7E21--External Paging Services Renewal

Amendment / Modification

This notice serves as an amendment to the Request for Information (RFI) 36C10B26Q0145, "External Paging Services Renewal." The purpose is to inform vendors of the outcome of the RFI and the government's acquisition strategy.

This notice updates the information regarding the acquisition strategy following the RFI.

Following the review of RFI responses, the government has decided to proceed with renewing current services. The solicitation will be issued on a sole source basis to the incumbent contractor. This indicates that new proposals from other vendors will not be accepted for this specific acquisition strategy.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Information & Technology (OIT), End User Operations (EUO), requires continued wireless messaging pager/beeper services to support care providers at 81 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) across the United States. The goal is to provide high-quality, effective, and efficient Information Technology (IT) services.

• Provide leased one-way and two-way alphanumeric and numeric pager/beeper messaging, and wireless information services.

• Maintain service area coverage consistent with the incumbent contractor's current capabilities.

• Offer standard industry features including custom greeting, private mailbox, and message retrieval.

• Provide a web-based portal for managing moves, adds, and changes (MACs) for devices.

• Offer end-user instructions for device usage, maintenance, and removal.

• Prohibited services include satellite, cellular, or other non-wireless messaging pager/beeper radio services.

• The contractor shall not install new beeper infrastructure/hardware at Service Delivery Points (SDPs) but may perform routine OEM software/hardware updates and regular maintenance of existing infrastructure.

• Mean Time to Repair (MTTR):

  • Priority 1 (Service Outage): 4 hours for restoration.
  • Priority 2 (Service Degraded): 72 hours for restoration.

• General Performance:

  • Demonstrates understanding of requirements.
  • Efficient and effective in meeting requirements.
  • Meets technical needs and mission requirements.
  • Provides quality services/products.
  • Incorporates "ease of use" Human Centered Design principles.
  • Meets established milestones and project dates.
  • Notifies customers in advance of potential problems.
  • Possesses appropriate expertise and staffing levels.

• Period of Performance: 12-month base period with two 12-month option periods.

• Place of Performance: VA medical and attached facilities as indicated in Addendum C. The VA reserves the right to update Addendum C to add or remove locations within the vendor's service area.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price (FFP).

• Cyber and Information Security: Adherence to VA standard operating procedures, PWS language, laws, and regulations. Includes requirements for approved encryption, anti-virus, firewall software, and sanitization of equipment. Mandatory training on the VA Talent Management System (TMS) 2.0.

• Accessibility: Compliance with Section 508 standards for Information and Communication Technology (ICT), including E205 (Electronic Content), E206 (Hardware Requirements), and E208 (Support Documentation and Services Requirements).

• Physical Security & Safety: Adherence to VA policies, visible identification, no unauthorized parking, no smoking outside designated areas, no weapons, and obtaining necessary licenses/permits.

• Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure: Strict adherence to VA rules regarding information security, protection of Protected Health Information (PHI) and Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI), and proper handling/destruction of data.

• Information Technology: Use of sustainable products and services in accordance with relevant laws and regulations (e.g., ENERGY STAR®, FEMP, EPEAT).

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Sources Sought notice for market research to identify potential sources capable of providing external paging services for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA is considering a requirement to sustain existing messaging commercial leased beeper and maintenance services for 81 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers across multiple states. This notice is for informational and planning purposes only and does not constitute an Invitation for Bid, Request for Task Execution Plan, Request for Quotation, or Request for Proposal.

• Provision of one-way and two-way alpha and numeric messaging services.

• Maintenance services for existing commercial leased beeper systems.

• Services to cover 81 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in specified states.

• Anticipated period of performance: 12 months base, with two (2) 12-month option periods.

• NAICS Code: 517112 (Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite))

• Small Business Size Standard: 1,500 Employees

• Anticipated Period of Performance: 12 months base, with two (2) 12-month option periods.

• This is a Sources Sought notice, not an invitation to bid. No proposals should be submitted at this time.

• Interested parties should submit a capability statement (limited to 10 pages) electronically via email.

• Questions due by: February 4, 2026, 10:00 am EST.

• Responses due by: February 9, 2026, 10:00 am EST.

• Service-Disabled Veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) or Veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) responding must indicate their intent and ability to meet set-aside requirements per VAAR 852.219-73 or 852.219-74, including performing at least 50% of the cost of manufacturing or services by eligible concerns.

• Respondents must indicate if they are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or a reseller.

• Small businesses must indicate if they can comply with FAR 52.219-6, 52.219-14, and 13 CFR 125.6 regarding subcontracting limitations.

• A DRAFT Performance Work Statement (PWS) is attached and bidders are encouraged to provide comments and recommendations.

• Respondents should provide commercially available list pricing or a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM).

• All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

• The VA reserves the right to not respond to any, all, or select responses.