Sources Sought for Co-Brand Agreement for Retractable Gel Pens

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 a potential co-brand partnership with a U.S. commercial manufacturer (note: no distributors; manufacturers of component parts only) to help sustain and expand the product offering of smooth writing, economy, retractable pens with water-based gel ink, for the purpose of providing employment for people who are blind or severely disabled.

If successful, the result will be a co-brand agreement between the manufacturer and its registered brands and the AbilityOne Program nonprofit agency for products that are on the AbilityOne Procurement List (PL), thus sustaining and creating jobs for people who are blind or severely disabled.

At a minimum, the following criteria must be met: 

PRODUCT

1. Be able to provide the component parts needed to assemble retractable gel pens, including:
   1. Highly recognized brand name in the commercial marketplace.
   2. Multiple point sizes to include, but not limited to, 0.5mm, 0.7mm, and 1.0mm.
      • Average ink write out:
        • 0.5mm, 2300ft
        • 0.7mm, 1800ft
        • 1.0mm, 1475ft
   3. Archival safe gel ink.
   4. Rapid dry gel ink technology.
   5. Acid free gel ink.
   6. Ergonomic cushioned comfort grips.
   7. Availability of both see-through barrels and stainless-steel barrels.
   8. Please include pictures, commercial SKU #s, component part delivered pricing, and full specs for all products quoted.
   9. Please state the Country of Origin for all products and materials quoted.
2. Meet and/or exceed FAR and other Federal Government published standards, Executive Orders and Federal Agency requirements. 
3. The product must meet industry performance specifications and standards for construction, performance, sustainability and reliability.
4. 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.
5. Meet industry performance specifications and standards for construction, performance, sustainability and reliability.

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 retractable gel pens, 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. 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 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.
7. The AbilityOne Program is committed to maximizing domestic manufacturing while creating employment for Americans who are blind or have significant disabilities. In addition to meeting the requirements indicated above, offerors should identify whether the product(s) offered, and the components used to create the product(s), are domestically sourced.  If the product offered or any of its components are not domestically sourced, the offeror shall identify the products or components that are not domestically sourced, identify the country of origin, and explain why the component or product is not domestically sourced (e.g., non-availability).

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 July 18, 2025

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- CP-06-18-25-01 Retractable Gel Pens”

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.