Q999--Airgas Cylinder Lease Rentals

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Networking Contracting Office (NCO 01) located in Providence, RI intends to enter into a sole source procurement, pursuant to the authority of FAR 6.302-1, with Airgas USA, LLC., for the following requirement: STATEMENT OF WORK Lease of Medical Gas Cylinders This statement of work describes the requirements for the lease, delivery, removal, and filling of both leased and government owned cylinders for VHA Medical Facilities. Base +4 years SCOPE OF WORK: Providence VA Medical Center leases various medical gas cylinders and needs to establish a committed source for the leased cylinders and supply services for medical and specialty gases. The Contractor shall provide all labor, personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision and other items and services necessary to perform the following. Base +4 years Lease of medical gas cylinders: large cylinders, small cylinders and high-pressured cylinders. Delivery of full cylinders, clean and ready for immediate patient use. Removal of empty cylinders to refill at their facility. 1. EQUIPMENT All cylinders leased by the Contractor shall be FDA approved for use, in good condition, and fully operational. The Providence VA Medical Center shall provide a suitable location for the drop off for new cylinders and the collection of used cylinders. Through the duration of the contract the contractor shall be liable for the integrity, suitability and safety of contractor owned tanks. The Contractor shall provide all tools and equipment necessary to properly and safely perform the services set forth within this statement of work. This shall include, but is not limited, to all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which may be required for the work to be completed in a safe manner. The Contractor shall provide any equipment necessary for proper infection control measures. 2. SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS The Contractor shall provide a fully functional system that meets the following characteristics: Compressed gas cylinders responsible for protecting compressed gas quality and stability, from fill through to point of use. Ergonomic user-friendly cylinder and valves for small, medium, and mobile gas needs. 2. AREAS TO BE SERVICED Department of Veterans Affairs Providence VA Medical Center 830 Chalkstone Ave Providence, RI 02908 3. DELIVERY Delivery of requested items shall be delivered by the vendor within seven (7) business day. (specific delivery time per negotiated solicitation/contract within these defined time periods or by special request per negotiated FSS Contract) after receipt of request. Cylinders delivered must be clean, in good working condition, and available for immediate patient use. Contractor shall call requesting service when dropping off new cylinders and removing empty cylinders. An employee will accompany the contractor to the oxygen storage area. The employee will verify the replacement of new and removal of empty cylinders. 4. TRAINING The Contractor shall provide onsite general overview technical training for Clinical and Logistics staff as requested. Training shall include a technical overview of the mechanics, and general operations of leased cylinders. Training shall cover detailed instruction regarding the preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and general maintenance of the equipment. 5. INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE The Contractor shall conduct a joint inspection with an employee from the requesting service upon delivery of cylinders. 6. WARRANTY The warranty shall include all travel and shipping costs associated with any warranty repair. 7. TASK FREQUENCY AND INSTRUCTIONS Cylinders will be filled as needed. Empty cylinder quantity being returned to the contractor should equal the number of cylinders being delivered by the contractor. Cylinders delivered will be filled to the maximum functional capacity. 8. SPECIAL WORK REQUIREMENTS The Contractor shall comply with any and all Infection Control Risk Assessment requirements deemed appropriate by the Providence VA Medical Center during all portions of the work set forth in the Scope of Work. The Contractor must comply with security, privacy, and safety issues in accordance with VA standards, policies, and directives set forth at all times while providing the work outlined in the Scope of Work. 9. PROPERTY DAMAGE The contractor shall take all necessary precautions to prevent damage to any government property. The contractor shall report any damages immediately and shall be assessed current replacement costs for property damaged by the contractor unless corrective action is taken. Any damaged material (e.g. trees, shrubs, lawn/turf, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, etc.) will be replaced in a timely manner or corrected by the contractor with like materials, at no extra cost to the government, upon approval of the Contracting Officer. 10. ATTACHMENTS None. 11. IDENTIFICATION, PARKING, SMOKING, CELLULAR PHONE USE AND VA REGULATIONS The contractor's employees shall wear visible identification at all times while on the premises of the VA property. It is the responsibility of the contractor to park in the appropriate desig nated park ing areas. Information on parking is available from the VA Police-Security Service. The VA will not invalidate or make reimbursement for parking viola tions of the con tractor under any con ditions. Smoking is prohibited inside any buildings at the VA. Cellular phones and two-way radios are not to be used within six feet of any medical equipment. Posses sion of weapons is prohibited. Enclosed containers, including tool kits, shall be sub ject to search. Violations of VA regulations may result in a citation answer able in the United States (Federal) Dis trict Court, not a local district state, or municipal court. 12. COMPLIANCE WITH OSHA BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS STANDARD The contractor shall comply with the Federal OSHA Blood borne Pathogens Standard. The contractor shall: A. Have methods by which all employees are educated as to risks associated with blood borne pathogens. B. Have policies and procedures which reduce the risk of employee exposure to blood borne pathogens. C. Have mechanisms for employee counseling and treatment following exposure to blood borne pathogens. D. Provide appropriate personal protective equipment/clothing such as gloves, gowns, masks, protective eyewear, and mouthpieces for the employee during performance of the contract. The NAICS code for this requirement is 325120. Airgas USA, LLC is the only contractor capable of satisfying the statement of work because they are the sole provider of the specialty, medical Air Gas Rental Cylinders. This notice of intent is not a solicitation nor is it a request for proposal. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement demonstrating the ability to provide the requested services, in writing by Friday, January 17, 2025 at 5 PM EST time. Responses should be sent to Rosangela Pereira at Rosangela.Pereira@va.gov. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether competitive procedures could be used for this acquisition. A determination not to open the requirement to competition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.