75 -- ATTEMPT TO DEVELOP PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMERCIAL SUPPLIERS OF OFFICE AND PERSONAL TIME MANAGEMENT FOLIO PLANNERS

The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (Committee), the Federal agency that oversees the AbilityOne formerly Javits-Wagner-O?Day (JWOD) Program, is seeking U.S. commercial manufacturer of office and personal time management folio planners and organizers to partner with a selected nonprofit agency to furnish such products to the Federal Government under the AbilityOne (JWOD) Program. The products described must meet and/or exceed the FAR and other published Federal standards, including Executive Orders and applicable agency-unique requirements. To be considered for this commercial partner opportunity, the following criteria, at a minimum, must also be met: 1) Possession of a nationally known brand name that can be demonstrated to have significant appeal through evidence of substantial sales. 2) Willingness to enter into a multi-year agreement, which includes technical assistance, with a nonprofit agency that meets the criteria of the AbilityOne Program to manufacture (in whole or in part), package, and distribute the products in question thereby creating employment for people who are blind or severely disabled. 3) Commitment to working with the AbilityOne team to market the products to Government customers under the AbilityOne Program. 4) Willingness to work with the nonprofit agency, NISH and the Committee to ensure that the products' price to end-users is a fair and reasonable price. Additionally, the partnership shall meet the following project specific criteria (appear in order of importance; proposals should address each criteria): 1) Willingness to establish a collaborative manufacturing process which allows for ?value added? tasks to be performed by individuals with severe disabilities through the AbilityOne Program. Possibilities might include a) providing technology and printed materials and system components to nonprofit agency for assembly, collation, order management, packaging and shipping; b) providing opportunities for nonprofit agency to manufacture system material components when required capability and quality requirements are met; c) providing directive support to enable nonprofit agency to develop greater overall capability and quality performance levels, enough to produce or supply most proposed system components. Respondents are encouraged to submit other collaborative manufacturing process scenarios, which allow for ?value added? tasks to be performed by individuals with severe disabilities. Proposals can include multiple collaborative manufacturing scenarios. Proposals that maximize employment for individuals with severe disabilities will be given preference. Manufacturers' submissions shall indicate what functions the nonprofit agency's employees would perform. 2) Performance history during the past 24 months (commercial and Government). Past performance is defined as the manufacturer?s record of conforming to standards of good workmanship; adherence to delivery schedules; reputation for reasonable and cooperative behavior; commitment to customer satisfaction; and an overall business-like concern for the interests of the customer. Past performance will be used to determine whether the manufacturer has consistently demonstrated a commitment to customer satisfaction and to timely delivery of quality goods at fair and reasonable prices. 3) Past experience with a same or similar co-branding partnership. Proposals should include description of partnership; timeframe; partner diversity (small business, minority owned business, etc.); and results. 4) Past experience in Government sales of office and personal time management tools. 5) Willingness to consider the potential for a ?Cooperative Arrangement with Industry (CAI)?, which would allow a nonprofit agency to lease the co-brand partner?s excess capacity (space and equipment) to be used and managed solely by the nonprofit agency to fulfill its role in the manufacturing of office and personal time management tools. Resulting agreement will comply with the Committee?s Operations Memorandum No. 21 (?Guidance on Nonprofit Agency Establishment of Subcontract Relationships for Current or Potential Procurement List Projects?). 6) Geographical location(s). Partnership respondents sought in order of preference: In and around Pennsylvania; the Midwest; CONUS. 7) Manufacturer?s submission shall include their additional requirements for the nonprofit agency such as quality systems/certifications, proprietary information/non-disclosure agreements; defect liability; product recall; etc. The deadline for response is July 1, 2007]. NOTE: Proposals from current manufacturers of printed office and personal time management planners & organizers are being sought. Submissions from retailers, resellers, or other entities of this type will not be accepted. Proposals must satisfy all listed criteria in order to be considered for selection. Manufacturers that cannot satisfy all listed criteria will not be eligible for selection.