Sources Sought for Co-Brand Agreement for Industrial Label Makers and Supplies

On behalf of the U.S. AbilityOne Commission (Commission) the independent federal agency that administers the AbilityOne Program, National Industries for the Blind (NIB), a designated central nonprofit agency, is pursuing potential partnerships with U.S. commercial manufacturers of Industrial Label Makers and Supplies 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 Industrial Label Makers and Supplies 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 capabilities and features:
   1. Label Maker connects to PC and Mac via USB or Ethernet cable. External AC power supply.
   2. Full-color LCD display. Minimum 300 DPI print resolution, 4 in./sec. print speed, and 128MB storage capacity.
   3. Thermal transfer print ribbon in assorted colors and lengths. Industrial grade label material suitable for use indoors, outdoors and in harsh environments, and is resistant to smears, chemicals, UV light and water.
   4. Print label widths from 0.5 in. to 9 in. Capacity to print large quantities of labels and extra-long labels.
   5. Includes software for designing and printing labels and signs.
   6. Software includes symbols and icons for industrial signs and labels, OSHA compliant headers to current standards, ready-to-print templates, and auto label length mode.
   7. Label Maker has lifetime warranty and technical support.
2. The product must meet industry performance specifications and standards for construction, performance, sustainability and reliability.
3. Be manufactured and lab tested, certified and customer tested to be effective according to their purpose, have current Material Safety Data sheets if necessary, and meet certifications with corresponding documentation designated by customers.

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 Label Makers and Supplies, thus increasing blind work hours, while keeping expansion costs to the NPA at a minimum.  
3. Willing to deliver 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 and production assistance.
   2. Factory trained technical field support.
   3. Enabling the non-profit agency to meet the criteria of the AbilityOne Program to label, assemble and package the products thereby creating 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.

The deadline for response is 11/3/2024.

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

Questions should be directed by email to jseymour@nib.org.  The subject line should begin with ‘Question: Sources Sought CP-10-02-24-01 Industrial Label Makers and Supplies'.

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.