COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION DESCRIPTION: This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation Number VA701-15-Q-0060 is being issued as Request for Quote (RFQ) and the intent is to award a firm fixed price contract for supplies. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-73. This requirement is available as full and open competition for commercial items under the North Atlantic Industrial Classification System (NAICS) 519130; the business standard size is 500 employees. REQUIREMENTS: The Department of Veterans Affairs, Program Contracting Activity Central, 6150 Oak Tree Blvd, Suite 300, Independence, Ohio 44131 is seeking Quotes. Quotes with additional features will be considered, provided the minimum requirements of the Government have been met. Each line item must have a description and pricing information. PRICING: Offeror shall provide pricing for as described in requirements below. The total price offered shall include all charges (e.g., to include but not limited to installation, maintenance, and training). LINE ITEMS: Item Number Description of Supplies/Services Quantity Unit Unit Price Amount 1 Subscription for a commercial off the shelf online subscription that provides access to in-depth news and analysis of Congressional legislation. l. BASE YEAR 1 LT 2 Subscription for a commercial off the shelf online subscription that provides access to in-depth news and analysis of Congressional legislation. OPTION YEAR 1 1 LT 3 Subscription for a commercial off the shelf online subscription that provides access to in-depth news and analysis of Congressional legislation. OPTION YEAR 2 1 LT 4 Subscription for a commercial off the shelf online subscription that provides access to in-depth news and analysis of Congressional legislation. OPTION YEAR 3 1 LT 5 Subscription for a commercial off the shelf online subscription that provides access to in-depth news and analysis of Congressional legislation. OPTION YEAR 4 4 EA Grand Total STATEMENT OF WORK: Background: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VACO) Library requires a commercial off the shelf online subscription that provides access to in-depth news and analysis of Congressional legislation. Scope: The Contractor shall provide web based access using Internet Explorer to an online subscription service to the Congressional Quarterly (CQ) or a Brand Name equivalent which will provide VA Central Office (VACO) employees desktop access to CQ Today News & CQ Schedules and CQ Weekly (full-text online access plus one print copy of the magazine). The resource will allow VACO employees to follow news on VA health care as well as other department priority topics such as the Health Care Law, Medicaid, Medicare, mental health. The subscription will include the ability to print. A. REQUIREMENTS: 1. Required general attributes " An online subscription service to the Congressional Quarterly (CQ) or a Brand Name equivalent will provide VA Central Office (VACO) employees desktop access to CQ Today News & CQ Schedules and CQ Weekly (full-text online access plus one print copy of the magazine). " Comprehensive, nonpartisan coverage of news and analysis of Congressional activities, including live news and updates. " Insights and analysis of breaking news stories. " Topics covered include VA health care, health care law, mental health Medicaid and Medicare, etc. Background information is provided for all topics, as well as news stories, followed by key bills with links to a summary. " Provides a calendar for House and Senate events as well as White House and the federal government. " CQ Weekly provides objective analysis on how legislation is shaped provided by web access plus one print copy of magazine. 2. Usability " .The product has "user friendly" help and direction aids. 3 Currency " Content areas are updated on a continuous, incremental cycle rather than on a single anniversary date for the entire product. " Updates are marked and easily identified. 4 Access, content, support " Product is 508 compliant. (http://www.section508.gov/) " If product is not 508 compliant, vendor must describe measures being taken to bring product into compliance and date, within 12 months of contract award, that product will be 508 compliant. " If product is not 508 compliant, then the vendor must describe why no work is being done to make it 508 compliant. " Access to be granted through IP address validation to VA Central Office employees, eliminating the need for users to enter identification, username and/or password. " An unlimited number of simultaneous users are to have immediate access from any web-enabled computer throughout VA Central Office. " It is required that all authorized remote users (with VPN, dial-up, wireless access, etc.) have access to the product through any VA networked computer. " The product is compatible with Internet Explorer. " The product is compatible with the Windows environment. " Articles are easily printed. " Access to the titles should be up to date with no period of embargo to the full text. " All site content and support of the web site is the responsibility of the contractor. This includes tech support to VHA users nationwide. " System downtime is minimal and VA project manager is notified when this occurs. " Single point of contact for customer service issues, available by both phone and email, is assigned to VA. " Questions are responded to within two business day. " Usage statistics are available to the system administrator on an enterprise level. " Availability of usage statistics. " The vendor should offer training services on an as requested basis. A variety of training session modalities should be available (e.g., web-based, live, podcast, streaming video, etc.). " Articles can be emailed among VA Central Office employees. B. DELIVERABLES: Equal to or Better than the following: 1. Congressional Quarterly (CQ) 2. CQ Today News 3. CQ Schedules 4. CQ Weekly (full-text online access plus one print copy of the Magazine) C. Type of Contract: Firm Fixed Price. D. Performance Period: 1 year from date of award, with. 4 Option years to be executed at the Governments discretion. E. Type of Order: Firm Fixed Price F. Place of Delivery: Contractor's Site PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES: This combined synopsis lists one or more clauses by reference with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text (FAR 52.252-2). The provisions at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items, apply to this acquisition with the following addendum to the provisions of the standard provisions. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Items the Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, pricing being determined fair and reasonable and the technical approach satisfies the requirement. Additionally, any potential offerors quoting a brand equivalent must supply supporting documentation that the product quoted is of equal or greater technical capability matching the specified equipment in features, quality, warranty terms, compatibility with existing systems, and functionality to be considered. The provision at VARR 852-211-77, Brand Name or Equal applies. The items called for by this RFQ have been identified in the schedule by a "brand name or equal" description, such identification is intended to be descriptive, but not restrictive, and is to indicate the quality and characteristics of products that will be satisfactory. Quotes offering "equal" products (including products of the brand name manufacturer other than the one described by brand name) will be considered for award if such products are clearly identified in the quote and are determined by the Government to meet fully the salient characteristics requirements listed in the RFQ. WARRENTY AND SERVICE: Indicate terms. NOTE: The Government reserves the right to award without discussions, vendors shall submit the most favorable terms. ELECTRONIC INVOICE SUBMISSION: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA Financial Service Center (FSC) is the designated agency office for invoice receipt in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act (5 CFR part 1315). FSC or its designated representative may contact the vendor to provide specific instructions for electronic submission of invoices. The vendor will be responsible for any associated expenses. FSC may utilize third-party contractors to facilitate invoice processing. Prior to contact by FSC or its designated representative for electronic invoicing submissions, the vendor shall continue to submit all invoices to FSC at the following mailing address: Department of Veterans Affairs, Financial Services Center, P.O. Box 149971, Austin, TX 78714-8971. Offerors shall complete FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items available for online registration at http://orca.bpn.gov or include a written copy with the quote submitted. The clause at 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition, to include the following addendum to the clause: 52.204-7 (CCR registration) the successful offeror must be registered with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) to be awarded a contract, you may register easily and quickly on-line at http://www.ccr.gov, 52.232-34 (Payment by Electronic Funds), VAAR 852.237-70 (Contractor Responsibility) and 852.2370-4 (Commercial Advertising). The clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition which shall include the following clauses by reference. Clauses: 52.203-6, 52.219-4, 52.219-8, 52.219-23 alt1, 52.222-21, 52.222-26, 52.222-35, 52.22236, 52.222-37, 52.225-3 Alternate I. The preceding Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) clauses and provisions may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.arnet.gov/far. The preceding Veterans Administration (VAAR) clauses and provisions may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.va.gov/oa&mmlvarr/. All questions must be submitted to Frank DiFranco, Contract Specialist by e-mail only:
[email protected]. All responses to questions that may affect offers will be incorporated into a written amendment to the solicitation. Quotes and accompanying information are due no later than NOON EST, Wednesday January 14, 2015 Technical questions and Quotes must be sent by email to
[email protected].