5410--Lactation Pods

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) / SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS ISSUED  SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION ABOUT PRICING, DELIVERY, THE MARKET, AND CAPABILITIES IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI FOR PLANNING PURPOSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 15.201(e). DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. IAW 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. SOURCES SOUGHT/RFI DESCRIPTION This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a Sources Sought Notice / RFI only. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice / RFI is to gain information about potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 337215 (size standard of 500 Employees). Responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI, further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcements may be published. STATEMENT OF WORK GENERAL: VA San Diego Medical Center has identified the need to purchase three (3) Lactation Pods that will meet the VA seismic criteria and VHA standard for safety. PURPOSE: The lactation pods will replace the current Mamava POD Lactation Suites at San Diego VA Medical Center. The existing units are not ADA-compliant, creating barriers for staff and visitors with disabilities. SCOPE: The VA San Diego Medical Center is requesting contractors to provide brand name or equal equipment that meets or exceeds the physical, functional, and performance of the listed salient characteristics in this section. The equipment features for the stretchers are essential to the technical requirements to meet the needs of the department. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: VA San Diego Healthcare System 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161 DELIVERABLES: CLIN Description/Part Number Qty UOM 0001 Lactation Pods equivalent to MAMAVA XL Suite MV8008-XL including a minimum 1-year service plan 3 EA 0002 Lactation Pods Installation 1 JB NOTE: Potential quoters must be aware that the items being acquired are procured as Brand Name or Equal. For those items that are or equal , a description of the salient characteristics is outlined below. It is quoter s responsibility to demonstrate its quote meeting the salient physical and functional characteristics included in this solicitation. If the quote does NOT demonstrate, the offer will be considered non-responsive. The interested parties bear full responsibility to ensure their submission demonstrates to the government that they can satisfy the requirement by providing the brand name or equal to the supplies being requested. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Equivalent lactation pods must meet or exceed following salient characteristics to enable the government to perform the capabilities: The unit must have a fully ADA-compliant design to accommodate individuals with disabilities. The unit must have interior dimensions that provide ample space for a wheelchair or stroller, meeting or exceeding recommended clearance guidelines. The lactation pod should feature a locking door mechanism to ensure privacy and security for users. The unit must have adequate ventilation and/or an integrated fan system to maintain air quality and comfort. The lactation pod must have access to a standard 120V electrical outlet or built-in power capabilities for user convenience. The unit should include interior seating designed for both comfort and durability, capable of supporting a range of body sizes. The pod must have a fold-down table or surface for users to place a breast pump and other personal items. The interior space should be well-lit, utilizing LED fixtures for energy-efficient lighting solutions. The lactation pod must have easy-to-clean surfaces constructed from durable, non-porous materials. The unit should provide clear signage or indicators to demonstrate occupancy status. The pod must have an emergency call system or alert feature for user safety. The unit should be modular and relocatable, allowing for ease of installation or reconfiguration as needed. The system must have compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local safety and building codes. The design should reflect an inviting, neutral aesthetic suitable for a broad user demographic. The lactation pod must have a maintenance plan or guidelines to ensure ongoing functionality and cleanliness. WARRANTY OF EQUIPMENT: Government requirement for standard manufacturer industry warranty term. The government does not accept extended warranties, which require advance payment. INSTALLATION AND TRAINING: Contractor is required to provide installation of the equipment. Contractor is to provide one-time training for the installation of equipment. Training sessions will be coordinated with VA POC. PERFORMANCE: All items need to be delivered and installed. Delivery and receipt of the proposed items is expected to be directed at the location identified above. Confirmation of delivery location will be provided by the VA POC post-award. Delivery must be coordinated with VA prior to any attempts at delivery. Any item that has not been coordinated will be turned away and any additional charges will be the responsibility of the sender/transportation company. The contractor s responsibility will include offloading the equipment from the truck, moving the equipment to the correct delivery location in the space, uncrating or unboxing the equipment then removing all trash, and setting up the equipment according to the manufacturer s specification followed by testing the equipment to verify that it is operational. Equipment installation paperwork & warranty information must be handed to the approved government contract onsite. The contractor is required to define the need for a staging area to accommodate item assembly and installation, if needed. This information must be provided and confirmed by the designated POC. The contractor is required to provide tools, labor, and materials to complete assembly and installation of the items detailed under this document. Personnel performing installation services must be fully qualified, competent technicians. Fully qualified and competent is defined as factory trained and verified by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). The contractor must protect all finished spaces and surfaces as required from delivery and installation damage. The contractor shall use covering and protection to the extent necessary to prevent damage to finished spaces. Any damage occurred during delivery and installation is the responsibility of the vendor. The contractor will be responsible for paying for and repairing any damage or noted deficiencies to finished spaces and surfaces that occur as a result of the vendor s (or associated sub-contractors) installation. During the entire duration of assembly and installation, the contractor shall have a competent representative on-site as the contractor s contact and serve as the interface between the contractor and the VA designated VA POC. On-site representative can be the installer. All instructions provided from the designated POCs to the representative will be binding as if given to the contractor s main POC. The VA designated POCs may provide specific instructions, however, only the Contracting Officer may change the terms or conditions of the contract. During the performance of this contract, work will be carried out on VA San Diego premises. The contractor will perform all work in such a manner that will cause a minimum interference with VA San Diego operations and the operations of other contractors on the premises. The contractor is responsible for ensuring that everything is installed and working properly after installation. The contractor shall abide by all rules and regulations set forth by VA San Diego due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and have their own personal protective equipment (PPE) in use for the time they are on VA San Diego campus grounds. Hours: Normal duty hours are 8:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, not including federal holidays. Whenever contact with a facility is required outside of normal duty hours, the Contractor shall coordinate these times with the designated COR, POC or designer. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 6103, Executive Order 11582 and Public Law 94-97 the following national holidays are observed and for the purpose of this contract are defined as Legal Federal official holidays. New Year s Day January 1st Martin Luther King s Birthday Third Monday in January President s Day Last Monday in February Memorial Day Last Monday in May Juneteenth June 19th Independence Day July 4th Labor Day First Monday in September Columbus Day Second Monday in October Veteran s Day November 11th Thanksgiving Day Fourth Thursday in November Christmas Day December 25th Noncontract Charges: The contractor shall not perform any service that will result in additional charges without prior approval from the Contracting Officer. Payment: Payment will be made upon receipt of a properly prepared invoice which references the period for which payment is due, the contract number and/or assigned purchase order number. The invoice must include the correct payment address. Waste Removal: The contractor is responsible for removing and properly disposing of all waste related to the services provided on-site at all VA facilities. Failure to carry out the above procedures will be considered as a failure to document the service visit and will constitute a failure to perform. All shipping must be included in the unit cost. The list of DRAFT characteristics is intended to be descriptive, not restrictive, of the supplies/services that are required. If your company is interested and capable of providing the required supplies/services, please provide the information indicated below. Response to this notice should include company name, address, point of contact, size of business pursuant to the following questions: (1) Submit your capabilities statement illustrating how your organization can/cannot meet the list of SOW requirements. For instances where your company cannot meet the SOW requirement(s), please explain. For instances where your company can meet the SOW requirement(s), please show how your company meets/exceeds each requirement. (2) Please review the list of SOW requirements and provide any additional feedback or suggestions. If none, please reply as N/A. (3) Please indicate the size status and representations of your business, such as but not limited to: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), HUBZone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Large Business, etc. (4) Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified in this RFI? (5) Are you the manufacturer, authorized distributor, and/or can your company provide a solution to the required supplies/services described in the list of SOW? (6) If you are a large business, do you have any designated/authorized distributors? If so, please provide their company name, telephone, point of contact and size status (if available). (7) If you re a small business and you are an authorized distributor/reseller for the items identified above, do you alter; assemble; modify; the items requested in any way? If you do, state how and what is altered; assembled; modified. (8) Limitations on Subcontracting: How does your business ensure compliance with the limitations on subcontracting as outlined in 13 CFR § 125.6? (9) Are the items you are identifying/providing considered Commercial of the Shelf (COTS) items as defined in FAR Part 2.101 under commercial items? (10) Non-Manufacturer Rule: If applicable, can you confirm your business complies with the Non-Manufacturer rule? Specifically, does your company: Provide a product from a small business manufacturer or processor? Not exceed 500 employees? Primarily engage in the retail or wholesale trade and normally sell the type of item being supplied? Take ownership or possession of the item(s) with its personnel, equipment or facilities in a manner consistent with industry practice? (11) Please indicate whether your product conforms to the requirements of the Buy American Act? (12) What is your lead time to deliver a single unit with all components? Is there scale in lead time with greater quantities? Please elaborate. (13) What is estimated life span of your solution? What support/services does that entail? (14) Does your proposed equipment have FDA clearance? Please specify what FDA clearance(s) have been obtained. (15) Does your organization offer a leasing solution? Please elaborate. (16) Does your company have a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract? If so, please provide the contract number(s). (17) If you are an FSS GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract holder, are all the items/solutions you are providing information about available on your schedule/contract? Please state if all or some items are available on the contract. (18) General pricing of your products/solution is encouraged. Pricing will be used for the purpose of market research only. It will not be used to evaluate for any type of award. (19) Please provide your SAM.gov Unique Entity ID/Cage Code number. Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to Hestia.Sim@va.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than Tuesday, July 21, 2027, by 10AM Pacific Local Time. All responses to this Sources Sought/RFI will be used for planning purposes only. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice / RFI are not considered a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. If further RFIs and/or a solicitation or other announcement is issued as a result of the information provided from this RFI, all interested parties must respond to the specific posting separately IAW the specifications of that announcement.