Paper Bags

Background
The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) is conducting market research to identify qualified vendors capable of supplying paper bags for patron use in packaging and transporting purchased goods from the Commissary.

This Sources Sought Announcement aims to gather information on potential vendors and their capabilities to meet the recurring requirement outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW).

Work Details
The contract requires the supply and delivery of Grocery Kraft Paper Bags, specifically 1/6 Barrel, Unbleached Kraft Paper Grocery Bags. The specifications are as follows:
- Dimensions: 12” Face Width x 7” Length
- Capacity: 1/6 barrel (1386 Cubic Inches)
- Construction: Heavy duty, self-opening, single wall
- Material: Minimum 40% post-consumer or recovered fiber

Minimum Paper Strength Requirements:
- Tear M.D.: 120 Gram (TAPPI TEST T414 or Equal)
- Tear C.D.: 140 Gram (TAPPI TEST T414 or Equal)
- Tensile M.D.: 50 LB.IN (TAPPI TEST T404 or Equal)
- Mullen: 45 LB (TAPPI TEST T403 or Equal)

Packaging Details: Each bundle contains 400 bags, with a total of 18 bundles per pallet. The bags must meet EPA item specifications.

Period of Performance
Delivery of bags is required within 30 days after receipt of delivery order.

Place of Performance
Delivery locations include various military installations such as Little Rock AFB, Barksdale AFB, Fort Polk, Altus AFB, Fort Sill, Tinker AFB, Vance AFB, Memphis NSA, Corpus Christi NAS, Dyess AFB, Fort Hood locations, Fort Sam Houston, Fort Worth, Goodfellow AFB in Texas; and several locations in New Mexico including Cannon AFB and Holloman AFB.

Bidder Requirements
Bidders must be small business set-aside status verified by the SBA. Vendors must provide a Company Name and Cage Code, Point of Contact details including name, email, and phone number. They are required to submit a Capabilities Statement and product literature with pictures. Vendors must also comply with the Buy American statute or provide country of manufacturer information.

Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
This opportunity for DeCA paper bags appears to have a confirmed incumbent, with Southeastern Paper Group holding multiple related awards (e.g., HQC00422D0005 valued at $59,854,454 and HQC00422D0001 valued at $23,051,312) covering “miscellaneous operating supplies and paper bags” for DECA commissary store operations across CONUS and OCONUS locations. The prior work description explicitly includes regular 1/6 barrel paper grocery bags, aligning closely with the current requirement for heavy-duty, self-opening unbleached kraft grocery bags in the same 1/6 barrel size and similar patron packaging use.