Request for Information (RFI) Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRPs)

Request for Information (RFI) FIBER REINFORCED POLYMERS

****RFI FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY****

IF POSSIBLE, NEGATIVE RESPONSES ARE REQUESTED.

This announcement seeks information from industry which will be used for preliminary planning purposes. No proposals are being requested or accepted with this announcement. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS AND NO CONTRACT SHALL BE AWARDED FROM THIS REQUEST. NO SOLICITATION, SPECIFICATIONS OR DRAWINGS ARE AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

1. OVERVIEW: The Government is requesting information from industry on the use of Fiber Reinforced Polymers in civil infrastructure applications including design, engineering, and construction. FRPs are composite materials made of a polymer reinforced with fibers. The polymer is usually an epoxy, vinyl ester, or polyester thermosetting plastic combined with a fiber, such carbon, to make the polymer strong and stiff.


2. AGENCY: United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Great Lakes and Ohio River Division (LRD). The information provided may be shared across the entire USACE enterprise.


3. ACQUISITION INFORMATION: No acquisitions are currently planned. The purpose of this request is to obtain information from industry on how acquisition should be structured regarding the use of FRPs.


4. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this RFI is to better understand the availability and capabilities of products and the potential of industry across various disciplines and sectors in design, engineering, and construction with FRP technologies as well as gaining an understanding of industry challenges.


5. REQUESTED FOR INFORMATION: Industry is requested to provide information on their use of FRPs and or Composites. FRP/Composites products may include:

• Structural Composites Structures


• Waterfront/Marine Composite Structures


• Composite Piles (H, pile, sheet)


• Composite Fender systems


• Bridge Decking


• Ancillary Composites items (walkways, ladders, components, etc)


• Externally Bonded FRPs


• GFRP Reinforcing


• CFCC Pre-tensioning


• CFCC Post-tensioning

6. RESPONSES: This RFI is not intended to be a Request for Proposal nor Invitation for Bid, nor does it restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition approach. It is to request statements regarding the industry’s ability to demonstrate existing-or-developed expertise and experience in relation to the areas specified above. Negative responses are requested.

Any commercial brochures or existing marketing material on fiber reinforced polymers may be submitted.

A response is not a prerequisite to any potential future offerings, but participation will assist the USACE LRD in tailoring requirements to be consistent with industry capabilities. This request is for information and planning purposes only and is neither to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.

• What is your direct experience in using FRP materials in your field?


• Have you provided FRP materials to Government agencies via contract or agreement? What agencies, contract number, and were you a prime or subcontractor? Please provide the Contracting Officer’s email, if available.


• Have you provided FRP materials to Non-Government, State, local agencies or private entities via contract or agreement? What agencies, contract number, and were you a prime or subcontractor? Please provide the Contracting Officer’s email, if available.


• Are there any market factors (availability of qualified labor, supply chain, subcontractor market etc.) which may impact your pricing or ability to propose the use of FRPs?


• What significant concerns or risks you can identify with the FRPs (requirements, CLIN structure, unclear specifications etc.)?


• Does the use of FRPs affect your pricing or ability to propose? For example, would outside consultants be required for you to price a requirement which included FRPs?


• Have you any negative or positive experiences with the use of FRPs?


• What industry successes or challenges have you experienced in the use of FRPs?


• What information should USACE consider before incorporating FRPs in acquisitions, specifications, or statements of work etc.?


• If you haven’t used FRPs in your industry, have you started inquiries to incorporate FRPs to your capabilities?

7. SUBMISSIONS: Response to this RFI are not limited. Please include the following information

• Offeror’s Name, address(es), point of contact (POC), phone number and e-mail address


• Offeror’s Cage Code and SAM UEI number

8. RESPONSES DUE: Please submit responses via email by 1600 HOURS Eastern Standard Time (EST) until 13 November 2024. However, we require initial information for Fiscal Year 2025 planning purposes, so an earlier response --even if it is only a negative-- is requested. Submit responses and information to Erica Taylor, LRD Senior Procurement Analyst, at erica.j.taylor@usace.army.mil. No hard copies will be accepted.

9. QUESTIONS: Questions regarding this RFI may be directed to Senior Procurement Analyst, Erica Taylor at Erica.j.taylor@usace.army.mil.