THIS REQUEST IS FOR SOURCES SOUGHT AND IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. THE SUBMISSION OF PRICING, CAPABILITIES FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, AND OTHER MARKET INFORMATION IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 15.201(e). DISCLAIMER This Sources Sought Notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this Sources Sought Notice is marked as proprietary and will be handled accordingly. IAW FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Sources Sought Notice. SOURCES SOUGHT DESCRIPTION This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a Sources Sought Notice only. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS code 333112 - Lawn and Garden Tractor and Home Lawn and Garden Equipment Manufacturing with a size standard of 1,500 employees. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to this Sources Sought Notice, a solicitation announcement may be published. Responses to this sources sought synopsis are not considered adequate responses for a solicitation announcement. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office 2, VISN 02, is seeking sources that can provide three (3) large commercial grade, ride-on lawn mowers that at a minimum meets the following salient characteristics with a brand name or equal product for the VA Northport Healthcare System: The VA has a preference for domestically manufactured end items (manufactured in the United States). Background: VAMC Northport Grounds Department needs three new large, ride-on mowers to replace end-of-life mowers that are several decades old. The new mower should be large enough to handle large areas, sturdy enough to hold up to heavy usage in rough terrain and be easy to operate and repair. PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS: 1) Engine: Diesel 3-cylinder, liquid cooled engine. 36.8 HP @ 3,000 rpm. Torque peak 80.7 ft-lbs. @ 1,950 rpm. Displacement 1,642 cc. High idle: 3,150 rpm (no load). Remote mounted air cleaner. Fuel filter water separator. EPA Tier 4/Stage V compliant. 2) Radiator: Rear mount, cross flow, 8.5 fins per 1 , 8 quart capacity. 3) Fuel Capacity: 12 gallons 4) Traction Drive: Parallel hydraulic system with full time 4-wheel drive. 5) Ground Speed: Up to 15 mph going forward and up to 6 mph in reverse. 6) Mow Speed: Up to 15 mph going forward. 7) Moving Rate: Mows up to 8.7 acres per hour with 72 deck. 8) Main Frame: All welded tubular and formed steel. 9) Implement Lift: Twin 2.5 bore, 1.25 rod hydraulic cylinders operate lift arms. Hydra…