Questions_and_answers.doc

Q1. Who is the incumbent and what is the tenure of their staff?

A.1 W & T Travel Services is the incumbent; the tenure of their staff has varied from employee to employee.

Q.2 Would FDA have any issues with the current staff being utilized under the new contract?

A.2 See FAR clause 52.222-17 Q.3 Was FDA satisfied with the service they provided?

A.3 Yes.

Q.4 What was the previous contract number?

A.4 HHSF223201000067C

Q.5 What was the award amount and duration of said contract including any modifications?

A.5 The amount of the award was $3,511,353.00 and the period of performance is September 13, 2010 to September 12, 2013.

Q.6 Are the schedules on pages 34-36 set in stone or are they preliminary?

A.6 The schedules on page 34 and 36 are preliminary. Actual route schedules will be developed as part of the logistics submission and will be implemented systematically after passengers are informed of all changes. Initially the current route schedules will be run, so as to not disrupt the current ridership. The additional vehicle being added will be used to pilot a route to the Shady Grove Metrorail Station and to supplement the present route serving Medical Center Metrorail Station.

Q.7 How many routes are there on the current contract?

A.7 There are four routes and one full time on site circulator. The four commuter routes serve six metro stations.

Q.8 How many buses are being used on the current contract?

A.8 There are five vehicles and one back up bus required under the present contract.

Q.9 What is the anticipated start of the new contract under this solicitation?

A.9 Before the end of FY 13.

Q.10 Is there a bridge anticipated between the start of the new contract and the conclusion of the current one? If so, how long is it expected to be?

A.10 Yes, one to two weeks.

Q.11 What type(s) of vehicles are currently being used?

A.11 There are currently two low floor vehicles, and 3 vehicles that range in size from 30 to 40 passenger vehicles.

Q.12 Where does the incumbent dispatch from?

A.12 The incumbent is provided a work station in White Oak Building One where their dispatcher sits.

Q.13 Does FDA have a Fleet number that can be referenced/utilized to show FDA as the end-user?

A.13 No.

Q.14 Has FDA determined which routes get which buses or will that be determined by the contractor?

A.14 On site circulators require the low floor vehicles. Conventional vehicles with higher seating capacity are used on the more heavily used routes.

Q.15 Has FDA surveyed personnel to determine which routes will/might have the highest ridership? If not, does it plan on doing so?

A.15 The incumbent submits data on ridership. All commuter routes are similar in ridership. The present Medical Center route has the highest ridership, and is expected to grow since many of the employees who are occupying the site in 2014 are moving from the vicinity of the Medical Center Metrorail Station. The circulator route has comparable ridership to the commuter routes, however, the passenger stream is spread out among the many trips it performs circulating around the White Oak Campus.

Q.16 What is the preferred fuel offering (i.e. diesel, bio-diesel, gas, CNG, etc.)?

A.16 The type of fuel used will be at the vendor’s discretion; the FDA would prefer the use of environmentally sustainable and efficient fuel.

Q.17 Is there a page 1 and 2 to the solicitation?

A.17 No, the solicitations starts on page 3.

Q.18 A total of six (6) buses/drivers will be used, should substitute drivers be vetted at the time of proposal submission?

A.18 As the running time each day may exceed 12 hours, more than six drivers will be needed each day. Substitute drivers will be required, but are not required as part of the initial submission.

Q.19 There is a requirement for 2 low floor buses can you tell me the purpose of these buses?

A.19 The low-floor buses are primarily used for onsite circulation in order to assist individuals who may be partially disabled or disabled. The low floor buses also reduce the amount of time required for passengers to board and alight the vehicles. This is particularly important for the onsite trips due to the high demand during certain hours of the day and due to the short trips the passengers are taking from one area of the site to another. Depending on the final logistics schedule used, the low floor buses may also be used to supplement commuter routes.