53 -- NIB is interested in finding a partner, working within the Committee for Purchase Operations Memorandum #22 guidelines, to develop and place on the Procurement List a line of padlocks.

In order to assist in finding a suitable partner, we request the following notice be appropriately placed in the FedBizOps.gov web site at the earliest practicable time: The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (Committee), the Federal agency that oversees the AbilityOne Program, is seeking a U.S. commercial manufacturer of padlocks to partner with a selected nonprofit agency to furnish such products to the Federal Government under the AbilityOne Program. The products described must 1.) The product must be of a solid one piece construction designed to meet CID A-A-59487-2S requirements. 2) The padlocks must meet and/or exceed the FAR and other published Federal standards, including Executive Orders and applicable agency-unique requirements. 3.) Additional product features should include: Locks are solid case hardened steel body with boron alloy steel shackle and stainless steel double-ball locking mechanism. 5- or 6-pin tumbler brass cylinders with solid steel cover plate. Non removable keys for added security and a corrosion resistant body. To be considered for the commercial partner opportunity, the following criteria at a minimum must be met: 1) Possession of a nationally-known brand name that can be demonstrated to have significant appeal through evidence of substantial sales and market share. 2) Ability to offer a complete line of padlocks. 3.) Willingness to enter into a multi-year agreement, which includes on-going technical and production assistance while enabling the selected nonprofit agency to meet the suitability criteria of the AbilityOne Program in the production process by supplying the locks not fully assembled and instructing the non profit agency in proper assembly techniques to complete the manufacturing and subsequent packaging of the products, thereby creating employment for people who are blind or severely disabled. 4) The chosen commercial manufacturer must be willing to set a high priority for delivering the bulk materials to the nonprofit agency in order to assure the agency of on-time deliveries to the end-use customers. 5) Commitment to working cooperatively with AbilityOne personnel to market the products to Government customers under the AbilityOne Program. 6) Willingness to work with the selected nonprofit agency, NIB or NISH and the Committee to ensure that the products? price to end-users is a fair and reasonable price. 7) All products must be manufactured and lab tested, certified and customer tested to be effective according to their purpose. 8) Manufacturers? submissions must demonstrate that the specific products meet the various criteria, as well as indicate what functions the nonprofit agency?s employees would perform. Submission should recommend ways to maximize the employment for people who are blind or severely disabled in the fulfillment of the products. The deadline for response is January 4, 2008 Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated. Should you have any questions, please call Emily Covey at +1 (555) 000-0000.