Page 2 of 2 This is a sources sought announcement only and not a request for quotes, bids, or proposals. This request is solely for the purpose of conducting market research to enhance the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office 16 (NCO 16) understanding of the market offered products, services, and capabilities. Your responses to the sources sought will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. The VA, NCO 16 is seeking to identify potential qualified vendors capable of providing the brand name or an equal blood drawing chairs listed in the chart below. This requirement is for the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Eugene J. Towbin Healthcare Center located at 2200 Fort Roots Drive, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72114-1707. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 339113, Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing with a size standard of 800 employees. Prior to issuing a solicitation, and pursuant to the Veterans First Contracting Program, the VA is trying to ascertain if there are any qualified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) or Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) with the capability of fulfilling the requirement: (Respondents are not limited to SDVOSB/VOSB concerns; the Government seeks to identify all potentially interested sources). All responsible vendors and interested parties please respond to this sources sought announcement if you can provide the brand name or an equal product per the line items provided below: Line Item Manufacturer Brand Name Model Number Description Quantity 0001 Clinton Industries, Inc 6341 Power Series, Blood Drawing Chair with Padded Arms 13 0002 Clinton Industries, Inc 6361 Power Series, Bariatric, Blood Drawing Chair with Padded Arms 2 BRAND NAME OR EQUAL: SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS The following are the salient characteristics that will be used to determine if other than the brand name is equal to the item that meets Government requirements: Line Item 0001 Model Number 6341 Power Series, Blood Drawing Chair with Padded Arms Upholstery Color: Royal Blue Padded seat and backrest Height and depth adjustable, padded flip arm Flip arm positions in place when in use, then flips out of the way for easy exit Padded, elbow rest Height-adjustable armrest 1-1/4 square, heavy duty, all-welded, tubular steel, neutral gray powder-coated frame (3.18 cm) Contemporary brushed aluminum motor casing Hands-free, foot pedal controller 375 lbs. load capacity under normal use (170 kg) Line Item 0002 Model Number 6361 Power Series, Bariatric, Blood Drawing Chair with Padded Arms Upholstery Color: Royal Blue Padded seat and backrest Dual, height and depth adjustable, padded, flip arms Flip arm(s) positions in place when in use, then flips out of the way for easy exit Dual, padded , elbow rests 1-1/4 square, heavy duty, all-welded, tubular steel, neutral gray powder-coated frame (3.18 cm) Contemporary brushed aluminum motor casings Hands-free, foot pedal controller 850 lbs. combined load capacity under normal use (385.55 kg) The salient characteristics identified above are intended to be descriptive, not restrictive and to indicate the quality of the supplies that will be satisfactory. It is the responsibility of the interested source to demonstrate to the Government that the interested parties can provide the supplies that fulfill the required specifications. Delivery of all quantities shall occur no later than 30 days After Receipt of Order (ARO) to the following location: Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System Warehouse 2200 Fort Roots Dr. North Little Rock, Arkansas 72114-1707 Responses to this sources sought shall include the following information: 1. Your company name, address, contact person name, phone number, fax number, e-mail address(s), UEI number, number of employees, and company website if available. 2. If you are an GSA/FSS contract holder are the referenced items available on your schedule/contract? Provide your company GSA/FSS contract number and contract expiration date, if applicable. 3. Is your company a contract holder on any other federal contract? If so, please provide the contract number. 4. Socio-economic status of business such as but not limited to (SDVOSB/VOSB, 8(a), HUB Zone, Women Owned Small Business, Small disadvantaged business, or Small Business HUB Zone business, Large Business, etc.). 5. Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified in this sources sought announcement? 6. Is your company the manufacturer, distributor, or an equivalent for the products being offered? If an authorized distributor or equivalent, can you provide documentation from the manufacturer confirming authorization to provide the referenced items and/or products being offered? If not, can you provide additional information shown below. This is to confirm compliance with the non-manufacturer rule in accordance with Title 13 CFR 121.406(b) Nonmanufacturers. Does your company exceed 500 employees? Is your company primarily engaged in the retail or wholesale trade and normally sells the type of item being supplied? Does your company take ownership or possession of the item(s) with its personnel, equipment or facilities in a manner consistent with industry practice; and Will supply the end item of a small business manufacturer, processor or producer made in the United States, or obtains a waiver of such requirement pursuant to Title 13 CFR 121.406 paragraph (b)(5). 7. If your company is a large business, do you have any designated distributors? If so, please provide their company name, telephone, point of contact and size status (if available). 8. What is the manufacturing country of origin of the items and/or products being offered? 9. Delivery Timeframe The Government would like to know the standard delivery time frame after receipt of order for a requirement like this. 10. What is the warranty details for the items and/or products being offered? 11. Vendors are requested to submit estimated market research pricing with their responses. The estimated pricing will be considered when determining the procurement strategy for the future solicitation. (e.g., if Contracting Officer determines that capable small businesses cannot provide fair and reasonable pricing, then the solicitation will not be set-aside). Estimated pricing will not be used to evaluate for any type of award. Interested vendors are reminded that in accordance with FAR subpart 4.12, offerors and quoters are required to complete electronic annual representations and certifications in System for Award Management (SAM) accessed via https://www.sam.gov as a part of required registration (see FAR 4.1102 - Policy). All registrants are required to review and update the representations and certifications submitted to SAM as necessary, but at least annually, to ensure they are kept current, accurate, and complete. The representations and certifications are effective until one year from date of submission or update to SAM. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary; the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. All information submitted in response to this sources sought notice become property of the Government. Interested vendors should submit an email to
contact@example.gov. All responses must be received in writing no later than 4:00 PM CST on August 23, 2023. Questions or inquiries will not be answered or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided. No solicitation document is available at this time. This notice is to acquire information only, therefore your response will not be considered for a contract award. Vendors interested in providing an offer will have to respond to a solicitation announcement that shall be published separately.
