VEText Messaging Services (VA-25-00009147)

Request for Information VEText Messaging Services VA-25-00009147 Introduction The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Technology Acquisition Center is seeking information on the availability of capable sources to provide a commercial telecommunications short message service (SMS) gateway service to send SMS appointment reminders to Veterans. VA has developed a software solution, (VEText), that allows Veterans to confirm or cancel medical appointments from a text message without VA staff intervention. VEText is integrated with Veterans Integrated System Technology Architecture (VistA) scheduling system to remind patients of their scheduled appointments and allow cancellation if necessary. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered an Invitation for Bid, Request for Task Execution Plan, Request for Quotation or a Request for Proposal. Additionally, there is no obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services described in this RFI. Your response to this RFI will be treated only as information for the Government to consider. You will not be entitled to payment for direct or indirect costs that you incur in responding to this RFI. This request does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated or received for this effort. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary, restricted or competition sensitive information contained in their response. The Government does not intend to pay for the information submitted in response to this RFI. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this requirement is 541519, Information Technology Value Added Resellers with a size standard of 150 employees. 2. Submittal Information: All responsible sources may submit a response in accordance with the below information. There is a page limitation for this RFI of 10 pages (excluding Product Description (PD) feedback should your response include PD changes). Generic capability statements will not be accepted or reviewed. Your response must address capabilities specific to the requirement in the attached PD and must include the following: Interested Vendors shall at a minimum, provide the following information in the initial paragraph of the submission: Name of Company Address Point of Contact Phone Number Email address Company Business Size and Status For VOSB and SDVOSBs, proof of verification in SBA Vetcert. Provide a summary of your proposed solution/technical capability to meet the PD requirements including all resources (products including hardware and software) including a diagram to describe your Texting solution. Diagram must include Long/Short texting solution. Provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimate to include pricing model that would be most advantageous to the Government. Has the draft PD provided sufficient detail to describe the technical requirements that encompass the software development and production operations support services to be performed under this effort. ______ YES _______ NO (if No, see e.) If NO , please provide your technical comments/recommendations on elements of the draft PD that may contribute to a more accurate proposal submission and efficient, cost-effective effort. Any Contract Vehicle of which you are a part that can be used to acquire your solution as well as the company business size and status for each vehicle as designated by the NAICS 541519, Information Technology Value Added Resellers, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (i.e., Large Business, Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Women-Owned Small Business, Hub Zone Small Business, etc.) Responses are due no later than 10:00 AM EST, November 8, 2024, via email to Christopher Knight, Contract Specialist at Christopher.knight2@va.gov and Debra Clayton, Contracting Officer at Debra.Clayton2@va.gov. Please note your company name, Appointment Reminder SMS and 36C10B25Q0056 in the subject line of your response. The email file size shall not exceed 5 MB. If additional information is required by VA to determine a contractor s capability, additional information may be requested at a later date.

Background
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Technology Acquisition Center is seeking information on the availability of capable sources to provide a commercial telecommunications short message service (SMS) gateway service to send SMS appointment reminders to Veterans.

The goal of this initiative is to enhance communication with Veterans regarding their medical appointments through the VEText software solution, which allows them to confirm or cancel appointments via text without VA staff intervention. This system is integrated with the Veterans Integrated System Technology Architecture (VistA) scheduling system.

Work Details
The contractor will be responsible for providing a commercial SMS gateway service that includes:
- Sending SMS appointment reminders to Veterans.
- Enabling Veterans to confirm or cancel their medical appointments through text messages.
- Integrating the SMS service with the existing VEText software and VistA scheduling system.
- Providing a summary of proposed solutions and technical capabilities, including hardware and software resources, along with a diagram illustrating the texting solution (both Long and Short texting solutions).
- Offering a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimate that includes a pricing model advantageous to the Government.
- Evaluating whether the draft Product Description (PD) provides sufficient detail for technical requirements related to software development and production operations support services.

Place of Performance
The place of performance is not explicitly stated but is expected to be within the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs.