This is not a solicitation but rather a Request for Information (RFI/Sources Sought) for market research purposes only. Veterans Health Affairs, Network Contracting Office 4, is issuing this Sources Sought in order to identify capable firms and obtain information for planning purposes only. Veterans Health Affairs, Network Contracting Office 4, is issuing this Sources Sought in order to identify capable firms for brand-name Histology equipment and accessories listed below. Responses shall be submitted by 12:00pm (EST) April 15th, 2025. Responses shall be submitted via email to yazmin.alvarez@va.gov. All Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) and Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) firms that respond shall include proof of their Vets First Verification via Home·VetBiz Portal (va.gov). All small business firms that respond shall include proof of small business status via their Representations and Certifications in accordance with FAR 4.1102 Policy. While SDVOSB/VOSB contractors are preferred, all capable contractors are welcome to respond to this sources sought notice for market research purposes. All respondents shall include as part of their response a brief capability statement that covers the information in the following tentative statement of work, as well as answers to the below three (3) questions. All respondents shall be registered and active in SAM.gov|Home. The results of this market research will assist in the development of (1) the requirement, and (2) the acquisition approach (e.g., socioeconomic set-aside, full and open competition, etc.). VA assumes no responsibility for any costs incurred associated with the preparation of responses. Suggested NAICS: 339112 (Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing) Suggested PSC: J066 (Maintenance, Repair, and Rebuilding of Equipment Instruments and Laboratory Equipment) Open to suggestions from industry as to a more proper NAICS and/or PSC, as well as any potential GSA/FSS Schedule SIN categories. In addition to the information requested above, please include answers to the below 3 questions as part of your response to this Sources Sought: 1. Identify any other companies owned (wholly or in-part) by the owners of this business who provide goods or services under the same or a related NAICS codes. 2. Identify any other companies owned (wholly or in-part) by the owners of this business who provide goods or services that are registered under the same or a related NAICS code with the Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE); Provide the certification type (SDVOSB/VOSB), Federal Identification Number, and state of incorporation for each. 3. Do you plan on responding to a solicitation for this requirement with a Joint Venture utilizing multiple owned companies as majority or non-majority owner? Yes ___No ___ If yes, please identify which companies are considering a Joint Venture and the ownership of each company. Statement of Work A. GENERAL GUIDANCE Title: Maintenance Agreement for Government owned Beckman Coulter Lab Automation System at VA Philadelphia. Scope of Work: The contractor shall provide full service and maintenance for government owned Beckman Coulter Lab Automation System, obligatory by the requirements stated herein. The facility is located at: Philadelphia VA Medical Center (VAMC) 3900 Woodland Ave Philadelphia, PA 19104 Background: This contract is issued to ensure the continuous reliability of the Beckman Coulter Lab Automation System identified in this SOW. The equipment requires corrective and preventative maintenance. This equipment is critical for continuous operations of the medical center at VA Philadelphia. The reliable and accurate operation of the equipment at all times is considered critical to the health and safety of patients. Performance period: Base year Year Period of Performance Base Year 6/3/25 - 6/2/26 Type of Contract: Firm-Fixed-Price. B. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS This agreement includes all preventative maintenance and corrective maintenance repairs for the Beckman Coulter Lab Automation System. Equipment to be serviced: Each of the following items are to be serviced in accordance with the specifications, terms, and conditions of this contract. Serial Number Model 900Z1103005 LX20 CONNECTION UNIT PWR PROC. 900Z1106005 LX20 CONNECTION UNIT PWR PROC. 900Z1212002 LX20 CONNECTION UNIT PWR PROC. 90BF1211007 RECAPPING UNIT, POWER PROCESSOR PLK0513F00788 Configured Console, Preplink V5.0, SFF 90HG1212005 Stockyard, 5k HS, Refrigerated 90CC1210009 Generic Connection Unit (NCCLS) 90CC1210006 Generic Connection Unit (NCCLS) 90BE1211001 SECONDARY DECAPPER POWER PROCESSOR 90DG1210005 SMART H LANE UPGRADE CCW00524 KEY, SECURITY PROGRAMMED CCW00543 KEY, SECURITY PROGRAMMED 320B035684 KVM Remote Manager 320B035694 KVM Remote Manager 320B035697 KVM Remote Manager 320B035523 KVM Remote Manager 320B035579 KVM Remote Manager 320B035541 KVM Remote Manager 320B035555 KVM Remote Manager 320B035649 KVM Remote Manager 320B035548 KVM Remote Manager 90AN1206005 ADD'L MAIN POWER KIT FOR PWR PROC. 900L1208002 ALIQUOTING ACCESSORY UPGRADE KIT 90HP1301001 3.0 PP BASIC TRK, ONE OUTLET Corrective Maintenance: The Contractor and Biomedical Engineering shall maintain the equipment in accordance with Section D Conformance Standards. Service for corrective maintenance will be provided per hours of coverage defined in Section B.1.d. Contractor shall provide unlimited telephone technical support, labor, travel, and parts, unless specifically excluded. Service calls to the Contractor requesting service are only authorized when they are received from the CO or Biomedical Engineering Staff Member. Outside of the contract s hours of coverage, emergency on-site services require authorization by the COR. The COR or a Biomedical Engineering Staff Member shall initiate these calls. If VA staff other than the COR or a Biomedical Engineering Staff Member place calls requesting services, the Contractor shall contact Biomedical Engineering Services and verify the request. Service responses on calls from unauthorized personnel can result in nonpayment. The VA Administrative Officer of the Day is an authorized caller and can also be contacted for verification. Uncorrected deficiencies or unfavorable histories of downtime can result in the termination of this contract under the Termination for Default clauses of the Federal Acquisition Regulations. Parts: All parts supplied shall be OEM and fully compatible with existing equipment. No refurbished parts shall be used in the repairs of units covered in this contract. The contract shall include all parts with the exception of consumable or expendable items and specialty components. Used parts, those removed from another system, shall not be installed without approval by Biomedical Engineering Staff. The contractor is required to install VA supplied parts when said parts are determined to be fully compatible. The determination of compatibility is at the discretion of Biomedical Engineering Staff. All defective parts replaced become the property of the Contractor, unless otherwise specified by the CO or Biomedical Engineering Staff. Hours of Coverage: The contractor will provide any on-site services within the normal business hours (8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (EST) M-F), excluding holidays. These services shall be performed during these normal hours of coverage unless one of the following conditions exists: The contractor wishes to furnish services at a time that is outside of the normal hours of coverage, at no additional cost to the Government, the contractor submits a request to Biomedical Engineering prior to the proposed start of the work, and the request is approved in writing before work is begun. The technical point of contact in Biomedical Engineering directs that the services be furnished at a time that is outside the normal hours of coverage and the additional cost is recommended authorized by the CO. Technical support shall respond to calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and all holidays. This would include over the phone diagnostic and troubleshooting of the entire system. Work performed outside the normal hours of coverage must be preapproved by the CO. The Contractor will provide a written estimate of the charges prior to approval of the work. Work performed outside the normal hours of coverage at the request of FSE/contractor shall be considered service performed during normal hours of coverage. There will be no additional charge for time spent waiting at the site during or after the normal hours of coverage for delivery of parts. Note: Hardware upgrade installations for the equipment shall be scheduled and performed during normal hours of coverage at no additional charge to the government. Federal Holidays Observed by the VA Medical Center New Year s Day Martin Luther King, Jr. Day President s Day (Washington s birthday) Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day and any other day specifically designated by the President of the United States. Customer Notification: Contractor shall notify Biomedical Engineering and the Police service when they arrive on site (Biomedical Shop Room 3A152, Building 2). Contractor will schedule all services with Biomedical Engineering. All vendor mobile media devices (USB drives, CDs, DVDs, etc.) must be scanned by Biomed before use. When the service(s) is/are completed, the FSE shall document the services rendered on a legible ESR(s) per Section E. The FSE shall be required to check out with the Biomedical Engineering Department and submit the ESR(s). All ESRs shall be submitted to the equipment user for an "acceptance signature" and to Biomed for an "authorization signature." If a signature is not available, a signed accepted copy of the ESR will be sent to the point of contact in Biomed within five business days of work completion. FAILURE TO COMPLY, EITHER IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WITH EITHER THE NOTIFICATION OR ESR REQUIREMENTS WILL BE DEEMED SIGNIFICANT NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONTRACT AND MAY BE JUSTIFICATION FOR TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT. C.DEFINITIONS/ACRONYMS: Biomedical Engineering - Supervisor or designee CO - Contracting Officer. COR - Contracting Officer's Representative. PM - Preventive Maintenance Inspection. Services which are periodic in nature and are required to maintain the equipment in such condition that it may be operated in accordance with its intended design and functional capacity with minimal incidence of malfunction or operative conditions. Service shall consist of calibration and testing in accordance with the manufacturer s latest established service procedures to ensure operation of equipment within manufacturer s or VA s performance specifications, whichever is the most rigorous. PM includes cleaning, inspecting lubricating and testing all equipment. All equipment shall be operated at least one complete operating cycle at the end of each PM. FSE - Field Service Engineer. A person who is authorized by the contractor to perform maintenance (corrective and/or preventive) services on the VA Medical Center premises. ESR - Engineering Service Report. A documentation of the services rendered by the vendor for each incidence of work performance under the terms and conditions of the contract. Acceptance Signature - VAPHI employee who indicates FSE demonstrated service conclusion/status and user has accepted work as complete/pending as stated in ESR. Authorization Signature - COR's signature; indicates COR accepts work status as stated in ESR. NFPA - National Fire Protection Association. CDRH - Center for Devices and Radiological Health. VAPHI - Department of Veterans Affairs Philadelphia Medical Center. OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer CEU Continuing Education Credit D. CONFORMANCE STANDARDS: Contractor shall provide services and material to ensure that the equipment functions in conformance with the latest requirements of NFPA-99, TJC, NEC, OSHA, HIPAA, Federal and VA security specifications and requirements as applicable. The equipment shall be maintained such that it meets or exceeds the performance specifications as established in the OEM s technical specifications. Additional performance specifications that exceed the OEM specifications shall be specified in writing by the VA. E. DOCUMENTATION/REPORTS: The documentation will include equipment down time and detailed descriptions of the scheduled and unscheduled maintenance procedures performed, including replaced parts and prices (for outside normal working hour services) required to maintain the equipment in accordance with conformance standards. Such documentation shall meet the guidelines as set forth in the Conformance Standards. ESR s must also be emailed to vhaphibiomedicalservicereports@va.gov, with the Vendor Name and contract Obligation Number listed in the Subject Line. In addition, each ESR must at a minimum document the following data legibly and in complete detail: Name of Contractor Name of FSE who performed services. Contractor Service ESR Number/Log Number. Date, Time (starting and ending), Hours-On-Site for service call. VA Purchase Obligation (PO) number covering the call, if outside normal working hours. Description of Problem Reported by COR/User. Identification of Equipment to be serviced to include the following: Equipment ID # or EE# from the bar-code, Manufacturer's Name, Device Name, Model#, Serial #, and any other Manufacturer's identification numbers. Itemized Description of Service(s) Performed (including Costs associated with after normal working hour services), including: Labor and Travel, Parts (with part numbers) and Materials and Circuit Location of problem/corrective action. Total price to be billed. Signatures from the following: FSE performing services described. VA Employee who witnessed service described. Equipment downtime calculated in accordance with Conformance Standards. Note: Any additional charges claimed must be approved by the CO before service is started. F. SCHEDULE FOR DELIVERABLES Draft copies of deliverables shall be provided to Biomedical Engineering staff before the contractor leaves the facility at each visit. If a final copy can be provided at that time then a draft copy is not necessary, final copies must be provided within 5 business days of the time of each deliverable. G. CHANGES TO STATEMENT OF WORK Any changes to this SOW shall be authorized and approved only through written correspondence from the CO. A copy of each change will be kept in a project folder along with all other products of the project. Costs incurred by the contractor through the actions of parties other than the CO shall be borne by the contractor. H. CONDITION OF EQUIPMENT: The contractor accepts responsibility for the equipment described in this scope of work, in "as is" condition. Failure to inspect the equipment prior to contract award will not relieve the contractor from performance of the requirements of this contract. I. CONTRACTOR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Contractor personnel providing service for this system must be able to provide proof of authorization and training from the original equipment manufacturer. Contractor personnel coming on-site must provide a copy of: 1) Tuberculosis (Tb) vaccination documentation, 2) flu vaccination documentation and 3) copy of HIPAA compliance training certificate. J. COMPLIANCE WITH OSHA BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS STANDARD: The contractor shall comply with the Federal OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. The contractor shall: Have methods by which all employees are educated as to risks associated with bloodborne pathogens. Have policies and procedures that reduce the risk of employee exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Have mechanisms for employee counseling and treatment following exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Provide appropriate personal protective equipment/clothing such as gloves, gowns, masks, protective eyewear, mouthpieces for the employee during performance of the contract. K. INFLUENZA PREVENTION PROGRAM: VHA Directive 1192 requires all health care personnel (HCP) to participate in the seasonal influenza prevention program and outlines the key implementation steps. Healthcare personnel is defined in VHA Directive 1192 as all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, paid and unpaid, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, students, researchers, volunteers, and trainees who work in VHA locations. HCP covered by the policy are expected to receive annual influenza vaccination. Those HCP unable or unwilling to be vaccinated are required to wear a face mask throughout the influenza season. Masks are available at entrances throughout the medical center. It is the responsibility of the contractor to ensure that all contract staff is compliant with the requirements outlined in VHA Directive 1192. The contractor shall maintain the following documentation: Documentation of vaccination, e.g., signed record of immunization from a healthcare provider or pharmacy, or a copy of medical records documenting the vaccination. Completed Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Form (Attachment B of VHA Directive 1192) if unwilling or unable to receive the vaccine. The contractor is required to submit annual certification to the Contracting Officer s Representative (COR) or designee that all contract staff performing services at VA facilities are in compliance with the VHA Directive 1192. L. COVID-19: Upon entering the VAMC, per CDC and federal regulations, all personnel must wear the required PPE while on-site; at a minimum this includes a cloth mask. PPE will not be provided by the Government. All individuals are required to enter through the main entrance for temperature screening. If Contractor s temperature exceeds the designated threshold, they will be asked to leave. In the event of an FSE being forced to vacate the premises, they shall notify the necessary Biomedical Engineering staff and provide a contact for a replacement. Effective August 13, 2021, Recertified VHA Directive 1193 requires all contractors to have received a complete COVID-19 vaccine series (unless exempt from vaccination for medical or religious reasons) when entering the medical center. M. CONFIDENTIALITY AND NONDISCLOSURE: It is agreed that: The preliminary and final deliverables, and all associated working papers, application source code, and other material deemed relevant by VA which have been generated by the contractor in the performance of this task order, are the exclusive property of the U.S. Government and shall be submitted to the CO at the conclusion of the task order. The CO will be the sole authorized official to release, verbally or in writing, any data, draft deliverables, final deliverables, or any other written or printed materials pertaining to this task order. No information shall be released by the contractor. Any request for information relating to this task order, presented to the contractor, shall be submitted to the CO for response. Press releases, marketing material, or any other printed or electronic documentation related to this project, shall not be publicized without the written approval of the CO. N. IDENTIFICATION, PARKING, SMOKING, CELLULAR PHONE USE AND VA REGULATIONS: The contractor's FSE shall wear visible identification at all times while on the premises of VAPHI. Identification shall include, as a minimum, the employee s name, position, and the contractor s trade name. It is the responsibility of the contractor to park in the appropriate designated parking areas. Information on parking is available from the VA Police-Security Service. VAPHI will not invalidate or make reimbursement for parking violations of the contractor under any conditions. Smoking is prohibited inside any buildings and on premise at VAPHI. This covers all smoking and tobacco products, including but not limited to: Cigarettes Cigars Pipes Any other combustion of tobacco Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including but not limited to electronic or e-cigarettes, vape pens, or e-cigars. Chewing tobacco Cellular phones and two-way radios are not to be used within six feet of any medical equipment. Possession of weapons is prohibited. Enclosed containers, including tool kits, shall be subject to search. Violations of VA regulations may result in a citation answerable in the United States (Federal) District Court, not a local district state, or municipal court. O. CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS This language is still in draft form. The OI Service Center is reviewing alternative sources for background investigations. The language included in this draft is based on last year s contract. Language must be updated to match App A for 642-22-3-089-0035signed by ISOs. Contractor may not have access to the VA network or any VA sensitive information under this contract. Contractor owned computer equipment including laptops are not permitted to be connected to the VA network. Any removable storage device used in medical equipment must be scanned by Biomed or OIT. The following language from VA Handbook 6500.6 is required in this contract: Appendix C: Paragraphs #3a, #5h, #6a, #7a, #7d, #9(all) All Contractors coming on-site must receive Privacy training annually using one of the following methods: Complete VA Privacy Training for Personnel without Access to VA Computer Systems or Direct Access to or Use to VA Sensitive Information training by using VA s TMS system (https://www.tms.va.gov/). Contractors may use the TMS Managed Self Enrollment method to complete the training in TMS. The COR or designee must ensure that all contractors are validated in the PIH domain. Complete the hard copy version of VA Privacy Training for Personnel without Access to VA Computer Systems or Direct Access to or Use to VA Sensitive Information . Signed training documents must be submitted to the COR or designee. P. RECORDS MANAGEMENT OBLIGATIONS Applicability This clause applies to all Contractors whose employees create, work with, or otherwise handle Federal records, as defined in Section B, regardless of the medium in which the record exists. Definitions Federal record as defined in 44 U.S.C. § 3301, includes all recorded information, regardless of form or characteristics, made or received by a Federal agency under Federal law or in connection with the transaction of public business and preserved or appropriate for preservation by that agency or its legitimate successor as evidence of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the United States Government or because of the informational value of data in them. The term Federal record: includes [Agency] records. does not include personal materials. applies to records created, received, or maintained by Contractors pursuant to their [Agency] contract. may include deliverables and documentation associated with deliverables. Requirements Contractor shall comply with all applicable records management laws and regulations, as well as National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) records policies, including but not limited to the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. chs. 21, 29, 31, 33), NARA regulations at 36 CFR Chapter XII Subchapter B, and those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). These policies include the preservation of all records, regardless of form or characteristics, mode of transmission, or state of completion. In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, all data created for Government use and delivered to, or falling under the legal control of, the Government are Federal records subject to the provisions of 44 U.S.C. chapters 21, 29, 31, and 33, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), as amended, and the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended and must be managed and scheduled for disposition only as permitted by statute or regulation. In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, Contractor shall maintain all records created for Government use or created in the course of performing the contract and/or delivered to, or under the legal control of the Government and must be managed in accordance with Federal law. Electronic records and associated metadata must be accompanied by sufficient technical documentation to permit understanding and use of the records and data. [Agency] and its contractors are responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of records, including all forms of mutilation. Records may not be removed from the legal custody of [Agency] or destroyed except for in accordance with the provisions of the agency records schedules and with the written concurrence of the Head of the Contracting Activity. Willful and unlawful destruction, damage or alienation of Federal records is subject to the fines and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701. In the event of any unlawful or accidental removal, defacing, alteration, or destruction of records, Contractor must report to [Agency]. The agency must report promptly to NARA in accordance with 36 CFR 1230. The Contractor shall immediately notify the appropriate Contracting Officer upon discovery of any inadvertent or unauthorized disclosures of information, data, documentary materials, records or equipment. Disclosure of non-public information is limited to authorized personnel with a need-to-know as described in the [contract vehicle]. The Contractor shall ensure that the appropriate personnel, administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are established to ensure the security and confidentiality of this information, data, documentary material, records and/or equipment is properly protected. The Contractor shall not remove material from Government facilities or systems, or facilities or systems operated or maintained on the Government s behalf, without the express written permission of the Head of the Contracting Activity. When information, data, documentary material, records and/or equipment is no longer required, it shall be returned to [Agency] control or the Contractor must hold it until otherwise directed. Items returned to the Government shall be hand carried, mailed, emailed, or securely electronically transmitted to the Contracting Officer or address prescribed in the [contract vehicle]. Destruction of records is EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED unless in accordance with Paragraph (4). The Contractor is required to obtain the Contracting Officer's approval prior to engaging in any contractual relationship (sub-contractor) in support of this contract requiring the disclosure of information, documentary material and/or records generated under, or relating to, contracts. The Contractor (and any sub-contractor) is required to abide by Government and [Agency] guidance for protecting sensitive, proprietary information, classified, and controlled unclassified information. The Contractor shall only use Government IT equipment for purposes specifically tied to or authorized by the contract and in accordance with [Agency] policy. The Contractor shall not create or maintain any records containing any non-public [Agency] information that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract. The Contractor shall not retain, use, sell, or disseminate copies of any deliverable that contains information covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 or that which is generally protected from public disclosure by an exemption to the Freedom of Information Act. The [Agency] owns the rights to all data and records produced as part of this contract. All deliverables under the contract are the property of the U.S. Government for which [Agency] shall have unlimited rights to use, dispose of, or disclose such data contained therein as it determines to be in the public interest. Any Contractor rights in the data or deliverables must be identified as required by FAR 52.227-11 through FAR 52.227-20. Training. All Contractor employees assigned to this contract who create, work with, or otherwise handle records are required to take [Agency]-provided records management training. The Contractor is responsible for confirming training has been completed according to agency policies, including initial training and any annual or refresher training.
