This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. Pursuant to 48 CFR 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 identity Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs) 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.
NOTE: If this requirement is set-aside, FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting will apply; similarly-situated entity description applies. This clause requires that the concern perform at least 50 percent (50%) of the cost of the contract, not including the cost of materials, with its own employees.
DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT
NAICS:
325120 – INDUSTRIAL GAS MANUFACTURING
1200 employees
PSC:
6835 - MEDICAL GASES
Duration:
Base plus four 12-month option years
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES:
The Contractor shall provide medical gas services to the Blackfeet Service Unit, herein referred to as BFSU. These services shall be performed in accordance with all federal, state, local laws and regulations, commercial professional standards, Indian Health policy and practice standards, the Joint Commission (TJC) and the Statement of Work (SOW). Refer to attached DRAFT Statement of Work (SOW) for more specific details and required qualifications.
Location:
Blackfeet Service Unit
760 Hospital Circle
Browning, MT 59417
INSTRUCTIONS TO INDUSTRY
ISBEEs are highly encourage 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 medical gas services.
- List of past jobs/contracts of providing medical gas services to IHS healthcare facilities. Particularly rural locations.
- 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 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 teri.kittson@ihs.gov no later than 7 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.
Sources Sought ID: SS-BFSU-25-027
Responses received to this notice will assist in determining the acquisition strategy of the requirement referencing the Sources Sought ID in the subject line of your response.
