S119--BULK CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE Department of Veterans Affairs Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center, Wichita, KS 67218-1607

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE Bulk Cable Television Service 1. Disclaimer and Purpose This Sources Sought Notice / Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for market research and planning purposes and shall not be considered an invitation for bid, request for quotation, request for proposal, or an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. Your response will be treated as information only. This request does not constitute a solicitation or the authority to enter into negotiations or award a contract, and no funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this effort. The Government will not pay, nor reimburse, any direct or indirect costs associated with responding to this notice, and no entitlement to payment shall arise from the submission of information or the Government s use of such information. If this requirement proceeds to solicitation, respondents should assume applicable VA information security and privacy requirements will apply (e.g., VAAR 852.204 71 and related clauses, updated Appendix C, and any required Business Associate Agreement) and should be prepared to comply. The information provided in response to this notice may be used by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop its acquisition strategy, statement of work/statement of objectives, and performance specifications. Interested parties are responsible for clearly marking any proprietary or competition sensitive information in their responses. Submission of pricing, capability information, and other market data is highly encouraged and is permitted under this Sources Sought in accordance with FAR 15.201(e). 2. Objective and Set Aside Considerations The purpose of this notice is to conduct market research to support appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of potential qualified: Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) 8(a) Small Businesses HUBZone Small Businesses Women Owned Small Businesses Other Small Businesses Large Businesses that are interested in and capable of providing the products and services described in this notice. Currently, a total set aside for SDVOSB firms is anticipated in accordance with Public Law 109 461, Section 8127 (Veterans Benefits Act). However, if responses from SDVOSB firms are inadequate, the Government may use an alternate set aside (e.g., VOSB or other Small Business) or full and open competition. This notice does not restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach, and the Government will not be bound by any information presented here if a solicitation is issued. 3. Description of Requirement 3.1 Requiring Activity and Location Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Network: VA Heartland Network 15 / Network Contracting Office (NCO 15) Facility: Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center Address: 5500 E. Kellogg Avenue, Wichita, KS 67218-1607 The VA Heartland Network 15 Contracting Office requires monthly bulk cable television service for the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. The contractor shall provide, operate, and maintain all necessary headend equipment, distribution hardware, and related components to deliver reliable cable TV programming to designated outlets in patient rooms, waiting areas, common areas, and administrative spaces across the campus. The Government anticipates awarding a single award contract for these supplies. 3.2 Equipment Scope The contractor shall furnish continuous bulk cable television (TV) service throughout its campus to support patient care, patient morale, family visitation, and routine operations in clinical and administrative areas. Cable television is provided in patient rooms, waiting areas, common spaces, and designated administrative locations to ensure patients and visitors have access to news, entertainment, and educational programming during inpatient stays and outpatient visits. The Medical Center currently relies on an existing cable television distribution system that includes headend equipment, distribution infrastructure, and wiring installed throughout the facility, with all infrastructure, equipment, signal management, and monthly services presently provided and leased under a bulk service arrangement. Continuity of service is critical to avoid disruptions in patient-facing areas, and any future acquisition must remain compatible with, or otherwise fully account for, this existing infrastructure while maintaining required service levels, reliability, and coverage across all VA-owned and operated buildings on the campus. 4. NAICS Code and Business Size The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is: NAICS 517111 Wired Telecommunications Carriers Small Business Size Standard: 1,500 employees Based on this NAICS code and size standard, respondents shall indicate whether their company qualifies as a Small Business or Large Business, and identify any applicable socio economic status designations, such as: Small Business Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB) Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) 8(a) HUBZone Woman Owned Small Business Small Disadvantaged Business 5. Representative Salient Characteristics (Brand Name or Equal) The Government is conducting market research on bulk cable television (TV) service throughout its campus to support patient care, patient morale, family visitation, and routine operations in clinical and administrative areas. 6. Information Requested from Industry Documentation of technical expertise must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that the respondent possesses the necessary functional expertise and experience to perform this requirement. Responses shall include, at a minimum: Company and Identifying Information (a) Company Name (b) Address (c) Point of Contact (name and title) (d) Phone, Fax (if applicable), and Email (e) UEI (Unique Entity ID) Number (f) CAGE Code (g) Tax ID Number Business Size and Socio Economic Status (h) Type of business (e.g., SDVOSB, VOSB, 8(a), HUBZone, Woman Owned Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Large Business, etc.) under NAICS 517111. Contract Vehicles (i) Indicate whether your business has any applicable federal contract vehicles (e.g., GSA FSS, VA NAC, NASA SEWP, or other Government wide or agency specific vehicles) that could be utilized to procure this requirement and provide contract number(s). Technical Capability Statement (j) A capability statement describing your organization s qualifications and demonstrated ability to perform as a contractor for the work described, including: Overview of proposed solution(s) and how they meet or exceed the salient characteristics and PWS requirements. Description of the service(s)/product(s) and any options or configurations relevant to VA s bulk cable television (TV) service Any available product literature, brochures, or technical datasheets. Market Research Table / Questionnaire Respondents are requested to provide the following (previously provided as a questionnaire), including: Confirmation of NAICS, business size and type. FSS/GSA contract holder status, contract number, and effective/expiration dates. Whether the proposed solution is listed and available under the identified contract vehicle(s). Available pricing structure (e.g., all on FSS, open market only, mixed, firm fixed price, other). Estimated lead time from receipt of order to delivery. Buy American Act information: Percentage of domestic end product. Percentage of foreign end product and country(ies) of origin. Small Business Questions (If Applicable) Discussion of how you will comply with the Limitations on Subcontracting (FAR 52.219 14) for supply contracts. If subcontracting, a description of the added value your company will provide (e.g., subcontract management, coordination, quality assurance, inventory or delivery management, integration or configuration support). Nonmanufacturer Rule (FAR 52.219 33) responses: Whether you manufacture the proposed items. Whether you exceed 500 employees and, if so, total number of employees. Whether you are primarily engaged in retail/wholesale and normally sell the type of item being supplied. Whether you will take ownership/possession of the items using your own personnel, equipment, or facilities consistent with industry practice. Whether you supply the end item of a small business manufacturer, processor, or producer made in the United States, or will obtain a waiver per 13 CFR 121.406(b)(5), and, if yes, the name of the manufacturer. If requested information is not provided, the Government may assume the requirement cannot be fully met. 7. Important Information The Government is not obligated to award a contract as a result of this notice and is not obligated for any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a response. This notice shall not be construed as a…