Cold Packs

The USPS does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this Request for Information (RFI) or to pay for the information solicited. The RFI is issued for the purpose stated in Section 2.0 Objectives. The information contained herein is to be used only for potentially conducting business with the Postal Service and for no other purpose. Any dissemination, distribution, copying, or use of this RFI or the information contained in this document is strictly prohibited. By submitting a response or proposal in response to this RFI document, the potential supplier understands and agrees that it assumes all risk and expenses associated with its responses or proposal submissions regardless of whether or not a contract is ultimately awarded based upon such submission. Potential suppliers that include data in their proposals or responses that they do not want used or disclosed by the Postal Service for any purpose other than evaluation may include language in the introductory material of their proposals or responses to indicate that the proposal or response includes data that may not be duplicated, used, or disclosed outside the Postal Service - in whole or in part - for any purpose other than for evaluation or as required by law. The data subject to this restriction can be identified either in this section or by labeling each page that contains proprietary data. If a contract is awarded to a potential or prospective partner as a result of - or in connection with - the submission of such data, the Postal Service will have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose that data to the extent provided in the resulting contract. This restriction does not limit the Postal Service's right to use information contained in the data if it is obtained from another source without restriction. 1.0 Background The U.S. Postal Service provides packaging supplies specially designed for use with its domestic and international Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail services at no additional cost to customers. Packaging items include corrugated containers and envelopes, as well as a range of pressure sensitive labels and decals. Because all items are preprinted with the logo of the corresponding U.S. Postal Service brand, the packaging is more easily identified in the mail stream, enabling improved mail processing operations. The printed graphics and logo also act as a promotional tool to build brand awareness among customers. The overall objectives of the packaging program are to: Generate new revenue by attracting new customers and growing business with existing customers. Increase processing efficiency and improve on-time delivery through clear identification of domestic and international Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail items in the mail stream. Increase customer retention and loyalty by providing packaging that fits the customer's specific shipping needs. The Postal Service is partnering with the grocery industry and looking for a cost effective solution to deliver groceries nationwide. The content must maintain frozen foods while shipping for a certain period of time. 2.0 Objectives The purpose of this RFI is to identify: 1. Interested suppliers to manufacture affordable options on preserving refrigerated and frozen foods while shipping. Additionally, supplier must come up with a USABLE ALGORITHM to maintain cold-based products in ambient temperature in certain packaging, as well as length of time the product remains cold. Submissions must show how to vary cold products based on the following factors: a. Maintain frozen products for a minimum of 24 hours b. Maintain refrigerated products for a minimum of 24 hours c. Multi use/more than once d. Alternatives using dry ice or jell packs is acceptable or other means of keeping products cold e. Size of packaging must be approximately 17 x 17 x 18 f. Durable packaging (box and/or bag) g. Seal is very important h. Actual testing data proving above a to g factors required 2. Schedule to deliver 3 prototypes per version 3. Company's past history and accomplishments similar in scope to this endeavor. 4. Production facility location(s) and capabilities. 3.0 General Instructions RFI responses to the objectives referenced in section 2.0 above are due by close of business November 18, 2014. If you are interested in participating in this RFI, please send an email with the following Subject Line: Cold Pack RFI at emma.a.sellars@usps.gov .Please include the following information in your email: (1) Company Name (U.S. companies only); (2) Complete Mailing Address; (3) Point of Contact (POC); (4) Title of POC; (5) Telephone Number of POC; (6) eMail Address of POC (7) Please remember to include your responses to the objectives referenced in section 2.0. NO TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL BE ENTERTAINED Primary Point of Contact: Emma A. Sellars Purchasing and Supply Management Specialist Emma.a.sellars@usps.gov Phone: 303-743-1220 Secondary Point of Contact: Caroline Boyle, Contracting Officer caroline.z.boyle@usps.gov Phone: 303-743-1301