7610--Crucial Conversation Course Materials

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/RFI DESCRIPTION

This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a Sources Sought Notice / RFI only. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice / RFI is to gain information about potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 513130 (size standard of 1,000 Employees). Responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI, further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcements may be published.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking sources capable of providing Crucial Conversation Course Materials equivalent to brand Crucial Learning.

Statement of Work

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Statement of Work (SOW) is to define the requirements for the procurement of a Crucial Conversations training materials kit, including facilitator materials, participant workbooks, and associated licensing, for use in staff development at VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS). The materials will be used to train staff in structured communication techniques for managing high-stakes, emotionally charged, and high-disagreement conversations encountered in clinical and administrative settings.

2. Background

VASDHS has identified a need to strengthen staff communication skills in support of Veteran-centered care, interdisciplinary team coordination, and the facility's High Reliability Organization (HRO) initiatives. Crucial Conversations is an established, evidence-informed communication training curriculum used widely in healthcare and other high-reliability industries. VASDHS intends to build internal training capacity by procuring a reusable facilitator kit and associated participant materials rather than engaging recurring external consultant-led training.

3. Scope of Work

The Contractor shall furnish all materials, licensing, and associated documentation necessary for VASDHS staff to deliver and participate in Crucial Conversations training. This includes but is not limited to:

Access to any required digital learning platform, e-learning modules, or licensing associated with the curriculum.

Standard product documentation, including licensing terms and permitted use/reproduction rights for internal training purposes.

4. Specific Tasks/Requirements

The Contractor shall provide the following:

Must provide new undamaged course materials in the quantities specified in Section 6.

Provide participant workbooks/materials in the quantity specified in Section 6 (Deliverables).

Provide licensing terms clarifying whether materials may be reproduced/reused internally for future training cohorts without additional per-use fees.

Provide technical/customer support for accessing any digital components (e.g., online modules, videos, assessments) for the duration of the license period.

Provide proof of authorized distributor status upon request. The Contractor shall be an authorized reseller or licensed provider of course training materials.

5. Period of Performance

The period of performance shall begin upon contract award and continue through delivery and acceptance of all materials, not to exceed 30 calendar days from date of award, unless otherwise discussed.

6. Deliverables

CLIN

Item Description

QTY

UOM

Delivery Timeframe

0001

In-Person Course Materials - Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue Healthcare

500

EA

Within 30 days of award

0002

Vendor documentation: certificate of authenticity/licensing terms

1 set

EA

With delivery

7. Place of Performance

VA San Diego Healthcare System

3350 La Jolla Village Drive

San Diego, CA 92161

The list of Draft characteristics 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. Incomplete responses to the questions below this notice will not be accepted. 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 SOW. For instances where your company cannot meet the SOW, 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 SOWS 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 SOWS?

(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 equipment have FDA clearance? Please specify what FDA clearance(s) have been obtained.

(15) Does your organization offer a leasing solution? Please elaborate.

(16) 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).

(17) 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.

(18) 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.

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

Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to Melissa.Ramirez8@va.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than Friday, November 13th, 2026, by 10:00 AM Pacific Local Time.

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