FDA-Authorized Nicotine Pouch Products for Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Commissary Trust Fund Resale

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Subject: FDA-Authorized Nicotine Pouch Products for Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Commissary Trust Fund Resale

RFI Number: RFI-BOP-Nicotine Pouches

Issue Date: 05/15/2026
Response Due Date: 05/29/2026

1. PURPOSE
This Sources Sought Notice / Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for market research purposes in accordance with
FAR Part 10. It does not constitute a solicitation and does not commit the Government to issue a solicitation or award a
contract. Responses will not be considered proposals and will not form the basis for award.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Trust Fund Branch, is conducting market research to identify qualified vendors capable
of supplying nicotine pouch products possessing current FDA-issued Marketing Granted Orders (MGOs) for resale to the
inmate population through BOP commissary operations.

2. BACKGROUND
The Federal Bureau of Prisons Trust Fund was established in 1930 under Department of Justice Circular No. 2126. This fund
was created to support inmate welfare and recreation through the operation of commissary services and other inmate programs.
The Trust Fund operates as a self-supporting program, ensuring that funds are accurately and efficiently maintained to benefit
inmates' access to approved goods and services. Currently the BOP provides commissary operations for approximately 122
institutions nationwide.

3. OBJECTIVE
The intent of this RFI is to assess vendor capabilities, product availability, regulatory compliance, nationwide distribution
capacity, pricing structure, and operational support related to nicotine pouch products authorized for marketing and selling by
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

4. SCOPE OF INFORMATION REQUESTED
Interested vendors are requested to provide detailed responses addressing the following areas:

A. Company Information:
1. Company name and corporate structure
2. Business address and primary points of contact
3. UEI and CAGE code information, if applicable
4. Recommended NAICS and Product Service Code (PSC)
5. Years in business
6. Relevant experience supplying:

• correctional facilities,
• government agencies,
• military commissaries,
• large institutional retail operations, or
• controlled retail environments

7. Financial and operational capacity to support nationwide fulfillment, and
8. Distribution and warehousing capabilities

B. Product Information:
Provide detailed information for each nicotine pouch product proposed, including:

1. Brand name
2. Product description
3. Nicotine strengths available
4. Flavor offerings
5. Unit packaging configuration
6. Shelf life and storage requirements
7. Country of manufacture
8. FDA authorization status
9. FDA MGO documentation or official FDA references
10.  Product dimensions and weight
11.  Safety Data Sheets (if applicable), and
12.  Packaging features relevant to institutional security

Vendors shall identify whether products contain:

• tobacco-derived nicotine
• synthetic nicotine, and
• other nicotine formulations

5. FDA COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
All products proposed must possess current FDA-issued Marketing Granted Orders (MGOs) at the time of submission and throughout any future contract period.

Vendors should provide:

1. FDA Marketing Granted Orders (MGOs) or official FDA references identifying authorized products.
2. Documentation demonstrating ongoing regulatory compliance.
3. Disclosure of any pending enforcement actions, warning letters, recalls, or compliance issues if any.

6. OPERATIONAL AND DISTRIBUTION CAPABILITIES
Respondents shall describe:

1. National distribution capabilities
2. Warehousing locations
3. Ability to fulfill recurring large-volume orders
4. Average lead times
5. Backorder mitigation strategies
6. Inventory management systems
7. Product tracking and lot traceability
8. Expiration-date management procedures, and
9. Ability to ship directly to federal correctional institutions nationwide

Include any experience supporting:

• secure facilities,
• restricted-access delivery environments, or
• controlled inventory programs

Respondents shall demonstrate awareness of and ability to comply with varying state and local laws, regulations, shipping restrictions, and product distribution requirements applicable to nicotine pouch products throughout the United States.

Vendors shall identify:

• states or jurisdictions with known sales or distribution restrictions impacting proposed products
• procedures used to monitor regulatory changes
• methods for ensuring compliant interstate shipment and distribution, and
• any limitations affecting nationwide fulfillment capabilities

7. SECURITY AND INSTIUTIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Describe any product or packaging characteristics designed to support use in correctional environments, including:

• tamper-evident packaging,
• limited metal content,
• clear packaging visibility, and
• institutional carton configuration

Vendors should also identify any known institutional policies or best practices regarding nicotine pouch distribution and resale.

8. PRICING INFORMATION:
Provide estimated pricing information, including:

1. Wholesale pricing structure
2. Volume discounts
3. Minimum order quantities
4. Freight/shipping considerations
5. Price stability expectations, and
6. Return, exchange, and credit policies for:
   • damaged products
   • expired products
   • recalled products
   • shipping discrepancies, and
   • discontinued products

Respondents should also identify:

• restocking fees, if applicable
• return authorization procedures, and
• timelines for replacement or credit issuance

Pricing submitted is for market research purposes only and shall not be binding.

9. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Responses are due no later than 12:00pm CDT May 29, 2026.

Submit via email to: BOP-ADM MarketResearchResponse@bop.gov

Subject Line: RFI-BOP-Nicotine Pouches

Limit responses to 10–15 pages or fewer (excluding attachments). Only high-level ROM estimates and assumptions are requested at this time.

10. DISCLAIMER
This RFI is issued solely for market research purposes under FAR Part 10. It does not constitute a solicitation or offer. The Government will not reimburse any costs associated with response preparation or participation in this market research.

11. REFERENCE INFORMATION
General information on BOP institutions: https://www.bop.gov