Inactive Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside (FAR 19.14)

This is an RFI (Request for Information) for commercial items included in this notice. The Department of Veterans Affairs, C.W. Bill Young VA Healthcare System, Contracting Office, Bay Pines, FL 33744... This is an RFI (Request for Information) for commercial items included in this notice. The Department of Veterans Affairs, C.W. Bill Young VA Healthcare System, Contracting Office, Bay Pines, FL 33744 has a need for BRAND NAME or EQUAL WASP (WALK Away Specimen Processor) Instrument referenced in the below Statement of Work. The RFI # is 36C24823Q0025. All interested vendors shall provide a response to Christina Blevins by 21 September 2022 at 1 PM EST via e-mail to: christina.blevins@va.gov. The “Subject Line” of the response e-mail shall include “RFI 36C24823Q0025”. DISCLAIMER: This RFI is issued solely for informational and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Department of Veterans Affairs to form a binding contract. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. Bay Pines VA Healthcare System Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service (P&LMS) Statement of Work Automated Microbiology Specimen Processor PURPOSE: The Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (BPVAHCS), Bay Pines, Florida, intends to procure one automated BRAND NAME or EQUAL WASP (WALK Away Specimen Processor) Instrument for handling and managing culture samples. The purpose of acquiring this equipment is to increase efficiency and streamline workflow in the Microbiology section of P&LMS, delivering fast turn-around time, high quality and accurate patient results. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: Automated Specimen Processor Instrument Must be a fully automated (load and walk away platform) with barcode label recognition capability for accurate identification of microbiological specimens for culture. Must be able to process all types of patient specimens. Must be compatible with any manufacturer’s plated media including enrichment broth inoculation. Must have consistent and reliable planting and streaking patterns on every plate. Must be able to provide precise volumes necessary for quantitative analysis. Must have automated Gram slide preparation capability. Must have the ability to manage testing workflow of high-volume laboratory 24 hours 7 days a week. Minimal maintenance and calibration requirements. Must have a modular configuration that allows for flexibility and freedom to adjust equipment to the changing needs of the lab. Scalable instrumentation - capable of lab integration for future automation solutions. Middleware- Integrated Data Management System of the instrument must interface to existing government-owned MYLA software and Data Innovations software. Installation The vendor must provide installation support for the completion of all required validation documents / correlation studies following Joint Commission guidelines. The Vendor must provide Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for the instrument operation, quality control, and maintenance. The Vendor must provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all reagents, supplies, and consumables associated with the instrument operation, if applicable. Training The Contractor shall provide an instrument training program that is coordinated with and timely to the equipment installation, and sufficient to the size and scope of the facility’s services. This will include training on the operation of the system and basic trouble shooting and repair. For any off-site key operator training (2 operators), the vendor must agree to pay all associated costs to attend the training (flight, baggage, lodging, meals, and transportation). Upgrades During the life cycle of the equipment, the Contractor shall provide to the Government all hardware and software upgrades i.e. new version of software, correction of hardware defect, etc., that are customarily provided to equivalent commercial customers at no cost to the Government. Ancillary support equipment The Contractor shall provide to the Government all ancillary components that are customarily provided to equivalent commercial customers with the model of equipment offered, including but not limited to, starter kits, LIS interface and connectivity. Commercial Offerings The Contractor shall provide the Government laboratories any additional support material that is routinely provided to equivalent commercial customers and will assist in regulatory compliance, e.g. template for writing standard operating procedures (SOPs), PC of their procedure / user manuals, an on-line procedure manual in the instrument software, training documents, competency sheets, validation protocols including documentation of Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ) and Performance Qualification (PQ), test case scenarios and any other material necessary to comply with current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) standards, etc. Implementation/transition timeframe The transition period for the awarded Contractor to have all instrumentation installed and operational is 90 days. During this same period, all initial training of VA personnel in the operation and maintenance of said equipment shall also be completed. It is preferred that at least 1 key operator attends training prior to the installation of the equipment. Support, Service and Warranty: Contractor shall provide full service technical support which shall be available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week for BPVAHCS. Telephone technical support shall be available 24 hours daily with follow up on all calls within one hour of initial call. Following determination that service is required, the contractor will perform emergency repair service within 24 hours of notification. Contractor will provide regular, scheduled maintenance to assure the continued reliable operation of the equipment. These preventative maintenance visits shall be of a frequency that conforms to the manufacturer’s operation and maintenance instructions for the supported equipment. The contractor shall provide maintenance (including travel, labor and part(s) to keep the equipment in good operating condition and subject to security regulations.