U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is in the process of developing a requirement for High Security Bolt Seals as part of the Container Security Initiative (CSI) Program. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is interested in incorporating commercial and industry practices that support this type of procurement. To accomplish this, CBP intends to make industry a partner in all facets of the acquisition process, specifically by providing existing market capabilities, strengths and weaknesses for the acquisition of this commodity. Responses to this RFI will allow CBP to incorporate industry input into the initial stages of the program. Note: RFI responses will NOT be shared with other industry suppliers and will solely be used as part of the contract planning process. Disclaimer: The following requested information to be provided is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) nor does it restrict the Government as to the ultimate acquisition approach. The government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. Any contract that might be awarded based on information received or derived from this RFI will be the outcome of the competitive process. Please reference question number with each response as follows: 1. Company Name, Company Address, Point of Contact, Telephone Number, e-mail Address, and Size of your Organization (i.e. Large Business, Small Business) using FSC Code 5330 and SIC Code 339991 as the basis for your response. In addition, identify whether your company is ISO certified and to what level. 2. Responses should identify your organization’s experience with and capability for manufacturing high security bolt seals. This data should be representative for any high security bolt seals you currently manufacture. This data shall include whether or not the seals comply with ISO/PAS 17712 specifications. 3. Please provide your manufacturing capacity for high security bolt seals on a monthly basis and what quantity could be devoted to CBP. 4. What is the normal lead-time for delivery of high security bolt seals once an order is received? 5. Are you able to produce high security bolt seals that contain a matching serial number on both the head and the shank of the seal? 6. Are you able to package the seals in such a way that the serial numbered head of the assembly will not become separated from the matching serial numbered shank prior to use as well as ensure that the seals are used in serial number numeric order? 7. Do you have technology available to provide an “anti-spinning feature” to prevent the removal of the head from the shank by the high speed spinning of the head? 8. Do you have the capability to produce the high security bolt seals in a customized color? 9. What type of systems are in place to ensure the security of your supply chain as well as background checks on employees? 10. Do you currently maintain or develop a secure web based (i.e. “point and click”) ordering system, shipment tracking and serial number records that can service multiple agencies/locations? 11. Do you allow for Government Purchase Cards as a payment mechanism? 12. Responses should identify any current or potential future environmental, regulatory, or manufacturing concerns. Structure of Responses: Contractors should respond to this RFI by e-mail (only) to
[email protected]. Limit response to a maximum of 20 pages. Contact Information The Point of Contact (POC) for this RFI is as follows: Robert Sieferman Contract Specialist Customs and Border Protection, National Acquisition Center, 6650 Telecom Drive, STE 100, Indianapolis, IN, 46278, Phone (317) 614-4590 Please submit electronic responses (via email) to the POC above no later than 01/06/2006.