70 -- PROCUREMENT OF COMPUTER HARDWARE & SOFTWARE (PCHS-3) VENDOR DAY

ANNOUNCEMENT OF VENDOR DAY Contracting Office Address: Attn: Department of Veterans Affairs, Acquisition Operations Service, (049A3G), 1615 Woodward St., Austin, TX 78772. Description THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF SOLICITATION ISSUANCE. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) will host a Vendor Day related to the potential Procurement of Computer Hardware and Software-3 (PCHS-3) acquisition. All vendors, especially Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, interested in this acquisition are encouraged to attend this important event. A firm must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (www.ccr.gov) to attend the PCHS-3 Vendor Day, no exceptions. Attendance is limited to two individuals per firm due to limited seating in the Jefferson Auditorium. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Codes 334111/334112/334119/423430 are expected to be applicable to this acquisition. The PCHS-3 Vendor Day will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2005 beginning promptly at 9:00 =?646?Q?am(EDST)_at_the_United_States_Depa?= =?646?Q?rtment_of_Agriculture=92s,_Jefferson?= Auditorium, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington DC 20250 (please note: the Department of Agriculture is neither connected with nor involved in the conduct of this acquisition). Vendor Day is an opportunity to network and explore possible teaming or joint venture arrangements with other firms as well as potential subcontracting opportunities. The session will also assist VA acquisition professionals and program officials to gauge the level of interest by small businesses in the various socioeconomic categories, particularly Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. It is the intent of the PCHS-3 Vendor Day to bring interested businesses together to hear from the Contracting Officer and Senior Program Officials about the PCHS-3 acquisition of IT products which encompass networks, security, healthcare automation, software, e-business, online documentation, online data services, paperless office, wireless technology, licensing, imaging, voice activated computers, personal digital assistants, maintenance, installation, and office automation. Offerors should submit questions they would like addressed at the Vendor Day conference to the Contracting Officer, Mrs. Jackie Pinkston, contact@example.gov as soon as possible. Questions arising at Vendor Day must be submitted in writing. All questions and answers will be posted on the VA website. This presolicitation announcement is not a contract, or a request for proposals, or a promise to contract, or a commitment of any kind. The VA will NOT assume liability for costs incurred by any offeror for travel expenses, presentations, marketing efforts or any data offered for examination; therefore, the cost of preparing information in response to this notice is not considered an allowable direct charge to the Government. VA OSDBU will provide a venue immediately after the conclusion of the presentation with the Contracting Officer and VA program officials for vendors to network and explore possible teaming or joint venture arrangements with other firms as well as potential subcontracting opportunities. The PCHS-3 acquisition strategy has not been finalized at this time. VA anticipates soliciting for these requirements on or about November 3, 2005. Participants in the PCHS-3 Vendor Day are requested to enter the Jefferson Auditorium through Wing 7 located at the corner of 14th Street and Independence Avenue. Vendors are encouraged to take public transportation, as parking is not available. The Jefferson Auditorium is located adjacent to the Smithsonian Metro Station (Independence =?646?Q?Avenue_Exit)_=BD_block_from_entrance_?= =?646?Q?way.__The_Smithsonian_Metro_Station?= is served by the orange and blue lines. A picture ID and admittance =?646?Q?letter_from_VA=92s_OSDBU_are_require?= =?646?Q?d_for_each_participant_to_enter_the?= Department of Agriculture -- no exceptions. Responses shall include =?646?Q?business_name,_address,_attendees=92?= =?646?Q?_full_name,_and_a_point_of_contact?= phone number. Additionally, visitors may be required to go through a security screening check point. Interested parties should register with Mr. Carlton Knight or Ms. Thelma Perkins, toll free +1 (555) 000-0000 (or +1 (555) 000-0000 from within the Washington, DC Metropolitan Calling Area.)