Brand Name National Stock Numbers: Industry Feedback Request

GSA's Supply Chain Management Contracting Division is seeking feedback from industry regarding the Brand Name National Stock Numbers (NSNs) published with this notice.

The NSNs were established as Brand Name (BN) specific at the point they were created, and therefore the Item Purchase Descriptions (IPDs) are likewise written as BN specific. Supporting information was provided at the point of NSN/IPD creation, however in some cases that information may no longer be relevant (see FAR Part 10), and as Brand Name specific items, GSA is seeking to verify whether the need described by the IPDs can in fact only be met by the one particular manufacturer cited (the manufacturer indicated in the IPD), or whether other manufacturers’ products (or brands) can be offered which can meet the requirement.

In order to meet the continued need for these items on behalf of our customers, GSA will seek to add these items to contract, but during the lifecycle of the NSN, we are issuing this notice as a request to industry to provide feedback confirming or countering the requirement as described. Are these manufacturer names and part numbers, as listed in the IPDs, the only manufacturers that will meet the requirement, or are there suitable substitute manufacturer names and part numbers that can be offered to meet the requirement? Please note that supporting information must be provided by industry respondents by filling in accurately and completely, all of the designated columns, for any NSN(s) that you are seeking to comment on.

To respond to this feedback request, please complete the attached excel template in the highlighted columns designated for industry feedback, along with supporting documentation for all NSNs where you indicated a viable substitute, and email them to contact@example.gov. Note that all literature must contain the NSN indicated on every page of literature submitted so that the NSN association being made is clear. Also the subject line of your email must follow this naming convention: BN NSN Industry Feedback, [Your Vendor or OEM Name]. ie, "BN NSN Industry Feedback, ABC Corporation".

All NSNs with corresponding Brand Name Only manufacturer and part numbers are listed on the Brand Name attachment. To request an individual IPD, please email contact@example.gov with the following naming convention in the subject: “BN NSN Industry Feedback, IPD Request, NSN (please list NSN)”

The Government will not review or consider submissions concerning NSNs that are currently included on the AbilityOne Procurement List. Such NSNs are outside the scope of this RFI. 

The Government will not consider submissions that rely on proprietary, export-controlled, or otherwise restricted technical data the respondent is not legally authorized to use or disclose. Respondents must ensure that all submitted information was lawfully obtained and may be provided to the Government.

Please note that this is a continuous RFI, submissions can be received at anytime during the life of the RFI.