05GA0A20Q0001 Q & A Industrial Hygiene .docx

AMENDMENT 0001

RFQ 05GA0A20Q0001

US Government Accountability Office (GAO) Questions and Answers Date: January 9, 2020

1) Can the government please specify what information is expected in the Volume 1: Technical Quote other than our technical approach? For example, should we include personnel resumes, past performance project information etc?

1. ANSWER: Past performance project information will suffice if this is needed or requested by the contracting officer.

2) Can the government provide the incumbent for this contract and the value of the award?

2. ANSWER: There is no incumbent for this contract.

3) Questions- Attachment B

IEI can provide a daily rate instead of per sample to eliminate additional cost.

3. ANSWER: Daily Rate (if possible can we have both options available since in most instances sampling will only be conducted on a specific area and not in major quantities)

4. ANSWER: Daily Rate (if possible can we have both options available since in most instances sampling will only be conducted on a specific area and not in major quantities)

IEI can provide a daily rate instead of per sample to eliminate additional cost for the equipment and separate Cost for the analysis

5. ANSWER: Daily Rate (if possible can we have both options available since in most instances sampling will only be conducted on a specific area and not in major quantities)

Under the 3T method, will be it 1st and 2nd draw for sinks and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd draw for water fountains?

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2018-09/documents/module_5_3ts_2-step_sampling_protocol_508.pdf

6. ANSWER: The 3T (250ml) method will be preferred. Under the 3T method it will be at least 2 draws (if levels reach questionable levels) and 3rd draw if needed to further pin point lead source.

7. ANSWER: The SM9223B method is adequate and other EPA approved methods are allowed if new or better situational methods arise.

8. ANSWER: Daily Rate (if possible can we have both options available since in most instances sampling will only be conducted on a specific area and not in major quantities)

4. Are you accepting bids from labs that are NOT small business set aside?

4. ANSWER : This requirement is set aside for small business concerns only. Unless the Government receives no quotes from small business concerns, it will be re-advertised as full and open.

5. Please provide the specific Turnaround Time (TAT) needed for each of the Item numbers analytical methods referenced in Attachment B Industrial Hygiene Pricing?

5. ANSWER: Refer to answer in question 11.

6. What are the specific analytical methods being required/requested in Attachment B – Industrial Hygiene Pricing Schedule?

6. ANSWER: NIOSH, OSHA and EPA analytical methods would be requested in Attachment B – Industrial Hygiene Pricing Schedule.

6a. Item 001/002 Site Visit/Report/Documentation: Please clarify if the field time for sampling/testing etc. would be deducted from the total hours in items 0017,0018, 0019 and 0020 for the personnel and no cost for field time should be included in these item numbers.

6a. ANSWER: Field time for sampling would be deducted under items 0017, 0018, 0019. 0020 for the personnel performing the sampling.

6b. Item 003 Air/Volatile organic compounds: Please clarify if the ’20 samples’ means that the bidder should provide cost for 20 testing events or 20 readings in a single event.

6b. ANSWER: The 20 samples would be for testing events.

6c. Item 004 Air/Dust: Please clarify on the type of dust analysis and whether the dust analysis are for total or respirable dust 6c. ANSWER: Respirable dust would be the preferred analysis. This is usually done using a Gravimetric method (PV2121) which usually gives both total and respirable dust but respirable dust is preferred.

6d. Item 008 Potable water/Legionella: Please clarify if the first draw and second draw samples should be considered 2 samples for the testing or both draws should be considered as ONE sample for the cost analysis.

6d. ANSWER: The two draws should be considered 2 samples.

6e. Item 010 Non-Potable water/Legionella: Please clarify if the first draw and second draw samples should be considered 2 samples for the testing or both draws should be considered as ONE sample for the cost analysis.

6e. ANSWER: The two draws should be considered 2 samples.

6f. Item 012 Material/Lead-In Situ: Please clarify if the six sample cost includes testing for six events with each event as a minimum of 2-hours pricing. Please clarify how and where to provide pricing for each hour after the initial 2-hour visit.

6f. ANSWER: This will be for daily use and it has been updated in pricing sheet as well as SOW.

6g. Item 014 Air/Asbestos TEM: Please provide the Turnaround Time (TAT) for the samples. Also please clarify if the TAT for the samples start when the samples are collected or when the analytical laboratory receives the samples.

6g. ANSWER: TAT will start once the sample(s) have arrived in the laboratory. TAT should be no later than 7 business days. More time can be granted if Lab is not able to complete this demand for a certain test (conversation with the GAO Health and Safety Specialist would be needed). On emergency instances faster turnaround times may be requested.

6h. Item 015 Asbestos Bulk Testing/PLM: Please provide the Turnaround Time (TAT) for the samples. Also please clarify if the TAT for the samples start when the samples are collected or when the analytical laboratory receives the samples.

6h. ANSWER: TAT will start once the sample(s) have arrived in the laboratory. TAT should be no later than 7 business days. More time can be granted if Lab is not able to complete this demand for a certain test (conversation with the GAO Health and Safety Specialist would be needed). On emergency instances faster turnaround times may be requested.

7. Under Scope of Work section 5.1 and 5.2, Is there a maximum number of hours that these services will be provided on site? Is this just for a maximum of 8 hours of service? How can we provide a lump sum fee if the quantity is unlimited and it may possibly take days to conduct sampling?

7. ANSWER: A daily rate can work in this instance for charging purposes. In terms of hours on site they will be limited to normal business hours for GAO the building unless specific testing is needed to be done before or after normal business hours.

8. Under Scope of Work Section 5.3 and 5.4 can you amend this line item to provide a daily cost for the direct reading instrument? The cost per sample for a direct reading instrument doesn’t make sense.

8. ANSWER: Amended

9. Under Scope of Work Section 5.12 you ask for a price for a two hour visit and a price for each hour after, however the Attachment B Pricing Schedule requests a price per sample. Please clarify. Can you provide a line item to provide a daily cost for an XRF? And then also request an hourly rate for a lead inspector?

9. ANSWER: Changed unit cost to “Daily Use” on attachment B pricing schedule. Hourly rates of inspector/contractor will be added to service labor.

10. Line Item 0020 on the pricing schedule. Each of the types of samples have different number of days for expedited analysis. They are not consistent. Can you add a column to the pricing schedule for an expedited price for items 0004-0016?

10. ANSWER: Added column.

11. Regarding pricing: Because award will be made to the lowest technically qualified bidder, it is important that all bids before identical Items. Cost of each of the laboratory analyses (Item Numbers 0003-0016 for Base Year) increases as the analysis turnaround time decreases. Therefore, please provide required turnaround times for Items 0003 through.

11. ANSWER: For Item Numbers 0003-0016 turnaround times should be no later than 7 business days. More time can be granted if Lab is not able to complete this demand for a certain test (conversation with the GAO Health and Safety Specialist would be needed). On emergency instances faster turnaround times may be requested.

12. Regarding SOW 5.12 Material/Lead - In Situ: Offerors are directed to provide a single price for the first two hours, then a second price for each additional hour. However, Attachment B - Pricing Schedule has only one Item (0012) for these two prices. Further, the Unit of Issue for Item Number 0012 is "Sample", not hours. Please provide two Items (first two hours and additional hours) for this services, change the Unit of Issue to "Hours" and "Hour".

12. ANSWER: Changed the SOW 5.12 to reflect a daily rate price. As well as translating that to the Attachment B - Pricing sheet.

13. Regarding SOW 5.1 and 5.2, a site visit can range from one hour for a small sampling or evaluation task to multiple days for asbestos abatement oversight. It is not practical to provide a single price to cover all on site labor plus reporting. Therefore, it is correct that (A) SOW Sections 5.1 and 5.2 (and associated Pricing Items 0001 and 0002) include (1) project preparation, (2) initial site visit to determine on site requirements, and (3) off site chain of custody preparation, sample delivery to the laboratory, and reporting; while (B) On site labor during project execution is covered by Pricing Items 0017-0019? If this is not correct, please clarify what activities are included in Pricing Items 0001 and 0002.

13. ANSWER: The activities above would be included in Pricing Item 0001 and 0002. With this in mind, the contractor would preferably assess the situation with the GAO Health and Safety Specialist for a situational assessment to deduce proper site assessments should be completed. In regards to complex situations the contractor can further assess the project with his/her initial site visit (if needed).

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