COVID QA_20220222.pdf

Q&A 1202SB21Q0010 (Forest Service COVID 19 testing)

1. Does the 50 rapid tests per day minimum apply to “per mobilization” (per site)? I.e. if mobilization is for 5 days, does the government expect the contractor to at a minimum stock 5 days x 50 rapid test units for that location? The minimum test requirement must be available at all times.

2. Are there minimum test volumes (each, rapid antigen, and PCR) the government will pay for per mobilization? I.e. what if only a fraction of tests get utilized compared to the minimum tests required to be stocked?

The request for quotes includes a daily rate, mobilization/demobilization rate (one time per order), a rate for additional Antigen tests (each), and a rate for Additional PCR tests (each).

3. Can you confirm approximately how many other organizations do you anticipate awarding this BPA to?

The Government anticipates establishment of a multiple award (2 or more) as a result of this RFQ for the services described herein. The number of BPAs established will be based upon Regional area anticipated needs.

4. Is it acceptable to respond to one or a few regions only (not all)? It is understood that we would only be able to service the regions we respond to with pricing in the proposal.

The USFS Regions participating and open for a quote response (Contractor can quote as many Regions as they wish) are listed below. See Attachment 1 for rate and supported location(s) submittal.

Region 1 – Montana and Northern Idaho Region 2 - Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska & Kansas Region 3 – Arizona and New Mexico Region 4 – Nevada, Utah, Western Wyoming and Idaho Region 5 – California Region 6 – Oregon and Washington Region 8 – Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida Region 9 – Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Rhode Island, New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and New Jersey

5. At any given time, how many concurrent sites are active within each region (approximates are fine)?

Wildland Fire support and locations are unknown until time of need.

6. What is the total number of anticipated mobilizations across all regions each year (approximate is fine)?

Wildland Fire support and locations are unknown until time of need.

7. What is the maximum amount of consecutive days will our staff be mobilized at a site?

Typical assignment for personnel is 14-days plus travel days with the option for crew/personnel swap-out or extension as needed and coordinated by the BPA Call ordering activity.

8. Are mobilization locations typically situated in small towns or are they fairly remote? Few examples of sites, as representative samples, will be helpful.

Yes, many sites are remote. The sites for established base camps can be schools, recreation centers, Federal Buildings/parking lots or sites that would be considered remote as farmland, open areas, and/or fields. Site locations are determined by incident needs and active fire location.

Examples – Methow Valley such as Twisp, WA; Quincy and Susanville, CA; Atlanta, ID;

Cascade, ID; Duck Valley Reservation; Ely, NV; Pleasanton, NM

9. Is there a minimum number of on-site clinical staff required?

Staffing number is dependent on need to administer the minimum 50 test per day requirement or testing requirements given at time of need.

10. For a BPA call in Region 5 (California), will there be different staffing requirements based on Executive Order 14042, requiring mandatory COVID-19 testing regardless of vaccination status?

Not at this time.

11. Is Alaska considered in a separate solicitation?

Alaska is not included in this advertisement and their requirements are handled locally.

12. Is the daily rate to include 50 rapid antigen and five PCR tests and pay per test for anything over 50 rapid and five PCR per day?

Example: 21 day performance include 1,050 rapid antigen and 105 PCR tests. Would each additional test over 1,050 rapid antigen and 105 PCR test be paid for via a new BPA and would a new BPA be issued if the total cost exceeds the $250k ceiling?

(FS should be able to notify the contractor at time of need approximate numbers of tests required), a new BPA call will not be issued if the total cost exceeds $250,000.

13. What is the test frequency per individual? Unknown at this time, but do know that daily testing of individuals will not occur.

Concern: A type 1 incident of 1000 personnel for 21 days would require 21,000 tests if every person was required to be tested every day and may exceed the cost of the $250K ceiling. Would multiple BPAs be issued to facilitate proper testing execution?

A new BPA call will not be issued if the total cost exceeds $250,000.

14. The Type of situation “local type 3” calls for up to 200 personnel. If that type is called for how many people per day would need to be tested as compared to a National “Type 1”. If there are 200 personnel onsite and the contract calls for 50 per day do all 200 personnel get cycled through the testing site at a rate of 50 per day? The exact number of tests performed in one day is not able to be determined but frequency of testing of individuals on a fire would not exceed twice a week with the exception of symptomatic and asymptomatic exposed.

15. How often does the testing have to be completed (i.e. each worker tested weekly or tested one time)? BPA call requirements would be determined and coordinated at time of need.

16. Will the Type of situation Type 1, Type 2, Type 3 be identified prior to deployment?

Yes, however, the size and complexity of the fire incident can change rapidly, i.e. from Type 3 to Type 1 in one day.

17. The pricing (staffing, testing facilities, etc.) requirements for each “Type” differs. Can each of regions be quoted for all 3 types individually?

Follow rate quoting instructions as provided in the advertisement.

18. Is the per diem and lodging included in the mobile testing per day cost?

Is camp site available and/or will the contracted personnel be required to stay at camp?

Option for ordering activity CO/PA is to reimburse for hotel/meals at GSA’s published per diem rate (if not co-locating at fire camp) as an addition to the commercial invoice. Contractor lodging invoice may exceed the set per diem lodging limits up to 300% of standard GSA approved rates as of July 2021 (USFS hosted fires only). Ordering Activity CO/PA may require actuals/invoices for reimbursement purposes.

19. Is a mobile covid testing unit working as a subcontractor required to be able to deploy to more than one wildfire location at a time?

Subcontracting questions should be directed to the awarded prime contractor.

20. Will mobile covid testing units working under this contract be limited to testing at wildfire sites or may they be called to any natural disaster to which the U.S. Forestry service may be deployed

(eg. Hurricane site, or tornado, etc.)

Awarded BPAs would be used for wildland fire suppression activities.

21. Please clarify the following interpretations with a “correct” or “incorrect.” Please provide clarifications for any statement marked “incorrect.”

o The Medical Director/Licensed Physician contracted with the covid testing unit to be deployed to multiple states within 1 or more regions throughout the United States is only required to have an active, unencumbered license in 1 state, and that physician can serve as the medical officer for the unit’s testing activities in any state to which we may be deployed. Determined by state guidance o Likewise, the RN or LPN serving as onsite director and any other licensed test administrators who might be onsite are only required to have appropriate licensure in 1 state, and are NOT required to have an active license in each state to which they may be deployed. Determined by state guidance o The description for onsite director (RN, LPN or physician) as written in the contract, is that they have ACLS EXPERIENCE. This is NOT interpreted to mean that they must hold a current ACLS certificate. Rather, it is interpreted to mean that, at a minimum, they have received ACLS training in the past and otherwise meet all other stipulated requirements for experience providing direct patient care, including treatment of anaphylaxis and respiratory distress. Not applicable, this verbiage was removed from the requirements.

o The covid testing unit must meet CLIA standards. According to CLIA, test administrators and lab personnel do not need licensure or certifications, only that they be trained according to test manufacturer’s specifications. However, the contract says test administrators must be RN, LPN, paramedic or EMT. According to this contract, the covid testing unit may NOT utilize non licensed staff (regardless of training) to administer tests. Correct o Individuals who do holding medical certifications may be permitted to be part of the onsite team for clerical duties. Correct o Although the contract only specifies that the covid testing unit will be providing testing services, staff is required to have experience treating anaphylaxis and respiratory distress. My interpretation of this is that we are also to serve as emergency first responders and would be required to provide all equipment necessary for treating anaphylaxis and/or respiratory distress including a crash cart with oxygen, masks, medications, artificial airways, IV start equipment, fluids, vital sign monitoring equipment. Not applicable, this verbiage was removed from the requirements.

22. This document specifies that the Medical Oversight physician only needs to provide covid testing protocols. If we are to treat anaphylaxis/respiratory distress, the physician is also required to provide protocols and standing orders for responding to those conditions.

Not applicable, this verbiage was removed from the BPA.

23. Under current pandemic response rules, many states will allow a unit operating under a clia certificate of waiver in one state to set up temporary testing sites within their boundaries without obtaining a separate certificate of waiver for that state. Must the covid unit hold a CLIA certificate of waiver in each state to which it might be deployed? Determined by state guidance

24. Must a single covid testing unit have the capacity to be the sole testing provider for incidents at all three IMT levels? No

25. Is the entire crew tested every day and does that include ancillary workers, for example, food service? Are there staggered testing schedules?

BPA call requirements would be determined and coordinated at time of need. All fire staff will be tested according to testing plan determined at time of need.

26. Will the command center have appropriate electricity for running PCR machines and will it be appropriately climate controlled to meet temperature requirements for test processing and test/storage?

Electricity will typically be available. Temperature control should be available and if not, PCR testing will not be required.

27. After a crew swap, what is the required rest time before a crew member can return to the onsite unit?

Contractor must ensure personnel follow length of assignment guidelines. Upon completion of the standard 14-day assignment, an extension of up to an additional 14 days may be allowed (for a total of up to 30 days, inclusive of mandatory days off, and exclusive of travel).

Regardless of extension duration, two mandatory days off will be provided prior to the twenty-second day of the assignment.

28. Are you able to provide general statistics regarding the number of wildfires requiring response per region and, if possible, an average number of firefighters called to an incident?

No; fire activity fluctuates.

29. Is the covid testing unit required to provide such things as sanitization stations or PPE for individuals outside of the covid testing unit?

No.

30. If firefighters are not tested every day, does the covid testing unit determine the testing schedule or is that determined by the Command center administrator or whomever may be in charge of operations.

BPA call requirements would be determined and coordinated at time of need. The testing plan will be determined by the federal agency.

31. 1x Mobilization/Demobilization – To include getting there and getting back? With Daily Rates to include during deployment accommodations?

Mobilization & Demobilization Rate is a combined rate for there and getting back.

Is camp site available and/or will the contracted personnel be required to stay at camp?

Option for ordering activity CO/PA is to reimburse for hotel/meals at GSA’s published per diem rate (if not co-locating at fire camp) as an addition to the commercial invoice. Contractor lodging invoice may exceed the set per diem lodging limits up to 300% of standard GSA approved rates as of July 2021 (USFS hosted fires only). Ordering Activity CO/PA may require actuals/invoices for reimbursement purposes.

32. Multiple BPAs – per incident location or per region?

The USFS plans on awarding 1-2 BPAs per Region/Zone. Quantity of BPAs awarded will be tailored to fit the need of the Government while balancing administrative costs of awarded BPA(s)

33. Does USFS prefer a truly mobile COVID-19 testing center (mobile vehicle testing center) over a company that will set up a mobile/site? Both would be ideal.

34. Does the cap of $250,000 per BPA Call relate to a 21-day deployment?

Yes; a 21-day deployment under the initial order would be considered one BPA call and capped by $250K.

35. Does a BPA call require a new resource order to maintain the resource past 21 days (with appropriate crew swaps)?

Typically no but that is dependent and coordinated with the BPA Call ordering activity.

36. Are interim payments allowed under the BPA agreement and BPA calls?

Interim payments can be coordinated with the ordering activity following a 14-day assignment, if the resource is extended beyond that timeframe.

37. When is the mobilization / demobilization payment made? (During an interim payment, upon arrival, upon final demob, half / half, etc.).

At time of final invoice.

38. Can the government please clarify if this is only a single 12 hour shift or two (2) 12 hour shifts?

BPA call requirements would be determined and coordinated at time of need.

39. Will the contractor be able to utilize the emergency response cellular networks to transmit and/or local base camp network connectivity to transmit reporting in remote locations with available internet capability, yes or no?

Typically there is cell phone and internet service available at the base camp.

40. Would the government clarify the basics they will provide onsite to allow the contractor to determine what must be factored into their daily costs (e.g., secure physical storage, temperature control units, tables, chairs, dividers, networking equipment, communications infrastructure, internet, telephones, laptops)?

The Government will provide site location including adequate testing space and basic sanitation services. Additional site-specific Government furnished items may be addressed in individual BPA Calls.

41. Are private aircraft, chartered aircraft and/or other POV authorized for travel due to time schedule and limited commercial transportation and accommodations at certain locations?

The Government does not dictate your travel method. Mobilization (to and from the incident) covers from time of order until first full operational period administering COVID-19 tests to include all travel related expenses, personnel costs, and mileage.

42. Would the contractor personnel be able to secure government rates (hotel) with some form of orders or badge or letter that show they are supporting an emergency response team, yes or no?

The ordering activity would coordinate at time of need but typically hotel chains direct that government rates are reserved for government employees.

43. Would the government clarify if option years are to be priced separately and if so please expand the pricing tables, or are there escalations for rates based on inflation, yes or no?

During the BPA’s annual Contracting Officer Review, rates will be discussed.

Would the government clarify for all tables 001-008 if the basis of estimate (BOE) for a daily rate to be constructed based on a Type 1 incident, since different "Type" incident(s) have different response personnel and teams to conduct testing? Proposed daily rates should include, but are not limited to, labor (as required), testing supplies based on minimum amounts identified, and necessary equipment to meet deliverables. Auxiliary support items and costs can be requested, negotiated, and reimbursed by the ordering activity.

44. Would the government clarify what they think contractors should consider in this daily rate cost (e.g., Program Management, on-site staffing, off-site staffing like MD oncall, equipment, cellular service, satcom service, antigen tests based on the minimum amount tested per day, pcr tests based on the minimum amount tested per day, software/hardware licensing, EMR, PPE, logistics)?

Proposed daily rates should include, but are not limited to, labor (as required), testing supplies based on minimum amounts identified, and necessary equipment to meet deliverables. Auxiliary support items and costs can be requested, negotiated, and reimbursed by the ordering activity.

45. Would the government clarify if the contractor is to bill medical insurance for any personnel processed for testing? No.

Medical Insurance billing would not be a requirement.

46. Does the government consider the contractor personnel under any labor category defined in the Wage Determination to received hazardous pay differential, yes or no?

No hazardous pay for incident personnel not actively performing wildland fire suppression activities on a fire line.

47. Would the government please clarify the costs (each) in pricing for additional antigen tests?

What is the government's expectations (e.g., single test cost unit, full point of care administration of the test with a single test cost unit) to be accounted for in the costs in order to evaluate all offerors responses?

Single test cost.

48. Would the government please clarify the costs (each) in pricing for additional PCR tests? What is the government's expectations (e.g., single test cost unit, full point of care administration of the PCR test with a single test cost unit, logistics associated with getting specimen to lab) to be accounted for in the costs in order to evaluate all offerors responses?

Single test cost.

49. Clarification of What the Government will or will not provide Under “Description” The Solicitation states that: The US Forest Service (USFS) Wildland Fire Program has an immediate need for mobile, rapidly deployable, on-site fire base camp COVID-19 test centers. Under “Technical Requirements & Task “The solicitation states that: “Contractor shall:

• Deploy and operate mobile COVID-19 test centers, including all personnel and testing/supplies needed……” Under Government Furnished The solicitation states that: “The Government will provide site location including adequate testing space and basic sanitation services. Additional site-specific Government furnished items may be addressed in individual BPA Calls”

Question 1:

At the time of the BPA call will the government consider providing:

Tables, Chairs Pop up tents for shade Power Internet access

Availability of the above would be coordinated and discussed at time or need and order by the ordering activity based on operating location, supply availability, and access.

Question 2:

At the time of the BPA call will the government consider providing a small temperature-controlled wall tent to protect testing media and equipment from extremes of temperature too high or too low, 2 -30 degrees Centigrade, such as an air conditioned wall tent?

Availability of the above would be coordinated and discussed at time or need and order by the ordering activity based on operating location, supply availability, and access.

Question 3:

Should the contractor provide all the necessary tables, chairs and pop up tents (or other structures) and power to set up a testing center in the fire camps?

Availability of the above would be coordinated and discussed at time or need and order by the ordering activity based on operating location, supply availability, and access.

50. Clarification of obligations of awardee to supply services if BPA is awarded:

Under BPA description (d) the solicitation states: “(d) By signing this BPA, the offeror guarantees to provide an uninterrupted source of the originally awarded service(s) from which to satisfy the Government’s requirement for the performance period of the awarded BPA”

Under Award of BPA call orders (c) the solicitation states: “(c) Except for any limitations on quantities in the Order Limitations clause, there is no limit on the number of orders that may be issued. The Government may issue orders requiring delivery to multiple destinations”

Our reading of this that 1. The government can make unlimited quantities or number of call orders (up to the limit of 250K per call order) AND that we (the contractor) is guaranteeing to meet unlimited quantities of the awarded services.

With the awarded BPAs, there is no guarantee of work and no guarantee from the contractor that offered work (BPA Call) would be accepted. The awardee (contractor) can turn down a call due to limitations in supply of qualified personnel equipment or availability of testing supplies without penalty.

51. Will the government evaluate alternative offers with additional line items or terms and conditions such as different or calibrated responses to type 1, 2 or 3 incidents or limitations on what equipment the government can provide at the time of the BPA call?

Please follow rate and quote submittal instructions as stated within the advertisement.

52. Is the government considering requiring Covid testing in all fire camps? And would that testing be done: only at time of arrival of any resource(s), and/or at demob, and/or R&R days, and/or only for cause or suspicion (symptomatic personnel) and/or ALL the above?

53. Will/would the testing parameters be variable based on IMT, Region, local public health agencies, or all of the above?

54. If the contractor receives an award, what are the items or factors that will be evaluated to determine acceptable performance of the Award?

BPA call requirements and performance parameters would be determined and coordinated at time of need.

55. Please confirm if there a preference in the brand/manufacturer of the COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test kit and the COVID-19 PCR Test kit.

Antigen and PCR kits must be FDA approved.

56. Please confirm if the Govt requires the COVID-19 Antigen and PCR kits to be FDA/EUA approved.

Antigen and PCR kits must be FDA approved.

57. Please confirm if the Govt allows for a CTA relationship. If yes, is it sufficient for one member of the CTA to be CLIA waived?

The Forest Service will follow latest guidance in this aspect.

58. Please confirm if the Govt allows for a prime/sub-contractor relationship? If yes, is it sufficient for the PRIME to be CLIA waived?

The Forest Service will follow latest guidance in this aspect.

59. Is there an incumbent for this contract? If so, please identify the incumbent and the contract number.

This is a new requirement.

60. Would you be willing to accommodate a capability briefing meeting in the near future so we can explain our capabilities?

Yes, if coordinated in advance and time allows.

61. What is the anticipated period of performance begin date?

Anticipated awards will be made on or before the end of March 2022 or early April 2022 depending on amount of quotes received.