R499--FY26 Longitudinal Study Congressionally mandated Longitudinal Study, required per Public Law 110-389, Section 334

This contract solicitation, identified as 36C10D26Q0134, is a congressionally mandated longitudinal study under Public Law 110-389, Section 334, aimed at supporting VR&E Chapter 31 reporting and survey requirements for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration. The solicitation is strictly set aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), requiring all offerors to be certified in the SBA’s Dynamic Small Business Search database and to submit a completed VAAR Clause 852.219-75 Certificate of Compliance for Limitations on Subcontracting. Proposals must be submitted via electronic mail to Edward.Bradford@va.gov by 2:00 p.m. on July 29, 2026, and must consist of four volumes: Technical Information, Past Performance, Price, and Administrative Documents, each adhering to strict formatting standards including Times New Roman font size 11, PDF or Word format, and inclusion of the Offeror’s SAM UEI, DUNS, and CAGE Code. The contract has a base period from September 29, 2026, to September 28, 2027, with four possible option years extending through September 28, 2031, and performance will occur at the contractor’s place of business. The contractor must execute five mandatory tasks, including preparing a Project Management Plan, monthly and annual reports, survey distribution and collection, and briefing materials, with two optional tasks involving long-term survey design and OMB documentation. All deliverables must be written in layperson language with glossaries for technical terms, and must comply with VA Handbook 6500, NIST 800-63, and CUI program requirements, including PKI/CAC authentication and security clearance equivalence for personnel. Hardware delivery requires tamper-evident packaging, U.S. registered mail, and chain-of-custody documentation under FOB Destination terms. The evaluation process is based on best value, with Technical and Past Performance collectively weighted significantly higher than Price, and no ratings or color designations are assigned. Invoicing must be submitted monthly in arrears via TUNGSTEN (OB10) electronic system in accordance with VAAR 852.232-72, and payment will be processed through electronic funds transfer. Contractors must comply with