The Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (Committee), the Federal agency that oversees the AbilityOne (formerly Javits-Wagner-O'Day/JWOD) Program, is seeking a U.S. commercial entity who possesses experience and knowledge in designing and manufacturing running suit garments to partner with a selected nonprofit agency to furnish running jackets and pants to the United States Coast Guard under the AbilityOne Program.

The following product specific requirements must be met:

a) General: 1) properties that will give the soldier the most comfort and durability during physical training and be comfortable enough to wear during liberty time; 2) durable for repeated launderings; 3) good soil and stain release properties; 4) good abrasion properties and fabric hand and appearance.

b) Jacket specific: 1) fully lined; 2) ½ elastic cuff with watch guard; 3) dropped back tail hem; 4) drawcord/cordlock; 5) bottom hem with adjustment in pockets; 6) zippered pockets with flap covering; 7) articulated elbows; 8) inside chest pocket; 9) vented  back; 10) reflective silver trims on back flap dropped shoulder and pockets; 11) no hood; 12) chest logo (USCG Shield) and back yoke logo (COAST GUARD).

c) Pant Specific: 1) fully lined; 2) elastic pull-on waistband with drawcord; 3)covered leg zippers with  silver reflective trim; 4) plain hem; 5) side seam pockets; 6) articulated knees; 7) thigh vent; 8) upper hip logo and lower leg stacked logo.

          Proposed garments must meet and/or exceed the FAR and other published Federal standards, including Executive Orders and applicable agency-unique requirements. 

To be considered for the commercial partner opportunity, the following criteria at a minimum must be met:

1) Possession of a nationally-known brand name that can be demonstrated to have significant appeal through evidence of substantial sales and market share; 2) Ability to offer a solution for a complete line of physical fitness clothing; 3) Willingness to enter into a multi-year agreement, which includes on-going technical and production assistance while enabling the selected nonprofit agency to meet the suitability criteria of the AbilityOne Program in the production process. This includes providing design services as well as raw materials and instructing the nonprofit agency in proper sewing techniques to complete the manufacturing and subsequent packaging of the products, thereby creating employment for people who are blind or severely disabled;  4) Commitment to working cooperatively with AbilityOne personnel to market the products to Government customers under the AbilityOne Program; 6)  Willingness to work with the selected nonprofit agency, NIB or NISH and the Committee to ensure that the products' price to end-users is a fair and reasonable price; 7) All products must be manufactured and lab tested, certified and customer tested to be effective according to their purpose; 8)  Manufacturers' submissions must demonstrate that the specific products meet the listed criteria, as well as indicate what functions the nonprofit agency's employees would perform.  Submission should recommend ways to maximize the employment for people who are blind or severely disabled in the fulfillment of the products.

      NOTE: Proposals must satisfy all listed criteria in order to be considered for selection.

      The deadline for response is December 18, 2009.