3438--Unrestricted VRE Equipment as accommodations to maintain Self-Employment.

This solicitation, numbered 36C10D26Q0111, is a 100% Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) set-aside issued by the Veterans Benefits Administration under the Department of Veterans Affairs for the procurement of welding and fabrication equipment, industrial gas cylinders, tools, PPE, and accessories to support a Veteran’s Approved Chapter 31 Self-Employment Plan. The goal is to enable a Veteran residing in Minnesota to fabricate custom metal fence gates in-house as a sustainable disability accommodation, eliminating reliance on external suppliers and reducing physically demanding field work. The requirement is classified under NAICS code 333992 and falls under a simplified procedures solicitation using Standard Form 1449. All equipment must be commercial-grade, designed for daily use in a fabrication environment, and comply with OSHA, ANSI, CGA, DOT, and disability-accommodation mobility requirements. Items include a 5HP 60-gallon two-stage compressor, acetylene and argon gas cylinders, welding consumables, tube benders, die sets, grinders, band saws, and safety gear, all to be delivered as a fully integrated system with compatible components. Delivery must occur within 30 calendar days of award directly to the Veteran’s location in Minnesota, with vendor presence mandatory for unloading, placement, inspection, and operational verification—third-party carrier delivery without vendor involvement is strictly prohibited. The vendor must confirm all equipment arrives undamaged and fully functional. Offers must be submitted electronically to Craig Harris, the Contracting Officer, by the stated deadline and must be structured in four volumes: technical documentation without pricing, a fully burdened price schedule with prices in two decimal places, a completed SF1449 form, and past performance references including at least three recent, relevant examples. Evaluation is value-based, prioritizing technical capability, past performance, delivery capability, warranty and service support, safety compliance, documentation completeness, and price—with technical and past performance factors carrying significantly more weight than pricing. Offerors must be certified VOSBs in the SBA database, comply with limitations on subcontracting per 13 CFR 121 and 125, submit the required Trade Agreements Certificate, and include manufacturer or nonmanufacturer representation. The contract incorporates key FAR clauses including 52.212-4 with addendum, 52.222-90 on DEI discrimination (with deviation), 52