Inactive

Purpose and Objectives The intent of this Sources Sought Notice is to identify capable and responsible small businesses, including Service Disabled and Veteran Owned small business authorized distribu... Purpose and Objectives The intent of this Sources Sought Notice is to identify capable and responsible small businesses, including Service Disabled and Veteran Owned small business authorized distributors, or any business size, capable of providing the items as listed in the attached Performance Work Statement (PWS). NAICS Code: 492110 Couriers And Express Delivery Services Lab Routine and Unscheduled Courier Services These items are for the Department of Veteran Affairs, at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa, Florida 33612. James A. Haley is requesting contractors provide service that meets or exceed the physical, functional, and performance of the listed salient characteristics. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice should demonstrate the firm's ability, capability, and responsibility to provide the principal components of services. Responses should include a Capability Statement and Authorized Distributor Letter with the Business Name, Address, Point Of Contact, And Socio-Economic Status. Are you able to provide the items listed? If so, please provide the following information: 1. Business Type. Are you a VOSB or SDVOSB? 2. Will you be submitting an exact item match or an equal product? 3. What type of quote will you be able to submit, Open Market or Federal Supply Schedule (FSS)? 4. You may add any additional information that you would like, such as price or delivery capabilities on a voluntary basis. This Is Not A Request For Quotes. This is a Request for Information (RFI) for market research purposes only to find potential sources. Nothing stated in this communication by any Government Official shall be treated as direction or a request to the vendor for delivery or performance. Only the Contracting Officer has the legal authority to bind the U.S. Government. You must be an authorized distributor of the products for the items of your submittal. Please provide proof of designation or official letter from the manufacturer. No awards will be made solely from the responses of this RFI. A description of the needed items is below: Laboratory Courier Service Courier and Express Delivery Services Of Clinical / Medical Supplies, Specimens, Or Materials Transport of containers, boxes, or totes less than 50 pounds All information is to be submitted via e-mail at Walida.MooreSaintil@va.gov. Information provided will not be returned. All responses shall be in the English Language. Responses are due by 15:00pm EST on Monday, February 17, 2025. No submissions will be accepted after this date and time. Questions can be submitted electronically to Walida.MooreSaintil@va.gov. This is a Sources Sought Notice and submissions will be used for informational and planning purposes only. This notice DOES NOT CONSTITUTE a formal Request for Quote (RFQ), NOR IS THE GOVERNMENT OBLIGATED to issue an RFQ. In addition, the Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this notice. The Government is not obligated to notify respondents of the results of this survey. DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. In accordance with 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. Performance Work Statement TITLE: Laboratory Courier Service SCOPE OF WORK: Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service requires a courier service for a routine schedule of pickups/drop-offs as well as unscheduled emergency pickups/drop-off of items to meet the needs of patient care for the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital Network (JAHVHN). Routine, scheduled courier services (further referred herein as ROUTINE ) shall be available Monday Saturday, excluding the following Federal and Observed Federal holidays: New Year s Day, Martin Luther King s Birthday, President s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, in addition to any other day specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a national holiday. The Saturday Route for all Saturdays in conjunction with a federal holiday (before or after the weekend) will be confirmed with the Courier Service annually. See Attachment A Courier Route Schedule for a list of all scheduled pickup/delivery days, times, and locations. NOTE: Failure to maintain the required schedule may be consideration for termination of the contract. Unscheduled, Emergent (STAT) courier services (further referred herein as STAT ) shall be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including all federal holidays. Items to be transported ( cargo ) will include, but are not limited to (packaging not required): Laboratory specimen containers. The lockable containers specifically designed for blood transportation will be provided by Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Services (P&LMS). These containers will be marked Bio-hazard and tagged for identification in accordance with regulatory requirements. The contracted courier will not be provided a key. Laboratory specimens, i.e. body fluids (blood, urine, stool, and tissue) will be properly packaged in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations by VA Facility personnel. The Government personnel who package the specimens for shipment will be appropriately trained for Packing and Shipping . Lab reagents and/or supplies weighing less than 50 pounds per package. Boxes of less than 25 pounds Blood and Blood Components for transfusion Medical supplies, examples include but not limited to, equipment, pharmacy, etc. Office supplies Inter-office mail Sensitive/Confidential documents Electronic and portable media devices Contractor Responsibilities: The contractor shall be required to sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with the VA. A signed copy of BAA shall be returned to the Contractor for their files. The Contractor is completely responsible for all actions of their employees. All contractor personnel, to include subcontractors employed in the performance of this contract must comply with all Veterans Administration (VA) building regulations, policies, and guidelines while on the premises. Any contractor who includes the use of a subcontractor must provide a teaming agreement and subcontracting plan. Acceptance of the agreement / plan is determined by the contracting officer. After award, the contractor must negotiate any changes in subcontractor with the contracting officer prior to use of the subcontractor. Contractor must: Currently be an established courier service within the State of Florida Have a minimum of five years of experience in blood/bodily fluid transportation, be financially responsible, and possess all the necessary equipment, licenses, and manpower necessary to perform the work specified in this statement of work. Submit two references with RFQ. Based on Attachment A Courier Route Schedule, submit a courier route plan with the RFQ. Contractor shall meet ALL Federal, State and Local codes regarding operation of this type of business and furnishes the required Insurance Certificates. The contractor shall carry a minimum of $1,000,000 liability insurance. Evidence of proof should be submitted with RFQ. The Contractor shall ensure the confidentiality of all patient information and records being transported and will be held liable in the event of a breach of confidentiality. The Contractors and any subcontractors shall comply with the provisions of the Federal Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-579) and Public Law 104-191, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. Contractors, contractor personnel, subcontractors, and subcontractor personnel shall be subject to the same Federal laws, regulations, standards and VA Directives and Handbooks as VA and VA personnel regarding information. Contractor must submit a copy of required Privacy, Information Security and HIPPA training on each employee to the COR within 30 days of award and annually thereafter. Training is currently located in the VA TMS Education Program. Access to the training will be given to the contractor by the COR within 10 days of award. The two courses are: Privacy and HIPAA Training VA Privacy and Information Security Awareness and Rules of Behavior Vehicle Requirements: All vehicles used in performance of this contract shall be registered, licensed and meet the minimum vehicle requirements as mandated by the Department of Transportation. The Government reserves the right to inspect the vehicles and investigate the responsibility of contractor to perform the work outlined in the contract. The Contractor shall provide all vehicles needed to perform this effort. The successful offeror shall provide all vehicles, gasoline, insurance, personnel, and directional materials necessary to accomplish pick-up and delivery services. All items must be transported in accordance with all local, state, and federal regulations. All items will be package in an appropriate container by the shipping location. All efforts shall be made by the contractor to ensure the integrity of all items delivered will not be compromised without spoilage/damage due to improper temperature conditions, rough handling and/or negligence. While on VA grounds, contractor shall secure vehicles when left unattended. No vehicle shall be left unattended with motor running. Each vehicle used in the performance of this contract shall be adequately stocked with at least one up-to-date complete SPILL KIT for a biohazard cleanup in case of leakage or accidental discharge from controlled containers. A certificate of Blood Spill and Biohazard Training must be provided with RQF. The Contractor shall maintain proper temperature in vehicles to preserve laboratory specimens and medical supplies. There shall be climate control in the vehicles, so that the internal vehicle temperature can be maintained at a temperature between 65°F and 85°F. The vehicle shall meet the requirement that all efforts shall be made to assure that all items are delivered upright, without spoilage/damage from temperature conditions, rough handling and/or negligence. The courier who is to transport must place the secured, locked container in a secured, confined area in the vehicle, for instance, the trunk. Avoid situations/conditions where the container can be a projectile object in case of sudden breaking of the vehicle. Under no circumstances shall any items transported under this contract be left in the vehicle overnight. It is recommended that vehicles are equipped with helpful carrying devices such as hand trucks or other suitable apparatus to assist with transporting items under this contract. These items will not be provided by the government. Driver Requirements: All drivers shall have attained legal age (the age of 18 years) and shall maintain neat, clean, and professional appearance. Drivers shall be licensed in accordance with the State of Florida, to include any special licensure required for the transporting required items for the Tampa VA Healthcare Network. All drivers must have on them at all times, identification to indicate they are a driver for the primary contractor, including name, title and job performed. Under no circumstances shall any person other than the driver assigned ride in a vehicle or handle items being transported. Driver shall not make non-emergent stops, for any reason, during the transport of items under this contract. No pets and no smoking are allowed in vehicle when transporting items under this contract. Inclement Weather and Emergency Provision: The contractor shall contact the COR or designee if conditions exist which may affect their ability to perform contract requirements. The contractor must have an established contingency plan for problems which may be experienced in the transport time frame (i.e. breakdown, accident, inclement weather) If there is a delay which will create a >15-minute delay of the established delivery time, the COR or designee must be notified immediately. The Contractor must arrange alternative transportation for delivery of the items in the event the driver is unable to complete deliveries. The contractor shall provide a list of driver s names and names of alternate drivers for each route, in case of emergency. Included in the list shall be contact phone numbers or pagers names of each driver. Updated lists shall be provided to the COR annually and when changes have occurred. Emergency is defined as vehicle breakdown, traffic delays, and/or accidents. Inclement weather incidents are defined as severe weather conditions resulting in road closures by the city, county and/or state (i.e. hurricanes) in which there are no alternate routes or the alternate route results in significant delays. DELIVERY / PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS: Routine Courier Route Locations / Contact Information: Includes the following, but not limited to, list of locations: James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, Florida 33612 Main Lab, Room 1D-177, Telephone number 813-972-2000 extension 7526 Brooksville CBOC, 14540 Cortez Blvd, Suite 108, Brooksville, FL 34613 Lab, Room 110, Telephone number (352) 597-8287 extension 4118 Lakeland CBOC, 2080 Meadowland Park Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33803 Lab, Telephone contact (863) 701-2470 extension 4191 Lecanto CBOC, 2804 W. Marc Knighton Court, Lecanto, FL 34461 Lab, Telephone contact: (352) 746-8064 New Port Richey VA Outpatient Clinic, 7900 Little Road, New Port Richey, FL 34654 Lab, 727-869-4113, -4114, or -4115 South Hillsborough (SOHI) CBOC, 2920 Summerfield Crossing Blvd, Riverview, FL 33579 Telephone contact: 813-998-8785, -8787, or -8858 Temple Terrace Mental Health Clinic, 8451 Temple Terrace Highway Tampa, FL 33637 Lab, Telephone contact: 813-631-7100 extension 164131 VA Primary Care Annex, 13515 Lakeland Terrace Lane, Tampa, FL 33637 Lab, Room 1B606, Telephone contact: 813-972-2000 extension 8124 Zephyrhills CBOC, 6937 Medical View Lane, Zephyrhills, FL 33542 Lab, room 105, Telephone contact: 813-780-2550 extension 3104 Sabal Park VA Clinic, 9208 King Palm Drive, Tampa, FL 33612 Phlebotomy Room, 813-816-7160 extension 191516 or Specimen Processing, 813-816-7160 extension 191517 Accountability of Pickup and Delivery: A clipboard will be located on each of the clinic carts located in the warehouse. VA staff will document what items are being left for the next courier pickup for delivery to another facility, i.e. pharmacy container, 6 supply tubs, 1 wheelchair etc. The Courier will account for all items he/she is taking (all items listed on the sign-in sheet) and sign and date/time the time of pick up. VA staff will document receipt of items from the courier. VA Staff will report problems to the Contracting Officer s Representative (COR), or designee, and the COR/designee will report to the contractor as soon as possible. The Courier shall notify the COR at 813-426-6006, any issues or delays with the courier pickups or deliveries. Unscheduled / STAT Transport Requests: requests within 100 miles, items must be picked up from the identified pickup location within 1 hour from the time of initial call and delivered to the drop off location within 2 hours from the time of pickup (total 3 hours from time of request). transport requests 100 miles or greater, items must be picked up from the pickup location within 2 hours from the time of initial call and delivered to the drop off location within 5 hours from the time of pickup (total 7 hours from time of request). Contractor must have a 24/7 direct contact dispatch line to request unscheduled transport services. Unscheduled transport services shall be billed at a cost per trip rate. It is estimated that the Tampa VA Network Laboratories will require 24 trips per year. Contractor must have previous experience in transporting STAT cargo for a hospital or blood bank. Three references must be provided with RQF to include at least one for the transport of blood products. List of projected locations, but not limited to: Bay Pines VA Healthcare System facilities, including, CW Bill Young VA Medical Center and all CBOCs Orlando VA Healthcare System facilities North Florida / South Georgia VA Healthcare System facilities and all CBOCs West Palm Beach VA Medical Center and all CBOCs Miami VA Medical Center and all CBOCs OneBlood, Inc, 10100 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr St. N, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716 Department of Health, 6800 N. Dale Mabry Hwy Ste 220, Tampa, FL Department of Health, 13601 N. 22nd St. Ste 2, Tampa, FL Department of Health, 13101 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL Department of Health, 1105 E. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL Tampa General Hospital, 1 Tampa General Circle, Tampa, FL 33606 St. Petersburg General Hospital, 6500 38th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL St. Anthony s Hospital, 1200 7th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL Bayfront Medical Center, 701 6th St S, St. Petersburg, FL Palms of Pasadena Hospital, 1501 Pasadena Shores, St. Petersburg, FL St. Joseph s Hospital, 3001 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Tampa, FL 33607 Meese Countryside Hospital, Safety Harbor, FL Morton Plant Hospital, 300 Pinellas St, Clearwater, FL 33756 VA INFORMATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY / PRIVACY LANGUAGE: VA Information Custodial Language Contractors, contractor personnel, subcontractors, and subcontractor personnel shall be subject to the same Federal laws, regulations, standards, and VA Directives and Handbooks as VA and VA personnel regarding information and information system security. If VA determines that the contractor has violated any of the information confidentiality, privacy, and security provisions of the contract, it shall be sufficient grounds for VA to withhold payment to the contractor or third party or terminate the contract for default or terminate for cause under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 12. A contractor/subcontractor shall request logical (technical) or physical access to VA information and VA information systems for their employees, subcontractors, and affiliates only to the extent necessary to perform the services specified in the contract, agreement, or task order. All contractors, subcontractors, and third-party servicers and associates working with VA information are subject to the same investigative requirements as those of VA appointees or employees who have access to the same types of information. The level and process of background security investigations for contractors must be in accordance with VA Directive and Handbook 0710, Personnel Suitability and Security Program. The Office for Operations, Security, and Preparedness is responsible for these policies and procedures. Security Incident Investigation The term security incident means an event that has, or could have, resulted in unauthorized access to, loss or damage to VA assets, or sensitive information, or an action that breaches VA security procedures. The contractor/subcontractor shall immediately notify the COR and simultaneously, the designated ISO and Privacy Officer for the contract of any known or suspected security/privacy incidents, or any unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, including that contained in system(s) to which the contractor/subcontractor has access. To the extent known by the contractor/subcontractor, the contractor/subcontractor s notice to VA shall identify the information involved, the circumstances surrounding the incident (including to whom, how, when, and where the VA information or assets were placed at risk or compromised), and any other information that the contractor/subcontractor considers relevant. With respect to unsecured protected health information, the business associate is deemed to have discovered a data breach when the business associate knew or should have known of a breach of such information. Upon discovery, the business associate must notify the covered entity of the breach. Notifications need to be made in accordance with the executed business associate agreement. In instances of theft or break-in or other criminal activity, the contractor/subcontractor must concurrently report the incident to the appropriate law enforcement entity (or entities) of jurisdiction, including the VA OIG and Security and Law Enforcement. The contractor, its employees, and its subcontractors and their employees shall cooperate with VA and any law enforcement authority responsible for the investigation and prosecution of any possible criminal law violation(s) associated with any incident. The contractor/subcontractor shall cooperate with VA in any civil litigation to recover VA information, obtain monetary or other compensation from a third party for damages arising from any incident, or obtain injunctive relief against any third party arising from, or related to, the incident. Liquidated Damages for Data Breach Consistent with the requirements of 38 U.S.C. §5725, a contract may require access to sensitive personal information. If so, the contractor is liable to VA for liquidated damages in the event of a data breach or privacy incident involving any SPI the contractor/subcontractor processes or maintains under this contract. However, it is the policy of VA to forgo collection of liquidated damages in the event the contractor provides payment of actual damages in an amount determined to be adequate by the agency. The contractor/subcontractor shall provide notice to VA of a security incident as set forth in the Security Incident Investigation section above. Upon such notification, VA must secure from a non-Department entity or the VA Office of Inspector General an independent risk analysis of the data breach to determine the level of risk associated with the data breach for the potential misuse of any sensitive personal information involved in the data breach. The term 'data breach' means the loss, theft, or other unauthorized access, or any access other than that incidental to the scope of employment, to data containing sensitive personal information, in electronic or printed form, that results in the potential compromise of the confidentiality or integrity of the data. Contractor shall fully cooperate with the entity performing the risk analysis. Failure to cooperate may be deemed a material breach and grounds for contract termination. Security Controls Compliance Testing On a periodic basis, VA, including the Office of Inspector General, reserves the right to evaluate any or all of the security controls and privacy practices implemented by the contractor under the clauses contained within the contract. With 10 working-days notice, at the request of the government, the contractor must fully cooperate and assist in a government-sponsored security controls assessment at each location wherein VA information is processed or stored, or information systems are developed, operated, maintained, or used on behalf of VA, including those initiated by the Office of Inspector General. The government may conduct a security control assessment on shorter notice (to include unannounced assessments) as determined by VA in the event of a security incident or at any other time. Training All contractor employees and subcontractor employees requiring access to VA information and VA information systems shall complete VA Privacy and Information Security Awareness and Rules of Behavior Training before being granted access to VA information and its systems. Sign and acknowledge (either manually or electronically) understanding of and responsibilities for compliance with the Rules of Behavior before being granted access to VA information and its systems. The contractor shall provide to the contracting officer and/or the COR a copy of the training certificates and certification of signing the Rules of Behavior for each applicable employee within 1 week of the initiation of the contract and annually thereafter, as required. Failure to complete the mandatory annual training and sign the Rules of Behavior annually, within the timeframe required, is grounds for suspension or termination of all physical or electronic access privileges and removal from work on the contract until such time as the training and documents are complete. The Certification and Accreditation (C&A) requirements do not apply, and a Security Accreditation Package is not required for this SOW. All Contractor, Pharmaceutical Company Representative (PCR), and Healthcare Industry Representatives (HIR) will coordinate with Contracting Officer Representative for instructions, so they are in compliance with James A. Haley Veterans Hospital policies listed on the JAHMC Document Management Center share point site: HPM NO. 90-25; HEALTHCARE VENDOR ACCESS AND COMPETENCY HPM NO. 132-04; SECURITY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM HPM NO. 132 05; HOSPITAL IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM HPM NO. 11-91; PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES Sign-In: PCRs may visit VA Medical care facilities no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and stay no later than 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless they receive prior approval from both the Chief of the Service that they will be visiting and the Chief of Pharmacy. Representatives visiting the JAHVH must sign in at the Pharmacy Administrative Office (Located in Trailer 78) and wear a visitor s badge as well as their company s personal name badge while in the hospital. Vendors: Reference Hospital Memorandum Policy Number 90-25 Healthcare Vendor Access and Competency. Contractors and/or project managers: Will be issued a PIV/ID badge in accordance with the facility PIV Policy. Contactors will contact their assigned VA Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for coordination. Contract Personnel/Sub-Contractors: Contractors are responsible for the daily accountability and identification of all personnel assigned to their respective contract including sub-contractors. Contractors will identify personnel using the following procedures as appropriate. Construction Project contract personnel will report to the contractor for issuance of a temporary self-adhesive identification badge. This badge will be issued daily and must include the following information: Company name, project number, date, and name of individual. Contractor will maintain a daily log of all personnel. Contract personnel not involved in an actual construction project will report to police dispatch for issuance of a numbered badge. A driver s license or photo ID will be required each day upon entering the facility, in exchange for the badge, and will be given back once the badge is returned to police dispatch. The contractor will provide Police Service with a list of names for all sub-contract personnel requiring access to the facility. It is the responsibility of the contractor to update the list as necessary. NPR OPC; CBOCs and Off-site Lease facilities with VA Police staffing: As above with check-in with VA Police. Off-site Lease facilities w/o VA Police staffing: Coordinate with COR, Administrative Officer, or Service Point of Contact. RECORDS MANAGEMENT OBLIGATIONS: Applicability: This clause applies to all Contractors whose employees create, work with, or otherwise handle Federal records, as defined in Section B, regardless of the medium in which the record exists. Definitions: Federal record as defined in 44 U.S.C. § 3301, includes all recorded information, regardless of form or characteristics, made or received by a Federal agency under Federal law or in connection with the transaction of public business and preserved or appropriate for preservation by that agency or its legitimate successor as evidence of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, operations, or other activities of the United States Government or because of the informational value of data in them. The term Federal record: includes James A. Haley Veterans Hospital Network records. does not include personal materials. applies to records created, received, or maintained by Contractors pursuant to their James A. Haley network contract. may include deliverables and documentation associated with deliverables. Requirements: Contractor shall comply with all applicable records management laws and regulations, as well as National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) records policies, including but not limited to the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. chs. 21, 29, 31, 33), NARA regulations at 36 CFR Chapter XII Subchapter B, and those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a). These policies include the preservation of all records, regardless of form or characteristics, mode of transmission, or state of completion. In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, all data created for Government use and delivered to, or falling under the legal control of, the Government are Federal records subject to the provisions of 44 U.S.C. chapters 21, 29, 31, and 33, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), as amended, and the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), as amended and must be managed and scheduled for disposition only as permitted by statute or regulation. In accordance with 36 CFR 1222.32, Contractor shall maintain all records created for Government use or created in the course of performing the contract and/or delivered to, or under the legal control of the Government and must be managed in accordance with Federal law. Electronic records and associated metadata must be accompanied by sufficient technical documentation to permit understanding and use of the records and data. James A. Haley Veterans Hospital Network and its contractors are responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of records, including all forms of mutilation. Records may not be removed from the legal custody of James A. Haley Veterans Hospital Network or destroyed except for in accordance with the provisions of the agency records schedules and with the written concurrence of the Head of the Contracting Activity. Willful and unlawful destruction, damage or alienation of Federal records is subject to the fines and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701. In the event of any unlawful or accidental removal, defacing, alteration, or destruction of records, Contractor must report to James A. Haley Veterans Hospital Network. The agency must report promptly to NARA in accordance with 36 CFR 1230. The Contractor shall immediately notify the appropriate Contracting Officer upon discovery of any inadvertent or unauthorized disclosures of information, data, documentary materials, records, or equipment. Disclosure of non-public information is limited to authorized personnel with a need-to-know as described in the contract. The Contractor shall ensure that the appropriate personnel, administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are established to ensure the security and confidentiality of this information, data, documentary material, records and/or equipment is properly protected. The Contractor shall not remove material from Government facilities or systems, or facilities or systems operated or maintained on the Government s behalf, without the express written permission of the Head of the Contracting Activity. When information, data, documentary material, records and/or equipment is no longer required, it shall be returned to James A. Haley Veterans Hospital Network control, or the Contractor must hold it until otherwise directed. Items returned to the Government shall be hand carried, mailed, emailed, or securely electronically transmitted to the Contracting Officer or address prescribed in the contract. Destruction of records is EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED unless in accordance with Paragraph (4). The Contractor is required to obtain the Contracting Officer's approv...