RFI Market Research Department of State Crystal Glassware

Description

U.S. Department of State-Crystal Glassware RFI-Request for Information ONLY Charlotte Cameron- Senior Contracting Officer-CameronCR@state.gov The purpose of this synopsis is to announce that the Department of State intends to issue a solicitation for U. S. manufacturing of lead free glass and crystal tabletop ware to be used for representational purposes for the U. S. Department of State's Overseas Building Operations. This notice serves only as market research purposes. This notice is soley identify possible interested parties. This requirement will be processed and procured under FAR Part 12 - Acquisition for Commercial Items and FAR Part 13.5 - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items. Only one firm fixed price Indefinite Quantity Indefinite Delivery award will be made as a result of soliciitation released at a later date.. Description: The Contractor shall produce and provide high quality lead-free glass and crystal tabletop ware with clarity and free of any imperfections; which means, the tabletop ware shall not have any blemishes, bubbles, or cloudy discolorations. The design patterns, which are to be supplied by the U.S. Government (USG) and reproduced by the Contractor, shall be exclusive to the U.S. Department of State. The crystal tabletop ware shall have a sharp high-pitched resonant sound when tapped with a metal object, such as a fork or spoon. Contractor shall provide lead-free glass and crystal. Lead-free crystal relates to fine glass crystal prepared essentially, in weight percent, of TBL SiO2 54-64 BaO 8-13 Li2 O 0-3 SrO 8-13 Na2 O 0-6.5 ZnO 5.5-9 K2 O 0-7 BaO + SrO + ZnO 22-33 Li2 O + Na2 O + K2 O 8-15 wherein at least two of Li2 O, Na2 O, and K2 O are present and are present in essentially equimolar ratios. Contractor shall be able to provide high-end retail industry crystal ware including the etching of the U. S. Department of State Seal on the crested tabletop ware. Contractor shall use sandblasted etching or current etching technology. Etched text and images shall be distinct and defined. Competitive Acquisition: This will be a competitive acquisition. This is set aside 100% for Small Business Concerns. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code 327212 (Other Pressed and Blown Glass and Glassware Manufacturing) with a size standard of 1,250 employees. Contractor must ensure 100% U. S. manufactured lead-free crystal tabletop ware throughout the duration of the contract. All glass and crystalware manufacturing shall be completed on U.S. soil. In accordance with FAR 52.204-7, System for Award Management, prospective offerors must be registered in System for Award Management (SAM) under the applicable NAICS. Offerors may obtain SAM information at https://www.sam.gov. To be eligible for award, offerors must be registered in the SAM Management database. Registration is free and potential offerors are encouraged to visit the SAM website. A contract cannot be awarded to an offeror unless registration is complete in SAM. All interested parties must submit an email to Charlotte Cameron no later than January 16, 2024 @5pm EST with a copy of active SAM registration and confirmation of being a small business. Interested parties must list where the high end crystal ware will be manufactured (active US address), and a short description of past performace in this field. Questions concerning this announcement should be directed to Charlotte Cameron, Contracting Officer via email at CameronCR@state.gov. Telephone requests for information or questions will NOT be accepted.