Sources Sought: U. S. Army Retiring Soldier Lapel Pins

The Mission and Installation Contracting Command - Fort Sam Houston (MICC-FSH) has issued a Sources Sought Notice (W9124J-26-R-PINS) on behalf of the Installation Management Command (IMCOM) G1 to conduct market research for the procurement of U.S. Army Retiring Soldier Lapel Pins and associated distribution services. The pins must strictly conform to Army Regulation 600-8-22 specifications, featuring a gold metal construction with black background, black and white stars, gold edging, and inscriptions reading "Retired" and "Soldier for Life," with a diameter of 7/8 inch. A mandatory qualification requires that vendors must be certified by The Army Institute of Heraldry (TIOH) or be authorized distributors for TIOH-certified manufacturers, with proof of certification required in the capability statement submission. The government will use responses to determine its acquisition strategy, including potential small business set-asides, though specific evaluation criteria beyond vendor qualifications and past performance have not been detailed. The deadline for submitting capability statements is 10:00 AM CST on December 15, 2025, via email to the designated contract specialist, and an amended notice with question-and-answer documentation was posted on December 10, 2025.

This procurement is not designated for any specific set-aside, though the government has indicated it will evaluate small business set-aside potential based on market research responses. No current contractor or incumbent vendor has been identified in the available documentation. The anticipated contract value, order quantities, and specific budget parameters have not been disclosed in the pre-solicitation materials. The scope encompasses quarterly distribution to 59+ Army installations across Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard components, with requirements for vendors to maintain a tracking system and provide quarterly delivery reports. The government anticipates releasing a formal solicitation within 30 to 90 days following completion of the market research phase, and procurement will fall under NAICS code 339910 (Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing) with a small business size standard of 500 employees.