C04c_Questions-Answers_123A9426Q0033.pdf

RFQ 1234A9426Q0033

Q&A for 1234A9426Q0033 IDIQ for Sterile Bags and Sponges for FSIS Laboratories

1. We would like to know if this is a brand new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services. If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number?

answer. There was a previous incumbent performing these services. The Government will not disclose the previous vendor or related information. You are encouraged to submit a FOIA request if you require this information.

2. Delivery Timeframe - Block 20 of the SF1449 states "Delivery: 30 Days After Award."

Section 3.4 of the Statement of Work states delivery must be within 14 days of receipt of the Delivery Order. Please confirm which timeframe applies, and whether the 30-day figure refers to an initial delivery following award while the 14-day figure governs all subsequent Delivery Orders.

answer. The 14-day figure governs all subsequent Delivery Orders and the 30-day figure is in reference to the IDIQ awarded from this RFQ. The 30-day figure will change to the start date of each period of performance (the base and option years) upon award.

3. Delivery Locations - Block 15 of the SF1449 lists a single delivery location, the Midwestern Laboratory in St. Louis, Missouri. Section 4.2 of the Statement of Work and the Shipping Instructions in the solicitation list three locations: the Midwestern Laboratory in St. Louis, the Western Laboratory in Albany, California, and the Eastern Laboratory in Athens, Georgia. Please confirm whether deliveries will be made to all three laboratories under this contract.

answer. Delivers will be made to all three laboratories under this contract.

4. Estimated Quantities - The solicitation states that the SF1449 will include the estimated totals for each item in the CLIN listed for each year. Column 21 (Quantity) on the SF1449 is blank for all line items, and the Schedule of Items contains no quantities.

Please confirm whether estimated annual quantities per line item will be provided, and if so, when. Without estimated quantities, offerors cannot calculate volume-based pricing or assess capacity requirements.

answer. Quantities only slightly vary from year to year. Below are the estimated quantities for each item.

Item No. Description Estimated Qty (per case or box)

NSB-1474 Bag, Whirl-pak, 184 oz, 15" x 20" x 4mil, Blender Bag 80

Item No. Description Estimated Qty (per case or box)

NSB-1447 Bag, Whirl-pak, 184 oz, 15" x 20" x 4mil, Plain 10 NSB-0736 Bag, Whirl-Pak, 18oz, 4.5" x 9" , Plain 10 NSB-1020 Bag, Whirl-Pak, 24oz, 6" x 9" , Plain 10 NSB-1348 Bag, Whirl-pak, 24oz., 6" x 9" , Filtered 40

NSB-1538 Bag, Whirl-pak, 24oz., 6"x 9" , with Fill-line, Stand-up 50

NSB-1009 Bag, Whirl-Pak, 2oz, 3" x 5" , Plain 10 NSB-1027 Bag, Whirl-pak, 42oz, 6" x 15" , Plain 10 NSB-1450 Bag, Whirl-Pak, 42oz, 6" x 15" , Stand-up 10 NSB-1364 Bag, Whirl-pak, 4oz, 3"x 7.25" , Write-on, Stand-up 10 NSB-1421 Bag, Whirl-Pak, 55oz, 7.5" x 12" , Blender 10 NSB-1318 Bag, Whirl-Pak, 55oz, 7.5" x 12" , Filtered 40 NSB-1195 Bag, Whirl-Pak, 55oz, 7.5" x 12" , Write-on 50 NSB-1323 Bag, Whirl-Pak, 69oz, 7.5" x 15" , Plain 50 NSB-1385 Bag, Whirl-pak, 7oz, 3.75" x 7" , Filtered 10 NSB-1488 Bag, Whirl-pak, 92oz, 10" x 15" , Filtered 250

EZ18FR-10BPW-PUR Sponge, 10 mL BPW, EZ Reach 50 SR18-DRY Sponge, 10mL D/E Sponge Sampler, EZ Reach 870

EZ-10DE-PUR Sponge, 10ml Neutralizing Buffer, EZ Reach 10 TP-5X10-PLAIN Sponge, EZ Dry Cell 10

5. Unit of Issue - The Schedule of Items lists the Unit of Issue for all twenty line items as "EA" (Each). However, each item description references a case or box quantity, for example NSB-1009 is described as "Case of 10,000" and NSB-1538 as "Box 500." Please confirm whether unit cost should be quoted per individual bag or per case/box as described.

answer. Unit cost should be quoted per case/box as listed. If bulk purchasing (i.e.

cases or boxes) is available for items in which a specific case or box quantity

6. Basis of Price Evaluation - The solicitation states that the total of the unit prices will be the deciding factor for determining the lowest price. Please confirm whether the evaluation is a simple sum of the twenty unit prices, or whether unit prices will be extended by estimated quantities before totaling.

answer. The evaluation is a sum of the twenty unit prices.

7. NAICS Code - Block 10 of the SF1449 designates NAICS 541380, Testing Laboratories, with a size standard of $19 million. This requirement is for the supply of commercial laboratory consumables rather than the performance of testing services. Please confirm that NAICS 541380 is the intended code for this procurement.

answer. NAICS 541380 is the intended code for this procurement.

8. F.O.B. Point - Block 11 of the SF1449 is marked "See Schedule" rather than F.O.B.

Destination. The Delivery Information section of the solicitation states that F.O.B.

Destination is requested. Please confirm the F.O.B. point for all deliverables.

answer. F.O.B. Destination will be used for all deliveries.

9. Period of Performance - The option line items on the SF1449 carry dates of 09/01/2027, 09/01/2028, 09/01/2029, and 09/01/2030. Please confirm the start and end dates of the base period.

answer. The intended start and end dates cannot be determined until the award is made.

10. Documentation of OEM-Approved Source - The solicitation requires that products be new commercial items from the Original Equipment Manufacturer or an OEM-approved source. Please confirm what documentation the Government will accept as proof of OEM-approved source status, for example a letter of authorization from World Bioproduct LLC, a distributor agreement, or a manufacturer quotation naming the offeror.

answer. A letter of authorization from World Bioproduct LLC, a distributor agreement, or a manufacturer quotation naming the offeror will be acceptable as proof of OEM-approved source status. Vendor will hold responsibility for false documentation.

11. Country of Origin and Buy American - The Statement of Work requires that bags be manufactured in the United States of America, and the solicitation includes the Buy American Certificate provision. Please confirm whether all twenty items must qualify as domestic end products, and how the Government will evaluate any item for which the manufacturer's country of origin is other than the United States.

answer. All twenty items must qualify as domestic end products. The Government will not evaluate any items in which the manufacturer's country of origin is other than the United States.

12. Option Period Pricing - Please confirm whether offerors may propose escalated pricing for each of the four option periods, or whether pricing must be firm-fixed at the same rate across the base period and all option periods.

answer. Offerors may propose escalated pricing for each of the four option periods or price at the same rate across the base period and all option periods.

13. Small Business Subcontracting Plan - FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, is marked as applicable. Please confirm whether a subcontracting plan is required from all offerors, or only from offerors that do not qualify as small business concerns under NAICS 541380.

answer. Subcontracting Plans are required only from offerors that do not qualify as small business concerns under NAICS 541380.

14. Technical Point of Contact - Page 7 of the SF1449 lists the technical assistance contact as "TBD." Please confirm whether a technical point of contact will be identified prior to the quotation deadline.

answer. A technical point of contact will be identified upon contract award.