I. INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is issuing this Sources Sought Notice-Request for Information to improve its understanding of market capabilities and identify qualified vendors capable of delivering custom cut polypropylene membrane filters. II. BACKGROUND The Dust Division of MSHA’s Technical Support Branch is seeking to supplement its stock of polypropylene membrane filters used in the FTIR (Fourier Transform Infra-red) analysis for crystalline quartz in coal mine respirable dust samples. III. OBJECTIVE The objective of this action is to locate available sources for potential award of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for polypropylene membrane filters. The laboratory uses 19 mm diameter, 0.45 µm pore sized, and are hydrophilic with a typical thickness of 114 µm (4.5 mils). The membrane filters must have a uniform porosity and thickness and not contain any artifacts that interfere with the determination of crystalline quartz and kaolinite* by FTIR. *Kaolinite clay can also be present in coal dust and interferes by absorbing radiation at the same wavelength as quartz. If kaolinite is present in the sample it must be quantified and subtracted from the measurement of quartz. IV. CAPABILITY STATEMENT Through narrative description, the Contractor’s response must identify if there is a commercially available off-the-shelf item that will meet MSHA’s need and include the required information in section V. Submission Requirements. The capabilities statement should not exceed 10 pages and should be provided in a format compatible with Microsoft Office or Adobe. Vendors are also encouraged to submit product brochures and additional information on their product. These items will not be subject to a page number limitation. V. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS i. The following information shall be provided in response to this Request for Information: a. Vendor’s name; b. Vendor’s address; c. Point of contact name, telephone number, and e-mail address; d. DUNS Number; e. Identification of business size (small business, small disadvantaged, Small Woman-Owned Business, Small Veteran-Owned Business, Small Disabled Veteran-Owned Business, Small/Disadvantaged Business SBA 8(a) Program, (HUB) Zone small business); f. GSA Schedule information if applicable; g. Specifications of the product the vendor can provide and the estimated delivery time; h. Indicate if the vendor is the manufacturer of the product or include the manufacturer of the product the vendor can provide; i. If the vendor is an authorized distributor; j. Include names of customers that purchased the same proposed polypropylene media for the purpose of conducting quartz analysis using NIOSH Method 7603; and j. If a subcontractor will be utilized, the name of the subcontractor, the DUNS number, and their socio-economic status. ii. Responses must be submitted in writing according to the requirements outlined in this document and received via e-mail by
[email protected] no later than 12:00 PM (EST) on March 30, 2020. Late responses may not be considered or evaluated. VI. AGENCY POINT OF CONTACT Mindy Smith Contract Specialist, Mine Safety and Health Administration
[email protected] VII. OTHER INFORMATION All interested and qualified businesses are encouraged to respond to this notice in accordance with the instructions found herein. Responding to this RFI does not guarantee an award of a contract nor does the Government guarantee that a solicitation will be issued as a result of the RFI. The information provided may be used by MSHA in developing an acquisition strategy, Statement of Work, etc. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on this request or to otherwise pay for the information submitted in response to this request. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary, restricted, or competition sensitive information contained in their response.