P02- RFI_Write Up_MarkForged 3D printers and Maintenance Support_SAM.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

RFI NOTICE | VA-24-00069384 | Markforged FX10 3D Printer

Brand name MarkForged 3D printers and Maintenance Support

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered an Invitation for Bid, Request for Task Execution Plan, Request for Quotation or a Request for Proposal. Additionally, there is no obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products described in this RFI. Your response to this RFI will be treated only as information for the Government to consider. You will not be entitled to payment for direct or indirect costs that you incur in responding to this RFI.

This RFI does not constitute a solicitation for quotes/proposals or the authority to enter negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this effort. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary, restricted, or competition sensitive information contained in their response.

The Government does not intend to pay for the information submitted in response to this RFI. Any Service-Disabled Veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) or Veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) responding to this notice must include their intent and ability to meet set-aside requirements for performance of this effort in accordance with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) 852.219-10 or 852.219-11, VA Notice of Total SDVOSB/VOSB Set-Aside; specifically, the requirement for at least 50 percent of the cost of manufacturing or 50 percent of the services be performed by yourself and/or other eligible/verified SDVOSB/VOSB concerns; and verification from the VA Center for Verification and Evaluation. It is requested that all companies interested in participating in this effort please note their interest and provide indication of their respective capabilities to perform the effort described below. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor the Governmentwide Point of Entry for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

REQUIREMENT:

The purpose of this RFI is to identify qualified contractors that can provide brand name Markforged Industrial 3D Printer, maintenance, and installation services to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Richmond - Veteran Affairs Medical Center, (VAMC), Assistive Technology (AT) program. The Richmond - VAMC, AT program is seeking information on Markforged Industrial 3D Printers, maintenance, and installation services that meets the draft Product Description (PD) herein. If interested and capable of providing for this effort, please see “How to Respond” instructions below.

1.0 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Richmond Veteran Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Assistive Technology (AT) has a requirement for brand name Markforged Industrial 3D Printer capable of printing in Nylon with chopped carbon fiber filament. The Markforged 3D printer is replacing an obsolete printer that is no longer compatible with VA’s current print assistive technology devices because of its functional limitations. Furthermore, Markforged Industrial 3D Printers have enhanced compatibilities and functionalities with assistive technology devices and can produce larger parts in less time than the current obsolete printers at the Richmond VAMC, AT Program. The Markforged Industrial 3D Printer equipment shall include incidental hardware, incidental software, and commercial standard 1-year warranty to support installation and maintenance support services. The Contractor shall provide one (1) telephone number and/or a point of contact for the VA to contact and open maintenance support service calls.

Remote installation support is required by the Contractor. The Contractor shall ship and install printer on or before the start date of the Period of Performance.

Period of Performance: 07/10/2024 – 07/09/2025 Outlined below are the technical requirements associated with this procurement action:

The Contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, tools, and other incidental hardware and software necessary to perform the work as defined in this Product Description (PD).

2.0 SCHEDULE FOR DELIVERABLES

Note: Days used refer to calendar days unless otherwise stated. Deliverables with due dates falling on a weekend or holiday shall be submitted the following Government workday after the weekend or holiday.

Tasks

· Support (remotely) the installation and maintenance of the equipment; test and validate printer.

· Provide normal hours of operation 5 business days a week support services.

· VA personnel will install printer with remote support as required from contractor.

Schedule

· Printer shall be installed on or before the start date of the Period of Performance as stated above.

2.2 Carbon Fiber, Markforged Industrial 3D Printer

· System must integrate with our current software system of VA owned 3D printers.

· Printer materials: PA6 Nylon with chopped carbon fiber, Ability to add continuous carbon fiber, fiberglass, and Kevlar fibers into multiple printed layers in the X-Y direction

· Include 4 sealed material bays to allow for large printer parts.

· Heated build chamber

· Vacuum hold down print bed

· Laser micrometer optical sensor for in-print part validation and machine calibration

· Vision system to automatically inspect calibration parts to optimize printer performance

· Contractor will supply a 1 year warranty on all parts the printer system starting from the install date.

· VA personnel will perform required system maintenance with the remote support of the contractor.

· System delivery date no later than 7/10/2024.

HOW TO RESPOND:

Responses should be as complete and informative as possible. Responses shall be limited to no more than 10 pages and include:

a. Describe company’s technical capabilities to meet the requirement.

1. Is the solution a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS).

2. Is customization required to meet the PD requirements. If so, provide how the customization meets the requirements and be sure the Rough Order of Magnitude to address the customization.

b. Provide commercially available list pricing for the solution that can meet the Government’s minimum requirements, including recommended quantities and unit pricing. If commercially available list pricing is not available, provide a Rough Order of Magnitude, including estimated quantities, unit pricing, and any additional anticipated costs to meet the Governments minimum requirements.

c. Identify company name, address, email, and telephone number. Include a name, email, and the telephone number of a point of contact having the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with government representatives.

d. Include the company’s DUNS number, CAGE code, a statement regarding socioeconomic status (including business type (s)/certifications(s) such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.).

e. Identify if your company is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the solution or a reseller. If you are the OEM, do you have resellers available?

f. Identify existing contract vehicle(s) numbers you currently hold for which this requirement would be within scope for this solution (i.e., General Services Administration (GSA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) V Government Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), GWAC, etc.).

g. Indicate the likelihood of your company responding to a solicitation should this effort result in an acquisition. Note: Small businesses should include intent and ability to meet set-aside requirements for performance of this effort, if applicable.

h. Respondents are requested to identify any additional information considered applicable to this RFI.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES:

Responses shall be submitted electronically via Brian Student and Jay Upton at Brian.Student2@va.gov and jermell.upton@va.gov no later than 3:00 PM EST, May 16, 2024. Information submitted by any other method will not be considered.