6835--Bulk Oxygen Contract

This document provides official answers to vendor questions regarding RFQ 36C24126Q0547 for bulk liquid oxygen supply services at the VAMC White River Junction in Vermont. The procurement is designated as a firm-fixed-price supply contract under NAICS 325210, with an anticipated one-year base period starting from the award date on an FOB Destination basis. The current contract for this requirement is 36C24125P0327. Key operational details clarify that the contractor-owned system features a 3,000-gallon main tank and a 500-gallon reserve tank, which typically requires a delivery every other month. While the contract will carry a total volume of 6,055,000 SCF to ensure sufficient capacity, the actual usage last year was approximately 1,648,897 SCF, and any remaining volume will be de-obligated at the end of the period of performance. Regarding eligibility and compliance, the government confirmed that offerors must possess and submit all applicable federal, state, and local medical gas distribution licenses—including FDA CGMP and Vermont drug/device wholesaler registrations—in the name of the prime SDVOSB contractor at the time of bid submission. Subcontracting these licensing requirements is not permitted, and unlicensed bidders will not be evaluated. Finally, the acquisition will be managed by Contracting Officer David Valenzuela, will not contain Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and will utilize comparative evaluation procedures for selection.

This federal solicitation amendment (Amendment 0003) is issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Healthcare System on behalf of the VA White River Junction Healthcare System in Vermont. Designated as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside under NAICS code 325120 (Industrial Gas Manufacturing), the Request for Quotation (RFQ) seeks a qualified vendor to provide medical-grade bulk liquid oxygen deliveries and comprehensive equipment maintenance. The purpose of this amendment is to extend the quote response deadline to August 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST, address submitted vendor questions, and update the Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) 0001 structure to reflect monthly billing. The selected contractor must supply an estimated annual volume of 6,055,000 Standard Cubic Feet (SCF) of medical-grade oxygen over a one-year base period with four subsequent one-year option periods. In addition to oxygen deliveries, the contractor is responsible for maintaining, monitoring, and testing the facility's existing bulk liquid oxygen distribution system, including primary/reserve tanks, reserve cylinder banks, local alarms, and telemetry monitoring. Vendors must provide a firm-fixed-price quote, technical capability proposal, past performance details, and a completed Limitation of Subcontracting certificate. Evaluation will be conducted using comparative analysis based on technical capability, past performance, price, and industry certifications.

This document presents clarification questions and official government responses regarding Request for Quotations (RFQ) 36C24126Q0547 for Bulk Oxygen supply services at the VAMC White River Junction. The VA confirms this is a supply contract under NAICS 325210, with a period of performance starting from the date of award for one base year and four option years. The contract is FOB Destination, and the current contractor-owned system consists of a 3,000-gallon main tank and a 500-gallon reserve tank. Deliveries occur approximately every other month. While the contract will carry an annual volume of 6,055,000 SCF to ensure coverage, actual annual usage is estimated at approximately 1,648,897 SCF, with unused funds de-obligated at the end of each period. No site visits will be conducted. To mitigate operational risk, the government will evaluate bids based on comparative evaluation. Offerors must possess and submit active, applicable federal, state, and local licenses—including FDA CGMP and state of Vermont drug wholesaler registrations—in the name of the prime SDVOSB contractor at the time of proposal submission. Subcontracting these licensing requirements is not permitted, and unlicensed bidders will not be evaluated. Liability insurance must be maintained, with proof provided to the Contracting Officer, David Valenzuela, who is the designated point of contact for compliance enforcement. The contract does not involve Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

This combined synopsis/solicitation (Request for Quote No. 36C24126Q0547) is issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Healthcare System on behalf of the VA White River Junction Healthcare System in Vermont. This acquisition is a total set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) under NAICS code 325120 (Industrial Gas Manufacturing). The VA is seeking a qualified contractor to deliver medical-grade bulk liquid oxygen and provide comprehensive maintenance, monitoring, and testing of the facility’s bulk liquid oxygen distribution system. This system includes primary and reserve bulk tanks, local alarm panels, and telemetry monitoring. The facility’s estimated annual consumption is 6,055,000 Standard Cubic Feet (SCF). The contract structure consists of a one-year base period with four subsequent one-year options. The contractor is responsible for ensuring all equipment, including any replacement tanks, complies with NFPA, FDA, and OSHA standards, and must maintain a minimum 96-hour emergency reserve capacity. Under simplified acquisition procedures, quotes will be evaluated based on four factors: Technical Capability, Past Performance, Price, and Certifications. Award will be made to the responsible vendor offering the lowest price among technically acceptable submissions. Quotes must be submitted electronically to Contract Specialist Kenya R. Mitchell by July 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST, with the deadline for written questions set for July 7, 2026.

This document outlines the limitations on subcontracting and certification requirements for small business offerors participating in a federal government solicitation. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 657s and 13 CFR 125.6, the offeror must certify compliance with subcontracting limits. For supply or product contracts (excluding non-manufacturers), the offeror cannot pay more than 50% of the government-paid amount to firms that are not similarly situated, small business concerns. For non-manufacturers, the offeror must supply products from a domestic small business manufacturer unless an SBA waiver is granted. The document details the specific representations required for both manufacturers and non-manufacturers, including compliance with employee caps and business trade practices. It establishes that submitting a bid or proposal constitutes official certification. Under 18 U.S.C. 1001 and the Small Business Act, providing false, fictitious, or fraudulent certifications can result in severe criminal, civil, and administrative penalties. Furthermore, if the SBA determines a contract was awarded based on bad-faith representations, the contractor face SBA suspension, debarment, civil fines, and prosecution. To ensure compliance, the Contracting Officer may require the contractor to provide supporting documentation (such as invoices and subcontracts) at any time during or upon completion of the contract. Offerors must fully complete, sign, and return this certification with their bid, quote, or proposal; failure to submit the completed form renders the offeror ineligible for evaluation and award.

This amendment (0002) to combined solicitation 36C24126Q0547 extends the quotation response deadline to July 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST. Issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Connecticut Healthcare System, this Request for Quotation (RFQ) is a total set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB). The contract seeks a qualified vendor to provide medical-grade liquid bulk oxygen deliveries and associated tank rental services for the VA White River Junction Healthcare System in Vermont. The scope of work includes delivering an estimated annual volume of 6,055,000 Standard Cubic Feet (SCF) of oxygen, as well as maintaining, monitoring, and testing the facility’s primary bulk distribution system, reserve tanks, and telemetry monitoring equipment. The procurement consists of a one-year base period with four consecutive one-year option periods, totaling five years. The contractor must comply with all relevant FDA, NFPA, and OSHA regulations, providing certificates of analysis with every delivery. Awards will be determined using a comparative evaluation process based on four key factors: Technical, Past Performance, Price, and Certification. Inquiries must be submitted in writing to Contract Specialist Kenya R. Mitchell, with responses to be published in a subsequent amendment.

This Amendment to a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (RFQ No. 36C24126Q0547) seeks a qualified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) to provide medical-grade bulk liquid oxygen and equipment maintenance services for the VA White River Junction Healthcare System in Vermont. The selected contractor will supply an estimated annual volume of 6,055,000 Standard Cubic Feet (SCF) of bulk liquid oxygen. Additionally, the contractor must lease, monitor, and maintain the facility's complete bulk liquid oxygen distribution system, including primary and reserve tanks, a local alarm panel, and a telemetry monitoring system. Equipment rental and 24/7 preventative maintenance services must be provided at a fixed, not-to-exceed rate. The resulting contract will feature a one-year base period with four consecutive one-year option periods, totaling five years. The procurement is set aside entirely for verified SDVOSBs under NAICS code 325120 (Industrial Gas Manufacturing), which has a size standard of 1,200 employees. Contract award will be determined using a comparative evaluation process based on four key factors: Technical Capability, Past Performance, Price, and Certifications (evaluated on an acceptable/unacceptable basis). Quoters must submit a firm-fixed-price quote, a completed Limitation of Subcontracting certificate, and a detailed technical proposal. Questions must be submitted via email by July 7, 2026, and final quotations are due no later than July 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.

This document outlines the evaluation criteria and basis for awarding a federal government purchase order for commercial products and services. Under FAR 13.106-2(b)(3), the Government will use a comparative evaluation process to select the responsible quoter whose submission is most advantageous, meaning it meets minimum requirements and offers the best overall benefit. Quotations will be evaluated based on three primary factors: 1. Technical: The extent to which the quotation meets or exceeds the solicitation requirements. 2. Past Performance: An assessment of the quoter’s likelihood of success based on previous experience, customer surveys, CPARS data, or other reliable sources. 3. Price: Evaluated by calculating the total sum of all proposed line item prices. The government reserves the right to select a quotation that exceeds the minimum requirements or offers a higher price if it provides additional benefits, though alternate quotations will not be accepted.

This document outlines the tailored federal instruction provision, FAR 52.212-1 (Addendum), which sets guidelines for submitting quotes for commercial products and services under Simplified Acquisition Procedures. It establishes rules regarding small business size standards, detailing a 500-employee limit (or 150 for IT value-added resellers) for non-manufacturers under specific set-aside conditions. To be considered, quoters must submit signed, dated, and complete quotes to the designated office by the specified deadline. Submissions must include technical descriptions, warranty terms, pricing, and completed FAR 52.212-3 representations and certifications. Past performance is explicitly excluded from evaluation under these simplified acquisition procedures. Quotes must remain valid for at least 30 calendar days. The government reserves the right to issue single or multiple purchase orders, accept alternate quotes, or award items individually to ensure the public's best interest. Late quotes are generally excluded unless they arrive before award issuance and do not cause undue delays. Additionally, vendors must register in the System for Award Management (SAM) and provide a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) for quotes exceeding the micro-purchase threshold. Unsuccessful quoters will not receive formal notification of non-selection.