QUESTION and ANSWERS 1.15.2026.pdf

QUESTION & ANSWERS – 2031ZA26Q00033

Dated: 1/15/2026

1. The current allowance is 8 visits per year – is it possible to allow for more visits annually? No. There is already a buffer of 1 extra as needed visit which is why we state 8-9. This is the maximum that will be needed throughout the year.

2. Can the time frame for the program be extended given the expanded scope? No.

This will result in a 5-year BPA and should be able to complete all needed services in that timeframe.

3. Regarding Government ID requirements – is it mandatory for all participants? If you are referring to section 6.9(pg.9) of solicitation regarding wearing government ID badges when on site this is referring to the optician or anyone that is onsite for any reason must wear government ID badges that our security will provide to contractors when onsite.

4. Employees may pay the difference directly if they choose frames above the allowance. Does this also apply to lenses? No, the employee allowance is for lenses only as stated in the PWS.

5. Will there be a charge for the optician’s time, or is that included in the line items?

The cost per hour for the onsite optician’s time should be identified under “Fitting Charge (per hour)” in Attachment A.

6. Is there a specific reason for the optician visit time of 10:00 pm to 11:30 pm? A visit from 6:00 am to 7:30 am and 1-4 pm could also accommodate all the shifts.

Unfortunately, it would not be possible to switch to an earlier time as per the solicitation document(page 8 section 3- Also shown below) the midnight shift does not start until 10:30PM thus why the midnight optician shift time is what it states. This time unfortunately will have to be firm as the optician will be needed at that time due to the midnight shift hours.

SECTION 3 - SCHEDULING

The following information describes scheduling requirements for this contract:

3.1 The optician shall be available to employees during the employees scheduled shift. BEP shifts are as follows:

• Day shift – 6:30 a.m. to 3:00p.m.,

• Evening shift – 2:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and

• Midnight shift – 10:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

The optician will be required to be onsite as follows:

• Day and evening shifts from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and

• Midnight shift from 10:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

3.2 The vendor will be scheduled to visit the DCF eight times/year.

7. Does this facility have a current optician that is certified? If you are satisfied with their performance, would it be possible for you to provide their contact information to us? No. The previous contract has not been active in 1.5 years. You will have to provide a local optician to come to the facility the 8-9 times a year.

8. Will frame/lens samples need to be provided for this contract? If so, when would we need to send these by and do you have a specific criteria for these samples? Will you need these samples in a tray/case? Samples are not required.

9. Attachment A – Pricing Schedule lists “Transitions” as one of the lens options. Do you require Transitions-branded lenses or is the “Transitions” name being used to signify photochromic lenses, of which there are several brands in the market? We do not specifically require Transitions-brand lenses. Other photochromic lenses are acceptable.

10. Attachment A – Pricing Schedule: Please specify the requirements for the carrying case; does it need to be hard or soft, and what size is recommended? The carrying case should be a hard-side case to protect glasses when not in use. The case should be sized to sufficiently accommodate the protective eyewear.

11. Attachment A – Pricing Schedule: Are there certain salient characteristics that the BEP is looking for each Frame Tier? Or is this up to the bidder’s discretion? Are there certain salient characteristics that the BEP is looking for each Frame Tier? Or is this up to the bidder’s discretion? No, there are no specific characteristics for each frame tier. A Level 1 frame would be basic frames that meet OSHA/ANSI requirements.

Additional Tiers would be frames that also meet OSHA/ANSI requirements but also offer additional enhancements or features.

12. If having difficulty locating an optician with the required certifications by tomorrow's deadline Is it possible that the deadline will be extended, which would allow us to continue our search? It is acceptable for a vendor to provide an optician after award in order to begin performance. It is not necessary for the optician to be in place at the time the solicitation is due. This is a BPA and only need to have optician name provided shortly after a call is put in place. On Initial Staffing Plan(Section 7(1.1)- Deliverables) due with solicitation you may state TBD for employee Last and First name. For Monthly Workforce Report (Section 7(1.2)- Deliverables) you will then provide staffing optician’s name. We will be revising the solicitation to clearly reflect this clarification. Additionally, in response to your question regarding the deadline extension we will be extending it through January 23, 2026, at 5:00 PM.