B533--Dialysis Water Testing

This is a Sources Sought Notice (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this Sources Sought or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. (b) Although "proposal," "offeror," contractor, and "offeror" may be used in this sources sought notice, any response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. (c) Any information received from a contractor in response to this Sources Sought may be used in creating a solicitation. Any information received which is marked with a statement, such as "proprietary" or "confidential," intended to restrict distribution will not be distributed outside of the Government, except as required by law. (d) This Sources Sought is issued by VISN 2 Contracting Office in New York, NY for the purpose of collecting information on Dialysis water testing services for the James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468. The VA is seeking to provide for this requirement as of 04/01/2021 to establish a new service. The NAICS code identified for this requirement is 541380 Testing Laboratories. The requirement is detailed in the Statement of Work section of this document. (e) Cursory market research has identified several small businesses that may be able to provide for this requirement. Contractors that are able to meet the requirements in the attachment are encouraged to email a capability statement and full information to Monique Paltan at contact@example.gov by Friday, February 12, 2021 at 3 PM EST. - Part of the purpose of this sources sought is to determine the viability of set aside to a specific socio-economic category. Contractors shall identify the NAICS code for the services being offered as well as their size status under said NAICS. If contractor is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), a Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), or any other special category of contractors, then contractor is responsible for providing documentation in support of this. This information will be used to determine the viability of a set aside for this requirement. If any of the requested information is not supplied with the package, this may result in the contractor not being considered in the Government s Procurement Strategy. - Contractors shall also identify any Federal Supply Schedules that may carry the desired services. - Contractors shall identify pertinent point of contact for company, contractor DUNS number for size standard and socioeconomic verification in SAM and VIP, as well as for any intended subcontractors. - Contractor shall provide 2 to 3 instances of past experience which demonstrate that they are a firm regularly engaged in this type of work, to include subcontractors for those jobs. - Contractor shall provide a listing of any teaming agreements they intend to employ in the performance of this requirement if awarded. - Contractor shall supply proof of any applicable certification or training required to meet the regulatory requirements, if applicable. - Contractors shall include any relevant comments about the Attachment(s) if applicable. STATEMENT OF WORK DIALYSIS WATER TESTING BACKGROUND: The Department of Veterans Affairs is currently seeking for a 12-month service contract for dialysis water testing for 44 Hemodialysis (HD) machines and 2 Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems located at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in Bronx NY. The James J. Peters VA Medical Center uses water testing to ensure that the local water being used by the Renal Dialysis to treat patients is safe to use in procedures. The clinic follows established guidelines (clinical/AAMI) for testing water on a monthly basis. This service is vital and must continue to receive testing of water for patient s treatment and overall health. The VA is required to monitor water and dialysate used in the Renal Dialysis section. The purpose of this testing is to avoid potential contamination of the water system which could result in the infection of patients on dialysis. The water system is specialized, but it is used in the dialysis machines which access patient s circularity system in order to accomplish the dialysis. A contamination of the water system would be catastrophic to the patients. The following is a requirement of the Joint Commission: AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation) RD-52 states that dialysis be tested for bacteria and endotoxin monthly. The level of bacteria and endotoxin (LAL) that should be met is the same as that of the water system. Contractor will be provided with water culture specimen for testing. SCOPE OF WORK: Contractor shall provide all materials and equipment necessary to perform water testing services to monitor the quality of water used for dialysis. Contractor shall also provide shipping (labels/boxes) and sample collection (containers) for water samples (to be kept cool for testing). Quantities required are as follows: Quantity: 6 AAMI Quantity: 44 HPCs Quantity: 41 LALs. REQUIREMENTS: Contractor shall ensure total viable bacterial count and endotoxin concentration is tested monthly for dialysis machines and Reverse Osmosis system. The number of tests varies every month. 1. The service will include the Contractor providing laboratory testing to monitor water and dialysate in accordance with the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) recommendations and industry accepted procedures applicable to such laboratory services and pursuant to manufacturer standards. 2. VA personnel will take samples of the water and dialysate periodically during the month and will refrigerate the samples immediately. 3. Multiple samples may be taken at one time which will constitute a batch. Batch size may vary from month to month. 4. The Contractor will conduct LAL Kinetic Turbidimetric tests on samples provided by the Renal Dialysis department to determine the levels of endotoxins present. Approximately twelve (12) samples per month requiring testing to ensure the integrity of the osmotic water system. 5. The Contractor will conduct Microbial tests on the samples to determine Bacterial and Pyrogen levels present. This test is performed for the Renal Dialysis section with approximately twelve (12) samples per month requiring testing. 6. When a positive test is encountered, the Contractor shall contact the VA point of contact immediately so a STAT sample can be taken and delivered to the Contractor for immediate re-test for confirmation of the positive test result. 7. Normal test results shall be reported to the VA within 48 hours. Contractor shall demonstrate that it is a firm regularly engaged in the field of water testing for dialysis. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. VA personnel shall take samples of the water and dialysate periodically throughout the month and shall refrigerate the samples immediately. 2. VA personnel shall be responsible for shipping/sending the samples to the laboratory. REPORTS: Contractor shall provide an electronic copy of reports of all tests to: Department of Veterans Affairs CP -Renal Department Attn: Rosemarie Magdangal James J. Peters VA Medical Center 130 West Kingsbridge Road Bronx, NY 10468-3904 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The period of performance for this service will be for one (1) year from the date of award of contract.