In this issue:Â Bill Johnson, Chairman, House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Interview
VetLikeMe: What strikes you most about the VA policy that’s puts Veterans eighth in line for contract opportunities?
The sole purpose and responsibility of the VA is to assist our nation’s veterans. I believe the law is clear that the VA is required to give priority consideration to qualified Veteran Owned and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses for contacting opportunities in the VA. I don’t believe the VA is currently complying with the law, and the GAO investigations and findings confirm this. I believe the VA has the responsibility to set an example by increasing its priority of contracting with VOSBs..… click here to view entire issue.
—————————————
VetLikeMe (VLM) is a publication focused entirely on service-disabled veteran owned business. We feature National news that affects our community, interviews with federal government officials and agencies, legislative activities at the State level and editorial opinion.
Launched in October 2009, VLM is published by BluePoint Productions, a non-profit business certified and verified by the Veterans Administration as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business.
Hardy R. Stone, the sole proprietor of BluePoint Productions, is a 100% service-connected disabled veteran (SDVOSB).
The following newsletters require Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free download from adobe.com.
This is a public service announcement (PSA) brought to you by Veteran Owned Business.  Veteran Owned Business is in no way affiliated with the above organization(s). We do not in any way endorse the above business/organization or guarantee the above offer. VeteranOwnedBusiness.com and the Veteran Owned Business Directory are simply providing information we feel is of interest to veterans, active duty military, reservists, service disabled veterans, veteran owned businesses, service disabled veteran owned businesses, families of veterans, families of our armed forces and any other person or persons directly or indirectly involved with the United States military.
If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.
The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.
Contact: Office of Communications (202) 720-4623
USDA to Tap Veterans & Transitioning Service Members for Careers in Agriculture
USDA and the American Legion sign Memorandum of Understanding
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and The American Legion National Commander Fang Wong today signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will help our Nation’s veterans and transitioning military service members find positions that promote agriculture, animal and plant health, food safety, nutrition, conservation and rural communities. With this partnership, USDA and the American Legion will leverage existing resources to expand opportunities for veterans while promoting USDA programs and services in communities throughout the country. ”
At President Obama’s direction, USDA and the rest of the federal government are working to make sure our veterans in rural areas receive the medical care, training and employment support they deserve,” said Vilsack. “And that’s why this partnership with the American Legion is so critical. America’s veterans are leaders across rural America and we want to help them pursue their dreams by prioritizing innovative new approaches, attracting capital and forming partnerships like this to continue economic development in rural communities.”
Today, about 6.1 million veterans live in rural communities – a higher concentration than anywhere else in the country. Over 5,300 American Legion posts are located in counties with populations under 40,000 and one-third of the Legion’s membership call rural America home.
The American Legion has long been committed to helping transitioning military and America’s veterans find jobs and through its vast networks, USDA will actively recruit veterans and transitioning military servicemen for employment while promoting greater awareness of USDA programs.
Specifically, USDA and the American Legion have agreed to promote USDA vacancy announcements; share information about activities in newsletters; provide information about USDA programs and vacancies through established networks as well as the on the Web; and promote veteran owned business participation in USDA contracts.
USDA also will provide information about the opportunities and support it offers, so that service members who want to start their own rural business, farm or ranch are aware of USDA programs, grants, loans or small business contracts. USDA education, training, outreach and mentoring programs, such as www.START2FARM.gov will help encourage our Nation’s young, hard-working veterans to be the next generation of America’s farmers and ranchers.
On November 9, 2009, President Obama signed executive Order 13518, Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government; and, as a result USDA created the Veterans Employment Program Office. Through strategic recruiting and effective marketing of USDA to transitioning service members and veterans, USDA increased the percentage of veterans in the total workforce, including permanent and temporary positions, from five percent in fiscal year 2009 to six percent in fiscal 2010 to nearly eight percent in fiscal year 2011. Disabled veterans are a subset of veterans and are a subject of special emphasis in hiring. USDA increased disabled veteran hiring from just over one percent of total persons hired in fiscal year 2009 to nearly two percent in fiscal year 2010 to over two percent in fiscal year 2011.
Additionally, USDA increased its hiring of veterans in the permanent workforce from 17.5 percent in fiscal year 2009 to 20.3 percent in fiscal year 2010 to 23.9 percent in fiscal year 2011. Disabled veteran hiring for permanent positions also increased from nearly six percent in fiscal year 2009 to over seven percent in fiscal year 2010 to over eight percent in fiscal year 2011. According to data from the National Finance Center Report Center, as of February 19, 2012, USDA rate of hire of veterans in the total workforce is 12.8 percent and disabled veterans is just over five percent. The rate of veterans hired in the permanent workforce is 25.6 percent and disabled veterans is 12.2 percent.
USDA continues to make steady progress in hiring veterans in light of the strong competition it faces with career offerings at the Departments of Defense (DoD), Veterans Affairs (VA) and Homeland Security (DHS). According to the Employment of Veterans in the Federal Executive Branch report dated June 2011, DoD, VA and DHS account for 80 percent of the veterans hired in the Federal government in fiscal year 2010. In order to be more effective at hiring veterans, USDA can promote agricultural careers through veterans service organizations such as, the American Legion. More information about USDA programs is available at www.usda.gov.
—————————————
This is a public service announcement (PSA) brought to you by Veteran Owned Business. Veteran Owned Business is in no way affiliated with the above organization(s). We do not in any way endorse the above business/organization or guarantee the above offer. VeteranOwnedBusiness.com and the Veteran Owned Business Directory are simply providing information we feel is of interest to veterans, active duty military, reservists, service disabled veterans, veteran owned businesses, service disabled veteran owned businesses, families of veterans, families of our armed forces and any other person or persons directly or indirectly involved with the United States military.
If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.
The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.
VeteranOwnedBusiness.com is proud to announce the addition of several new categories added to our Free Veteran Owned Business Directory of nearly 10,000 members.
The following approved sub-categories have been suggested by one or more of our Veteran Owned Business Directory members.
A special “Thank You†to our members and visitors who suggested one or more of the aforementioned new sub-categories!
——————————————–
If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.
The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.
What is His Motive?
VA Chief of Acquisition Spills Guts Regarding
“Veteran’s First†Sham
In this episode of the Twilight Zone, we have a very special guest on the set who you’ll meet further down the column. In an astounding display of bureaucratic stupidity or marvelous cunning, Jan Frye, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Acquisition and Logistics phoned Wayne Gatewood, a fierce advocate for veterans—with a weight on his chest than needed to be re-leased. Wayne, take it away:
“Yesterday I had a conversation with Mr. Jan Frye, VA’s Chief of Acquisitions. Mr. Frye talked with me about the workings of the VA FSS Program and what he believes to be the importance of the FSS in relation to procurement methodology and the importance of the VA Supply Fund to OAL Operations. At the following Link, please read about the VA FSS Schedule: http://www.fss.va.gov At the following Link, please read about the VA Supply Fund: http://www.va.gov/oal/about/finance.asp.
Mr. Frye also let me know that Secretary Shinseki stands by the VA FSS Schedule as the go-to procurement methodology and it was Secretary Shinseki’s personal decision to not go Vets First! (I am attempting to get a past Press Release from VA PA Office that is supposed to contain the Secretary’s words relative to this matter). Please read the below two paragraphs from the Office of Acquisition and Logistics (OAL) webpage – “About Us.”
“The complex functions required to support the diverse programs of VA are reflected in the mission and organization of OAL. In addition to its primary role of supporting VA’s pro-grams, OAL has a Government-wide role in the supply management of medical supplies and non-perishable subsistence.”
“All OAL operations are funded through the self-sustaining VA Supply Fund which is managed by OAL. The operating costs are recovered through a variety of cost recovery mechanisms that are designed to pass the costs of services provided along to the beneficiaries of such service.”
The VA’s Supply Fund offsets the operating costs of OAL, such as the VA Acquisitions Academy, Denver Acquisitions and Logistics Center, National Contract Service, National Acquisition Center, and the staff that operates these activities. The fund also pays for bonus’ and other items. How does it work? VA gets .05 % of every dollar of every FSS Schedule contract that is let. Given the VA purchases billions of dollars in products, supplies, medicine, services, etc., per year, with much of that through FSS, the FSS program brings in millions of dollars to the Supply Fund. In addition to the money that comes back to the Supply Fund to support OAL, Mr. Frye also told me that VA believes that FSS provides the best cost and the most reliable and timely source of services and supplies to support our millions of Veterans. (But, since there are no cost comparisons with SDVOSBs for certain products and supplies I ask, ?how can that claim be supported”?)*
A GAO Report on the Supply Fund along with an “anonymously prepared Analysis of the VA FSS and the Supply Fund”, are also attached. I have looked over the Analysis but can-not confirm its validity or support its claims. Nonetheless, it appears to be very thorough.
So there you have it folks….FSS Priority…so says Secretary Shinseki! If you want to comment on this matter, send me an e-mail and I will place it in the News for Mr. Frye and staff to read. For me personally, nothing changes until the Law changes and until that happens, it re-mains Vets First as required by PL 109-461. Also, for any and all purchases under the small purchase threshold (to include the “griddle” Aldevra was trying to sell to VA when VA went FSS), by Law, has to be purchased from a small business! So says the Law, so says SBA….. Small purchases are for small business only and not VA FSS to large business.
– ————————————–
VetLikeMe is developed by BluePoint Productions,
Hardy Stone Publisher
301-845-1330
—————————————
This is a public service announcement (PSA) brought to you by Veteran Owned Business.  Veteran Owned Business is in no way affiliated with the above organization(s). We do not in any way endorse the above business/organization or guarantee the above offer. VeteranOwnedBusiness.com and the Veteran Owned Business Directory are simply providing information we feel is of interest to veterans, active duty military, reservists, service disabled veterans, veteran owned businesses, service disabled veteran owned businesses, families of veterans, families of our armed forces and any other person or persons directly or indirectly involved with the United States military.
If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.
The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.
2012 Operation: Start Up & GrowClick image above to view/download event flyer
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
8:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Gordon Student Center
Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, New York View the flyer
Operation: Start Up & Grow is the premier veterans business conference in Upstate New York for veterans and members of the military community who want to start or expand their own small business. This FREE conference features speakers, workshops, networking, exhibitors and much more. More than 100 veterans with an idea for a business or already in business found valuable information and resources to take their business to the next level at last year’s conference. Please call 315-471-9393 for more information about this event
Do you want to start a business? Expand your existing business? Find all the resources in one location at this FREE conference for veteran entrepreneurs! Operation: Start Up & Grow is the premier veterans business conference in Upstate New York for our veterans and members of the military community who want to start or expand their own small business.
Conference highlights include keynote address from Brian Bluff, USN veteran and president of Site-Seeker, Inc. and emcee interview with Mary Warren, PE, USAF veteran and president of Black Horse Group General Contractors. The half-day event includes breakout workshops, dozens of exhibitors, networking sessions, awards ceremony and lunch.
REGISTRATION
Registration is now open!  Please contact SBA at 315-471-9393 ext. 233 or stephanie.ubowski@sba.gov to register for the event.
SPONSORS
The 2012 Operation: Start Up & Grow conference is sponsored by: Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities, Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship at Syracuse University, M&T Bank, New York Business Development Corporation, New York Veteran Business Outreach Center, Onondaga Community College, Small Business Development Center at Onondaga Community College, The Tech Garden, U.S. Small Business Administration, and WISE Women’s Business Center.
EXHIBITORS
Allgaier Law Firm, Clear Path for Veterans, Empire State Development, Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve, Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities, Excelsior College, Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship at Syracuse University, M&T Bank, New York Business Development Corporation, New York State Division of Veteran’s Center, New York State Office of General Services Procurement Services Group, New York Veteran Business Outreach Center, North Country Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Onondaga Community College Veterans Affairs Office, Onondaga County Veterans Services Agency, Onondaga Employee Leasing Services, Inc., PathStone Enterprise Center, Site-Seeker, Inc., Small Business Development Center at Onondaga Community College, Start-Up NY, Syracuse Veterans Center, Syracuse Literacy Zones, The Tech Garden, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs Buffalo Medical Center, U.S. Small Business Administration, Visions Federal Credit Union, Watertown Veterans Center and WISE Women’s Business Center. AGENDA
8:45-9:00 Registration-Networking
9:00-9:05 Opening Remarks
9:05-9:15 SBA Initiatives for Veteran Small Businesses
9:15-10:00 Keynote Address from USN veteran Brian Bluff, president of Site-Seeker, Inc.
10:00-10:30 Networking with Exhibitors
10:30-11:15 Workshops
- Social Media-Bootstrap Marketing
- Where’s the Money?
- Doing Business With Uncle Sam
11:15-12:00 Workshops
- Marketing-Tools to Increase Market Share
- A Look at a Successful Veteran Loan
- The VA as Your Customer
12:00 Lunch
12:20 Awards Presentation: Veteran-Owned Business Achievement Award and Patriot Lender of the Year Award
12:30-1:00 Emcee Interview with USAF veteran Mary Warren, PE, president of Black Horse Group General Contractors
1:00 Conclusion
Cosponsorship # 12-0248-05
—————————————
This is a public service announcement (PSA) brought to you by Veteran Owned Business.  Veteran Owned Business is in no way affiliated with the above organization(s). We do not in any way endorse the above business/organization or guarantee the above offer. VeteranOwnedBusiness.com and the Veteran Owned Business Directory are simply providing information we feel is of interest to veterans, active duty military, reservists, service disabled veterans, veteran owned businesses, service disabled veteran owned businesses, families of veterans, families of our armed forces and any other person or persons directly or indirectly involved with the United States military.
If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.
The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.
Florida Veterans Job Fair
(Bring your resume and dress for SUCCESS!)
Friday, February 24, 2012
12:00 Noon to 4:00 P.M.
J. C. Cobb Room at Bay Pines Medical Center
10000 Bay Pines Blvd.
JOB FAIR TARGETS EMPLOYMENT FOR VETERANS
Bay Pines VA Healthcare System and Abilities of Florida, part of the ServiceSource Network are hosting a Job Fair on Friday, February 24, 2012 from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 P.M. at The J. C. Cobb Room at Bay Pines Medical Center, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd.
The Job Fair will have special emphasis on employment opportunities for Veterans and Veterans with disabilities. Similar job fairs have been conducted in the past and have been instrumental in making employment connections for scores of Veterans. A job Fair hosted at Bay Pines in February 2011 drew more than 425 Veterans and nearly two dozen employers with openings. “Our emphasis is to find jobs for disabled Veterans,” said Muriel Boysen of the Veterans Employment Outreach Program. “We will certainly assist all disabled Veterans and are specifically targeting Veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.” Laverne Feaster, Employment Re-entry Service at Bay Pines VA said, “Veterans want jobs and need jobs to assist in their recovery and re-integration to civilian life. Any employer who can hire one of America’s Heroes is helping that Veteran with more than just a paycheck, they are helping that Veteran get back on track.”
Employers with job openings are actively being solicited. For more information contact Muriel Boysen (727) 538-7370, extension 336 or Laverne Feaster (727) 398-6661 extension 7593.
—————————————
This is a public service announcement (PSA) brought to you by Veteran Owned Business.  Veteran Owned Business is in no way affiliated with the above organization(s). We do not in any way endorse the above business/organization or guarantee the above offer. VeteranOwnedBusiness.com and the Veteran Owned Business Directory are simply providing information we feel is of interest to veterans, active duty military, reservists, service disabled veterans, veteran owned businesses, service disabled veteran owned businesses, families of veterans, families of our armed forces and any other person or persons directly or indirectly involved with the United States military.
If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.
The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.
VeteranOwnedBusiness.com is proud to announce the addition of several new categories added to our Free Veteran Owned Business Directory of nearly 10,000 members.
The following approved sub-categories have been suggested by one or more of our Veteran Owned Business Directory members.
A special “Thank You†to our members and visitors who suggested one or more of the aforementioned new sub-categories!
——————————————–
If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.
The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.
The National Veterans Small Business Conference, the government’s premier event for Veteran-owned small businesses, is coming to Detroit’s Cobo Center June 25-29, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced today.
VA also announced that a “VA for Vets†Hiring Fair will be held during the conference for Veterans looking for careers in the public and private sectors. The conference is expected to attract thousands of Veterans, business owners and federal employees, and bring an estimated $3 million in direct spending to the city.
“VA is committed to bringing more Veteran-owned businesses into the public-private partnership,†said VA Chief of Staff John Gingrich. “In addition to the National Veterans Small Business Conference, our Detroit Hiring Fair will provide Veterans with on-the-spot job opportunities and interviews, while also offering career search classes and one-on-one counseling.â€
The Detroit Hiring Fair builds upon VA’s success Jan. 18 in Washington at which a partnership of federal agencies and private industry attracted over 4,100 Veterans and resulted in over 2,600 on-the-spot interviews and more than 500 tentative job offers.
“These events are part of Secretary Shinseki’s ongoing efforts to help Veterans find employment in both the public and private sectors,†said Gingrich. “As the President said in yesterday’s State of the Union address, Veterans are crucial to our economy, and we need to find them jobs.â€
This year’s conference will include an open house that gives Veterans the chance to learn the wide range of resources available to help them with their own businesses. Also available will be the VetGovPartner online platform, which enables networking, viewing the business profiles of all participants, and identifying business opportunities with more than 400 government procurement decision makers in attendance.
Known historically as the world’s capital for the transportation industry, the Detroit metro area is reinventing itself with six booming industries: medical research, defense, entertainment, green tech, urban farming, and aeronautics. About 330,000 Veterans are served by the city’s VA medical center, and more than 704,000 Veterans live in Michigan.
VA invites all interested persons and businesses to attend. More information is available at www.nationalveteransconference.com. Registration for the conference begins Friday, January 27.
—————————————
This is a public service announcement (PSA) brought to you by Veteran Owned Business.  Veteran Owned Business is in no way affiliated with the above organization(s). We do not in any way endorse the above business/organization or guarantee the above offer. VeteranOwnedBusiness.com and the Veteran Owned Business Directory are simply providing information we feel is of interest to veterans, active duty military, reservists, service disabled veterans, veteran owned businesses, service disabled veteran owned businesses, families of veterans, families of our armed forces and any other person or persons directly or indirectly involved with the United States military.
If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.
The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.
Attention ALL SDVOSBs and Veteran Owned Businesses:
NASA Veteran Owned Business and SDVOSB Industry Day 2012
Houston Texas
January 31, 2012
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is announcing a “NASA-Wide Veteran Owned Small Business/Service Disabled Veteran-owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Industry Day 2012†event to be hosted by the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center on January 31, 2012, in Houston, TX.
NASA has placed high importance on achieving the SDVOSB goal participation for Fiscal Year 2012 and beyond and therefore is seeking the maximum practicable attendance and participation of all SDVOSB’s.
Your attention is invited to visit the following weblink at http://procurement.jsc.nasa.gov/SB-IndustryDay.html for more information on the Agenda for the day’s events, RSVP information, maps and directions, as well as to sign up for the Workshops and One-on-One Business Matchmaking Sessions.
—————————————
This is a public service announcement (PSA) brought to you by Veteran Owned Business.  Veteran Owned Business is in no way affiliated with the above organization(s). We do not in any way endorse the above business/organization or guarantee the above offer. VeteranOwnedBusiness.com and the Veteran Owned Business Directory are simply providing information we feel is of interest to veterans, active duty military, reservists, service disabled veterans, veteran owned businesses, service disabled veteran owned businesses, families of veterans, families of our armed forces and any other person or persons directly or indirectly involved with the United States military.
If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.
The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.
Solicitation Number: VA24312I0592
Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs
Office: Bronx VAMC (NAL)
Location: Department of Veterans Affairs
****Request for information only****
Email Contact: Christopher Ward
VA NY/NJ Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN3) is seeking potential small business sources for Architect/Engineer (AE) firms certified in the following categories: Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), 8(a), HUBZone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB.) or Small Business (SB). This Source Sought / Request for information (RFI) is posted for market research purposes ONLY. It is not a solicitation. Not a request for an SF-330.
The intent of this RFI is to help determine the procurement strategy in soliciting sources for three subsequent AE multiple award IDIQ schedules for VISN3 in the following A/E design areas:
1. COMPREHENSIVE
a. This area is seeking professional architectural and/or engineering services for the design of various projects that require a comprehensive range of services. They may include architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, pluming, fire protection, landscape architecture, interior design, automatic transport systems, as well as lead and asbestos abatement. The scope of work may include, but is not limited to, the preparation of design, working drawings, planning, programming studies, investigations, site selections, specifications, cost estimates, miscellaneous reports, review of shop drawings, samples, equipment, data and other related documents. On certain projects the Architect/Engineer (A/E) may be requested to provide most or all of the professional services necessary. Additionally, contracts awarded on this schedule obligate the A/E to provide all supplemental and/or advisory input as required for projects being designed within VISN 3.
2. ELECTRICAL & MECHANICAL (MEP)
a. This areas is seeking professional architectural and/or engineering services necessary for the design of various projects that require primarily (MEP) electrical and mechanical services. They may include, but are not limited to, the preparation of design, working drawings, planning, programming studies, investigations, site selections, specifications, cost estimates, miscellaneous reports, review of shop drawings, samples, equipment, data and other related documents. On certain projects the A/E may be requested to provide most or all of the professional services necessary. Additionally, contracts awarded on this schedule obligate the A/E to provide all supplemental and/or advisory input as required for projects being designed within VISN
3. STRUCTURAL
a. This area is seeking professional architectural and/or engineering services necessary for the design of various projects that require structural services. They may include, but are not limited to, architectural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, landscape architecture, interior design, automatic transport systems, as well as lead and asbestos abatement. The scope of work may include, but is not limited to, the preparation of design, working drawings, planning, programming studies, investigations, site selections, specifications, cost estimates, miscellaneous reports, review of shop drawings, samples, equipment, data and other related documents. On certain projects the Architect/Engineer (A/E) may be requested to provide most or all of the professional services necessary. Additionally, contracts awarded on this schedule will obligate the Architect/Engineer to provide all supplemental and/or advisory input as required for projects being designed within VISN 3.
The geographic area of consideration is restricted to firms with an office located within a 250-mile radius of the James J. Peters VA Medical Center, 130 W. Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, New York 10468.
VISN3 anticipates the estimated maximum cumulative A/E fees (for a base year + 4 option years) under any resultant contracts shall not exceed: $10.0 million for M/E and Structural and $8.3 million for Comprehensive. For individual task orders, the minimum is anticipated to be $500 and the maximum will $1,000,000.
The applicable NAICS Code is 541310 Architect Services, with a size standard of $4.5 Million.
If your firm meets the criteria for any or all of the A/E Design area’s (Comprehensive, MEP, Structural) please send an email to Christopher Ward by 3:00 pm EST on January 12, 2011, with the subject line “AE- IDIQ” – and your firm’s name.
Emails should include the following:
1. Contact info (name, name of firm, address, phone, email)
2. DUNS number
3. Proof of valid ORCA and CCR registration.
a. (note: CCR listing should include NAICS Code 541310)
4. Proof of SDVOSB/VOSB certification (if applicable)
5. State each of the areas above (Comprehensive, MEP, Structural) you meet the requirements for and can be expected to respond to a subsequent request for more information (SF-330) and solicitation for.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR AN SF-330. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.
Response date (Deadline):
For planning and scheduling purposes, to insure being included in our market research for this upcoming procurment, responses must be received no later than close of business on Thursday, January 12, 2012 EST. Time permitting, responses received after that date may be included in our research but cannot be guaranteed.
Contracting Office Address:
VISN 3 Network Contracting Activity
James J. Peters VA Medical Center
MCC: 10N3/NCO,
130 West Kingsbridge Road
Bronx, New York 10468-3992
Place of Performance:
The Veterans Health Administration of NY & NJ (VISN 3):
Bronx, NY 10468
Brooklyn, NY 11209
Castle Point, NY 12511
East Orange, NJ 07018
Lyons, NJ 07939
Montrose, NY 10548
New York, NY 10010
Northport, NY 11768
St. Albans , NY 11425
Point of Contact(s):
CHRISTOPHER WARD, CONTRACTING OFFICER
Special Projects Coordinator
VISN 3 Network Contracting Office
E-mail: Christopher Ward
Disclaimer
This “Sources Sought” Request For Information (RFI) notice 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 notice 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 RFI.
This is a public service announcement (PSA) brought to you by Veteran Owned Business.  Veteran Owned Business is in no way affiliated with the above organization(s). We do not in any way endorse the above business/organization or guarantee the above offer. VeteranOwnedBusiness.com and the Veteran Owned Business Directory are simply providing information we feel is of interest to veterans, active duty military, reservists, service disabled veterans, veteran owned businesses, service disabled veteran owned businesses, families of veterans, families of our armed forces and any other person or persons directly or indirectly involved with the United States military.
If your business is (or you know of another business) owned by a veteran (VOB), active duty military, reservist or service disabled veteran (SDVOSB) of the United States, Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard or National Guard, please be sure to visit the VeteranOwnedBusiness.com sign up page to get your free listing.
The objective of our FREE Veteran Owned Business Directory is to continue to offer a growing list of products and services that are unique in the fact that they are all owned by, sold by and/or serviced by past and present military members.
Launched in October 2009, VLM is published by BluePoint Productions, a non-profit business certified and verified by the Veterans Administration as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business.
This is a public service announcement (PSA) brought to you by Veteran Owned Business.  Veteran Owned Business is in no way affiliated with the above organization(s). We do not in any way endorse the above business/organization or guarantee the above offer. VeteranOwnedBusiness.com and the Veteran Owned Business Directory are simply providing information we feel is of interest to veterans, active duty military, reservists, service disabled veterans, veteran owned businesses, service disabled veteran owned businesses, families of veterans, families of our armed forces and any other person or persons directly or indirectly involved with the United States military.
News Release No. 0070.12
JOB FAIR TARGETS EMPLOYMENT FOR VETERANS
