L076--VISN 10 - Online Clinical Drug Information

The purpose of this solicitation amendment is to address questions received from industry prior to the Q&A deadline and to extend the solicitation closing date.

During its market research, did the agency identify any SDVOSBs that develop, own, and/or operate the SaaS platform being solicited?

During market research, the Government identified two or more SDVOSBs that stated they would provide a quote for services; however, the firms indicated they would function as reseller Prime Contractors.

Will the agency provide a breakdown of what constitutes the amount paid by the Government for contract performance under FAR 52.219 14(e)(1) (e.g., implementation, hosting, training, etc.), and clarify whether such amounts include SaaS licensing fees paid by the Government?

Applicable fees under FAR 52.219 14(e)(1) include implementation, hosting, training, and SaaS fees.

Under VAAR 852.219-75(a)(1)(i), are SaaS licensing fees considered the amount paid by the government to the SDVOSB, or are they considered other direct costs that may be excluded?

SaaS licensing fees represent the principal purpose of the acquisition when the contract is primarily for software services. Consequently, those fees are included in the amount paid by the Government and count against the 50% limit. Only incidental or peripheral costs like optional supplies, travel, or administrative expenses may qualify as "other direct costs" and be excluded.

Given that NAICS 513210 classifies software publishing as a service, can the agency clarify its expectations regarding how an SDVOSB prime would demonstrate compliance with (i) FAR 52.219 14(e)(1), and (ii) VAAR 852.219 75(a)(1)(i), in circumstances where the solicited SaaS platform is operated and maintained by the original developer/publisher rather than the SDVOSB?

The agency will not make any advance determination that an offeror will comply or fail to comply with the Limitations on Subcontracting. Compliance with FAR 52.219 14(e)(1) and VAAR 852.219 75(a)(1)(i) will be evaluated based on each offer as submitted and verified during contract administration.

For SaaS acquisitions under NAICS 513210, the amount paid by the Government for contract performance generally includes primary SaaS cost elements (e.g., licensing, hosting, operation, maintenance). Only other incidental direct costs that are not the principal purpose of the acquisition may be excluded, consistent with the solicitation s clauses.

As part of post award administration, the Government can request compliance reports to demonstrate compliance with Limitations on Subcontracting at any time during performance Per VAAR 819-7004(e). Additionally, under 52.219-14 (d) the Government can request reports at the end of the relevant performance period (e.g., base/option period or order), and the contractor may be required to provide an end of period compliance report summarizing payments to first tier subcontractors and identifying any similarly situated firms. The Government will use this information to confirm adherence to the applicable subcontracting limitations.

How many staffed beds are included in VISN 10; does this include CLC and Domiciliary beds? If not, what is the count for CLC and Domiciliary beds?

Your first question was addressed in Amendment #1, Question #5. The government will provide an answer to the second question upon confirmation from the VISN POC on Monday.

The solicitation deadline is hereby extended, all quotes must be received no later than 1:30 PM EST on 4/8/2026 via email to Joshua.Kovar@VA.gov.

The purpose of this solicitation amendment is to provide answers to questions from industry.

Question #1

Our manufacturer requires a Trial License Agreement to be signed to satisfy the 45-day Temporary System Access. The person who signs this will be granted a trial username and password, which will allow them and any other evaluating members the access required by the SOW.

Could we please have a point of contact to coordinate this Trial License Agreement with?Â

Answer #1:

Any trial license agreement for the 45 day system access must be provided directly to the Contracting Officer. The agreement must clearly state that the trial access is provided at no cost to the Government for the purpose of evaluating the Comprehensive Drug Reference Database response.

Please send any trial license agreements to Joshua.Kovar@VA.gov prior to the solicitation deadline so the evaluating panel can access the database immediately after the deadline.

The purpose of this solicitation amendment is to provide answers to questions from industry.

Our questions primarily revolve around Page 22, Letter F. Quality Control & Support. Specifically, the mention of On-site training.

Quote Preparation Instructions, Letter F (Quality Control & Support is hereby changed to the following.

Quality Control & Support

Quality Control Plan: Describe processes for identifying/remediating performance, content, or accessibility issues.

Customer Support & Training: 24/7 helpdesk (phone/email), training approach (self-paced materials, live sessions), and documentation roadmap (PWS §11 deliverables: training materials, VIRTUAL training upon request, technical support).

Usage Reporting: Confirm ability to deliver Monthly Usage Reports (sessions, searches, document retrievals) to the VISN POC (PWS §11).

Any requested trainings will be conducted virtually. Training sessions may or may not be requested during the year; however, if requested, they will be scheduled at the direction of the VISN POC. Up to four sessions per year may be held, and they will be available to any VISN 10 users who wish to participate.

Question 1 Locations

Please confirm at which locations on-site training may be required. Specifically, is on-site training expected at all VISN 10 VAMCs and associated CBOCs, or only at select facilities as requested by the VISN POC?

See highlighted above.

Question 2 Frequency / Annual Cap

Is there an expected or maximum number of on-site training sessions per contract year (base and option years)? If so, please provide an estimated annual quantity.

See highlighted above.

Question 3 Per-Site Limitation

Is there any limitation on the number of on-site training sessions that may be requested per individual facility (VAMC or CBOC) within a contract year?

See highlighted above.

Question 4 Cost Treatment

Should all on-site training (including travel and associated costs) be included in the firm-fixed price, or will additional on-site training beyond any defined baseline be handled via modification or separate CLINs?

There will be no on-site training. All costs for training and any other deliverables shall be fully burdened in the firm-fixed price quoted for the specified period.

Question 5 Bed Count

Can you please confirm the total number of staffed beds in VISN 10?

The table below has all of the authorized bed counts for all facilities within VISN 10.

VISN 10 Facility

Address of Main Facility

Authorized Bed Count*

Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System

2215 Fuller Rd

Ann Arbor, MIÂ 48105

102

VA Battle Creek Healthcare System

5500 Armstrong Rd

Battle Creek, MIÂ 49037

45

VA Chillicothe Healthcare System

17273 State Route 104

Chillicothe, OHÂ 45601

55

VA Cincinnati Healthcare System

3200 Vine Street

Cincinnati, OHÂ 45220

116

VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System

10701 East Boulevard

Cleveland, OHÂ 45601

298

VA Central Ohio Healthcare System

420 North James Rd

Columbus, OHÂ 43219

0

VA Dayton Healthcare System

4100 West Third Street

Dayton, OHÂ 45428

91

VA Detroit Healthcare System

4646 John R St

Detroit, MIÂ 48201

105

VA Indiana Healthcare System

1481 West 10th St

Indianapolis, INÂ 46202

159

VA Northern Indiana Healthcare System

Marion

1700 East 38th St

Marion, INÂ 46953

Fort Wayne

2121 Lake Ave

Fort Wayne, INÂ 46805

Total: 91

Marion:Â 65

Fort Wayne:Â 26

VA Saginaw Healthcare System

1500 Weiss St

Saginaw, MIÂ 48602

0

*Authorized bed count does not include community living center (CLC)/nursing home and domiciliary beds.

This is a solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR/RFO) subpart 12.6, Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This solicitation is issued as an RFQ. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-06.

This solicitation is set aside for SDVOSB (Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses)

All vendors shall provide all requested information in Quote Preparation Instructions section.

There is a question and answer period for this requirement, ending at 1:30 PM EST on 3/25/2026

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 513210 software publishers, with a small business size standard of $ 47.0 Million. The FSC/PSC is L076 Technical Representative Books/Maps/Publications.

VHA VISN 10 VA Medical facilities are requesting Online Drug Information Resource services to be utilized by pharmacy staff. .

All interested companies shall provide quotations for the following: