This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. It is neither a solicitation announcement nor a request for proposals or quotes and does not obligate the Government to award a contract. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. Responses to this-- sources sought announcement must be in writing. The purpose of this sources sought announcement is for market research to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of potential qualified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses, Veteran Owned Small Businesses, 8(a), HubZone and other Small Businesses interested and capable of providing the services described below. Documentation of technical expertise must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition. Responses to this notice shall include the following: (a) company name (b) address (c) point of contact (d) phone, fax, and email (e) Unique Entity ID (f) Cage Code (g) Tax ID Number (h) Type of small business, e.g. Services Disabled Veteran Owned small Business, Veteran-owned small business, 8(a), HUBZone, Women Owned Small Business, Small disadvantaged business, or Small Business HUBZone business and (i) must provide a capability statement that addresses the organizations qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor for the work described below in italics. The Loma Linda VA Healthcare System (LLVAHCS) located at 11201 Benton St. Loma Linda, CA 92357 is seeking a potential qualified contractor that can provide: Preventive Maintenance for Hydroponic wall system and potted plants. Important information: The Government is not obligated to/nor will it pay for or reimburse any costs associated with responding to this sources-sought synopsis request. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued. The VA is mandated by Public Law 109-461 to consider a total set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business set aside. However, if response by Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business firms proves inadequate, an alternate set-aside or full and open competition may be determined. No sub-contracting opportunity is anticipated. The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 494930. Notice to Potential Offerors: All offerors who provide goods or services to the United States Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov. Additionally, all Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses or Veteran Owned Businesses who respond to a solicitation on this project must be certified by the Small Business Administration; Veteran Small Business Certification, (VetCert) https://veterans.certify.sba.gov/. All interested Offerors should submit information by e-mail to:
[email protected] All interested Offerors should submit information by e-mail:
[email protected] . All information submissions to be marked Attn: Catherine Fernandez, Contract Specialist and should be received no later than 15:00 pm PST on February 13, 2025. *******DRAFT*******DRAFT******DRAFT*******DRAFT******* STATEMENT OF WORK Objective The Loma Linda Veterans Health Administration (also referred to as LLVHA or the Government) has a requirement for recurring maintenance services, and replacement as needed, for the existing hydroponic green wall system and (23) interior and exterior potted plants at the Main Facility located at 11201 Benton Steet, Loma Linda, CA 92357. All plants and soil containers SHALL be maintained, pest-controlled, and/or replaced by the contract as required for a healthy and pest-free plants and environment. All existing plant locations are subject to change due to construction, renovations, or occupancy type. All material maintained and/or replaced SHALL remain property of LLVHA. Period and Place of Performance The rendering of services will take place at the Main Facility building location at 11201 Benton Street, Loma Linda, CA 92357. Contract Period of Performance Date to start on April 1st, 2025. Contract Period of Performance to be for (1) base year with (4) additional option years to be exercised by the Government if the requirement remains valid and the Vendor s performance is satisfactory. Contract Requirements Required services are: Plants maintenance, and replacement when needed, are to be coordinated with the Point of Contact (POC) to avoid interrupting patient or visitor services. Plants maintenance, and replacement when needed, will be for the following location only: Main Facility at 11201 Benton Steet, Loma Linda, CA 92357. Vendor to coordinate maintenance schedule with Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or Point of Contact (POC) and access to facility both during and/or after normal business hours. Facility normal business hours are Monday through Friday 8:00am 4:00pm. The Federal Government recognized US holidays are: New Year s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. If the holiday falls on Sunday, it is observed on Monday. Maintenance services to include the following items and frequencies listed in the below schedule: When required, Vendor to prepare replacement plants and soil containers offsite since there is no laydown yard or external space for the Vendor s/Offeror s/Bidder s equipment, transportation, and materials. Vendor can park in loading zones temporarily to unload. Vendor Requirements: a. Vendor must have access / use a proper acclimation / conditions commercial greenhouse or shade-house. b. Vendor will not use warehouse facilities for plant storage. c. Vendor must carry General Liability insurance policy to cover potential property damage or bodily injuries that result from their service operations at the Main Facility building at VA Loma Linda. d. Vendor must have knowledge of pest control issues and be able to present issues to Point of Contact for onsite pest control service to address. e. Vendor s employees must always wear a company uniform when on Veterans Affairs property. Uniform to be professional in appearance which is free from wear and tear. f. Vendor vehicles must park in designated areas only. Loading zones for loading and unloading only. Large commercial vehicles can park in warehouse loading dock area on East entrance to Main Facility. g. Vendor must follow all Veterans Affairs background check requirements as necessary. h. Vendors must adhere to all Veterans Affairs rules and regulations including being smoke free. i. Vendors to limit interaction with patients, visitors, and employees, and always refer to COR or POC for instructions on matters concerning this contract. j. Vendors are to respect patient privacy, facility safety, and infection control practices at all times. k. Vendors are never to interfere with or disrupt medical center operations. l. Vendors are to have experience in commercial accounts in similar size and scope providing references of those accounts. m. Vendors must be able to respond to urgent service needs within 72 hours. n. Any damage of plants and/or containers is the Vendor s liability and must be replaced within five business days. o. All plant containers shall be pre-approved by the POC or COR via submittal prior to location placement. Scope of Services a. Recurring maintenance and watering of plants (see above schedule for frequency). b. Hand watering when needed for proper growth of the plant. c. Pruning of brown, wilted, and dead leaves when required. d. Removal and disposal off-site of plants and containers as needed. e. Dusting of plant material weekly. f. Detailed cleaning of containers on a weekly basis. g. Fertilization four (4) times per year with an all-purpose liquid 20-20-20 fertilizer. h. Insect and disease control needed to be identified weekly and directed to Point of Contact. i. Every 2 years, Vendor to perform soil change, rearrangement of plants on the wall to show patterns and checking, and changing the drip emitters and drip tubing (thin black tubing called spaghetti tubing) j. Gradual replacement of potting soil for the plants as water leaches them every time k. Patching the open end of the container bag holding the soil with weed cloth, to prevent soil drop between waterings. l. Camouflaging of grow pots with moss to present a neat, decorative appearance at all times. m. Water must be sourced locally. n. Transportation of water throughout the buildings must be in enclosed fiberglass pressurized water tanks. o. No buckets and / or hoses are permitted inside any building for watering interior plants. p. All plants must meet California standards for indoor air quality and exposure. q. All plant sizes installed as stated below in Section IV. r. All plant replacements are at the expense of the Vendor and to take place when the plants decline no more than 30% of their foliage from the time of install. s. Vendor assumes all liability during installation and maintenance of plants to not harm or damage the surrounding physical environment. Locations of Plants and Containers Location of plants is detailed by item in map attachment. See below for list of plant and container by location. Please note that while most plants including the hydroponic green wall system are located in the main lobby on the first floor, some plants are located in the library courtyard or cafeteria courtyard on the 2nd floor. Existing hydroponic green wall system (indicated as #14 and 15 on plan diagram) is 276 W x 120 H and consists of 560 individual plants in soil containers as shown in the picture at the bottom.