3750--Zero Turn Lawn Mower

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION ABOUT PRICING, DELIVERY, THE MARKET, AND CAPABILITIES IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI FOR PLANNING PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 15.201(e). DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. IAW FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. SOURCES SOUGHT/RFI DESCRIPTION This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a Sources Sought Notice / RFI only. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice / RFI is to gain information about potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 333112 (size standard of 1,500 Employees). Responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI, further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcements may be published. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking sources capable of providing Zero Turn Mowers equivalent to John Deere, Z997R Diesel. STATEMENT OF WORK GENERAL: VA Prescott Healthcare System located at 6500 N. Hwy 89 Prescott AZ, 86313 is looking for Zero Turn Mowers equivalent to John Deere, Z997R Diesel with following required salient characteristics. Engineering, Grounds and Maintenance Shop are requesting a replacement purchase for its current outdated/unserviceable mowers. The service line is seeking the purchase of newly designed mowers with updated technology to better help with the general appearance of the turf areas around the facility, as well as the ability to reach areas not previously maintained providing a clean manicured look, and a fire wise perimeter. SCOPE: VA Prescott Healthcare System Logistics Department is looking to establish a Firm Fixed-Price contract to purchase two Zero Turn Mowers equivalent to John Deere, Z997R Diesel. The contractor is required to provide brand name or equal equipment that meets or exceed the physical, functional, and performance of the listed salient characteristics in this section. Additionally, equipment must be fully built along with installation of additional parts listed, and fully operational condition upon receiving. SALIENT CHARACTERSITICS: Zero Turn Mower must have the following physical salient characteristics: Must be a commercial grade zero-turn riding mower. Must have a large high strength rear discharge cutting deck with a width no less than 72 and no greater than 74 . Must be diesel powered, with fuel shut-off valve coming from fuel tank no less than 12-gallon capacity. Must have flat free type front caster wheels and rear tires that can operate safely over turf. Must have a minimum of 37 horsepower 3-cylinder diesel with full pressure lubrication and spin-on filters. Must have Hydrostatic transmission for smooth and responsive operating. Must contain dual hand drive control levers. Must have hydraulic oil cooler. Must have heavy duty spindles to support cutting blades. Must have grease fittings also known as Zerk fittings that are accessible from the top and provide grease to both upper and lower spindle bearings (maintenance -free spindles are not acceptable). Must have front/rear, LH, RH, and Center anti-scalp wheels on deck. Deck castors/anti-scalp wheels shall be dual captured (steel plate on each side of wheel/wheels, with the bolt running through both pieces of steel and wheel). Must have adjustable cutting height with a minimum of 1 and maximum of 5 . Must be an electric start engine. Must have V-belt PTO drive. Must have blade tip speed be no less than 17,000 FPM. Must have a fully adjustable comfort seat with fore/aft suspension. Must have a folding roll over protective structure (ROPS) to fit in low-clearance areas. WARRANTY OF EQUIPMENT: Government requirement for standard manufacturer industry warranty term. The government does not accept extended warranties, which require advance payment. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: VA Prescott Healthcare System 500 N. State Highway 89, Prescott, AZ 86313 The list of Zero Turn Lawn Mower characteristics is intended to be descriptive, not restrictive, of the supplies/services that are required. If your company is interested and capable of providing the required supplies/services, please provide the information indicated below. Incomplete responses to the questions below will not be accepted. Response to this notice should include company name, address, point of contact, size of business pursuant to the following questions: (1) Submit your capabilities statement illustrating how your organization can/cannot meet the list of SOW requirements. For instances where your company cannot meet the SOW requirement(s), please explain. For instances where your company can meet the SOW requirement(s), please show how your company meets/exceeds each requirement. (2) Please review the list of SOW requirements and provide any additional feedback or suggestions. If none, please reply as N/A. (3) Please indicate the size status and representations of your business, such as but not limited to: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), HUBZone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Large Business, etc. (4) Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified in this RFI? (5) Are you the manufacturer, authorized distributor, and/or can your company provide a solution to the required supplies/services described in the list of SOW? (6) If you are a large business, do you have any designated/authorized distributors? If so, please provide their company name, telephone, point of contact and size status (if available). (7) If you re a small business and you are an authorized distributor/reseller for the items identified above, do you alter; assemble; modify; the items requested in any way? If you do, state how and what is altered; assembled; modified. (8) Limitations on Subcontracting: How does your business ensure compliance with the limitations on subcontracting as outlined in 13 CFR § 125.6? (9) Are the items you are identifying/providing considered Commercial of the Shelf (COTS) items as defined in FAR Part 2.101 under commercial items? (10) Non-Manufacturer Rule: If applicable, can you confirm your business complies with the non-manufacturer rule? Specifically, does your company: Provide a product from a small business manufacturer or processor? Not exceed 500 employees? Primarily engage in the retail or wholesale trade and normally sell the type of item being supplied? Take ownership or possession of the item(s) with its personnel, equipment or facilities in a manner consistent with industry practice? (11) Please indicate whether your product conforms to the requirements of the Buy American Act? (12) What is your lead time to deliver a single unit with all components? Is there scale in lead time with greater quantities? Please elaborate. (13) What is estimated life span of your solution? What support/services does that entail? (14) Does your proposed equipment have FDA clearance? Please specify what FDA clearance(s) have been obtained. (15) Does your organization offer a leasing solution? Please elaborate. (16) Does your company have a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract? If so, please provide the contract number(s). (17) If you are an FSS GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract holder, are all the items/solutions you are providing information about available on your schedule/contract? Please state if all or some items are available on the contract. (18) General pricing of your products/solution is encouraged. Pricing will be used for the purpose of market research only. It will not be used to evaluate for any type of award. (19) Please provide your SAM.gov Unique Entity ID/Cage Code number. Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to contact@example.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than Thursday, December 30th, 2024, by 10:00 AM Pacific Local Time. All responses to this Sources Sought/RFI will be used for planning purposes only. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI are not considered a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. If further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcement is issued as a result of the information provided from this RFI, all interested parties must respond to the specific posting separately IAW the specifications of that announcement.