65--Power Wheelchairs (Compact & Standard)

Under Required Standard Features Specification: Vehicle Securement Points (to stabilize device in vehicle) As outlined in RESNA test methods for wheelchairs: Supplement 10 to Volume 1 - 1998. -Our company will be providing power wheelchairs under the bid to be compliant with the above specification, which will include four factory installed transport brackets, a wheelchair anchored pelvic belt, and the WC19 required labeling on the wheelchair frame and belts, tested to the bids' "required standard features and performance standards." QUESTION: Is it correct that offerors are not required to test every possible configuration with the bids' "required options," some of which are considered add-on equipment. RESPONSE: Correct. Similar question has prior been answered. Device testing is not required for all possible configurations. -Due to patient safety/liability issues, our company does not offer the four factory installed transport brackets, wheelchair anchored pelvic belt, and WC19 required labeling on power chair configurations that have not been crash tested, as these features give the impression that the power chair is intended to be occupied in a moving vehicle and that it has been tested and proven safe in the event of a crash. Rather, our company's standard commercial practice is to offer four factory installed transport brackets and a basic seat positioning strap for configurations (such as those included in any of the VA's "required options") that have "not" been crash tested to the WC19 standard. QUESTIONS: For the power wheelchairs with "required options" in the bid that are not crash tested to the above referenced specification: 1. Do you still require four factory installed transport brackets? If you do, we request that this be incorporated into the bids' "required option" specifications as currently there is no place to include a different model number for factory installed transport brackets that have not been crash tested. 2. In addition, due to patient safety/liability issues, we must include a seat positioning strap. We request this to be incorporated into the bids' "required option" specifications, as currently there is no place to include a different model number for a non-crash tested seat positioning strap. RESPONSE: All models submitted for technical evaluation in response to the solicitation must be tested to WC-19 standards as clearly outlined. If the device submitted has not been "crash tested", it should not be submitted. It is not appropriate to provide transport brackets or a "seat positioning strap" that has not been tested to WC-19 standards. _____________________________________________________________________________ We are requesting more detailed product sample instructions be provided to offerors? Based on the VA's previous bid for power wheelchairs required sample submission, we are making the following similar recommendation for product sample submission. QUESTIONS: 1. Request offerors to provide three sample wheelchairs for each Award group chair submitted. 2. Assume a rider that is 5 feet 10 inches tall and 175 lbs. in weight for all sample chairs submitted so that they are programmed equally. 3. Inform offerors under what conditions each sample wheelchair will be tested to, so that they can be programmed for optimal performance. For example, sample wheelchair #1 could be programmed for aggressive outdoor use, sample wheelchair #2 programmed for indoor use, etc. Recommended Sample wheelchair #1 submission - Standard Configuration - Configured with all required standard features only - Seat sizes should be appropriate for hypothetical rider Recommended Sample wheelchair #2 submission - Rehab Configuration - Configured with the following required options only. All items not listed below should default to the required standard features. Back support with adjustable back canes Solid seat Elevating leg rests Swing away joystick mount - Seat size should be appropriate for hypothetical rider Recommended Sample wheelchair #3 submission - Power Elevating Seat Configuration - Configured with the following required options only. All items not listed below should default to the required standard features. Solid seat (with standard back support) Power elevating seat Swing away leg rests (non-elevating) Foot support, standard length, flip up Desk length arms RESPONSE: One device is to be submitted for technical evaluation; it is not acceptable to submit more than one example of the same model. The power chair programmer must be provided with the submission. In addition to live technical evaluation of the product submitted, the RESNA test report will be reviewed relative to all specifications and performance parameters. -In addition, we recommend the following items be provided individually, but not installed on every wheelchair: - Oxygen cylinder holder - Cane/crutch holder - Walker holder RESPONSE: Yes, the above items are to be provided individually; but not installed on every wheelchair. -We believe the above product samples and add-on options demonstrate all required standard features and required options with the exception of those specifications that have multiple offerings within the specification, such as seat widths and depths, back heights, seat to floor heights, colors etc. Also we recommend that any additional seat widths and depths voluntarily being provided by an offeror, that are not a mandatory under "required standard features" or "required options," be excluded from sample submission and be referenced in the descriptive product literature only. RESPONSE: yes, acceptable to reference additional seat sized in product literature. _________________________________________________________________________________ -Per the VA's response, it is okay for offerors to voluntarily submit additional seat widths and depths under "Required Standard Features" as well as additional "solid" seat widths and depths for the "Seat -Solid" under the "Required Options" as long as there is no price differential. Also the response stated that there are no evaluation factors that account for availability of more seat sizes than the minimum indicated. QUESTIONS: If an offeror is going to voluntarily submit additional seat widths and depths under these two specifications: 1. Should they be itemized and included in the submission/offer with model numbers, descriptions and descriptive product literature, even though they will not be included in evaluation factors? RESPONSE: Yes. Include these details. 2. Should they be included in the product sample submission, even though they will not be included in evaluation factors, or just referenced in the descriptive product literature only? RESPONSE: Referenced only, no need to include with sample submission. 3. Should they be included in the Schedule of Supplies, under the appropriate item no. with unit price, but excluded from the estimated total price, since there will be no price differential? RESPONSE: Yes, they should be included in the Schedule of supplies, under the appropriate item no. with unit price, but excluded from the estimated total price.