This is a sources sought announcement only. It is not a solicitation announcement. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. The purpose of this sources sought announcement is to gain knowledge of potential qualified businesses interested and capable of providing a workable plan for the transportation of medication that require a controlled temperature upon delivery. Please Note: This RFI supplements the last RFI published on 3/13/2015. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) provides mail order prescriptions to veterans using highly automated distribution systems at seven locations throughout the United States. The CMOPs are beginning the process of seeking cold chain packaging effective for maintaining temperatures for 48-72 hours or more for delivery of products to the patients' delivery address. The shipping container will be entered into the USPS (or third party carrier for delivery) and meet all shipping requirements for transportation. Shipping containers must: 1) Maintain product integrity. 2) Sustain 2-8 degrees Celsius temperature range throughout shipping. 3) Maintain required temperature range for 36, 48 and 72 hours respectively. 4) Be compact, durable, possess a tight seal and easy to construct. 5) Hold product plus cold packages required to sustain temperature range. 6) Be available in multiple sizes. Shipping container information must include the following: " 3 different types of coolers lasting: - 36 Hours until delivery - 48 Hours until delivery - 72 Hours until delivery " Material specifications including inside and outside dimensions, total capacity in cubic inches and wall thickness (if applicable). " Composition of material used demonstrating that it is non-toxic. " Temperature qualifications studies: o Completed by an independent lab for each size product. o Must verify that each item (i.e. each size) meets Temperature requirements o Documentation that all components of the shipping unit (e.g. shipping container, PCM, etc.) were tested together as a unit. " Drop, stack, vibration and pressure differential testing " If required any written instructions on how to pack each size container. " Documentation that containers meet USPS and Third Party Carrier shipping requirements ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Please identify your socioeconomic status and the socioeconomic status of manufacturer (if not manufacturing the item) capable of handling the volumes listed in previously published RFI (3/13/2015). These products are meant to standardize the process across all CMOPs. Documentation of technical expertise must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience in the development of this product. Responses to this notice shall include the following: (a) company name (b) address (c) point of contact (d) phone, fax, and email (e) number of employees as defined by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 19.102. The Government will in no way be obligated to issue a solicitation or award a contract for the aforementioned product, and is providing this as information only. The Government will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued. All interested vendors should submit information via email to
[email protected] or
[email protected]. Telephone responses will not be accepted. All information submissions should be received no later than 4:30 pm ET on May 15, 2015. DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.