Description This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products and services prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6, Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Products and Services, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued. This solicitation is issued as RFQ 36C24124Q0267. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-03. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 541380 Testing and Laboratories services $19 Million. The FSC/PSC is H965 Other Quality Control, Testing and Inspection Services: Medical, Dental, and Veterinary Equipment and Supplies. This is being bid as a SB set-aside. The VAMC West Haven 950 Campbell Ave West Haven, CT 06516 is seeking a contractor that shall provide all necessary equipment, tools, and supporting materials to successfully support the incubation and reading needs of the VA Connecticut Healthcare pharmaceutical department at VACT West Haven campus. The contract will be offered as a 12 month POP. All interested companies shall provide quotations for the following (detailed item description on the PWS): Performance Work Statement (PWS) for Incubation and Read Contract General: Contractor shall provide all necessary equipment, tools, and supporting materials to successfully support the incubation and read of TSA, MEA or SDS plates as well as media bags. When required, (if CFUs are above action level in specific situations), microorganism recovered genus level identification will be required by a microbiologist. Assistance from the microbiologist will be needed to evaluate the potential cause of the contamination. All above requirements must be incubated in accordance with USP <797> version 2022. If the USP <797> gets updated to a newer version, vendor is required to adopt based on the timeline of adaptation at West haven VA. A report of how the company complies with USP <797> version 2022 specific to incubation and read of the samples will be required. Information provided will be reviewed by USP Compliance Program Manager at West Haven VA. Samples will be sent via overnight UPS to the vendor address. An explanation of how the vendor will communicate the results from the incubation is required. If needed, a change might need to be implemented to meet the need of USP Compliance Program Manager. Description of Service: When a TSA Plate term is used, it is understood, that either TSA, MEA, or SDA plates could be used. Although currently a TSA plates are used, VACT reserve the right to change it according to the need of pharmacy service department. TSA plates (or equivalent), and media sample bags will be purchased outside of this contract. This Contract is for service not for material. Vendor will receive a TSA plate to incubate and read as follow: 1. Post Garbing, Left and Right Hand 2. Post media sampling, Right and Left Hand 3. Surface Sampling of the hood post media sampling 4. Surface Sampling of any location as per decision of the USP Compliance Program Manager (USP <797> requires monthly surface sampling of all ISO Class 7, and ISO Class 5 air). 5. Post Garbing Left and Right x three times if initial media sampling test. 6. Negative Control TSA plate 7. Media Mag used for media sampling testing. Vendor will be required to incubate each plate and media bag according to the USP <797> version 2022 requirements. In case the USP comes up with a newer version during the duration of the contract, vendor will implement the newer version, at the timeline specified by USP Compliance Program Manager. VACT will be in charge when to switch to a newer version of USP <797> (if needed) for incubation and read. Frequency: As needed after media sampling of the pharmacy team, and at least monthly for surface sampling. Most of the pharmacy service team members will be tested every 6 months. The vendor is required to put a bid per cost of each type of TSA plate and media bag (cost per left and right hand read as one cost is acceptable). In addition, vendor will specify how much it will cost to investigate microorganism recovered to the genus level if required, according to USP <797> version 2022, and assistance from the microbiologist to investigate the cause of the problem, as required to complete corrective action plan by the West Haven VA. Line Items: Item # Description/Part Number* Qty Unit of Issue Price Total Amount 1 Incubation and Read results of Gloved Fingertip Sampling of a Left and Right hand Post-GARBING (Includes two plates, one for each hand), following USP<797> 200 EA $0 $0 2 Incubation and Read results of Gloved Fingertip Sampling of a Left and Right hand Post-MEDIA (Includes two plates, one for each hand), following USP<797> 140 EA $0 $0 3 Media Bag, Incubation and read, following USP <797> 140 EA $0 $0 4 TSA plates Surface Sampling, Incubation and read of results, following USP <797> 480 EA $0 $0 Â 5 Identification of species, if results above action level CFU 40 EA $0 $0 6 Negative Control, Should be no cost ($0) 180 EA $0 $0 Evaluation Process Award will be made to the best price, as determined to be the most beneficial to the Government. Please read each section below carefully for the submittals and information required as part of the evaluation. Failure to provide the requested information below shall be considered non-compliant and your quote could be removed from the evaluation process. Vendors quotes shall be evaluated under FAR Part 13.106-2(b) -- Evaluation of Quotations or Offers. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible vendor whose quote conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price, past performance, and capabilities. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: 1. Price (Follow these instructions): a. Vendor shall complete the Price Schedule in Section (v), with vendors quoted contract line item prices inserted in appropriate spaces. Vendors must also provide all applicable labor rates for the solicited services so they can be compared to the applicable wage determination for compliance with the Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS) if applicable. b. Ensure your validation is current in the System for Award Management (SAM)( https://www.sam.gov). Federal Acquisition Regulations require that federal contractors register in the SAM database at http://www.sam.gov and enter all mandatory information into the system. Award cannot be made until the contractor has registered. Offerors are encouraged to ensure that they are registered in SAM prior to submitting their quotation. 2. Past Performance: a. Provide (3) references of work, similar in scope and size with the requirement detailed in the Statement of Work. References must include contact information, brief description of the work completed, and contract # (if relevant). Please utilize Past Performance Worksheet for your references and please submit as part of your quote submission. References may be checked by the Contracting Officer to ensure your company is capable of performing the Statement of Work. The Government also reserves the right to obtain information for use in the evaluation of past performance from any and all sources. 3. Capable: The vendors quote shall be evaluated to determine if the organization has the experience and capabilities to provide the requested services in accordance with the Statement of Work in a timely efficient manner. a. Contractor shall demonstrate their corporate experience and approach to meet all requirements. b. Contractor shall provide a list of all services included in the price. c. Contractor shall provide all current and relevant licenses and/or certifications for the State of Connecticut if applicable. d. If you are planning to sub-contract some or all of this work, please provide the name and address(s) of all subcontractor(s) (if applicable) and a description of their planned subcontracting effort. e. Contractor shall state and/or demonstrate their ability to meet all requirements and deliverables stated in this solicitation and Statement of Work. Any additional information to further identify how the company is experienced and capable of performing the requested work is welcome. 4. Veterans Preference Factor (per 852.215-70): The Government will assign evaluation credit for an Offeror (prime contractor) which is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB) or a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB). Non-SDVOSB/VOSB Offerors proposing to use SDVOSBs or VOSBs as subcontractors will receive some consideration under this evaluation Factor. a. For SDVOSBS/VOSBs: In order to receive credit under this Factor, an Offeror shall submit a statement of compliance that it qualifies as a SDVOSB or VOSB in accordance with VAAR 852.215-70, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Business Evaluation Factors . Offerors are cautioned that they must be registered and verified in Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database (http://www.VetBiz.gov). i. Verified SDVOSBs will receive a 5% price credit (e.g. if a SDVOSB submits an offer of $100.00, it will be evaluated as if it submitted an offer of $95.00). ii. Verified VOSBs will received a 2.5% price credit (e.g. if a VOSB submits an offer of $100.00, it will be evaluated as if it submitted an offer of $97.50). The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html. (x) Please include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items, with your offer via the SAM.gov website or a written copy. (xi) Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition in addition to the following addenda s to the clause: 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998), 52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights (JUN 2020), 52.204-4 Printed or Copied Double-Sided on Postconsumer Fiber Content Paper (MAY 2011), 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (OCT 2018), 52.204-18 Commercial Government Entity Code Maintenance (AUG 2020), 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (MAR 2000), 52.228-5 Insurance-Work on a Government Installation (JAN 1997), 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontracting (DEC 2013), 852.212-70 Provisions and Clauses Applicable to VA Acquisitions of Commercial Items (APR 2020) 852.203-70 Commercial Advertising 852.219-74, VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside 852.232-72 Electronic Submissions of Payment Requests 852.233-70 Protest Content/Alternative Dispute Resolution 852.233-71 Alternate Protest Procedure 852.270-1 Representatives of Contracting Officers 852.219-74 Limitations on Subcontracting Monitoring and Compliance (JUL 2018) As prescribed in 819.7203(a) insert the following clause: (a) This solicitation includes 852.219-74, VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside, (b) Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation is subject to the limitation on subcontracting requirements in 13 CFR 125.6. The Contractor is advised that in performing contract administration functions, the Contracting Officer may use the services of a support contractor(s) retained by VA to assist in assessing the Contractor s compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirements specified in the clause. To that end, the support contractor(s) may require access to Contractor s offices where the Contractor s business records or other proprietary data are retained and to review such business records regarding the Contractor s compliance with this requirement. (c) All support contractors conducting this review on behalf of VA will be required to sign an Information Protection and Non-Disclosure and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Agreement to ensure the Contractor s business records or other proprietary data reviewed or obtained in the course of assisting the Contracting Officer in assessing the Contractor for compliance are protected to ensure information or data is not improperly disclosed or other impropriety occurs. (d) Furthermore, if VA determines any services the support contractor(s) will perform in assessing compliance are advisory and assistance services as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the support contractor(s) must also enter into an agreement with the Contractor to protect proprietary information as required by FAR 9.505-4, Obtaining access to proprietary information, paragraph (b). The Contractor is required to cooperate fully and make available any records as may be required to enable the Contracting Officer to assess the Contractor s compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirement. (End of clause) 852.219-77 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction. As prescribed in 819.7009(c) insert the following clause: VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION (SEP 2021) (DEVIATION) (a) Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127(k)(2), the offeror certifies that (1) If awarded a contract (see FAR 2.101 definition), it will comply with the limitations on subcontracting requirement as provided in the solicitation and the resultant contract, as follows: [Contracting Officer check the appropriate box below based on the predominant NAICS code assigned to the instant acquisition as set forth in FAR 19.102.] (i) [ ] Services. In the case of a contract for services (except construction), the contractor will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219-74 or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219-11. Any work that a similarly situated VIP-listed subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 50% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Other direct costs may be excluded to the extent they are not the principal purpose of the acquisition and small business concerns do not provide the service as set forth in 13 CFR 125.6. (ii) [ ] General construction. In the case of a contract for general construction, the contractor will not pay more than 85% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219-74 or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219-11. Any work that a similarly situated VIP-listed subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 85% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Cost of materials are excluded and not considered to be subcontracted. (iii) Special trade construction contractors. In the case of a contract for special trade contractors, the contractor will not pay more than 75% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219-74 or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219-11. Any work that a similarly situated subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 75% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Cost of materials are excluded and not considered to be subcontracted. (2) The offeror acknowledges that this certification concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of an Agency of the United States. The offeror further acknowledges that this certification is subject to Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, and, as such, a false, fictitious, or fraudulent certification may render the offeror subject to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties, including prosecution. (3) If VA determines that an SDVOSB/VOSB awarded a contract pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127 did not act in good faith, such SDVOSB/VOSB shall be subject to any or all of the following: (i) Referral to the VA Suspension and Debarment Committee; (ii) A fine under section 16(g)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 645(g)(1)); and (iii) Prosecution for violating section 1001 of title 18. (b) The offeror represents and understands that by submission of its offer and award of a contract it may be required to provide copies of documents or records to VA that VA may review to determine whether the offeror complied with the limitations on subcontracting requirement specified in the contract. The Contracting Officer may, at their discretion, require the Contractor to demonstrate its compliance with the limitations on subcontracting at any time during performance and upon completion of a contract if the information regarding such compliance is not already available to the Contracting Officer. Evidence of compliance includes, but is not limited to, invoices, copies of subcontracts, or a list of the value of tasks performed. (c) The offeror further agrees to cooperate fully and make available any documents or records as may be required to enable VA to determine compliance with the limitations on subcontracting requirement. The offeror understands that failure to provide documents as requested by VA may result in remedial action as the Government deems appropriate. (d) Offeror completed certification/fill-in required. The formal certification must be completed, signed, and returned with the offeror s bid, quotation, or proposal. The Government will not consider offers for award from offerors that do not provide the certification, and all such responses will be deemed ineligible for evaluation and award. I hereby certify that if awarded the contract, [insert name of offeror] will comply with the limitations on subcontracting specified in this clause and in the resultant contract. I further certify that I am authorized to execute this certification on behalf of [insert name of offeror]. Printed Name of Signee: _________________________________ Printed Title of Signee: ________________________________ Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: ___________________________________________________ Company Name and Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________ (End of clause) 852.242-71 Administrative Contracting Officer. As prescribed in 842.271, insert the following clause: ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER (OCT 2020) The Contracting Officer reserves the right to designate an Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) for the purpose of performing certain tasks/duties in the administration of the contract. Such designation will be in writing through an ACO Letter of Delegation and will identify the responsibilities and limitations of the ACO. A copy of the ACO Letter of Delegation shall be furnished to the Contractor. (End of clause) (xii) Clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes Or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and in addition to the following FAR clauses cited, which are also applicable to the acquisition: 52.203-6, 52.204-10, 52.209-6, 52.219-4, 52.219-8, 52.219-6, 52.219-28, 52.222-3, 52.222-21, 52.222-26, 52.222-35, 52.222-36, 52.222-37, 52.222-40, 52.222-50, 52.223-18, 52.225-3, 52.225-13, 52.232-33, 52.222-41 (Wage Determination Connecticut VAMC New Haven County WD 2015-4127 (Rev-26), 52.222-42, 52.222-43, 52.222-55, 52.222-62 (xiii) All contract requirement(s) and/or terms and conditions are stated above. (xiv) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned rating are not applicable to this requirement. (xv) RFQ questions are due NLT 03/18/2024 at 17:00 PM EST. RFQ responses are due NLT 03/20/2024 at 17:00 PM EST. RFQ responses must be submitted via email with RFQ #36C24124Q0267 in the subject line to: Jerry.Choinski@va.gov Hand deliveries shall not be accepted. (xvi) The POC of this solicitation is Jerry Choinski (Jerry.Choinski@va.gov)
