23--Bus to Transport Wheelchair and Ambulatory Patients to and from the Winter Sports Clinic

The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Grand Junction, CO, intends to negotiate a sole source contract with National Bus Sales, for a bus to transport veteran beneficiaries to and from the Winter Sports Clinic. The bus needs to seat 7 wheelchairs and 5 ambulatory veterans. A Hydraulic Ramp is required in lieu of a lift to load veterans more efficiently and maintenance is more extensive on lifts. The VA's requirements for the bus are as follows: Heater and cold weather package to accommodate the weather in the Colorado mountains, large windows to allow wheelchair patients to look out, blackened windows so the sun does not burn patients, wheelchair restraints that can be quickly hooked and unhooked and still provide safety, a low entry to accommodate the ramp, PA system, AM/FM/CD with back speakers, a sport driver and copilot seat, retractable seat belts and must meet commercial items standards. The bus needs to be delivered before the Winter Sports Clinic which is April 2nd through 6th, 2007. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be accepted. Any firm that believes it can meet the requirements may give written notification to the Contracting Office within 7 days from the date of publication of this synopsis. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to meet the requirements within the time required. If no responses are received the VA will proceed with the sole source negotiation.