6835--Bulk Oxygen Contract

Combined Synopsis-Solicitation for Commercial Products and Commercial Services PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT 0004 The purpose of this amendment to RFQ 36C24126Q0547 is as follows: Extend the response due date for receipt of quotes to September 16 , 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Change the method of procurement from a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside to a Total Small Business Set-Aside. This change is based on the Government's determination, following review of quotes received under the SDVOSB set-aside, that fair and reasonable pricing could not be obtained in accordance with FAR 19.1405(b)(2). Clarify equipment disposition and transition terms for the existing bulk oxygen system, as set forth in the revised Statement of Work below, so that all small business offerors can price the requirement on comparable terms. All other terms and conditions of the solicitation remain unchanged. Description This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products and commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6, "Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Products and Commercial Services," as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued. This solicitation is issued as an RFQ. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-04. This solicitation is set-aside 100% for Total Small Business. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 325120, (Industrial Gas Manufacturing), with a size standard of 1,200 employees. The FSC/PSC is 6835. The White River Junction VAMC is seeking a qualified small business vendor capable of providing Medical-Grade Bulk Liquid Oxygen Deliveries for the VA White River Junction Healthcare System per the Performance Work Statement below. All interested small business companies shall provide quotations for the following: Supplies/Services ITEM NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT 0001 Bulk Oxygen Supply Services in accordance with the SOW Period: Base 12.00 MO __________________ __________________ 0002 Tank Rental Services in accordance with the SOW Period: Base 1.00 EA __________________ __________________ 1001 Bulk Oxygen Supply Services in accordance with the SOW Period: OY 1 12.00 MO __________________ __________________ 1002 Tank Rental Services in accordance with the SOW Period: OY 1 1.00 YR __________________ __________________ 2001 Bulk Oxygen Supply Services in accordance with the SOW Period: OY2 12.00 MO __________________ __________________ 2002 Tank Rental Services in accordance with the SOW Period: OY 2 1.00 YR __________________ __________________ 3001 Bulk Oxygen Supply Services in accordance with the SOW Period: OY 3 12.00 MO __________________ __________________ 3002 Tank Rental Services in accordance with the SOW Period: OY 3 1.00 YR __________________ __________________ 4001 Bulk Oxygen Supply Services in accordance with the SOW Period: OY 4 12.00 MO __________________ __________________ 4002 Tank Rental Services in accordance with the SOW Period: OY 4 1.00 YR __________________ __________________ TOTAL __________________ __________________ STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW) VA White River Junction Healthcare System MEDICAL-GRADE LIQUID BULK OXYGEN 1. General The purpose of this requirement is to establish a committed source of supply of medical-grade bulk liquid oxygen for the VA White River Junction Healthcare System located in White River Junction, VT. The contractor shall also provide the necessary maintenance and monitoring of the complete bulk liquid oxygen distribution system, including the primary and reserve bulk tanks and reserve bottle bank, local alarm panel, and telemetry monitoring system, in accordance with the Equipment Disposition and Transition provisions of Section 2 below. The facility's annual requirements are estimated at 6,055,000 Standard Cubic Feet (SCF). There is no express or implied guarantee that these quantities will be purchased. The base contract period for all contracts awarded under this solicitation will be from date of award through a one year period with four continuing option years to equal the term of five years. Equipment rental shall be fixed not to exceed for the entire term. Pricing for all preventative maintenance, on-call 24/7 service must be included with the equipment rental pricing. A Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) has been designated in the solicitation schedule for the facility. The COR is responsible for local contract administration issues such as ordering and providing specific delivery instructions. A letter of delegation that outlines the COR's specific responsibilities will be provided to the contractor and COR at the time of contract award by the Contracting Officer. Within 15 days after notification of contract award, the contractor shall meet with the COR to ensure mutual understanding of facility requirements relating to the ordering method and specific details of any delivery instructions that are included in the solicitation schedule. Prior to first filling, contractor must perform in-service training to include the following facets for contractor owned and government owned systems: the refill procedure, an explanation and certification of all the liquid level low, volume alarm and high and low pressure set-points. The contractor will provide written procedures and training for VA staff for protocols to accomplish emergency shutdowns or other sudden, unplanned termination of the refilling process. Contractor will provide 24/7 emergency contact name(s) and telephone number(s). Prior to first filling, and annually thereafter, alarm set-point testing and written verification must be presented by the Contractor through the use of a qualified third party expert per NFPA 99, current Edition for contractor owned systems. Prior to first filling, and annually thereafter, the contractor must verify, in writing, the accuracy of all gauges and telemetry devices on contractor owned tanks. 2. Equipment Disposition and Transition This section is added by Amendment 0004 to clarify equipment terms and allow all small business offerors, including non-incumbent offerors, to price this requirement on comparable terms. The primary bulk oxygen tank (3,000-gallon), reserve tank (500-gallon), and associated alarm, telemetry, and ancillary equipment currently installed at the facility are owned by the incumbent contractor. Offerors shall price their quotation using one of the following two approaches, and shall clearly identify which approach is reflected in their price schedule: Option A Use of Existing Equipment. The offeror proposes to negotiate use of the existing contractor-owned equipment (through purchase, lease, or subcontract arrangement with Air Products & Chemicals, Inc., the incumbent and equipment owner) and to continue operating the current bulk tank and reserve system in place, subject to the offeror's own inspection, verification, and assumption of liability for the equipment during the period of performance. Option B Replacement Equipment. The offeror proposes to furnish and install its own contractor-owned bulk tank, reserve tank, and associated equipment meeting the minimum 96-hour reserve capacity and other requirements of this SOW. Consistent with Section 2 (Contractor-Furnished Equipment) below, installation shall be completed within 90 days after receipt of notice of award, and the offeror shall furnish a self-contained temporary portable gas supply and distribution system to maintain uninterrupted medical oxygen service during the changeover, at no additional cost to the Government beyond what is included in the offeror's price schedule. The Government does not warrant or guarantee that use of the existing equipment (Option A) will be available to any given offeror, as this depends on the offeror's ability to negotiate terms directly with the incumbent contractor or current equipment owner. Offerors pursuing Option A do so at their own risk and are responsible for confirming the availability and terms of any such arrangement prior to quote submission. The Government takes no position on, and does not facilitate, negotiations between offerors and the incumbent regarding use of existing equipment. Offerors are encouraged, but not required, to submit pricing under both Option A and Option B as alternate quotes in accordance with FAR 52.212-1(e), Multiple Quotes, if they are able to do so, to provide the Government with the fullest possible picture of competitive pricing. Regardless of the option selected, the awardee shall be solely responsible for the integrity, suitability, safety, and regulatory…