65--Evacupod Overlay Emergency Device

This modification to the Original Special Notice is being publicized to indicate a change in the proposed method of procurement for the Evacupod Overlay Emergency Evacuation Device. Two sources were identified via market research who were distributors of this equipment. As a result this requirement will be 100% set-aside for small business concerns. The Robley Rex VA Medical Center has a requirement for a contractor to furnish, install, and provide training on the Evacupod™ (or equal) Overlay emergency evacuation device for use throughout the hospital on patient beds. The scope of work includes, but is not limited to providing and installing 93 each standard full mattress top mount evacupod (model EC EVP1), 2 each evacupod wall mountable units (model EC EVP2), provide 5 days of training on use of the system, one day of training of which is to be included with the purchase price of the system. This document is justification for a 100% Small Business Set-Aside. The NAICS code for this requirement is 423450, the Small Business size standard is 100 employees. Evacupod™ is one of the fastest, most versatile evacuation systems on the market whose salient qualities are its use to transport during a disaster or mass casualty unit; equipped with a pack that can hold medical supplies; can be used in fire, flood, earthquate, hurricane, terror attacks and personal transport; portable unit mounts, that can be mounted in hallways, closets, stairwells, offices or any emergency response vehicle; and is universal for all standard hospital bed frames and mattresses. The last of these salient qualities is what is of most important, as the existing hospital beds at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center are equipped with air mattress that connect to the bed frame with 5 air hoses. These air hoses pose problems with other types of patient evacuation systems, thus making the Evacupod™ fully compatible. Bio-Medical staffs have concurred with this finding regarding the Evacupod™ compatibility. The Evacupod™ is the only rapidly inflatable, buoyant, emergency evacuation device on the market.