3550--Project Name: Veteran Self-Employment Plan – AI Vending Machines; Project Number: None; and Station Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Veterans Affairs Regional Office (VARO), Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Division

Solicitation 36C10D27Q0007 is a Request for Quotation issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration, for the acquisition of nine artificially intelligent-based vending machines. This requirement supports a Veteran Self-Employment Rehabilitation Plan in the automated retail industry, with the equipment being delivered to Rapid City, South Dakota. The procurement is set aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB). The scope includes the delivery of various AI smart coolers, including compact single-door, high-capacity with freezer capabilities, premium single-door, and large double-door models. All equipment must be new commercial-off-the-shelf products meeting the minimum salient characteristics defined in the Statement of Work. The contract will be awarded as a Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order using the lowest-price technically acceptable (LPTA) methodology. Technical acceptability is based on the product specifications for the machines, while price evaluation considers the total proposed cost across all contract line items. The period of performance is ninety calendar days from the receipt of the purchase order. Due to the lack of a loading dock at the delivery site, the contractor is required to provide a vehicle equipped with a liftgate for offloading. Payments will be processed electronically via the VA's Electronic Invoice Presentment and Payment System.