8455--Supply: Vocera Badge

Purpose and Objectives The intent of this Sources Sought Notice is to identify capable and responsible small businesses, including Service Disabled and Veteran Owned small business authorized distributors, or any business size, capable of providing the items as listed in the attached Statement of Work. NAICS Code: 334290 Badges and Insignia These items are for the Department of Veteran Affairs, at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, Florida 33612. James A. Haley is requesting contractors provide brand name or equal equipment that meets or exceed the physical, functional, and performance of the listed salient characteristics in this section. In addition, the equipment must operate with current Vocera Software, batteries, and badge accessories. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice should demonstrate the firm's ability, capability, and responsibility to provide the principal components of supplies listed in the attached document. Responses should include a capability statement and, or authorized distributor letter with the Business name, address, point of contact, and socio-economic status. All information is to be submitted via e-mail at contact@example.gov. Information provided will not be returned. All responses shall be in the English Language. Responses are due by 13:00pm EST on Thursday, June 29, 2021. No submissions will be accepted after this date and time. Questions can be submitted electronically to contact@example.gov. This is a Sources Sought Notice and submissions will be used for informational and planning purposes only. This notice DOES NOT CONSTITUTE a formal Request for Quote (RFQ), NOR IS THE GOVERNMENT OBLIGATED to issue an RFQ. In addition, the Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this notice. The Government is not obligated to notify respondents of the results of this survey. DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. 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. STATEMENT OF NEED BACKGROUND: Just-in-Time communication and proper clinical alarm notification and escalations are vital elements for safe and timely delivery of patient care for our veterans. The Vocera Communications software is used with Vocera hands-free communication badges and integrates into our land-line phone systems. The product has scaled up and is now used across multiple service sections. - Vocera inventory is needed for EarlySense® Clinical Alarm, Get Well Network Integration, CPRS STAT/PRN Notification, staff to staff communication, and Rauland® Nurse Call Integration. Vocera solutions are in high demand and have scaled up to meet demand facility-wide. - Deviation from this Statement of Need could result in lost patient care improvement opportunities. Timely clinical alarm and STAT order notifications save lives and minimizes untoward patient outcomes. Emergency Department and Patient Flow are also heavily dependent on Vocera communication devices. The requirements were developed and based on industry standards, using recommendations from Nursing Informatics experts, and endorsed by local end-users. Office of Information and Technology (OIT), Network Section has evaluated local wireless network infrastructure supporting Vocera badges and reports the older (2015) Vocera badge software is insufficient for the newer 5GHz wireless frequency. If badge replacement is not pursued, users will experience continued Vocera call and notification interference, call jitter, dropped calls, static, and missed alerts. - PURPOSE: The Vocera badges provide Just-in-Time communication and proper clinical alarm notification and escalations that are vital elements for safe and timely delivery of patient care for our veterans. SCOPE: James A. Haley is requesting contractors provide brand name or equal equipment that meets or exceed the physical, functional, and performance of the listed salient characteristics in this section. In addition, the equipment must operate with current Vocera Software, batteries, and badge accessories. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Equipment must have the physical characteristics needed for integration with EarlySense® Clinical Alarm, Get Well Network Integration, CPRS STAT/PRN Notification, and Rauland® Nurse Call Integration. Additional physical and salient characteristics include: - Lightweight (2oz maximum weight), wearable design. - A front facing speaker that provides hands-free audio for clear conversation. - Reinforced badge housing that provides durability; - 1 OLED minimum display screen with call button; - Illumination that provides visual indication of call status. FUNCTIONAL AND PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS: Equipment must provide the following functional and performance capability based on industry standards, using recommendations from Nursing Informatics experts, and endorsed by local end-users. Our Office of Information and Technology (OIT), Network Section has evaluated local wireless network infrastructure supporting the currently used badges and reports the older (2015) badge software is insufficient for the newer 5GHz wireless frequency. Additional function, performance and salient characteristics include: - Dual-band that support 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi; 3 hours active battery life, 30 hours standby; Panic function integrated into call button; Do-not-disturb button to eliminate interruption. Place and receive voice calls; voice controlled and one-button operation that is virtually hands-free use to allow for continuation of work while communicating; Receive secure messages with a 256-character limit; Integrated Acoustic Noise Reduction (ANR) that reduces background conversations and noise interference. Ability to search for users and groups by voice command. Multi-user operation (shared device) that allows a badge to be passed to another user at the end of shift, allowing the new user to log into system from the badge and immediately begin using it. Badge replacement with equipment not meeting the physical, functional, and performance characteristics, as well as salient characteristics of brand name will cause users to experience call and notification interference, call jitter, dropped calls, static, and missed alerts. Deviation from the functional and performance characteristics listed in this Statement of Need may also result in loss of patient care improvement opportunities. SOFTWARE Contractor must be responsible for integration of Vocera Badges with current Vocera VA solutions to include all fees, permits, and work required to accomplish the integration. TRAINING: Government will not require additional training. WARRANTY OF EQUIPMENT: Government requirement for standard manufacturer industry warranty term. Government does not accept extended warranty, which requires advance payment. DELIVERY SCHEDULE: All items to be delivered within 30 days of purchase order processing and order placement. Free On-Board Destination (FOB) destination pricing.