Golf Cart/Ambulance Vehicle

This is a REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/SOURCES SOUGHT notice for market research purposes only to determine the availability of qualified small business, woman-owned small business, HUBZone, small disadvantaged, Veteran-owned small business (VOSB), or service-disabled Veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) sources capable of providing the supplies described below.    This is NOT a request for proposals or quotes.  Responses should be provided via email to laura.watts@va.gov no later than 10:00am central time on Monday, August 7, 2023 (no telephone responses).  Responses will be used to determine the appropriate acquisition strategy for a potential future acquisition; therefore, responses should provide clear and convincing evidence of capability and qualification to provide the identified supplies.  Please clearly identify any information to be considered sensitive or proprietary.  Respondents will not be notified of the results of the market research.

PROVIDE:   Golf Cart/Ambulance Vehicle for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, with the capability to transport patients in medical distress from parking lots to the Emergency Room.  Anticipated contract to be a Firm Fixed Price contract. 

SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Features –

• Ambulance conversion kit/package to allow patient transport - Windshield
• 18-20” Turf Tires                                                               - Headlights, Taillights, Brake Lights, Turn Signals
• Horn                                                                                  - Integrated Storage Basket/Box
• Energy Transfer Bumpers                                                   - Fuel Gauge
• Charge Meter                                                                     - DC/DC Converter
• 48 Volt Battery Charger                                                      - Large Cupholders
• Oversized Bag Well                                                           - USB Port
• Able to Charge off Standard 110v AC Outlet                       - Roof/Canopy
• Electric Motor w/Rechargeable Battery                               - Parking Brake
• Rearview and Side Mirrors                                                 - Voltmeter
• Hydraulic Braking System                                                  - Non-Slip
• Charging Unit                                                                    - Stretcher Lock-Down Equipment                                                     

Technology –

• Zero Maintenance Batteries                                                - Lithium Batteries
• Energy Efficient                                                                 - Eco-Friendly

Performance –

• Seating Capacity – 2-3 Passengers                                      - Dry Weight - ~605 lb (274.4 kg)
• Curb Weight - ~655 lb (297.1 kg)                                        - Vehicle Load Capacity - ~800 lb (360 kg)
• Outside Clearance Circle - ~19.2 ft (5.8 m)                          - Speed (Level Ground) - ~17-20 mph
• Towing Capacity – Permanent Tow Bar

Dimensions –

• Overall Length - ~94.5 in (240 cm)                                     - Overall Width - ~47.0 in (119 cm)
• Overall Height (w/out Roof) - ~45.7 in (116 cm)                  - Overall Height (w/Roof) - ~68.5 in (174 cm)
• Wheelbase - ~65.7 in (167 cm)                                            - Front Wheel Track - ~35.5 in (90 cm)
• Rear Wheel Track - ~38.0 in (97 cm)                                   - Ground Clearance @ Differential - ~3.3 in (8 cm)

Power –

• Source – 56 volt DC                                                           - Motor Type – 48 volt AC
• Horsepower (KW) - ~4.4 hp (3.3 kW) Continuous               - Electrical System – 56 Volt
• Batteries (Type) – Two, 56V Lithium                                  - Key or Pedal Start
• Battery Charger – Lithium Charger 56VDC (11 ft – 18 ft) Cord
• Speed Controller – 235 amp AC Controller                          - Drive Train – Motor Shaft Direct Drive
• Transaxle – Limited Slip Differential                                   - Gear Selection – Forward/Neutral/Reverse Integrated
• Rear Axle Ratio – 16.99:1

The NAICS code applicable to this notice is 336999 All Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturers and the small business size standard applicable is 1000 Employees.

INTERESTED CAPABLE SOURCES TO PROVIDE:

1) Company name, address, point of contact, phone number, e-mail address, and DUNS number.

2) SAM registration and/or ORCA as evidence of size status.

3) Veteran-Owned/Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, evidence of registration in VetCert (https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/), if applicable.

4) GSA/FSS Schedule contract, if applicable.

5) Brief capability statement (no more than 5 pages) with enough information to clearly demonstrate the capability to provide the required supplies, pricing for market research purposes, information on past performance, and information regarding “small business manufacturers.”

6) Identify if the product is a domestic end product (manufactured in the United States).

7) Authorization information, if a distributor (VA does not accept grey market items).

8) If an equivalent item can be proposed, provide details of proposed equivalent (i.e., manufacturer, part number, description), along with estimated market research pricing.

9) In the event that a set-aside procurement for VOSB or SDVOSB concerns is determined the appropriate acquisition strategy for a potential future acquisition, provide information on capability to adhere to VAAR Clause 852.219-10 or 852.219-11 (http://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/), (i.e., contractor will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it, to firms that are not VIP listed VOSBs/SDVOSBs), as applicable.

• Identify any other companies owned (wholly or in part) by the owners of this business who provide goods under the same or a related NAICS code;
• Identify any other companies owned (wholly or in part) by the owners of this business who provide goods that are registered under the same or a related NAICS code with the Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE); provide the certification type (SDVOSB/VOSB), Federal Identification Numbers, and state of incorporation for each;
• Do you plan on responding to a solicitation for this requirement with a Joint Venture utilizing multiple owned companies as majority or non-majority owner?  YES _______  NO ________  If Yes, please identify which companies are considering a Joint Venture and the ownership of each company.

DISCLAIMER

  This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation.  All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly.  In accordance with 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.