THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. This is a Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought notice issued in accordance with FAR 15.201(e) to conduct market research. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue a RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is not, at this time, seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested vendor's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. Any information submitted by respondents to this RFI is strictly voluntary. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. This announcement is based upon the best information available and is subject to future modification. OVERVIEW: The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 15, has a requirement for the furnishing of transcription and stenography services including all personnel, management, transportation, per-diem, materials, parts, supplies, and equipment. An indefinite quantity of services, as required, furnished on-site at any VISN 15 or third party facility in the following locations. Columbia MO 65201 Kansas City Mo 64128 Wichita KS 66622 Leavenworth KS 66048 Topeka KS 66622 Marion IL 62959 Evansville IN 47715 Poplar Bluff MO 63901 St. Louis MO 63125 Other locations within the VISN 15 Service Area, non-specified locations outside of a 25-mile radius of locations above. The government intends to award a single base plus four (4) one (1) year option Indefinite Quantity-Indefinite Delivery (IDIQ) contract but reserves the right to award multiple contracts. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this requirement is 561492 Court Reporting and Stenotype Services, which has a size standard of $15.0 million. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED: The Contractor shall furnish the following transcription and stenographer services. Recording, transcribing and furnishing typed transcriptions of conferences, courtroom and/or legal proceedings, depositions, advisory board and committee meetings, personal grievance and appeal hearings and other administrative hearings. Dictation may be recorded by stenotype machine, steno mask, 100% shorthand, tape recording devices or any combination of the above. When dictation is recorded by tape recording devices, equipment must be of such quality as to ensure against error, misinterpretation or loss of voice. Equipment must be continuously monitored by the contractor, and proper operations shall be the responsibility of the contractor. To the maximum extent practical, the Contractor shall assign the same reporter to a proceeding lasting more than one (1) day or, in the case of a lengthy proceeding, the same group of reporters. The Contractor shall provide legible transcripts of all transcriptions. At the facility s request the transcripts will be furnished either electronically in .pdf format or printed on paper. The contractor should have an encrypted, password protected end-user repository to manage and retrieve electronically transcripts by case name, witness name and date of proceeding The contractor, their personnel, and their subcontractors shall be subject to the Federal laws, regulations, standards, and VA Directives and Handbooks regarding information and information system security. VETERANS FIRST CONTRACTING PROGRAM: The Dept. of Veteran s Affairs is dedicated to the Veterans First Contracting Program and encourages any certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) or Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) capable of furnishing the required services to respond. In accordance with Veterans Affair Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) sections 819.7005 and 819 7006, if a sufficient number of eligible SDVOSB or VOSB firms are identified during market research the acquisition will be set-aside for SDVOSB or VOSB participation. SPECIFIC RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS: Please submit your response (capability statement) in accordance with the following: No more than 5 pages (excluding transmittal page). Include the name, email address and phone number of the appropriate representative of your company; Address if your firm has the capability to perform the services listed above; Address how long it would take from the date of contract award for you to commence furnishing services; Indicate whether your company, subcontractors, teaming partners, joint ventures have a Federal Socio-Economic status, e.g., Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned Small Business, Woman-Owned Small Business, Disadvantaged Small Business, and Hub Zone. If Service- Disabled or Veteran Owned Small Business, is your company and/or partners registered in VA s VetBiz repository? Mark your response as Proprietary Information if the information is considered business sensitive; NO MARKETING MATERIALS ARE ALLOWED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI. The Government will not review any other information or attachments included, that are in excess of the 5-page limitation. Submit your response via email to
[email protected]; Submit your response by 4:00 P.M. Central Time on June 29, 2017.