The U.S. Marine Corps is conducting market research to determine whether there is any source of stainless steel flatware that is manufactured in the United States with stainless steel melted wholly in the United States or a “qualifying country” (that is, any country set forth in subsection 225.872-1 of the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)) who is interested in selling such flatware to the U.S. Marine Corps or its agents. Currently, the Marine Corps operates 55 mess halls in the continental United States to feed Marine Corps personnel. The stainless steel flatware used at these mess halls consists of stainless steel forks, knives, and spoons. As a result of stainless steel flatware losses that occur each year, the Marine Corps annually must acquire replacement stainless steel flatware to maintain acceptable inventory levels at all of its mess halls. Estimated annual replacement quantities are approximately 52,000 table forks; 28,000 table knives; 32,000 soup spoons; and 42,000 tea spoons. Section 2533a of Title 10, United States Code, (as implemented by DFARS 225.7002-1(b)) prohibits the use of funds made available to the Department of Defense to purchase stainless steel flatware unless the flatware is produced in the United States with stainless steel melted wholly in the United States or a “qualifying country.” For example, a U.S. company that silver-plates flatware manufactured by foreign sources does not qualify as a domestic producer of stainless steel flatware for the purpose of complying with these requirements. If your company manufactures stainless steel flatware in the United States with stainless steel melted wholly in the United States or a qualifying country and is interested in selling such flatware to the U.S. Marine Corps, or its agents, please contact Mr. John Martin, at Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps, at (703) 695-6225 ext 2529 or email
[email protected]. Our mailing address is: Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps, Attn: Contracts Division (Code LB) John Martin, 2 Navy Annex, Room 2135, Washington, DC 20380-1775. You may provide any literature that you have on the stainless steel flatware as well as your prices. Information provided by companies shall be at no cost to the Government. This synopsis neither constitutes a Request for Proposal or Invitation for Bid, nor does it restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition approach. This Sources Sought Synopsis should not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose. Closing date for responses is 8 December 2005. There is no RFP or solicitation.