MR Request for Information 0002 Questions and Answers Responses

Request for Information 36C10B27Q0040
Amendment 0002

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question 1: P02 MR RFI 36C10B27Q0040, 1. Introduction, Pg. 1 – The NAICS Code selected for this procurement is 541519, Other Computer Related Services, with a size standard of 150 employees. Has the government considered NAICS 238210 or 236220? These NAICS also carry a bonding requirement commonly applied to these projects nationwide within the Department of Veterans Affairs due to ICRA, conduit, painting and patching, replacement of ceiling tiles, bathroom tiles, etc. Answer: No. NAICS 238210 is for Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors, and NAICS 236220 is for Commercial and Institutional Building Construction. This requirement being considered is for a Nurse Call System.
Question 2: P02 MR RFI 36C10B27Q0040, 2. Background, Pg. 2 – This section states: “The VA, Veterans Health Administration Birmingham VA Health Care System (BVHCS) is performing market research related to a potential requirement for brand name or equal Hillrom Voalte nurse call system with staging services, installation services, termination/testing/labeling of cables, and installation to integrate with 107 Hillrom beds that are in use at the BVHCS.” Attachment A Draft Product Description, 1.1 Salient Characteristics, Pg. 23 – This section states: “The BNE Hillrom Voalte Nurse Call System shall not use middleware to interface bed data. For purposes of this solicitation, “middleware” is defined as a separate, third-party integration platform supplied by a vendor other than the nurse call system manufacturer.”
The first section, from the most recently released RFI Notice, does not include any restriction on “middleware”. The second section, which appears to be from the previously cancelled solicitation for this effort, includes the restriction. Does the government intend to restrict offerors to accessing their own patient bed data through specific vendor?
Answer: Reference RFI 36C10B27Q0040 notice and associated Draft PD section 1.1 Salient Characteristics, Page 23. The BNE Hillrom Voalte Nurse Call System shall not use middleware to interface bed data.
Reference RFI, Page 1: The purpose of this RFI notice is for planning purposes, to identify market information and qualified contractors who are able to meet VA’s requirement for Brand Name or Equal Hillrom Voalte Nurse Call System without the use of middleware.
Reference RFI, Page 4: Indicate if the Draft Product Description provided