SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT: This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY , it is neither a solicitation announcement nor a request for proposals or quotes and does not obligate the Government to award a contract. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. Responses to this sources-sought must be in writing. The purpose of this SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT is for market research to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of potential sources capable of providing the services described below.
Documentation on technical expertise must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition. Responses to this notice shall include the following:
Company name:
(b) Address:
(c) Point of Contact:
(d) Phone, Fax (if applicable), and Email:
(e) SAM Unique Entity ID:
(f) Cage Code:
(g) Tax ID Number:
(h) Type of business, SDVOSB; VOSB, WOSB, small, large, etc., as appropriate:
Must provide a Capability Statement that addresses the organization s qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor for the statement of work described below. Failure to provide sufficient information may result in the Government s inability to determine whether the respondent is capable. GENERAL STATEMENTS OF CAPABILITY ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Federal Supply Schedule Contracting # if applicable
General Pricing
All interested parties should submit information by email only to jameel.gordon@va.gov. All emails must have as the subject line, Sources Sought Notice No. 36C24526Q0850 Analog-to-Digital Signal Conversion. All submissions must be received no later than 3:00 PM (EST) on September 24, 2026.
Statement of Work
Title: Analog-to-Digital Signal Conversion
Location: Washington DC VA Medical Center
Address: 50 Irving Street NW, Washington, DC 20422
PURPOSE
This Statement of Work defines the requirements to convert the patient and public television distribution system at the Washington DC VA Medical Center from analog to digital signal delivery, and to replace or supplement the display equipment that cannot receive a digital signal.
The work covers headend and RF distribution reconfiguration, replacement of legacy patient-room displays that lack a digital tuner, installation of digital set-top converters where existing displays remain serviceable, extension of distribution service to Fisher House, network cabling to support the replacement displays, and full system programming, verification, and closeout documentation.
The Contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, tools, test instrumentation, equipment, materials, transportation, consumables, documentation, and incidentals necessary to perform the work.
BACKGROUND
DCVAMC distributes television service to patient rooms, waiting areas, lounges, conference rooms, staff areas, and the Community Living Center over a campus RF cable plant. The plant and a substantial share of the connected displays predate the digital transition. As the signal is converted to digital delivery, displays without a digital tuner or without a tuner capable of the delivered modulation lose service.
The VA Washington DC 2025 + 2026 TV Locations inventory (Attachment A) documents 321 television location rows across the Main Hospital, the Community Living Center, and associated areas. Within that inventory:
37 entries are legacy P15X-series patient-room displays flagged for digital compatibility concern 20 in the Main Hospital 4E area and 17 in the CLC Dialysis unit. One of the 4E entries is recorded as "4E North (?) P15X TVs," a plural entry of indeterminate count.
4 entries are GW-brand units (models K948 and PIT-1702) in the CLC rooms 2H-101(1), 2H-138(2), 2K-138(1), and 2K-154(1). The 2K-154(1) entry is annotated "NOT REPLACED."
A large population of wall-mounted displays in waiting rooms, lounges, conference rooms, and staff areas requires a digital set-top converter rather than replacement, because the display itself remains serviceable.
The inventory records approximately 19 locations as having no television and several as under construction or condemned. These are excluded from scope unless the Government directs otherwise in writing.
Fisher House is not currently served by the campus distribution and requires a cable extension and receiver installation to bring it onto the converted system.
The replacement patient-room displays specified in Section 4.1 are network-connected computing devices, not conventional televisions. Section 6 states the information technology and information security requirements that follow from that fact. Those requirements are not optional and are not severable from the installation work.
SCOPE OF WORK
The Contractor shall:
Verify the installed television population against Attachment A and field-test the legacy P15X-series displays to confirm which units can and cannot receive the delivered digital signal (CLIN 0001).
Reconfigure the headend and RF distribution plant for digital delivery, install distribution amplification, and repair signal pathway deficiencies identified during verification (CLIN 0002).
Replace the 4 GW-brand patient-room displays and their mounting arms (CLIN 0003).
Replace the P15X-series patient-room displays with interactive arm-mounted patient displays meeting the salient characteristics in Section 4.1, including mounting arms (CLIN 0004).
Install digital set-top converters on serviceable wall-mounted displays in non-patient areas (CLIN 0005).
Extend distribution service to Fisher House and install and test the Fisher House receivers (CLIN 0006).
Install network cabling to each room receiving an Ethernet-capable replacement display (CLIN 0007).
Program the channel map, verify signal quality end to end, orient facility staff, and deliver closeout documentation including an as-built channel map and a complete asset list (CLIN 0008).
Complete all information technology and information security requirements in Section 6 before any network-connected device is placed into service.
Coordinate all work with the COR, FMS, Engineering, OIT, the Information System Security Officer, IP&C, Safety, Nursing, and affected clinical services.
EQUIPMENT
The Government will accept any product meeting the characteristics stated below. Quoters shall submit manufacturer specification sheets demonstrating conformance for every proposed item.
4.1 Interactive Arm-Mounted Patient Display (38 units)
CHARACTERISTIC
MINIMUM REQUIREMENT
Screen size
15.6 inches diagonal or greater
Resolution
1920 × 1080 minimum
Tuner
Integrated ATSC and clear-QAM tuner (Air VHF/UHF, CATV, IRC, HRC); must acquire the modulation delivered by the DCVAMC headend without an external converter
Content protection
Pro:Idiom or equivalent hospitality content protection compatible with the DCVAMC distribution
Mounting
Compatible with a patient-TV articulating arm; VESA 75 × 75 mm rear mount acceptable
Power
Low-voltage Power over Coax or Power over Ethernet. Line-voltage-only units are not acceptable in patient rooms.
Connectivity
Ethernet (RJ45) and 75-ohm RF input, both required. Wireless is not an acceptable substitute for a wired Ethernet path.
Camera and microphone
NOT PERMITTED. Units furnished shall have no integrated camera and no integrated microphone. This is a patient privacy requirement and is not waivable.
Operating system
If the unit runs a general-purpose operating system, that OS version shall be actively supported by its publisher with security updates for a minimum of 36 months from the date of acceptance. See Section 6.2.
Infection control
Bleach-cleanable enclosure; antimicrobial plastics; sealed glass front
Regulatory
UL 60065 Annex Q, UL 62368-1 Annex DVB, or successor healthcare low-voltage listing; FCC Title 15 Part 47 Subpart B
Accessibility
Closed-captioning support; Section 508 conformance evidenced by a current VPAT
Volume control
Audio volume limiter, min/max volume limiter, and internal speaker disable
Setup
Password-protected setup menus; channel enable/disable and aliasing/remapping; bulk cloning of setup and channel map across the installed population
Warranty
Minimum 1 year parts and labor, manufacturer standard, passed through to the Government at no additional cost
4.2 Patient-TV Articulating Arm (42 units 38 replacement, 4 GW-brand)
CHARACTERISTIC
MINIMUM REQUIREMENT
Reach
68 inches minimum from mounting point
Cable management
Internal, concealed, carrying coaxial AND CAT6 in the same arm
Mounting
Wall, headwall, or ceiling mount as required by the room condition; base pin sized to the existing mount where reuse is directed by the COR
Load rating
Rated for the furnished display weight with a documented safety margin
Motion
Articulating with adjustable friction; positionable by a seated patient without tools
Finish
Antimicrobial, bleach-cleanable, healthcare-appropriate finish
Regulatory
UL-listed
4.3 Clear-QAM Digital Set-Top Converter (38 units)
CHARACTERISTIC
MINIMUM REQUIREMENT
Tuner
Clear QAM, 64/256, ITU-T J.83 Annex B; ATSC compliant
Bandwidth
54 1000 MHz input
Decoding
MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 / H.264 AVC
Resolution
Standard and high definition; 480p through 1080p output
Outputs
HDMI with HDCP, and composite video with L/R audio, to serve both modern and legacy displays
Conditional access
Provision for conditional access where the delivered signal requires it
Remote control
Full-function remote, learning-capable, one per unit; IR extender provision where the converter is concealed
Guide
On-screen channel guide and PSIP compliance
Power
External low-voltage supply, 100 240 VAC input
Form factor
Enclosure small enough to mount behind or adjacent to a wall-mounted display without obstructing the mount
4.4 RF Distribution Amplifier (5 units) and Passives
CHARACTERISTIC
MINIMUM REQUIREMENT
Bandwidth
54 1000 MHz forward path
Gain
Sufficient to deliver the signal levels required in Section 5.8 at every outlet on the served leg
Passives
Splitters, taps, connectors, and terminators rated to 1000 MHz and compatible with the installed plant
Powering
Compatible with the existing rack power provisions
TASK DESCRIPTION
5.1 CLIN 0001 Site Verification, P15X Field Testing, and Pre-Installation Survey
Before ordering any equipment, the Contractor shall verify the installed population against Attachment A and shall field-test the legacy P15X-series displays to establish which units can and cannot receive the delivered digital signal.
Walk every location listed in Attachment A that is identified for replacement or conversion; confirm room number, display make and model, mount type, existing cable plant, and outlet condition.
Field-test each P15X-series unit against the delivered signal and record the result per unit. The count of 38 replacement units is a planning figure derived from 37 inventory entries plus the indeterminate "4E North (?)" entry; the survey establishes the actual count.
Confirm the 4 GW-brand units and confirm with the COR whether the unit annotated "NOT REPLACED" in the inventory is in or out of scope.
Identify every location requiring a set-top converter and confirm the 38-unit planning figure.
Record, per room receiving an Ethernet-capable display, whether a usable network drop already exists, and if not, the pathway, distance, and difficulty of installing one.
Measure and record RF signal level and MER at representative outlets on each distribution leg.
Identify any location where the room condition, mount, or cable plant prevents installation as scoped.
Deliverable: Verified installation schedule per-room, listing action (replace, convert, no action), equipment required, network drop required yes/no, and any obstruction within 20 calendar days of NTP. No equipment shall be ordered and no installation shall begin until the COR accepts this deliverable in writing.
5.2 CLIN 0002 Headend and RF Distribution Conversion
Reconfigure the headend rack for digital delivery, including modulation, channel plan, and output level configuration.
Install RF distribution amplification at the points identified in CLIN 0001.
Repair signal pathway deficiencies failed splitters, corroded connectors, unterminated legs, damaged coaxial runs identified during verification.
Balance signal levels across all distribution legs.
Label the rack, all amplifier locations, and all modified distribution points.
Coordinate every service interruption with the COR a minimum of 5 business days in advance. Interruptions to Dialysis, patient care units, and the CLC require COR-approved scheduling.
5.3 CLIN 0003 GW-Brand Patient Room Display Replacement (4 Units)
Replace the 4 GW-brand units identified in Attachment A with displays and arms meeting Sections 4.1 and 4.2. Remove and turn over the displaced units per Section 5.9. Program each replacement to the campus channel map and verify operation with the patient pillow speaker or nurse call interface where one is present.
5.4 CLIN 0004 P15X Replacement, Interactive Arm-Mounted Patient Displays (38 Units)
Remove the existing P15X-series display and arm.
Install the replacement arm per Section 4.2, mounting into sound structural backing. Where existing backing is inadequate, install backing and notify the COR before proceeding.
Route coaxial and CAT6 through the arm to the display.
Install and secure the replacement display.
Configure the display: channel map, volume limits, internal speaker disable where directed, closed captioning, password-protected setup, and any Government-directed content restrictions.
Complete all Section 6 information security steps for the unit before it is placed into service.
Verify RF signal, network connectivity, audio, and patient-reachable arm motion from the bed position.
Record the asset: room, serial number, MAC address, arm serial, install date, and technician.
Work in Dialysis and occupied patient rooms shall be scheduled through the COR and the responsible nurse manager. No work shall displace a patient or interrupt a treatment.
5.5 CLIN 0005 Non-Patient Area Digital Set-Top Converter Installation (38 Units)
Install a converter meeting Section 4.3 at each location identified in the CLIN 0001 deliverable.
Mount the converter concealed where practical; install an IR extender where the remote cannot reach the unit.
Perform a full channel scan and load the campus channel map.
Pair and label the remote to the room. Provide one spare remote per 10 installed converters.
Verify picture and audio on every configured channel.
Provide a one-page room-specific operating instruction sheet at each location.
5.6 CLIN 0006 Fisher House Distribution Extension and Receiver Installation
Install the cable extension bringing Fisher House onto the converted distribution, including pathway, penetrations, fire-stopping, grounding, and bonding.
Seal and weatherproof all exterior penetrations. Restore all disturbed finishes.
Install and test the Fisher House receivers.
Verify signal level and picture quality at every Fisher House outlet.
5.7 CLIN 0007 Network (CAT6) Drop Installation, 38 Rooms
Install one CAT6 plenum-rated drop per room identified in the CLIN 0001 deliverable as lacking a usable existing drop.
Terminate at the room end and at the serving telecommunications room; install jacks, faceplates, and patch panel positions.
Label both ends per the DCVAMC labeling convention. Coordinate the labeling scheme with OIT before installation.
Certify every drop to CAT6 performance and deliver the certification test results.
Fire-stop all penetrations of rated assemblies and restore all disturbed finishes.
Where the CLIN 0001 survey establishes that a usable drop already exists, no drop shall be installed and the CLIN quantity shall be reduced accordingly by bilateral modification.
5.8 CLIN 0008 Programming, Verification, Staff Orientation, and Closeout
Build and push the campus channel map to every installed display and converter.
Verify, at every installed location, RF signal level and MER within the specification stated by the display or converter manufacturer, and record the measured values.
Verify picture and audio on every channel at a representative sample of not less than 20% of installed locations, and at 100% of Dialysis and patient-room locations.
Verify network connectivity and Section 6 compliance at 100% of network-connected units.
Conduct staff orientation for Nursing, Environmental Management, and FMS covering basic operation, remote use, channel map, and first-line troubleshooting.
Deliver the closeout package per Section 9.
5.9 Removal and Disposition of Displaced Equipment
All displaced displays, arms, mounts, and converters remain Government property. The Contractor shall remove them from the work area the same day, deliver them to the location the COR designates, and provide a signed disposition list identifying each removed item by room, make, model, and serial number. The Contractor shall not dispose of, scrap, or retain any removed item without the COR s written direction. Where the COR directs disposal, the Contractor shall handle displaced equipment as regulated electronic waste and provide a certificate of recycling.
APPLICATION STANDARDS
ANSI/TIA-568 and ANSI/TIA-569 structured cabling and pathways
ANSI/TIA-607 bonding and grounding for telecommunications
NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), including Article 800 for communications circuits
NFPA 99 (Healthcare Facilities), NFPA 101 (Life Safety), NFPA 70E (Electrical Safety)
SCTE recommended practices for RF distribution and signal level measurement
ITU-T J.83 Annex B QAM modulation
FCC Title 15 Part 47 Subpart B
OSHA 29 CFR 1910 and 1926, including 1926 Subpart M (fall protection) and 1910.147 (LOTO)
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
VA Directive and Handbook 6500 information security
VA Directive 0710 personnel security and PIV credentialing
VA Technical Reference Model
The Joint Commission Environment of Care and Infection Control standards
Manufacturer installation and configuration instructions
Washington, DC codes, regulations, and licensing requirements
Where requirements conflict, the Contractor shall notify the COR. The more stringent requirement applies unless the COR directs otherwise in writing.
CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide qualified, trained, properly supervised personnel, including technicians experienced in healthcare RF distribution and structured cabling.
Maintain required licenses, certifications, clearances, and insurance. Provide a DC-licensed electrician for any line-voltage work.
Provide calibrated test instrumentation signal level meter, QAM analyzer, and CAT6 certification tester with current calibration certificates.
Protect patients, staff, visitors, Government property, and building systems. Work in occupied patient rooms shall be scheduled through the COR and the responsible nurse manager.
Comply with DCVAMC sign-in at the Control Panel, Room GE-225, 202-745-8405. Present the contract, the Purchase Order number, and valid photo identification. Sign out when leaving the facility.
Comply with all Medical Center access, escort, ICRA/PCRA, hot-work, fire-watch, and safety procedures.
Prevent dust, debris, noise, and service interruption beyond what the approved schedule permits.
Remove debris daily. Restore all disturbed finishes to pre-work condition or better.
Comply with VA Directive 0710 credentialing and background investigation requirements for every person on site.
Report immediately to the COR any condition that affects patient care, safety, or information security.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
120 calendar days from issuance of the Notice to Proceed. Recommended sequencing:
PHASE
ACTIVITY
Days 1 20
Site verification, P15X field testing, survey (CLIN 0001). Section 6.1 determinations confirmed. Product submittals.
Days 20 35
COR acceptance of the verified installation schedule. Equipment ordered. ISSO approval of network placement.
Days 25 55
Headend and RF distribution conversion (CLIN 0002). Network drop installation begins (CLIN 0007).
Days 45 95
Display replacement in patient rooms and Dialysis (CLINs 0003, 0004). Converter installation (CLIN 0005).
Days 55 80
Fisher House extension and receiver installation (CLIN 0006).
Days 95 115
Programming, verification, and staff orientation (CLIN 0008).
Days 110 120
Punch list, disposition, and closeout package.
All dates are stated relative to NTP. Equipment lead time is a known schedule risk; the Contractor shall identify lead times in the project schedule and shall notify the COR immediately if any lead time threatens the completion date.
