6515--Orthotic Softgoods and Prosthetic Socks

INTRODUCTION: This RFI (Request for Information) is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. This RFI is intended to get industry feedback for an anticipated new solicitation for the Department of Veteran s Affairs (VA). The anticipated solicitation is to supply additional Orthotic Softgoods and Prosthetic Socks products. The VA is not seeking proposals at this time and will not consider unsolicited proposals provided in response to this RFI. This notice does not commit the U.S Government to contract for any supply or service. All responses will be in the form of information and materials. This announcement serves as a notice and invitation to ask for industry assistance in responding to the following questionnaire. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. In accordance with 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. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. PURPOSE: Sources sought notice for Orthotic Softgoods and Prosthetic Socks in support of the VA. The VA, Commodities & Services Acquisition Service (CSAS) is seeking information form vendors regarding the availability and business practices regarding the procurement of Orthotic Softgoods and Prosthetic Socks. The items included on the Minimum Technical Requirements (MTR) attachment represent items not currently included in contracts currently administered by CSAS. Please provide the requested information using the MTRs attached. Additionally, please provide Business Size Classification of the interested responder (SDVOSB/VOSB, 8(a), SDB, HubZone, WOSB, EWOSB, Small, Other) WRITTEN RESPONSES: Please provide a brief explanation in response to the questions below. Responses can be submitted to contact@example.gov. Responses are due 4:00PM Central Time, April 27, 2022 Please address the following: 1. Provide your company s contact information (Company name, address, Point of contact name and email). 2. Indicate whether your business is a Small Business (SB) or Large Business (LB). If small, indicate if your firm qualifies as a small, emerging business, or small disadvantaged business. If disadvantaged, specify the disadvantaged group of Service Disables Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), 8(a), HUBZone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB). 3. Include the System for Award Management (SAM) UEI number of your firm. 4. State whether your firm is registered with the SAM at http://www.sam.gov and/or the VetBiz Registry at http://vip.vetbiz.gov. *NOTE: any future solicitation can only be awarded to a contractor who is registered in SAM; to receive awards based on VOSB or SDVOSB status, you must be registered and certified in the VetBiz Registry. 5. Is your business the Manufacturer of the product or a Dealer/Distributor? 6. Are the products you offer Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliant? 7. If the Government considered small business set-asides, would the small business nonmanufacturer rule (13 C.F.R. § 121.406) impact your company s ability to propose on any of the items listed in the MTR attachment? If so, please identify which items. 8. Are there current supply chain issues that would hinder prompt fulfillment? 9. Are there alternative specifications for any of the items listed in the MTR attachment that the Government should consider? 10. Specifically concerning the MTRs for the Suspension Sleeve L5685, are these specifications available in any commercially available products? What thickness and range of sizes should the Government consider for this specific product? 11. What are your products lead time? Upon order, how long does it take to receive from the manufacturer (if not the manufacturer), prepare, and be ready to ship? Please provide any additional considerations and any additional information you would like the VA to consider when developing the specifications for this requirement. The Government will use responses of this notice to make appropriate acquisition decisions upon review of documentation, a request for proposals may be issued to the Government-wide Point of Entry Contract Opportunities (www.sam.gov). Responses to this Sources Sought Notice are not considered adequate responses to any corresponding solicitation announcement. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future solicitations, if any are issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Government-wide Point of Entry. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor the Government-wide Point of Entry for additional information pertaining to this requirement.