Inactive

36C24420Q0120 2 of 4 THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. This is a Sources Sought Notice only and is issued to conduct market research and gain knowledge of current market capabilities. Responses to this noti... 36C24420Q0120 2 of 4 THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. This is a Sources Sought Notice only and is issued to conduct market research and gain knowledge of current market capabilities. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation or a guarantee to issue a solicitation in the future. This notice does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary; the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if issued. This announcement is based on the best information available at this time and is subject to future amendment. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 4, is conducting a market survey to identify potential sources to perform a firm fixed price contract, to include a base year and four possible option years, for telephone switchboard operator services in Erie, PA, as follows (description is not comprehensive): The Department of Veterans Affairs in Erie, Pennsylvania requires switchboard services (telephone communications). The Contractor to provide all necessary personnel and supervision as required by this Contract, to provide switchboard services (telephone communications) for the operations of all switchboard activities at the Erie, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 135 East 38th Street, Erie, PA 16504. The work includes, but is not limited to, the following tasks. Switchboard Service Coverage Receiving Incoming Calls Placing Outgoing Calls Transferring Calls Information Services Emergency Calls and Alarm Systems Paging Systems Reporting Equipment Failures Directories, Rosters and Logs Traffic Control Study It is the responsibility of the Contractor to provide all required administration, management, and training to their operators. Coverage shall be provided 12 hours per day, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., excluding all City, State, and Federal holidays. The Government shall provide without cost to the Contractor, the facilities, equipment, materials, and/or services listed below. I. Facilities The Government shall furnish the existing switchboard operations area at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 135 East 38th Street, Erie, PA 16504. No alteration shall be made without specific written permission from the Contracting Officer. However, in the case of alterations needed for OSHA compliance, such permission shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Contractor shall return the facility to the Government in the same condition as received, fair wear and tear and approved modifications expected. These facilities shall be used for performance of this Contract only. II. Building Security The Contractor and his/her staff will have a designated workspace with access for those with authorization. This space will be considered unauthorized to other persons. Doors shall be kept locked at all times. Fire protection will be provided by the Government in accordance with established Medical Center policy. III. Equipment The Government will provide the equipment listed. Desks and Tables (1 Each) Nortel Meridian 81C Operator Consoles (3 Each) Operator Chairs (5 Each) Refrigerator (1 Each) Various Paging and Alarm Equipment o Phone Alarm (1 Panel with 8 Alarms) o Gas Alarm (1 Panels with 4 Alarms Each) IV. Services The Government will provide the following services. Housekeeping Services - vacuuming, care of floors, and trash removal. Equipment liability - liability and maintenance of all equipment except damage caused by misuse by the Contractor's employees. Disposition of Property - all disposition, removal, or replacement of Government-provided equipment. Utilities - the Government will provide all utilities including electricity, gas, and water. Lights should be used in areas where and when work is being performed. The Contractor will not adjust mechanical equipment controls for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Parking will be provided for Contractor employees at no expense to the Contractor or employee. The Contractor shall not make personal calls from Government lines. Expendables: The Government will provide office supplies necessary for the operation of the switchboard. Office supplies are defined as items such as pens, highlighters, staples, staplers, rulers, ruled paper, etc. V. Contractor-furnished Equipment Except for those items or services specifically identified to be Government-furnished, the Contractor shall furnish everything required to perform this Contract. The Contractor shall be responsible for the orderliness and cleanliness of all areas not covered by custodial services. VII. Workload Estimate The following information is based on a sampling of Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and is being provided for information purposes only. The information includes incoming calls to consoles, operator-assisted calls, and paging services. Time Period Weekday Average # of calls/pages 8 a.m. 8 p.m. 21 X. Personnel The selection, assignment, reassignment, transfer, supervision, management, and control of employees in performance of this Contract will be the responsibility and prerogative of the Contractor. However, the Contractor shall comply with the general intent and specific policies set forth concerning conduct of employees as referenced herein. Guide dogs for visually-impaired employees are allowed. Project Director: The Contractor shall assign a Project Director for the purpose of coordination, oversight, and management of this Contract. Working Manager: The Contractor shall assign a Working Manager for the purpose of daily administration, supervising, and training Contractor personnel and ensuring compliance with this Contract. The Working Manager shall be available by telephone during regular and after-working hours for any problems that may occur, including staffing problems. The Working Manager shall respond by phone within one hour after receipt of the call. Working Supervisor: The Contractor shall assign a working supervisor for the purpose of providing assistance with the supervision and training of Contractor personnel and ensuring compliance with this Contract. The Working Supervisor shall be available by telephone during regular and after-working house for any problems that occur, including staffing problems, on an as-needed basis. The Working Supervisor may be the alternate Working Manager during the Working Manager's absence and shall be qualified to perform the Working Manager's duties as described in this Contract. Whenever the Working Manager will be unavailable for more than three (3) consecutive working days, the Contractor shall provide a Working Supervisor during the absence. Working Supervisor Qualifications: The Working Supervisor must: a. Have at least one (1) year of telephone operator experience, of which six (6) months involved substantial responsibility for placing a variety of special long distance calls (e.g. conference calls, collect calls, appointment calls) over varied circuits or routing or performance information operator work which required knowledge of organizations Have six (6) or more months of experience supervising which involves organizing and controlling a staff Be capable of devising work methods, perform assignments, and arrange work schedules Have the ability to communicate orally and in writing Telephone Operator's Qualifications: Contractor telephone operators must have the ability to: Place a variety of long distance calls (e.g. conference calls, collect calls, etc.) over varied circuits or routings. Perform informational operator work, including acknowledging organizational units and major functions of larger organizations Meet and deal with people from a variety of backgrounds, with varying levels of understanding Work under pressure and stressful conditions Adapt to changing work conditions Completed at least two (2) full weeks of on-the-job training Operators must also be dependable and should have a minimum of six (6) months experience in switchboard operation in a hospital setting f. Personnel Roster: The Contractor shall provide to the COR a current roster of all regular or alternate personnel to be working under this Contract. Personnel not listed will not be permitted to work at this medical center. Capabilities Statement and Documentation: Companies are invited to provide their capabilities, experience and knowledge in the provision of telephone switchboard operator services. Sources are asked to provide information to demonstrate their answers to the following items of information: 1. General information about your company to include: Company Name: Company Address: GSA Contract Number and Expiration Date (if applicable): Company DUNS: Company NAICS Code(s): Point of Contact Name: Point of Contact Phone Number: Point of Contact Email Address: Company Website (if available): 2. The North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) is 561421, Telephone Answering Services, and the Small Business Size Standard is $15 million. 3. Based on market response, the following clauses may be included in a resulting solicitation, should one be issued: VAAR 852.219-10, VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside VAAR 852.219-11, VA Notice of Total Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside FAR 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside Accordingly, prospective contractors will be required at time of solicitation response to certify to the applicable limitation on subcontracting requirements in 13 CFR 125.6, with reference to the appropriate set-aside. Please include in the response to this sources sought your ability or inability to certify to the clause applicable to your organization. 4. Provide a summary of your firm s ability to provide the services described in this announcement. In addition to a Capability Statement, submissions can include specifications, brochures, and manuals as attachments. Submit responses via email to thomas.cossentino@va.gov no later than 12/05/2019 at 11:59 PM EST, with Sources Sought number 36C24420Q0120 in the subject line. Telephone responses shall not be accepted. Prospective Contractors are reminded that in accordance with FAR 4.11 they shall be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database and shall complete electronic annual representations and certifications in SAM prior to award of a contract. SAM is located at https://sam.gov/SAM/ and consolidated the capabilities of CCR/FedReg, ORCA, and EPLS. There is NO cost to use SAM. No solicitation document is available at this time; this notice is to acquire information only.