Request for Information - Passive RFID.docx

Sources Sought Notice

Sources Sought Notice Request for Information (RFI) – Automated Inventory Management Using Passive Radiofrequency Identification

This is a request for information (RFI) only. Do not submit a proposal. It is requested that all contractors interested in participating in this effort please note their interest and provide indication of their respective capabilities.

This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered an Invitation for Bids, Request for Quotations, or a Request for Proposal. Additionally, there is no obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services described in this RFI. Your response to this RFI will be treated only as information for the Government to consider. You will not be entitled to payment for direct or indirect costs that you incur in responding to this RFI. This request does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated or received for this effort. The information provided may be used by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in developing its acquisition strategy and Performance Work Statement. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary, restricted or competition sensitive information contained in their response. The Government does not intend to pay for the information submitted in response to this RFI.

VA is seeking Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) sources capable of meeting the requirements to conduct a competitive set-aside.

BACKGROUND:

The mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veteran Integrated Service Network 21 (VISN 21) is to provide benefits and services to Veterans of the United States. In meeting these goals, VISN 21 strives to provide high quality, effective, and efficient Information Technology (IT) services to those responsible for providing care to the Veterans at the point-of-care as well as throughout all the points of the Veterans’ health care in an effective, timely and compassionate manner.

VISN 21 currently uses CenTrak® proprietary active radiofrequency identification (active RFID) real time locating systems (RTLS) to track asset, staff, and patient locations. CenTrak® Active Asset Tracking (AT) deployed at VISN 21 Health Care Systems (HCS) is supplemented with the Infor® Location Based Intelligence (LBI) user interface (UI). The hardware and software are designed for locating assets in real time at a zonal, room-level, and within-room level accuracy.

Currently, however, active (i.e., battery powered) CenTrak® asset tracking (AT) only provides coverage for a portion of VISN 21’s assets due to the trade-off between tag size, maintenance cost (e.g., battery management), and the ability to locate assets in real time. However, it is not necessary to locate in real time the majority of non-expendable (NX) equipment at medical centers. Therefore, VISN 21 is seeking a passive (i.e., non-powered) RFID solution to complement CenTrak® active AT in locating non-expendable equipment not suitable for use with active RFID tags.

RFI SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:

If your company is capable of providing the hardware/software/services outlined in the Draft Performance Work Statement, please submit a Vendor Capabilities Statement that includes a description of the capabilities/qualifications/skills your company possesses to perform this type of work, specifically to include identification of the proposed COTS product(s) and product overview. The following information must be provided along with your statement of capabilities:

1) General Information:

Name of Company:

Address:

Point of Contact:

Phone Number:

Fax Number:

Email address:

Company Business Size and Status:

NAICS code(s):

DUNs#:

CAGE Code#:

2) Is the solution proposed compatible/interoperable with CenTrak® hardware? Please detail.

3) Is the solution proposed compatible/interoperable with Infor® Location Based Intelligence user interface? Please detail.

4) Do you have a current teaming agreement, distributor agreement, or reseller agreement with CenTrak® and/or Infor®? If so, please provide evidence.

5) Do you currently hold active contracts in providing services and products to support real time locating services and systems in VA? In other government/commercial hospital settings? In other commercial settings? Please detail.

6) Are you able to develop an interface to integrate the proposed solution with VISN 21’s existing active CenTrak® RTLS? Please detail.

7) Identification of any available schedule contracts, or other government/agency contracts that may be available.

8) Identification of any teaming arrangements.

9) Submit any questions related to the Draft PWS - Draft.

SUBMISSION:

It is requested that interested contractors submit a response (electronic submission) of no more than 15 pages in length, single spaced, 12-point font minimum that addresses the above information. In response to the RFI, interested Contractors shall submit the above information by 3:00PM ET on June 24, 2022, via email to Laura.Startek@va.gov and Matthew Truex, Contracting Officer, at matthew.truex1@va.gov.

Questions regarding the RFI announcement, instructions, and/or draft PWS shall be submitted by 12:00PM ET on June 17, 2022.

See attached document: Draft PWS Passive RFID – Draft.docx.

Sources Sought Notice

Sources Sought Notice