Market Research and Sources Sought Agency: Department of State Office: Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Location: Arlington, VA 1. GENERAL INFORMATION: This “Market Research and Sources Sought” announcement is issued to determine industry interest, capabilities and qualifications to manufacture silver and sterling flatware for the Department of State. The information obtained from this announcement shall be used for preliminary acquisition planning purposes only, and should not be construed as a commitment of any kind to award a contract. NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED FROM THIS MARKET RESEARCH. This announcement is neither a solicitation nor request for proposal and in no way commits the Government to award a contract. Respondents will not be compensated for responding to this announcement, nor will Respondents be notified of the results of this Market Research. The U.S. Department of State reserves the right to terminate this Market Research and/or change its requirements or timeline at any time. Responding to this Market Research does not guarantee participation in future procurements by the Department of State. 2. BACKGROUND: The Department of State provides representational Silver and Sterling Flatware to United States Embassies worldwide and in doing so the Department of State furthers U.S. Diplomatic interests. The purpose of this Market Survey is to determine if there are any U. S. owned and/or controlled flatware manufacturers in the United States that have the technology and resources to provide high-end fine dining retail Silver and Sterling flatware that is cost effective to the Department of State. The United States international relations, national interest and success are, in part, built upon the ability of our ambassadors to entertain host country nationals in our embassies and residences abroad. In this regard, furniture, art and tableware that are provided by the Department of State to our embassies and residencies abroad represent U.S. cultural and manufacturing excellence to our host country guests. 3. DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENTS: The procurement of Silver and Sterling Flatware falls under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 339912 (Silverware and Hollowware Manufacturing). The Government is seeking to identify qualified, experienced and reliable companies capable of providing the following requirements: a) DESIGN: The design will consist of high-end, fine dining retail quality, Traditional American, American Décor flatware for the U. S. Department of State (DOS). The requirements/ specifications include: TEASPOON CREAM SOUP SPOON PLACE/OVAL SOUP SPOON DEMI SPOON ICE BEV SPOON TABLESPOON PRCD SUGAR SPOON DINNER FORK LUNCH FORK SALAD FORK COLD MEAT FORK DINNER KNIFE LUN KNIFE BUTTER SPEARD KNIKE FISH KNIFE PIE SERVING KNIFE SERVING/RICE SPOON PUNCH LADLE UTILITY KNIFE LG SERVING FORK SALD SERV FORK SALAD SERVING SPOON GRAVY LD STUFFING SPOON SHELL SERVER PIERCED SERVING SPOON CRANBERRY/TOM SERVER. ICE CREAM SCOOP CARVING KNIFE STEAK KNIFE BUTTER KNIFE 13IN CAKE KNIFE DINNER KNIFE FISH FORK CARVING FORK (b) PRODUCTION: All of the manufacturing processes must be performed in the United States. Foreign sources will not be considered. 4. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS/CAPABILITY STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS: Interested sources are invited to submit a concise, descriptive and focused capability statement to provide the requirements as described herein. Any submitted brochures, videos, and other materials will not be returned. Sketches or pictures of items can be included in the interested sources’ capability statement package. Do not submit cost or price information with the statement package. All sources should include in their capability statement package a cover letter expressing interest in providing the goods and services in this announcement. The cover letter should provide the name of the interested source, its address, a point of contact, the contact’s title, telephone number, email address and statement of qualifications addressing the Description of Requirements above in Item 3. Interested sources are asked to specify if they are currently manufacturing high-end retail quality silver and sterling flatware in the U. S. or overseas. Responses are due no later than 3:00 PM EST on Tuesday, November 30, 2010. Only hard copies of the capability statement packages will be accepted. Capability statement packages must be addressed as follows: By commercial courier mail (i.e., FedEx/DHL//UPS, etc) to: U. S. Department of State A/LM/AQM/FDCD ATTN: Tandra Jones 1701 N. Fort Myer Drive, Suite L-600 Arlington, VA 22209 By U. S. Postal Service to: U. S. Department of State A/LM/AQM/FDCD ATTN: Tandra Jones P. O. Box 9115 Rosslyn Station Arlington, VA 22219 If you have any questions regarding this announcement, contact Tandra Jones via e-mail,
[email protected], or phone, 703-875-4230, or Blondell Taylor via e-mail,
[email protected], or phone, 703-875-6961 no later than 5:00 PM EST on Monday, November 23, 2010.