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:
337126 – Household furniture
Size Standard: 950 Employees
Delivery:
Blackfeet Community Hospital 760 Hospital Circle, Browning, Montana 59417.The contractor shall delivery the equipment within 90 days of award
CLIN Description Quantity Unit
1 Cosco Easy Elite 40 EA
2 Cosco Light ‘n Comfy LX w/base 40 EA
3 Cosco Finale 2-in-1 40 EA
Delivery:
Crow/Northern Cheyenne Hospital, 10110 South, 7650 East, Crow Agency, Montana 59022. The contractor shall delivery the equipment within 90 days of award
CLIN Description Quantity Unit
1 Cosco Kids Scenera NEXT Convertible 35 EA
2 Cosco Finale 2-in-1 40 EA
3 Cosco Kids MightyFit 65 DX Convertible 45 EA
Statement of Work:
Purchasing car seats for newborns and older pediatric patients is critical to mitigate the risk of morbidity and mortality associated with motor vehicle crashes. These car seats are essential for ensuring the safety of our patients during transportation.
Specifications for goods:
Primary purpose of car seats is to protect children in the event of a car crash. They restrain children with straps that rest on their shoulders and hips. Car seats are designed for different age and size ranges, allowing children to be properly secured as they grow.
- Item/Component: Cosco Easy Elite:
Specifications:
a. All-in-One Car Seat: Rear-facing 5–40 pounds, Forward-facing harness 30–50 pounds, and Belt-positioning 40–80 pounds
b. Side Impact Protection
c. 5-point harness with easy up-front adjustment
d. Easy-to-use headrest and harness adjust quickly and easily with one hand
e. Fits 3 across the back seat in most cars
f. Body pillow gives a snug fit to smaller babies
g. Machine washable, dryer seat pad
- Item/Component: Cosco Light ‘n Comfy LX w/base:
Specifications:
a. Rear-facing 4-22 pounds
b. Lightweight and easy to carry
c. Seat pad is machine washable and dryer safe
d. Infant insert provides a snugger fit for small babies
e. Side Impact Protection
f. 5-point harness with up-front adjustment
g. 4 harness heights and 3 buckle locations make the seat easy to customize for your growing child
- Item/Component: Cosco Finale 2-in-1:
Specifications:
a. Extended Use: Forward-facing with harness 30-65 pounds and 32-49 in. and at least 1 year old and Belt-positioning Booster 40-100 pounds and 43-52 in. (Actual fit may vary. Not all children will comfortably fit in the seat for the full weight and height ranges listed).
b. Designed to fit 3 across in most vehicles – Great for growing families and car pools
c. Lightweight and easy to move from car to car
d. Dishwasher-safe cup holder detaches for use on either side of seat
e. Easy-to-clean with machine washable and dryable fabrics
f. Exceeds Federal Safety Standards
g. IIHS Best Bet rating for use in booster mode
- Item/Component: Cosco Kids Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat, Otto,Infant & Toddler, Unisex
Specifications:
a. Fits 3 across in the back seat of most vehicles
b. Rear-facing 5-40 lb and 19-40 in. and Forward-facing 22-40 lb and 29-43 in. and at least 1 year old (Actual fit may vary. Not all children will comfortably fit in the seat for the full weight and height ranges listed).
c. Side Impact Protection
d. 5-point harness with easy front adjustment
e. 5 harness heights and 3 buckle locations allow for the best fit for growing children
f. Seat pad is machine washable and dryer safe
- Item/Component: Cosco Kids MightyFit 65 DX Convertible Car Seat, Heather Onyx, Infant & Toddler, Unisex
Specifications:
a. An extra-comfortable ride that lasts for years: Rear-facing 5-40 pounds and Forward-facing 22-65 pounds
b. Fits 3 across in the back seat of most vehicles
c. Gives parent in the front seat more leg room
d. Side Impact Protection
e. 5-point harness with easy up-front adjustment
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 routine food service delivery and customizable menus to healthcare facilities
- List of past jobs/contracts of providing routine food service delivery and customizable menus to healthcare facilities
- Demonstrate how your company meets the definition for Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) in consideration to this requirement.
- Demonstrate how your company will receive at least 51% of the earnings from the awarded contract.
- If identifying a partnership with a subcontractor that is a similarly situated entity, demonstrate how together with the subcontractor you will receive a combined 51% of the earnings from the contract.
- If identifying a partnership with a subcontractor that is NOT a similarly situated entity, demonstrate how you will receive 51% of the earnings from the contract.
- Demonstrate how the prime IEE, or together with the subcontractor, will conduct management and daily operations to 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: Shannon.Connelly@ihs.gov 15 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: SS-BFSU-25-060. Responses received to this notice will assist in determining the acquisition strategy of the requirement.
