Water-Cooler Bottles and Delivery Services

SOURCES SOUGHT/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ANNOUNCEMENT  (M00264-26-RFI-007)

Water‑Cooler Bottles and Delivery Services (Market Research Only – Not a Solicitation)

1. Purpose

This Sources Sought Notice is issued solely for market research and information‑gathering purposes. The MCINCR‑RCO is seeking to identify potential sources capable of providing support services for the 5‑gallon universal, reusable commercial water bottles, along with associated delivery and exchange services, for various locations aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia (specific sites to be identified in the solicitation phase). This notice does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Invitation for Bid (IFB), or Request for Quotation (RFQ), and no contract will be awarded as a result of this announcement.

2. Description of Requirement

The Government is seeking information from SMALL business vendors, located within an estimated 50 miles radius, capable of supplying commercially available bottled drinking water in standardized containers suitable for office water‑cooler dispensers. The anticipated requirement may include:

2.1 Product Specifications (Generic)

• Bottle Sizes: 5‑gallon universal/standard reusable bottles for office coolers
• Bottle Types: Designed to fit top‑loading or bottom‑loading water coolers, depending on the office model.
  • Bottles must maintain a tight seal to prevent leaks when inverted in top‑load units.
  • Molded grips or ridges for easier lifting
  • Balanced shape to reduce strain when loading into bottom-load coolers
• Bottle Material (Durable and Reusable): BPA‑free polycarbonate or PET plastic: Must withstand:
  • Frequent handling
  • Weight of 25–45 lbs. when full
  • Temperature changes (especially if used with hot‑water dispensers)
• Pressure‑Resistant Construction: Bottles must maintain structural integrity when:
  • Inverted
  • Under vacuum pressure inside the cooler
  • Exposed to hot‑water systems (for coolers with hot taps)
• Water Type: Spring, purified, or distilled (commercially available)
• Certifications: Water must meet applicable federal, state, and local drinking water standards (NSF/ANSI, FDA‑compliant materials)
• Sanitization: Vendor must maintain a documented bottle cleaning and sanitization process:
  • Reuse and recycling program details
  • Bottle sanitization process
  • Environmental impact statements (if applicable)
  • Compliance with local recycling laws
• Sanitary and Seal Design:
  • Smooth interior surfaces to prevent bacterial buildup.
  • Narrow necks with tamper‑evident caps to ensure cleanliness until opened.
  • Anti‑microbial coatings or Bio Guard‑type protections where the bottle interfaces with the cooler.
• Clear Water Visibility:
  • Semi‑transparent plastic allows staff to see water levels.
  • Supports cooler features like empty‑bottle alerts on modern dispensers.
• Safety, Health, and Quality Documentation: 
  • Water quality test results
  • Source of the water (spring, purified, distilled, etc.)
  • Treatment methods (reverse osmosis, UV, carbon filtration)
  • Compliance with federal/state drinking water regulations
  • Bottling facility certifications or inspection records
• Transportation:
  • Contractor shall ensure that the shipment will be made in tank trucks and/or required delivery type that meets all Federal, State, and local instruction/regulation/guidance; whichever is most stringent.

SUBMISSION DETAILS: Responses must include:

1. Can you meet this requirement? Please include capability statement in response to this SSA demonstrating the ability to meet each task above.
2. Do you have Government experience providing similar services?
3. Business name and address;
4. Name of company representative and their business title;
5. Type of Business;
6. Cage Code and UEI;
7. Small Business Designation: Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), HUBZone Small Business, 8A Small Business, Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), etc.
8. Contract vehicles that would be available to the Government for the procurement of the product and service, to include Open Market, General Service Administration (GSA), Federal Supply Schedules (FSS), or any other Government Agency contract vehicle. (This information is for market research only and does not preclude your company from responding to this notice.)
9. State which items listed above can be supported by your business/firm.
10. Please provide additional information concerning Industry “BEST PRACTICES” as it concerns or relates to the above requirement.
11. Pricing Information: How will the pricing be established: unit cost and bulk pricing and/or shipping charges.  This will be a firm-fixed price requirement.
12. Please keep responses/capabilities statements to a maximum of 2 pages.
13. Is there anything else you think we should know?

SUBMISSION DETAILS: Submissions shall reference SSA No. “M00264-26-SSA-0007 Water Bottles Services” in the subject line. Interested vendors who wish to respond to this SSA should send responses via email no later than 23 January 26 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST) to Contract Specialist Michael Thompson at michael.l.thompson@usmc.mil and Contracting Officer Kellie Holley at kellie.holley@usmc.mil.

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION: Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All government personal reviewing SSA responses understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described 41 USC 423.

The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.

DISCLAIMER:

THIS SSA IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTES/PROPOSALS. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS POSTING. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS POSTING. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.