On behalf of the AbilityOne Program, (National Industries for the Blind - NIB), a designated central nonprofit agency, is pursuing potential partnerships with U.S. commercial manufacturers of powder-based drink mixes to include fruit flavors, flavored coffees and teas, and hot chocolate for the purpose of providing employment for people who are blind or severely disabled by furnishing such products to the Federal government. 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 Committee's Procurement List (PL).

At a minimum, the powder-based drink mixes described must:
1. Meet and/or exceed the FAR and other published Federal standards including Executive Orders and applicable agency-unique requirements.
2. Offer purchase of drink mixes in bulk form.
3. Include sugar and sugar-free varieties.
4. Offer single serve and multi-serve yield formulations.
5. Offer a shelf life for up to 2 years.
6. Offer dispenser equipment where required.

To be considered for the commercial partner opportunity, the following criteria at a minimum must be met:

1. Possession of a recognizable brand name that can be demonstrated to have significant appeal through evidence of substantial sales and market share.
2. The ability to offer a complete line of powder-based drink mix flavors in sugar and sugar-free varieties.
3. Willingness to enter into a multi-year agreement, which includes on-going technical and production assistance while enabling the selected nonprofit agency to meet the suitability criteria of the AbilityOne Program in the production process by supplying the powder-based drink mix in bulk form which the non-profit agency will machine package into finished form, thereby creating employment for people who are blind or severely disabled.
4. The chosen commercial manufacturer must be willing to set a high priority for delivering the bulk materials to the nonprofit agency in order to assure the agency of on-time deliveries to the end-user customers.
5. Commitment to working cooperatively with AbilityOne personnel to market the products to government customers under the AbilityOne Program.
6. Willingness to work with the selected nonprofit agency, NIB and the Committee to ensure that the products' price to end-users is a fair and reasonable price.
7. All products must be manufactured and lab tested, certified and customer tested to be effective according to their purpose.
8. Manufacturers' submissions must demonstrate that the specific products meet the various criteria, as well as indicate what functions the nonprofit agency's employees would perform. The written submission should recommend ways to maximize the employment for people who are blind or severely disabled in the fulfillment of the products.

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

Questions should be directed to Ryan Gold at 703-310-0401.

Bid Protests Not Available