PRESOL | 99 | CHICAGO EDGE MAXX CORNERLESS SPREADER/FEEDER Must have the features of processing 900-1000 sheets without dragging the sheet across the floor to entering the ironing machine.

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF NOVEMBER 14, 2008 FBO #2545
SOLICITATION NOTICE

99 -- CHICAGO EDGE MAXX CORNERLESS SPREADER/FEEDER Must have the features of processing 900-1000 sheets without dragging the sheet across the floor to entering the ironing machine.

Notice Date: 11/12/2008
Notice Type: Presolicitation
NAICS: 423850 — Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
Contracting Office: Department of Veterans Affairs;VA Boston Healthcare System;Contracting Officer (90C);940 Belmont Street;Brockton MA 02301
ZIP Code: 02301
Solicitation Number: VA-241-09-RQ-0056
Response Due: 11/17/2008
Archive Date: 11/27/2008
Point of Contact: Christine GormanContract Specialist<br />
Small Business Set-Aside: Total Small Business
Description: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 The Department of Veterans, VA Boston Healthcare System, has a requirement for vendor, Yankee Equipment in Barrington, NH 03825, for Chicago Dryer, manufacturer of the Edge Maxx, maintains the patent pending technology of the worlds first Cornerless system. The details of the function of the devices can be identified in the Statement of Work. It is the Governments intention to solicit and negotiate only with this source. Please refer to the Sole Source Justification. This is not a solicitation; it is notice of intent to sole source a requirement. Inquires/information received after established deadline of November 14, 2008 shall not be considered. The submission of any data for review shall not impede award of this contract as planned. The Government does not intend to pay for information solicited. This synopsis is issued pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. Post in FBO today for 5 days i.e. 11/12/2008 16:00 pm EST Deadline 11/17/2008 16:00 pm EST ACRONYMS VA:VA Medical Center CO:Contracting Officer COTR:Contracting Officers Technical Representative FTE:Full Time Employee FTEs:Full Time Employees JCAHO:Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organization OSHA:Occupational Safety and Health Administration EST:Eastern Standard Time JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION 1.Identification of the agency and the contracting activity. VA Boston Healthcare System VISN 1 Laundry Service in Brockton. 2.Nature and/or description of the action being approved. Sole source procurement from Yankee Equipment, Barrington, NH 03825 for Chicago Edge Maxx Cornerless Spreader/Feeder to be utilized at the VISN 1 Laundry Service in Brockton. The VISN 1 Laundry Service processes linens for the ten Medical Centers and all the Out Patient Clinics within VISN 1. 3.Description of the supplies or services required to meet the agencys needs (including the estimated value). 523-09-1-1731-0001 for the Spreader/Feeder providing end to end ironing of flat sheets using a clipless system estimated amount $90,596.00. Description: Cornerless Spreader/Feeder (2 Full Time Employees [FTEs] will not be required to feed large linen items, such as sheets, into machine as corner clipping of items will not be required for items to be processed). 4.Identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition. FAR 6.302-1, USC 253(C) (1) only one responsible sources and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. 5.Demonstration that the proposed contractors unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited. The Spreader/Feeder must provide end to end ironing of flat sheets at a maximum of 900-1000 sheets per hour using a clipless system. The using of clipless system can reduce 1 2 (FTEs) with the same output. The spreader/feeder will also record the production rate of each employee and provides a full-length lighting system for inspection, improving quality control. It also provides pacing lights that will indicate if the machine is functioning at the present rate as selected by management. Unlike any other feeding systems the Edge Maxx feeder is a cornerless feeding system, therefore an employee does not need to take the time to find corners of flatwork in order to feed the item. Because this cornerless feeder device only offered by Chicago Dryer (patented) eliminates the potential pulling of sheets-end to end, (clip on system) it virtually eliminates the premature tearing of sheets, therefore conceptually sheets last longer before being disposed of (fair-wear and tear reduced) To achieve production requirements of up to 1,000 pieces per hour the number of employees required to accommodate this feeding requirement is eliminated from 4-5 FTEs-feeding and pulling to 2-3 FTEs (feeding and pulling), a potential savings in FTE(s) of 2 to 3, at $35,000 salary including benefits per year a savings of $70,000 annually. Over the approximate life of 12 years for the feeder that represents a savings (cost avoidance of $840,000). Because of the patented designs of the Edge Maxx sheets do not drag across the floor prior to entering the machine (ironer). The clip on systems do allow sheets to drag on the floor and this has been cited by several JCAHO inspectors in the past as a sanitation challenge and by OSHA as a tripping hazard to employees feeding the ironer. The Edge Maxx Feeder is currently used by numerous VA facilities and has been purchased recently as a sole source item in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations without any industry challenges by VA in Oklahoma City, St. Albans (Brooklyn), West Los Angeles and Perry Point MD. It is very important for all the VA facilities to standardize all their equipments for interchangeable operations. 6.Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as is practicable, including whether a Commerce Business Daily notice was or will be publicized as required by subpart 5.2 (copy attached) and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies. The vendor, Chicago Edge Maxx holds patent on Cornerless System. We tried to contact other vendors, however, they were unable to provide the same services. Will post on FBO for 5 days from November 12, 2008 16:00 pm EST November 17, 2008 16:00 pm EST. 7.Determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable The contracting officer (CO) anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable because of the potential savings of $70,000 annually. If the machine can run 12 years that means a savings of $840,000.00 for the government. 8.Description of the market survey conducted (i.e., names of firms and the date(s) the firms were contacted) and the results or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted. There are no other manufacturers that produce a product with the same features process 900 1000 sheets without dragging the sheet across the floor prior to entering the ironing machine. This is very critical for passing the inspection from JCAHO and OSHA. This can eliminate the tripping hazard for the employees feeding the ironer. 9.Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as an explanation why technical data packages, specifications, engineering descriptions, statements of work, or purchase descriptions suitable for full and open competition have not been developed or are not available. Another exclusive capability to the Edge Maxx is the Gapbuster linen flow accelerator (patent pending). This feature senses the distance between fed sheets and accelerates Edge Maxxs exit conveyor as needed to reduce the gap. This increases the number of pieces that can be processed through the system and helps keep the ironer fully covered. This design provides the direct path feeding which is faster and more compact. It eliminates the extra turn to rotate linen 90 degrees before entering the ironer. 10.A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition. None to date. 11.A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required. Contracting activity will continue to encourage full and open competition whenever possible. Statement of Work Vendor is to provide: 1)Delivers and sets up one Chicago Edge Maxx Cornerless spreader/feeder to the specific location of existing ironers; 2)The Spreader/Freeder is to be utilized at the VISN 1 Laundry in Brockton. The VISN 1 Laundry processes linens for the ten Medical Centers, as well as, all the Out Patient Clinics within VISN1; 3)The Spreader/Freeder must provide end to end ironing of flat sheets using a CLIPLESS system; 4)Performs a system check and provides training to VA personnel; 5)Makes adjustments if necessary. Point of Contact : Contracting Officer Christine.Gorman@va.gov DELIVERY On or before March 31, 2009.
Web Link: FedBizOpps Complete View
(https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=3922458ee2203c6ec7207469d1f81ba7&tab=core&_cview=1)
Place of Performance: Address: VA Boston Healthcare System;Laundry Service VISN 1;940 Belmont Street;Brockton;MA<br />; Zip Code: 02301<br />
Record: SN01703670-W 20081114/081112215221-3922458ee2203c6ec7207469d1f81ba7 (fbodaily.com)
Source: FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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99 -- CHICAGO EDGE MAXX CORNERLESS SPREADER/FEEDER Must have the features of processing 900-1000 sheets without dragging the sheet across the floor to entering the ironing machine.