36C24124Q0233.docx

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GENERAL INFORMATION

SET-ASIDE

Network Contracting Office 1

950 Campbell Avenue West Haven CT 06516

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist DIvianna Mathurin divianna.mathurin@va.gov 914-325-3258

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

950 Campbell Avenue

West Haven CT

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

Statement of Work

BRIDGEHILL FIRE BLANKETS

West Haven VA Medical Center 689-24-2-4513-0008

Purpose:

Lithium-Ion batteries are an increasingly popular way to power mobile equipment, more and more items have incorporated the use of lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-Ion batteries have become the predominate battery type used in portable consumer electronics and electric vehicles. Everything from cell phones, laptops, wheelchairs, bicycles, and cars are now utilizing lithium-ion batteries. The benefit of lithium-ion batteries is that they are capable of higher voltage and charge storage per unit mass and volume. Lithium-ion batteries are smaller, lighter, and more efficient than their predecessors. While lithium-ion batteries have many advantages they do have several disadvantages, some of which can be catastrophic. Over the past several years communities have seen an increase in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. When a lithium-ion battery is subjected to overcharging, damage, puncture, or manufacturing defects they can fail. The failure of a lithium-ion battery often leads to what is called thermal runaway in which the battery overheats and produces a flammable and toxic vapor cloud similar to that of smoke. This toxic vapor cloud rapidly fills the space in which it occupies and upon finding an ignition source it explosively ignites. This runaway and fire happen in the matter of minutes, or according to some studies a matter of seconds. In that short window of time the area becomes uninhabitable and immediately dangerous to all those in the area. These fires burn in such a way that typical fire extinguishers such as ABC Dry Chemical, CO2, and Foam are useless. The fire burns so hot and with such veracity that it pushes away the dry chemical agents or renders the CO2 useless. Copious amounts of water is required to cool the cells of the battery, or the battery must be allowed to burn itself out. Neither situation is ideal in a medical facility.

The Contractor shall provide delivery for this equipment.

This is a brand-name requirement only. (Bridgehill)

Equipment to be procured:

Background:

Lithium Battery Fire Blankets can prevent the spread of fire from a thermal runaway lithium-ion battery. The use of these blankets could prevent a lithium-ion battery fire from becoming a major structural fire. Lithium Battery Fire Blankets should be purchased and pre-staged in areas throughout the facility. . For example, should the lithium-ion battery pack from a laptop or medical device go into thermal run away a fire containment blanket staged at a nearby nurses station or pre-determined location could be used to contain the battery or unit before it can cause a significant and severe fire.

Scope and methodology:

VHA Capabilities Supported – 2023

· 1.4 - The Facility Maintains an All-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan

· 1.5 - The Facility Integrates its Clinical and Business Occupancies into the Comprehensive Emergency Management Program

· 1.8 - The Facility Maintains a Training Program that Supports the Comprehensive Emergency Management Program

· 3.1 - The Facility Provides for a Safe and Secure Environment During Emergency Operations

6.3 - The Facility Maintains Deployable Resources

Records Management Language for Statement of Work (SOW):

The following standard items relate to records generated in executing the contract and should be included in a typical procurement contract:

1. Citations to pertinent laws, codes and regulations such as 44 U.S.C chapters 21, 29, 31 and 33; Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552); Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a); 36 CFR Part 1222 and Part 1228.

2. Contractor shall treat all deliverables under the contract as the property of the U.S. Government for which the Government Agency shall have unlimited rights to use, dispose of, or disclose such data contained therein as it determines to be in the public interest.

3. Contractor shall not create or maintain any records that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract using Government IT equipment and/or Government records.

4. Contractor shall not retain, use, sell, or disseminate copies of any deliverable that contains information covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 or that which is generally protected by the Freedom of Information Act.

5. Contractor shall not create or maintain any records containing any Government Agency records that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract.

6. The Government Agency owns the rights to all data/records produced as part of this contract.

7. The Government Agency owns the rights to all electronic information (electronic data, electronic information systems, electronic databases, etc.) and all supporting documentation created as part of this contract. Contractor must deliver sufficient technical documentation with all data deliverables to permit the agency to use the data.

8. Contractor agrees to comply with Federal and Agency records management policies, including those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974. These policies include the preservation of all records created or received regardless of format [paper, electronic, etc.] or mode of transmission [e-mail, fax, etc.] or state of completion [draft, final, etc.].

9. No disposition of documents will be allowed without the prior written consent of the Contracting Officer. The Agency and its contractors are responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of records, including all forms of mutilation. Willful and unlawful destruction, damage or alienation of Federal records is subject to the fines and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701. Records may not be removed from the legal custody of the Agency or destroyed without regard to the provisions of the agency records schedules.

10. Contractor is required to obtain the Contracting Officer's approval prior to engaging in any contractual relationship (sub-contractor) in support of this contract requiring the disclosure of information, documentary material and/or records generated under, or relating to, this contract. The Contractor (and any sub-contractor) is required to abide by Government and Agency guidance for protecting sensitive and proprietary information.

Sources Sought Notice