SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE - NATIONWIDE SUBSISTENCE PRIME VENDOR PROGRAM (NAICS 424410) This is not a solicitation announcement. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Acquisition Center is conducting market research to assess industry standards and capabilities for distribution services of a wide range of subsistence products directly to VA and participating other Government agencies (OGA) for VA's Subsistence Prime Vendor Program. Respondents must have at a minimum five years of experience in subsistence distribution. Capabilities should include but are not limited to: " A full, commercial product catalog with enough diversity and inventory to meet healthcare needs. " Ability to procure and warehouse new products within 30 days " Partnering with the VA in identifying cost savings initiatives, assist in developing deviated pricing agreements with manufacturers, and effectively implementing these programs in a timely manner. " An electronic ordering and reporting system (web-based), easy to use, provides full product catalog and has access 24/7 " Ability to distribute nationwide one to three deliveries per facility, per week. " Products should be received, warehoused, transported and delivered in accordance with HACCP guidelines. " Ability to recall products within 24 hours of receipt of recall. " Must have an emergency preparedness plan. " Must have a sustainability plan. The purpose of this notice is to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their business size classification (hubzone, 8(a), small, small disadvantaged, small veteran owned or service disabled veteran owned small business) relative to NAICS 424410 (size standard of 500 employees or less). Consistent with VA's Veterans First Contracting Program, VA is particularly interested in identifying Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses with the capability to perform. Interested and capable respondents are requested to provide the information below. All responses to this notice shall include: company name, address, point of contact, phone number, DUNS number (www.dnb.com), list of participating manufacturers, the geographical location the respondent is able to service with a map or list of distribution centers, and a list of certifications documenting the safety and sanitary conditions and procedures. (1) Business size (small or large business concern), and number of employees (2) Type of small business a. Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business b. Veteran Owned Small Business c. Small Disadvantaged d. HubZone e. Woman Owned f. Small Business The response to this notice, along with other market research, will assist in forming the basis for developing the Subsistence Prime Vendor acquisition strategy for a Subsistence Prime Vendor Program. Interested firms having the requisite experience and capabilities should email Christine Szrom at
[email protected] no later than 4:00PM Central Time, March 16, 2011. This notice is to assist the VA in determining sources only. All contractors interested in doing business with the Government must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. The website for registration is www.ccr.gov. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses should also indicate whether the company is verified by the VA in the Vendor Information Pages (VIP) Database at www.vetbiz.gov.