This is a Sources Sought Notice to determine the availability of potential Indian-owned/Buy Indian businesses that are qualified to provide the acquisition of medical examination gloves. That it is not a solicitation announcement for proposals and no contract will be awarded from this announcement.Market Survey Questions: If your company is interested in this acquisition, please answer the following Market Survey Questions, via email, by March 8, 2008. Responses are to be sent to Ms. Leora Hill at email:
contact@example.gov. 1. Company Address and Point of Contact: What is the physical address of your main corporate office and who is primary point of contact? Please provide the email address for your primary point of contact. 2. Does your company meet the requirements of the Buy Indian Act, 25 U.S.C. 47. The degree of Indian ownership of an Indian firm shall be at least 51 percent during the period covered by a resulting contract. 3. CCR and SBA Registration: a. Is your company registered in the Central Contractor Registration? All Contractors who wish to do business with IHS must be registered with CCR. You can register at the following website: http://www.ccr.gov/. b. Is your company registered with the SBA as either an 8(a) or HUB Zone business? 4. Nurse Services: List the nurse specialty services your company has provided over the last three years. 5. Georgraphic Coverage: Please identify the areas of the United States where your organization provides medical supplies to specifically include examination gloves. 6. References: Provide a list of all private industry or government contracts for similar services that you have performed during calendar years 2006 through 2007. Please include the customers? names, addresses, telephone number, dollar value of contract, and brief description of the services provided on the contract. Background Information Navajo Area Indian Health Service (NAIHS) is one of the 12 IHS regional administrative units. NAIHS is the primary provider of comprehensive direct (and high priority contract) inpatient, ambulatory care, preventive and community health, and environmental health services for the members of the Navajo Nation and the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe residing on and adjacent to the Navajo Nation in the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The NAIHS during the course of providing services in support of the service units uses a variety of medical examination gloves. This announcement constitutes a Source Sought Synopsis for the Navajo Area Indian Health Service. The information provided is to assist the Indian Health Service in conducting Market Research of Industry to identify potential contractors for this effort. The applicable NAICS code is 339113 Gloves, Medical/Surgical. The NAIHS will purchase medical examination gloves in accordance with the following: Product Capabilities Examination Gloves are worn by medical personnel in healthcare settings, where the procedures being conducted may result in an increased exposure to blood or body fluids, with a potential risk of transfer of pathogens. Pathogens can be transferred through contact between patients and medical staff, resulting in bloodborne infections in patients or bloodborne infections in medical personnel. Both patients and the medical personnel need to be protected from this risk, which can be reduced by implementing protective hand barriers, i.e., exam gloves. Gloves must accomplish this and be form-fitting, durable, tear-resistant, and provide adequate tactile sense and dexterity to handle instruments and supplies used in these procedures. Product Description If a solicitation is issued quotes will be sought for brand name (Safeskin Nitrile exam gloves) or equal products. Nitrile examination gloves are constructed of Nitrile polymers that displays rubber-like characteristics, but have no natural rubber or rubber latex components, to reduce the potential of sensitivity to natural rubber latex proteins. Gloves are designed to resist puncturing, tearing and abrasion, and maintain durability during normal use, to provide a dependable barrier from potential contamination. Gloves must be soft, supple and flexible, while providing a snug, comfortable fit which conforms to the contour of the hand, and allows adequate tactile sense and dexterity to handle instruments and supplies used in medical procedures. Glove may be textured to enhance wet and dry grip. Gloves must be non-sterile, ambidextrous, powder-free, single-use and have a beaded cuff. Gloves may be of an appropriate color to make them readily identifiable, and must be boxed and packaged in a manner to protect them from contamination and allow ease of dispensing. Gloves should not present an objectionable odor. Please note the acquisition strategy for this procurement has not been finalized and is subject to change based on the responses received from the Sources Sought notices. The contractor must also be an applicable expertise in government acquisition and program management disciplines. This expertise is essential to ensure that cost, schedule, performance, and risk associated with the procurement are effectively applied in support of the IHS mission. The Government does not intend to make an award on the basis of this Sources Sought Notice or otherwise pay for the information solicited herein.
