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 339113 (size standard of 1,000 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.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking sources capable of providing Infusion Pump units and components that can address the attached list of DRAFT requirements for multiple VA Medical Centers.
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 DRAFT/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/SOW requirements. For instances where your company cannot meet the DRAFT/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/SOW requirement(s), please explain. For instances where your company can meet the DRAFT/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/SOW requirement(s), please show how your company meets/exceeds each requirement.
(2) Please review the list of DRAFT/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/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 DRAFT/SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/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) What is your lead time to deliver a single unit with all components? Is there scale in lead time with greater quantities? Please elaborate.
(12) What is estimated life span of your solution? What support/services does that entail?
(13) Does your proposed equipment have FDA clearance? Please specify what FDA clearance(s) have been obtained.
(14) Does your organization offer a leasing solution? Please elaborate.
(15) 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).
(16) 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.
(17) 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.
(18) Please provide your SAM.gov Unique Entity ID/Cage Code number.
Buy America Compliance
Respondents shall provide sufficient detail to determine compliance with the Buy American Act, including country of origin, domestic content, and availability of domestic alternatives. Responses should be complete and supported with verifiable information.
Please identify the country of origin for the end product(s) being offered. Include the location of final assembly/manufacture.
Please provide the percentage of domestic content (by cost) for each product(s). Describe the origin of the major components.
Does your product qualify as a domestic end product in accordance with the Buy American Act?
If the proposed product is not compliant, are you able to provide a BAA-compliant domestic alternative?
Please identify the manufacturer name and location for the product(s). Confirm whether the manufacturer is U.S.-based.
Identify the country of origin of each product and indicate whether the product qualifies as a U.S.-made or designated-country end product in accordance with the Trade Agreements Act
Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to Wesley.Kimmel@va.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than Thursday 8/13/2026 4:00 PM EST.
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.
See attached document: Transport Truck
Brand name or equal:
Based on the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the "brand name or equal" clause is used in solicitations when a product is identified by a brand name, but the government is open to receiving equivalent products. Here are the key points:
The use of "brand name or equal" descriptions is allowed under certain circumstances, even though the use of performance specifications is preferred (PAGE 347).
The "brand name or equal" purchase descriptions must include a general description of those salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics of the brand name item that an "equal" item must meet to be acceptable for award (PAGE 347).
The Contracting Officer will evaluate "equal" products based on the information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer (PAGE 1495).
Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an "equal" product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation (PAGE 1495).
When "brand name or equal" descriptions are necessary, specifications must clearly identify and describe the particular physical, functional, or other characteristics of the brand-name items which are considered essential to satisfying the requirement (PAGE 1095).
References:
FAR 11.107(a)
FAR 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal (AUG 1999)
Electric Transport Vehicle
1) Essential/significant physical, functional, or performance characteristics.
Electric transport vehicle with extended rear cargo space and removable rear cargo side stake panels:
Dimensions - 131 x 55 x 72
Power - Lithium battery pack, 48V 6.3KW motor, Regenerative braking, Programmable controller, 48V 1200W Li-ion charger (1-4 hour charging time)
Performance:
10-25 mph max speed
Load capacity 3,000 lbs.
Features
2 passenger seats
Battery Type - Li-Ion
25A Onboard waterproof charger, preprogrammed lithium batteries
Clear foldable windshield
Impact-resistant plastic body + Diamond plate side panels
Independent suspension with four arms
Front Bumper bar
Rearview mirrors
Side mirrors
Taillights
Headlights
Turn signals
Horn
Seat Belts
Cabin Canopy
Removable rear cargo side stake panels
Rear bumper and hitch, pintle
Compatibility NA
Purpose
The requested electric transport vehicle would serve as a low-speed, campus-capable asset dedicated to the Emergency Management program, enabling rapid movement of supplies, durable medical equipment, and mobilization kits between the warehouse, clinical units, and incident command post during activations, drills, and exercises. The procurement of an electric cart is essential for the following reasons:
The Emergency Management program lacks a dedicated, reliable transport asset for moving critical supplies, equipment, and personnel across the medical center campus during events. Current reliance on manual transport, borrowed vehicles, or delayed logistics support creates a gap in the facility's ability to rapidly stage and distribute emergency supplies to points of care during a declared emergency. Special purpose funds from OEM and have been approved for this specific use by the EM Committee.
This vehicle supports multiple operational needs critical to compliance, safety, and sustainability
2) Complete generic identification Electric transport Cart; electric transport vehicle
3) Warranty 5-year battery warranty, telephone technical support, one year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship when used normally in accordance with published guidelines.
Per VAAR 811.104 and 811.105, I certify the following regarding the above information:
The salient characteristics listed above are essential to the Government s requirements.
To my knowledge, the restrictions listed above will not limit the acquisition to an item peculiar to one
manufacturer.
