This is a request for Information: SUBJECT: Request for Information (RFI), Synopsis for Endoscope Flushing Aids for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The purpose of this RFI is to obtain information on the capability of vendors to provide Endoscope Flushing Aids for the Veterans Health Administration. This RFI allows potential contractor to submit a non-binding statement of interest and documentation demonstrating their capabilities, and suggestions that will allow the Government to refine its potential course of action. The RFI effort is intended to assess industry service capabilities and solicit feedback for acquisition planning purposes. The Strategic Acquisition Center (SAC) is requesting response from qualified business concerns. The NAICS code for this effort is 339112, Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing; the PSC is 6515. BACKGROUND: VHA is comprised of 152 medical centers responsible for providing high quality and timely commodities and services for our veterans and their families. These medical facilities are located throughout the United States. The VHA National Standardization Program identified Endoscope Flushing Aids as a candidate for standardization. These flushing aids are devices used by VA clinicians to remove a patient's biomaterial and microorganisms from the endoscope. Following any surgical procedure, biomaterial from a patient is present on the insertion tube and within the internal channels of the endoscope. All channels must be cleaned, even if unused, due to fluid and debris entering these channels at the distal tip. Endoscope Flushing Aids reduce the risk of repetitive motion injuries by providing continuous, hands-free channel flushing. With a simple one-touch operation, Endoscope Flushers quickly and quietly delivers detergent or rinse solutions to endoscope channels, and can even flush the elevator wire channel. As budgets become more constrained, enterprise acquisition solutions provide the capability to enhance and streamline acquisition processes to make them more efficient and provide an overall cost savings to the government. Thereby, the government's intent is to continue to leverage quantity buys across the VA via a VHA enterprise-wide contract vehicle for Endoscope Flushing Aids. SCOPE: The Contractor shall provide an uninterrupted source of supply for all contracted Endoscope Flushing Aids for the entire duration of resulting agreement period. The contractor shall provide quality items that meet the minimum technical requirements (MTRs) and delivery terms and conditions of the BPA. The Contractor's performance will be measured by the quality of the items provided based on the minimum technical requirements, delivery items and conditions of the BPA. The following are the Minimal Technical Requirements for product requested: MTR Number Minimum Technical Requirement (MTR) MTR1 Unit Weight MTR2 Electrical Power Requirements MTR3 Electrical Safety Certifications (UL Standard 61010-1) MTR4 Compatibility with all VHA Endoscopes MTR5 Scope Capacity MTR6 Fluid Delivery Rate MTR7 Flush Time MTR8 Timer Control MTR9 System Pressure MTR10 Cycle Completion Indicators MTR11 Unit Placement MTR12 Footswitch MTR13 Compliance with the provisions/specifications as outlined in ASTM, 2000b MTR14 Compliance with the provisions/specifications as outlined in ISO 15883 MTR15 Compliance with the provisions and specifications as outlined in ISO 13485 MTR16 Compliance with the provisions and specifications as outlined in ISO 13849 MTR17 Compliance with the provisions and specifications as outlined in ISO 17664 MTR18 Compliance with the provisions and specifications as outlined in ISO 14971 MTR19 Remote Service Support MTR20 Ability to track scope via hands-free operations RFI SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Companies are encouraged to respond if they have the capability and capacity to provide the product. However, be advised that generic capability statements are not sufficient for effective analysis of respondents' capacity and capability to provide the required product. Any interested vendor shall provide a summary of their company's relevant products meeting or exceeding the MTRs listed above. Please provide in detail the product name, description, size, pricing information and a demonstration of how your product meets or exceeds the MTRs. In addition, if needed, pictures can be used to provide a visual representation. Submit a brief description, five (5) pages or less (including cover letter) that demonstrates how your company can provide Endoscope Flushing Aids anywhere in the United States. Responses shall be identified with the RFI number; and include: Company's name, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers, website address (if available), and the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a point of contact having the authority and knowledge to clarify responses with Government representatives. Responses should include business size, business type, socio-economic status and FSS contract number. Please submit your responses to the following contracting specialist, Mr. Henry T. Wells, at
[email protected]. Responses are due by 3:00pm EST 15 January 2015. Acknowledgement of receipt of responses will not be made, nor will respondents be notified of the OAO/SAC view of the information received. Do not send any material that requires a non-disclosure agreement or identify information that is business sensitive. Responses to this notice will not be returned. Telephone calls/questions or inquiries will not be accepted. DISCLAIMER: Issuance of this RFI or Sources Sought is to assist the VA in determining sources only and does not commit or bind the Government under any circumstances, nor does it constitute any obligation whatsoever on the part of the Government to procure these services or to issue a solicitation, nor to notify respondents of the results of this notice. No solicitation documents exist at this time; the Department of Veterans Affairs is neither seeking proposals nor accepting unsolicited proposals, and responses to this RFI or Sources Sought cannot be accepted as offers. Any information the vendor considers proprietary should be clearly marked as such. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI or Sources Sought.