THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT DISCLAIMER 1. 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. 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. 2. The submission of pricing, capabilities for planning purposes, and other market information is highly encouraged and allowed under this RFI In Accordance With (IAW) FAR Part 15.201(e). SOURCES SOUGHT DESCRIPTION: PROCURE, DELIVER, INSTALL, AND PROVIDE TRAINING ON ONE (1) REPLACEMENT BLAST CHILLER FOR THE KANSAS CITY VAMC MAIN KITCHEN 3. This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a RFI/sources sought only. The purpose of this sources sought/RFI is to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 333415. Responses to this sources sought will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After reviewing the responses to this sources sought, a solicitation announcement may be published. Responses to this sources sought synopsis are not considered adequate responses for a solicitation announcement. 4. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), VISN 15 Network Contracting Office, is seeking sources that can provide the following: The Kansas City VAMC Nutrition & Food Services main kitchen (MB.255) currently operates a blast chiller that has exceeded its expected service life and is beyond economic repair. Blast chillers are used to rapidly cool hot food items to safe cold-holding temperatures in accordance with the FDA Food Code and VHA food safety policy, reducing the time food spends in the temperature danger zone (41°F 135°F). This is a firm-fixed-price supply and installation requirement. The Contractor shall furnish, deliver, install, and commission one (1) commercial blast chiller meeting the salient characteristics, remove and dispose of the existing unit and provide on-site operator training. The Contractor shall deliver, install, and commission the blast chiller within [60] calendar days of contract award. Operator training shall be completed within [14] calendar days of installation and acceptance. Warranty period begins on the date of Government acceptance The unit shall be a standalone, self-contained piece of commercial kitchen equipment. No software or network integration is required. The unit shall cool hot food from 135°F to 41°F or below within a maximum of 90 minutes, in accordance with FDA Food Code cold-holding requirements. The unit shall provide, at a minimum, four (4) selectable chill cycle types (e.g., standard/rapid chill, extended/speed chill, energy-saving mode, and a delicate/gentle cycle for sensitive food items). Equivalent cycle types with different naming conventions are acceptable provided the same functional range is met. The unit shall include an on-board data printer capable of recording and printing time/temperature data required for HACCP compliance. The unit shall include a label printer for food product labeling. The unit shall include a minimum of three (3) removable food temperature probes. The unit shall record and retain all data required for HACCP compliance, and this data shall be retrievable/exportable in a format compatible with the facility's existing food-safety recordkeeping process. The unit shall include a roll-in ramp and accommodate a minimum of one (1) roll-in rack measuring 27"W x 29"D x 72"H. The Contractor shall verify, prior to delivery, that the unit's footprint, door clearance, and ramp configuration are compatible with the installation site (MB.255). A pre-installation site visit is offered under Section 8. Electrical The unit shall operate on 115V/60Hz/1-phase power. The unit's full-load amperage draw shall not exceed 20 amps. The Contractor shall confirm compatibility with existing electrical infrastructure at MB.255 prior to installation or identify any required electrical modifications as a separate line item. Delivery The Contractor shall deliver one (1) blast chiller meeting Section 4 to Kansas City VAMC, Building MB, Room 255, within the timeframe specified. Installation The Contractor shall: Remove and prepare the installation site. Install and commission the new unit, including all necessary electrical connections (or coordinate with VA facilities if VA-furnished electrical work is required. Perform a functional test of all chill cycles, data printer, label printer, and temperature probes prior to Government acceptance testing. Training The Contractor shall provide on-site operator training, including, at minimum: A minimum of [X] hours of hands-on instruction for up to [X] Nutrition & Food Services staff. Written or digital operating instructions and quick-reference guides, provided as deliverable to the COR. A signed training completion roster, submitted to the COR as a deliverable. Reporting Requirements The Contractor shall submit a Delivery/Installation Completion Report to the COR upon completion of installation, documenting date of installation, serial number, and results of functional testing. The Contractor shall submit warranty documentation (Section 6) to the COR within 5 business days of acceptance. Warranty The Contractor shall provide a minimum 3-year parts-and-labor warranty from the date of Government acceptance. The Contractor shall provide an additional 2-year compressor parts warranty (5 years total on compressor parts). 5. It is the responsibility of the interested source to demonstrate to the government that the interested parties can provide the supplies/services that fulfill the requirement. If you are interested and can provide the sought-out services, please provide the requested information as well as the information indicated below. Failure to respond to all questions in this sources sought will determine the interested party as non-responsive which may affect a set-aside decision for a resulting solicitation. Response to this notice should include company name, address, point of contact, size of business pursuant to the following questions: a. Please provide your UEI number. b. 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.)? c. Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified under this RFI? d. If you are identified as a SDVOSB/VOSB or SB, identify how you intend to meet the requirements found in the limitations on subcontracting FAR or VAAR clauses. (providing 51% of the work outlined in section 4 above) e. Does your company have an FSS contract with GSA, VA NAC, NASA SEWP, or any other federal contract, that can be utilized to procure the requirement listed above? If so, please provide the contract number(s). f. Please submit your capabilities that show clear, compelling, and convincing evidence that you can meet the requirement described above to include required licensing. 6. Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to Lisa Fischer at Lisa.Fischer1@va.gov. Telephone responses shall not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than Friday October 16th, 2026, at 1500 CST. If a solicitation is issued it shall be announced at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from the responses to this sources sought. Responses to this sources sought notice are not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation.
