36C25725Q0552_1.docx

El Paso Veterans Affairs Health Care System (ELPVAHCS) Audiology Booth Statement of Work (SOW)

GENERAL INFORMATION

SET-ASIDE

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS

Department of Veterans Affairs South Texas Veterans HCS 5441 Babcock Rd. STE 302 San Antonio TX 78240

POINT OF CONTACT*

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

El Paso VAMC

5001 N. Piedras St.

El Paso TX

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

This is a Sources Sought notice only. This is not a request for quotes and no contract will be awarded from this announcement. The Government will not provide any reimbursement for responses submitted in response to this Source Sought notice. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.

The purpose of this announcement is to perform market research to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 334510 – 1250 Emp. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office 17 (NCO 17) is seeking to identify any vendor capable of providing an Audiology Sound Booth for the El Paso VAMC, 5001 N. Piedras St., El Paso, TX 79930. Refer to the Statement of Work (SOW) for the requested requirement description. The standard shall be of quality; meeting or exceeding those outlined in the SOW.

This Sources Sought notice provides an opportunity for respondents to submit their capability and availability to provide the requirement. Vendors are being invited to submit information relative to their potential to fulfill this requirement, in the form of a capability response that addresses the specific requirement identified in this Sources Sought. Information received from this Sources Sought shall be utilized to facilitate the Contracting Officer’s review of the market base, for acquisition planning, size determination, and procurement strategy.

Submission Instructions: Interested parties who consider themselves qualified to perform the services are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by 2:00 PM CST, May 13, 2025. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice must be emailed to Tammy.Wilson5@va.gov. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions.

Interested parties should complete the attached Sources Sought Worksheet. Parties may submit additional information related to their capabilities, provided it contains all the requirements contained in the Sources Sought Worksheet. Responses to this Sources Sought shall not exceed 10 pages. In addition, all submissions should be provided electronically in a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

SAM: Interested parties shall be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) as prescribed in FAR Clause 52.232-33. SAM information can be obtained by accessing the internet at www.sam.gov or by calling 1-866-606-8220. Interested parties not registered in SAM will be ineligible to receive a government contract, should a solicitation be issued resulting from this Sources Sought.

VISTA: The VA utilizes VISTA to issue a purchase order and liquidate invoices. Failure to register in VISTA may result in exclusion from the issuance of a VA contract, should a solicitation be issued resulting from this Sources Sought.

Respondents claiming SDVOSB and VOSB status shall be registered and verified in SBA Veteran Small Business Certification at Veteran Small Business Certification (sba.gov).

***ALL SUBMISSIONS SHALL PROVIDE THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN (MANUFACTURE)***

Attachment 1 Sources Sought Worksheet

QUALIFICATION INFORMATION:

Company / Institute Name: _______________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________ Phone Number: ________________________________________________________________ Point of Contact: _______________________________________________________________ E-mail Address: ________________________________________________________________ Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) #: ___________________________________________________ CAGE Code: __________________________________________________________________ Other available contract vehicles (GSA/FSS/NASA SEWP/ETC): ________________________ **Country of Origin:______________________________________________________________

SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS:

SBA/VIP Verified SDVOSB: (Y / N) SBA/VIP Verified VOSB: (Y / N) 8(a): (Y / N) HUBZone: (Y / N) Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business: (Y / N) Women-Owned Small Business: (Y / N) Small Business: (Y / N) NOTE: Respondents claiming SDVOSB and VOSB status shall be registered and verified in SBA Veteran Small Business Certification at Veteran Small Business Certification (sba.gov) BASED ON THE RESPONSES TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE/MARKET RESEARCH, THIS REQUIREMENT MAY BE SET-ASIDE FOR SDVOSB, VOSB, SMALL BUSINESSES OR PROCURED THROUGH FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION.

Sources Sought Notice Sources Sought Notice

Sources Sought Notice

The Department of Veterans Affairs, El Paso VA Health Care System (EPVAHCS), has a requirement for a replacement Audio Sound Booth. The Contractor shall provide all labor, material, tools, management, travel, and equipment necessary to supply the equipment to El Paso VA Medical Center in accordance with the specifications of the Statement of Work as stated below:

SPECIFICATIONS/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Audiology does frequent hearing tests and requires quiet rooms to do this. Generally, rooms aren’t quiet enough due to people talking in other rooms, car noise outside, etc. Booths are required to be very quiet to let us accurately and consistently test hearing. The Audio Sound booth is a replacement for current audio booth that’s end-of-life cycle is the current year of FY25.

The product shall be equal or exceed the below salient characteristics to be considered:

Configuration: Audiometric booths must be one of the following configurations:

This specification addresses prefabricated audiometric examination booths and rooms/suites suitable for the use in testing, calibration, and recording of aural acuity. A booth is defined as a free-standing double walled examination room. A suite is defined as a combination of a single or double walled control room and a double walled examination room (rooms are parts of suites). Henceforth, the term "audiometric booth" will be used generically when referring to booth, room, or suite. An audiometric booth covered by this specification includes all enclosure panels, components, wiring, lighting fixtures (including dimmers), ventilation silencers, and installation to make the booth completely operable. From VHA1170.02.

The Contractor shall provide a limited lifetime warranty for all items to include, parts, shipping, and labor, shall be covered by the manufacturer/dealership.

Delivery:

Deliveries will be accepted on site located at 5001 N. Piedras Street, El Paso, TX 79930. There will be a loading dock available. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Trucks cannot be left unattended and must be removed from unloading area after unloading. EPVAHCS cannot guarantee parking provisions for Contractors.

• Drop shipping is not acceptable. All deliveries must be received and handled by installers.

• EPVAHCS will not provide equipment, tools or labor to assist in furniture deliveries. All necessary equipment and manpower must be included in quote.

EPVAHCS will not provide on-site storage for this requirement. Any damage to the EPVAHCS facility and/or furniture being delivered must be repaired within 30 days at the Contractors’ expense.

The Contractor is responsible for providing the Government with a list of names and type of Government identification that will be used to enter and exit the facility.

The Contractor is responsible for notifying the VA Program Manager in advance of arrival and departure, providing review of all product and site conditions before signing off. Work is to be performed between 8:00am and 4:30pm on weekdays unless specifically coordinated otherwise.

VHA specific requirements for all supplies/services purchased by this order/contract:

Contractor shall be an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) authorized dealer, authorized distributor or authorized reseller for the proposed equipment/system such that OEM warranty and service are provided and maintained by the OEM. All software licensing, warranty, and service associated with the equipment/system shall be in accordance with the OEM terms and conditions.

This procurement is for new Equipment ONLY; no remanufactured or "gray market" items. All Equipment must be covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

1.1 Software Applications

The Contractor shall provide and update all software applications, as they become available, through usual commercial channels. The Contractor shall make recommendations for application upgrades. “Software” means the application software and license to the Customer by the original software developer. “Customer” means the site of the firm, group, company, or corporation.

1.2 Software Support Services

The Contractor must provide unlimited telephone and email support to Customer inquiries regarding the use and operation of the software. This does not include training in the use of the equipment, customer modifications, product development, or modification of existing source codes belonging to the Government.

1.3 Troubleshooting and Repair

Any problems with the system must be isolated and repaired by the Contractor. The Contractor will trouble shoot the hardware, software, and communications equipment to determine the best method of repair. If problems are found, the Contractor shall contact the appropriate and authorized maintenance organization or company and track the trouble call until it is resolved.

1.4 Contractor Responsibilities

During the term of this contract, the Contractor shall provide support at the Customers request and will use its best efforts to provide prompt software support services to the Customer by telephone. The Contractor shall provide telephone support to Customers between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm mountain time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays recognized by the VA. The Contractor shall use its best efforts to respond promptly to all inquiries by the customer within one (1) hour of notification that service is required.

1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

2.1 Hours of Operation

Normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm MST, excluding holidays. All services shall be performed during normal hours of coverage unless requested and approved by the COR. Due to the nature of the project, the Contractor understands that a portion of the work will be performed in occupied areas. Therefore, work shall be performed in strict accordance with the Conformance Standards and OSHA regulations. Contractor shall perform work in a professional manner and shall minimize the disruption of normal operations of the facility including the occupied patient and staff areas.

Federal Holidays observed by the VAMC are:

New Year's Day Labor Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day Juneteenth

M L King's Birthday Columbus Day President's Day Veterans Day Independence Day

Also included would be any other day specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a National Holiday.

When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be observed as a legal holiday by U.S. Government agencies. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday shall be observed as a legal holiday.

2.0 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor’s employees must wear visible identification and company uniforms, approved by the COR, at all times while on the premises of the VAMC. It is the responsibility of the Contractor to park in the appropriate designated parking areas. Information on parking is available from the VA Police Section or the COR. The VAMC will not invalidate or make reimbursement for any parking violations of the Contractor under any conditions. Smoking is prohibited inside any buildings at the VAMC. Possession of weapons is prohibited. Enclosed containers, including tool kits, must be subject to a search. Violations of VA regulations may result in citations answerable in the United States (Federal) District court, not a local district, state, or municipal court.

5.0 INFORMATION SYSTEMS OFFICER, INFORMATION PROTECTION:

The contractor shall not have access to VA Desktop computers, nor shall they have access to online resources belonging to the government while conducting services. If removal of equipment from the VA is required, any memory storage devices, such as hard drives, solid state drives and non-volatile memory units shall remain in VA control and shall not be removed from VA custody.

6.0 Privacy Officer:

The contractor shall not have access to Patient Health Information (PHI) nor shall they have the capability of accessing patient information during the services provided to the VA.

7.0 NARA Records Management Language for Contracts

1. Contractor shall comply with all applicable records management laws and regulations, as well as National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) records policies, including but not limited to the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. chs. 21, 29, 31, 33), NARA regulations at 36 CFR Chapter XII Subchapter B, and those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). These policies include the preservation of all records, regardless of form or characteristics, mode of transmission, or state of completion.

2. In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, all data created for Government use and delivered to, or falling under the legal control of, the Government are Federal records subject to the provisions of 44 U.S.C. chapters 21, 29, 31, and 33, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), as amended, and the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended and must be managed and scheduled for disposition only as permitted by statute or regulation.

3. In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, Contractor shall maintain all records created for Government use or created in the course of performing the contract and/or delivered to, or under the legal control of the Government and must be managed in accordance with Federal law. Electronic records and associated metadata must be accompanied by sufficient technical documentation to permit understanding and use of the records and data.

4. El Paso Veteran Affairs Health Care System (EPVAHCS) and its contractors are responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of records, including all forms of mutilation. Records may not be removed from the legal custody of EPVAHCS or destroyed except for in accordance with the provisions of the agency records schedules and with the written concurrence of the Head of the Contracting Activity. Willful and unlawful destruction, damage or alienation of Federal records is subject to the fines and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701.

In the event of any unlawful or accidental removal, defacing, alteration, or destruction of records, Contractor must report to EPVAHCS. The agency must report promptly to NARA in accordance with 36 CFR 1230.

5. The Contractor shall immediately notify the appropriate Contracting Officer upon discovery of any inadvertent or unauthorized disclosures of information, data, documentary materials, records or equipment. Disclosure of non-public information is limited to authorized personnel with a need-to-know as described in the [contract vehicle]. The Contractor shall ensure that the appropriate personnel, administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are established to ensure the security and confidentiality of this information, data, documentary material, records and/or equipment is properly protected. The Contractor shall not remove material from Government facilities or systems, or facilities or systems operated or maintained on the Government’s behalf, without the express written permission of the Head of the Contracting Activity. When information, data, documentary material, records and/or equipment is no longer required, it shall be returned to EPVAHCS control, or the Contractor must hold it until otherwise directed. Items returned to the Government shall be hand carried, mailed, emailed, or securely electronically transmitted to the Contracting Officer or address prescribed in the [contract vehicle]. Destruction of records is EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED unless in accordance with Paragraph (4).

6. The 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, contracts. The Contractor (and any sub-contractor) is required to abide by Government and EPVAHCS guidance for protecting sensitive, proprietary information, classified, and controlled unclassified information.

7. The Contractor shall only use Government IT equipment for purposes specifically tied to or authorized by the contract and in accordance with EPVAHCS policy.

8. The Contractor shall not create or maintain any records containing any non-public EPVAHCS information that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract.

9. The 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 from public disclosure by an exemption to the Freedom of Information Act.

10. The EPVAHCS owns the rights to all data and records produced as part of this contract. All deliverables under the contract are the property of the U.S. Government for which EPVAHCS shall have unlimited rights to use, dispose of, or disclose such data contained therein as it determines to be in the public interest. Any Contractor rights in the data or deliverables must be identified as required by FAR 52.227-11 through FAR 52.227-20.

11. Training. All Contractor employees assigned to this contract who create, work with, or otherwise handle records are required to take VHA-provided records management training, Talent Management System (TMS) Item #10176, Privacy and Information Security, Rules of Behavior. The Contractor is responsible for confirming training has been completed according to agency policies, including initial training and any annual or refresher training.