Sources Sought Notice – Q– VISN 17 HOME OXYGEN CONTRACT

Notice Type: Sources Sought Notice

Posted Date: 15-JUL-14

Office Address: Department of Veterans Affairs;North Texas Veterans Health Care Center;VISN 17 Network Contracting Activity;4500 S. Lancaster Road;Dallas TX 75216

Subject: Q-- VISN 17 HOME OXYGEN CONTRACT

Classification Code: Q - Medical services

Solicitation Number: VA25714I1378

Contact: Steven B Ferrell972-708-0836 mailto:[email protected]

Setaside: Total Small BusinessTotal Small Business

Description: Department of Veterans Affairs

VA North Texas Health Care System

Department of Veterans Affairs No. Texas Health Care System

This is not a solicitation announcement. This is a sources sought synopsis only. The purpose of this synopsis is to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification (hubzone, 8(a), small, small disadvantaged, service disabled veteran owned small business, or veteran owned small business) relative to NAICS 532291 Home Health Equipment Rental (size standard of $32.5 Million). Responses to this synopsis will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of responses to this sources sought synopsis, a solicitation announcement may be published in the FedBizOpps website. Responses to this sources sought synopsis are not considered adequate responses to the solicitation announcement. All interested offerors will have to respond to the solicitation announcement, in addition to responding to this sources sought announcement.The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office (NCO) 17, is seeking potential Contractors capable of providing Home Oxygen Services and associated services required by each of the Medical Centers within VISN 17 (South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS), Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS), VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS) and the Valley Coastal Bend Veterans Health Care System (VCBHCS)). The Contractor shall provide the veteran beneficiaries the requested services as prescribed by the VA.

If you are interested and are capable of providing the required services please provide the requested information as indicated below. The intended contract period will be for one base year and four, one-year option periods, which is to begin on or about October 1, 2014. Responses to this notice should include a company name, address, point of contact (Name, Phone Number and e-Mail Address), size of the business pursuant to the following questions: (1) Is your business small (2) If small, does your firm qualify as a small, emerging business or small disadvantaged business (3) If disadvantaged, specify under which disadvantaged group and if your firm is certified under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (4) Is your firm a certified Hubzone firm (5) Is your firm a women owned or operated business (6) Is your firm a certified Service disabled Veteran Owned Small Business or Veteran Owned Small Business

The proposed services will cover the VISN 17 only. From time-to-time, the number of Veterans being served by this contract will change. VISN 17 currently serves an estimated 3509 oxygen-using patients. The volumes or amounts shown in the solicitation are estimates only. The Government is not obligated to any specified amount of products and/or services, but shall be obligated to provide payments for all items/services requested in accordance with the contract. The contract shall be for the actual requirements of the VA as ordered by the VA during the life of the contract. The Contracting Officers Representative (COR) or designated ordering officers will provide the Contractor with notification to initiate individual beneficiary service requirements, including the beneficiary's oxygen prescription, equipment, supplies and services to be provided including date and place of delivery, the Contractor will confirm receipt of the request within two working hours of notification; the COR or designated ordering officers will also provide notification of VA initiated discontinuance of service. The notification may be made orally, but will be confirmed in writing within three (3) working days. The prescription will include the authorizing physician's signature.

Veterans with Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) prescription for an oxygen concentrator (not the transfill system) shall be provided with an appropriate backup system consisting of a compressed gas source and regulator with stand, humidifiers, cannulas/mask for use during the event of a power failure or mechanical problem and necessitating the use of the backup cylinder. The cost for the above-mentioned backup system would be borne by the Contractor. The cost of replacement equipment damaged, lost or misplaced not through beneficiary's negligence shall be borne by the Contractor. Signed documentation by the patient/care giver is required if the patient declines the oxygen back-up system. Documentation of refusal is submitted as part of monthly billing.

The Contractor will also be responsible for providing the beneficiary, in accordance with the prescription received from the VAMC, the following items:

a. Humidifiers and water traps when deemed necessary. The number of humidifiers must be sufficient to insure that they are not depleted between re-supply visits. The number of traps will be based on the patient's flow rate.

b. Disposable oxygen cannulas on hand went to be changed once weekly in 4 foot and 7 foot lengths for concentrator and portable cylinders with a one change supply in reserve at all times until the Contractors next scheduled quarterly visit.

c. Disposable masks for change weekly with a one change supply in reserve at all times (when masks are prescribed in lieu of nasal cannulas).

d. 25 ft.,50 ft. and 100 ft. of oxygen connecting tubing w/swivel connectors shall be replaced every two weeks with a equivalent section of tubing in reserve at all times (to be included in initial setup) until the Contractors next scheduled quarterly visit. All tubing must be colored and contrast with environmental surroundings/flooring to prevent falls/trips.

e. Trach Collar and accessories (e.g. tubing) with a supply on hand allowing for change daily or more frequently if indicated by patient needs and a supply in reserve at all times until the Contractors next scheduled visit.

f. Safety holders (plastic or metal) shall be provided at no charge for all Veterans with a prescription for four (4) or more cylinders.

g. FireSafe/FailSafe valves to decrease likelihood of fire if Veteran or family members are smoking around oxygen. Two valves should be provided per manufacturers recommendations when Veteran is initially set up with home oxygen. Veteran is to be advised how to remove and reapply the valves when changing their tubing. Replacement valves are to be provided if patient inadvertently disposes of the values when changing tubing. Re-education shall occur on proper reapplication of the valves when tubing is replaced. Valves should last one year per manufacturer's literature.

Responses to this notice should be e-mailed to the attention of Steven B Ferrell, Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 17, 124 East US 67, Suite 100, Duncanville, TX 75137. E-mail address is [email protected]. Telephone, mail or fax responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than July 23, 2014 at 4:30 PM (CT). This notice is to assist the VA in the determination of sources only. A solicitation is not currently available. If a solicitation is issued it will be announced at a later date and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from the responses to this announcement. Responses to this sources sought is not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation.

DISCLAIMER

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

Link/URL: https://www.fbo.gov/spg/VA/VANTHCS/VANTHCS/VA25714I1378/listing.html