C04_Contractor Questions-Government Response Final 9-22-2026_1232SA26Q1356.docx

Questions/Responses

1232SA26Q1356

Hazardous Waste Disposal Madison WI

1. The closing date. The SF 1449 block 8 reads 09/25/2026 1100 CT and the SAM.gov notice reads 09/24/2026 1100 CT. We are working to the earlier of the two until you tell us otherwise.

Block 8 has been changed to reflect the correct response date of 9/24/2026.

2. %he set-aside. SF 1449 block 10 is marked unrestricted with every program box empty, while the synopsis and the Attachment I clause list both carry FAR 52.219-6.

SF1449 Block 10 has been changed to "Set Aside" and "Small Business".

3. , the period of performance. The line items run 09/30 to 09/29; Statement of Work section 1.2 runs October 1 to August 31.

The C04_Attachment II - SOW para 1.2 has been changed to reflect the correct periods of performance.

4. Two quantity items. Statement of Work sections 1.3 and 5.0 give different service frequencies for the Cereal Crops and Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management units, and the Attachment III pricing sheet shows 64,384 on the ESI surcharges line in a column headed estimated annual number.

C04_Attachment II - SOW para 1.3 has been revised to once annually to match para 5.0

5. Where to send the quotation. We can find no submission address, portal or method stated in any of the seven attachments, and block 28 of the SF 1449 is not marked.

Normally quotations are emailed to the SAM listed POC. All quotations shall be emailed to me as this listed POC.

New Questions/Responses.

1. Estimated value and prior spending — Revised SF 1449, CLINs 0001 and 1001–4001; Attachment II, sections 1.2–1.3; Attachment III, estimated annual quantities:

Could you share the anticipated annual spending or estimated value range, distinguishing the base year from the full potential five-year period? Please also identify the predecessor contract number and incumbent prime contractor, and provide the most recent annual expenditures if available. Please confirm the IDIQ minimum guarantee and maximum value or direct us to the applicable provision.

No. And this is a new requirement.

2. Surcharge pricing — Attachment III, row 19, “ESI surcharges (FEE 160),” and posted Question/Response 4:

The sheet lists 64,384 as the estimated annual quantity in each year.

Is this a dollar basis to which a percentage applies, a count of billable units, or another measure? Please specify the intended unit, applicable cost base, and how offerors should enter the unit price and extended amount. The posted response clarifies service frequency but does not appear to address this portion of the question.

The pricing sheet has been revised to address the fees.

3. Current terms and evaluation — Attachment I, Terms and Conditions, marked deleted on September 18:

Would you please provide the replacement/current terms, Instructions to Offerors, evaluation criteria, and required submission documents?

No replacement Attachment I appears in the attachment list available to us.

Attachment I was not revised. To keep the documents in order, Attachment I was deleted and re-uploaded with the revised C04_SF 1449 and Attachment II in order.

4. Subcontractor qualifications — Attachment II, section 1.3, and Attachment VI, Past Performance Questionnaire:

May the prime rely on a proposed qualified hazardous-waste subcontractor's relevant experience, personnel training, permits, and past-performance references? Please clarify any minimum work the prime must perform itself and the number and due date of required past-performance questionnaires.

PPQs shall be submitted for both the prospective Prime and Subcontractors.

5. Exceptional services — Attachment II, sections 8, 9, 16–18 and 25, compared with Attachment III:

How should offerors price occasional stabilization/reactive-waste work, PCB disposal, unknown-waste testing, and emergency assistance when the pricing sheet does not provide dedicated lines? May separately stated unit rates be submitted, and how will those services be authorized and paid?

For the work described in the question, the contractor will provide a quote on an as needed basis and a determination will be made whether to include it on the task order or not, as determined by the CO.

NEW QUESTIONS (9-21)

1. Unknown Waste Analytical Services & Pricing Structure (SOW Sections 9.0 & 25.0): SOW Section 25.0 requires the contractor to secure laboratory analysis for unidentified chemical wastes within 72 hours upon Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) written authorization. Could the Government clarify whether testing for unknown wastes should be included as an estimated fixed allowance within the pricing schedule, or if a separate time-and-materials / rate-sheet mechanism will be established for authorized sampling events? Additionally, please confirm if the 72-hour reporting requirement commences upon initial sample collection or upon receipt of written COR authorization.

The contractor shall provide a formula which identifies how pricing will be determined after quantity for pick-up is known. This pricing will then be included on the contractors task order price sheet following this formula.

If this type of work is required, it will be requested by the COR. After the COR request, results will be provided by the contractor within 72 hours.

2. Pre-Pickup Draft Manifest Submission & Waste Detail Schedules (SOW Sections 1.3 & 7.0): SOW Section 7.0 requires typed Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifests to be submitted to the Government technical representative four (4) days prior to each scheduled collection date, while Section 1.3 indicates that the Government will share waste details (chemical names, CAS numbers, quantities, RCRA codes) at least one week prior to pickup. Will the Government confirm that final waste inventory listings will be transmitted in standardized digital format to allow sufficient time for draft manifest generation and compliance verification prior to the 4-day deadline?

Yes the Government will share waste details (chemical names, CAS numbers, quantities, RCRA codes) at least one week prior to pickup

3. Marshfield Facility Loading & Equipment Logistics (SOW Section 28.0): SOW Section 28.0 notes that the Marshfield facility (Environmentally Integrated Dairy Management Research Unit) lacks a loading dock and requires trucks equipped with hydraulic lift-gates or drop-gates. Could the Government specify the maximum individual container sizes/weights anticipated at the Marshfield location and clarify whether Government forklifts or pallet jacks are available on-site to transport packaged waste from the marshalling area to the contractor’s lift-gate vehicle?

Maximum weights of items for pick up would generally weigh under 50 lbs, barring any sort of unexpected large disposal needs/emergency situations. The Government facility at Marshfield has a pallet jack and dollies available for the contractor to use. However, while a forklift is on site, a certified operator is not always available. Therefore, this contract requires that contractor trucks are equipped with hydraulic lift gates or drop gates.

4. Solvent Container Inventory Maintenance & Replenishment (SOW Section 10.0): SOW Section 10.0 specifies that the contractor must supply corrosion-resistant solvent safety containers and store an adequate inventory (e.g., 5 each 5-gallon containers) at each Research Unit marshalling facility. Please clarify whether replacement safety containers supplied during routine pickups are to be priced within the primary fixed disposal CLINs on Attachment III or if container replenishment is handled via a separate Government-furnished property exchange mechanism.

We will add this onto the CLIN – Carboy 5-gallon estimated 10 per year.

5. Attachment III Pricing Evaluation & Task Order Execution (SF 1449 Block 20 & Attachment III): SF 1449 indicates that individual Task Orders will be issued for each order under a Firm-Fixed-Price IDIQ structure, while Attachment III requests unit pricing based on estimated annual service frequencies. Could the Government confirm whether unit prices quoted on Attachment III will serve as binding fixed rates for individual task order releases throughout the Base and Option Years?

The quantities noted on Attachment III – Pricing Sheet are an estimated annual amount. Prices quoted shall be utilized throughout the corresponding term of the contract. As stated, this will be a firm-fixed price contract. Task Orders will be issued based on the contractor’s submitted pricing sheet (inclusive of any pricing based on the formulas and accepted by the Government) against the contract term price list.

6. Quality Control Plan (QCP) Approval Timeline (SOW Section 1.5): SOW Section 1.5 states that the written QCP must be submitted to the CO and COR within 14 days post-award. Given that the Period of Performance begins on September 30, 2026, please confirm whether initial bi-monthly waste pickups will be scheduled only after formal Government review and approval of the QCP.

Yes, bi-monthly waste pickups will be scheduled only after formal Government review and approval of the QCP.

7. Is the log BTU fuels collected in a 55 gal drum? Also, it looks like it’s lab packed, are items in internal containers or is this bulked liquid?

New Questions 9-22-2026

We utilize 5-gallon carboys for chemical waste containers, as described in section 10.0. These will be lab packed accordingly by the contractor.

8. “I don’t see any line items for reactive lab pack disposal. The example manifests show numerous D003 reactive wastes. How do they want us to identify the reactive wastes?”

We will add this onto the CLIN – Labpack direct charge, reactive – 1 gal - estimated annual number = 2

9. Given the volume of line items included in the solicitation, would USDA consider extending the proposal due date two weeks to allow vendors sufficient time to prepare complete and competitive responses?

No. The RFQ is scheduled to close on 9/24/2026 at 11:00am CDT.

10. Can USDA please provide copies of all the waste profiles associated with these sites?

No. the estimated annual quantities are provided for quotation purposes.

11. Can USDA please provide copies of all the waste manifests shipped from these sites in the past three years?

No.

12. Can USDA please provide Safety Data Sheets for the chemicals in these waste streams?

These can be accessed online via https://chemicalsafety.com/sds-search/

13. What is the typical shipment volume for each site?

Every two months:

For DFRC – 15 20 gallons waste in 5-gallon carboys, plus chemical clean outs involving various chemical bottles for lab pack. Once annually, 55 gal drum of vacuum pump oil and occasional removal of 5’ fluorescent lamps.

VCRU Babcock – 20 gallons waste in 5-gallon carboys, plus chemical clean outs involving various chemical bottles for lab pack.

VCRU Moore Hall – 5-10 gallons waste in 5-gallon carboys, plus chemical clean outs involving various chemical bottles for lab pack.

CCRU – chemical clean out once per year

EIDMRU Marshfield - chemical clean out once per year

14. Will USDA establish a minimum quantity of waste per scheduled pickup?

No

15. What is the generator status of each site?

VSQG and each site has its own EPA number (except VCRU, where Moore Hall and Babcock share the same number).

16. Can we customize the transportation pricing as a stop fee?

This response covers question 16 and 17. Attachment III – Pricing Sheet the Travel section has been revised. The contractor is to quote a fixed-fee for transportation per issued task order.

17. Please clarify what the 10 annual transportation hours represents.

See #16 response.

18. What is the typical amount of time spent on site for each pick-up?

That depends on the efficiency of your crew. You will need to lab pack various chemicals and the amount will vary from month to month.

19. How is each pick-up typically staffed?

Staffing is a responsibility of the contractor.

20. How many sites are typically serviced in a single day?

DFRC, VCRU and CCRU (annually) could all be serviced in a single day, which is what we would prefer, to minimize travel costs.

21. Can USDA please share the annual expenditure for this contract over the last two years?

This is a new requirement.

22. Line 3 on Pricing - what is the size of the container for low BTU fuels?

5 gal

23. Does USDA utilize any reactive chemicals and/or mercury compounds that may need to be lab-packed?

Possibly but not regularly. We added a CLIN for this.

24. Are the estimated quantities based upon historical waste generation levels?

See question “typical shipment volume per site” question above.

25. Can empty drums/containers be dropped off when performing waste shipments or should we anticipate individual supply deliveries upon request?

Can empty drums/containers be dropped off when performing waste shipments – YES. On occasion if we are running a big experiment and run out of carboys, we may ask you to drop one off.