36C10E23Q0168.docx

Sources Sought Notice Sources Sought Notice

GENERAL INFORMATION

Veterans Benefits Administration Acquisition Directorate 1800 G. Street N.W.

Washington DC 20006

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contracting Officer Scott P. Cole scott.cole3@va.gov (414)-902-1207

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

VBA Buffalo RO VR&E Division (307/28)

130 S. Elmwood Ave, Suite 601

Buffalo NY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE 36C10E23Q0168

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs has a need to purchase two hospital vending machines to dispense surgical scrub clothing. The equipment being purchased is for a Veteran’s small business operation within two local hospitals. Scrub dispensing machines will provide a convenient option for employees to obtain the clothing they need at the worksite with on-demand purchasing options. This will provide healthcare workers with the option to purchase from the vending station and receive their items immediately or to browse the online catalog via an integrated touchscreen. A shopping cart on the website will identify and record products sold online. They can then place their order and have their purchase delivered to their place of employment at no additional charge. A large flat screen television would sit on top of the vending station that will allow customers to view the product they want to purchase, whether packaged in the vending station for immediate purchase or in the online catalog. Electronic payment options would be available at the kiosk or through online ordering. The business owner would like the capacity to later re-design or update the look of the website, set up the products to sell, promote its products and specials and keep the business completely in their control.

The business owner views the main kiosk as the main point of contact for the buyer with multiple inventory storing towers which house the clothing. Once purchases are completed the inventory towers, utilizing an elevator and conveyor system, dispense the purchases. The vending machine needs wireless internet capability, touch screen technology for ease of use and video screens to promote the vendor’s products and services. Also, each machine must offer an advertising opportunity and display video messages for the hospital where the machines are located. Technology must also have the capability to allow the owner to change prices and program remotely, thus eliminating the need to travel to the health care facility.

The following features are required:

1. Guaranteed delivery – This sub-system guarantees that an item has been dispensed when the machine believes it has dispensed the item. This prevents items from being regarded as sold or credited against a staff member’s usage if the machine were to not vend an item.

1. Alerting system - The machine would be programmed to send e-mail or SMS text messages when product inventory is low or if the machine is experiencing operational issues.

1. Programmable anti-theft function – Anti-tampering software would alert the owner of suspicious activity, power disconnection or change in behavior of the machine.

1. Inventory control - Each machine would gather and store data about inventory, customer preferences, accounting, and sales. The business owner would be alerted when to replenish the machine or check accounting functions.

1. Usage Identification – Data regarding sales and customer preferences would be gathered and stored for the business to use or to generate reports for use by the hospital. In hospitals supplying a number of scrub sets to each employee, or color coding the hospitals or different floors, the system can track the selection of individual employees. It would restrict usage based on employee identification number.

1. Payment methods - An e-wallet reader would accept all methods of cashless payment. A receipt could be emailed or printed onsite. All sales would be made either by using a personal credit card for the employee purchasing a medical scrub. Otherwise, the machine could fully integrate with employee identification (ID) card systems currently in place at hospital systems. The host hospital would then be invoiced for these purchases. The system would be compliant with a multitude of card technologies and would Integrate directly with existing ID systems on site.

1. Identification Cards used to access facilities - Database listing of IDs of cards to the corresponding staff members gets linked to the retail inventory management solution and cards are able to access the machine. If a separate ID card is needed, additional functionality for the machine is needed.

1. NEC 2020 compliant – compliant with National Electrical Code requirements.

1. UL certified – compliant with underwriting codes for all electrical/electronic (power supply, hardware) systems for Health Care industry standards for this application.

1. Integrated Product Detector sensors system (PDss) – proprietary sensing technology provides additional feedback to the system for location of products. This reduces errors related to the machines internal representation of which are in the machine, as well as when an item has been dispensed.

1. ADA complaint - Base for each unit to meet ADA standards to meet accessible design requirements. Modification to vending module for ADA compliance

1. Remote Access Available – Troubleshooting available from tech team can be done over the internet directly into the machine.

1. Wrap for Companion Units - As shown in the picture below, the complete setup would be wrapped to brand and designate the business as a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB). This would include front and both sides.

1. Topper – A “topper” sits on top of the setup with the name of the Company and the SDVOB designation. It also houses a 32” monitor which is part of the marketing program.

1. Digital Signage Hardware - This hardware is essential to the marketing of products to the customer base. Allowing the customer to review all inventory using a 27” touch screen is critical to the success of the business. Also, the touch screen will allow the customer to shop virtually, scanning the entire product catalog, expanding the business potential.

The applicable NAICS code is 333310, Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing.

The machines may either be 100% fabricated or the capabilities required by the Veteran business owner may be met through modification of an already manufactured vending machine. In either case, the machine supplied must be new equipment.

In order to determine the type of set-aside applicable to this procurement, the Department of Veterans Affairs must determine if any Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), or Small Businesses are capable of furnishing these machines.

If your firm is a SDVOSB, VOSB, or other Small Business that manufacturers Vending Machines, or has the capability of modifying Vending Machines, please respond back to scott.cole3@va.gov with your firm’s name, DUNS, point of contact, and a brief capabilities statement and/or other company literature.

At this time, the Government is only seeking responses from SDVOSB/VOSB and other Small Businesses that manufacture or that are primarily engaged in the modification of vending machines.

Sources Sought Notice