Sources Sought Announcement: This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY , it is neither a solicitation announcement nor a request for proposals or quotes and does not obligate the Government to award a contract. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. Responses to this sources-sought must be in writing. The purpose of this sources sought announcement is for market research to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of potential sources capable of providing the services described below. Documentation of technical expertise must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition. Responses to this notice shall include the following: (a) company name (b) address (c) point of contact (d) phone, fax, and email (e) Unique Entity ID (f) Cage Code (g) Tax ID Number (h) Type of business, e.g. small or other, as appropriate and (i) must provide a Capability Statement that addresses the organization s qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor for the work described below in italics. The Phoenix VA Healthcare System (PHVAHCS), Southern Arizona VA Healthcare System (SAVAHCS) and the Northern Arizona VA Healthcare System (NAVAHCS) is seeking a contractor to provide courier services. The courier is to transport specimens, and other items, between facilities and community outpatient clinics. The contractor shall transport specimens (i.e. fluids, urine, stool, blood, etc.) and other items (i.e. mail and office supplies) for the Veterans Healthcare facilities and Outpatient Lab and Sterile Processing Service (SPS) Departments. The Lab(s) shall prepare the specimens for pick-up and delivery for each location. Specimens will be transported in coolers/carriers to and from locations. Contractor shall provide equipment (i.e carts) to pick-up/deliver the items to each location at no additional cost to the Government. The hours of operation vary from facility to facility, but many pick-up and delivery locations are open 24/7 or have extended business hours. As such, courier runs shall not be restricted to an 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday schedule. In some cases, night, weekend and holiday runs will be required. Contractor must maintain proper temperature in vehicles and climate control for all containers to preserve medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, specimens, films etc. Insulated transport containers will be provided by the VA medical centers for pickup/delivery of specimens. All contractor vehicles shall have heating and air conditioning to maintain a temperature between 65- and 77-degrees Fahrenheit. During transport of specimens from the clinic, the courier service will in all aspects, try to prevent any/all extreme temperature changes to the coolers causing the ice inside to melt. If the temperature inside the cooler(s) exceeds 77 degrees Fahrenheit, the specimens will become unacceptable for testing. No specimens or medications shall be kept in the possession of the contractor overnight. In case of failure to arrive at directed facility by the times annotated in the delivery schedule, the courier shall still deliver all items to the Path and Lab Service employee only. Specimens will not be left without ensuring that a Laboratory Service employee has acknowledged receipt of the container(s). The facility labs do not close. Important Information: The Government is not obligated to - nor will it pay for or reimburse any costs associated with responding to this sources-sought synopsis request. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued. The VA is mandated by Public Law 109-461 to consider a total set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business set aside. However, if response by Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business firms proves inadequate, an alternate set-aside or full and open competition may be determined. No sub-contracting opportunity is anticipated. The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 562111 ($41 Million). Notice to Potential Offerors: All offerors who provide goods or services to the United States Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management(SAM.GOV). Additionally, all Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses or Veteran Owned Businesses who respond to a solicitation on this project must be registered with the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Veterans Enterprise Registry located at SBA.GOV. All interested Offerors should submit information by e-mail: Lorenza.gammage@va.gov. All information submissions to be marked Attn: Lori Gammage, Contract Specialist and should be received no later than 2:00 pm MST on the due date found on page 1 of this Sources Sought Notice.
