36C10X25R0014 0002.pdf

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO. 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office. is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30 PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

(Type or print) (Type or print)

(Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code)

(If other than Item 6)

(Specify type of modification and authority)

(such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

1 4

0002 06-03-2025

36C10X

Strategic Acquisition Center - Frederick Department of Veterans Affairs

5202 Presidents Court, Suite 103 Frederick MD 21703

36C10X

Strategic Acquisition Center - Frederick Department of Veterans Affairs

5202 Presidents Court, Suite 103 Frederick MD 21703

To all Offerors/Bidders

36C10X25R0014

X

X X

X 1

The purpose of this amendment is to:

Answer questions received by industry.

Caitlin Ruc Contracting Officer

Number Section Questions Response 1 Is there any incumbent/recompete or this is a brand-new project? If yes, could you please provide us with their award number or even if the customer bought similar services in the past.

This is a re-compete for a base plus four year contract to provide comprehensive resuscitation education products and services. These types of products and services have been within the VA under national centralized contracts since approximately 2010-2012.

Electronic Courseware, Contract 36C10X20G0001 Maintenance of Competency Support Services, Contract 36C10X0P0128

2 We would like to know if this is a brand new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services.

This is a re-compete for a base plus four year contract to provide comprehensive resuscitation education products and services.

3 If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number?

This is a re-compete for a base plus four year contract to provide comprehensive resuscitation education products and services.

Electronic Courseware, Contract 36C10X20G0001 Maintenance of Competency Support Services, Contract 36C10X0P0128

4 We noted that the Solicitation requests pricing for brand-named products from AHA and Laerdal, as well as compatibility with closed-loop hardware and software systems created and owned by AHA, Laerdal, and RQI Partners, a joint venture between AHA and Laerdal. Since those requirements can only be fulfilled by those entities, HealthStream and the American Red Cross would like to know if the VA is open to evaluating a scientifically-equivalent commercial alternative resuscitation education and services program--one that hundreds of U.S.

health systems and hospitals have switched to and benefitted from since 2019 after having evaluated both AHA/RQI Partners and HealthStream/American Red Cross resuscitation programs side-by-side?

The contract identifies certain brand-name equipment as part of the current environment and specifies that responses must be for “brand-name or equal.” This designation is a common and accepted method to ensure compatibility while allowing for equivalent alternatives.

We welcome submissions of equivalent products that meet or exceed the specifications of the referenced deliverables. All such proposals will be evaluated based on their ability to satisfy the technical and operational requirements outlined in the RFP. We encourage bidders to demonstrate equivalency through detailed technical documentation, compatibility assurance, and relevant case studies or certifications.

5 If the VA is open to evaluating an alternative resuscitation education and services program from HealthStream/American Red Cross in an impartial evaluation review, we would like your direction in how to best respond to this Solicitation, which as currently written is requesting pricing for brand-named products from AHA and Laerdal, as well as compatibility with closed-loop hardware and software systems created and owned by AHA, Laerdal, and RQI Partners, and which as currently written can only be responded to affirmatively by those entities.

The solicitation is structured as "brand name or equal" which means that while it references specific products, the VA is open to evaluating scientifically and functionally equivalent commercial alternatives meeting the salient characteristics described in the solicitation.

Any submission submitted by a bidder should provide clear documentation demonstrating products that meets or exceeds the salient characteristics of the products and services identified in the solicitation to include, but not limited to, product specifications, independent case reviews, scientific data, technical data, and or comparison charts. As addressed in the RFI issued November 2024, interested vendors should propose detailed integration plans to include integration of software as a service through the VA Learning Management System, integration with peripheral devices such as manikins and appropriate digital and print materials for certification of learners and instructors to ensure compliance with federal healthcare accreditation regulations.

6 Section E.3 File Packaging, Volume 2, Factor 2: Past Performance (RFP page 126).

The RFP notes that "Data concerning the prime Offeror shall be provided first, followed by each proposed major Sub Offeror, in alphabetical order." Please clarify how "major sub offeror" is being defined in this context.

"Major sub offeror" refers to any Significant subcontractor that are being proposed.

7 Section E.3 File Packaging, Volume 2, Factor 2: Past Performance (RFP page 127).

The instructions for Past Performance note that "Offerors may submit a maximum of three PPQs (See Attachment B)." This section goes on, however, to note that "The Government will accept only one completed PPQ per reference and a maximum of five completed PPQs."

Please clarify the maximum number of PPQs offerors are able to submit.

Maximum of 3 PPQs

8 Resuscitation Education Products and Services

Given that QCPR RQI manikins are specifically referenced, will the API protocols between the QCPR RQI manikin and LMS system be exposed such that other providers may build solutions which are interoperable with existing infrastructure?

The API for the existing system is not maintained or controlled by the government. Any access to or integration with this API would be subject to the policies and agreements of the original equipment manufacturer. It is the responsibility of the bidder to pursue any necessary licensing, permissions, or technical arrangements directly with the manufacturer to ensure compatibility and integration with the government's current environment.

9 Resuscitation Education Products and Services

Product SKU's relate to AHA and RQI solutions, exclusively AHA and AHA/Laerdal products. Red Cross is concerned that this requirement converts what should be an open bidding process into a sole-source renewal of the existing vendor. If so, it will foreclose the opportunity for VA to consider a higher value and possibly less costly alternative.

We understand the concern regarding the potential limitations imposed by referencing a specific product. Our intent is not to restrict competition, but rather to ensure that any proposed solution is fully compatible with existing infrastructure and meets the performance standards necessary for continuity and operational reliability.

The contract identifies certain brand-name equipment as part of the current environment and specifies that responses must be for “brand-name or equal.” This designation is a common and accepted method to ensure compatibility while allowing for equivalent alternatives. The inclusion of a product name is to clearly define the minimum functional and performance characteristics expected.

We welcome submissions of equivalent products that meet or exceed the specifications of the referenced deliverables. All such proposals will be evaluated based on their ability to satisfy the technical and operational requirements outlined in the RFP. We encourage bidders to demonstrate equivalency through detailed technical documentation, compatibility assurance, and relevant case studies or certifications.

10 Resuscitation Education Products and Services

Does the bid also request that all the services required be from one provider? Can a bidder offer a mix and match of technology providers, or will the VA select the best solutions from various vendors?

The RFP includes a clause permitting the use of subcontractors, provided the prime bidder assumes full responsibility for the performance, integration, and delivery of all proposed services and products.

11 Resuscitation Education Products and Services

The current architecture has the manikin tethered via a cable to communicate with a PC. Is this only acceptable solution? If so, it will foreclose the opportunity for VA to consider other, higher value, more efficient and possibly less costly alternatives.

The government requires the use of a solution that supports PIV-enabled single sign-on authentication to comply with federal cybersecurity and VA security and privacy identify management policies.