THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) /SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION ABOUT PRICING, DELIVERY, THE MARKET, AND CAPABILITIES IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI FOR PLANNING PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 15.201(e). DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. IAW FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. SOURCES SOUGHT/RFI DESCRIPTION This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a Sources Sought Notice / RFI only. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice / RFI is to gain information about potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 339113 (size standard of 800 Employees). Responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI, further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcements may be published. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking sources capable of providing Radiation Protection Lead Aprons, Thyroid Shields, Kilts and other components that can address the salient characteristics requirements for the Phoenix VA Healthcare System. Equal to product Information: Salient Characteristics: Product: Lead Aprons, Thyroid Shields, Lead Kilts, Hanger Cart with Hangers, Over-Shield Glasses, and Name Tags. 1. Preference of Lead Aprons should include colors, Green, Red, Blue, Hot Pink, Blue Diamond, Fuchsia Diamond, See-n-Stars Navy, Burgundy Diamond, Shocking, Digital Camo, and Potus Navy. 2. Comfortlite Lead aprons must have the X-Ban Material. 3. Comfortlite Lead aprons must have highly pliable garment shell materials. 4. Ergolite aprons must eliminate 100% of weight and contact at the shoulder. 5. Ergolite aprons supports must be built into the garments lining beginning at the waist. 6. Ergolite aprons must be developed to relieve the repetitive stress at the shoulders. 7. Over-Shield glasses must have no less than with 0.6mm lead equivalent x-ray protective lenses, and no less than 0.25mm solid lead side shields. 8. Over-Shield glasses must have anti reflective qualities. 9. Must be no less than .35mm lead protection and maximum of .5mm lead protection. 10. Must have Lead Kilt options. 11. Must have thyroid shield protection option. 12. Must offer female wrap around option. 13. Must have option of attached removable belt with buckle enclosure. 14. Must have option of attached belt with Velcro upgrade. 15. Must have Embroidered Monogram and Velcro nametag options. 16. Must have option to add suspenders. 17. Apron rack must have a swivel arm with at least 12 hangers and be mobile. 18. Aprons must come with lifetime warranty. The list of salient characteristics is intended to be descriptive, not restrictive, of the supplies/services that are required. If your company is interested and capable of providing the required supplies/services, please provide the information indicated below. Response to this notice should include company name, address, point of contact, size of business pursuant to the following questions: (1) Submit your capabilities statement illustrating how your organization can/cannot meet the list of SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/SOW requirements. For instances where your company cannot meet the SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/SOW requirement(s), please explain. For instances where your company can meet the SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS requirement(s), please show how your company meets/exceeds each requirement. (2) Please review the list of SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS requirements and provide any additional feedback or suggestions. If none, please reply as N/A. (3) Please indicate the size status and representations of your business, such as but not limited to: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), HUBZone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Large Business, etc. (4) Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified in this RFI? (5) Are you the manufacturer, authorized distributor, and/or can your company provide a solution to the required supplies/services described in the list of SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS? (6) If you are a large business, do you have any designated/authorized distributors? If so, please provide their company name, telephone, point of contact and size status (if available). (7) If you re a small business and you are an authorized distributor/reseller for the items identified above, do you alter; assemble; modify; the items requested in any way? If you do, state how and what is altered; assembled; modified. (8) Limitations on Subcontracting: How does your business ensure compliance with the limitations on subcontracting as outlined in 13 CFR § 125.6? (9) Are the items you are identifying/providing considered Commercial of the Shelf (COTS) items as defined in FAR Part 2.101 under commercial items? (10) Non-Manufacturer Rule: If applicable, can you confirm your business complies with the Non-Manufacturer rule? Specifically, does your company: Provide a product from a small business manufacturer or processor? Not exceed 500 employees? Primarily engage in the retail or wholesale trade and normally sell the type of item being supplied? Take ownership or possession of the item(s) with its personnel, equipment or facilities in a manner consistent with industry practice? (11) Please indicate whether your product conforms to the requirements of the Buy American Act? (12) What is your lead time to deliver a single unit with all components? Is there scale in lead time with greater quantities? Please elaborate. (13) What is estimated life span of your solution? What support/services does that entail? (14) Does your proposed equipment have FDA clearance? Please specify what FDA clearance(s) have been obtained. (15) Does your organization offer a leasing solution? Please elaborate. (16) Does your company have a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract? If so, please provide the contract number(s). (17) If you are an FSS GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract holder, are all the items/solutions you are providing information about available on your schedule/contract? Please state if all or some items are available on the contract. (18) General pricing of your products/solution is encouraged. Pricing will be used for the purpose of market research only. It will not be used to evaluate for any type of award. (19) Please provide your SAM.gov Unique Entity ID/Cage Code number. Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to israel.garcia2@va.gov@va.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than Tuesday, November 26, 2024, by 12:00 PM PST. All responses to this Sources Sought/RFI will be used for planning purposes only. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI are not considered a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. If further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcement is issued as a result of the information provided from this RFI, all interested parties must respond to the specific posting separately IAW the specifications of that announcement.
