36C24925Q0027.docx

SUBJECT*

Memphis VA Medical Center Base 4 Option Year, Milk and Dairy Produce

GENERAL INFORMATION

SET-ASIDE

Network Contracting Office 9 (90C)

NCO 9

1639 Medical Center Parkway, Suite 204 Murfreesboro TN 37129

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Delaney Dickey delaney.dickey@va.gov 615-002-8150

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Memphis VA Medical Center

116 N Pauline Street

Memphis TN

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

DESCRIPTION

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products and commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6, “Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Products and Commercial Services,” as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued.

This solicitation is issued as an RFQ. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-05.

This solicitation is an Open Market Unrestricted.

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 311812 with a small business size standard of 1,150 Employees.

The FSC/PSC is 8910.

The Memphis VAMC is seeking a base plus four option year contract to purchase the items below.

All interested companies shall provide quotations for the following:

Item: Milk and Dairy Produce

Base Year: 10/01/2024 to 09/30/2025

Shipping is FOB Destination Option Year 1: 10/01/2025 to 09/30/2026

Option Year 2: 10/01/2026 to 09/30/2027

Option Year 3: 10/01/2027 to 09/30/2028

Option Year 4: 10/01/2028 to 09/30/2029

Place of Performance/Place of Delivery Memphis VA Medical Center

116 N Pauline Street Memphis, TN

STATEMENT OF WORK:

1. OVERVIEW: The contractor shall provide milk and dairy products to the VA Medical Center (hereafter referred to as the VA) located at 116 N Pauline Street, Memphis, TN 38105. The VA intends to award a firm, fixed price contract for the provision of milk and dairy products. The quantities listed in the attached Pricing Schedule are estimated requirements for the Nutrition & Food Services. The contractor shall be a United States (US) Vendor and a US citizen.

2. SCOPE OF WORK:

A. General: The scope of this requirement involves providing milk and dairy products, which conform to the specifications outlined and referenced herein to the VA’s Nutrition & Food Service. Both of these services are located at the VA at 116 N Pauline Street, Memphis, TN 38105. The Government anticipates award of a Firm Fixed-Price Estimated Requirements contract for the period October 1, 2024- September 30, 2025 with (4) four option years.

B. Quantities: The Government does not guarantee the estimated yearly quantity. Any proposed alternate item shall meet the requirements of the Government specification as cited in the Index of Federal Specifications/Standards (FED) and or commercial Item Description (CID). The awarded contract shall constitute the entire agreement including all terms and conditions applicable to the contract.

C. Period of Performance: The period of performance for the provision of milk and dairy products shall be a one (1) year base period from October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025 with the option for renewal at the end of each contract period.

3. RECOGNIZED FEDERAL HOLIDAYS:

New Year's Day Martin Luther King Day Presidents Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Christmas

Deliveries that fall on Federal holidays may require additional coordination with the COR in advance.

4. HURRICANES/DISASTERS/EMERGENCIES: The contractor must be able to ensure delivery to the VA at all times, inclusive of hurricane, disasters, and/or any other emergency condition. The VA may place a special order in preparation for, or in response to, a disaster or emergency situation, including but not limited to a hurricane. For anticipatory situations, such orders will be placed 24 hours or less in advance. In an emergency, the contractor will be notified with the amount and type of products required by the VA that shall be delivered within 24 hours of order placement. The order may be placed for larger quantities than the normal weekly order. The contractor shall provide the Contracting Officer and both technical representatives with its designated point of contact and contact information for emergency orders.

5. SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS:

A. The delivered products shall meet the specification as listed in the attached Pricing Schedule document and comply with all applicable Federal and State mandatory requirements and regulations relating to the preparation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and sales of the products with the commercial marketplace. All deliveries shall conform in every respect to the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and regulations, promulgated hereunder.

B. Quality Assurance. All raw milk for pasteurization, condensed and dried milk, finished products and the plant in which the products are processed shall comply with all applicable requirements of the "Grade A pasteurized Milk Ordinance - 1978 Recommendations of the United States Public Health Service" or latest revision thereof, or regulations substantially equivalent thereto. The raw milk for pasteurization, milk plant, and pasteurized milk and milk products each shall have a compliance rating of 90 or more as certified by the State Milk Sanitation Rating Officer and shall be listed in the "Sanitation Compliance and Enforcement Ratings of Interstate Milk Shippers." Milk laboratories approved by Federal and State agencies and listed in the previously mentioned document shall do all testing.

C. Contractor's Certification. By submitting an offer, the contractor certifies that the product offered meets the specified salient characteristics and requirements of the Federal Hospital Subsistence Guide; conforms to the producer's own specifications and standards, including product characteristics, manufacturing procedures, quality control procedures, and storage and handling territories, or possessions; and is sold in the commercial market. The Government reserves the right to determine proof of such conformance prior to the first delivery from point of origin and any time thereafter, up to and including, delivery at final destination as may be necessary to determine conformance with the terms of the contract.

D. Alternate Items. Offers on items not listed above (alternate items) will only be considered if acceptable bids on required items are not available or an offer is not received. Offerors must clearly identify any items that are not exact and specify the exceptions which differ from the required item.

6. SANITATION AND WORKMANSHIP:

1. All products furnished shall be prepared, processed and packed under sanitary conditions and in accordance with good commercial practice. All containers shall be clean, sound and securely covered or sealed to provide adequate protection from dirt, filth, and all other contamination. Chilled and frozen items shall be maintained at temperatures necessary for the preservation of the product according to the standards established by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

2. The VA Contracting Specialist or his/her designee reserves the right to inspect the Offeror's premises at any time during the life of the contract. A pre-award, on-site visit to inspect the manufacturing plant, personnel, process and packaging equipment and premises in order to verify compliance with all applicable Federal and State mandatory requirements and regulations relating to the preparation, packaging, labeling storage, distribution, and sales of the products with the commercial marketplace may be performed by the government prior to contract award. If the plant of the apparent low Offeror does not meet specification or is not acceptable, the quote will be rejected.

7. FRESHNESS REQUIREMENT FOR DAIRY PRODUCTS:

A. Fluid dairy products and other dairy products shall have sufficient remaining shelf life commensurate with good commercial practice at a minimum:

(1) Milk, whipping cream (fresh), eggnog and half and half (fresh) must be delivered a minimum of 14 days prior to the expiration date and within 72 hours after pasteurization.

(2) Half and Half (ultra-pasteurized), and buttermilk must be delivered a minimum of 21 days prior to the expiration date.

(3) Whipping cream (ultra-pasteurized), and cream (ultra-pasteurized) must be delivered a minimum of 21 days prior to the expiration date.

(4) Cottage cheese, cultures, normal shelf life must be delivered within 4 days after date of packing, cottage cheese, acidified, normal shelf life, must be delivered within 5 days after date of packaging, cottage cheese, culture or acidified, extended shelf life, must be delivered a minimum of 21 days prior to the expiration date.

(5) Sour Cream must be delivered a minimum of 21 days prior to the expiration date.

(6) Ice milk mix, fresh (soft serve), milk shake mix, fresh (direct draw) must be delivered a minimum of 21 days prior to the expiration date.

(7) Yogurt must be delivered a minimum of 21 days prior to the expiration date.

8. PACKAGING, PACKING, AND LABELING:

A. Unless otherwise specified, preservation, packaging, and packing shall be to a degree of protection to preclude damage to containers and/or contents thereof under normal shipping conditions, handling, etc., shall conform to normal commercial practices and applicable carrier rules and regulations, involving shipment from the contractor to the receiving activity for storage. Shipping containers shall be in compliance with national Motor Freight Classification and Uniform Freight classification (issue in effect at time of shipment).

B. All packaging and packing shall be in accordance with good commercial practice. Labeling shall be in accordance with commercial labeling, complying with the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and regulations promulgated there under.

C. All fluid milk products will have a pull date (date stamped on container) that is a minimum of seven (7) days before expiration on the date of delivery. Expiration dates shall be legible on each product. Cottage Cheese, yogurt, and sour cream will have a minimum expiration date of fourteen (14) days after delivery. Failure to comply with this requirement will render a contract in default and be grounds for termination.

D. If it is determined that a significant number of products are leaking, spoiled, or otherwise found to not be in accordance with the specifications contained herein, the Contractor will be notified to exchange the products for ones that are in accordance with these specifications within two hours of notification. If the number of such products is determined to be insignificant in number, they may be held for pick up by the contractor at the next scheduled delivery.

9. SOURCE OF MANUFACTURE

Items supplied under this contract are required to originate from a sanitarily approved source. The supplier must identify the source of manufacture on the primary container or in the accompanying shipping documents. The identification on the primary container may consist of either the manufacturing plant name and address or a manufacturing plant code. When the manufacturing plant is identified on the shipping documents accompanying the delivery, the plant shall be identified by its complete name, address and plant code. Preference will be given to locally sourced vendors.

10. ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

Should the contractor manufacturer and provide company brand milk products, the contractor should utilize, if possible, recycled materials for containers as long as they meet the FDA sanitary standards for the specified commodity. List recycled materials for containers as long as they meet the FDA sanitary standards for the specified commodity.

11. METRIC PRODUCTS

Products manufactured to metric dimensions will be considered on an equal basis with those manufactured using inch/pound units, providing they fall within the tolerances specified using conversion tables contained in the latest revision of Federal Standard No. 376B and all other requirements of this document are met. If a product is manufactured to metric dimensions and those dimensions exceed the tolerances specified in the inch/pound units, a request should be made to the Contracting Officer to determine if the product is acceptable. The Contracting Officer’s Representative, will accept or reject the product.

12. ORDERING

1. The Memphis VA Medical Centers estimate milk orders will be submitted up to three times per week, with 48 hours notice, with the Government reserving the right to adjust orders 24-hours prior to scheduled delivery. Ice cream orders will be submitted weekly, as needed, with 48 hours notice and with the Government reserving the right to adjust orders 24 hours prior to scheduled delivery. Orders will be placed by the COR or his/her designee. Each order will show ship to and bill to addresses and purchase order number (if required). Orders for product may be placed by phone, fax, email, mail or EDI. If the contractor is not already set up as an EDI Vendor, they must be set-up by contacting the VA Austin Automation Center.

2. Quantities shown on previous pages represent the quantities estimated to be ordered over the delivery period. Quotes will be evaluated based on the estimated quantities. Actual quantities ordered may vary among the line items.

13. PACKING LIST

There shall be a packing list enclosed with any shipments made under this contract. The packing list shall show the following as a minimum: Contractors name and address; VA Purchase Order Number (if one is provided); the VA Facility and Service placing the order; the items shipped; and quantity.

14. RETURN POLICY

Offeror’s shall clearly indicate their return policy with their bid. Defective product or incorrect product shipped by contractor error shall be replaced at no cost to the Government. Product shipped by Government error may be returned subject to the contractor’s normal return policy. Offeror’s shall provide the name and telephone number for reporting delivery/product problems for each VA location.

15. UTILIZATION OF CONTRACT:

Delivery orders will be issued on an as-needed basis.

16. DELIVERIES AND INVOICING

1. Deliveries shall occur up to four times per week between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday and Friday, excluding federal holidays. Ice Cream will be delivered once per week between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Requests for deliveries on different days and/or at a different time shall be submitted to and approved by the Contracting Officer and his/her designee in writing.

2. Deliveries and invoicing for the Nutrition and Food Services must be accomplished separately at the office listed below. Invoices must contain at a minimum the purchase order and itemized list of products delivered, unit prices, and total price.

Nutrition & Food Services Accounting Section (614/120) Memphis VA Medical Center 116 N Pauline Street Memphis, TN 38105

3. While performing under this contract, all vehicles used by the contractor shall be locked and the keys removed when not in use. This is intended to protect the contractor’s property as well as the safety of patients and staff at the medical centers.

4. While performing under this contract, all vehicles used by the contractor shall have temperature tracking systems in place on the refrigerated trucks to ensure they are being maintained in accordance with federal safety & sanitation guidelines.

17. PAYMENTS

Payments under this contract shall be made by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) by the VA or VCS Finance Center. See Clause 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—Other than Central Contractor Registration for further information. Contractor may elect to accept the Government Purchase Card as a method of payment for all orders under $3,000.00 if the contractor is set-up to accept credit cards.

18. EVALUATION CRITERIA

1. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

1. Price

a. Quoting firms shall submit pricing data in accordance with the instructions found at 52.212-1 addendum “Submission Requirements.” The Government will evaluate more highly the cumulative lowest priced quote.

b. Must complete and return the excel spreadsheet highlighted columns.

2. Past Performance

a. Quoting firms shall submit past performance information in accordance with the instructions found at 52.212-1 addendum “Submission Requirements.” The Government will evaluate more highly quoting firms with past performance information of successfully completing projects of similar size and scope at other Veterans Affairs Medical facilities.

3. Technical

a. Quoting firms shall submit sufficient documentation for evaluators to ensure that the quoted items are in accordance with the items outlined at SOW Section II: PRICING SHEDULE. This is a go/no-go requirement.

b. Quoting firms shall submit confirmation that delivery requirements as outlined it the SOW can be met. This is a go/no-go requirement.

The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html.

The following solicitation provisions apply to this acquisition:

1. FAR 52.212-1, “Instructions to Offerors–Commercial Products and Commercial Services” SEP 2023

2. FAR 52.212-3, “Offerors Representations and Certifications–Commercial Products and Commercial Services” FEB 2024

Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) website located at https://www.sam.gov/portal in accordance with FAR 52.212-3, “Offerors Representations and Certifications–Commercial Products and Commercial Services.” If paragraph (j) of the provision is applicable, a written submission is required.

The following contract clauses apply to this acquisition:

· FAR 52.212-4, “Contract Terms and Conditions–Commercial Products and Commercial Services” NOV 2023

· FAR 52.212-5, “Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Products and Commercial Services” FEB 2024

The following subparagraphs of FAR 52.212-5 are applicable:

[X] (4) 52.204–10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020) (Pub. L. 109–282) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

[X] (9) 52.204–27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (JUN 2023) (Section 102 of Division R of Pub. L. 117–328).

[X] (11)(i) 52.204–30, Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act Orders— Prohibition. (DEC 2023) (Pub. L. 115–390, title II).

[X] (12) 52.209–6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (NOV 2021) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

[X] (25) 52.219–27, Notice of Set-Aside for, or Sole-Source Award to, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Concerns Eligible Under the SDVOSB Program (FEB 2024) (15 U.S.C. 657f).

[X] (26) (i) 52.219–28, Post-Award Small Business Program Representation (FEB 2024) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)) [X] (32) 52.222–19, Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (FEB 2024) (E.O. 13126).

[X] (33) 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015). [X] (34)(i) 52.222–36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) (29 U.S.C. 793).

[X] (34)(i) 52.222–26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016) (E.O. 11246).

[X] (36)(i) 52.222–36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) (29 U.S.C. 793).

[X] (39)(i) 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (NOV 2021) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O. 13627).

[X] (46) 52.223-23, Sustainable Products and Services (MAY 2024) (E.O. 14057, 7 U.S.C. 8102, 42 U.S.C. 6962, 42 U.S.C. 8259b, and 42 U.S.C. 7671I).

[X] (48) 52.223–18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (JUN 2020) (E.O. 13513).

[X] (51) 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (FEB 2021) (E.O.'s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

[X] (55) 52.226-8, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (MAY 2024) (E.O. 13513) [X] (59) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer—System for Award Management (OCT 2018) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

[X] (61) 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (MAY 2014) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

All quoters shall submit the below items. Non-compliance to the below items with this requirement may result in disqualification of the quote.

a. Only one quote. Quote shall be on offeror’s company letterhead, in PDF format and emailed to delaney.dickey@va.gov NO LATER THAN 09/18/2024 at 10:00 AM CT. The solicitation number, 36C24925Q0027 must be referenced in the subject line.

Award will be based upon a comparative evaluation of quotes in accordance with the Simplified Acquisition Procedures of FAR 13. Comparative evaluation is the side by side pairwise comparison of quotes based on factors resulting in a Contracting Officer decision for the quote most favorable to the Government.

The following are the decision factors:

1. PRICING

a. Quoting firms shall submit the pricing schedule that shows unit and Line-Item total prices for all items IAW the estimated annual usage shown in SOW Section II: PRICING SCHEDULE. All ordering periods must be completed. Pricing shall include a final tally of estimated project price.

b. Must complete and submit excel spreadsheet highlighted columns.

2. PAST PERFORMANCE

a. Quoting firms may submit three references for past projects of similar projects. Past performance information shall include:

i. Customer

ii. Project price

iii. Date of project completion

iv. Associated contract number (if USG project)

v. Customer Point of contact information, to include name, email address, and phone number.

3. TECHINCAL

a. Quotes will be reviewed to ensure the items identified via the SOW are quoted as available.

Quotes will be reviewed to ensure that quoting firms clearly indicate they can meet the delivery requirements outlined on the SOW.

52.252-2 CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html http://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/

52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (SEP 2023)

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard. The NAICS code(s) and small business size standard(s) for this acquisition appear elsewhere in the solicitation. However, the small business size standard for a concern that submits an offer, other than on a construction or service acquisition, but proposes to furnish an end item that it did not itself manufacture, process, or produce is 500 employees, or 150 employees for information technology value-added resellers under NAICS code 541519, if the acquisition—

(1) Is set aside for small business and has a value above the simplified acquisition threshold;

(2) Uses the HUBZone price evaluation preference regardless of dollar value, unless the offeror waives the price evaluation preference; or

(3) Is an 8(a), HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, economically disadvantaged women-owned, or women-owned small business set-aside or sole-source award regardless of dollar value.

(b) Submission of offers. Submit signed and dated offers to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. Offers may be submitted on the SF 1449, letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation. As a minimum, offers must show—

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The time specified in the solicitation for receipt of offers;

(3) The name, address, and telephone number of the offeror;

(4) A technical description of the items being offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary;

(5) Terms of any express warranty;

(6) Price and any discount terms;

(7) "Remit to" address, if different than mailing address;

(8) A completed copy of the representations and certifications at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.212-3 (see FAR 52.212-3(b) for those representations and certifications that the offeror shall complete electronically);

(9) Acknowledgment of Solicitation Amendments;

(10) Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references (including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers and other relevant information); and

(11) If the offer is not submitted on the SF 1449, include a statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Offers that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration.

(c) Period for acceptance of offers. The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 30 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(d) Product samples. When required by the solicitation, product samples shall be submitted at or prior to the time specified for receipt of offers. Unless otherwise specified in this solicitation, these samples shall be submitted at no expense to the Government, and returned at the sender's request and expense, unless they are destroyed during preaward testing.

(e) Multiple offers. Offerors are encouraged to submit multiple offers presenting alternative terms and conditions, including alternative line items (provided that the alternative line items are consistent with FAR subpart 4.10), or alternative commercial products or commercial services for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Each offer submitted will be evaluated separately.

(f) Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers.

(1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers, and any modifications, revisions, or withdrawals, so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that offers or revisions are due.

(2)(i) Any offer, modification, revision, or withdrawal of an offer received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is "late" and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made, the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition; and—

(A) If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method authorized by the solicitation, it was received at the initial point of entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 5:00 p.m. one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of offers; or

(B) There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at the Government installation designated for receipt of offers and was under the Government's control prior to the time set for receipt of offers; or

(C) If this solicitation is a request for proposals, it was the only proposal received.

(ii) However, a late modification of an otherwise successful offer, that makes its terms more favorable to the Government, will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

(3) Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the Government installation includes the time/date stamp of that installation on the offer wrapper, other documentary evidence of receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements of Government personnel.

(4) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that offers cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of offers by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of offers will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.

(5) Offers may be withdrawn by written notice received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers. Oral offers in response to oral solicitations may be withdrawn orally. If the solicitation authorizes facsimile offers, offers may be withdrawn via facsimile received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers, subject to the conditions specified in the solicitation concerning facsimile offers. An offer may be withdrawn in person by an offeror or its authorized representative if, before the exact time set for receipt of offers, the identity of the person requesting withdrawal is established and the person signs a receipt for the offer.

(g) Contract award (not applicable to Invitation for Bids). The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror's initial offer should contain the offeror's best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest; accept other than the lowest offer; and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

(h) Multiple awards. The Government may accept any item or group of items of an offer, unless the offeror qualifies the offer by specific limitations. Unless otherwise provided in the Schedule, offers may not be submitted for quantities less than those specified. The Government reserves the right to make an award on any item for a quantity less than the quantity offered, at the unit prices offered, unless the offeror specifies otherwise in the offer.

(i) Availability of requirements documents cited in the solicitation.

(1)(i) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 101-29, and copies of specifications, standards, and product descriptions can be downloaded from the ASSIST website at https://assist.dla.mil.

(ii) If the General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, or Department of Veterans Affairs issued this solicitation, a copy of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained from the address in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision.

(2) Most unclassified Defense specifications and standards may be downloaded from the ASSIST website at https://assist.dla.mil.

(3) Defense documents not available from the ASSIST website may be requested from the Defense Standardization Program Office by-

(i) Using the ASSIST feedback module (https://assist.dla.mil/feedback); or

(ii) Contacting the Defense Standardization Program Office by telephone at 571-767-6688 or email at assisthelp@dla.mil.

(4) Nongovernment (voluntary) standards must be obtained from the organization responsible for their preparation, publication, or maintenance.

(j) Unique entity identifier. (Applies to all offers that exceed the micro-purchase threshold, and offers at or below the micro-purchase threshold if the solicitation requires the Contractor to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).) The Offeror shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its offer, the annotation ‘‘Unique Entity Identifier’’ followed by the unique entity identifier that identifies the Offeror’s name and address. The Offeror also shall enter its Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator, if applicable. The EFT indicator is a four-character suffix to the unique entity identifier. The suffix is assigned at the discretion of the Offeror to establish additional SAM records for identifying alternative EFT accounts (see FAR subpart 32.11) for the same entity. If the Offeror does not have a unique entity identifier, it should contact the entity designated at www.sam.gov for unique entity identifier establishment directly to obtain one. The Offeror should indicate that it is an offeror for a Government contract when contacting the entity designated at www.sam.gov for establishing the unique entity identifier.

(k) [Reserved]

(l) Debriefing. If a post-award debriefing is given to requesting offerors, the Government shall disclose the following information, if applicable:

(1) The agency's evaluation of the significant weak or deficient factors in the debriefed offeror's offer.

(2) The overall evaluated cost or price and technical rating of the successful and the debriefed offeror and past performance information on the debriefed offeror.

(3) The overall ranking of all offerors, when any ranking was developed by the agency during source selection.

(4) A summary of the rationale for award;

(5) For acquisitions of commercial products, the make and model of the product to be delivered by the successful offeror.

(6) Reasonable responses to relevant questions posed by the debriefed offeror as to whether source-selection procedures set forth in the solicitation, applicable regulations, and other applicable authorities were followed by the agency.

52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/

(End of Provision)

E.8 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. Evaluation factors, in no particular order of importance, are price, past performance, and technical capability.

4. Price

a. Quoting firms shall submit pricing data in accordance with the instructions found at 52.212-1 addendum “Submission Requirements.” The Government will evaluate more highly the cumulative lowest priced quote.

b. Must complete and return the excel spreadsheet highlighted columns.

5. Past Performance

a. Quoting firms shall submit past performance information in accordance with the instructions found at 52.212-1 addendum “Submission Requirements.” The Government will evaluate more highly quoting firms with past performance information of successfully completing projects of similar size and scope at other Veterans Affairs Medical facilities.

6. Technical

a. Quoting firms shall submit sufficient documentation for evaluators to ensure that the quoted items are in accordance with the items outlined at SOW Section II: PRICING SHEDULE. This is a go/no-go requirement.

b. Quoting firms shall submit confirmation that delivery requirements as outlined it the SOW can be met. This is a go/no-go requirement.

(b) Ordering Periods. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all ordering periods to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the ordering period prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of ordering period pricing shall not obligate the Government to ordering during that period.

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of Provision) Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation shall be sent in writing only via email addressed to delaney.dickey@va.gov subject line: 36C24925Q0027. Questions shall be submitted NO LATER THAN 09/16/2024 @ 10:00 AM CT. Quote must be submitted NO LATER THAN 09/18/2024 @ 10:00 AM CT.

See attached document: 36C24925Q0027 LineItems.

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