GENERAL INFORMATION FOLLOWED BY A TENTATIVE STATEMENT OF WORK NOTICE: This is not a solicitation but rather a Request for Information (RFI) (Sources Sought) to determine capability of potential sources and is for information and planning purposes only. Veterans Health Affairs, Network Contracting Office 4, is issuing this request for information/sources sought notice in order to identify capable firms for VISN 4 VAMC Juice and Dairy Products. Responses must be submitted by 11:59pm (EST) April 20th, 2020. Submit responses to the information requested above via email to
[email protected] . All SDVOSB and VOSB firms that respond shall include proof of CVE certification via www.vip.vetbiz.gov. All small business firms that respond shall include proof of small business status via their Representations and Certifications in accordance with (FAR 4.1102 Policy). While SDVOSB/VOSB contractors are preferred, all capable contractors are welcome to respond to this sources sought notice for market research purposes, and shall include as part of their response a brief capability statement that covers the information in the following tentative statement of work. Capability statement shall cover all elements of the tentative statement of work as to accurately determine capability. The results of this market research will assist in the development of (1) the requirement, and (2) the acquisition strategy (e.g., socioeconomic set-aside, full and open competition, etc.). VA assumes no responsibility for any costs incurred associated with the preparation of responses. Suggested NAICS: 311511 (Fluid Milk Manufacturing) Suggested PSC: 8920 (Dairy Foods and Eggs) Open to suggestions from the market as to a more proper NAICS and/or PSC, as well as any potential GSA/FSS Schedule SIN categories. SAMPLE / TENTATIVE STATEMENT OF WORK (BELOW) Dairy and Juice Products Contract Scope of Need Contractor shall provide the estimated amount of Dairy and Juice Products deliverables as described in the schedule below to the following VISN4 facilities: Altoona, Butler, Coatesville, Erie, Lebanon, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Wilkes-Barre and Wilmington; in accordance with the specifications contained herein. The Government anticipates award of an IDIQ Firm Fixed-Price five years contract for Dairy and Juice Products. Any proposed alternate item shall meet the requirements of the Government specification as cited in the Index of Federal Specifications/Standards (FED) and or commercial Item Description (CID). The awarded contract shall constitute the entire agreement including all terms and conditions applicable to the contract. Contractor is guaranteed a minimum order of $11,000, not to exceed $5,000,000. The Government does not guarantee the maximum estimated quantity. Refer to Section F for anticipated quantities. Definition: N&FS- Nutrition and Food Service VCS- Veterans Canteen Service GENERAL REQUIREMENTS The contractor shall contact the Contracting Officer on all matters pertaining to administration. Only the contracting Officer is authorized to make commitments to issue changes which will affect the price, quantity, quality, or delivery terms of this contract. Fluid dairy products and other dairy products shall have sufficient remaining shelf life, minimum 10 days shelf life, commensurate with good commercial practice (see General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service, found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELDEV3004788). ALTERNATE ITEMS, PACKAGING, PACKING AND LABELING Offerors may propose alternate items, packaging, or packing. Offerors shall clearly indicate, in their offer, the quantity, packaging size, unit or other different features upon which the offer is submitted. Evaluation of the alternate item will be made against a common denominator (i.e.; weight, package quantity, etc.). Offerors are reminded that the alternate item must meet all the requirements of the Government specifications. All packaging and packing shall be in accordance with good commercial practice (see General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service, found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELDEV3004788). Labeling shall be in accordance with commercial labeling complying with the current Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and regulations promulgated thereunder. Half (1/2) pint containers must be of the squat type. All half-pint, pint, quart, and half gallon milk containers must be waxed or plastic-coated containers. The package expiration date for all items must be at least 10 days from the date of delivery. All items must be identified with readable dates. All items must be identified with readable expiration dates stamped on the container. Expiration dates was be plain read , product code numbers are not acceptable to the Government. Failure to comply with this requirement is material and will be grounds for termination of this contract. Unless otherwise specified, preservation, packaging, and packing shall be to a degree of protection to preclude damage to containers and/or contents thereof under normal shipping conditions, handling, etc., and shall conform to normal commercial practices and applicable carrier rules and regulations involving shipment from the Contractor to the receiving activity for storage. Shipping containers shall be in compliance with National Motor Freight Classification and Uniform Freight classification (issue in effect at time of shipment). SANITATION AND WORKMANSHIP: Compliance with Federal Laws and Regulations: All deliveries shall conform in every respect to the provisions of the current Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and regulations promulgated thereunder. All items furnished under this contract shall be prepared, processed and packed under sanitary conditions and in accordance with good commercial practice (see General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service, found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELDEV3004788) and approved standards established by the Food and Drug Administration (See Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance 2011, found at http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/Milk) All containers shall be clean, sound and securely covered or sealed to provide adequate protection from dirt, filth, and all other contamination. Chilled and frozen items shall be maintained at temperatures necessary for the preservation of the product. Description of Grades. Where applicable, the interpretation of requirements (descriptive terms), methods ascertaining grades, testing, etc., shall be in accordance with those contained in the U.S. Standards for the particular items in effect on date of solicitation. The Contractor shall certify that his/her company has received, prior to submission of the offer, a pasteurized milk rating of 90% or more for the type products included in the offer. The Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer, in writing, if at any point during the contract its pasteurized milk rating falls below 90% for any of the products included in the contract. Contractors are required to submit with their offer a Certificate from the local or state Health Department that all cattle from which milk is obtained have passed a satisfactory tuberculin test within one year previous to the date of contract, or that cattle from which milk is obtained are accredited herds as defined in the current requirement of the U. S. Public Health Service Milk Ordinance Code and a Certificate from a licensed Physician or qualified bacteriologist, certifying that all persons employed in pasteurizing and bottling plants from which the products are furnished have passed a satisfactory clinical and laboratory examination within one year previous to the date of contract and are free from communicable diseases. SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS: The delivered products shall comply with all applicable Federal, State and local mandatory requirements and regulations relating to the preparation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and sales of the products with the commercial marketplace. All deliveries shall conform in every respect to the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and any other applicable laws and regulations. Quality Assurance. All raw milk for pasteurization, condensed and dried milk, finished products and the plant in which the products are processed shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance 2011 Revision Recommendations of the United States Public Health Service or latest revision thereof, or regulations substantially equivalent thereto. The raw milk for pasteurization, milk plant, and pasteurized milk and milk products each shall have a compliance rating of 90 or more as certified by the State Milk Sanitation Rating Officer and shall be listed in the Sanitation Compliance and Enforcement Ratings of Interstate Milk Shippers. All milk products delivered for consumption shall have at least 7 days expiration from the date of delivery. Milk shall be delivered under refrigeration; all orders delivered above 410°F will be rejected. All testing shall only be done by milk laboratories approved by Federal and State agencies found at http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/MilkSafety/FederalStatePrograms/InterstateMilkShippersList/default.htm Contractor s Certification. By submitting an offer, the Contractor certifies that the product offered meets the requirements of the solicitation and requirements of Federal, State and local regulations; conforms to the producer s own specifications and standards, including product characteristics, manufacturing procedures, quality control procedures, and storage and handling practices; has national or regional distribution storage facilities located with the United States, its territories, or possessions; and is sold on the commercial market. The Government reserves the right to determine proof of such conformance prior to the first delivery from point of origin and any time thereafter, up to and including delivery at final destination as may be necessary to determine conformance with the provisions of the contract. Source of Manufacture: Items supplied under the contract are required to originate from a sanitarily approved source as defined by the Federal Food and Drug Administration s Evaluation of Milk Laboratories 2011 Revision which can be found at the link listed in #2 above. The supplier must identify the source of manufacture on the primary container or in the accompanying shipping documents. The identification on the primary container may consist of either the manufacturing plant name and address or a manufacturing plant code. When the manufacturing plant is identified on the shipping documents accompanying the delivery, the plant shall be identified by its complete name, address and plant code. ITEMS DESCRIPTION & ESTIMATED QUANTITIES: Products Estimated Quantities per year Estimated Quantities in five years period Milk, Low Fat 2%, ½ pint 282,700 1,413,500 Milk, Low Fat 2%, 4oz 207,145 1,035,725 Milk, Low Fat 2%, gallon 1,460 7,300 Milk, Skim, ½ pint 167,250 836,250 Milk, Skim, 4oz 39,300 196,500 Milk, Skim, gallon 175 875 Milk, Whole, gallon 1,781 8,905 Milk, Whole, ½ pint 188,225 941,125 Milk, 1%, half gallon 100 500 Milk, low fat, 1%, ½ pint 310,111 1,550,555 Milk, 2%, 5 gallons bag 1,021 5,105 Milk, Chocolate, 1%, ½ pint 91,845 459,225 Milk, Chocolate, 1%, 5 gallons bag 200 1,000 Milk, Chocolate, fat-free, ½ pint 33,400 167,000 Milk, Chocolate, ½ pint 3,900 19,500 Half & Half, fat free, quart (32oz.) 1,032 5,160 Half & Half, ½ oz, 400/cs 400 cases 2,000 Non-Dairy Creamers, ½ oz. 95,025 475,125 Buttermilk, quart 17 85 Eggnog, pint 50 250 Eggnog, quart 99 495 Cottage cheese, low fat, plastic tub, 5 lb. 1,072 5,360 Fruit Punch, ½ gallon 5,698 28,490 Ice Tea, ½ pint 4,650 23,250 Ice Tea, unsweet, ½ pint 14,100 70,500 Ice Tea, sweetened, 8-10 packs 1,000 5,000 Iced Tea, Artificially flavored, ½ gallon 16,200 81,000 Diet Ice Tea, ½ pint 50 250 Diet Ice Tea, pint 11,280 56,400 Raspberry Iced Tea, pint 6,490 32,450 Lemon Drink, ½ gallon 729 3,645 Water Ice, Orange(24/box) 20 100 Water Ice, Lemon(24/box) 10 50 Flavored drink, asst., ½ pint, plastic bottles 8,715 43,575 Orange drink, ½ gallon 6,128 30,640 Ice Tea, artificially sweet, plastic bottle, 8oz. 11,760 58,800 Lactaid, ½ pint 16,140 80,700 Ice Cream, Vanilla (24/box) 505 boxes 2,525 Ice Cream, Chocolate (24/box) 482 boxes 2,410 Ice Cream, Strawberry (24/box) 442 boxes 2,210 Ice Cream, Vanilla, FFNSA, (24/box) 25 boxes 125 Ice Cream, Chocolate, FFNSA, (24/box) 20 boxes 100 Sherbet, Raspberry (24/box) 12 boxes 60 Sherbet, Lemon (24/box) 3 boxes 15 Frozen yogurt Vanilla (24/box) 15 boxes 75 Orange Cream Bar (24/box) 2 boxes 10 Ice Cream Bar (24/box) 505 boxes 2,525 Ice Cream Sandwich (24/box) 5 boxes 25 Light Cream, quart 20 100 10% Vanilla Soft Ice Cream Mix 55 275 10% Chocolate Soft Ice Cream Mix 55 275 Sour Cream, 5lb. 73 365 Irish cream 1/2 oz 10 50 hazelnut creamer 1/2 oz 10 50 French vanilla 1/2 oz 10 50 shred cheddar 5lb 3 15 shred parm cheese 5 lb 3 15 Amer. Cheese sliced 5 lb 3 15 shred mozzarella cheese 5 lb 3 15 Klondike Oreo cookie sandwich 24/cs 2 10 chocolate éclair 24/cs 2 10 choco taco 24/cs 2 10 cookies and cream cup 12/cs 2 10 nutty buddy cone 24/cs 2 10 rainbow water ice 2.5 gal 1 5 cherry water ice 2.5 gal 1 5 cotton candy water ice 2.5 gallon 1 5 bubble gum water ice 2.5 gal 1 5 watermelon water ice 2.5 gal 1 5 mango water ice 2.5 gal 1 5 root beer water ice 2.5 gallon 1 5 mint choc chip 1/2 gal 4/cs 2 10 cookie dough 1/2 gal 4/cs 2 10 vanilla 1/2 gallon 4/cs 2 10 chocolate 1/2 gallon 4/cs 2 10 cookies and cream 1/2 gal 4/cs 2 10 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 10/1/2020 - 9/30/2025 or Five (5) years from date of contract award. DELIVERY SCHEDULES: The Contracting Officer shall authorize Medical Center personnel to place delivery orders for dairy and juice products listed in the schedule of pricing. Orders shall be placed by the individual listed below (or his/her designee) for N&FS and Canteen at each station. Facility Nutrition & Food Service (N&FS) Canteen VAMC Altoona 2907 Pleasant Valley Blvd. Altoona, PA 16602 Ph: 814-943-8164 ext. 7144 Fax: 814-940-7862 Chief, NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICE PH: 814-943-8164 EXT. 7513 CHIEF, VETERANS CANTEEN SERVICE PH: 814-943-8164 VAMC Butler 325 New Castle Road Butler, PA 16001 Ph: 724-287-4781 Fax: 724-477-5069 COOK SUPERVISOR, NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICE PH: 724-285-2430 MANAGER, VETERANS CANTEEN SERVICE PH: 724-287-4781 EXT. 4233 VAMC Coatesville 1400 Blackhorse Hill Road Coatesville, PA 19320 Ph: 610-384-7711 ext. 3216 Fax: 610-466-2236 CHIEF, FOOD PRODUCTION, NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICE PH: 610-384-7711 EXT. 3723 ASSISTANT CANTEEN CHIEF FOOD OPERATIONS, VETERANS CANTEEN SERVICE PH: 610-384-7711 EXT. 3450 VAMC Erie 135 East 38 Street Erie, PA 16504 Ph: 814-860-2974 Fax: 814-860-2111 ADMINISTRATIVE DIETICIAN, NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICE PH: 814-860-2341 SUPERVISOR, VETERANS CANTEEN SERVICE PH: 814-860-2060 VAMC Lebanon 1700 S. Lincoln Ave. Lebanon, PA 17042 Ph: 717-272-6621 Fax: 717-228-5908 CHIEF, PRODUCTION AND FOOD SERVICE PH: 717-272-6621 EXT. 3897 ASSISTANT CHIEF, VETERANS CANTEEN SERVICE PH: 717-272-6621 EXT. 4588 VAMC Philadelphia University & Woodland Aves. Philadelphia, PA 19104 Ph: 215-823-4659 Fax: 215-823-6054 CHIEF, NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICE PH: 215-823-5861 FX: 215-823-4205 CHIEF, VETERANS CANTEEN SERVICE PH: 215-823-5800 EXT. 5107 FX: 215-823-5973 VAMC Pittsburgh 1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh, PA 15215 Ph: 412-822-3779 Fax: 412-822-3786 PROGRAM MANAGER, NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICE PH: 412-822-1890 FX: 412-822-1901 CHIEF, VETERANS CANTEEN SERVICE PH: 412-360-6580 VAMC Wilkes-Barre 1111 East End Blvd. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 Ph: 570-824-3521 CHIEF, NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICE PH: 570-824-3521 EXT. 27442 FAX: 570-819-5182 N/A VAM&ROC Wilmington 1601 Kirkwood Highway Wilmington, DE Ph: 302-994-2511 ext.4075 Fax: 302-225-9287 or 302-428-1472 CHIEF, NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICE PH: 302-633-5442 CHIEF, VETERANS CANTEEN SERVICE PH: 215-823-5800 EXT. 5107 FX: 215-823-5973 Deliveries will be coordinated with the designated individuals for each station. The places of delivery and the hours for delivery are listed below for N&FS and Canteen at each station. Deliver Product To Time of Delivery Frequency Invoices shall be made to Payments will be made by Nutrition and Food Service Altoona VAMC 2907 Pleasant Valley Boulevard Altoona, PA 16602 7:00am-1:00pm Monday and Thursday Department of Veterans Affairs FMS VA-1 P.O. Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-8971 Chief, Fiscal Service Altoona VAMC 2907 Pleasant Valley Boulevard Altoona, PA 16602 Veterans Canteen Service #503 VA Medical Center 2907 Pleasant Valley Boulevard Altoona, PA 16602 5:00 AM 12:00 Noon Monday thru Friday Veterans Canteen Service #503 V A Medical Center 2907 Pleasant Valley Boulevard Altoona, PA 16602 VCS Finance Center Jefferson Barracks Road Bldg. 25 St. Louis, MO 63125 Veterans Canteen Service Butler VAMC Bldg. #1- Main Dock 325 New Castle Road Butler, PA 16001 5:30 AM-1200 Noon Tuesday & Friday Chief, Fiscal Service Butler VAMC 325 New Castle Road Butler, PA 16001 Chief, Fiscal Service Butler VAMC 325 New Castle Road Butler, PA 16001 Nutrition and Food Service Butler VAMC Bldg. #1- Main Dock 325 New Castle Road Butler, PA 16001 5:30 AM-12:00 Noon Tuesday & Thursday Department of Veterans Affairs FMS VA-1 P.O. Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-8971 Chief, Fiscal Service Butler VAMC 325 New Castle Road Butler, PA 16001 Nutrition & Food Services (120) Department of Veterans Affairs Bldg. # 139 Loading Dock 1400 Blackhorse Hill Road Coatesville, PA 19320 6:00 AM- 3:00 PM Monday thru Friday Department of Veterans Affairs FMS VA-1 P.O. Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-8971 Department of Veterans Affairs Financial Services Center PO Box 149971 Austin, TX 78714-8971 Nutrition & Food Service (120) VAMC Erie 135 East 38th Street Erie, PA 16504 8:00 AM Wednesday Department of Veterans Affairs FMS VA-1 P.O. Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-8971 Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Service (05F) 135 East 38th Street Erie, PA 16504 Veterans Canteen Service VAMC Erie 135 East 38 Street Erie, PA 16504 8:00 AM Monday Veterans Canteen Service VAMC Erie 135 East 38 Street Erie, PA 16504 Veterans Canteen Service Finance Center #1 Jefferson Barracks Road Bldg.#25 Room 113 St. Louis, MO 63125-4194 Veterans Canteen Service #595 VA Medical Center 1700 South Lincoln Avenue Bldg. #17 Ground Floor Lebanon, PA 17042 6:30 AM - 11:00 AM Monday, Tuesday: & Friday Veterans Canteen Service #595 VA Medical Center 1700 South Lincoln Avenue Lebanon, PA 17042 Veterans Canteen Finance Center # 1 Jefferson Barracks Road Bldg #25 Room 113 Saint Louis, MO 63125 Nutrition & Food Services (132) VA Medical Center Building #1 1700 S. Lincoln Ave. Lebanon, PA 17042 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM Monday and Friday Department of Veterans Affairs FMS VA-1 P.O. Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-8971 Resource Manager (120) VA Medical Center 1700 S. Lincoln Ave. Lebanon, PA 17042 Veterans Canteen Service 3900 Woodland Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19104 5:00 AM 9:00 AM Monday thru Friday Veterans Canteen Service 3900 Woodland Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19104 Veterans Canteen Service Finance Center #1 Jefferson Barracks Road Bldg.#25 Room 113 St. Louis, MO 63125-4194 Nutrition and Food Service Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Medical Center Bldg. #2, Loading Dock Entrance 3900 Woodland Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19104 7:00 AM 11:00 AM Monday, Wednesday & Thursday Department of Veterans Affairs FMS VA-1 P.O. Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-8971 Department of Veterans Affairs FMS-VA-2 (101) Financial Services Center P.O. Box 149971 Austin, TX 78714-9971 Nutrition and Food Services VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Heinz Division Building 51 1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh, PA 15215 6:00 AM 7:00 AM Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday Department of Veterans Affairs FMS VA-1 P.O. Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-8971 Chief, Fiscal Service (04-A) VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System 1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh, PA 15215 Nutrition & Food Services VA Medical Center 1111 East End Blvd Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 6:30 AM. 11:00 AM Monday & Thursday Department of Veterans Affairs Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center 1111 East End Blvd Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 Chief, Fiscal Service VA Medical Center Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center 1111 East End Blvd Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 Nutrition and Food Services VA Medical Center 1601 Kirkwood Highway Wilmington, DE 19805 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM Monday & Thursday Department of Veterans Affairs FMS VA-1 P.O. Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-8971 Chief, Fiscal Service (04) VA Medical Center 1601 Kirkwood Highway Wilmington, DE 19805 Federal Holidays are as follows and include any other days specifically declared by the President of the United States to be a national holiday: New Year s Day January 1 Martin Luther King s Birthday 3rd Monday in January President s Day 3rd Monday in February Memorial Day Last Monday in May Independence Day July 4 Labor Day 1st Monday in September Columbus Day 2nd Monday in October Veterans Day November 11 Thanksgiving Day 4th Thursday in November Christmas Day December 25 When one of the holidays falls on a Sunday the following Monday will be observed as a legal holiday. When holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is observed as a legal holiday by US Government agencies. INSPECTION OF PLANTS: All products furnished under the awarded contract shall be processed at plants that have been inspected by the Federal Government. Approved inspection reports of another VA Facility or other Federal Government agency will be accepted as satisfactory evidence that the facilities/plants meet these requirements, provided that the inspection was made not more than six (6) months prior to the proposed contract period (See Addendum to 52.212-3 for representations and certifications. The Contracting Officer or his/her designee reserves the right to make pre-award, on-site survey and inspection of the plant, personnel, equipment and processes of the offeror. If the plant of the apparent low offeror does not meet specification or is not acceptable, the offer will be rejected. INSPECTION OF PLANTS: An inspection may be made of the premises and employees of bidder, prior to making award, and conditions found will be considered in awarding the contract. Inspection may also be made at any time during the life of the contract and, if it is found that the contractor is not complying with specifications, deliveries will be rejected, and the products covered by the contract will be procured in the open market. Any excess cost occasioned by this action will be charged against the contractors account. The VA Contracting Officer or his/her designee reserves the right to inspect the Contractors premises at any time during the life of the contract. A pre-award, on-site visit to inspect the manufacturing plant, personnel, process and packaging equipment and premises in order to verify compliance with all applicable Federal and State mandatory requirements and regulations relating to the preparation, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution, and sales of the products with the commercial marketplace may be performed by the government prior to contract award. If a Contractor s plant does not meet specification or is not acceptable, the offer will be rejected. COMPLIANCE Contractor shall comply with good commercial practices (see General Specifications for Dairy Plants Approved for USDA Inspection and Grading Service, found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELDEV3004788) and all applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations