This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. Pursuant to 48 CFR Part 326, Subpart 326.603-3 and IHM 5.5-6, Indian Health Service must use the negotiation authority of the Buy Indian Act, 25 U.S.C. 47, to give preference to Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE) whenever the use of that authority is authorized and practicable.
The Government is seeking to identify Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs), Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE), and any other category of vendor capable of performing the below Indian Health Services (IHS) requirement. Any vendor responding to this notice should submit their capability statement as well as the Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form (attached).
Consistent with the revised Buy Indian Act, HHS/IHS adopted the definition of an Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) set forth in 48 CFR 1480.201. This definition includes the following requirement, amongst others: “the Indians or Indian Tribes must, together, receive at least a majority of the earnings from the contract.”.
Instructions for submission are outlined further below.
DEFINITIONS
INDIAN ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE (IEE):
Any business activity owned by one or more Indians, Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, or Alaska Native Corporations provided that:
- The combined Indian, Federally Recognized Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Corporation ownership of the enterprise constitutes not less than 51%;
- The Indian, Federal Recognized Indian Tribes, or Alaska Native Corporations must, together, receive at least 51% of the earnings from the contract; and
- The management and daily business operations must be controlled by one or more individuals who are Indians.
DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT
NAICS:
339115 – Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing
Size Standard: 1,000 employees
Delivery:
Blackfeet Community Hospital 760 Hospital Circle, Browning, Montana.
The contractor shall delivery the equipment within 90 days of award.
Project Title:
Haag-Streit 900 LED slit lamps with tonometers.
Scope/Purpose:
This equipment is an essential part of an eye exam and is used during every patient encounter to determine ocular health.
Technical Specifications for good(s):
The Haag-Streit 900 LED Slit Lamp unit model offers the latest LED illumination technology with three magnifications and features LED slit illumination, combined slit and background illumination control.
Item/Component: Slit Lamp
Specification:
a) Specially designed light spectrum to guarantee best details in diagnosis from the cornea to the retina
b) Brightest and most homogeneous LED powered slit
c) Imaging ready – all in one slit and background illumination
d) Ergonomic – combined slit and background illumination control
e) Three magnifications and imaging capabilities. Designed for routine practice, the BP 900® has a redesigned optical system.
f) Push button control of illumination located on the joystick
g) An optical beam splitter allows the attachment of the CM 900 Digital® Camera Module.
Magnification Changer:
a) Change between 10, 16 and 25 X magnification by means of a simple control on the side of the microscope.
Beam Splitter:
a) The optional beam splitter directs 70% of the reflected light from the image to the camera.
b) Joystick with Illumination Control: A push button on the top of the joystick, unique to the BP 900®, allows for the control of illumination levels
Item/Component: Tonometer
Specification:
- Haag-Streit AT 900 Tonometer for BP Slit Lamp (P/N 09004.4)
INSTRUCTIONS TO INDUSTRY
ISBEEs are highly encouraged to respond to this notice. However, firms must also understand that generic capability statements are not sufficient for effective evaluation of their capacity and capability to perform the work required. To be considered a capable source, responses must directly demonstrate the company’s capability, experience, and ability to provide services as shown below.
Your response must include but is not limited to the following:
- Number of years of experience in providing routine food service delivery and customizable menus to healthcare facilities
- List of past jobs/contracts of providing routine food service delivery and customizable menus to healthcare facilities
- Demonstrate how your company meets the definition for Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) in consideration to this requirement.
- Demonstrate how your company will receive at least 51% of the earnings from the awarded contract.
- If identifying a partnership with a subcontractor that is a similarly situated entity, demonstrate how together with the subcontractor you will receive a combined 51% of the earnings from the contract.
- If identifying a partnership with a subcontractor that is NOT a similarly situated entity, demonstrate how you will receive 51% of the earnings from the contract.
- Demonstrate how the prime IEE, or together with the subcontractor, will conduct management and daily operations to be controlled by one or more individuals who are Indians.
Failure to address these items in your capability statement could exclude your firm from being determined a capable IEE/ISBEE source.
SUBMISSION
Interested parties capable of performing the required services may submit a response via email to: Shannon.Connelly@ihs.gov no later than 15 days from the date of the sources sought announcement.
Interested parties shall submit their capability response as instructed above and include a copy of the Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form. It is recommended to include the sources sought ID in the subject line.
Sources Sought ID: SS-BFSU-24-001. Responses received to this notice will assist in determining the acquisition strategy of the requirement.
