V212--Special Mode Transportation Edward Hines VA Hospital Jr

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through the 252-NETWORK Contract Office 12, is seeking information from qualified vendors to assess market capability for providing special mode transportation services under the V212 Product Service Code for the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital and associated Community-Based Outpatient Clinics in the Hines, Illinois area. This is a sources sought notice, not a formal solicitation, and is intended exclusively for market research to determine vendor availability, capacity, and experience. Respondents must submit a capability statement by June 5, 2026, to Erika A. Cannaday at erika.cannaday@va.gov, including organizational details, SAM Unique Entity ID, business size under NAICS code 485991 (Special Needs Transportation) with a small business size standard of $19 million in annual revenue, experience delivering medical patient transportation services, fleet specifications including the number of sedans and wheelchair vans (noting rear-loaded versus side-loaded types), driver count, and details on quality control programs. The anticipated contract, if awarded, will have a five-year ordering period from July 1, 2026, through September 30, 2030, and will require 24/7 wheelchair van and sedan transportation between Veterans’ residences, airports, Amtrak stations, and VA or non-VA facilities, including Hines VA Hospital, Oak Lawn, La Salle, Kankakee, Aurora, and Elgin CBOCs. Contract performance demands strict adherence to Federal, state, and local regulations including 49 CFR Parts 27, 37, 38, and 571, along with VA standards. All vehicles must be clean, mechanically sound, equipped with lifts or ramps rated for 800 pounds, secure tie-downs, functioning seat belts, and certified fire extinguishers. Transportation software must be integrated with the Vet-Ride Vendor Portal or VA-approved systems, generating GPS-tracked data on mileage and wait time for invoice verification, which must be submitted weekly within 30 days of service in compliance with 38 CFR 70. Drivers and attendants require NACI background checks, cannot have violent felony convictions within the past five years, and must report new criminal activity immediately. Personnel must complete eight hours of specialized patient transport training, four hours of first aid training with biennial refreshers, privacy training within 30 days of contract start, and