36C10X26Q0116.docx

Sources Sought Notice

GENERAL INFORMATION

SET-ASIDE

Department of Veterans Affairs

5202 Presidents Court, Suite 103 Frederick MD 21703

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Courtney Chattman Courtney.Chattman@va.gov

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

POSTAL CODE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

Sources Sought Notice

1.0 DESCRIPTION

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Non-Expendable Equipment National Program has identified the Cardiac Ultrasound as a candidate for an Enterprise-wide (otherwise referred to as “national”) single Requirements 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 Sources Sought Notice in accordance with the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) 10.001(b) to determine the availability and technical capabilities of qualified sources.

The SAC in conjunction with VHA is seeking a qualified vendor to provide the Philips Healthcare EPIQ CVx® brand name or equal cardiac ultrasound system and accessories on an Enterprise-wide basis. The vendor must also provide training and services. The VA intends to award a Requirements Contract with Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) orders in accordance with (IAW) RFO 16.503, Requirements Contract to a vendor capable of providing cardiac ultrasound systems and accessories, training, and services. Vendors will be required to deliver cardiac ultrasound systems and accessories and provide training and services to VA medical centers and facilities throughout the United States and its territories.

The anticipated period of performance is for one 12-month base period with four 12-month option periods from the date of award. However, the Government's decision as to whether to continue with the contract, upon annual review, will be based upon successful performance during each previous year and continued need. The Vendor must demonstrate the ability to meet all requirements for the solicitation.

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334510 – Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing, Product Service Code: 6515 – Medical and Surgical Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies and the associated size standard is 800 employees. The RFO Provision found at 52.204-7 requires that “The Offeror shall have an active Federal Government contracts registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) when submitting an offer or quotation in response to this solicitation and at the time of award.” You may access the website at SAM.gov | Home. All offerors must be certified with the appropriate NAICS code on the SAM website. All SDVOSB/VOSB offerors must be verified in the SBA database at: https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/#search at the time of proposal 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 Sources Sought Notice 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

A cardiac ultrasound machine, also known as an echocardiography machine, is a specialized medical imaging device used to visualize the heart and its structures. Echocardiography is an essential diagnostic tool for identifying various heart conditions, including heart valve disorders, cardiomyopathies, pericardial effusions, and congenital heart defects.

The following Contract Line-Items Number (CLIN) are being considered:

Training and Services

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking vendors who can provide Philips Healthcare EPIQ CVx® and accessories or equal as listed above, which meet all the salient characteristics listed below. Vendors may propose any product solution or configuration so long as they meet the salient characteristics (SC). Vendors may propose 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.

The following SCs apply:

SC #

SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

In addition to meeting or exceeding the SCs listed above, the Government will evaluate the following specific technical areas:

Design

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

· Transducer probe options, design, features, and ergonomics

Performance

The Device will be evaluated for its ability to perform its intended function. Areas included but are not limited to:

· Imaging and measurement capabilities

· System and data integration & interoperability. System’s ability to connect with cardiology, anesthesiology, and enterprise platforms and exchange images, data, and reports across workflows.

· Data storage & management

· User interface and workflow features, including (but not limited to) automation, presets, or decision-support tools provided

· Software features and quality

· Imaging quality

· Monitor display quality and resolution

· Advanced features and tools, including (but not limited to) Artificial Intelligence (AI) workflow optimizations

· Imaging modes, doppler modes, and techniques

Support/Training

Training and support aspects will be evaluated, including, but not limited to, the following areas:

· Availability and ease of use of training resources, including (but not limited to) online, in-person, and on-site (VA), and off-site training opportunities. This includes clinical applications training and biomedical service training.

· Annual service and maintenance plan, including (but not limited to) coverage of parts, labor, and repairs; software and firmware updates; preventive maintenance schedules; and remote diagnostics and technical support capabilities. This includes (but not limited to) up-time guarantees, response time guarantees, extended warranty inclusion, etc.

For each product (brand name and part number), the response must include descriptive literature demonstrating the product meets or exceeds the salient characteristics specified above.

The Government's intent is to include all ancillary items to ensure the equipment can function as designed by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (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. Does vendor offer an annual service plan, Yes or No?

2. If Yes:

a. What does the plan cover?

b. Does plan cover software updates only?

c. Does the plan cover parts repair or replacement only?

d. Does the plan cover both software and parts?

3. Vendors are requested to provide documentation that shows information on their service plan.

4. Is the service provided by the OEM or a subcontractor?

5. Full name and address of company

6. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number

7. Business Size

8. Manufacturer or Distributor

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

9. Country of Origin designation for all products

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

11. Technical Literature that clearly shows product(s) meet the identified SCs and page numbers where each salient characteristic is met.

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

13. Authorized Distributor Letter Certified by OEM with a current date.

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

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