RFI for capability and interest from additive suppliers to submit potential LIAs for evaluation and qualification testing for potential inclusion in QPL-32490.

This Request for Information (RFI) is being issued to conduct market research for Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) funded qualification testing for F-76, Naval Marine Distillate Fuel, Lubricity Improver Additives (LIA). DLA Energy is seeking information about the supply capability and interest from additive suppliers to submit potential LIAs for evaluation and qualification testing for potential inclusion in QPL-32490(see assist.dla.mil). We will not evaluate responses that contain components other than LIA.  This RFI is for information and planning purposes and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government, nor will the U.S. Government pay for information solicited. Furthermore, DLA is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals.Due to the preliminary stage of planning, DLA is currently only providing a product specification MIL-PRF-32490A and F-76 specification MIL-DTL-16884P, in Attachments 1 and 2.  F-76 requirements (additized) and

bulk LIA requirements are as follows:Total F-76 requirements 432,000,000 USG for a 1-year period (additized)Total Lubricity Improver Additives Requirements 115,500 USG for a 2.5-year periodThe purpose of this RFI is to solicit input from LIA suppliers that could potentially produce LIAs with different additive chemistry (i.e. Ester based) and/or LIAs that use mono substituted acids that can be manufactured without supply delays and have not been evaluated in the past for qualification testing. The objective to increase the number and types of Lubricity Improver Additives that are qualified and approved on the QPL-32490 for use in F-76 Naval Marine Distillate Fuel.  Currently approved additives are manufactured using raw materials produced using mono substituted fatty acids.  Some government suppliers of these LIAs have stated they are seeing supply chain delays with mono substituted acid raw materials (ex. Tall Oil Fatty Acid).  The delays are being seen globally from competing demands of these raw materials for the personal care and renewables industry.  DLA is seeking industry feedback to be used for planning purposes to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities, and qualifications of interested firms to have their Lubricity Improver Additives submitted for qualification testing. The NAICS code for this RFI is 324191, Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing.If DLA Energy were to offset the costs of the qualification testing for new LIAs would there be any interested parties that can submit capability statements addressing the following:Do you have interest in potentially becoming a supplier of an approved LIA to the government and other government suppliers?Do you currently produce LIAs using mono substituted fatty acids or a different type of raw material?Would you be able to meet bulk LIA requirements for suppliers and the government?  If approved, what would long term production look like?  Do you see any potential production issues i.e. raw materials, shipping delays, production delays?Would you expect your LIA to meet specification requirements of MIL-PRF- 32490A? If not, why?Would said LIA be compatible with other LIA qualified products and other fuel additives such as static dissipater additive, ignition improver, middle distillate flow improver, antioxidants, and corrosion inhibitor/lubricity improver additives?Would you be willing to complete the qualification testing, which could include sharing proprietary information, providing samples, as well as completing the qualification testing as specified in MIL-PRF-32490A?  Testing could take a year or more to complete.Which grade (A or B) would your LIA meet?Responses: Please ensure your responses are relevant to the information being requested.  Marketing information will not be evaluated.  All sincere, interested parties are hereby invited to submit a capability statement of no more than six pages, double spaced, and no smaller than 12-point font.  Any attachments are limited to 3 pages, double spaced, and no smaller than 12-point font.Interested parties should respond to this RFI by September 26, 2022, at 3:00 pm Eastern Time. In responding to this RFI, please provide your company name, type of small business if applicable  (e.g., 8(a), woman-owned small business, etc.), address, point of contact, email-address, phone number, types of fuel capable of supplying, sources of supply and transportation modes.Please send responses to Mr. Eduardo Davila at Eduardo.Davila@dla.mil and Ms. Antaeyah Scales at Antaeyah.Scales@dla.mil.  If you have any questions, please email Eduardo Davila and Antaeyah Scales.