4,800

Box C:  765

Box D:   420

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 322211 Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing with a small business size standard of 1,250 employees for this procurement.

This is not a request for proposals, but instead market research to determine interested small business concerns prior to proceeding with the requirement.  A determination by the Government on the method of competing this requirement has not been established. The Government will not award a contract based on this Request for Information (RFI) or any information received, nor will it reimburse participants for the information they provide.  If you are an interested small-business concern, please provide the following information: 1) small business name and point of contact, 2) UEI number, 3) evidence of small business concern status, 4) a brief Statement of Capability (no more than two pages) which demonstrates the ability to meet the specialized work requirements above, and 5) samples sent to NCAH Warehouse.

Interested sources who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature.  Responses are due no later than Aug 08, 2023 12:00 pm EDT, to the attention of Connor Tees, Contracting Officer, via e-mail to Stephen.tees@usda.gov.