This Sources Sought is posted to seek interested vendors to manfacture and deliver Face Coverings as decribed below the requirement.

The anticipated requirement for this item is as follows:

Lot 1: Maximum Dollar Value $6.5M

Lot 2: Maximum Dollar Value $6.5M

There is no set quantity or delivery destination(s) established for the above lots. However, the delivery destination(s) will be in the US.

PLEASE NOTE: OFFERED PRODUCTS MUST BE MANUFACTURED DOMESTICALLY FROM 100% DOMESTIC PRODUCTS. 

If interested, please submit an estimated (FOB Destination) unit price or price range for each lot to [email protected]. DO NOT email the Point of Contact listed on this annoucement. This information will be used for MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY and does NOT constitute a proposal.

Product Description for Cover, Face                                17 September 2020

Scope

The Contractor shall provide all necessary material and equipment in order to manufacture cloth face covers for individual wear.  Note that the face cover is intended to provide a basic level of protection from the spread of viruses such as Coronavirus/COVID-19.  The face cover is not intended to replace surgical masks, N-95 respirators, or other medical devices.  Face cover designs should comply with the Center for Disease Control and U.S. Surgeon General’s guidelines on cloth face covers (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-covers.html).

Size

Face covers are one size fits all

Salient Characteristics

The face cover shall be made of at least two layers of cloth.  The face cover shall cover the user’s face from nose to chin, and shall fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face. The face cover shall feature ear loops, made of elastic or other textile materials, which will be used to secure the face cover to the user’s face.  Construction and materials shall allow for breathing without restriction, and shall not restrict the User’s vision or movement.  The air permeability of the face cover shall be 25 cubic feet per minute per square foot minimum when tested in accordance with ASTM D737.  The air permeability requirement applies throughout the life cycle of the face cover (initially and after re-use.)  The face cover shall be able to be used multiple times without damage to, or change in fitment of, the face cover.  The face cover shall be solid in color, and shall not contain any writing, logos, or designs on the exterior (visible) portion of the face cover.  The face cover shall not contain any anti-microbial or anti-viral finishes or chemicals.  Face covers shall be a neutral color. 

Material:

The base material shall be cloth (woven, non-woven, and/or knitted cloth are acceptable) that has been shown to be non-irritating and non-toxic to the user.  The design shall incorporate multiple layers of cloth over the face portion of the face cover (not including bindings, hems, or ear loops.) 

Color requirements for the face cover(s) will be specified in the procurement document(s). 

Toxicity Requirements:

The contractor is responsible and must assure that all components are made from non-toxic materials. The Government reserves the right to verify that components are non-toxic in accordance with the following:

a. Title 40 Code of Federal regulations, current Edition and applicable sections.

b. As an alternative to animal and human testing, the contractor may provide information which certifies that components are composed of chemicals and/or materials which have been safely used commercially were prolonged skin contact has occurred.

The Contractor shall provide one set of instructions for proper care and use in each unit pack.  If the face cover is intended to be laundered, detailed laundering instructions shall be included. 

Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for all components shall be acceptable for verification of the materials used.  The Government reserves the right to require the Contractor to furnish test reports to validate materials or other technical requirements. 

SECTION D – PACKAGING AND MARKING   

One Case has 500 face covers.

PRES/PACK C/C TO ASTM-D-3951

Packaging shall be as per ASTM-D-3951 and MIL-STD-147.

Pallet shall be 4-way entry type and wing type. 

Packaging examination.  The fully packaged end item shall be examined for the defects listed below.  The lot size shall be expressed in units of shipping containers.  The sample unit shall be one shipping container fully packaged.  The Inspection level shall be S-2 and the AQL, expressed in terms of defects per hundred units, shall be 2.5.

Examine              Defect

Marking (exterior)            

& Unit Pack         Omitted; incorrect; illegible, of

improper size, location, sequence

                     or method of application.

Materials           Any component missing, damaged

                    or not as specified.

Workmanship         Inadequate application of components,

                    such as: incomplete closure of

                    container flaps, loose strapping,

                    improper taping, or inadequate

                    stapling. Bulged or distorted

                    container.

Contents            Number of intermediate containers

                    per shipping container is more or

                    less than required.

                    Number of items per container is

                    more or less than required.

Palletization examination.  The fully packaged and palletized end items shall be examined for the defects listed below.  The lot size shall be expressed in units of palletized unit loads.  The sample unit shall be one palletized unit load, fully packaged.

The Inspection level shall be S-1 and the AQL, expressed in terms of defects per hundred units, shall be 6.5.

Examine               Defect

Finished         Length, width or height exceeds                

Dimensions       specified maximum requirement.

Palleti-         Pallet pattern not as specified.

zation           Interlocking of loads not as

                 specified. Load not bonded with

                 required straps as specified.

Weight           Exceeds maximum load limits.

Marking          Omitted; incorrect; illegible;

                 of improper size, location,

                 sequence or method of appli-

                 cation.

MIL-STD-147E

w/CHANGE 1

23 December 2013

SUPERSEDING

MIL-STD-147E

16 May 2008

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

STANDARD PRACTICE

PALLETIZED UNIT LOADS

Important Note on Foreign Content:

The Defense appropriations and authorization acts and other statutes (including what is commonly referred to as "The Berry Amendment" impose restrictions on the DoD's acquisition of foreign products and services. Generally, Clothing and Textile items (as defined in DFARS clause 252.225-7012) and "specialty metals" (as defined in DFARS clause 252.225-7014) must be grown, reprocessed, reused, melted or produced in the United States, its possessions or Puerto Rico, unless one of the DFARS 225.7002-2 exceptions applies.