Canine Assisted Spiritual Care

Sources Sought Canine Assisted Spiritual Care NAICS Code:

624190 Sources Sought Number: 36C26324Q0515.

Notice Type: Sources Sought This is a Request for Information (RFI) only; it is not a request for quotations or offers.

52.215-3 -- Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997) (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Although proposal and offeror are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. (c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of:

conducting market research to identify potential sources for a potential procurement of canine assisted spiritual care. See attached item specifications in PWS. This is a request for information and sources only, which may or may not lead to a future solicitation. This is not a request for proposal (RFP). The VA will not pay for any information received resulting from this source sought notice. Information should be forwarded to the Contract Specialist.

Any questions should be addressed to the Contract Specialist, in writing, at the email address provided. Because this is a request for information only, answers to questions will not be posted. If your organization has the capability to provide these supplies/services and is interested in this opportunity, please respond to Ashraf Moghul, Contract Specialist, Network 23 Contracting Office (NCO23), 316 Robert St N Suite 506 St. Paul MN 55101or via e-mail at Ashraf.moghul@va.gov.

Please address the following in your responses: Point of contact, UEI Number, complete mailing address, telephone number, and email address for your company/entity. Socioeconomic status of your company/entity. If applicable - GSA/FSS/ECAT/NASA SEWP contract number that these products or services are available under. Product information/specifications of the systems that you can provide that meet the requirements of the DRAFT Specification-Statement of Work.

The VA Healthcare System is seeking a qualified and experienced vendor to provide Canine Assisted Spiritual Care services veterans, in accordance with the performance objectives outlined in attached PWS. The selected provider shall have two-years experience (minimally) delivering Canine Assisted Spiritual Care services in a healthcare environment, preferably with veteran populations.

The handler must have master s level training in Spiritual Direction (or a similar field) and the ability to work with Veterans of all ages and stages of life. The provider must have appropriate pet therapy certifications, liability insurance, and be able to carry out required services in adherence to local and state regulations.