36C24622Q0560.docx

VAMC HAMPTON FRESH SEAFOOD

GENERAL INFORMATION

SET-ASIDE

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 6 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton VA 23667

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist

JOHN HARMSEN

JOHN.HARMSEN@VA.GOV

757-315-3978

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

100 EMANICAPTION DR

HAMPTON VA

COUNTRY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

Sources Sought Notice Sources Sought Notice

DESCRIPTION

Sources Sought Notice

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTATIONS. Responsible sources may identify their interest and capability to meet this requirement by submitting such information by 4:00 P.M., EST, on Tuesday, 10 MAY 22. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the requirement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The Government will not be responsible for any costs associated with the preparation of responses to this notification. All inquiries and submittals must be sent via email to John Harmsen, Contracting Officer, at john.harmsen@va.gov. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.

Statement of Work

The Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Hampton, Virginia, Nutrition and Food Service is in the process of converting from cook-chill to cook-serve as a food delivery model. The department will be offering a Room Service ordering system, allowing for meals on demand according to the Veteran’s diet order. Hampton will utilize a base menu for Room Service that will include some seafood options. However, given the amount of long-term care and domiciliary program Veterans living at the Hampton VA, we also need the ability and creativity to offer an array of daily specials.

We are located directly on the Chesapeake Bay, with many of the long-term care units having a view of the water. We have patio areas for our Veterans to utilize as this is their home. Our plans for special events will include weekly cookouts and “clam bakes”. Given the change in meal preparation and menu being offered, the department would benefit from having the ability to order local, fresh, seafood in smaller batches throughout the week. Preferably, the vendor would be within 1 hour of the medical center to promote the use of local and sustainable items. We are located right on the bay with local fishing and seafood vendors easily within 1 hour transit time.

The contract will be effective 1 June 2022. The vendor will need to have the ability to deliver in all weather conditions three days per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The delivery must be received between the hours of 6am-10am. Deliveries will arrive at the facility docking station and be transported into the main kitchen receiving area immediately off the dock. Product will be inspected by the inventory specialist at the medical center. Any product not meeting food quality and safety standards will be returned to the vendor for full credit.

Requirements The vendor will be required to stock top-grade fin and shellfish varieties for selection by the medical center. In addition, the vendor should also offer items that would enhance the taste profile of the seafood, ie, spices, side items that might be part of a seafood-based meal. The ideal vendor would also offer other seasonal proteins, and any other locally made item stocked by the vendor that again would be part of a seafood-based meal, cookout, or other special event for our Veterans. The vendor would also be required to offer a base selection of items all year in addition to any seasonal, local offerings for purchase. For example, crab cakes, crab meat, and old bay seasoning would be needed all year for meal service. Soft shell crabs could be a daily special when in season.

The vendor would be required to deliver needed items in a timely manner on delivery days, before 10am in sanitary pallets or containers to the Nutrition and Food Services department receiving area. The vendor will need to be located within one hour of the medical center to ensure quality of the produce and to maintain food safety. The deliveries must be made in a refrigerated truck for the same rationale. Any produce that is not meeting the standards specified in the item list, or vendor catalog of items, will be rejected with accurate financial credit back to the hospital. All pricings will be remaining consistent unless there is a contract, or other purchasing change, to the order. The Hampton VA would also want a vendor who could deliver on weekends and holidays in an emergency. The vendor will need the ability to deliver during all weather conditions three days per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The delivery must be received between the hours of 6am and 10am. Deliveries will arrive at the facility docking station and be transported into the main kitchen receiving area off the dock. Product will be inspected by the inventory specialist at the medical center. Any product not meeting food quality and safety standards will be returned to the vendor on delivery for full credit See attached document: Product list seafood and speciality.

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