Background: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is one of 27 Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is a component of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The mission of the NIEHS is to reduce the burden of human illness and disability by understanding how the environment influences the development and progression of human disease. To have the greatest impact on preventing disease and improving human health, the NIEHS focuses on basic science, disease-oriented research, global environmental health, and multidisciplinary training for researchers.

LOCATION: NIEHS is located on 375 rolling acres of rhododendron, oak and pine in Research Triangle Park (RTP). RTP, a science and technology hub was created by the state of North Carolina between Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. NIEHS' main administrative offices and laboratories are on a large lake.

Objective: The purpose of this RFI is to determine potential sources to acquire Uniforms / Door Mats Lease and Dry Cleaning Service. The contractor will have frequent contact with the project officer who is responsible for all work accomplished under this contract. Adequately fulfilling the requirements of this contract demands frequent on-site visits by the contractor for the purpose of pick-up and delivery. The potential contactor may already be servicing the North Carolina or be in close proximity or plan to establish service in the area. The performance location of the NIEHS site: 111 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina, 27709.

Capability Statement: The capability needed to meet these requirements have traditionally been provided through contractual relationships with firms that specialize in providing uniforms, linens, and entrance mats; as well as, the ancillary services necessary to maintain the cleanliness and on site availability of these specific items. In order to fulfill this requirement we are capability statements from firms capable of providing cleaning and delivery services for specific items that will help maintain the clean, safe, and orderly running of the Institute.

The Contractor shall provide leased and cleaning services for garments, linens, mats, and mop heads as ordered by the Project Officer or Alternate Project Officer. The Contractor is also responsible for any necessary sewing or repairing of the garments. Services are required on a weekly basis throughout the performance period of the contract to include the following.

1. Furnish cleaned and pressed garments and other linens.

2. All items shall be cleaned in accordance with acceptable industry standards that ensure removal of all contaminants and soil.

3. Garments shall remain the property of the Contractor and be furnished on a leased basis.

4. Containers for soiled linens shall be provided by the Contractor at delivery points throughout NIEHS.

5. All mending (i.e., replacing buttons and hems, repairing rips and tears, etc.) shall be made prior to the return of the items to the designated points, in order for the item to be considered as acceptable.

6. Garments shall be immediately replaced at the point that they show irreparable wear and tear, permanent stains, or are otherwise deteriorated in appearance to a noticeable degree. The standard to be used for determining the acceptability of the garments condition shall be the industry standard applied to such items when routinely furnished to the general public on a rental basis. The Contractor shall maintain quality control procedures to identify the need to replace garments prior to Government instruction; however, the Project Officer shall have the right to require the replacement of specific garments when their condition has clearly deteriorated to an unacceptable degree without corrective action by the Contractor.

7. Shirts, trousers, coats, jackets and coveralls shall be marked in such a manner by the Contractor that they will be returned to the designated NIEHS Designated Pickup and Delivery Points.

8. Weekly delivery tickets provided by the Contractor to the Government Project Officer or Alternate Government Project Officer shall indicate the number of indefinite delivery items delivered and the number of pick-ups at each designated delivery point at NIEHS where variations are authorized.

9. Trousers, shirts, jackets, coveralls and laboratory coats shall be delivered on hangers. Hand towels, bath towels, and table cloths shall be folded.

10. Seasonal (short and long sleeve) industrial shirts shall be provided by the Contractor for designated employees in accordance with the orders submitted by the Project Officer or Alternate Project Officer.

11. Jackets and industrial shirts shall be personalized on the left breast of the jackets and shirts with Office of Research Facilities. The patches (furnished by the Contractor) will be approximately 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" and sewed on by the Contractor. Jackets, coveralls, shirts and trousers shall be personalized on the inside label of each item.

12. Laboratory coats, as furnished by the Contractor, shall be personalized with NIEHS on the left breast of the coat.

13. The color of the trousers shall be dark blue per Union requirements. The color of the shirts shall be light blue per Union" requirements. The color of the personalized lettering on the shirts, jackets, and laboratory coats shall be a primary color (blue, red, green, etc.), selected by the Contractor and approved by the Government Project Officer.

Shirts, industrial trousers, and quilted lined jacket shells shall be made of material that is sixty-five (65) percent polyester and thirty-five (35) percent cotton. Other materials shall be provided by the Contractor for designated employees in accordance with orders submitted by the Project Officer or Alternate Project Officer. Specifications or equal as listed below.

Shirts, Industrial:
4.75-oz. 65/35 Poly/Cotton Poplin Blend
Soft Comfort, Durable-Press Finish
Moisture Management
Fade, Soil and Wrinkle Resistant
Banded Collar with Sewn-In Stays
7-Button "No Gap" Front
Button-Through Chest Pocket w/left Bartacked Pencil Stall
Back Yoke

Pants/Trousers Industrial:
7.75-oz 65/35 Poly/Cotton Fabric
Lined Non-Roll Waistband
Button Front Closure, Heavy-Duty Brass Zipper and 7 Belt Loops
Reinforced Bartacks at Stress Points
Quarter-Top Front Pockets
Darts Over Set-In Pockets
Left Back Pocket Has Button Closure

Flame Resistant Coveralls:
Concealed Two-Way Zip Front with Snaps
Adjustable Snap Cuff Sleeves
Chest Patch Pockets w/left Pencil Stall
Pass-Through Side Openings
Rear Patch & Tool Pockets
Action Back & Crotch Gusset
Reinforced Stress Points

Shirts, Executive:
60/40 Cotton/Poly Fabric
Full Cut
Topstitched Button-Down Banded Collar
7-Button Front
Left Chest Pocket
Back Box Pleat

Pants, Executive:
Durable 65/35 Poly/Cotton Fabric
Double Pleated Front w/Slightly Tapered Fit
Lined Non-Roll Dress-Style Waistband
Heavy Duty Brass Zipper, Hood-and-Eye Closure
Bar tacked Pockets, Belt Loops and Side Seams
Quarter-Top Front Pockets
2 Back Pockets, Button Closure on Left
Darts Over Back Pockets

General NIEHS locations for pick-up and deliveries

NIEHS South Campus
111 T. W. Alexander Drive
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

NIEHS Warehouse
627 Distribution Drive, Davis Park
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

Delivery Schedule

Pick-up and delivery shall be made at the designated delivery points. The Contractor shall conduct pick-ups and deliveries once each week. All pick-ups and deliveries shall occur during regular working hours.

Contractor Personnel

All work shall be accomplished by competent personnel trained and qualified in the work assigned to them. All duties shall be performed in a workmanlike manner and the Contractor shall be responsible for any and all damages to NIEHS property caused by his/her personnel and/or equipment.

Contractor employees will be subject to all Federal Government and NIEHS Security regulations and must have NIEHS Contractor security badges for entry to the campus and buildings. Badges will be provided upon award of the Contract and must be worn at all times while on the NIEHS campus.

NAICS is 812331 Linen Supply

The objective of this RFI is to obtain capabilities statements, based upon the requirements outlined above, from all small businesses interested in this opportunity. Respondents should identify any information they consider to be sensitive or proprietary. Responses will assist the Government in determining whether to set-aside, restrict competition in some way or solicit offers from all responsible sources. All interested businesses are hereby invited to submit a capabilities statement of no more than 10 pages (not including past performance information) to demonstrate their ability to provide the services outlined above. The capabilities statement should be tailored to this request and identify the source(s) capabilities to complete the requirements listed above, including information on key staff experience, a description of experience with similar projects, and present and past performance information. For each reference listed include the name of a contact person, telephone number, e-mail address, type of contract awarded and date. In addition to addressing the requirements listed above respondents must provide information concerning gross revenue, number of employees in company, number of years in existence and primary focus of business. In order for the NIH to assess acquisition strategy and set-aside possibilities, interested parties shall also include a cover letter that includes company name, points of contact, telephone numbers, fax numbers, e-mail addresses, prime or sub-contractor interest, and identifies the company as one or more of the following: 1) small business; 2) 8(a) business; 3) HUBZone small business; 4) small disadvantaged business; 5) woman-owned small business; (6) veteran-owned small business; (7) service-disabled veteran-owned small business. Please note: This Sources Sought/RFI is not a Request for Proposals (RFP) and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately to award a contract on the basis of this Sources Sought/RFI or otherwise pay for the information requested. Response to the request will not serve as proposals, bids, or offers, which could be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Address responses to: All responses to this Sources Sought/RFI must be received by 4:00 P.M. EST on January 6, 2009 Point of Contact: Kyle A. Turner, Contracting Officer, turnerky@mail.nih.gov 

Add NAICS:  812332 - Indurstrial Launderersa