DRAFT Page 2 of 8 REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY) for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) / Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) VA Maine Healthcare System- Togus, Togus, Maine Notice This advertisement is a notice of a potential opportunity. This Request for Expressions of Interest (the advertisement ) is not a solicitation for offers, nor is it a request for proposals. Respondents are advised that the Government assumes no responsibility to award an Enhanced-Use Lease based upon responses to this advertisement. This Sources Sought Notice is to identify potential sources for information and planning purposes only and is not intended to pre-qualify or disqualify any potential Respondents. The purpose of this Sources Sought is to conduct market research to determine if responsible and qualified sources exist to redevelop the assets described in Section III. The information gained from this Sources Sought will be used to assist the Government in determining if this development opportunity can be competitive and/or a total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) or Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) Set-Aside. The Government will use this information to determine the best acquisition strategy for this procurement. The Government requests that interested parties respond to this Notice with the specific information requested in Section V of this Notice and identify their small business status. Only SDVOSBs and VOSBs are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. VA is seeking information on the SDVOSB/VOSB Respondent s qualifications only to confirm the Respondent s capability to perform a minimum of 51% of the development opportunity described in this Notice. Contractors/Institutions responding to this market research should be aware that participation in this survey may not ensure that they qualify for any underlying future solicitation or contract award. Additionally, responding to this Sources Sought Notice is NOT a prerequisite to respond to any future subsequent solicitations. The government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this Sources Sought. The Government cannot provide any warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information contained in this Notice. Overview and Objectives The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), under its Enhanced-Use Leasing (EUL) authority (38 U.S.C. §§ 8161- 8169 and as amended), is seeking expressions of interest from qualified SDVOSBs and VOSBs to serve as a Developer for purposes of creating a Childcare Center on the VA Maine Healthcare System campus in Togus, Maine. The Childcare Center will increase access to on-site, quality, affordable childcare services. For purposes of this effort, the Developer would be a non-VA entity who has the qualifications outlined in Section V of this Notice. The Developer will be expected to redevelop three underutilized vacant buildings for a Childcare Center to benefit Veterans (directly or indirectly) and their families. It is expected that any redevelopment would also enhance the VA Maine Healthcare System campus. The Developer entering into an EUL agreement with VA will be responsible for all financing, designing, developing, renovating, constructing, operating, and maintaining the Child Care facility and services. VA conducted a Public Hearing on the EUL concept on August 15, 2024, via virtually though video conference utilizing WebEx by Cisco application VA s EUL authority allows VA to out lease land and improvements to selected developers (i.e., Lessees) to provide an on-site Child Care Center and services for Veterans and their families. Such leases can have a term of up to 99 years. VA s Office of Asset Enterprise Management (OAEM) administers the EUL Program. The objectives of this development opportunity include but are not limited to: Reuse underutilized VA properties and avoid approximately $9,000/year in existing lawn maintenance and snow removal costs. Provide a quality Childcare Center that meets all applicable Federal, State and local requirements. Prioritize enrollment for the children of: (1) VA-employed Veterans and Veterans living on the VA Medical Center campus; (2) Veterans in the local community; and (3) VA-employed non-Veterans. There is demand among VA-employed non-Veterans, and VA is seeking enough spaces to accommodate this priority. Improve VA staff retention, enhance productivity and reduce absenteeism. Provide a safe and nurturing environment for children of VA employees and local Veterans and allow Veterans to focus on their own well-being, recovery, and engagement in VA programs and services, as needed. Additional information on the VA s EUL program may be obtained at: http://www.va.gov/assetmanagement/. Development Scope The intent of this Notice is to determine if there are experienced SDVOSB or VOSB developers that can develop scenarios and implement the agreed upon scenario to transform VA s Togus VAMC campus asset into a Child Care Center and services for Veterans, VAMC employees, and non-VA users within the community in accordance with VA s EUL authority. The Developer would undertake all necessary investigation activities to produce development with the underutilized vacant land at the Togus VAMC campus to benefit Veterans (directly or indirectly) and their families by developing a Childcare Center on the VA Maine Healthcare System campus in Togus, Maine. The Childcare Center will increase access to on-site, quality, affordable childcare services. The asset to be developed by the Developer; three (3) vacant underutilized buildings for potential EUL on the east side of the campus on Knox Street adjacent to west Gate Road. Each of the buildings were constructed in 1910. SHPO has provided approval to demolish each building if the Offeror s development concept considers demolition. Please see Attachment A for a building location map and preliminary proposed EUL parcels outline. Please note the parcel outline shown in Attachment A is subject to change. Medical Center Background The Togus VAMC is a 67-operating bed facility with general medical, surgical, intermediate and mental health beds, as well as a 100-bed Nursing Home consisting of 50 Skilled and Longer Stay beds, and a 50-bed Dementia Unit. The oldest veterans' facility in the country, having opened in the fall of 1866, Togus is located approximately four miles east of Augusta, the state capital. The Togus campus encompasses 500+ acres of buildings and natural woodlands serving as natural habitats for some of Maine's wildlife. The Togus VAMC has served this nation's veterans for 138 years and is the oldest facility in the current Department of Veterans Affairs. A National Cemetery comprised of 5,373 burial sites is also located on campus. The first veteran was buried in the West Cemetery in 1867 and the last burial was in the East Cemetery in 1961. The Togus VAMC emphasizes primary, specialty and preventive care in an outpatient setting. Comprehensive Outpatient Care services are provided through a variety of hospital-based clinics and eight (8) Community-Based Outpatient Clinics located in Bangor, Calais, Caribou, Lewiston, Lincoln, Portland, Rumford, and Saco as well as three (3) part-time Access points in Bingham, Fort Kent and Houlton. Wellness and preventive health services include smoking cessation, cardiovascular fitness, preventive cardiology, women's health and special clinics to assist primary providers in managing diabetes, lipids and anticoagulation. Our healthcare system also has a close relationship with the five (5) VET Centers in Maine, located in Bangor, Caribou, Lewiston, Portland and Sanford. They provide readjustment counseling to Vietnam and post-Vietnam Era veterans. Medical services available are comprised of General Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, Hematology, Oncology, Chemotherapy, Infectious Disease, Pulmonary Medicine, Rheumatology, Tele-Dermatology, Dialysis, Nephrology, Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury, Sleep Disorders, Home Oxygen Program and a Critical Care Unit. Inpatient and outpatient care services are provided. Surgical services offered include General Surgery, Thoracic, Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology, Urology, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Pain Management, Podiatry, Optometry, Gynecology, Anesthesiology, Audiology; as well as major and minor ambulatory operative procedures are performed in all surgical specialties. Psychiatric services include Acute Inpatient, General Psychiatry, Day Hospital Programs for PTSD and Day Treatment Center, MHICM (Mental Health Intensive Case Management), Neuropsychology & Testing, General Psychology, Outpatient Substance Abuse, and Smoking Cessation Program. Extended Care services are comprised of Geriatrics Primary Care, Geriatric and Geropsychiatric Consultations, Geriatrics Evaluation & Management (GEM) - Inpatient/Outpatient, Special Care Dementia Unit, Nursing Home Beds: Skilled/Rehabilitative/Respite/Palliative Care, Contract NH Program, Homemaker/Home Health Program, Home Based Primary Care and Community Care (Residential Care/Field-based Social Work Outreach). Dental services consist of General Dentistry including Restorative, Periodontics, Endodontics, Prosthodontics and Oral Surgery. Ancillary services include General Radiology, Audiology, Ultrasound, CT Scan, Neuroradiology-noninvasive, General Nuclear Medicine, Cardiovascular Nuclear Medicine, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Pharmacy, Prosthetics & Sensory Aids, Respiratory Therapy, Nutrition, Visually Impaired Services Team, and a Women Veterans Program. Specialized Treatment Specialty services such as Radiation Therapy and Magnetic Resonance Imaging are provided to Maine veterans via contractual agreements with our community partners in the veterans' local communities. Sources Sought Response Requirements VA is seeking qualified SDVOSB/VOSB developers who have a proven company track record of: Developing Child Care Centers Financial wherewithal required to successfully develop Child Care Center with associated infrastructure, roads, and amenities; Securing public and private financing for Child Care Center Redeveloping historic assets; and, Operating and staffing affordable and Child Care Centers. Note: VA is seeking information on the SDVOSB/VOSB Respondent s qualifications to confirm the Respondent s ability to perform a minimum of 51% of the development opportunity described in this Notice. Responses should be submitted on official letterhead, must include a point of contact and the signature of at least one organization officer. Responses must address the following elements in sufficient detail to highlight the SDVOSB/VOSB Respondent s ability to undertake the Principal Developer scope as set forth in this Sources Sought Notice. Responses must not exceed 20 pages, single spaced with a minimum 12-point font. Response content should consist of the following: Business Information Please provide the following for your company: Company Name Address Point of Contact Phone Number E-mail Address Web Page URL DUNS CAGE Code Based on the NAICS Code identified in the Sources Sought, please state whether your company is: Veteran Owned Small Business* (Yes / No) Service Disabled Veteran Small Business* (Yes / No) Small Business (Yes / No) Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No) Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No) 8(a) Certified (Yes / No) HUBZone Certified (Yes / No) *If your company is SDVOSB and/or VOSB, please attached VIP verification. Qualifications to Undertake this Development Opportunity Corporate Overview: Provide overview of SDVOSB/VOSB Respondent s organization; indicate type of organization (for-profit, non-profit, etc.) and core business activities; specify age of organization; identify leadership. Housing Development Experience: Summarize the SDVOSB/VOSB Respondent s similar housing development experience and provide brief descriptions of at least three (3) similar scale housing projects that the SDVOSB/VOSB Respondent has developed, including any associated project infrastructure, within the last 10 years. Include information such as: name, location, description of housing type, number of units (specify market rate, affordable supportive, etc.), associated project infrastructure, new construction/renovation, age, the number of years involved with the development, and the role of the SDVOSB/VOSB Respondent. Affordable and/or Supportive Housing Financing Experience: Summarize the SDVOSB/VOSB Respondent s experience directly securing financing for similar scale affordable and/or supportive housing developments in the last 10 years. Provide brief descriptions of at least three (3) similar affordable and/or supportive housing developments for which the SDVOSB/VOSB Respondent has directly secured financing. Include project information such as: name, location, description of housing type, number of units (specify market rate, affordable supportive, etc.), total development cost, specific funding sources secured, and role of SDVOSB/VOSB Respondent. Supportive Housing Development Experience: Summarize the SDVOSB/VOSB Respondent s supportive housing development experience and provide brief descriptions of at least three (3) similar supportive housing development projects that the SDVOSB/VOSB Respondent has developed within the last 10 years. Include information such as: name, location, description of project (including supportive services), age, the number of years involved with the property, and the role of the SDVOSB/VOSB Respondent. Supportive Housing Management Experience: Summarize the SDVOSB/VOSB Respondent s on-site supportive housing management experience and provide brief descriptions of three (3) similar supportive housing development projects that the SDVOSB/VOSB Respondent has directly managed/operated/owned within the last 10 years. Include information such as: name, location, description of facilities (including supportive services), on-site staff (if any), age, the number of years involved with the property, and the extent of your company s participation. Supportive Services Experience: Summarize briefly your experience providing supportive services to Veterans who are homeless and/or at risk of homelessness. Historic Rehabilitation Experience: Summarize briefly your experience developing, managing and operating historic rehabilitation projects. Financial Wherewithal: Provide evidence of your firm s financial wherewithal to develop similar scale housing communities and attach supporting documentation (Note: Supporting documentation is excluded from the page limitation). Deadline to Submit Questions regarding Notice Any and all questions regarding the contents of this Notice should be submitted via to Richelle Wagner at Richelle.Wagner@va.gov by Friday, August 30, 2024, at 5:00pm ET. Questions will be answered as an amendment to the advertisement. Deadline to Submit Responses to Notice If your organization has the qualifications set forth in Section VI of this Notice and is interested and capable of executing all aspects of this opportunity, please EMAIL your response as an attachment to Richelle Wagner at Richelle.Wagner@va.gov Friday, September 6, 2024, at 5:00pm ET. *EUL Site is highlighted in red
