Q517--SOURCES SOUGHT - VHA VISN10 First Prescription Fill Contract

Sources Sought Notice

Sources Sought Notice

*= Required Field

The Network Contracting Office (NCO-10) is seeking to identify vendors to perform the following services, First Fill Urgent Prescription Filling Services.

This is a Request for Information (RFI) to seek capable sources and request industry feedback ONLY. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. Interested parties are asked to submit capability statement that clearly and convincingly identifies their ability to fulfill the requirements.

Industry feedback to the information below is requested to ensure the VA has not created a defacto sole source requirement. The Government may use the responses to this RFI for information and planning purposes.

VHA VISN 10 Pharmacy Operations is seeking a vendor to provide urgent prescription filling services under an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contract. Urgent prescriptions to be filled under this contract are for medications that a VA beneficiary cannot wait to receive through the mail. This includes prescriptions to be filled Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST.

Please see attachment for a listing of facilities. The vendor will have a minimum of two (2) authorized pharmacies within ten (10) miles of the VA facilities and CBOCs listed below. However, it is preferred that the vendor have more than two (2) in all areas to provide patients with multiple choices.

In addition to answering the below questions 1-4, respondents are also requested to provide their capability statement, including company name, address, and point of contact information. Capabilities statement shall provide a detailed overview, experience, and qualifications to perform the requirement.

Question #1:

Response, are you interested in providing a quote for this requirement? Yes / No (choose one)

Question #2:

Can your firm provide urgent prescription fill services to the identified VA locations throughout VISN 10?

Question #3:

Response: If your firm is a SVOSB and/or VOSB? If so, please provide a copy of VETCERT certification.

Please provide current scope of operations and locations of service/capability: Where is your business located and where is your main scope of operations?

Please provide any additional certifications regarding the socio-economic status of your company including, WOSB, EDWOSB, HUB, 8a, Small Disadvantage Business, Small Business, etc.

Question #4:

Response: Does your company have the ability to perform this contract while complying with the Limitations on Subcontracting rules per FAR 52.219-14, 13 CFR 125.6 and VAAR 852.219-75. If so, please briefly explain how your firm will accomplish this, include any potential teaming arrangements or subcontractors.

To Note: The CO shall conduct periodic checks with the vendor to ensure that Limitations on Subcontracting compliance is maintained during the period of performance if this requirement is set-aside for any small business entities. In accordance with 13 CFR § 125.6(g), Whoever violates the requirements set forth in paragraph (a) of this section shall be subject to the penalties prescribed in 15 U.S.C. 645(d), except that the fine shall be treated as the greater of $500,000 or the dollar amount spent, in excess of permitted levels, by the entity on subcontractors. A party's failure to comply with the spirit and intent of a subcontract with a similarly situated entity may be considered a basis for debarment on the grounds, including but not limited to, that the parties have violated the terms of a government contract or subcontract pursuant to far 9.406-2(b)(1)(i) (48 CFR 9.406-2(b)(1)(i)).

The applicable NAICS code for this requirement is NAICS 456110 Pharmacies and Drug Retailers with a Small Business Size Standard of $37.5 Million Dollars. The Product Service Code is Q517 Medical- Pharmacology.

For informational purposes only, Wage Determinations apply to this requirement:

All businesses are encouraged to respond; however, each respondent must clearly identify their business size and socio-economic category(s) in their capabilities statement. This Request for Information (RFI) is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of market research. No Request for Proposal (RFP), Quote (RFQ), or Invitation for Bid (IFB) exists. Responses to this Request for Information (RFI) are not quotes, proposals, or bids on which the VA can issue any contract. This Notice is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not itself constitute an RFP, RFQ or IFB. The Government does not intend to award a contract based only on responses to this RFI. Responses to the notice will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Request for Information (RFI).

The VA will not pay for information received in response to this Request for Information.

Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request for Information.

Detailed capabilities statements and answers to questions 1-4 must be submitted by email to Contract Specialist Josh Kovar at Joshua.Kovar@VA.gov, and Teri Miller at Teri.Miller@VA.gov in an electronic format, no later than 1:30 PM EST on December 11, 2023. As part of market research, this Request for Information / Sources Sought is to determine if there exists an adequate number of qualified interested contractors capable of providing services for this requirement.