Final FMSS FEP RFI Questions and Answers.pdf

FMSS FEP RFI QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

# Reference/Page # Question Answer

1 Performance Work Statement (PWS) Section 3 Scope

PWS Section 3 Scope, refers to Contractor providing a furniture evaluation and credit determination to arrive at a credit allowance per Section 5.2 per “condition codes” established at time of award. For equal access to all offerors and balanced furniture credit allowance values, will the Government be providing detailed baseline documentation that will be referenced for this determination at the opportunity phase in lieu of at time of award?

The Contractor is responsible for conducting furniture evaluations and determining applicable credit allowances as part of the required scope of work. Credit values will be based on the Contractor’s evaluation methodology, applied consistently using the condition codes established at contract award. Not all furniture will qualify for or receive a credit allowance.

2 PWS Section 5.2 IDIQ Management and Credit Allowances

PWS Section 5.2 IDIQ Management and Credit Allowances, states furniture credit allowances shall only be related to functionally similar furniture products. Can the Government please provide a definition of “functionally similar furniture products”?

The credit allowances must be applied to replacement furniture that serves the same functional purpose and product category as the original items being exchanged.

3 PWS Section 6.2 Coordination and Scheduling

PWS Section 6.2 Coordination and Scheduling, references for contractor to optimize reuse of available and upcoming furniture inventory across projects. Can the Government please clarify the method and when the contractor is notified of available and upcoming furniture inventory?

Projects are initiated on an as-needed basis and will be issued to the Contractor only after Government funding has been secured.

4 Performance Work

Statement (PWS) Section 3 Scope

With access to all major and ancillary manufacturers as a Tribally Owned 8(a) entity and to increase competition, would the Government consider new product an option if discounted to be competitive with remanufactured product?

No. This requirement as a remanufactured/refurbished furniture program, with a primary objective to maximize reuse and exchange of existing Government furniture assets and minimize lifecycle costs and environmental impact.

5 Performance Work Statement (PWS) Section 3 Scope

Are there specific manufacturers that the Government typically matches in existing facilities? I.E., Haworth, MillerKnoll, Allsteel, Steelcase etc.?

The Contractor should expect a mix of manufacturers across facilities and must provide solutions that integrate with existing conditions while meeting the specified performance and design requirements.

6 Performance Work Statement (PWS) Section 3 Scope

Would the Government consider a buyback program of existing furniture in combination with the purchase of new furniture if the cost of new furniture were to be competitive with the cost of remanufactured products?

Please note the following:

• Remanufacturered products can be limited by inventory on hand which can promote project delays.

• Remanufactured products may not fulfill code requirements.

This requirement as a furniture exchange program centered on reuse, exchange, and remanufacturing of existing Government assets.

Program objectives specifically prioritize maximizing reuse and exchange while minimizing lifecycle cost and environmental impact.

A buyback program combined with large-scale new furniture acquisition—based solely on cost competitiveness—would not be consistent with the PWS requirements.

• New product from most manufacturers has an aggressive in-house “green” manufacturing process.

• New product warranty of 12 years versus remanufactured product warranty of 1 year.

• Current technology requirements (cabling, ethernet, USB-C, etc.).

• LED lighting requirements.

• New products allow you to get what you actually need for a modern workstation and private office footprint.

7 Performance Work Statement (PWS) Section 6.2

Per Performance Work Statement (PWS) Section

6.2 can the Government please clarify what is the minimum job size capacity required by the vendor (the ability to handle multiple large-scale projects simultaneously)? Please clarify intent of “minimum job size capacity”.

Project sizes will vary, and work may range from a single workstation or office to large-scale installations.

8 Performance Work Statement (PWS), Section 6.8 Warranty Requirements and Repair Coordination on Page 9

Performance Work Statement (PWS), Section 6.8, Warranty Requirements and Repair Coordination states “Warrant all replacement furniture to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a minimum of fifteen (15) years from delivery date.”

Warrant all replacement furniture to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a minimum of fifteen (15) years from delivery/install date.

What type of product warranty does the Government require for new and/or remanufactured panels, hardware, electrical, and workstation components (surfaces, supports, filing, storage, overheads)?

9 With access to all major and ancillary manufacturers as a Minority-owned disadvantaged 8(a) entity and to increase competition, would the Government consider new product an option if discounted to be competitive with remanufactured product?

No. This requirement as a remanufactured/refurbished furniture program, with a primary objective to maximize reuse and exchange of existing Government furniture assets and minimize lifecycle costs and environmental impact.

10 Are there specific manufacturers that the Government typically matches in existing facilities? I.E., Haworth, MillerKnoll, Allsteel, Steelcase etc. Our experience with the IRS tells us that a majority of your modular furniture is made by MillerKnoll.

No, there are no specific manufacturers that the government typically matches in our facilities.

11 PWS Section 6.8

What type of product warranty do you require for new and/or remanufactured panels, hardware, electrical, and workstation components (surfaces, supports, filing, storage, overheads)?

Page 9 of PWS Section: 6.8 states “Warrant all replacement furniture to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a minimum of fifteen (15) years from delivery date.

Warrant all replacement furniture to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a minimum of fifteen (15) years from delivery/install date.

13 PWS Section 6.2 Per Performance Work Statement (PWS) Section

6.2 can the Government please clarify what is the minimum job size capacity required by the vendor (the ability to handle multiple large-scale projects simultaneously)? Please clarify intent of “minimum job size capacity”.

Project sizes will vary, and work may range from a single workstation or office to large-scale installations.

14 Is this RFI the same as the RFI labled TREAS - IRS - FMSS Furniture Exchange Program – MRAS which is due on 4/28?

Yes, it is.

15 Will this eventually be posted for GSA’s Packaged Office contract holders?

The requirement is currently in GSA as an RFI.

16 As part of the Exchange Sale and reuse process, is there any information on how the IRS validates that items designated for recycling or disposal are fully processed and documented beyond contractor reporting, particularly for audit and closeout purposes?

We have seen across federal Exchange Sale and facility transition programs that credit tracking and reporting are often well defined, but verification of final disposition can become fragmented across projects, locations, and other accountable property when space reductions and realignments are underway.

All IRS property, including furniture must go through the excessing process before disposal.

We are curious how the IRS is approaching this within this program.