The Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS), San Juan, Puerto Rico is conducting market research to identify potential sources with the capability to provide off site Optical Services in multiple sites, preferably within close proximity to the VA Caribbean Healthcare System Facilities specified below. Optical Services shall include: Eye glasses laboratory, Licensed Optometrist and Opticians. The projected contract is intended to compliment VA Caribbean Healthcare System Optical Care Services. The contractor shall accept prescriptions authorized by Prosthetics for fabrication of eyeglasses to eligible beneficiaries. In addition, Contractor shall perform eye exams to those patients referred by the Ophthalmology department and accept authorization for consultation for such exams by the Fee Basis Department. VACHS goal is to provide the best care possible to the vast number of Veterans. The Contractor shall fabricate all eyeglasses in strict conformance to the eyeglass prescription. All items provided by the contractor shall be new. For Veterans convenience, contractor sites/facilities shall be located near/ walking distance (1/2 mile) from the following Government locations: " San Juan VA Medical Center - 10 Casia Street San Juan, PR 0021-3201 " Ponce Outpatient Clinic - Paseo del Veterano #1010 Ponce PR 00716-2001 " Guayama Outpatient Clinic - Paseo del Pueblo St. Guayama PR 00784 " Arecibo Outpatient Clinic - Victor Rojas II Zona Industrial Road 129, Arecibo PR 00612 " Utuado Outpatient Clinic - Isaac Gonzalez Street, Esquina Ledesma Utuado PR 00641 This is a sources sought notice only; it is not a request for competitive proposals. This Sources Sought Notice is to assist the VA in determining interest and capability of potential sources currently available for this requirement and identify an appropriate acquisition strategy. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary. The Government will not pay for information requested nor will compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. A solicitation package is not available at this time. Once a solicitation is issued, the same will be announced/posted in this website with sufficient time for all interested parties to respond accordingly. The applicable NAICS code for this procurement is 339115 Ophthatmic Goods Manufacturing. The Small Business Size Standard is 500 employees. Interested parties shall provide the following information/documentation for Government Evaluation: 1. Company profile to include: Company name and address, Business Size (large or small) identifying any socioeconomic category they fall into such as: Service Disable Veteran Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned Small Business, Women-Owned, Hubzone, or 8 (a). Proposed Key personnel (Optometrists and Opticians credentials) and any pertinent information which demonstrates firm's ability to meet the above requirement. Interested parties are reminded that to qualify as a Small Business under any of the above socioeconomic categories, in the event a set aside is done for any of these small business categories; at least 50% of the cost of personnel for contract performance shall be spent on employees of the small business concern in the appropriate socioeconomic category. If your firm meets the requirements specified above, please submit necessary documentation to: Maribel Santa Contracting Officer, VA Caribbean Healthcare System, 27 Ave. J. Gonzalez Giusti Suite 600, Guaynabo; PR. 00968; e-mail at
[email protected] or, facsimile at (787) 781-8721. Information will only be accepted in writing by mail, fax or e-mail. Please identify any correspondence as: "Sources Sought for Solicitation No. VA-248-11-RP-0185" Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Since this is a sources sought announcement, no evaluation letters will be issued to participants. This synopsis is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government and no contract will be awarded from this announcement. Due date for submission of company capabilities, is April 25, 2011 at 2:00 pm Puerto Rico (local time).