Request for Information - Key Chemicals for Domestic Industrial Base Expansion of Nitrile Butadine Rubber Glove Production (Key Chemicals)

22 JULY 2021NOTICE TO VENDORS: The deadline for responses has been extended from 22 July 2021 to 30 JULY 2021, 3:00PM EDT. There is no change to the notice attachment, only the deadline to respond. Please contact the POC identified in this notice in writing with any questions.                                                                                                12 JULY 2021NOTICE TO VENDORS: The deadline for responses has been extended from 15 July 2021 to 22 JULY 2021, 3:00PM EDT. No change will be made to the notice attachment with this update. Please contact the POC identified in this notice in writing with any questions. CLARIFICATION: The intent of the RFI is to conduct Market Research related to the domestic production of key chemicals. The white paper due is the response to Parts I & II of the attachment to the beta.SAM notice with no graphics, photos, designs, etc.Part I is not included in the page count. Only responses to Part II of the Vendor survey is what is

limited to the five (5) pages                                                                                               01 JULY 2021Vendors are notified to utilize the revised RFI attachment dated 01 July 2021 in response to this request. This version removes an unrelated question in Part II.A. General Capability Questions. There are no other changes to this notice. The deadline to respond remains 3:00 PM EDT, on 15 July 2021.                                                                                                 Key Chemicals for Domestic Industrial Base Expansion of Nitrile Butadine Rubber Glove Production (Key Chemicals)PURPOSE/DESCRIPTIONThe Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the Air Force’s Acquisition COVID-19 Task Force (DAF ACT) is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements to expand the domestic industrial base for the production of nitrile gloves. The intent of this is to understand the Industry’s ability to increase domestic glove-making raw materials.  The COVID-19 pandemic caused a critical shortage of nitrile gloves in the United States, limiting the nation’s ability to provide personnel protective equipment to our medical community.  To date, the USG invested in the domestic production of approximately 823M nitrile gloves per month that is capable of meeting only 22 - 25% of the nation’s demand for acute and non-acute care nitrile gloves.  The United States Government (USG) believes It will need to expand Nitrile Butadiene Rubber production to 270K metric tons annually to “feed” U.S. domestic nitrile glove production, which should drive increased demand for key chemicals for NBR production. As the U.S. expands production, the USG would like to understand industry’s ability to increase domestic manufacturing in NBR and key chemicals such as acrylonitrile, butadiene, or methacrylic acid to support glove manufacturing.CAUTION:This market survey is being conducted to indentify potential sources that may posess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements to produce key chemicals necessary to expand the domestic industrial base for the production of nitrile gloves.  The level of security clearance and amount of foreign participation in this requirement has not been determined. Contractors/Institutions responding to this market research are placed on notice that participation in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards.  The Government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this survey.INSTRUCTIONS:1. The document below contains a description of the Key Chemicals requirement and a Contractor Capability Survey. The Survey allows Contractors to provide their company’s capability. 2. If, after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in the market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting these requirements. Failure to provide documentation may result in the Government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities.3. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.     a. Identify any areas of work that your organization believes should be broken out exclusively for Small Business.4. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research.  Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.5. Interested parties shall respond to this RFI in a White Paper that is in a Microsoft Word for Office 2000 compatible format. Reponses to Part II of the Vendor Survey shall be limited to five (5) pages and submitted to the PCO via email only. Any proprietary information shall be clearly marked and segregated. Responses are due no later than 3:00 PM EDT, on 15 July 2021.6. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to the PCO, Mrs. Amanda S. Ragan at amanda.ragan@us.af.mil. SEE ATTACHMENT FOR FULL RFI AND ASSOCIATED VENDOR SURVEY