Background
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office (NCO) 8 San Juan Commodities and Services Team is conducting market research to identify parties interested in providing Shuttle Transportation Service to/from the San Juan Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The goal is to identify potential Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs), Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs), and other small business concerns capable of performing these services.
Work Details
The BPA Holder shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items necessary for Shuttle Transportation Services within approximately a 1.8-mile radius of the San Juan VA Medical Center. Services will include:
- Operating six shuttle buses during weekdays from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on specified routes including between the Metropolitan Bus Parking Lot and the San Juan VA Medical Center.
- Ensuring no interruption of service during lunch breaks.
- Maintaining an adequate workforce and buses for uninterrupted performance.
- Providing assistance to passengers with disabilities, including wheelchair securement and lift/ramp operation.
- Maintaining vehicles in good repair and complying with all applicable laws and regulations.
Period of Performance
The period of performance for this effort will be a five-year ordering period with an option to extend services for up to six months at the government's discretion.
Place of Performance
San Juan VA Medical Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Bidder Requirements
Bidders must provide evidence of compliance with qualifications including:
- Vehicles above 10,000 lbs. must have USDOT registration and a franchise from the Puerto Rico Transportation Bureau.
- Personnel must be trained and certified in safe vehicle operation and assisting individuals with disabilities.
- Drivers must hold a valid category 8 or above driving license issued by Puerto Rico and a commercial operator license from the Puerto Rico Transportation Bureau. They must also maintain a valid medical examiner's certificate as required.
Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
This opportunity appears to have a confirmed incumbent based on contract 36C24822P0914 awarded to Puerto Rico Tours for $1,290,243 (04/01/22–03/31/27). The prior work provided shuttle transportation services to/from the VA Caribbean Healthcare System, which is similar in function and likely a continuation of VA shuttle operations in Puerto Rico, including comparable day-to-day bus routing and passenger assistance requirements.
SOURCES SOUGHT SHUTTLE TRANSPORTATION SERVICE TO/FROM SAN JUAN VA MEDICAL CENTER SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO INTRODUCTION: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office (NCO) 8 San Juan Commodities and Services Team is issuing this sources-sought synopsis as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support the requirement for Shuttle Transportation Service to/from San Juan Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center . The intent of this notice is to identify interested sources, their respective socio-economic status, and their capability to perform the required services. Responses to this sources-sought notice/market research may be used to issue the requirement as a set-aside for small businesses or procured through full and open competition. However, the primary purpose of this notice is to identify potential Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs), Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs), and other small business concerns capable of performing this requirement. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: San Juan VA Medical Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico DISCLAIMER: This sources-sought is for informational purposes only. This is not a Request for Quote (RFQ) to be submitted. It does not constitute a solicitation and shall not be construed as a commitment by the government. Responses in any form are not quotes, and the government is under no obligation to award a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) as a result of this announcement. No funds are available to pay for preparation of responses to this announcement. Any information submitted by respondents to this technical description is strictly voluntary. Responses will not be returned to the responder. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized through the Contract Opportunities webpage at https://sam.gov/opportunities. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor the Contract Opportunities website for additional information pertaining to this requirement. ELIGIBILITY: The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 485210, Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation with a Small Business Size Standard of $32,000,000. The Product Service Code is V212. Responses to this notice shall include company/individual name, a service capability statement, examples of similar performances for which you have provided services, SAM UEI number, address, and point of contact. Interested vendors should provide their size status for the above-referenced NAICS code. (i.e., small, large) and whether they are certified SDVOSB, VOSB, HUBZone, 8(a), and/or women-owned small business concern. Standard company brochures will not be considered an adequate response to this Source Sought. BPA HOLDER S QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS: The BPA Holder shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform Shuttle Transportation Service to/from San Juan Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center . Below are the minimum BPA Holder s requirements for this acquisition. Interested vendors shall provide a statement certifying that they comply with the below requirements and that they possess necessary capabilities and certifications/licenses. BPA Holder Qualification. Each BPA Holder s vehicle that is above 10,000 lbs. and that accommodates 8 or more passengers shall have a registration number from the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) and a franchise issued by the Puerto Rico Transportation and Other Public Services Bureau. The BPA Holder shall maintain all permits, operating authorities, registrations, licenses, and certifications required by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Transportation and Other Public Services Bureau throughout the ordering period. Personnel Qualification: BPA Holder personnel shall be trained and certified to provide the services requested under this PWS. BPA Holder must ensure that personnel are trained to operate vehicles and equipment safely; properly assist individuals with disabilities in a respectful, courteous way; and recognize that individuals with disabilities have different abilities and needs requiring different types of assistance. BPA Holder personnel shall receive training on assisting passengers with disabilities, wheelchair securement procedures, lift/ramp operation, and passenger sensitivity and awareness. Driver. Each assigned driver shall have a valid category 8 or above driving license issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. In addition, each driver shall have a commercial operator license issued by the Puerto Rico Transportation and Other Public Services Bureau. Drivers shall maintain a valid medical examiner's certificate when required by applicable Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico regulations. SOURCES SOUGHT QUESTIONNAIRE: Identify any other companies owned (wholly or in part) by the owners of this business that provide transportation or related services under the same or a related NAICS code. If applicable, identify any resources, vehicles, personnel, or facilities that may be shared among these companies. Provide your company s certification type/socio-economic group (SDVOSB/VOSB, small business, Women-Owned, etc.), Federal Tax ID Number, and state of incorporation for each. Do you anticipate responding to a solicitation for this requirement through a Joint Venture involving commonly owned companies as majority or non-majority owners? Yes ___No ___ If yes, please identify which companies are considering a Joint Venture and the ownership of each company. If you have a contract with GSA, please provide the schedule and contract number. Provide a description of similar shuttle transportation services performed within the last five years, including customer name, dollar value, performance period, and location. What specific technical skills does your company possess which ensure capability to perform the tasks? Do you currently have a franchise issued by the Puerto Rico Transportation and Other Public Services Bureau? How many shuttle buses with a capacity to transport 20-24 passengers does your company currently have? If so, are these vehicles registered with USDOT and covered under the required operating authority/franchise issued by the Puerto Rico Transportation and Other Public Services Bureau? Identify how many of those vehicles are currently in service and available for immediate deployment. Does your company currently possess sufficient buses, drivers, and support resources to operate six shuttle buses simultaneously and provide replacement vehicles within 45 minutes when required? If yes, please explain. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The period of performance for this effort will be a five-year ordering period. In addition, the resulting BPA will have an additional option to extend the services for up to six (6) months at the government s discretion in accordance with the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) Clause 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services. The expected commencement date is April 1, 2027. All data received in response to this Sources Sought that is marked or designated as proprietary will be protected from unauthorized release outside the Government. Interested parties are requested to submit a capabilities statement and responses to Questions 1 through 9. The deadline for response to this request is no later than October 30, 2026, at 10:00 AM, Puerto Rico local time. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice must be e-mailed to baryan.sierrapierluissi@va.gov. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions. The Government is not committed nor obligated to pay for the information provided, and no basis for claims against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought. Attached to this notice is a Draft Performance Work Statement. Interested vendors are encouraged to read the entire document in order to have a better understanding of the proposed acquisition and minimum requirements.
