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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Veterans Health Administration Program Contracting Activity Central Strategic Sourcing 212 3rd Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55401 April 9, 2020 **IMPORTANT: Please read... DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Veterans Health Administration Program Contracting Activity Central Strategic Sourcing 212 3rd Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55401 April 9, 2020 **IMPORTANT: Please read this email notice in full BEFORE responding! ** REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) 36C77620Q0071 THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP), BUT AN REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). There is no commitment by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Program Contracting Activity Central (PCAC) to issue a solicitation, make an award, or to be responsible for any monies expended by any interested parties in support of this effort. The Department of Veterans Affairs is neither committed nor obligate to pay for information provided, and no basis for claims against VA shall arise as a result of a response to this request for information. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Program Contracting Activity Central (PCAC) is in the process of planning a requirement in which a contractor will be required to provide external and internal vest carriers that will hold armor plates for VA Police for VISNS 10, 12, 15 and 23. The locations of requesting facilities are attached (see ATTACHMENT 2 - VISN Listings). The contractor shall provide properly fitted ballistic vests to VA Police Officers that allows the flexibility to meet the different situations. Ballistic vests must meet certain specific standards to be acceptable (see ATTACHMENT 1 Draft SOW Ballistic Vests. Level 3A, NIJ 0101.06 or better, lightweight- under 1.2 pounds per square inch, custom fit-professionally measured, and the new VA National policy that is under development). The VA is conducting market research and is seeking written responses with information to assist with identifying potential sources that are interested in, and capable of, providing the products described. Please review the information contained herein and identify whether your company has the capability and interest to provide the specifications of the items listed in the salient characteristics as described. Please see section titled SUBMITTAL OF RFI RESPONSE below for what information to include in your company s response. GOVERNMENT QUESTIONS The VA is requesting vendors answer the following questions in response to this notice. Are there any specifications for individual items that you believe may be too restrictive when taking into consideration industry standards (see draft Statement of Work)? What specifications and why? Are there any accessories for any equipment item that are normally separately priced? What accessories? Are there any items that you would recommend be purchased separately? What items and why? Is there any reason you would not be interested in responding to a solicitation? What are the reason(s) and why? What is the lead time on this equipment? Does your company manufacture the items in accordance with the Limitations on Subcontracting (see FAR 52.219-14, 52.219-27, and 13 C.F.R. § 125.6) or supply the product of a small business manufactured in the United States? Do you have any questions or comments that may otherwise assist us? SET-ASIDE Complete responses to this notice will assist the VA in determining any potential set-aside for the requirement. Not providing all information requested in response to this notice may result in the VA being unable to determine a vendor potentially capable of satisfying the requirement and, subsequently, if the rule of two criteria is not met, a specific set-aside category may not be decided by the Contracting Officer. LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING AND THE NON-MANUFACTURER RULE (NMR) The requirement that a non-manufacturer supply the product of a small business concern is referred as the Non-Manufacturer Rule (NMR) [13 C.F.R. § 121.406]. In order to qualify as a small business concern for a small business set-aside, an offeror must either manufacture the item in accordance with the Limitations on Subcontracting (see FAR section 52.219-14, 52.219-27 and 13 C.F.R. § 125.6) or supply the product of a small business made in the United States. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/DELIVERY SPECIFICATIONS/WARRANTY SPECIFICATIONS See attached DRAFT Specifications (ATTACHMENT 1 Draft SOW Pkg 20). SUBMITTAL OF RFI RESPONSE If you believe you are capable of meeting this requirement, please provide a complete response no later than Thursday April 16, 2020 at 11:59 PM (Eastern). A complete response satisfies the information requested below. The Government requests responders provide the following information: 1. Company information including name, address, point of contact, identification of any socioeconomic categories (i.e. SDVOSB, VOSB, 8a, etc) the company falls under, business size and DUNS Number 2. The make and model information for each item, 3. If an equivalent item will be proposed, cut sheets containing specifications, 5. The contract number of any applicable GSA/FSS schedule if one exists from which these items can be procured under. 6. Answers to government questions and MR Vendor Response Form (see ATTACHMENT 3 MR Vendor Response Form 36C77620Q0071). Further, if you believe a different NAICS code or Product Service Code (PSC) is a better fit for the subject requirement, please provide that information to us as well. NAICS: 315990 Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing PSC: 8470 Armor, Personal DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS: A. All deliveries are Free on Board (FOB) Destination to the requesting medical facility/CBOC: Supplies shall be delivered to the destination warehouse, or receiving dock, at the expense of the Contractor. The Government shall not be liable for any delivery, storage, demurrage, accessorial, or other charges involved before the actual delivery (or constructive placement as defined in carrier tariffs) of the supplies to the destination. 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. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS: 1. Attachment 1 Draft SOW Ballistic Vests 36C77620Q0071 2. Attachment 2 VISN Listings 36C77620Q0071 3. Attachment 3 MR Vendor Response Form 36C77620Q0071