Linen Services

This sources sought notice is to identify any Buy Indian Firms that can meet the requirements listed below.  The firm is responsible for prvoiding all the linen for the facility and the assoicated laundering of the linen, delivery and all other aspects listed below.  Additioanlly, the firm SHALL meet the standards and hold the appropriate accrediations for hospital linen services.  The Government will not be providing nor considering providing the linen for these services. 

The contractor shall provide laundry services to include; providing items, pickup of soiled laundry and delivery of clean laundry.

1. 1. Specific Requirements.  The Contractor shall provide all management, supervision, quality control, labor, facilities, equipment, transportation, scales and supplies (example: laundry detergent, scrubs, rugs, packaging and labeling materials, dry cleaning solutions, etc.) necessary to perform laundry and dry cleaning services to include pick-up of soiled laundry and delivery of clean laundry for the CIH. 

1. 1. The Contractor’s performance will be evaluated in accordance with the standards set forth in the Performance-based Matrix, Attachment A-2.  Specific tasks include:

1. 1. 1. Pick-up and Delivery: The Contractor shall coordinate all laundry pick-up and delivery schedules with the hospital representative.

Scheduled Pick-up and Delivery: The Contractor shall pick-up soiled laundry from a designated pick-up area and deliver clean laundry to a designated delivery area at CIH, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The Contractor shall ensure that all soiled laundry picked up is laundered or dry cleaned and delivered the following delivery day.  The Contractor shall not retain any laundry. 

Non-Scheduled Delivery: The Hospital Representative is authorized to contact the Contractor to report missing laundry items and request a non-scheduled delivery.  The cost of a non-scheduled delivery, and any impact costs, shall be borne by the Contractor.

Holiday Delivery:  The contractor shall coordinate holiday deliveries with the Hospital Representative.

1. 1. 1. Laundering Process: The Contractor shall sort and wash laundry to maintain color and durability of laundered items in accordance with industry standards.

The Contractor shall consider manufacturer’s recommendations (if available) in selecting appropriate laundering processes, products and procedures based on fabric content and nature of soil to ensure cleanliness, soil and stain removal, color and durability.

The Contractor shall select laundering processes products and procedures that comply with all applicable federal, state and local standards of health and safety regulations pertaining to healthcare laundry and facilities.

Standard Precautions:  The Contractor shall handle all soiled laundry as if potentially contaminated with blood or body fluids, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  See definition 2.33.

The Contractor shall ensure CIH’s laundry is completely separated from all other laundry during processing.

Re-performance:  As allowed by FAR 52.212-4(a), Contract Terms and Conditions for Commercial Items, Inspection/Acceptance, the Government may require re-performance of nonconforming services at no increase in contract price.

1. 1. 1. Finished Laundry:  The Contractor shall ensure all finished laundry is clean, dry, folded, and pressed (as needed).  The Contractor shall replace broken or missing buttons, zippers or snaps, and mend torn items according to color and material. 

The Contractor shall prevent contamination of finished laundry.

The Contractor shall ensure no two articles are folded together.

The Contractor shall ensure that machine and hand finished articles are smooth, without wrinkles, and the original shape and dimension are retained.

The Contractor shall collect and return articles damaged beyond repair or otherwise no longer serviceable to the specific medical facility for disposal.

1. 1. 1. Packaging:  The Contractor shall group, package, label, and place all finished laundry in linen carts to prevent contamination during transportation and delivery to the specific medical facility. 

The Contractor shall ensure finished laundry is:

Grouped by type of article(s) e.g. sheets, pillowcases, blankets, patient gowns, surgery scrubs.

Packaged and labeled to identify contents type or articles, unless clear plastic wrap is used and the type of laundry is obvious.

Placed in linen carts that are lined with a disposable liner and sealed at the top to protect the finished laundry and packaging from contamination.

Laundry from each department will be clearly labeled so the Contractor can return laundered items to the proper location.

1. 1. 1. Reporting Requirements:

Delivery Ticket: The Contractor shall provide the hospital representative with a delivery ticket for each delivery made.

The contractor’s invoice shall be adjusted by the Contractor to reflect re-performed work directed in accordance with FAR Part 52.214-2(a).

The Contractor shall provide the Project Officer with a copy of the laundry wash formulas (including time and temperature specifications), drying specifications, linen processing schedule, and the most current facility ventilation report prior to the start of the contract.  The Contractor shall notify the Project Officer when a formula, specification, or schedule changes.

1. 1. Contractor Qualifications and Standards:

1. 1. 1. The contractor must be in compliance with the following standards and documentation:
         1. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Surveillance, Prevention, and Control of Infection Standard. www.jcaho.org
         2. Centers for Disease Control “Recommendations for Isolation Precautions in Hospitals” www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/isolat/isopart2.htm
         3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “Guidelines for Laundry in Healthcare Facilities”.
         4. Occupational Health and Safety Administration Regulations.
         5. Must possess Healthcare Linens Accreditation Council (HLAC) certification and provide annual certificate.

1. 1. 1. The contractor will be required to provide documentation to show compliance with the above standards and certifications.