RFI for Cold Weather/Freezer Gloves

The United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) to research cold weather/freezer gloves used in meat inspection environments. The agency requires gloves that provide protection in temperatures as low as -4°F/-20°C, meeting specific technical standards including EN 388 abrasion and puncture resistance, ANSI/ISEA Level 2 cut resistance, and EN 511 water resistance specifications. Vendors must submit a comprehensive 3-page capability statement by January 3rd, 2025 at 12:00pm Eastern Time, which includes company details, business size information, socioeconomic status, SAM registration, and any existing GSA Schedule contract information. The RFI process will involve initial document review, with the first three vendors whose product specifications are approved advancing to a product testing phase. To be considered, potential suppliers must be registered in SAM.gov and fall within the NAICS 339999 category for miscellaneous manufacturing.

The opportunity is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside, targeting manufacturers with 550 or fewer employees in the miscellaneous manufacturing sector. Vendors who advance will be required to provide 10 pairs of gloves in each size (small, medium, large, and extra-large) for testing at three separate locations. While specific award values are not disclosed in the pre-solicitation notice, the RFI suggests a structured procurement process that will carefully evaluate potential suppliers' technical capabilities and product performance. The gloves will be used by USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service personnel, indicating a specialized procurement focused on meeting stringent workplace protection requirements. The procurement follows a competitive, multi-stage evaluation process designed to identify the most suitable cold weather hand protection for meat inspection environments, with a clear emphasis on technical performance and vendor qualifications.