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SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE 75H709-CR23Q-024

This is a Sources Sought notice . This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. Pursuant to 48 CFR Part 326, Subpart 326.603-3 and IHM 5.5-6, Indian Health Service must use the negotiation authority of the Buy Indian Act, 25 U.S.C. 47, to give preference to Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE) whenever the use of that authority is authorized and practicable.

The Government is seeking to identify Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs), Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE), and any other category of vendor capable of performing the below Indian Health Services (IHS) requirement. Any vendor responding to this notice should submit their capability statement as well as the Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form (attached).

Consistent with the revised Buy Indian Act, HHS/IHS adopted the definition of an Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) set forth in 48 CFR 1480.201. This definition includes the following requirement, amongst others: “the Indians or Indian Tribes must, together, receive at least a majority of the earnings from the contract.”.

Instructions for submission are outlined further below.

DEFINITIONS

INDIAN ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE (IEE):

Any business activity owned by one or more Indians, Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, or Alaska Native Corporations provided that:

• The combined Indian, Federally Recognized Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Corporation ownership of the enterprise constitutes not less than 51%;


• The Indian, Federal Recognized Indian Tribes, or Alaska Native Corporations must, together, receive at least 51% of the earnings from the contract; and


• The management and daily business operations must be controlled by one or more individuals who are Indians.

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT

NAICS:

621991 - Blood and Organ Banks

Size Standard: $40m

Duration:

12 months

Work Schedule:

The blood provider shall provide blood products on a tri-weekly basis and rotate the blood stock that the Crow Service Unit keeps on hand for emergent transfusion requests.

Unique Requirements:

The contractor must accept specimens from the Crow Service Unit Laboratory for patients with a positive antibody screen, fetal-maternal bleed, et cetera. The Crow Service Unit Laboratory will send specimens to the blood provider for a complete work-up, and if required, compatible blood units will be returned for the patient's use. Blood products are to be delivered on a scheduled basis to meet the needs of the hospital. There are required number of different types of blood products that are to be maintained in the laboratory blood bank.

The contractor must ensure those levels are maintained at two week intervals for routine need. The contractor must be available to provide products on an emergency basis as the needs arise. The products include packed red blood cells, platelets, fresh frozen plasma and other blood products presented on the attached price schedule. The contractor shall also provide antibody screening of patients and blood products on an as needed basis. On an as needed or bi-weekly basis, blood, blood products and specimens will be sent to and/or received from the contractor. At least monthly, an invoice including date, product name, testing performed, and cost will be sent to the Crow Service Unit Laboratory. Most prepacking will be completed at the contractor's work site. Lab testing will be completed at the contractor's work site. Delivery and removal of product will be at the Crow Service Unit. Contractor must have a CLIA certificate and provide unexpired copy, be within 2 hours of the facility, be available for emergency requests for blood bank assistance and blood product availability.

INSTRUCTIONS TO INDUSTRY

ISBEEs are highly encouraged to respond to this notice. However, firms must also understand that generic capability statements are not sufficient for effective evaluation of their capacity and capability to perform the work required. To be considered a capable source, responses must directly demonstrate the company’s capability, experience, and ability to provide services as shown below.

Your response must include but is not limited to the following:

• Number of years of experience in providing Blood products.


• List of past jobs/contracts in providing Blood products.


• The abilities your company possesses in providing Blood products.


• Demonstrate how your company meets the definition for Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) in consideration to this requirement:
  
  
  
  • How, as the prime IEE, will your company receive at least 51% of the earnings from the awarded contract, or together with the subcontractor if the same category, receive a combined 51% of the earnings from the contract
  
  
  • How, as the prime IEE or together with the subcontractor if the same category, will management and daily operations be controlled by one or more individuals who are Indians.
  
  
  
  

Failure to address these items in your capability statement could exclude your firm from being determined a capable IEE/ISBEE source.

SUBMISSION

Interested parties capable of performing the required services may submit a response via email to: Johnna.pryor@ihs.gov and Tanya.schwab@ihs.gov no later than 7 days from the date of the sources sought announcement.

Interested parties shall submit their capability response as instructed above and include a copy of the Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form. It is recommended to include the sources sought ID in the subject line.

Sources Sought ID: 5. Responses received to this notice will assist in determining the acquisition strategy of the requirement.

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