Sources Sought for Co-brand Partner for Labeling Tapes

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 Labeling Tapes 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 expectation is that the co-branded product will be placed on the AbilityOne Procurement List (PL). The Labels must meet and/or exceed FAR and other Federal Government published standards, Executive Orders and Federal Agency requirements. At a minimum, the following criteria must be met: 1. Labeling Tapes. Thermal Transfer, cartridges and roll configuration. Available with adhesive that won't leave residue, with permanent adhesive, with industrial-strength adhesive that resists moisture, extreme temperatures and UV light. Available in range of colors that adhere to OSHA, ANSI and ISO color standards. Widths ½" 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 within the Labeling Tape industry. 2. Willingness to enter into a multi-year agreement, which includes on-going technical and production assistance while enabling the selected non-profit agency to meet the suitability criteria of the AbilityOne Program in the production process by supplying the rights to allow the item to be manufactured by an AbilityOne agency or in an unassembled form which the non-profit agency will package into finished form, thereby creating employment for people who are blind or severely disabled. 3. Commitment to working cooperatively with AbilityOne personnel to market the products to government customers under the AbilityOne Program. 4. Willingness to work with the selected non-profit agency, NIB and the U.S. AbilityOne Commission to ensure that the products' price to end-users is a fair and reasonable price. 5. All products must be manufactured and lab tested, certified and customer tested to be effective according to their purpose. 6. Manufacturers' submissions must demonstrate that the specific products meet the various criteria, as well as indicate what functions the non-profit 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. The deadline for response is December 7, 2015. Responses should be directed to the contact listed in this Notice. Questions should be directed to Judy Szabo at 703-310-0352.