Thermal Stabilizers

This is a Small Business Sources Sought notice (hereinafter Notice). This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, request for bids or quotations, nor, a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding: (1) the availability and capability of qualified small business sources; (2) whether they are small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB); 8(a) small businesses; veteran-owned small businesses; woman-owned small businesses (WOSB); economically disadvantaged women-owned small businesses, (EDWOSB) or small disadvantaged businesses; and (3) their size classification relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this potential requirement. The NAICS code for this sources sought is 325199 with a size standard of 1,250. If a vendor feels that another NAICS code is more appropriate, please discuss that in your capability response. Responses to this Notice will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether or not a set-aside is possible. An organization that is not considered a small business under the applicable NAICS code should not submit a response to this Notice." The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has interest in, and is seeking to identify suppliers of thermal stabilizers for use in a Poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) Plastisol. The thermal stabilizer should maintain the integrity of the PVC chain with repeated heating from room temperature up to 200'C, with regular operation between room temperature and 100'C with exposure to a basic solution with a pH higher than 11. The stabilizer should comply with environmental regulations in Fort Worth, Texas and Washington, DC. Barium, zinc, and blends of barium/zinc-based thermal stabilizers are preferred. In addition, stabilizers in the liquid state are preferred. Responses to this Notice should include the following: 1. A description of the material composition 2. A safety data sheet 3. Any technical data sheets for the material 4. The shelf life of the material 5. Place of manufacture 6. How long after an order is placed does it take for the material to ship 7. Minimum order quantity 8. Environmental health and safety requirements 9. Vendor's technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses 10. Rough order of magnitude A current SDS should be included for review by Environmental Health and Safety to determine if the material can be used at BEP facilities. If approved, a sample maybe requested. This Notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. All costs associated with responding to this Notice are solely at the responding party's expense. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Further, the Government may contact the vendor for additional information regarding the information submitted as part of this market research effort. Any organization responding to this Notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. Information provided will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for the potential requirement and may lead to the development of a solicitation. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract or agreement. The BEP will not be obligated to pursue any particular acquisition alternative as a result of this notice. Responses to the notice will not be returned. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if one is issued. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). If so, respondents are solely responsible for properly marking and identifying such information within their response.