Description This is a Request for Information (RFI) only released pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 15.201(e). This is NOT a request for proposals and in no way obligates the Government to award any contract. The United States Coast Guard (USCG), Aviation Logistics Center (ALC), Industrial Operation Division (IOD) is conducting Market Research to determine manufacturers and suppliers of Type VII starch-g-acrylic dry stripping blast media for the purpose of de-painting USCG aircraft and aircraft parts. This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned. The purpose of this RFI is to gain knowledge of commercially available products that may be of interest to the USCG. The USCG is looking for companies capable of providing Type VII (Starch-g-acrylic) dry stripping blast media that meets or exceeds the requirements of Military Specification (Mil Spec) MIL-P-85891A "Plastic Media for Removal of Organic Coatings". In addition to blast media, a spent media recycling/disposal plan shall be in place so that the spent media generated through the aircraft de-painting process results in the generation of a new recyclable product suitable for use as an absorbent material or similar use. This resulting product must have its own Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to avoid generating a new waste stream. The spent media recycling/disposal plan shall also state where the resulting product will be used and for what purpose. All Contractors, qualified to provide Type VII drying stripping blast media, should submit a response presenting sufficient information to substantiate that: 1. They have Type VII drying stripping blast media that meets or exceeds Mil Spec MIL-P-85891A. 2. They have a recycling program for the pickup and use of the spent blast media. Explain this program. 3. Can your company provide a letter from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) stating there is traceability to the OEM to ensure the media is suitable for use on USCG aircraft? 4. Do you have a GSA schedule, if so what is the schedule number? 5. Provide any additional comments/information you may have regarding this procurement. After the review of the responses to this RFI, and if the USCG still plans to proceed with the acquisition, a solicitation announcement or special notice will be published on the Federal Business Opportunity (FBO) website. Responses to this RFI are not adequate response to any future solicitation announcement. Responses to this RFI are NOT a request to be added to a prospective offerors list or to receive a copy of any solicitation. Reimbursement will not be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement and any follow-up information requests. Telephone responses will not be accepted in response to this RFI. Correspondence must include a company point of contact, phone number and email address. At the discretion of the Contracting Officer, the USCG may use all or part of any suggestions or questions received in future correspondence regarding the Blast Media. The original author will not be identified. The USCG may consider the information provided by qualified suppliers in the development of acquisition documents and planning for the Blast Media acquisition. However, the USCG is not required to change or add any requirements to any future Blast Media procurements based on the responses received as a result of this RFI. Closing date and time for receipt of response is 10 February 2016, 4:30 p.m., EST. However, responses received after this closing date and time may still be reviewed by the USCG and used to develop the acquisition strategy. Responses must be received via email at
[email protected] with the following subject line "Wireless Inter Communication Systems, Company Name".