36C26224Q1301.docx

SUBJECT*

QUIDEL REAGENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION

Network Contracting Office 22 4811 Airport Plaza Drive Suite 600 Long Beach CA 90815

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Carabon, Kal kahlfanie.carabon@va.gov

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Southern Arizona (Tucson) VA Healthcare System

Path and Lab

3601 S. 6th Ave - Building 14

Tucson AZ

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

DESCRIPTION

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; offers are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

(ii) The solicitation number 36C26224Q1301 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) in conjunction with FAR -- Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures and constitutes the only solicitation. The Government intends to award a single Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) award contract.

(iii) The provisions and clauses in this document are in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-05, May 22, 2024.

(iv) This solicitation intends to award a contract through full and open competition after exclusion of sources under Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside to a business associated with NAICS[footnoteRef:0] Code 325413 with a size standard of 1250 employees. [0: North American Industrial Classification System]

(v) See Attachment A – Salient Characteristics for a list of brand name salient characteristics and other requirements.

See Attachment B – Schedule of Pricing for a list of line item numbers, items, quantities and units of measure.

(vi) The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeks to make a procurement for reagents and consumable for use with QuidelOrtho™ Triage Tox Drug Screen instrument for the VA Southern Arizona (Tucson) Healthcare System which will be for an on-going basis. See Attachment A for a listing of brand name salient characteristics and other requirements.

Offeror quotations must demonstrate meeting the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation, otherwise it will be considered non-responsive. The technical specifications for this requirement are listed for Brand Name or Equal per FAR 52.211-6. The information identified provided is intended to be descriptive, not restrictive and to indicate the quality that will be satisfactory. The interested parties bear full responsibility to ensure their submission demonstrates to the government that they can provide the brand name or equal to supplies being requested.

(vii) Delivery Requirements:

Place of Delivery: VA Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System (Tucson), 3601 South 6th Avenue Tucson – Building 14, AZ 85723-0001

Period of Performance:

The period of performance will start shortly after award for a one (1) Year Base Period with the Government having the option to exercise four (4) one-year option periods for a total of five (5) years.

Additional Delivery Requirements Orders shall be made on an as needed basis throughout the period of performance not to exceed stated totals within the schedule without a supplemental agreement between the Contractor and Contracting Officer in accordance with 52.212-4(c). All pricing shall be inclusive of shipping within the schedule and FOB Destination.

(viii) The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this solicitation.

Addendum:

All offeror quotes for this solicitation must be received electronically through email no later than Wednesday, June 26th, 2024, 1:00 PM Pacific Time. Ensure to reference solicitation number 36C26224Q1301 within subject line of the email. Any offeror quotes received after the prescribed date/time shall be considered non-responsive and will not be considered for award. Any questions regarding this solicitation must be received electronically through email no later than, Friday, June 14th, 2024, 1:00 PM Pacific Time.

Offers shall be sent by email to Kahlfanie Carabon at Kahlfanie.carabon@va.gov.

Offerors shall submit the following via email:

1. Offerors shall fill out all unlocked fill-ins/tabs of Attachment B conforming to requirements stated by the salient characteristics and the instructions below.

a. If providing an equivalent product offeror shall complete columns F – I of the following tabs, 1. Base, 2. Option 1, 3. Option 2, 4. Option 3, 5. Option 4., to show how their product meets the salient characteristics in Attachment A. Alternatively offerors may state where in the offeror’s overall submission that information can be found. See 52.211-6 for additional information.

b. Offerors shall additionally complete column L (Price) of the following tabs, 1. Base, 2. Option 1, 3. Option 2, 4. Option 3, 5. Option 4.

2. Offeror shall provide the following Company information to Attachment B tab 7. in column B:

a. Company Name

b. Address

c. Telephone Number

d. Email

e. Point of Contact

f. Firm’s UEI#

3. Offeror shall provide verification that their items are not Gray Market such as examples on page below, section Gray Market Items.

4. The Department of Veterans Affairs requires all awardees to be “vendorized” before payments can be made under an awarded contract. All interested parties are encouraged to complete registration using the following link https://www.id.me/. This will all vendors access to VA's Customer Engagement Portal (CEP) at https://www.cep.fsc.va.gov/ where they can complete VA Form 10091 (VA-FSC Vendor File Request Form). Support for the vendorization process can be accessed by calling VA Financial Services Center (FSC), Vendor Support at 877-353-9791 option 3. Their business hours are 7:00AM – 4:14PM CST.

(ix) 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. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

Lowest priced quotation that meets all salient characteristics that is both responsive and responsible.

Acceptability of equipment/services shall be established by review of each submitted quotation by the designated evaluator(s) and verification that any equal-to items meet the salient characteristics included in this solicitation. Submissions to this solicitation must show clear, compelling and convincing evidence that equal-to items meet all the salient characteristics (see Attachment A). Offers that include any items that are not determined as Brand Name or Equal shall result in an unacceptable offer. See 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal for additional information.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(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 with a minimum of at least sixty days, 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)

(x) Must include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3 -- Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Products and Commercial Services, with this solicitation or ensure SAM.gov is updated with current information.

(xi) The clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this acquisition.

(xii) The clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes Or Executive Orders -- Commercial Products and Commercial Services, applies to this acquisition

(xiii) The following clauses also apply:

52.211-6 - Brand Name or Equal (Aug 1999)

(a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as “brand name or equal,” the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government’s needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that “equal” products must meet are specified in the solicitation.

(b) To be considered for award, offers of “equal” products, including “equal” products of the brand name manufacturer, must—

(1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation;

(2) Clearly identify the item by—

(i) Brand name, if any; and

(ii) Make or model number;

(3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and

(4) Clearly describe any modification the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modification.

(c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate “equal” products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer.

(d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an “equal” product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation.

(End of clause) Gray Market Items

(a) Gray market items are Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) goods sold through unauthorized channels in direct competition with authorized distributors. This procurement is for new OEM medical supplies, medical equipment and/or services contracts for maintenance of medical equipment (i.e. replacement parts) for VA Medical Centers. No remanufactures or gray market items will be acceptable.

(b) Vendor shall be an OEM, authorized dealer, authorized distributor or authorized reseller for the proposed medical supplies, medical equipment and/or services contracts for maintenance of medical equipment (i.e. replacement parts), verified by an authorization letter or other documents from the OEM, such that the OEM’s warranty and service are provided and maintained by the OEM. All software licensing, warranty and service associated with the medical supplies, medical equipment and/or services contracts for maintenance of medical equipment shall be in accordance with the OEM terms and conditions.

(c) The delivery of gray market items to the VA in the fulfillment of an order/award constitutes a breach of contract. Accordingly, the VA reserves the right to enforce any of its contractual remedies. This includes termination of the contract or, solely at the VA’s election, allowing the Vendor to replace, at no cost to the Government, any remanufactured or gray market item(s) delivered to a VA medical facility upon discovery of such items.

(End of clause) 52.217-6 – Option for Increase Quantity (MAR 1989) The Government may increase the quantity of supplies called for in the Schedule at the unit price specified. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor anytime within the period of performance. Delivery of the added items shall continue at the same rate as the like items called for under the contract, unless the parties otherwise agree.

(End of clause) 52.217-8 - Option to Extend Services (NOV 1999) The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 90 days of contract expiration.

(End of clause) 52.217-9 - Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (MAR 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 120 days of contract expiration; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 30 days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b)If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 66 Months. (this includes the extension with the exercise of FAR 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services.

(End of clause)

852.232-72 – ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS

Electronic Submission of Payment Requests (NOV 2018)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause -

(1) Contract financing payment has the meaning given in FAR 32.001;

(2) Designated agency office means the office designated by the purchase order, agreement, or contract to first receive and review invoices. This office can be contractually designated as the receiving entity. This office may be different from the office issuing the payment;

(3) Electronic form means an automated system transmitting information electronically according to the accepted electronic data transmission methods and formats identified in paragraph (c) of this clause. Facsimile, email, and scanned documents are not acceptable electronic forms for submission of payment requests;

(4) Invoice payment has the meaning given in FAR 32.001; and

(5) Payment request means any request for contract financing payment or invoice payment submitted by the Contractor under this contract.

(b) Electronic payment requests. Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this clause, the Contractor shall submit payment requests in electronic form. Purchases paid with a Government-wide commercial purchase card are considered to be an electronic transaction for purposes of this rule, and therefore no additional electronic invoice submission is required.

(c) Data transmission. A Contractor must ensure that the data transmission method and format are through one of the following:

(1) VA's Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment System at the current website address provided in the contract.

(2) Any system that conforms to the X12 electronic data interchange (EDI) formats established by the Accredited Standards Center (ASC) and chartered by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

(d) Invoice requirements. Invoices shall comply with FAR 32.905.

(e) Exceptions. If, based on one of the circumstances in this paragraph (e), the Contracting Officer directs that payment requests be made by mail, the Contractor shall submit payment requests by mail through the United States Postal Service to the designated agency office. Submission of payment requests by mail may be required for -

(1) Awards made to foreign vendors for work performed outside the United States;

(2) Classified contracts or purchases when electronic submission and processing of payment requests could compromise the safeguarding of classified or privacy information;

(3) Contracts awarded by Contracting Officers in the conduct of emergency operations, such as responses to national emergencies;

(4) Solicitations or contracts in which the designated agency office is a VA entity other than the VA Financial Services Center in Austin, Texas; or

(5) Solicitations or contracts in which the VA designated agency office does not have electronic invoicing capability as described above.

(End of clause) 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/index.asp

(End of Clause) 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):

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

(End of Provision)

See attached document: ATTACHMENT A - SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS - QUIDEL REAGENTS.

See attached document: ATTACHMENT B - SCHEDULE OF PRICING - QUIDEL REAGENTS.