36C26226Q0477.docx

Sources Sought Notice Sources Sought Notice

GENERAL INFORMATION

SET-ASIDE

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

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contracting Officer Adrienne Brown adrienne.brown4@va.gov

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

VA Long Beach Healthcare System

5901 East 7th Street

ATTN: Food Service

Long Beach CA

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION.

SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION ABOUT PRICING, DELIVERY, THE MARKET, AND CAPABILITIES IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI FOR PLANNING PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 15.201(e).

DISCLAIMER

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. IAW FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

SOURCES SOUGHT DESCRIPTION

This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a Sources Sought Notice only. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to gain information about potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 333310 (size standard of 1,000 Employees). Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this Sources Sought Notice, further sources sought notices and/or a solicitation or other announcements may be published.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking sources capable of providing food carts in support of VA Long Beach Healthcare System.

The list of characteristics/requirements is intended to be descriptive, not restrictive, of the supplies/services that are required.

If your company is interested and capable of providing the required supplies/services, please provide the information indicated below. Response to this notice should include company name, address, point of contact, size of business pursuant to the following questions:

(1) Submit your capabilities statement illustrating how your organization can/cannot meet the list of SOW requirements. For instances where your company cannot meet the SOW requirement(s), please explain. For instances where your company can meet the SOW requirement(s), please show how your company meets/exceeds each requirement.

(2) Please review the list of SOW requirements and provide any additional feedback or suggestions. If none, please reply as N/A.

(3) Please indicate the size status and representations of your business, such as but not limited to: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), HUBZone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Large Business, etc.

(4) Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified in this RFI?

(5) Are you the manufacturer, authorized distributor, and/or can your company provide a solution to the required supplies/services described in the list of SOW?

(6) If you are a large business, do you have any designated/authorized distributors? If so, please provide their company name, telephone, point of contact and size status (if available).

(7) If you’re a small business and you are an authorized distributor/reseller for the items identified above, do you alter; assemble; modify; the items requested in any way? If you do, state how and what is altered; assembled; modified.

(8) Limitations on Subcontracting: How does your business ensure compliance with the limitations on subcontracting as outlined in 13 CFR § 125.6?

(9) Are the items you are identifying/providing considered Commercial of the Shelf (COTS) items as defined in FAR Part 2.101 under commercial items?

(10) Non-Manufacturer Rule: If applicable, can you confirm your business complies with the Non-Manufacturer rule? Specifically, does your company: Provide a product from a small business manufacturer or processor? Not exceed 500 employees? Primarily engage in the retail or wholesale trade and normally sell the type of item being supplied? Take ownership or possession of the item(s) with its personnel, equipment or facilities in a manner consistent with industry practice?

(11) Please indicate whether your product conforms to the requirements of the Buy American Act?

(12) What is your lead time to deliver a single unit with all components? Is there scale in lead time with greater quantities? Please elaborate.

(13) What is estimated life span of your solution? What support/services does that entail?

(14) Does your proposed pharmaceutical have FDA clearance? Please specify what FDA clearance(s) have been obtained.

(15) Does your company have a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract? If so, please provide the contract number(s).

(16) If you are an FSS GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract holder, are all the items/solutions you are providing information about available on your schedule/contract? Please state if all or some items are available on the contract.

(17) General pricing of your products/solution is encouraged. Pricing will be used for the purpose of market research only. It will not be used to evaluate for any type of award.

(18) Please provide your SAM.gov Unique Entity ID/Cage Code number.

(19) Where is the product manufactured? If it is not manufactured in the United States, does your product meet the requirements for TAA?

Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to adrienne.brown4@va.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than March 17, 2026 by 10:00 AM Mountain Time.

All responses to this Sources Sought will be used for planning purposes only. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice are not considered a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. If further Sources Sought and/or a solicitation or other announcement is issued as a result of the information provided from this sources sought, all interested parties must respond to the specific posting separately IAW the specifications of that announcement.

Brand Name Product Description The Aladdin Convect-Rite 3 Mini Transport Cart (CR3C20 series) is a lightweight, stainless-steel meal-delivery cart designed to dock with a Convect‑Rite 3 system and transport up to 20 undivided meal trays while maintaining hot and cold food temperatures.

Device description

· Type and use: Mobile, insulated food transport cart designed to mate with a Convect‑Rite docking station for rethermalizing and chilling patient or resident meals in healthcare or similar foodservice environments.

· Capacity: 20 flat, undivided trays with approximately 3.6 inch tray spacing in the CR3C20 configuration.

Construction and materials

· Cabinet: Stainless steel tank, frame, doors, and center panel provide durable, corrosion‑resistant construction suitable for repeated cleaning and institutional use.

· Top and base: High‑impact, non‑marking plastic top and base with molded‑in galley rail in the top to aid in staging trays or small items.

· Hardware: Polished cast aluminum handle brackets, hinges, and strike cover designed for durability and clean appearance in front‑of‑house corridors.

Thermal performance

· Docking compatibility: Specifically designed to mate securely with the Convect‑Rite docking station, creating a snug fit during rethermalization.

· Temperature control: Uses directed airflow technology and insulated walls, top, base, doors, and center panel to promote uniform hot and cold temperatures at each tray level during a typical 45–60 minute rethermalization cycle.

Mobility and handling

· Casters: Four large 6.25 inch non‑marking casters, with two fixed and two swivel with locks, provide easy pushing, maneuverability, and stable parking.

· Door latching: Flush‑mounted paddle latches allow hands‑free slam‑latch door closing while maintaining a smooth exterior profile to reduce snagging.

· Tray access: Lift‑out, removable tray guides allow easier cleaning and flexible maintenance.

Cleaning, options, and compliance

· Regulatory: Listed for sanitation by ETL and manufactured in the United States; supplied with a one‑year parts and one‑year labor warranty as standard.

· Built with a stainless-steel tank, frame, and doors, ensuring durability and a professional appearance.

· Features a high-impact, non-marking plastic top base and molded-in galley rail for stability and handling ease.

· Designed to accommodate undivided trays, supporting meal flexibility and kitchen workflow.

· Utilizes directed airflow technology to maintain uniform temperature across all tray levels, critical for food safety and quality.

· Insulated walls, top, base, doors, and center panel retain heat or cold for extended times during transport.

· Gravity-operated Auto-Therm seal ensures temperature efficiency when the cart is not fully loaded.

· Equipped with four non-marking casters (6.25 inch/15.88 cm), two fixed and two swivel with locks, for easy maneuverability and stability.

· Flush-mounted paddle latches offer hands-free, slamlatch door closing, enhancing hygiene and operation convenience.

· Includes lift-out removable tray guides for simple cleaning and tray adjustments.

· The cart can be hose washed or cleaned in an automatic cart washer

· Available options include directional lock casters, locking doors, and tow hitches to meet varied operational needs.

· 1-year parts and 1-year labor warranty, and ETL sanitation agency listing for compliance assurance.

· Mates with the Convect-Rite docking station to enable rapid rethermalization and chilling cycles within 45 to 60 minutes.

Sources Sought Notice