Sources Sought for Co-Brand Agreement for Hand Sanitizers

On behalf of the U.S. AbilityOne Commission (Commission) the independent federal agency that administers the AbilityOne Program, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is a designated central nonprofit agency pursuing potential partnerships with U.S. commercial manufacturers of Hand Sanitizers for the purpose of providing employment for people who are blind or severely disabled.  If successful, the result will be the addition of the product(s) to the AbilityOne Procurement List (PL) under a co-brand agreement between the manufacturer and the AbilityOne Program, and its registered brands.

The Hand Sanitizers must meet and/or exceed FAR and other Federal Government published standards, Executive Orders and Federal Agency requirements. 

At a minimum, the following criteria must be met: 

 PRODUCT

1. Must contain the following product assortment;
   • Hand Sanitizers
     • Foaming & Gel Based
     • Alcohol and Alcohol-Free
   • List of NSNs and descriptions

6508-00-NIB-0002: INSTANT HAND SANITIZER, HEALTHCARE, SKIN NOURISHING, FOAMING, 1200 ML, TOUCH FREE, DISPENSER REFILL

6508-00-NIB-0003: INSTANT HAND SANITIZER, HEALTHCARE, HYPOALLERGENIC, FRAGRANCE FREE, FOAMING, 1200 ML, TOUCH FREE, DISPENSER REFILL 

1. Product must meet Federal regulatory compliance where required:
   • FDA authorized production facility
   • USDA Bio preferred certified products

MANUFACTURER

1. Must possess a nationally or industry known brand name that can demonstrate significant appeal through evidence of substantial sales.
2. Demonstrate how it will assist the Commission’s designated nonprofit agency (NPA) to expand its line of hand sanitizers, soaps and shampoos to increase blind work hours while keeping expansion costs to the NPA at a minimum.  
3. Willing to deliver expediate bulk materials to the non-profit agency to assure the agency of on-time deliveries to federal government customer(s).
4. Willing to enter into a multi-year agreement to include:
   1. On-going technical, sales, marketing, and production assistance.
   2. The necessary factory trained technical field support.
   3. Enabling the non-profit agency to meet the criteria of the AbilityOne Program to convert material, fill containers, label, assemble and package the products to create employment for people who are blind or severely disabled.
5. Demonstrate a commitment to working with the AbilityOne Program to market the product(s) solicited herein to Government customers. Preference is given to manufacturers who have a dedicated team for Federal Government sales and marketing.
6. Be willing to work with the NPA, NIB, and AbilityOne to ensure that the price to the end-users is a fair and reasonable price.

Manufacturers’ submissions must demonstrate that proposed products meet the criteria listed above, as well as indicate what functions the nonprofit agency’s employees would perform.

Respondents must submit proposals against this solicitation (CP-01-13-21-02) as well as solicitations CP-01-13-21-01 and CP-01-13-21-03.

The deadline for response is February 12, 2021.

The written, electronic responses should be directed to the contact listed in this Notice.

Questions should be directed by email to rhill@nib.org.  The subject line should begin with ‘Question: Sources Sought CP- CP-01-13-21-02 Hand Sanitizers.

Information regarding the Commission can be found at www.abilityone.gov.  Specific information regarding co-brand agreements can be found by navigating the top left corner of the website.  Mouse over Laws, Regulations, and Policy and select Policy Memoranda.  Select Operation Memoranda, then select Memorandum Number 22.