Inactive

**IMPORTANT: Please read this email notice in full BEFORE responding!** The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Program Contracting Activity Central (PCAC) is in the process of planning a requiremen... **IMPORTANT: Please read this email notice in full BEFORE responding!** The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Program Contracting Activity Central (PCAC) is in the process of planning a requirement in which a contractor will be required to provide Rubbermaid trash cans - Brand Name or Equal, for use in the new VA Brownsburg Outpatient Clinic. (Statement of work (SOW) attached). 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 (in whole or in part). Please review the information contained herein and identify whether your company has the capability and interest to provide the brand name items listed or equivalent items that possess the salient characteristics as described. Please see ATTACHED Vendor Market Research Response Form for completion. Below is the information included in that form for your company s response. GOVERNMENT QUESTIONS The VA is requesting vendors answer the following questions in response to this notice. 1. 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? 2. Are there any accessories for any equipment item that are normally separately priced? What accessories? 3. Are there any items that you would recommend be purchased separately? What items and why? 4. Is there any reason you would not be interested in responding to a solicitation? What are the reason(s) and why? 5. What is the lead time on this equipment? 6. 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? 7. 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 SOW/ Specifications. SUBMITTAL OF RFI RESPONSE If you believe you are capable of meeting this requirement (in whole or in part), please provide a complete response no later than Friday May 7, 2021 at 1:00 pm (Eastern). A complete response satisfies the information requested below. The Government requests responders provide the information requested in the Vendor Market Research Response Form by completing and returning the form. Cut sheets for proposed products 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: 332439 - Other Metal Container Manufacturing PSC: 4540 WASTE DISPOSAL EQUIPMENT NOTE: This email is being sent solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation or obligation on the part of the Government. Per FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not considered offers, shall not be used as a proposal, and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any other kinds of offers will be considered in response to this notice. No evaluation letters and/or results will be issued to the respondents; however, the Government does reserve the right to contact any respondent and/or respondent reference to obtain additional information. At this time, no solicitation exists; therefore, please do not request a copy of the solicitation. Any resulting procurement action will be the subject of a separate, future announcement. The information is provided for discussion purposes and any potential strategy for this acquisition may change prior to any solicitation release. The acquisition strategy, evaluation methodology, contract type, and any other acquisition decisions are to be determined.