Amendment_1_-_Responses_to_Contractor_Questions_0001.pdf

RFQ – 140D0422Q0394 - ATTACHMENT 4

CONTRACTOR QUESTION TEMPLATE – COVID Testing Requirement

Question Number

Section, Document Name, & Page # Question Government Response

RFQ Doc

Will any “large business” that does not meet the %’s for small business participation described in the “FY 2022 DOI & IBC Prime Contacting and Subcontracting Goals” be disqualified from the bid?

In accordance with RFQ Section III – Evaluation (page 9), Technical acceptability for the subcontracting plan will be determined based on the following:

The Subcontracting Plan contains all the elements required by FAR Clause 52.219-9. All Quoters, with the exception of small business, are required to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan.

Sufficient explanation was provided if no subcontracting goals are identified. Each plan will be evaluated on an acceptable / unacceptable basis.

2 RFQ Doc

Are prime contractors allowed to propose subcontractors that are in the process of obtaining certification as small business/WOSB in the subcontracting plan, or do subcontractors have to be actively certified at the time of proposal?"

Please review FAR clause 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan for this information.

Does the government anticipate the need for the contractor to set up new point of care testing sites/facilities?

No, the Government does not expect the contractor to set up new testing sites/facilities. See the Point-of-Care Testing Facility (Vendor Observed) section (page 10) in Attachment 1 – Specifications for what is required.

Section, Document Name, & Page # Question Government Response

Section 1, RFQ_140D0422Q0394_-

_COVID_Testing, Period of Performance, page 5

The Base year indicates a start date of 5/23/2022. By what date does DOI expect to make decisions?

The Government intends to finalize award decisions by the estimated date of May 23, 2022.

Section III, RFQ_140D0422Q0394_-

_COVID_Testing, Evaluation, pages 8 – 9

Is it possible for vendors who submit a bid, but are not awarded a contract, to receive feedback from DOI regarding deficiencies in the bid?

If yes, how can a vendor request the feedback.

The Government will follow the procedures outlined in FAR 13.106-3.

6 Attachment 1

Is DOI aware of any similar solicitations from other government agencies? It would be helpful to gauge/evaluate these past solicitations or awards so we can develop a competitive bid.

This information cannot be provided.

AQD Custom Clause – Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements - Invoice

Processing Platform

(IPP),

RFQ_140D0422Q0394_-

_COVID_Testing, Evaluation, pages 45-46

Does DOI offer guidance or training on how vendors can use the Invoice Process Platform?

No. The awardee(s) will be responsible for obtaining the necessary training.

8 Ordering Procedures. I.

Would it be possible for DOI buyers to enter their orders on a dedicated DOI landing page that we would develop?

All quoter solutions must meet the requirements of the solicitation, including those provided in Attachment 1 – Specifications. In addition, see the

Section, Document Name, & Page # Question Government Response

Ordering Procedures section of the RFQ (pages 10 - 12).

9 Ordering Procedures. I.

Would it be possible for DOI buyers to enter orders in a CSV format or enter orders on a spreadsheet?

All quoter solutions must meet the requirements of the solicitation, including those provided in Attachment 1 – Specifications. In addition, see the Ordering Procedures section of the RFQ (pages 10 - 12).

10 Solicitation, Volume II, Section 2. Page 8

This section states: “Quoters may submit a quote for one or more of the seven groups shown on Attachment 3. However, the quote shall include all CLINs within the group(s) quoted. All cells highlighted in yellow in the group(s) quoted shall be completed.” Does this mean for example, that if a vendor can provide CLIN 0006 (Vendor Observed: Point of Care Facility Molecular Tests), but not CLIN 0005 (Vendor Observed: Point of Care Facility Molecular Tests Rapid Antigen tests), the vendor would not be able to bid on any CLINS in this Group?

Yes - In accordance with the instructions tab of Attachment 3 – Pricing Template, Quoters may submit a quote for one or multiple groups.

However, the quote shall include all CLINs within the group(s) quoted.

11 Overall

Is a vendor permitted to submit exceptions to the terms & conditions listed in this RFQ, including the Baseline Compliance Contract Guidelines document?

See the Technical Assumptions section (pages 6-7) and the Price Assumptions section (pages 7-8) in RFQ Section II - Quote Submission Format. As stated in the RFQ, the quoter is advised that any assumptions/exceptions taken to the terms and conditions of the RFQ may adversely impact its

Section, Document Name, & Page # Question Government Response evaluation. Any assumptions/exceptions that are considered unacceptable by the Government and cannot be resolved may result in the Quoter being removed from further consideration.

Attachment 1, Ordering/Delivery Requirements, page 21

Please confirm that direct shipping of test kits to employees will need to be shipped in quantities of two or six. If a vendor is only able to ship 1 kit at a time to an employee, would this disqualify the vendor?

All quoter solutions must meet the requirements of the solicitation, including those provided in Attachment 1 – Specifications. Specifically, see the Ordering / Delivery Requirements section of Attachment 1 (page 11).

o Is the maximum number of tests per year found in Attachment No. 3 "Pricing Template" the order ceiling or is it an annual estimate? According to the pricing sheet, there is a max of 51,500 tests per year across the DOI. Is this an estimate of 51,500 tests per year for each contractor or 51,500 in total split across all contractors?

The Maximum Quantity of Tests provided in Attachment 3 – Pricing Template is an estimate.

The estimated quantities are split across seven groups. As stated in RFQ Section III – Evaluation (page 8), it is the Government’s intent to only award a single IDIQ contract for each of the seven groups shown in Attachment 3.

Quoters are also advised that the applicable fill-in for the minimum order quantity provided in solicitation clause FAR 52.216-19 - Order Limitations will be determined at award, but it is anticipated that this quantity will be no less than 2 (except for Point-Of-Care orders which may be ordered in a quantity of 1 in accordance with Attachment 1 – Specifications).

14 Is it possible to get an extension on the deadline?

The quote submission deadline cannot be extended.

Section, Document Name, & Page # Question Government Response

Government Observed:

NAAT (RT-PCR) Testing

Bulk Ship To Government Facility

Are instrumented Point of Care PCR tests being considered under this solicitation?

No, this solution is not being considered under this requirement.

Instead of shipping out Rapid/Molecular Tests, would the government be interested in having people test them either on site or at their homes to avoid any issues with the test kits?

All quoter solutions must meet the requirements of the solicitation, including those provided in Attachment 1 – Specifications.

17 Are you open to receiving solicitation to OTC self testing kits?

All quoter solutions must meet the requirements of the solicitation, including those provided in Attachment 1 – Specifications.

As an offeror, can we bid just on the groups in which we are capable of supplying, or must we be able to furnish all requirements in all of the seven groups?

In accordance with the instructions tab of Attachment 3 – Pricing Template, Quoters may submit a quote for one or multiple groups.

However, the quote shall include all CLINs within the group(s) quoted.

19 How will vendors indicate which group or groups they are quoting on?

In accordance with the instructions tab of Attachment 3 – Pricing Template, all cells highlighted in yellow in the group(s) quoted shall be completed. It is recommended (but not required) that quoters indicate which group(s) they are submitting a quote for in the quote transmittal email.

Would you be able to send the full RFQ so that we could review if we are eligible to bid on this solicitation?

The solicitation was posted to SAM.gov as RFQ 140D0422Q0394 on April 29, 2022. A copy of the

Section, Document Name, & Page # Question Government Response solicitation can be obtained by searching for the solicitation on SAM.gov.

Can the Government provide guidance on how to best situate ourselves as a competitive bidder given we are a small business?

Quoters shall ensure that their quotes are compliant with the solicitation instructions, including (but not limited to) the quote submission and/or transmittal requirements (see RFQ page 5) and provisions to be completed and returned (see RFQ page 6). In accordance with the instructions tab of Attachment 3 – Pricing Template, Quoters may submit a quote for one or multiple groups.

Can the Government confirm which fields in the SF-1449 are necessary to fill out, as the document lists specific fields to complete, but the solicitation instructs the vendor to complete the full document.

In accordance with RFQ Section II - Quotation Preparation Instruction The SF-1449 and SF-30 shall be fully completed and signed upon submission. The Quoter is cautioned that the SF- 1449 must contain an original signature in block 30a of the form; certified electronic signatures will be accepted.

The following blocks in the SF-1449 shall be completed: 30a, 30b, and 30c.

The following blocks in the SF-30 shall be completed: 15A, 15B, and 15C.

Should either of these line items be included in the quote?

Section 2: Completed SF-1449 and SF-30 Section 3: Representations and Certifications

Yes – see responses to questions 21 and 22.