6835--MEDICAL GAS CONTRACT BASE

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is an addendum to FAR 52.212-1, "Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (SEP 2023)". It tailors the FAR provision for Simplified Acquisition Procedures and supersedes the current version of FAR 52.212-1 within this solicitation.

• Offerors must submit signed and dated quotes by the specified deadline.

• Quotes must include:

  • Solicitation number
  • Time specified for receipt of quotations
  • Quoter's name, address, and telephone number
  • Technical description of items quoted
  • Terms of any express warranty
  • Price and discount terms
  • "Remit to" address (if different from mailing address)
  • Completed FAR 52.212-3 representations and certifications
  • Acknowledgment of Quotation Amendments

• Quotes must state the extent of agreement with all solicitation terms and conditions. Quotes failing to furnish required information or rejecting terms may be excluded.

• Past performance information will not be considered for simplified acquisitions.

• Quotes must be held firm for 30 calendar days from the quote receipt date, unless otherwise specified.

• Product samples may be required and must be submitted at no expense to the Government.

• The Government may issue a purchase order to one or more quoters and reserves the right to issue a purchase order for a quantity less than quoted.

• Quotes must be submitted to the office specified in the RFQ by the exact time specified.

• Late quotes may not be considered.

• The Government may reject any or all quotes.

• Multiple quotes presenting alternative terms or products are encouraged and will be evaluated separately.

• Information regarding NAICS code and small business size standard for this acquisition will appear elsewhere in the RFQ.

• Specific conditions apply regarding small business size standards for concerns that do not manufacture the end item, and for acquisitions set aside for small business, HUBZone, 8(a), service-disabled veteran-owned, economically disadvantaged women-owned, or women-owned small businesses.

• Availability of referenced specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions can be found via the ASSIST website (https://assist.dla.mil) or from specific government agencies.

• Offerors must provide a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) for quotes exceeding the micro-purchase threshold, or if required by the RFQ. Registration in SAM.gov is necessary.

• Unsuccessful quoters will not be notified.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products and services for Medical-Grade Gas Cylinder Deliveries for the VA Maine Healthcare System and its Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). The solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) under FAR subpart 12.6.

• Provide medical-grade gas cylinder deliveries to specified VA Maine Healthcare System locations.

• Deliveries must be made weekly or on an as-needed basis.

• Contractor must be able to supply compressed gases listed in Section A (Price Schedule Attached).

• Deliveries must be made between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, Monday-Friday, excluding federal holidays.

• Respond to emergency service calls within 2 hours and non-emergency calls within 24 hours or the next business day.

• Ensure all delivered cylinders are clean, full, and ready for immediate patient use.

• Provide onsite general overview technical training for Clinical and Logistics staff as requested.

• Comply with Infection Control Risk Assessment, security, privacy, and safety standards.

• Safety features for tanks and regulators are specified (e.g., no two-valve tanks, rupture disk relief valve, 50 psi DISS outlet).

• Period of Performance: Base year with up to four (4) option years.

• Contract type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Response Date/Time: May 19, 2026, 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

• Questions Cut-off Date: May 11, 2026, 5:00 PM EST.

• Submission Requirements: Firm Fixed Price Quote, completed Limitation of Subcontracting form, technical capabilities proposal, and acknowledgment of terms and conditions.

• Evaluation Factors: Technical, Past Performance, and Price. Award will be made to the responsible vendor whose quotation is technically acceptable and offers the lowest evaluated price.

• This solicitation is set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB).

• NAICS Code: 325120 (Industrial Gas Manufacturing) with a size standard of 1200 Employees.

• FSC/PSC: 6835.

• The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-04.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Invoicing is required monthly via Tungsten (IPPS).

• Price Schedule and relevant FAR clauses are attached.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a pricing schedule for medical gases, intended for bidders to provide unit prices for various gases and associated services over multiple contract periods.

• Item Numbers: Specific medical gases and related items (e.g., CARBON DIOXIDE ANE USP, OXYGEN D SIZE CYLINDER WITH VALVE, Delivery Fee, Cylinder Rental).
• Quantities: Standard quantity of '1' for most gas items, with 'EA' for Delivery Fee and 'CY' for Cylinder Rental.
• Periods of Performance (POP): Includes a Base Year (08/01/2026-07/31/2027) and four Option Years (08/01/2027-07/31/2031).
• Unit Price Fields: Columns are provided for bidders to enter unit prices for each item under the Base Year and each Option Year.
• Totals: A section for calculating totals.
• Additional Products: An option to list additional medical grade gas products.

Bidders must complete the 'Unit Price' columns for each item and period to submit their pricing proposal. This document is critical for cost estimation and proposal submission, directly impacting the evaluation of the opportunity's financial aspects.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting—Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction (JAN 2023) (DEVIATION)", is a mandatory certification for offerors. It outlines the limitations on subcontracting that will apply if a contract is awarded.

• Services Contracts: Contractors must not pay more than 50% of the contract amount to firms that are not certified Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), or Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB).
• General Construction Contracts: Contractors must not pay more than 85% of the contract amount to firms that are not certified SDVOSB or VOSB.
• Special Trade Construction Contractors: Contractors must not pay more than 75% of the contract amount to firms that are not certified SDVOSB or VOSB.
• Certification: Offerors must certify their understanding and compliance with these limitations.
• Consequences of False Certification: Acknowledges that false certification is subject to penalties under Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, and potential administrative actions.
• Record Keeping: Offerors agree to provide documentation to the VA to demonstrate compliance.

This is a required form that must be completed, signed, and returned with the offeror's bid, quotation, or proposal. Failure to provide this certification will result in the offer being deemed ineligible for evaluation and award. Bidders must understand the subcontracting limitations applicable to their specific contract type to ensure compliance.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Attachment 3, "52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES," which provides an addendum to the evaluation criteria for the solicitation. It details how quotations will be evaluated.

• Basis for Award: The Government will issue a purchase order to the responsible quoter whose quotation is most advantageous, considering price and other factors.
• Evaluation Factors: Quotations will be evaluated based on:
  • Technical
  • Past Performance
  • Price
• Evaluation Approach: A comparative evaluation process will be used, comparing quotations to determine the best benefit to the Government. The Government may select a quotation that offers additional benefits beyond minimum requirements, but all responses must meet minimum requirements. Alternate quotations are not requested or accepted.
• Specific Evaluation Criteria:
  • Technical: Assesses how well the quotation meets or exceeds Government requirements outlined in the solicitation.
  • Past Performance: Assesses risks associated with a quoter's likelihood of success, based on past performance records, contracting officer knowledge, customer surveys, and the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS).
  • Price: Evaluated by summing all line item prices.

This document is crucial for bidders as it outlines the specific criteria and approach the Government will use to evaluate their quotations. Understanding these factors will help bidders tailor their proposals to best align with the Government's priorities and increase their chances of a favorable award.