Solicitation: U.S. Army Retiring Soldier Lapel Pins

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

This document serves as a combined synopsis and solicitation for commercial products, specifically U.S. Army Retiring Soldier Lapel Buttons. It constitutes the only solicitation, and no separate written solicitation will be issued. Responsible sources are invited to submit quotations.

• The Contractor shall provide U.S. Army Retiring Soldier Lapel Buttons that meet or exceed the minimum technical specifications detailed in Attachment 01 - Salient Characteristics.

• Offerors must provide unit pricing for all items in Attachment 02 – CLIN Pricing Schedule, which outlines projected items, estimated quantities, and units of issue.

• Contract Type: Single-Award Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract, Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP).

• Ordering Period: 5 years (60 months) from the date of contract award.

• Contract Minimum: 200 units (satisfied by the first delivery order).

• Contract Maximum: 211,590 units cumulative.

• Delivery Timing: No later than 30 Days After Receipt of Order (ARO).

• Closing Response Date: Wednesday, 25 February 2026, 12:00 pm Central Time.

• Submission: Quotes must be submitted via email to the points of contact listed.

• Quote Submission Requirements: Quotes must be submitted in three distinct volumes:

  • Volume I - General (Administrative): Includes UEI, CAGE Code, POC, Exceptions (Attachment 05), and Reps/Certs (FAR 52.212-3).
  • Volume II - Technical Capability: Includes product literature demonstrating salient characteristics, comparison for "Equal" products, and a written delivery commitment.
  • Volume III - Price: Completed Attachment 02 – CLIN Pricing Schedule.

• Evaluation Factors: Award will be made on a Best Value basis, considering Technical Capability, Past Performance, and Price. Technical and Past Performance combined are approximately equal to Price.

• Set-Aside Status: 100% Small Business Set-Aside.

• NAICS Code: 339910 with a small business size standard of 700 employees.

• Non-Manufacturer Rule (NMR): Offerors must identify the manufacturer and certify it is a domestic small business, as no NMR waiver exists.

• Questions Deadline: 06 February 2026, 12:00 pm Central Time.

• Period for Acceptance: Offerors must hold prices firm for 90 calendar days.

• Attachments: Salient Characteristics (Info Only), CLIN Pricing Schedule (Required), Delivery Addresses (Info Only), Clauses and Provisions (Info Only), Solicitation Exceptions Table (Required).

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to questions submitted by potential bidders regarding the U.S. Army Retired Lapel Buttons solicitation (W9124J26RPINS).

• Delivery Turnaround: The solicitation provides the annual number of units to be ordered, with orders expected to be placed quarterly based on annual numbers. Bidders should refer to the solicitation for specific unit quantities.
• TIOH Certification: Information on becoming TIOH certified or an authorized distributor can be found on the TIOH website at https://tioh.army.mil/.
• Eligibility: The solicitation is open to all Small Business vendors.
• SOLICITATION EXCEPTION TABLE/ATTACHEMENT: The most updated Solicitation Amendment will be attached, which includes Attachment 5.
• Material Procurement: Awardees will have a window of time to procure necessary materials prior to the first shipment.
• Pricing Structure: The contract will be awarded as a Firm Fixed Price IDIQ. Offers cannot be submitted as Fixed Price with Economic Price Adjustment.
• Shipper Requirements: DoD certified shippers are not required for this contract.

This Q&A document clarifies several aspects of the solicitation, including eligibility, pricing, and logistical requirements. It also indicates that an updated amendment with Attachment 5 will be provided.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 05 - Solicitation Exceptions Table W9124J26RPINS", is a table designed for documenting exceptions taken to the solicitation requirements. It serves as a tool for bidders to formally record any deviations from the stated requirements and provide justification.

The table includes the following columns:

• Solicitation Document
• Page/ Paragraph
• Requirement/ Portion
• Rationale & Impact

Bidders should use this table to clearly outline any exceptions they propose to the solicitation's requirements. This includes specifying the exact requirement, the relevant section of the solicitation, and providing a detailed rationale for the exception, along with its potential impact. This ensures transparency and allows the government to evaluate proposed exceptions during the proposal review process.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for U.S. Army Retired Lapel Buttons, prepared in accordance with FAR Subpart 12.6. It constitutes the only solicitation, and quotes are being requested. The acquisition is conducted under FAR Part 12 and FAR Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures).

• The Contractor shall provide U.S. Army Retiring Soldier Lapel Buttons that meet or exceed the minimum technical specifications defined in Attachment 01 – Salient Characteristics.

• Offerors must provide unit pricing for all items listed in Attachment 02 – CLIN Pricing Schedule, which details projected items, estimated quantities, and units of issue.

• Contract Type: Single-Award Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) structure.

• Ordering Period: 5 years (60 months) from the date of contract award.

• Contract Minimum: 200 units (satisfied by the first delivery order).

• Contract Maximum: 211,590 units cumulative total.

• Delivery Timing: No later than 30 Days After Receipt of Order (ARO).

• FOB Point: FOB Destination.

• Closing Response Date: Wednesday, 25 February 2026, 12:00 pm Central Time.

• Submission: Quotes must be submitted in three separate volumes (General/Administrative, Technical Capability, Price) via email to the points of contact listed.

• Evaluation: Award will be made on a Best Value basis, considering Technical Capability, Past Performance, and Price. Technical and Past Performance are approximately equal to Price. The government may select a quote other than the lowest price if superior technical solution or past performance justifies it.

• Award without Communications: The government intends to evaluate and award without further communication with offerors.

• Set-Aside Status: 100% Small Business Set-Aside.

• NAICS Code: 339910 with a small business size standard of 700 employees.

• Non-Manufacturer Rule (NMR): Applies; offerors must certify that the manufacturer is a U.S. domestic small business concern.

• Questions Deadline: 06 February 2026, 12:00 pm Central Time.

• Attachments: Salient Characteristics (01), CLIN Pricing Schedule (02), Delivery Addresses (03), Clauses and Provisions (04), Solicitation Exceptions Table (05).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the "Salient Characteristics" for the U.S. Army Retired Lapel Buttons, which are a key component of Solicitation W9124J26RPINS. It details the specific requirements for the design, manufacturing, and delivery of these lapel buttons.

• Item: U.S. Army Retired Lapel Button (Official Insignia).
• Design: Gold metal base with a black background, black star overlaid by a white star, and a gold-edged black ring with "Retired" and "Soldier for Life" inscriptions.
• Dimensions: 7/8-inch in diameter.
• Fastener: Standard military "butterfly clutch" fastener.
• Marking: Must include "THE ARMY STAR LOGO IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK MADE IN THE USA" or similar hallmark as required by The Institute of Heraldry (TIOH).
• Mandatory Certification: Pins must be obtained from TIOH-licensed sources. Vendors must be TIOH-certified manufacturers or demonstrate a supply chain relationship with one.
• Packaging: Individually wrapped in plastic or poly-bag; bulk packed in standard shipping containers.
• Delivery: Within 30 days After Receipt of Order (ARO), with quarterly delivery reports required.
• Special Requirements: Pins must be manufactured in the United States ("Made in the USA") and comply with TIOH Quality Control Program standards.

This document provides critical specifications for potential bidders responding to Solicitation W9124J26RPINS. Vendors must ensure their proposed product meets all design, material, certification, manufacturing, packaging, and delivery requirements outlined herein to be considered compliant.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products, specifically U.S. Army Retired Soldier Lapel Buttons. The government is procuring these buttons under FAR Subpart 12.6 and FAR Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures).

• The contractor shall provide U.S. Army Retired Soldier Lapel Buttons meeting or exceeding the technical specifications defined in Attachment 01 - Salient Characteristics.

• Unit pricing for all items is required in Attachment 02 – CLIN Pricing Schedule.

• Delivery is required no later than 30 Days After Receipt of Order (ARO).

• All supplies must be marked in accordance with MIL-STD-129.

• Inspection and Acceptance will be at Destination.

• Contract Type: Single-Award Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) structure.

• Contract Minimum: 200 units.

• Contract Maximum: 211,590 units.

• Ordering Period: 5 years (60 months) from the date of contract award.

• Anticipated Award Date: 20 March 2026.

• Closing Response Date: 17 February 2026, 12:00 pm Central Time.

• Quotes must be submitted via email to the Contract Specialist or Contracting Officer listed.

• Quotes must be submitted in three volumes: General (Administrative), Technical Capability, and Price.

• Evaluation Factors: Award will be made on a Best Value basis, considering Technical Capability (Factor I), Past Performance (Factor II), and Price (Factor III). Technical and Past Performance are approximately equal to Price.

• Set-Aside Status: 100% Small Business Set-Aside.

• NAICS Code: 339910 with a small business size standard of 700 employees.

• Nonmanufacturer Rule applies; the manufacturer must be a U.S. Small Business concern.

• This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; no written solicitation will be issued.

• Offerors must identify the country of origin for all supplies in Attachment 02.

• Questions are due no later than 06 February 2026 at 12:00 pm Central Time.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Excel spreadsheet containing a CLIN (Contract Line Item Number) Pricing Schedule for the U.S. Army Retired Lapel Button. It outlines the quantities and pricing for different ordering periods and locations (CONUS/OCONUS).

• CLINs: Numbered line items for specific products/services.
• Description: "U.S. Army Retired Lapel Button" is the item being priced.
• POP (Period of Performance): Specifies the start and end dates for each ordering period, spanning from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031.
• Units: Quantities required for CONUS and OCONUS for each ordering period.
• Price Per Unit: This field is blank, indicating that pricing is to be filled in by the bidder.
• Total Price: This field is also blank, to be calculated by the bidder based on Price Per Unit and Units.

Bidders must use this schedule to input their proposed pricing for the U.S. Army Retired Lapel Button for each ordering period and location. The "Price Per Unit" and "Total Price" columns need to be completed as part of the proposal submission. The "GRAND TOTAL" will reflect the overall proposed cost.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document lists estimated annual quantities for delivery locations within CONUS (Continental United States) and OCONUS (Outside Continental United States). It appears to be an attachment to a solicitation, providing specific location data relevant to potential bidders.

• CONUS Locations: Includes City, State, ZIP Code, and Estimated Annual Quantity for numerous military installations and cities across the United States.
• OCONUS Locations: Includes City, State, ZIP Code, and Estimated Annual Quantity for locations such as APO/AE, APO/AP, Guam, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
• Totals: Provides a total estimated annual quantity for both CONUS (36,761) and OCONUS (5,557).

This attachment is crucial for bidders to understand the potential volume and geographic distribution of requirements for the opportunity. It helps in assessing the scope of work, logistical planning, and resource allocation needed to fulfill potential orders at these specified locations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment 04 - Clauses and Provisions," lists and incorporates by reference numerous Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clauses and provisions that will apply to the contract. It also includes some clauses in full text and details specific instructions for payment processing.

• Clauses Incorporated by Reference: A comprehensive list of FAR and DFARS clauses with their respective dates. These cover a wide range of topics including definitions, offeror instructions, contract terms, representations and certifications, small business programs, labor standards, payment instructions, and more.
• Clauses Incorporated by Full Text: Includes FAR 52.204-29 (Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders—Representation and Disclosures) in full text, detailing requirements for offerors to inquire about and disclose the use of covered articles or sources subject to FASCSA orders.
• Payment Instructions (252.232-7006): Provides detailed instructions for electronic invoicing and payment requests through the Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF) system, including required document types, routing data, and points of contact for assistance.
• Ordering and Indefinite Quantity: Includes clauses related to ordering procedures (52.216-18) and indefinite quantity contracts (52.216-22), outlining how orders will be issued, minimum/maximum order limitations, and the contract's estimated nature.

This document is critical for bidders as it defines the legal and contractual framework of the potential award. Bidders must review these clauses to understand their obligations, compliance requirements, and the terms under which the contract will operate. Key areas of focus include:

• Compliance: Understanding all applicable FAR/DFARS clauses, especially those related to supply chain security, small business utilization, labor laws, and ethical conduct.
• Proposal Preparation: Identifying any clauses that require specific representations, certifications, or disclosures within the offer.
• Contract Performance: Familiarizing themselves with payment procedures (WAWF), ordering limitations, and other performance-related requirements.
• Risk Assessment: Evaluating potential risks associated with specific clauses, such as those related to foreign purchases, cybersecurity, or specific product prohibitions.