7510--AUTO BAGS BPM

PURPOSE: This is a Request for Information(RFI)/Sources Sought announcement only. This is not a solicitation announcement. The NCO 15 Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy(CMOP), Contracting office is conducting market research only to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and is issuing this sources sought notice based on a Brand Specific need for mailer bags used in the automated bagger units at the Charleston Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy(CMOP). These are smaller bags in size than what they have previously been using. The following represents the required size and salient characteristics needed to support the initial vetting for these bags to see if the smaller size will meet the sites future production needs for the mailout of patient pharmaceuticals. Required Salient Characteristics: Manufacturer is IMPACKT Part# is ABF1212 External bag dimensions: 12.25in width x 12.375in includes 3/8in tail. Internal bag dimensions: 12in width x 12in length Film: Shall be of a

exterior/interior color to prevent any transparency where patient information could be seen on the outside of the package. co-extruded (3-layer) Opacity is >85 (Lacking transparency) Exterior must be matte finish with no sheen at all so system sensors do not reject. Auto-bag film should contain up to 25% of recycled content. Finishing: Bags must have .125in thick side seams for durability. Heat seal above the skirt and horizontal perforation between bags to assist with separation during packing. Vent holes: 1/4in round punched thru vent holes to allow air to escape in bottom corner of bags. Corner notches: Notches in the side seams to help break perforation as shown in bag diagram. Packaging: Bags must be fan-folded in case, 1500 bags/case to eliminate changing out cases so often which improves our quantity of prescriptions we mail out to veterans daily Delivery Schedule: 1st Delivery Needed by September 5th 2023 Items are to be delivered twice a week: Every Monday Every Thursday Any vendor responding to this notice needs to answer the following questions: 1. Are you an: Authorized Distributor of the Manufacturer? An Authorized Distributor of a Reseller whom is a Authorized Distributor of the Manufacturer? 2. To determine if Buy American Act(BAA) is applicable to this requirement, can you identify if items are considered manufactured in USA? Yes or No Offers are not being solicited currently. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this request for information. Vendors shall address the following questions to be considered a viable source for future needs; Any responses to the sources sought must include answers to all of the above questions in order to adequately assess the capabilities of the marketplace in relation to the requirements of this procurement. When responding please include your company s SAM Unique ID#. Interested sources may respond to this notice via email to larry.zaritz@va.gov, on or before Monday August 21st 2023, 4:00 pm cdt. This Request for Information does not obligate VA to the release of a solicitation. Any questions can be addressed to Larry Zaritz, larry.zaritz@va.gov 913-684-0156