Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) RFI VA-24-00016351MC

Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought Notice (SSN)

Pathology Archival Biobank

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE (SSN) ONLY (as defined in FAR 15.201(e)), this is not a solicitation. Solicitation is not available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received, provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted, or respond to any questions or comments that may be submitted in response to this RFI. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government and does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

The purpose of this RFI/SSN is to conduct market research to obtain information on industry capability to support the requirement as detailed in the Attachment A: Statement of Work-Draft. Responses to this request for information may influence the chosen acquisition strategy (including Veteran-owned, Service-disabled Veteran-owned, and other small business participation, and vehicles and methods to acquire the services).  The Periods of Performance reflected in the draft SOW are tentative and may be expanded beyond five years to as many as 10 years in total.

1. VA is requesting input from Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), as well as small and large businesses regarding capability to deliver all required support, along with experience/past work providing Genomic Training and Education for Providers. Interested Veteran-Owned (VOSBs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs), or those with SBA approved Teaming Relationships, especially those wherein VOSB/SDVOSB performs no less than 51% of the work, are encouraged to respond, as are other businesses that have the capability for the requirement. The Government requests that contractors respond using the INSTRUCTIONS provided in this Request for Information. Responses should “demonstrate” capability, not just “confirm” the company’s belief that the capability exists or could exist.  

1. The agency does not intend to award a contract as a result of this RFI, but rather gather capabilities and market information pertinent for acquisition planning. The responses to this RFI will be captured as market research and may contribute to the development of an acquisition strategy. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate.

1. Vendors are encouraged ask questions relating to the SOW, however, the Government does not intend to provide responses. Questions may be utilized to assist in further development and/or clarification of the SOW.

The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESPONDING TO THIS RFI/SSN

CONFIDENTIALITY: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response.  The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).

Response Format/Page Limitations: 

The overall total page limit for responses to this RFI/SSN is ten (10) pages. Responses should be submitted in Microsoft Word format with 12 pt. or greater font size.  Interested parties should limit marketing material in order to allow sufficient space for adequately, directly, and substantively responding with the information of most interest to the Government.

In all correspondence relevant to this RFI/SSN please identify it as a response to the “Pathology Archival Biobank” (on response and in Subject Line of email).

Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. Respondents are requested to limit responses to the information, and in the format provided below.

A - GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Organization Name.

1. Company ownership (public, private, joint venture).

1. What is your business size designation in accordance with Small Business Administration (SBA) standards for the recommended NAICS code 541990 – All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.

1. Identify any Government Services Administration (GSA) schedules and Special Item Number (SIN) Categories or other contract vehicles you hold that support this work as described in the draft Statement of Work (SOW)?

1. If SDVOSB, are you certified as such at Veteran Small Business Certification (sba.gov)?

1. Provide teaming details, it any.

B – CAPABILITY AND EXPERIENCE INFORMATION

1. Organization name, address, email address, website address, DUNS number, System for Award Management (SAM) Unique Entity Identification (UEI) number,  telephone number, business size (i.e. large business, small business, service-disabled veteran owned (SDVOSB), veteran owned, woman owned, disadvantaged, HUBZone, 8(a) small businesses) for NAICS code 541990, and whether another NAICS code is more appropriate and why.

1. Describe prior experience providing similar services at the scope required. Please provide a minimum of two examples of a previous work related directly to the SOW requirements.

1. Describe prior experience with working with handling and transportation, storage and handling of materials and providing services as stated in the SOW.

1. Describe your approach, staffing and experience in handling nationwide transportation of materials, cataloging of materials, digitization, and storage of materials in a climate-controlled situation as comparable to the SOW.

1. What are the greatest challenges/difficulties experienced?
2. Provide any foreseeable impacts of requirements of the draft SOW or any suggested changes/revisions.

1. Does your organization have trained/qualified personnel on staff to perform digitization, and library access for digital samples as outlined in the SOW?

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Submission: Responses to this RFI shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer/Contract Specialist via email at  [email protected] respectively no later than at 2:00PM Eastern Time on 09 JAN 2024

Questions: Questions may be submitted, and/or questions or comments that may be utilized in further clarifying any subsequent announcement Depending upon the responses received, VA may request additional information, may conduct future question and answer sessions, or may conduct meetings or an industry day.

52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997)

(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(b) Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

(c) This Request is issued for the purpose of: Information.

(End of provision)

Please see Attachment A “Pathology Archival Biobank” Draft SOW for further information.