Inactive

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... 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 as follows: DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT (NOT COMPREHENSIVE) Overview The Wilkes-Barre Veterans Affairs Medical Center (WBVAMC) has a requirement for Qualitative Exposure Assessments (QEA) covering different areas, job duties and classifications within the facility. Positions assessed would include but not necessarily be limited to nursing services, laboratory services, carpentry, painting, heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, boiler plant operations, sterile processing services, environmental management services, waste collection, waste disposal, waste transportation services within the facility, medical services, pharmaceutical processes and services, and logistics services. This process will include but not necessarily be limited to staff interviews necessary to characterize the job task, observations of staff working, reviewing standard operating procedures, and understanding manufactures product and equipment guidelines used in specific areas. The Qualitative Exposure Assessment objective is to anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and ensure mechanism are in place to control occupational exposures from hazards present in and throughout the facility. The exposure assessments are to enhance employee awareness and safety within the facility. Exposure assessments are developed from workplace observation, employee feedback, and reviews of workplace Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and directives and policies. Scope of Work The company shall provide an Industrial Hygienist, Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) or safety professional, and necessary support to conduct the work associated with this scope of service. The government estimates a need for approximately 40 Qualitative Exposure Assessments within the facility. Some area work areas will take more time to conduct a thorough QEA, while other areas will not require as much time. The goal of the exposure assessment for each area is to identify any exposure risk, if any, as low, moderate or high, and acceptable, uncertain, or unacceptable. The QEA may also be used to make recommendations for specific types of possible substitutions of chemicals or processes, engineering controls, sampling of chemical(s) and recommended personal protective equipment (PPE). Components / elements to be identified during the exposure assessments are the following: collection of data, current and historical if available, standard operating procedures, process flow steps identification of the hazard(s), chemical inventories, safety data sheet (SDS) reviews and hazard control measures selection of exposure metrics, number of staff, hours and shifts worked exposure groups / similar exposure groups SEG(s) estimation of the exposures, probability of occurrence, degree of harm likely to result from exposure (low, moderate, high) risk assessment of the process associated with each hazard (low, moderate, high) The characteristics of these components / elements for each qualitative assessment will be documented on form(s) provided by the facility. See attached form appendix A and B. The forms may require multiple pages based on the description of processes and all activities involved in the process. A completed QEA report will be provided for each of the areas evaluated at the facility. Each QEA will be reviewed and approved of by the facility COR, industrial hygienist or Safety Manager for acceptance. Contracting Officer s Representative (COR) The VA s COR shall answer questions, escort, and provide details and related files as needed for reference during qualitative exposure assessments. The COR will provide access to all building areas, as necessary. The COR will ensure contract compliance through routine reviews of the contractor s on-site work, and work products and documents. After award but prior to the start of work, the contractor will meet with the VAMC Facilities COR, Industrial Hygienist and Safety & Occupational Health Manager to review scope of work to ensure an understanding of the work to be completed and to schedule the start of the project. All scheduling and coordination with the contractor and services/programs within the facility will be through the COR, Industrial Hygienist or Safety Manager. At no time will the contractor or its representatives show up to the facility unannounced or for unscheduled work related to this project. Capabilities Statement and Documentation: Companies are invited to provide their capabilities, experience and knowledge in the provision of Qualitative Exposure Assessments. 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: Socioeconomic Status: 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 541611, Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services, and the Small Business Size Standard is $16.5 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 notice 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 11:00 AM EDT, 10/01/2020, with Sources Sought number 36C24420Q1132 in the subject line. Telephone responses shall not be accepted. The government will not provide feedback in response to vendor questions about the requirement at this time. If you identify ambiguities or have concerns about anything in the description of the requirement, however, please include them with your response. Confirming receipt of the response is the responsibility of the contractor. Contact the contract specialist if the government does not confirm receipt of the sources sought response within 1 business day. 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.