Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF APRIL 03, 2011 FBO #3417
DOCUMENT

70 -- Computers for the Blind - Attachment

Notice Date

4/1/2011
 

Notice Type

Attachment
 

NAICS

423430 — Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers
 

Contracting Office

Department of Veterans Affairs;VA Denver Acquisition & Logistics Center;(001AL-A2-4D);155 Van Gordon St;Lakewood CO 80228
 

ZIP Code

80228
 

Solicitation Number

VA79111RI0013
 

Response Due

4/20/2011
 

Archive Date

5/20/2011
 

Point of Contact

Michael Sanford
 

E-Mail Address

4-5438<br
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) DENVER, ACQUISITION & LOGISTICS CENTER (DALC) IS REQUESTING INFORMATION ON COMPUTERS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED. The VA will be hosting an Industry Day for manufacturers of Laptop Computers, Specialty Software, and Accessible Mobile Computing Devices (Internet-capable cell phones, tablets and Personal Digital Assistant (PDAs) May 24 through and May 26, 2011 in Lakewood, CO. When appropriately adapted, these devices become useful aids for Veterans who are visually impaired. The devices may be Windows-capable or Mac OS-capable with specialty keyboards, displays, software, and peripherals. Accessible mobile devices should employ speech-output and/or screen magnifier applications, or are compatible with third party applications. See the draft Scope of Work that follows. The purpose for this meeting is to allow Computer manufacturers the opportunity to present an informative presentation on their device(s), their human factors features and commercial practices, such as warranty, ordering, service, training, etc. The audience will be Government individuals involved with the Computers for the Blind Integrated Product Team (IPT) such as representatives from Prosthetics and Sensory Aids, Blind Rehabilitation, Pharmacy Benefits Management, Optometry, Ophthalmology, Patient Safety, Engineering, Acquisition, and a representative from the Blinded Veterans Association. Manufacturers will be given a total of 90 minutes to present information and answer questions from the group. Sales or promotional information should not be presented. Interested parties should contact Michael J. Sanford, Contracting Officer, via email Michael.Sanford2 @va.gov no later than April 20, 2011. Please identify the company you are representing and a point of contact to which information can be directed. A scheduled date and time will be coordinated with the point of contact, along with additional instructions. This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this notice. DRAFT SCOPE OF WORK 1.0 INTRODUCTION Background. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has identified the following items as targets for contracting on behalf of visually impaired Veterans: "Computers. "Software. "Accessible mobile computing devices (Internet-capable cell phones, tablets and PDAs. When appropriately adapted, these devices become useful aids for persons who are visually impaired. The purpose of contracting is to obtain quality products and standardized features appropriate for visually impaired Veterans at lower than current contract and open-market prices. 1.1 Purpose and Objectives. The purpose of this solicitation is to establish supply sources that will provide the contracted items for the Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center (DALC) to be purchased by the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC) for use by veterans who are visually impaired and require adaptive technologies consistent with a range of physical and mental disabilities. The objectives are to insure availability and consistency of product from multiple vendors for nationwide usage and to obtain volume-based, committed-use pricing. Contracts will be developed to allow separate purchasing of hardware and software items for custom configuration by VA Blind Rehabilitation Specialists, Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists and community computer rehabilitation providers. In addition, "Configurator" contracts will be established to allow providers to order pre-configured systems with all accessibility items pre-installed. 1.2 Contract Duration. The base contract period is for one (1) year, with up to four (4) additional one-year option periods that may be exercised by the Government. 1.3 Contract Effective Date. The effective date of the contract will be the date the contract is awarded.. ( Delivery of products shall be made to the individual VAMCs or to other locations specified in the purchase order, FOB Destination, in accordance with the specific delivery instructions contained within the delivery orders/ purchase orders. (What type of contract due you intend to award?) 1.4 Product Demonstration and Product Samples. This solicitation requires that all Offerors provide samples and demonstrate their offered computer hardware systems, required software, peripherals and accessible mobile computing devices at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Denver Acquisition Center in Denver, Colorado. Information regarding the demonstration is set forth in the "PROPOSAL ORGANIZATION" section that follows clause FAR 52-212-1, "INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS" and in FAR 52-212-2 "EVALUATION - COMMERCIAL ITEMS, which are included elsewhere in this solicitation. 2.0 EXTENT OF OBLIGATION 2.1 Government Participants. The contractor(s) shall provide the products specified in the contract as outlined in the delivery order/purchase order throughout the continental United States, Alaska Hawaii, and territories under US Government possession at the prices awarded herein and under the terms and conditions set forth in the contract upon receipt of a delivery order/purchase order signed by a person with purchasing authority on behalf of a VAMC. Offerors must offer a price on all line items. Individual VAMCs shall issue delivery orders/purchase orders to the contractor which shall indicate the specific items ordered, item quantities, and all necessary delivery and payment procedures. 2.2 Estimated Quantities. The Government estimate is approximately 3,000 computers and associated peripherals per year and an additional 1,000 accessible mobile computing devices per year. There is no expressed or implied guarantee that the estimated quantities will be purchased under this contract. Actual quantities may exceed or be less than those represented. 2.3 Delivery Requirements. Delivery shall be made to the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) or other locations specified in the delivery order/purchase order within the entire United States and territories upon issuance of a delivery order/purchase order. Delivery shall be in accordance with the following time frames: regular delivery shall be made within 7 business days after receipt of a delivery order/purchase order, expedited delivery within 3 calendar days. If expedited delivery is required the Government will provide the funding for any increase in contractor's cost in the delivery order/purchase order.. Any additional delivery requirements shall be specified on the individual VAMCs delivery order/purchase order. Offerors must have the capability to provide delivery to all VAMCs and specified locations within the entire United States and territories, however, shipment to Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii and territories shall be via air shipment only. 2.4 Report of Sales. Contractor shall be required to provide a Report of Sales to the Department of Veterans Affairs DALC on a quarterly basis as required by the Contractor's Report of Sales clause contained in this solicitation. 2.5 Quarterly Summary Statistical Report. Contractor will provide reports to monitor performance. The information is needed to properly identify trends and problems on an ongoing basis. 3.0DELIVERY Devices ordered shall be delivered to VAMC's or to locations specified in delivery order/purchase order. 4.0TECHNOLOGY REFRESH 4.1. State of the Art. All hardware, software, accessories and devices offered shall be state-of-the-art technology. "State-of-the-art" is defined as the most recently designed components, which are announced for marketing purposes, available, maintained and supported in accordance with requirements specified in the solicitation. Offerors may not switch manufacturers without prior approval from the Contracting Officer, VA Blind Rehabilitation Program Office and the Denver Acquisition and Logistics Center. Components and products with a manufacturer's planned obsolescence within the first year of contract award are excluded. 4.2 Upgrades. If upgrades of hardware, software, accessories or devices become available after award of this contract, the contractor will substitute them for the awarded items on current new delivery orders per paragraph 4.3 below. 4.3 Updates. The contractor will provide to the contracting officer the following information: (1)A list of specific awarded items, which shall be updated. (2)Product literature for the new items and a detailed description of the differences between the awarded items and the new items, and a specific analysis of the comparative advantage/disadvantages of the items involved. (3)The Contracting Officer will provide the information to the Blind Rehabilitation Service Program Office for approval. Upon approval, the contract will be modified to acknowledge the updated items. 5.0CONTRACT HARDWARE Because a laptop can function as a small desktop CPU, as well as a portable device, laptops will replace desktop computers as the standard for issuance for visually impaired and blind Veterans. Laptops are easier to ship and store, and allow Veterans to bring them in luggage when returning to a VA blind rehabilitation program for further training. Desktop systems may be utilized for Veterans who are challenged in using a laptop system. Blind Rehabilitation Service (BRS) programs that need stock on hand to avoid delays in service delivery may purchase units ahead of time and issue from stock. Providers may order for delivery to the appropriate VA office or the Veteran's home at time of issuance. The DALC ordering process will provide both purchase options and will allow Blind Rehabilitation Specialists and Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists to assign pre-purchased stock to individual Veterans at time of issuance for national record keeping. BRS programs with Blind Rehabilitation Specialists who are trained technology instructors will order hardware options and software options for the Veteran following assessment and will configure the system as appropriate. Blind Rehabilitation Specialists and Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists who are not trained technology instructors and are less familiar with accessible technology may order systems pre-configured by a contracted vendor, but the computer equipment to be configured will be assembled from the standard list of items available under DALC contract. The VA will be purchasing only configuration as a service, and will not purchase hardware and software sold by the 'configurator' as a package. If the Blind Rehabilitation Specialist or Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist determines that a Veteran needs items not under DALC contract, the items should be purchased through local Prosthetics Service submitting a required 2641 waiver. The services of a 'configurator' may still be ordered through the DALC in such cases. 5.1. Laptop Computers. Two categories of laptops will be under contract to cover the two most popular operating systems -- Windows-capable laptops and Mac OS-capable laptops. Laptops (and any other CPU/form factor combination on contract) will be configured according to modern specifications and obtained from major manufacturers with mainstream support and competitive pricing. Business class units will be considered only when no consumer class units meet all the salient characteristics listed below for either operating system: "Support for multiple languages in the operating system. "11 to 15 inch screen. (Larger units are too heavy to be truly portable. Large monitors will be made available for home or office use. "Mid-range dual or quad core processor. "4 or more gigabytes of memory. "250 or more gigabyte hard drive or 128 or more gigabyte SSD drive (preference given to SSD drive). "Multi-touch track pad. "Keyboard with "Enter" key, "Backspace" key and "Arrow" keys along right margin to allow blind users to easily identify and reach these keys. Laptops with built-in numeric keypads will not be considered because they cause difficulty in identifying and striking the appropriate keys when present in a 15 inch or smaller laptop. Preference will be given to "chicklet" style keyboards due to greater key differentiation. " DVD burner (may be integrated or external). "2 or more USB ports. "10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet interface. "WPA2 Personal encryption and Wireless IEEE 802.11 B, G &N. "Sound input and output ports or combination input/output port. "Operating system/rescue software. "Virus protection software "Compatible universal or brand-specific vertical docking station available as an option. "3-year warranty with in-home or both-way shipping repair services from the manufacturer. 5.2. Monitor. Salient characteristics include: "27 inch screen. If 27-inch monitors are discontinued during the course of the contract, Offeror and VA Blind Rehabilitation Program Office will agree on replacement model and price. Preference will be given to matte surface monitors. "Minimum resolution must be 1920 x 1080 / 60 Hz. "Integrated speakers and headphone jack or attached, matched speaker bar with head phone jack. "HDMI ports and/or Mini Display ports depending on the matching port on the laptop. 5.3 All-in-One Printer/Scanner. Salient characteristics include: "'E-print' capable (for use with mobile computing devices and remote-computer printing. " Accessible OCR software capable of creating accessible PDFs and text documents and document feeder. "USB port. "Ethernet port. "Wireless networking. 5.5 Surge protector. Salient characteristics include: "Ethernet protection. "Phone line protection. "Accepts at least four (4) right-angle electric plugs; rated for at least 3400 joules. 5.6 Cables. Salient characteristics include: "USB cables (minimum of 3 feet length). "Video cables whether HDMI or Mini Display Port (minimum of 3 feet length). "Ethernet cables (minimum industry standard Category 6 unshielded twisted pair [UTP] patch cable; minimum of 6 feet length). 5.7 Specialty keyboards and displays. Salient characteristics include: "Large print keys. "Keyboards specifically adapted to screen reader or magnifier software. "Ergonomic keyboards. "Keycaps to adapt standard keyboards. "Braille displays. 5.8 Specialty pointing devices. Salient characteristics include: "Stand-alone track pads that are wireless or USB capable. "Trackballs that are wireless or USB capable. 5.9 Other peripheral devices. Shall include: "External dial-up modems. "USB wireless data cards. "Powered USB hubs. "Laptop docking stations. 5.10 Accessible Mobile Computing Devices. Shall include: Internet-ready cellular smartphones, pads or tablets with accessible screen reader via speech output and/or screen magnifier applications or that are compatible with third-party applications. 6.0 CONTRACT SOFTWARE Contract software will be available for purchase via physical delivery or on-line download. Both options must be available to prevent delays in service delivery due to shortages in stock on hand, over-stocking, and, in some locations, poor Internet download speeds. The DALC will develop and maintain a database including serial numbers and expiration dates of items issued so that VA Blind Rehabilitation Specialists may review all previous orders. This will enable Blind Rehabilitation Specialists and Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists to order appropriate upgrades or provide the serial numbers to Veterans or repair technicians if they must download and reload their software following computer repair. Blind Rehabilitation Specialists, Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists, community access rehabilitation providers or other configurators will load free and secure security software options available from the Operating System vendor or other vendors agreed upon by the BRS CATS Super Users workgroup. 6.1 Screen Reader Software. Software will be included that allows the user to access the information on the screen via a speech synthesizer and/or a Braille display. The screen reader will track keystrokes with audible output and/or refreshable Braille display. 6.2 Screen Magnification Access Software. Software will be included that allows a visually impaired user to access a standard computer via screen magnification and optional synthesized speech. To be purchased as a separate item (not integrated into the operating system), a screen magnifier solution must provide font-smoothing, cursor-tracking with its associated screen reader to keep the spoken item in view at all times, and must offer magnification more than the 4x magnification already built into many mainstream productivity applications. 6.3 Optical Character Reader (OCR) software. Software will be included that enables the user to convert scanned document into speech output. OCR software must be capable of scanning editable text directly into issued word processing software with no more than one user step to initiate the scan and one to add more pages or end scanning and begin the recognition process. This will be a separate purchase beyond basic OCR functionality required under item 5.3 above. 6.4 Speech Recognition Software. Software will be included that enables the user to enter text/data and edit text/data using voice commands with minimal or no use of a keyboard or mouse. 6.5 Simplified Comprehensive Accessibility Packages. All-inclusive software packages will be included that offer screen reading, magnification or large print access, and simplified, menu-driven access to web browsing, email, OCR and simple document creation. Some packages offer speech recognition in addition to these standard features. 6.6 Application Suites. Application suites that include word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail clients and various 'office productivity' suites to be ordered as needed for a veteran who requires this option. Software suites must be fully accessible to screen readers and screen reader/magnification programs. To be considered fully accessible, the user must be able to access the complete set of available commands using the keyboard and speech feedback from access technology. 6.7 Back up software. Software used to return computer systems to a desired operational state will be included. The software can be supplied to Veterans at the completion of their training for home use. 7.0 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY CONFIGURATION SERVICES 7.1 Configuration Services. Vendors with expertise in accessibility for users with visual impairment may contract to assemble 'turnkey' technology systems designed for people with disabilities. The VA Blind Rehabilitation Specialist will order the hardware and software from standard items under contract with the DALC and add configuration as a line item. The vendor will receive the order specifications from the DALC, configure them according to needs listed by the Blind Rehabilitation Specialist at time of order, and deliver them to the Veteran. Vendors must provide up to five (5) no-cost telephone assistance calls with the Veteran or his or her designee within the first month following delivery to assure the technology solution is configured correctly to meet Veteran needs. (What happens after the first month, who does the Veteran contacts for assistance?) 7.2 Assistance Services. Blind Rehabilitation Specialists may order single and multiple sessions of telephone\home\ remote log-in assistive technology assistance from configuration providers. 8.0 WARRANTY Laptops, monitors, printers and mobile computing devices must have a three (3) year warranty from the manufacturer, regardless of site configuration. Repair service must be in-home by the vendor, or repair may be provided via pickup and both-way shipping arranged and paid for by the vendor. During warranty period, replacement or repairs (or shipping if repairs cannot be completed in the veteran's home) will occur within 7 business days after notification to the contractor. If a computer is found to be defective within 30 days of delivery, a replacement computer (or specific part) will be provided within 10 business days. Contractor shall be responsible for shipping charges for defective product returns. Failures or damaged components out of the box will be replaced within 3 business days of notification with new components by the contractor. VA Blind Rehabilitation Specialists will determine what constitutes failure out of the box. 9.0 DISKS AND MANUALS Contractors will provide written set up instructions with hardware. Full manuals and any tutorials must be available in accessible electronic format. The laptop contractor will provide an operating system software (OSS) disk and recovery program disk with the unit. Some devices may provide OSS in another media format, such as USB drive. An accessible mechanism to reinstall purchased software must be provided - either technician-assisted download and installation, or disk/USB copies. 10. SCHEDULE OF SUPPLIES The following are the product lines included in this solicitation. Because hardware, accessibility software and application software will be purchased separately, vendors may submit bids for a partial list of these items. The quantities listed below are estimates and are not commitments to purchase. The estimates are based on past procurements where data are available. Schedule of SuppliesEstimated Quantity: FY2011 Laptop & Desktop Computers: (combined)3,040* (14.8% INCREASE BASED ON FY10) Monitors 1,878* (4.2% INCREASE BASED ON FY10) All-in-One Printer/Scanners2,129* (3.7% INCREASE BASED ON FY10) Refreshable Braille displays111* (HELD AT FY09 LEVELS, FY10 = 76) Surge protectors3,000** USB cables6,000** Mini Display Port cables500** HDMI cables500** Ethernet cables. 100** Large print keyboards1,500** Ergonomic keyboards100** Keycaps to adapt standard keyboards1,500** Stand-alone track pads1,500** Trackballs500** External dial-up modems200** Headsets500** Powered USB hubs500** Laptop docking stations3,000** Screen Reader Software1,000** Screen Magnification Access Software1,000** Optical Character Reader software1,000** Speech Recognition Software1,000** Simplified Comprehensive Accessibility Packages300** Application Suites2,500** Backup software2,500** Accessible Mobile Computing Devices1,000** Assistive Technology Configuration 1,500** Assistive Technology Assistance2,500** *FY11 estimates based on change in quantity from FY09 to FY10, data source: Blind Aids PSAS annual HCPCS Summary **Estimates based on SME input
 

Web Link

FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/VA/VADDC791/VADDC791/VA79111RI0013/listing.html)
 

Document(s)

Attachment
 

File Name: VA-791-11-RI-0013 VA-791-11-RI-0013A.docx (https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=187722&FileName=VA-791-11-RI-0013-001.docx)

Link: https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/FBODocumentServer/DocumentServer.aspx?DocumentId=187722&FileName=VA-791-11-RI-0013-001.docx

 

Note: If links are broken, refer to Point of Contact above or contact the FBO Help Desk at 877-472-3779.
 

Record

SN02415222-W 20110403/110401234614-c969a84cae6b10b3548188bfbdbf6687 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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