36C10G25Q0057.docx

Sources Sought Notice

GENERAL INFORMATION

SET-ASIDE

OPAL | Strategic Acquisition Center

10300 Spotsylvania Ave | STE 400 Fredericksburg VA 22408-2697

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Lisa Thompson lisa.thompson10@va.gov 720-793-5907

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

ADDRESS

Nationwide

POSTAL CODE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION

Sources Sought Notice

NX EQ Sterilization Units Steam

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

1.0 DESCRIPTION

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Non-Expendable Equipment (NX) National Program has identified the Sterilization Units Steam product line as candidate for a VA-wide (otherwise referred to as “national”) single Requirement’s contract award.

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Office of Procurement, Acquisition and Logistics (OPAL) Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) on behalf of VHA is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) in accordance with the FAR 10.002(b)(2) to determine the availability and technical capabilities of qualified sources. The period of performance will consist of a base of 12-months with four 12-month option periods from the date of award.

The SAC, in conjunction with VHA, is seeking a qualified source to manufacture Sterilization Units Steam on an agency wide basis. VA intends to award a Brand Name or Equal (BNOE) single award Requirements contract for this requirement IAW with FAR 16.503. Vendors will be required to deliver Sterilization Units Steam to VA medical centers and facilities throughout the United States.

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 339113 – Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing and the associated size standard is 750 employees. The FAR Provision found at 52.204-7(b)(1) requires that “All interested Offerors must be registered in SAM prior to submitting an offer.” You may access the SAM website at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. All offerors must be certified as with the appropriate NAICS code on the SAM website. All SDVOSB/VOSB offerors must be verified in the Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert) database, at https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/ at the time of offer submission.

This notice is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment on the part of the Government to award a contract, nor does the Government intend to pay for any information submitted as a result of this notice. This RFI is part of a continuous process for obtaining the latest information on the commercial status of the industry with respect to their current and near-term abilities. The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for, or award, a competitive contract. It is emphasized that this is a notice solely for planning and informational purposes.

2.0 SCOPE

Sterilizing Units: Steam use pressurized steam to generate moist heat to eliminate viable microbes from non-heat-sensitive medical devices, including heat-tolerant products used for surgical and general patient care. Steam sterilization kills microbes effectively and is often viewed as the gold standard of healthcare sterilization methods. Typical items to be sterilized include surgical instrument packs, surgical implants, irrigation fluids, devices intended for and used by patients in isolation, and obstetric and dental instruments.

The Contractor must demonstrate the ability to meet all requirements for the solicitation. The objective is to provide Sterilizing Units: Steam to be used by clinicians throughout the VA medical centers and facilities. VA estimates the following quantities during the 60-months ordering period. The ordering period is for one base year with four 12-month option years:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking vendors who can provide Sterilizing Units: Steam or equal as listed above which meet all the following salient characteristics: Vendors may quote any product solution or configuration so long as they meet the salient characteristics. Products quoted in the technical volume must be captured on the Vendor’s pricing volume (Attachment A, Price Cost Schedule) of the solicitation. Vendors may quote any additional ancillary products which they deem to be essential to the functionality of the proposed solution; these items must be captured in the Vendor’s pricing volume with a quantity of zero.

CLIN’s 0001-0380 apply to the following SC’s:

Evaluation Sub-factors

· Safety Safety features and functions of the offered equipment will be evaluated. Areas may include but are not limited to the following:

· Control lockout switch

· Chamber float switch

· Pressure relief valve

· Power door safety feature

· Maintenance reminders

· Emergency stop button

· Alarms

· Ergonomics

· Standards

· Design Design features and functions of the offered equipment will be evaluated. Areas may include but are not limited to the following:

· Ability to record cycle date, time, pressure, and temperature and be accessible by printout

· Control system user interface screen

· Steam purge

· Equipment monitoring system

· Air removal

· Cycles

· Automation

· Performance Equipment will be evaluated for its ability to perform its intended function. Areas may include but are not limited to:

· Total Cycle Time

· DIN instrument tray capacity

· Maximum weight of instruments per load

· Maximum number of fabric packs per load

· Maximum number of liquid containers per load

· Ability to alert if a malfunction is detected or if the cycle is aborted

· Capability of remote monitoring

· Quality/Construction Aspects of the construction and quality of material of the equipment will be evaluated and may include but not limited to:

· Life Span/Warranty

· Maintenance Requirements

· Door gaskets

· Stainless steel chamber

· Service program

· Training

For each product the response must include descriptive literature demonstrating the product meets or exceeds the SCs specified above. The Government's intent is to include all ancillary items to ensure the equipment can function as designed by the OEM and as clinically required. Vendors are encouraged to provide any product solution or configuration so long as they meet the SCs. Additionally, responses can include any additional product that may be beneficial. These items must be clearly identified by brand name and part number.

Responses to this Sources Sought Notice shall include the following:

1. Full name and address of company

1. DUNS number/ CAGE Code/ SAM UIE

1. Business Size

1. Manufacturer or Distributor

3. If distributor provide full name, business size and address of manufacturer.

1. Country of Origin designation for all products.

1. Ability to provide uninterrupted supply of products on a national scale.

1. Technical Literature that clearly shows product(s) meet the identified salient characteristics (if submitting an “or-equal” item).

1. Any additional product solution or configuration that would be beneficial to the clinical functionality of the product line identified.

1. All small business, VOSB, SDVOSB distributors shall provide a valid letter of authorization from the manufacturer of the product/brand that you intend to offer. The letter shall be printed on the manufacturers letter head and be no older than 6 months old. The letter shall also clearly state how long your agreement is place with the manufacturer, e.g., 6 month, 4 years, expires 4 years from XXX, end of 2025, etc. The letter shall also be signed by a legally, authorized representative of the manufacturer.

Although not required, vendors responding to this Sources Sought may also submit a Capabilities Statement.

*******************SEE ATTACHED VENDORS RESPONSE SHEET***********************

See attached document: NX EQ STEAM STERILIZATION UNITS VENDOR RESPONSE SHEET.

Page 1 of