69--On Site Applications Training for Imaging

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation forVISN 23 On Site Applications Training for CT, MRI and Nuclear Medicine Imaging Equipment (i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6 Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items and FAR 13.106 Soliciting Competition, Evaluation of Quotations or Offers, Award and Documentation., as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. The reference/solicitation number is VA-263-08-RQ-0310 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a separate written request for quotations will not be issued. This combined synopsis/solicitation will result in a purchase order. (ii) This acquisition is being conducted in accordance with FAR Parts 12, 13 and 15. Responses to this Request for Quotation are not offers from which an award can be made. Instead, to establish a contract, the Department of Veterans Affairs (the VA) must make an offer that can be accepted by the contractor. The contractor can accept the governments offer by (1) a signed written acceptance of the governments offer or (2) by substantial performance incompliance with the contract. (iii) The provisions and clauses incorporated into this solicitation document are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-24. Provisions and clauses incorporated by reference have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. The full text of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulations supplement (VAAR) can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.arnet.gov/far (FAR) and http://vaww.appc1.va.gov/oamm/vaar (VAAR). (iv) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 611710 (size standards in number of employees is 100) applies to this solicitation. (v) This requirement consists of one (1) line items: Line Item 0001: On Site application training for CT, MRI and Nuclear Medicine. Qty: 1; (vi) The Department of Veteran Affairs has the need for a VISN 23 Imaging service line single trainer for each modality to work side by side with the technologists, to ensure that software and protocols are utilized correctly. (vii) Delivery and acceptance of deliverables shall be FOB destination within 30 days of receipt of order to VA Medical Center, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417; the training will take place at all VISN 23 locations. VISN 23 has installed sophisticated CT equipment at all sites. And, seven MRIs are either installed or are in the process of being installed. While formal training is absolutely necessary for fundamental knowledge of physics, imaging algorithms, software and protocols; the application of these fundamentals must occur at the work site in the actual workflow. On-site training and real time verification of competencies of each and every technologist is essential to ensure that all technologists are properly trained. An improperly trained technologist can expose a patient to more radiation than necessary. And, not using the correct protocols can provide less than accurate studies which could allow a condition to be misdiagnosed or totally missed. Patient safety is of primary concern. Operator error caused by an improperly or inadequately trained technologist must never occur.VISN 23 Imaging service line is requesting a single trainer for all sites for each modality to work side by side with the technologists, to ensure that software and protocols are utilized correctly. Also a single trainer helps us to maintain continuity by standardizing exams across all sites in VISN 23.It is expected that there will be continuous application training as upgrades and software enhancements are available. It important that the application specialists are Philips trained and have on going access to current upgrades and enhancements. While other organizations may provide "training", they emphasize anatomy and cannot fully educate an end user on operation of a very complex proprietary product. Terminology, "button-ology" are vendor specific. (viii) The provision at FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items, applies to this solicitation and incorporate the following addenda to 52.212-1, 52.216-1, The Government contemplates award of a firm fixed price contract resulting from this solicitation; 52.225-18, Place of manufacture, described more fully in paragraph (xiii) of this solicitation; 52.233-2, Service of Protest (a) Protests, as defined in section 33.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any protests that are filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), shall be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining written and dated acknowledgement of receipt from Suzanne Angelo, One Veterans Drive (90c), Minneapolis, MN 55417. (b) The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO; 852.233-70, Protest Content. In submitting quotations, please provide a description of training. Quotations must also include the following: (a) accreditations or certification, (b) licensing requirements (c) If software is required, explain software configuration. (ix) The provision at FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items applies to this requirement. The Government will award a firm fixed price contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: (a) Technical abilities which may include the technical attributes that increased ability and probability of identifying, intervening and implementing a Radiology specific program; (b) Ability to implement a uniform method to collect, assess and evaluate needs for performance improvement; (c) certification or recognition in industry, which may include accreditation and past performance. (x) The provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certification, Commercial Items, applies to this solicitation. The contractor shall either: (1) return a completed copy of this provision with its quote (a copy of the provision may be attained from http://www.arnet.gov/far); or (2) complete the Online Reps and Certs. Application (ORCA) at http://www.bpn.gov and reference it in your quote. (xi) The clause at 52-212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. (xii) 52.212-5 Contracts Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items; The following FAR clauses identified at paragraph b of FAR 52.212.5 are considered checked and are applicable to this acquisition: 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation, 52.222-3, Convict Labor, 52.222-19 Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies, 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity; 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities, 52.222-39 Notification of Employee Rights Concerning Payment of Union Dues or Fees, 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons, 52.225-3 Buy American Act Free Trade Agreements Israeli Trade Act, 52.225-13 Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases; 52.232-34 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer Other than Central Contractor Registration; 52.239-1 Privacy or Security Safeguards (xiii) To be awarded this contract, the offeror must be registered in the CCR. CCR information may be found at http://www.ccr.gov. (xiv) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) is not Applicable to this acquisition. (xvi) RESPONSES ARE DUE Thursday, July 17, 2008, by 3:00 p.m. central standard time. (xvii) Submit quotation by mail to Suzanne Angelo, Contracting Officer (90C), VA Medical Center, Bldg 68, Room 138, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417. Electronic Mail may be used to submit quotations provided there is a scanned electronic signature. However, electronic mail is submitted at the contractors own risk as large pdf. files may not be transmittable. Contact Suzanne Angelo at contact@example.gov for more information regarding this solicitation.