On behalf of the U.S. AbilityOne Commission (operating name of The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled) the independent federal agency that administers the AbilityOne Program, SourceAmerica, a designated central nonprofit agency, is pursuing potential partnerships with U.S. commercial manufacturers of Coffee 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 ultimate expectation is that the co-branded product will be placed on the AbilityOne Procurement List (PL). The Coffee 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) Possession of a nationally known brand name that can be demonstrated to have significant appeal through evidence of substantial sales. 2) Willingness to enter into a multi-year agreement, which includes technical assistance for the nonprofit agency that is currently assigned to manufacture (in whole or in part), package, pack and distribute the product in question thereby creating employment for people who are significantly disabled. 3) Possibility of there being multiple co-brand partners. 4) Commitment to working with the AbilityOne team to market the product to Department of Defense customers under the AbilityOne Program. Willingness for potential unique or appropriate Product Branding and Labeling implications to denote connection between brand partners or brand elements. 5) Willingness to work with the non-profit agency, SourceAmerica and the AbilityOne Commission to ensure that the price to the end-user is a fair and reasonable price. Additionally, the partnerships shall meet the following project specific criteria (appear in order of importance; proposals should address each criteria): 1) The Nonprofit Agency (NPA) currently assigned to package coffee will receive both whole beans and roasted and ground coffee from the selected co-brand partners. Once the NPA receives the coffee in super sacks from the nationally recognized coffee companies, the NPA will re-package into smaller re-sealable pouches, pack, label, and distribute to the DoD Prime Vendors world-wide. 2) Proposals from interested parties with a proven, positive past performance in co-branding coffee products with the AbilityOne Program will be given preference. Willingness to establish a collaborative manufacturing process which allows for "value added" tasks to be performed by individuals with significant disabilities through the AbilityOne Program. This will involve providing green or roasted whole beans or roasted and ground coffee to the nonprofit agency in super sacks for grinding (if necessary), packaging, packing, labeling, marking, and distributing to (DoD) through the Prime Vendor Program. Respondents are encouraged to submit other collaborative manufacturing process scenarios, which allow for "value added" tasks to be performed by individuals with significant disabilities. Proposals can include multiple collaborative manufacturing scenarios. Proposals that maximize employment for individuals with significant disabilities will be given preference. Manufacturers' submissions shall indicate what functions the nonprofit agency's employees would perform. 3) Performance history during the past 24 months (commercial and Government). Past performance is defined as the manufacturer's record of conforming to standards of good workmanship; adherence to delivery schedules; reputation for reasonable and cooperative behavior; commitment to customer satisfaction; and an overall business-like concern for the interests of the customer. Past performance will be used to determine whether the manufacturer has consistently demonstrated a commitment to customer satisfaction and to timely delivery of high quality goods at fair and reasonable prices. 4) Past experience working with Social Enterprises in closely related Jobs support and Operational provisions capacities. Proposals should include detailed descriptions of such arrangements: Products or Services provided,; Associated coordinated activities; Responsibilities; Duration; Results or outcomes from arrangement. 5) Past experience with a same or similar co-branding partnership. Proposals should include description of partnership; timeframe; partner diversity (small business, minority owned business, etc.); and results. 6) Past experience in Government sales of Roasted and Ground Coffee. 7) Geographical location(s). 8) Manufacturer's submission shall include their additional requirements for the nonprofit agency such as quality systems/certifications, proprietary information/non-disclosure agreements; defect liability; product recall; etc. 9) Co-brand partners should demonstrate a willingness to work with the nonprofit agency to ensure the price to the Federal customer is fair and reasonable. The deadline for response is September 1, 2017. Responses should be directed to the contact listed in this Notice. Questions should be sent to Angel Chipiwalt at
[email protected] Information regarding the U.S. AbilityOne Commission can be found at www.abilityone.gov. Specific information regarding co-brand agreements can be found by navigating the top left corner of the website. Mouse over Laws, Regulations, and Policy and select Policy Memoranda. Select Operation Memoranda, then select Memorandum Number 22.