8457--Sources Sought Jewelry for Self Employment Plan

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through the Veterans Benefits Administration, is conducting market research under solicitation number 36C10D26Q0088 to determine the feasibility of setting aside a future procurement for jewelry and related accessories used in a self-employment program, with a strong emphasis on Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB). The North American Industry Classification System code is 339910, with a size standard of 700 employees, and the requirement is governed by the Buy American Act, requiring compliance with FAR Clause 52.225-1 and FAR Provision 52.225-2 for domestic content certification. If a small business set-aside is pursued, the Nonmanufacturer Rule under FAR 52.219-33 will not apply; instead, a preferential evaluation factor for SDVOSB/VOSB entities will be utilized. Respondents are asked to indicate their business size status and whether they qualify as SDVOSB/VOSB, and to note if they are unable to meet the Nonmanufacturer Rule but still wish to participate under a general small business set-aside. The items of interest include laserable bookmarks, PU leather keychains, aluminum sheet holders, wooden and resin jewelry stands, velvet organizers, and stainless steel necklaces and pendants, with quantities specified but no pricing or contract value disclosed, as this is a pre-solicitation notice. The place of performance is identified as Boston, Massachusetts, at the JFK Federal Building, with the contracting office located in Washington, DC. There are no packaging, preservation, or labeling specifications outlined, nor are any military standards or barcoding requirements referenced. No inspection criteria, acceptance location details, or quality standards beyond compliance with the Buy American Act and socioeconomic regulations are provided. There is no defined period of performance, delivery schedule, or FOB terms, and no payment, invoicing, or accounting information is included. The solicitation is purely for market research purposes, with responses due by May 1, 2026, and should be submitted to Afia Monteaperto via email or mail, including confirmation of business size status and SDVOSB/VOSB certification if applicable. No COR/COTR information is given, and no formal proposal format, page limits, or file type requirements are mandated, though electronic submission via email is implied. This notice serves to gauge industry interest and