Department of Veterans Affairs, National Acquisition Center, P.O. Box 76, Bldg. 37, Hines, IL 60141-0076

70 -- COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR PROCUREMENT OF RED BOOK (TM) DATABASE EXPANDED FORMAT AND READYPRICE (R) SYSTEM SOL M6-Q3-99 DUE 032599 POC Jane Brusveen (708) 786-7659 This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for a commercial item 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; proposal is being requested, and a written solicitation will not be issued. This procurement is noncompetitive, sole source. Solicitation M6-Q3-99 is being issued as a Request for Proposal (RFP). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-10. For informational purpose only: The Department of Veterans Affairs, National Acquisition Center (NAC) intends to procure from Micromedex, Inc. a commercial, off-the-shelf database (quantity 1 each) entitled, RED BOOK Database Expanded Format and ReadyPrice System with monthly updates that will allow for at least 20 concurrent users. The NAC will use this database to populate the National Drug File (NDF) in the Veterans Integrated Health System Architecture (VISTA), a computer system used in all VA facilities. VA requires a commercial, off-the-shelf database with system application (Windows compatible), 2 manuals or documentation, delivery within 15 business days, and on-site training. This database shall contain pricing and comprehensive descriptive information on prescription and over-the counter drugs. The database shall include every drug product approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for manufacture and distribution of healthcare products. This would encompass prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, chemicals used for compounding, medical devices, and supplies. The database shall include both active and inactive items. Inactive items must be actively reviewed and updated at least monthly. The database shall be in the form of a flat-based file that can be downloaded and manipulated in a personal computer as well as have an application (Windows) to allow for easy data retrieval. The company selected shall allow for a network license at the National Acquisition Center (NAC). VA will use this database at the location mentioned above to populate the National Drug File (NDF) in the Veterans Integrated Health System Architecture (VISTA), a computer system used in all VA facilities. The company must allow for at least 20 concurrent users (per server connection). The database shall contain, at a minimum, the following information: NDC (10 digit format), manufacturer, route of administration, package size, package type, inactivation data, old NDC (multiple), dosage form, strength, units, dispense unit, generic name, controlled substance schedule, history, break-down on drug classification system, new items, and updated wholesale prices. The database must have historical information on pricing including but not limited to: wholesale prices, commercial pricing, etc. and previous NDC information. This data shall be broken down into various fields. Record maintenance data shall contain, at a minimum, fields for: record change indicator (activity indicator), record change date, price change date, add indicator, add date, deactivate indicator, deactivate date, reactivate indicator, reactivate date, and correction indicator. Fields for NDC data shall contain at a minimum: NDC 5-4-2 format, NDC original configuration code, NDC standard 10 format, NDC change flag, previous NDC 5-4-2 format, previous NDC original configuration code, previous NDC standard 10 format, previous NDC AWP effective date, previous NDC AWP, and previous NDC discontinuation date. Fields for product description data shall contain at a minimum: additional description, DEA class code, DESI drug indicator, DESI effective date, dispensing unit flag, exceptional drug indicator, form code, generic class code, generic cross reference code, maintenance drug indicator, manufacturer code, manufacturer name, measure code, metric size, Orange Book standard flag, package size, product name, product weight/volume, single source indicator, solid/liquid indicator, standard package size, standard unit of measure, strength, therapeutic class code, and unit dose flag. Fields for price data, at a minimum, shall contain: average wholesale price start indicator, average wholesale price sector, wholesale acquisition cost start indicator, wholesale acquisition cost sector, direct price start indicator, direct price sector, federal upper limit price start indicator, federal upper limit price sector, suggested retail price start indicator, and suggested retail price sector. All information shall be accurate and complete. NO INFORMATION SHALL BE FABRICATED. Updates of pricing, NDC information, or any new drug releases from FDA must be provided to the VA on a monthly basis by means of diskette, CD-ROM, or on-line via electronic transfer. If information is transferred using corrupt files, they must be replaced in a timely manner. VA requires the updated information be current as of date of release. Demonstration of database at NAC shall be required. Year 2000 Compliance -- Company must warrant thatthe database delivered under this potential purchase order shall be able to accurately process date data (including, but not limited to, calculating, comparing, and sequencing) from, into, and between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, including leap year calculations, when used in accordance with the product documentation provided by the contractor, provided that all listed or unlisted products (e.g. hardware, software, firmware) used in combination with such listed product properly exchange date data with it. Delivery shall be FOB Destination and acceptance within 15 business days after receipt of order to VA National Acquisition Center, 1st Avenue, 1 Block North of 22nd Street, Building 37, Hines, IL 60141, ATTENTION: Rhena Williams. Contract period is effective upon date of award for one (1) year. Applicable clauses: 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items; 52.212-2 Evaluation Commercial Items; 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items; 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items; 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items; 52.227-19 Commercial Computer Software Restricted Rights; 852.219-70 Veteran-Owned Small Business; 852.270-4 Commercial Advertising; Warranty Clause, and Year 2000 Warranty Commercial Supply Items. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offer: (1) technical capability of the item offered to meet the Government requirement; (2) price; (3) past performance. Technical and past performance evaluating factors, when combined, are significantly more important than price. RFP, completed clauses, and past performance information are due back to the National Acquisition Center, Federal Supply Schedule (90N-M1), Attn: Jane Brusveen, P.O. Box 76, Hines, IL 60141 by 3:00 p.m. (local time) MARCH 25, 1999. Response to this RFP, which must include completion of all clause information required above, may be faxed to (708) 786-5256, attention Jane Brusveen. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Brusveen at (708) 786-7659. (Refer to Numbered Note 22) Posted 03/10/99 (W-SN306886). (0069)

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