8115--Custom Shipping Boxes

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE / REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI); not a pre-solicitation notice or solicitation for proposals/quotations. This RFI is being issued as a means of conducting market research to identify parties that have an interest in and the resources to support this requirement. Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Denver Logistic Service (DLS) and Commodities and Services Acquisition Service (CSAS), in support of the Veterans Health Administration is seeking suppliers of custom shipping boxes and associated shipping materials. The objective is to ensure availability and consistency of products for DLS usage. The VA anticipates awarding a firm fixed price indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts for a base year, and four, one (1) year option periods to a qualified manufacturer. Items will be for delivery, F.O.B destination. It is anticipated this contract will be utilized by VA DLS. all items must be commercially available. The VA anticipates the following line-item requirements:

VA DLS warehouse anticipates shipping an estimated average of 60,000 boxes per month and an estimated 700,000 to 850,000 products annually. The actual quantities will be based upon the number of patients who are determined eligible by VA to receive these products.

The contractor shall provide shipping boxes in the dimensions listed below to the DLS warehouse for use to mail completed product to eligible Veteran Patients throughout the United States.

The contractor shall provide shipping boxes, assembled, with an auto-bottom feature to the DLS. Boxes shall be Single Wall, with an Edge Crush Test of 32 lbs., Size Limit of 75 in., and a Gross Weight of 65 lbs.

The results of this RFI will be utilized to determine if any Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business/Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB/VOSB) opportunities exist. However, this RFI is also being used to identify potential and eligible firms, of all sizes, prior to determining the method of acquisition and issuance of a solicitation. This requirement is assigned a NAICS code of 322211, Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing. The size standard for this NAICS code is 1.250 employees.

As a result of this RFI, the VA DLS/CSAS may conduct a competitive procurement and subsequently award a contract(s). Your responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.

INFORMATION REQUESTED AND QUESTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED: All interested parties shall submit with their response the following information – name of organization, corporate address, SAM Unique Entity ID, point of contact name, title, phone and email, and socioeconomic category, as it relates to NAICS 322211, as well as its responses to the questions below.

QUESTIONS – We are requesting interested parties submit answers and/or provide responses to the following:

1. Please submit a copy of your commercial retail pricing for custom shipping boxes.


2. What steps could you take to provide VA and Veteran specific customer service?


3. Provide estimated prices for the products listed therein.


4. Does your company have experience with a business like ours and understands our needs?


5. As our business grows, can your company scale to our needs whether to increase or slow down production? Is your company flexible enough to adjust accordingly?


6. Is your customer service department readily available, quick to respond and knowledgeable?


7. If we needed to cancel an order, what can we expect from you as a vendor?


8. As innovations improve on manufacturing processes, can your company adapt to those newer technologies to provide a higher quality product or pass on cost savings?


9. What types of resources are you looking to add?


10. What quality management processes do you have in place to ensure consistency of quality and meeting deadlines?


11. What is your preferred method of communication?


12. What options does your company have or can your company provide that might reduce costs?


13. Are there any circumstances that you can identify that might cause a price increase either now or in the future?


14. What is your company’s process if product does not arrive at our location?


15. Is your company financially stable?


16. Does your company have a strong customer base?


17. How long has your company been in this industry?

Interested parties are encouraged to submit this information electronically to Eric Asper email addresses below, or by mail to Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Denver Logistics Center (003A4D1), Attn: Eric Asper, 555 Corporate Circle, Golden, CO 80401. Questions may be directed to Eric Asper at Eric.Asper@va.gov. Responses are due by 2:30 pm Mountain Standard Time on December 13, 2024. E-mail communication must include the company name, address, point of contact name and title, e-mail address, and telephone number.

DISCLAIMER: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. Additionally, this RFI does not obligate the Government to the issuance of a Request for Proposal. All information received in response to the RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. In accordance with FAR 15.202 (e), responses to this notice are not an offer and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.