# Bridgehill Car Fire Blankets Canonical: https://abierto.us/opportunities/36c24124q0233 - Solicitation number: 36C24124Q0233 - Notice type: Combined synopsis and solicitation (first published as sources sought) - Status: Awarded to All Hands Fire Equipment LLC - Department: Department of Veterans Affairs - Contracting office: 241-Network Contract Office 01 (36C241) - NAICS: 325998 All Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing - Product or service code: 4210 Fire Fighting Equipment - Set-aside: Total small business set-aside - Place of performance: West Haven, Connecticut - County: South Central Connecticut Planning Region (FIPS 09170). https://abierto.us/counties/south-central-connecticut-planning-region-ct-09170 - City: West Haven. https://abierto.us/cities/west-haven-ct-0982800 - First posted: January 17, 2024 - Last posted: March 8, 2024 - SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/c2af00d1127b41ffbd71e0c14c37c3ec/view ## Description Combined Synopsis-Solicitation for Commercial Products and Commercial Services Effective Date: **03/15/2023 Revision:** 01 Description This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products and commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6, Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Products and Commercial Services, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued. This solicitation is issued as an RFQ. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-02. This solicitation is set-aside for SMALL BUSINESS The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 325998, with a small business size standard of 650 Employees. The FSC/PSC is 4210. The Contracting Activity is seeking to purchase delivery of Fire Blankets and Fire Safety Kits to Brockton VA Medical Center, 950 Campbell Ave, West Haven, CT 06516 pursuant to the SOW herein. This is a brand name or equal requirement. All interested companies shall provide quotations for the following: **Supplies/Services:** QTY UNIT MODEL NO. DESCRIPTION 6 EA BH-CARSTANDARD Bridgehill Car Fire Blanket - Single Use 50 EA BH-EXTREME-Medium Bridgehill Extreme Fire Blanket 50 EA LI-SK100-SK210 Li-Cell SK Series Fire Safety Kit, Option: SK210 - Large Kit Containment Bag, Gloves, Safety Glasses, 1L Extinguisher Statement of Work FIRE BLANKETS West Haven VA Medical Center 689-24-2-4513-0008 Purpose: Lithium-Ion batteries are an increasingly popular way to power mobile equipment, more and more items have incorporated the use of lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-Ion batteries have become the predominate battery type used in portable consumer electronics and electric vehicles. Everything from cell phones, laptops, wheelchairs, bicycles, and cars are now utilizing lithium-ion batteries. The benefit of lithium-ion batteries is that they are capable of higher voltage and charge storage per unit mass and volume. Lithium-ion batteries are smaller, lighter, and more efficient than their predecessors. While lithium-ion batteries have many advantages they do have several disadvantages, some of which can be catastrophic. Over the past several years communities have seen an increase in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. When a lithium-ion battery is subjected to overcharging, damage, puncture, or manufacturing defects they can fail. The failure of a lithium-ion battery often leads to what is called thermal runaway in which the battery overheats and produces a flammable and toxic vapor cloud similar to that of smoke. This toxic vapor cloud rapidly fills the space in which it occupies and upon finding an ignition source it explosively ignites. This runaway and fire happen in the matter of minutes, or according to some studies a matter of seconds. In that short window of time the area becomes uninhabitable and immediately dangerous to all those in the area. These fires burn in such a way that typical fire extinguishers such as ABC Dry Chemical, CO2, and Foam are useless. The fire burns so hot and with such veracity that it pushes away the dry chemical agents or renders the CO2 useless. Copious amounts of water is required to cool the cells of the battery, or the battery must be allowed to burn itself out. Neither situation is ideal in a medical facility. The Contractor shall provide delivery for this equipment. This is a brand-name or equal requirement (Bridgehill) Equipment to be procured: QTY UNIT MODEL NO. DESCRIPTION 6 EA BH-CARSTANDARD Bridgehill Car Fire Blanket - Single Use 50 EA BH-EXTREME-Medium Bridgehill Extreme Fire Blanket 50 EA LI-SK100-SK210 Li-Cell SK Series Fire Safety Kit, Option: SK210 - Large Kit Containment Bag, Gloves, Safety Glasses, 1L Extinguisher Background: Lithium Battery Fire Blankets can prevent the spread of fire from a thermal runaway lithium-ion battery. The use of these blankets could prevent a lithium-ion battery fire from becoming a major structural fire. Lithium Battery Fire Blankets should be purchased and pre-staged in areas throughout the facility. . For example, should the lithium-ion battery pack from a laptop or medical device go into thermal run away a fire containment blanket staged at a nearby nurses station or pre-determined location could be used to contain the battery or unit before it can cause a significant and severe fire. Scope and methodology: VHA Capabilities Supported 2023 1.4 - The Facility Maintains an All-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan 1.5 - The Facility Integrates its Clinical and Business Occupancies into the Comprehensive Emergency Management Program 1.8 - The Facility Maintains a Training Program that Supports the Comprehensive Emergency Management Program 3.1 - The Facility Provides for a Safe and Secure Environment During Emergency Operations 6.3 - The Facility Maintains Deployable Resources Records Management Language for Statement of Work (SOW): The following standard items relate to records generated in executing the contract and should be included in a typical procurement contract: 1. Citations to pertinent laws, codes and regulations such as 44 U.S.C chapters 21, 29, 31 and 33; Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552); Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a); 36 CFR Part 1222 and Part 1228. 2. Contractor shall treat all deliverables under the contract as the property of the U.S. Government for which the Government Agency shall have unlimited rights to use, dispose of, or disclose such data contained therein as it determines to be in the public interest. 3. Contractor shall not create or maintain any records that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract using Government IT equipment and/or Government records. 4. Contractor shall not retain, use, sell, or disseminate copies of any deliverable that contains information covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 or that which is generally protected by the Freedom of Information Act. 5. Contractor shall not create or maintain any records containing any Government Agency records that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract. 6. The Government Agency owns the rights to all data/records produced as part of this contract. 7. The Government Agency owns the rights to all electronic information (electronic data, electronic information systems, electronic databases, etc.) and all supporting documentation created as part of this contract. Contractor must deliver sufficient technical documentation with all data deliverables to permit the agency to use the data. 8. Contractor agrees to comply with Federal and Agency records management policies, including those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974. These policies include the preservation of all records created or received regardless of format [paper, electronic, etc.] or mode of transmission [e-mail, fax, etc.] or state of completion [draft, final, etc.]. 9. No disposition of documents will be allowed without the prior written consent of the Contracting Officer. The Agency and its contractors are responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of records, including all forms of mutilation. Willful and unlawful destruction, damage or alienation of Federal records is subject to the fines and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701. Records may not be removed from the legal custody of the Agency or destroyed without regard to the provisions of the agency records schedules. 10. Contractor is required to obtain the Contracting Officer's approval prior to engaging in any contractual relationship (sub-contractor) in support of this contract requiring the disclosure of information, documentary material and/or records generated under, or relating to, this contract. The Contractor (and any sub-contractor) is required to abide by Government and Agency guidance for protecting sensitive and proprietary information. END OF STATEMENT OF WORK Delivery shall be provided no later than 30 days after receipt of order (ARO). **Place of Performance/Place of Delivery Address:** **950 Campbell Ave, West Haven CT Postal Code:** **06516 Country:** UNITED STATES The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html. The following solicitation provisions apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial Products and Commercial Services FAR 52.212-3, Offerors Representations and Certifications Commercial Products and Commercial Services Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) website located at https://www.sam.gov/portal in accordance with FAR 52.212-3, Offerors Representations and Certifications Commercial Products and Commercial Services. If paragraph (j) of the provision is applicable, a written submission is required. The following contract clauses apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Products and Commercial Services Nov 2023 FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Products and Commercial Services Dec 2023 The following subparagraphs of FAR 52.212-5 are applicable: 52.204-10, 52.204-27, 52.209-6, 52.219-14, 52.219-28, 52.219-32, 52.219-33, 52-222-3, 52.222-19, 52.222-21, 52.222-26, 52.222-35, 52.222-36, 52.222-50, 52.223-18, 52.225-1, 52.225-13, 52.232-33 All quoters shall submit the following: Quote. All quotes shall be sent to the Contract Specialist, Divianna Mathurin, Divianna.mathurin@va.gov Award will be based upon a comparative evaluation of quotes in accordance with the Simplified Acquisition Procedures of FAR 13. Comparative evaluation is the side by side pairwise comparison of quotes based on factors resulting in a Contracting Officer decision for the quote most favorable to the Government. The following are the decision factors: price, past performance, delivery speed, avaliability The award will be made to the response most advantageous to the Government. Responses should contain your best terms, conditions. ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021) Provisions that are incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date), have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The version of FAR 52.212-1 in the addendum is tailored for Simplified Acquisition Procedures and supersedes the current version of FAR 52.212-1 contained in the FAR. The following provision is incorporated into 52.212-1 as an addendum to this solicitation: FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors Commercial Products and Commercial Services (Nov 2021) (a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard. The NAICS code(s) and small business size standard(s) for this acquisition appear elsewhere in the Request for Quote (RFQ). However, the small business size standard for a concern that submits a quote, other than on a construction or service acquisition, but proposes to furnish an end item that it did not itself manufacture, process, or produce is 500 employees if the acquisition Is set aside for small business and has a value above the simplified acquisition threshold; or Uses the HUBZone price evaluation preference regardless of dollar value, unless the quoter waives the price evaluation preference; or Is an 8(a), HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, economically disadvantaged women-owned, or women-owned small business set-aside or sole-source award regardless of dollar value. (b) Submission of Quotes. Submit signed and dated quotes to the office specified in this Request for Quote (RFQ) at or before the exact time specified. Quotes may be submitted on letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the RFQ. As a minimum, quotes must show            (1) The solicitation number;            (2) The time specified in the solicitation for receipt of quotations;           (3) The name, address, and telephone number of the quoter; A technical description of the items being quoted in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary;            (5) Terms of any express warranty;            (6) Price and any discount terms;            (7) "Remit to" address, if different than mailing address; (8) A completed copy of the representations and certifications at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.212-3 (see FAR 52.212-3(b) for those representations and certifications that the quoter shall complete electronically);            (9) Acknowledgment Request for Quotation amendments; (10) Past performance will not be considered in simplified acquisition procurements. (11) Quote should include a statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Quotes that fail to furnish required representations and certifications, information requested in (1) to (9) and accept the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from consideration. (c) Period for acceptance of Quotes. The quoter agrees to hold the prices in its quote firm for 30 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of quotes, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation. (d) Product samples. When required by the solicitation, product samples shall be submitted at or prior to the time specified for receipt of quotes. Unless otherwise specified in this solicitation, these samples shall be submitted at no expense to the Government, and returned at the sender s request and expense, unless they are destroyed during testing. (e) Multiple Quotes. Quoters are encouraged to submit multiple quotes presenting alternative line items (provided that the alternative line items are consistent with FAR subpart 4.10), or alternative commercial products or commercial services for satisfying the requirements of this solicitation. Each quote submitted will be evaluated separately. (f) Late submissions, revisions, and withdrawals of quotes. (1) Quoters are responsible for submitting quotes so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that quotes are due. (2) Any quotation received at the Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of quotes is "late" and may not be considered unless it is received before purchase order issuance and the Contracting Officer (CO) determines that accepting the late quotation would not unduly delay the acquisition. (3) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that quotations cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of quotes by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude a notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of quotes will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume. (g) Issuance of Purchase Order. The Government may issue a purchase order to one or more quoters as identified in the Request for Quote (RFQ). Therefore, the quoter s initial quote should contain the best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government may reject any or all quotes if such action is in the public s best interest. The Contracting Officer (CO) may issue a purchase order to other than the quoter with the lowest priced quotation. (h) Multiple awards. The Government may issue a purchase order for any item or group of items of a quotation, unless the quoter qualifies the quotation by specific limitations. Unless otherwise provided in the Schedule, quotations may not be submitted for quantities less than those specified. The Government reserves the right to issue a purchase order for a quantity less than the quantity quoted, at the unit prices quoted, unless the quoter specifies otherwise in the quotation.       (1) Availability of requirements documents cited in the solicitation. (i) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item Descriptions, FPMR Part 101-29, and copies of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained for a fee by submitting a request to- GSA Federal Supply Service Specifications Section Suite 8100 470 East L Enfant Plaza, SW Washington, DC 20407 Telephone (202) 619-8925, Facsimile (202) 619-8978. (ii) If the General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, or Department of Veterans Affairs issued this solicitation, a single copy of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained free of charge by submitting a request to the addressee in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision. Additional copies will be issued for a fee. (2) Most unclassified Defense specifications and standards may be downloaded from the following ASSIST websites:                 (i) ASSIST ( https://assist.dla.mil/online/start/).                 (ii) Quick Search ( http://quicksearch.dla.mil/).           (3) Documents not available from ASSIST may be ordered from the Department of Defense Single Stock Point (DoDSSP) by- (i) Using the ASSIST Shopping Wizard ( https://assist.dla.mil/wizard/index.cfm); (ii) Phoning the DoDSSP Customer Service Desk (215) 697-2179, Mon-Fri, 0730 to 1600 EST; or (iii) Ordering from DoDSSP, Building 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, Telephone (215) 697-2667/2179, Facsimile (215) 697-1462. (4) Nongovernment (voluntary) standards must be obtained from the organization responsible for their preparation, publication, or maintenance. (j) Unique entity identifier (UEI). Applies to all quotes that exceed the micro-purchase threshold, and quotes at or below the micro-purchase threshold if the solicitation requires the contractor to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).) The quoter must enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its quote, the annotation "Unique Entity Identifier" followed by the unique entity identifier that identifies the quoters name and address. The quoter also must enter its Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator, if applicable. The EFT indicator is a four-character suffix to the UEI. The suffix is assigned at the discretion of the quoter to establish additional SAM records for identifying alternative EFT accounts (see FAR subpart 32.11) for the same entity. If the quoter does not have a UEI, it should contact the entity designated at www.sam.gov for UEI establishment directly to obtain one. The quoter should indicate that it is a quoter for a Government contract when contacting the entity designated at www.sam.gov for establishing the UEI. (k) [Reserved] (l) Requests for information. The CO will not notify unsuccessful quoters that responded to this Request for Quotation (RFQ). However, quoters may request information on purchase order(s) resulting from this solicitation with the CO. (End of Provision) To facilitate the award process, all quotes must include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows: "The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition." OR "The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:" Quoters shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s), if any. Submission of your response shall be received not later than 10AM on Friday March 15, 2024 at Divianna.Mathurin@va.gov Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f). Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to the Point of Contact listed below. Point of Contact Contract Specialist Divianna Mathurin Divianna.Mathurin@va.gov 914-325-3258 DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Justification for Single Source Awards IAW FAR 13.106-1 For Over Micro-Purchase Threshold but Not Exceeding the SAT ($250K) **Acquisition Plan Action ID:** **36C241-24-AP-1514 Contracting Activity:** Network Contracting Office 1 Regional Procurement Office East on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 1, West Haven VA medical Center, 950 Campbell Ave. West Haven, CT 06516. Funding 689-24-2-4513-0008. Brief Description of Supplies/ Services required and the intended use/Estimated Amount: This is a new, brand name or equal requirement. The Contracting Activity is looking to acquire (6) Bridgehill Car Fire Blankets, (50) Bridgehill Extreme Fire Blankets, and (50) Li-Cell SK Series Fire Safety Kits for West Haven Medical Center s Emergency Management Department. This equipment is being manufactured by OEM LB Bridgehill, P.O.Box 2221, 3255 Larvik, Norway. The BridgeHill BridgeTech Car Fire Blanket is the most efficient way to isolate and extinguish car fires, even in electric vehicles. The Bridgehill Car Fire Blanket enables you to contain the flames, smoke and toxic fumes in a car fire in seconds. It s the only solution that can effectively handle fires in electric vehicles. Bridgehill s BridgeTech Extreme Fire blankets are the fastest, simplest and most eco-friendly way to isolate and extinguish small fires and even isolate lithium batteries. Estimated Amount . Unique characteristics that limit availability to only one source, with the reason no other supplies or services can be used: Lithium-Ion batteries are an increasingly popular way to power mobile equipment, more and more items have incorporated the use of lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-Ion batteries have become the predominate battery type used in portable consumer electronics and electric vehicles. Everything from cell phones, laptops, wheelchairs, bicycles, and cars are now utilizing lithium-ion batteries. The benefit of lithium-ion batteries is that they are capable of higher voltage and charge storage per unit mass and volume. Lithium-ion batteries are smaller, lighter, and more efficient than their predecessors. While lithium-ion batteries have many advantages they do have several disadvantages, some of which can be catastrophic. Over the past several years communities have seen an increase in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. When a lithium-ion battery is subjected to overcharging, damage, puncture, or manufacturing defects they can fail. The failure of a lithium-ion battery often leads to what is called thermal runaway in which the battery overheats and produces a flammable and toxic vapor cloud similar to that of smoke. This toxic vapor cloud rapidly fills the space in which it occupies and upon finding an ignition source it explosively ignites. This runaway and fire happen in the matter of minutes, or according to some studies a matter of seconds. In that short window of time the area becomes uninhabitable and immediately dangerous to all those in the area. These fires burn in such a way that typical fire extinguishers such as ABC Dry Chemical, CO2, and Foam are useless. The fire burns so hot and with such veracity that it pushes away the dry chemical agents or renders the CO2 useless. Copious amounts of water are required to cool the cells of the battery, or the battery must be allowed to burn itself out. Neither situation is ideal in a medical facility. Lithium Battery Fire Blankets can prevent the spread of fire from a thermal runaway lithium-ion battery. The use of these blankets could prevent a lithium-ion battery fire from becoming a major structural fire. Lithium Battery Fire Blankets should be purchased and pre-staged in areas throughout the facility. For example, should the lithium-ion battery pack from a laptop or medical device go into thermal run away a fire containment blanket staged at a nearby nurses station or pre-determined location could be used to contain the battery or unit before it can cause a significant and severe fire. Description of market research conducted and results or statement why it was not conducted: The Contracting Activity queried various sites such as VetCert, FPDS, NAC, SBA DSBS, GSA, and VetBiz. The first search was on VetCert using NAICS 325998 which yielded 153 results, none of which responded to the Sources Sought Notice published nor authorized to provide. SBA DSBS search using NAICS 325998 along with keyword Bridgehill which generated 0 search results. GSA and SBA DSBS search using keyword Bridgehill both returned 0 search results as well. Two searches were conducted on NAC, the first using model number LI-SK100-SK210 which yielded 0 active items, the second was using keyword Bridgehill Fire Blankets which also produced 0 active items. Last search was on FPDS using keyword fire blankets which yielded 1 contract action for fire blankets however they were not Bridgehill brand fire blankets which is what s being requested. Sources Sought Notice 36C24124Q0233 was published to Contract Opportunities and received 3 responses from the distributors listed below who are authorized by the OEM. Since 2 or more small businesses are able to provide a small business set-aside will suffice. The rule of two was not met. **Contracting Officer's Certification:** Purchase is approved in accordance with FAR13.106-1(b). I certify that the foregoing justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. Tyler Kenyon Date Contracting Officer NCO 1/ RPO EAST ## Award on USAspending - Recipient: All Hands Fire Equipment LLC (UEI SKKBBG2DG7L7) - Contract: 36C24124P0417, purchase order - Obligated: $108,428.94 - Competition: Competed Under SAP, 18 offers received - Link: solicitation number 36C24124Q0233 equals the FPDS solicitation identifier; same awarding office 36C241 (high confidence) - Record: https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_36C24124P0417_3600_-NONE-_-NONE-/ ## Publications - January 17, 2024: Sources sought, due January 24, 2024 at 10:00 AM EST. Notice d76d2fe18e874e8b8292026eb32ea92a. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/d76d2fe18e874e8b8292026eb32ea92a/view - March 8, 2024: Combined synopsis and solicitation, due March 15, 2024 at 10:00 AM EDT. Notice c2af00d1127b41ffbd71e0c14c37c3ec. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/c2af00d1127b41ffbd71e0c14c37c3ec/view ## Points of contact - Divianna Mathurin, Contract Specialist, divianna.mathurin@va.gov, 914-325-3258 --- Source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities bulk extract and USAspending.gov award data. Confirm deadlines on SAM.gov before responding. Cite https://abierto.us/opportunities/36c24124q0233.