Register containing all RFI Inquiries _ Responses.docx

Solicitation No. 36C25621R0053 Project 520-22-125 Replace Nurse Call System, Biloxi

Register of all RFI Proposal Inquiries & Responses:

First set of Proposal Inquiries:

Proposal RFI #1 – Do we need to charge you a sales tax on this project?

RESPONSE: Yes, this project is not sales tax exempt. In accordance with FAR 29.303, the Head of the Agency has not designated the prime contractor and subcontractors as agents of the Government for the purpose of claiming immunity from State or local sales or use taxes for this procurement.

Proposal RFI #2 – Do you have a list of General Contractors who plan to bid this project since this is construction project type?

RESPONSE: No, there is no list of General Contractors who plan to bid on this construction project. This construction project is currently being publicized in accordance with FAR 5.203 and is a 100% total set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) concerns under Public Law 109-461 as outlined in the solicitation requirements.

Second Set of Proposal Inquiries:

Proposal RFI #1 – Page 20 in the solicitation states that Exhibit A and B are not included in the page count. Are Exhibits C, D, and E included in the page count for the technical volume?

RESPONSE: No, Exhibits C, D, and E are not included in the page count for the technical volume.

Proposal RFI #2 – Please verify that the submission requirements are for 3 separate volumes with 3 copies each, for a total of 9 bound volumes and 1 CD RESPONSE: Yes, that is correct. The three hard copy proposals will be utilized by the Source Selection Evaluation Board members during the technical evaluation review process and the CD copy of the proposal will be uploaded into our eCMS contract managing record system.

Proposal RFI #3 – Exhibit A, Part 2 item 4 seems that it is project specific. In past similar forms, this question is listed within part 1. Please clarify if this question is to be answered with each project submission in part 1, or if it is meant to be answered as an overall question.

RESPONSE: As outlined in Exhibit A, Part 2 (see below exert) the instructions state that Part 2 is not related to Part 1. Also, additional offeror information required, but not project specific.

This information need only be provided once in your submission package.

PART 2. NOT RELATED TO PART 1: Additional offeror information required, but not project specific. THIS INFORMATION NEED ONLY BE PROVIDED ONCE IN YOUR SUBMISSION PACKAGE.

Third Set of Proposal Inquiries:

Proposal RFI #1 – can we get list of companies who attended site visit?

RESPONSE: The Site Visit Sign-In Sheets were posted to the Contracting Opps website under Amendment No. A00003 on March 19, 2021 for all offeror’s information and use.

Proposal RFI #2 – Are there any General contractors bidding this project? If so can we have their contact info?

RESPONSE: As was stated in the response to your first inquiry of 3/9/21, no, there is no list of General Contractors who plan to bid on this construction project. This construction project is currently being publicized in accordance with FAR 5.203 and is a 100% total set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) concerns under Public Law 109-461 as outlined in the solicitation requirements.

Fourth Set of Proposal Inquiries:

Proposal RFI #1 – Questions about Solicitation

1. To prevent call blocking between patients and their caregiver/nurses station, will no more than two beds be allowed onto a dedicated room control board? RESPONSE: Not necessary/ not applicable

2. Will each room control board then have a dedicated home run cable to the unit server without daisy chaining more than two beds together? RESPONSE: Not applicable, daisy chaining not used.

3. Is the staff control screen digital with the capabilities to have icons placed on it to cancel a patient call?

RESPONSE: Not applicable

4. Is the staff control screen digital with the capabilities to have icons placed on it to alert Rapid Response Teams? RESPONSE: Not applicable

5. Is this staff control screen digital with the capabilities to have icons placed on it to alert EVS?

RESPONSE: Not applicable

6. Is the staff control screen digital with the capabilities to have icons placed on it to alert Security?

RESPONSE: Not applicable

7. Is the staff control screen digital with the capabilities to have icons placed on it to call room to room for assistance? RESPONSE: Not applicable

8. Will the VA consider using a wireless connection between the beds and the call system as an alternative to a 37-pin bed connection? This will cut down on the initial cost of deploying and maintaining the nurse call system. RESPONSE: Hardwired solution is required.

9. Will the corridor dome light utilize a three zone multicolor visual communication reference to communicate Patient call? RESPONSE: Yes

10. Will the corridor dome light utilize a three zone multicolor visual communication reference to communicate Caregiver in the room? RESPONSE: Yes

11. Will the corridor dome light utilize a three zone multicolor visual communication reference to communicate Falls risk patient? RESPONSE: Capable of/ not applicable

12. Will the corridor dome light utilize a three zone multicolor visual communication reference to communicate Patient elopement from bed? RESPONSE: Capable of/ not applicable

13. Will the nurses station also be required to provide a status board for visibility to caregiver location on the floor and Smart Bed status and alarms? RESPONSE: No

14. What is the manufacturer of the Real Time Locating System (RTLS) currently in use? REPONSE: No RTLS is in use.

15. Will the new nurse call system be connected to the automatically cancel the patient call when a caregiver responds to the call and enters the room? RESPONSE: No RTLS in use.

16. Will the communication of safety alerts to these wireless devices (at a minimum) communicate Bed Exit alarm going off? RESPONSE: Not applicable

17. Will the communication of safety alerts to these wireless devices (at a minimum) communicate Brake is not set reminder? RESPONSE: Not applicable

18. Will the communication of safety alerts to these wireless devices (at a minimum) communicate Side Rails are not up per VAMC protocol? RESPONSE: Not applicable

19. Will the communication of safety alerts to these wireless devices (at a minimum) communicate Bed is not in the low and safest position? RESPONSE: Not applicable

20. Will the VA consider using a wireless connection between the beds and the call system as an alternative to a 37-pin bed connection? This will cut down on the initial cost of deploying and maintaining the nurse call system. RESPONSE: No

21. Will the Nurse Call System be required to capture and report on the weight of the patient provided from the bed data? RESPONSE: No

22. Will the Nurse Call System be required to capture and report on the status of the brakes provided from the bed data? RESPONSE: No

23. Will the Nurse Call System be required to capture and report on the status of the side rails provided from the bed data? RESPONSE: No

24. Will the Nurse Call System be required to capture and report on the degree of the head rest provided from the bed data? RESPONSE: No

25. Will the Nurse Call System be required include graphical touchscreen nurse workflow station with A/B bed soft toggle selection option? RESPONSE: No

26. Will the Nurse Call System be required include Automatic Nurse Call and Bed Cancel upon nurse entry into the room and automatic re-arm of alarms/alerts for nurse call and smart beds? RESPONSE: No

27. Because Soft button code option is not acceptable due to 508 compliance, Will the Nurse Call System be required to include physical down pull Code Blue lever on the graphical touchscreen patient status station?

RESPONSE: No

28. Will the Nurse Call System be required to include a dedicated Room Control Board setup which maintains a single-point-of-failure? RESPONSE: No

29. Will the Nurse call system be designed to prevent from connecting more than 2 beds in a daisy chain to minimize system outage in the event of component failure? RESPONSE: There is no daisy chaining architecture in use.

30. Will the Nurse Call System be required to include a graphical touchscreen patient status station near each patient bed or beds in each patient room to provide graphical icons representing the alarm, alert, and soft button state of the patient in that bed? RESPONSE: No

31. Will the Nurse Call System be required to include an all in one pillow speaker and 37 pin smart bed plug? RESPONSE: Not applicable

32. Will the Nurse Call System be required to include graphical touchscreen patient status station that must display visible, graphical icons (not just text)? RESPONSE: No

33. Will the Nurse Call System be required to include graphical touchscreen patient status stations that can support dual bed functionality from one screen? RESPONSE: No

34. Will the Nurse Call System be required to provide a graphical touchscreen patient status station that shows the Reposition ETT and Extremities on the touchscreen next to each smart bed? RESPONSE: No

35.Will the proposed nurse call system be required to OIT TRM approved? RESPONSE: Not applicable

Fifth Set of Proposal Inquiries:

1. To prevent call blocking between patients and their caregiver/nurses station, will no more than two beds be allowed onto a dedicated room control board? RESPONSE: Not applicable in our system architecture.

1. Will each room control board then have a dedicated home run cable to the unit server without daisy chaining more than two beds together? RESPONSE: Not applicable in our system architecture.

1. Is the staff control screen digital with the capabilities to have icons placed on it to cancel a patient call? RESPONSE: Yes

1. Is the staff control screen digital with the capabilities to have icons placed on it to alert Rapid Response Teams? RESPONSE: Yes

1. Is this staff control screen digital with the capabilities to have icons placed on it to alert EVS? RESPONSE: Yes.

1. Is the staff control screen digital with the capabilities to have icons placed on it to alert Security? RESPONSE: Yes

1. Is the staff control screen digital with the capabilities to have icons placed on it to call room to room for assistance? RESPONSE: Yes

1. Will the VA consider using a wireless connection between the beds and the call system as an alternative to a 37-pin bed connection? This will cut down on the initial cost of deploying and maintaining the nurse call system. RESPONSE: No

1. Will the corridor dome light utilize a three zone multicolor visual communication reference to communicate Patient call? RESPONSE: Yes

1. Will the corridor dome light utilize a three zone multicolor visual communication reference to communicate Caregiver in the room? RESPONSE: Yes

1. Will the corridor dome light utilize a three zone multicolor visual communication reference to communicate Falls risk patient? RESPONSE: Not required

1. Will the corridor dome light utilize a three zone multicolor visual communication reference to communicate Patient elopement from bed? RESPONSE: Not required

1. Will the nurses station also be required to provide a status board for visibility to caregiver location on the floor and Smart Bed status and alarms? RESPONSE: No

1. What is the manufacturer of the Real Time Locating System (RTLS) currently in use? RESPONSE: Not applicable - No RTLS (real time tracking system) is in use.

1. Will the new nurse call system be connected to the automatically cancel the patient call when a caregiver responds to the call and enters the room? RESPONSE: Not applicable - No wireless staff tracking device (RTLS) is in use.

1. Will the communication of safety alerts to these wireless devices (at a minimum) communicate Bed Exit alarm going off? RESPONSE: Not required

1. Will the communication of safety alerts to these wireless devices (at a minimum) communicate Brake is not set reminder? RESPONSE: Not required

1. Will the communication of safety alerts to these wireless devices (at a minimum) communicate Side Rails are not up per VAMC protocol? RESPONSE: Not required

1. Will the communication of safety alerts to these wireless devices (at a minimum) communicate Bed is not in the low and safest position? RESPONSE: Not required

1. Will the VA consider using a wireless connection between the beds and the call system as an alternative to a 37-pin bed connection? This will cut down on the initial cost of deploying and maintaining the nurse call system. RESPONSE: No

1. Will the Nurse Call System be required to capture and report on the weight of the patient provided from the bed data? RESPONSE: No

1. Will the Nurse Call System be required to capture and report on the status of the brakes provided from the bed data? RESPONSE: No

1. Will the Nurse Call System be required to capture and report on the status of the side rails provided from the bed data? RESPONSE: No

1. Will the Nurse Call System be required to capture and report on the degree of the head rest provided from the bed data? RESPONSE: No

1. Will the Nurse Call System be required include graphical touchscreen nurse workflow station with A/B bed soft toggle selection option? RESPONSE: No

1. Will the Nurse Call System be required to include Automatic Nurse Call and Bed Cancel upon nurse entry into the room and automatic re-arm of alarms/alerts for nurse call and Hillrom smart beds? RESPONSE: No

1. Will the Nurse Call System be required to include a native interface with Cerner and the existing Hillrom smartbeds for automatic alarm set, automatic alarm reset and clinical documentation? RESPONES: No

1. Will the nurse call system be required to consume demographic information via HL7 ADT to define the Hillrom Smart Bed Alarm state? RESPONSE: No

1. Because Soft button code option is not acceptable due to 508 compliance, Will the Nurse Call System be required to include physical down pull Code Blue lever on the graphical touchscreen patient status station? RESPONSE: No

1. Will the Nurse Call System be required to include a dedicated Room Control Board setup which maintains a single-point-of-failure? RESPONSE: No daisy chain type system architecture in use.

1. Will the Nurse call system be designed to prevent from connecting more than 2 beds in a daisy chain to minimize system outage in the event of component failure? RESPONSE: Yes

1. Will the Nurse Call System be required to include a graphical touchscreen patient status station near each patient bed or beds in each patient room to provide graphical icons representing the alarm, alert, and soft button state of the patient in that bed? RESPONSE: No

1. Will the Nurse Call System be required to include an all in one pillow speaker and 37 pin smartbed plug? RESPONSE: No

1. Will the Nurse Call System be required to include graphical touchscreen patient status station that must display visible, graphical icons (not just text)? RESPONSE: No

1. Will the Nurse Call System be required to include graphical touchscreen patient status stations that can support dual bed functionality from one screen? RESPONSE: No

1. There is a requirement for the nurse call system to be TRM approved. The TekTone 400 nurse call system referenced in the solicitation is NOT currently TRM approved. Can the solicitation be modified to remove characteristics naming TekTone products as they do not meet this requirement? RESPONSE: The existing VA facility utilizes the TekTone 400 series nurse call system (as do several others.) This system is being expanded.

1. Is it acceptable for the proposed nurse call system to operate on an opensource Linux based operating system? RESPONSE: The primary nurse call system does not utilize a Linux based server.

1. Is it acceptable for the proposed nurse call system to operate on an opensource database like PostgreSQL or MySQL? RESPONSE: The core nurse call system does not operate on PostgreSQL or MySQL.

1. What is the current fire alarm speaker system? RESPONSE: EST

1. Is it acceptable to have an audio file play a “Rapid Response” recording over the existing fire alarm speaker system? RESPONSE: This ancillary only and not a replacement for "typical" code blue communication methods.