This notice is published in accordance with Federal Acquisition Part (FAR) Part 10, Market Research and FAR Part 15.201, Exchanges with Industry before Receipt of Proposal. This notice serves as a Request for Information (RFI) in support of market research and/or planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. In accordance with FAR 15.201(c), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. There is no solicitation available at this time. The Government shall not pay for any information received in response to this RFI, nor shall the Government compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing the information provided to the Government. This RFI does not constitute a commitment by the Government. Any information provided in response to this market research will be used for informational purposes only and will not be released. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 11, is conducting market research to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification of certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB), Hubzone Small Businesses, Woman Owned Small Businesses or 8(a) firms capable of performing the requirements to warrant a set-aside. The relative NAICS Code is 621610, size standard of $14.0 Million, and any information received will be for the purpose of planning only. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking potential sources capable of providing Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Services to beneficiaries of the VISN 11 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) and associated Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) located in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. Place of performance will be required at the beneficiaries' place of residence. Sources should have the capabilities to provide 24/7/365 for DME Services to include the delivery, set-up and maintenance of Government-furnished DME to meet Veteran's needs at his/her place of residence, and the education of the Veteran in the use of the DME. Sources should also be able to clean, sanitize, and disinfect DME equipment by approved methods and equipment shall be kept in first-class operating condition in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Contractor shall comply with any other federal, state, and local laws applicable to the industry. Potential sources must demonstrate experience and knowledge of required services and capability to provide such services. Potential sources should submit the following: " business name and address, " point of contact (including telephone number and email address), " DUNS Number, business size, and Socio-economic status (e.g. SDVOSB, VOSB, Woman-Owned, etc.), " Capabilities to include at a minimum the following information: o Do you currently or have you had past experience providing for DME services for the Department of Veterans Affairs? If so, how many VA Medical Centers did you support concurrently within a single contract? Which VISN(s)? o If your company does not have current or past experience providing services for the Department of Veterans Affairs do you have current or past experience providing services for private or public managed care, insurance or hospital/health systems? o What is the highest number of patients, using home medical equipment, that your company has provided services for concurrently? Radius of service? o Does your firm have experience providing for home health services and supplies in rural areas during harsh cold inclement weather conditions? If yes, provide examples of this experience. o Does your company have mechanisms in place for thorough, internal, quality-driven performance improvement activities? If so, provide a summary. o Describe the common obstacles and risks associated with providing DME services. o Describe common performance standards and assessment methods. o What accreditation(s) does your company currently hold? " Please indicate if your company can provide services for the entire region specified above, or just portions of the region (specify which portions). Responses to this notice shall be e-mailed to Connie McKay at
[email protected]. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received in writing no later than 3:00 p.m., Monday, February 24, 2014. This notice is to assist the VA in planning purposes only. A solicitation is not currently available. THE VA IS NOT SEEKING PRICING OR OFFERS OF ANY KIND. There is no guarantee, expressed or implicit, that the market research for this acquisition will result in a particular set-aside or sole source award, or any other guarantee of award strategy. All information is to be provided on a voluntary basis at no charge to the Government.