General Use Cleaning Products
The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has found that cleaners from different vendors within the same cleaner category have a wide range of technical characteristics thereby requiring different shipboard storage locations. NAVSEA and Naval Supply Command (NAVSUP) have also found that vendors are directly soliciting products to U.S. Navy ships in violation of U.S. Navy policy (OPNAVINST 5100.19E). Lastly, the process to approve general use cleaning products for U.S. Navy shipboard use differs from the process to approve other hazardous materials (HAZMAT). To remedy these issues, NAVSEA developed commercial item descriptions (CIDs) in conjunction with NAVSUP and General Services Administration (GSA). The CIDs standardize the salient characteristics of cleaning products, notably pH range, flash point, and constituent chemicals in order to ensure compatible stowage of products within a category. Environmental requirements, such as aquatic toxicity, are also applied to ensure the U.S. Navy remains a good steward of the environment. The CIDs were divided into three groups.
This Sources Sought Synopsis is to issue a Request for Information to identify vendors and products which comply with all requirement set forth in the Group 1 CIDs identified below, and potential sources of supply for each CID. The CIDs are provided in Attachments A-O. Information submitted to the RFI will be reviewed by NAVSEA and vendors/products found to be compliant with the CIDs and with acceptable shipboard units of issue will be forwarded by NAVSEA to GSA for establishment of National Stock Numbers.
The Group 1 CIDs apply to the following General Purpose Cleaner categories: Air Freshener, Carpet Cleaner, Dishwasher Descaler, Hand Dishwashing Detergent, Disinfecting Wipes, Foam Hand Soap, Furniture Polish, Hand Sanitizer, Borax Hand Soap, Liquid Hand Soap, Metal Polish, Oven Cleaner, Pre-soak Cleaner, General Purpose Ready-to-use Detergent, and Waterless Hand Cleaner.
The NSNs established under this process will be added to the Navy's Ships' HAZMAT List (SHML) and be approved for use aboard U.S. Navy ships. All other NSNs on the SHML falling into the Group 1 CID categories will be removed from SHML and prohibited from use onboard U.S. Navy ships.
It is also important to note that NSNs established during this CID process are not vendor specific. Multiple vendors may share a NSN. GSA will select a source using their established solicitation process.
Instructions for specific information to be provided in the response are provided under the attachment titled "Sources Sought Submission Instructions."
Sources Sought for both Group 2 and Group 3 General Purpose Cleaner categories will be issued at a later date. CIDs for the following Group 2 General Purpose Cleaner categories will be issued once a universal concentrate dispenser is identified and approved by NAVSEA: Floor Stripper, Glass Cleaner, Concentrated Heavy Duty Cleaner, and Non-food Contact Disinfectant. CIDs for the following Group 3 General Purpose Cleaner categories will be issued once a galley suitable dispenser system is identified and approved by NAVSEA and the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM): Machine Dishwashing Detergent, Dishwasher Rinse Additive, and Food Contact Cleaner. Products submitted which fall into a Group 2 or Group 3 CID category will not be considered under this RFI.
Ashley E Gayle, Senior Contract Specialist, Phone 2158977604, Email ashley.gayle@navy.mil
