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Sources Sought for Co-Brand Agreement for Retractable, Archival Quality Gel Ink Pen


Virginia, United States
Government : Federal
RFP
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On behalf of the U.S. AbilityOne Commission (operating name of The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled) 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 economy retractable, smooth writing, water-based gel ink pens with ergonomic cushioned comfort grips and see through barrels. The pens must feature acid free gel and archival quality ink, as well as be available in the ink colors of red and green 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 the AbilityOne Program, and its registered brands. The ultimate expectation is that the co-branded product will be placed on the AbilityOne Procurement List (PL).

If successful, the result will be a co-brand agreement between the manufacturer and the AbilityOne Program, and its registered brands. The ultimate expectation is that the co-branded product will be placed on the AbilityOne Procurement List (PL).


At a minimum, the following criteria must be met:


Possession of a highly recognized brand name in the market place.
Multiple point sizes to include but limited to: 0.5mm, 0.7mm, 1.0mm
Archival safe gel ink
Acid free gel ink
Latex free rubber grip
Product Specific Criteria


Product technical specification: 5 9/16" overall length
barrel color: clear
barrel length: 4 1/4"
nose cone length: 3/4"
cap color: to match ink color
grip color:: to match ink color
nose cone color: clear
avg. ink write out 0.5mm: 2300ft
avg. ink write out 0.7mm: 1800ft
avg. ink write out 1.0mm: 1475ft


1.    The chosen manufacturer must be willing to set a high priority for delivering bulk materials to the non-profit agency in order to assure the agency of on-time deliveries to the federal government customer(s).
2.    All products must 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.
3.    A willingness to enter into a multi-year agreement which includes on-going technical and production assistance and the necessary factory trained technical field support while 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.
4.    Commitment to working independently with the AbilityOne to market products to the Government customers under the AbilityOne Program. It is preferred that the chosen manufacturer has a dedicated team for Federal Government sales and marketing.
5.    Willingness to work with the non-profit agency, NIB, and the Committee to ensure that the price to the end-users is a fair and reasonable price.
6.    Manufacturers' submissions must demonstrate that proposed products meet the various criteria, as well as indicate what functions the nonprofit agency's employees would perform.


The deadline for response is January 11, 2019.


Responses should be directed to the contact listed in this Notice.


Questions should be directed to Judy Szabo at jszabo@nib.org.


Judy Szabo, Phone 703-310-0352, Email jszabo@nib.org

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