Furniture RFI - Sources Sought.pdf

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office (NCO) 16

Request For Information (RFI)

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT A

REQUEST FOR QUOTE, PROPOSAL, OR BID. This notice is not a solicitation as defined by FAR 2.101, therefore it shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to an acquisition approach. All information contained in this Request for Information (RFI) is preliminary as well as subject to amendment and is in no way binding on the Government. Information submitted in response to this notice is voluntary; the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. The Government is requesting that restrictive or proprietary markings not be used in response to this notice. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the SAM Federal Contract Opportunities website or on GSA E-Buy. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this RFI.

1. Title: Anti-ligature Dining Room and Group Therapy Furniture for the Alexandria VA Health Care System in Pineville, LA.

2. Purpose: The purpose of this RFI is to identify potential sources which will aid in defining the procurement strategy (e.g., set-aside, sole source, unrestricted) for a solicitation the VA intends to issue shortly for the following:

Item Item /Description of Supplies/Equipment Qty

Behavioral Health grade armless guest chair in accordance with the attached Statement of Work.

Behavioral Health grade Round Café Table, 48”, in accordance with the attached statement of work

40 EA

6 EA

The anticipated Small Business Administration (SBA) size standard for the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 337127 is 500 employees.

If your company is interested in participating in a future solicitation for this requirement, please complete the following or submit your own document that includes the following information to the Contracting Officer:

Company Name: ____________________________________________ Point(s) of contact name: ________________________________ Email address: _______________________________________________ Company's business size: ________________________________________________

SAM UEI #: _______________________________

Is your company considered a small business concern, SB, SDVOSB, VOSB, HUBZone, or 8A concern, with the requisite 337127 NAICS code? ______________________________________

Is your company available under any Government Wide Agency Contract (GWAC), Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract, Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), or some other agreement?

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office (NCO) 16

Request For Information (RFI) If so, please identify the contract number for the Government to review as part of this Market Research.

NCO-16 is seeking information from potential vendors on their ability to provide the required items/equipment. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. Small Business Concerns are encouraged to provide responses to this RFI in order to assist the MEDVAMC in determining potential levels of competition and general market pricing available in the industry.

5. Instructions and Response Guidelines:

RFI responses are due by 4:00 PM CST on 2/11/2026. Submit via email to bennett.smith2@va.gov.

NO SOLICITATION EXISTS AT THIS TIME. However, an RFQ may be issued based on the responses received.

Please provide the information you deem relevant in order to respond to the specific inquiries of the RFI.

Information provided will be used solely by NCO-16 as Market Research.

7. Contact Information:

Bennett Smith, Contracting Officer bennett.smith2@va.gov mailto:bennett.smith2@va.gov mailto:bennett.smith2@va.gov

Statement of Work (SOW) Anti-Ligature Dining Room & Group Therapy Furniture – Building 9

1. Background and Need

Building 9 serves inpatient mental health units where many patients are present with suicidal or homicidal ideation. Existing dining and group room furniture is lightweight and creates ligature and weaponization risks, preventing proper use of the dining room and undermining dignity and therapeutic care. To align with the VA Mental Health Environment of Care Checklist (MHEOCC) and VHA policy for units treating suicidal patients, the VAMC requires behavioral-health-grade, anti-ligature furniture that supports safety while maintaining a calming, neutral aesthetic.

2. Objectives

• Eliminates or mitigates ligature points and weaponization risks

• Supports safe, dignified dining and group therapy use

• Blends into a neutral environment (earth-tone colorways)

• Meets performance standards for commercial healthcare, furniture and infection-control cleanability

3. Scope of Supply

• Dining/Group Chairs: 40 armless guest chairs suitable for behavioral health environments.

• Café Tables: 6 round café tables with 48-inch (±1") diameter tops.

Note: Quantities are fixed. The Government reserves the right to order additional quantities via separate action, if needed.

4. Salient Characteristics & Performance Requirements

Offerors shall demonstrate compliance to be technically acceptable.

A. Safety & Anti-Ligature Design

• Minimal ligature risk: No exposed hardware accessible to patients; no protrusions, gaps, or geometry that can be used for tying/anchoring; smooth, rounded edges (recommended minimum edge radius ≥ 1/8").

• Weaponization resistance: Chairs shall be factory-weighted (integrated, non-removable ballast) to a minimum of 50 lb total unit weight; tables shall include integrated ballast sufficient to render the table stable and difficult to lift.

• Tamper resistance: If fasteners are present, they must be tamper-resistant and inaccessible without tools; any ballast cavities must be sealed.

• Durability: Suitable for 24/7 inpatient use; comply with commercial/contract furniture norms and be backed by a commercial warranty.

• Standards alignment: Products should reflect recognized commercial performance standards (e.g., ANSI/BIFMA for seating and tables) and behavioral-health design practices consistent with MHEOCC safety goals.

B. Materials & Construction

• Chairs: Armless design; monolithic/one-piece or fully enclosed construction; non-porous surfaces;

sealed seams; easy to sanitize; no upholstery or fabric.

• Tables: 48" round top; durable, cleanable surface with sealed edges; pedestal or enclosed base with integrated ballast; no exposed screws/bolts accessible from patient side.

• Cleanability: Compatible with hospital-grade disinfectants; stain- and moisture-resistant; minimal crevices.

C. Aesthetics & Finish

• Earth tones only (e.g., sand, taupe, clay, slate, moss, etc.) designed to blend into neutral interiors.

• Offerors shall provide photographic evidence of proposed color schemes and finish options that meet the neutral/earth-tone requirement.

D. Environmental Care Compliance

• Furniture solutions shall support suicide prevention and anti-ligature goals consistent with VHA Directive 1167 (MHEOCC) for inpatient units; offerors must describe how their design mitigates typical environmental hazards.

E. New Products Only

• All items must be new commercial products; refurbished, remanufactured, or used items are not acceptable.

5. Place of Delivery & Receiving

FOB Destination - Contractor bears all shipping/handling costs to the warehouse. Risk of loss remains with the Contractor until Government acceptance at destination.

Address:

Alexandria VA Health Care System, Warehouse Bldg 136, 2495 Shreveport Hwy, 71 North, Pineville, LA 71360 Hours: Mon–Fri, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM.

6. Delivery Schedule

All items must be delivered within 60 calendar days after contract award (ARO). Vendors shall propose a detailed delivery plan and confirm ability to meet schedule.

7. Packaging & Handling

• Ship in manufacturer’s standard commercial packaging suitable to prevent damage; no onsite staging available.

• The Contractor shall ensure pallets/cartons are labeled with CLIN, quantities, and purchase order number.

• No onsite assembly required; VA staff will assemble if applicable.

• Contractor shall coordinate delivery appointment with the Warehouse Manager at least 3 business days in advance.

8. Warranty

Provide a commercial warranty customary for behavioral-health-grade furniture, including coverage for structural integrity and finish defects. Identify warranty terms and service process.

9. Submission Requirements (Technical)

• Technical datasheets and drawings that demonstrate compliance with Salient Characteristics (Section 4).

• Color/finish dossier: Images of proposed earth-tone palettes for chairs and tables; note material/finish names and cleanability.

• Quality & durability evidence: Testing summaries (e.g., ANSI/BIFMA or equivalent), construction notes, ballast method, tamper-resistant features.

• Delivery Plan confirming ≤60 days ARO.

• Warranty terms and customer service process.

• Past performance summaries for at least 3 comparable behavioral-health or inpatient mental health furniture projects within the last 5 years.

10. Inspection & Acceptance

Government inspection and acceptance at destination. Non-conforming items may be rejected;

Contractor is responsible for removal/return and costs associated with examination/testing of rejected goods.

Contract Line-Item Numbers (CLINs)

CLIN Description Qty Unit Delivery Notes 0001 Behavioral-

Health-Grade Armless Guest

Chair, earth-tone finish, weighted/tamper-resistant per

SOW

40 EA 60 Days

ARO

New items only

0002 Behavioral- Health-Grade Round Café Table, 48" diameter, earth-tone finish, enclosed weighted base per SOW

6 EA 60 Days

ARO

New items only

0003 FOB Destination Freight & Inside

Delivery to Warehouse

1 LOT 60 Days

ARO

Appointment required