How to bid on emergency crash carts for the VA St. Louis Healthcare System

What the VA is buying and why you should care

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is looking for sources to provide emergency (code) carts for the St. Louis VA Healthcare System, specifically at the Jefferson Barracks VA Medical Center. This is a Request for Information (RFI), which means the VA is conducting market research to understand what products are available and who can supply them. It is not a solicitation for bids yet, but it's an important step for vendors because it helps the VA shape future solicitations. Responding allows you to demonstrate your capabilities early.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

Responses to this RFI are due by August 18, 2026, at 8:00 AM CST. This is a firm deadline. All responses must be submitted via email to Israel Armenta. No telephone responses will be accepted. After the deadline, the VA will review all submitted information to inform their acquisition decisions. If a formal solicitation is issued later, it will be announced separately, and interested parties will need to respond to that new announcement.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for companies that can supply emergency (code) carts. The relevant NAICS code is 339113, with a size standard of 800 employees. This includes manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers of medical equipment. Both small and large businesses are encouraged to respond, especially those with experience providing healthcare equipment to federal agencies or those with small business partners.

How to respond

To respond, you must email your information to Israel Armenta at [email protected]. Your response should include your company's name, address, SAMS UEI, point of contact, phone number, and email. You must also state your small business status (e.g., SDVOSB, VOSB, WOSB, Large Business) and confirm if you meet the NAICS size standard. If you are a large business, indicate if you work with small business distributors or subcontractors.

Additionally, you need to confirm if your company has the necessary staffing, equipment, licenses, and authorizations. If you are an authorized distributor or supplier, provide authorization letters from the manufacturer. State if you hold any federal contracts (GSA, VA NAC, NASA SEWP, VA SAC, or other federal contracts) and if the products are available on those contracts. Finally, submit a capabilities statement that clearly shows your company can meet the requirements, and provide any recommendations for improving the statement of requirements.

Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

Even though this is an RFI and not a bid, a thorough and well-organized response can make a strong impression. Clearly address all requested points, using headings or bullet points to ensure readability. If you are a distributor, make sure to include the required authorization letters from manufacturers.

Highlight your experience with similar products or services, especially within the federal government. If you offer comparable products that are not the exact brand identified, provide a factual comparison demonstrating how your alternatives meet or exceed the specified characteristics. Pay close attention to the small business status questions, as this is often a key factor for government agencies in their market research.