36A77619Q0143-0001004.docx

Palo Alto BSRB Questions & Answers

RFQ – 36A77619Q0143

Note: for clarification on equipment that will be seismically anchored by Offerors, see revised Attachment B

1. Question: For Deliverable #002 it asks us to provide a staffing plan and labor rates – are these rates for our moving labor? Our staff? Trucks? Also, since this is a FFP contract why are labor rates part of the requirement without a position description requirement and skill?

Answer: Labor rates provided for this deliverable are deleted from the PWS

2. Question: Is there an anticipation that the activation contractor provides fulltime onsite support for a certain length of time?

Answer: The Contractor’s Project Manager is required to be present for the length of the Delivery and Installation and Move phases

3. Question: Is there a pricing workbook to complete with our offer?

Answer: No

4. Question: Will any O/V equipment be stored in our warehouse? If so, we will need to know how much and what specifically will be stored.

Answer: Currently we do not have a requirement for O/V equipment to be stored at the warehouse.

5. Question: Does the warehouse have to be for VA use only?

Answer: No, but warehouse space must be fully separated from other tenants with a full-height interior partition and separate secured entries.

6. Question: It is confusing with the requirement including new or recently renovated?

Answer: Building need not be recently renovated, but must have fully functional climate control, security system, and sprinkler/alarm system, and be well-maintained, structurally sound, and watertight.

7. Question: Please define this requirement. If a standalone warehouse exists that has all the security and other requirements but has been in place for years would that be alright?

Answer: If it meets the requirements as described in the PWS and in this paragraph.

8. Question: There is a statement in the PWS that says the contractor shall ensure that the VA items be separately warehoused in a designated area, physically separated from the rest of the warehouse. Please define physically separated.

Answer: It must be separated by a full-height interior partition or fencing, with lockable secured entries.

9. Question: The 10M dollar insurance requirement is that due with our offer?

Answer: Proof of insurance is due to the Contracting Officer at time of contract kick off. Insurance requirement is changed in the PWS from $10M to $12M.

10. Question: When will the equipment be delivered to the warehouse?

Answer: Starting in September 2019

11. Question: Insurance companies will want to know how long the equipment will be in the facility in order to provide a cost for coverage.

Answer: For duration of contract.

12. Question: The requirement for a secure internet access for the inventory system is confusing. If we have a current web-based inventory system that we utilize for all of our projects can we utilize the same system but limit the users access to the system so only VA approved personnel can access the VA owned assets located in our facility?

Answer: Must be username/password protected, with information stored therein accessible solely by contractor’s staff dedicated to this project, and the VA.

13. Question: Why does the entire warehouse need to be climate controlled- this seems like an excessive requirement adding costs. Much of the equipment is shelving. Can we change the language to say the equipment must be stored in a way that will not void the warranty of the equipment? Or language that dictates any equipment that requires power must be stored in a climate-controlled area maintained between 64 and 78 degrees and no more than 60% humidity?

Answer: The building needs to be climate controlled, including areas used to store shelving.

14. Question: Can we assume that the current Attainia list is the project equipment list that we should use to develop the size of the warehouse needed and no other equipment will be stored in the facility?

Answer: The Attainia list plus 5% additional items for flexibility should be used to develop the size of the warehouse need. PWS has been updated.

15. Question: Is there a requirement other than storage in the warehouse – meaning will any equipment be tested and require work bench area?

Answer: No

16. Question: Will any IT equipment require unboxing, or will the equipment only be stored in the warehouse?

Answer: No unboxing at the warehouse.

17. Question: The equipment list has only a very little number of computers – why do they need placed in a cage? Especially if we are providing full replacement insurance?

Answer: CPU’s will be delivered directly to project site by VA IT department. Other IT-related items, such as computer monitors, keyboards, mice, video screens, do not need separate caged area. PWS has been updated.

18. Question: Does the entire warehouse space have to be climate controlled or just the space holding equipment that requires the climate control to safeguard the equipment? It seems like chrome shelving and some other items should not require this level of temperature/humidity control?

Answer: Entire warehouse must be climate controlled.

19. Question: Comprehensive warehousing services includes coordination with vendors for delivery, when will the contractor receive the list of purchase orders with JSN included?

Answer: We are not using JSN numbers. Our equipment numbers are EQX.XXX format. PO’s will be provided on or about September 30th, following contract award.

20. Question: When will the warehouse space be needed – and for how long?

Answer: No later than September 1st 2019 and for the duration of the contract.

21. Question: How should we price the warehouse space if it needs to be expandable and shrinkable based on the need?

Answer: Contractor shall estimate space per Attainia list and floor plans provided, plus 5%.

22. Question: Will the warehouse have to be staffed fulltime from contract award through delivery of contents to the new facility?

Answer: Contractor shall estimate enough staffing to complete the project within the specified time period.

23. Question: The requirement to provide the 6 Apple PC’s are these due to the VA by a certain date after award?

Answer: Apple tablets are due 7 calendar days prior to the 1st day of delivery and install

24. Question: Can you define the requirement more specifically and the timeline required for the PlanGrid licenses? They can be monthly or yearly licenses.

Answer: Whichever the contractor feels with cover the duration of use.

25. Question: How long will we need the data plans to run?

Answer: See #24 above

26. Question: Will the Activation Contractor also need Plan Grid licenses? Will we need tablet’s like the 6 we are providing to the VA?

Answer: Yes. The Contractor will need at least one (1) iPad and PlanGrid license for their Project Manager’s use. The intent is for the team to document site conditions – the tablets with PlanGrid facilitate this for the VA – it’s up to vendor to provide the iPads and software licenses.

27. Question: If we are staging FF&E in the space that is also used by others how can we ensure that other vendors do not damage equipment that we have staged?

Answer: The VA needs both vendors/manufacturers and Contractor to attend weekly coordination meetings and survey spaces prior to delivery of items. Contractors will need to document any damage caused by others.

28. Question: If multiple vendors are delivering concurrently along the same pathway who is responsible for protecting the building? If other vendors are delivering at the same time who is responsible to clean the space? Provide dumpsters?

Answer: Each vendor/manufacturer and Contractor will be responsible for their own scope, including cleaning and waste removal

29. Question: If we are responsible to coordinate vendors hired by the VA does this mean rescheduling and providing direction to the vendors? Please define this requirement. Does this include training coordination?

Answer: Contractor and vendors to coordinate schedules, path of travel, and other logistical details, to ensure there are no conflicts in the field.

30. Question: Do any of the items to be relocated require specialized utility connections like the 2-wall mounted Skyflow handling units? Will it be the responsibility of the VA to ensure all utilities are available? Is it the responsibility of the Activation contractor to re install all items relocated?

Answer: No Skyflow to be added to scope. VA is responsible for utilities to be available. Some items noted with yellow dots on plans will be relocated and installed by manufacturer/vendors, however Contractor shall provide seismic anchoring or other services. PWS has been updated. See below:

Existing High-Value equipment to be relocated by Contractor to Vivarium and Levels 1 and 2 (marked with red dots on installation plans, unless otherwise noted).

Faxitron DEXA Scanner – Contractor shall relocate and seismically anchor Azure Imager – Contractor shall relocate Keyence Microscope – Contractor shall relocate LN2 Dewars – Contractor shall relocate 10X Genomics – Contractor shall relocate Perkin Elmer Xenogen (yellow dot) – Vendor/Manufacturer will pack and provide rigging and installation within buildings. Contractor shall provide trucking from existing location to site (loading dock to loading dock) and seismically anchor X-Rad (yellow dot) – Vendor/Manufacturer will relocate and install, Contractor shall seismically anchor Approximately 40 -80 Freezers and their contents. Contractor shall relocate and seismically anchor

31. Question: Some items do not list quantity can you please provide quantities for all items.

Answer: Quantities are shown as a number in parenthesis. If no quantity is shown, assume one of each item.

32. Question: Do you have cut sheets for all items?

Answer: No. Most items are microwave-sized or smaller.

33. Question: Do any items listed require manufacturer or 3rd party vendor support in order to maintain the warranty like the Leica controlled cortical impact device?

Answer: Please include relocation in quote as shown in the documents. The VA will coordinate any future changes if required.

34. Question: If not shown on the plans who will be responsible for adding to the plan prior to moving?

Answer: If this question refers to revising (ie drafting) the plan drawings, then the VA will be making any necessary revisions and will provide updated plans to the Contractor.

35. Question Do you have cut sheets/specifications for this equipment?

Answer: For some equipment, but not freezers. We will provide what we have after award.

36. Question: Please provide a value for these items so that we can get insurance coverage.

Answer: 10X Genomics $150K; Keyence $150K; Azure $50K; DEXA Faxitron $150K; Freezers with their contents $100K each. Perkin Elmer IVIS Spectrum / Xenogen $450,000. X-Rad - $250,000 (estimated)

37. Question: Are you sure none of these items requires OEM/3rd party vendor to relocate these items and set up? Answer: IVIS Spectrum to be packed rigged and installed by Vendor. Transport from old to new building (loading dock to loading dock) is in Activation Contractor’s scope. Other items to be installed by OEM/3rd party vendors are identified in Attainia list and Installation Plans.

38. Question: Should we assume that the boxes will be provided by others or should we include the cost of providing packing material and supplies?

Answer: Perkin Elmer and X-Rad will provide their own packing materials. Otherwise Contractor to supply packing materials.

39. Question: Does the cleaning of the vivarium mean the 50,000 sf of space discussed in the PWS only or the entire facility?

Answer: Vivarium only – 50,000 sf.

40. Question: Can the space be cleaned once or does the VA expect each area to be cleaned prior to animal transport (16 trips) so (16 phases of cleaning)?

Answer: Vivarium cleaned once at beginning of animal moves

41. Question: Please define the level of cleaning required for the building and installed items at the close out period. Answer: Floors swept (for hard surfaces) and vacuumed (for carpet). Surfaces cleaned of any blemishes from move. All waste materials removed from site.

42. Question: How many items will be delivered to the Mountain View facility? Should this be priced later? Where in the mountain view facility will the excess items be delivered? Will any items need to be installed?

Answer: Assume one 40-foot truckload to be delivered to the Mountain View warehouse. The address is 1776 Middlefield Rd., Mountain View CA. No items need to be installed – just stored (there is a warehouse at this address.)

43. Question: We are assuming the only manuals we will turn over are for the items that we deliver, and install is that accurate?

Answer: Yes

44. Question: Will sharps, glove boxes, soap dispensers be mounted to walls or on equipment rails?

Answer: Walls

45. Question: Will all blocking be the responsibility of others?

Answer: Do you mean backing? Yes.

46. Question: How should we price that are listed as o/o but we believe vendors will need to install and certify? Example are the laminar flow hoods V0130.

Answer: Per vendor, laminar flow hoods need to be moved into place and plugged in. they can be installed by Contractor.

47. Question: Pieces of equipment like mobile C Arms are listed as o/o but are typically delivered and installed by the vendor. How would you like these items to be priced? Will it be the responsibility of the IO contractor to hire the vendor?

Answer: The mobile C-Arm is a “mini” c-arm meant for rodents, and can be installed by Activation Contractor. It is not Contractor’s responsibility to hire vendors. Equipment installed by 3rd party vendors is marked as such on the installation plans.

48. Question: Some items have JSN’s some do not – will there be a updated equipment list to include all JSN’s?

Answer: Our equipment numbering system is EQX.XXX. JSN numbers can be ignored.

49. Question: Do the existing buildings have loading dock?

Answer: Buildings at the VA Palo Alto, Palo Alto campus have loading docks. The Mountain View site does not have a loading dock.

50. Question: Can the Project Director and Project Manager be the same person?

Answer: Yes, the offeror may provide the same person for both the Project Director and Project Manager positions. Please Note: These positions will be evaluated separately based on their independent requirements as identified in PWS. Also, per Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 (F)(1), for both of these positions if the minimum criteria are exceeded in the provided quote then these exceeded requirements will become the minimum requirements under the awardees contract. These new minimum requirements will then be used for all Key Personnel replacement. Finally, if the same person was used for both positions the Government would expect the combined total annual hours proposed would not exceed 2080 in a given year.

51. Question: Is there a schedule determined for this IO? Design? Construction? Activation?

Answer: Construction completion is estimated in December 2019. Activation to take place from January 2020 to June 2020. These milestones are subject to change if construction schedule changes.

52. Question: What is the address of this new facility? What is the address of the current location?

Answer: Campus address is: 3801 Miranda Ave, Palo Alto, CA. There is no “current” location as this is a new building. All buildings, both new and existing, (except for Mountain View storage) are located at this address.

53. Question: B(4)(b): Pricing Submission requires a pricing worksheet. Will this be provided?

Answer: No

54. Question: 14.3 The VA requires Apple iPad Pro 9.7 w/256GB. These iPads have been phased out. Will you update and reissue a new specification for these?

Answers: 11” iPad Pro with 256 GB. PWS has been updated

55. Question: 15.2 Live Animal Transport: Are there any other animals in the facility other than rats and mice?

Answer: No

56. Question: 15.2 Live Animal transport: Is this movement of animals an option as described in the pre-solicitation, or is now a part of the full SOW?

Answer: The movement of the animals is an optional task (to be FFP priced) as part of the full PWS.

57. Question: for the optional tasks (15)(.1) – (.3): Do we have to provide a technical write up for this part? If so, does it count against our 8 page limit? Or do we just submit pricing?

Answer: Yes, optional tasks are part of the technical write up and will be evaluated as part of the entire technical submission. The technical write up for the optional tasks count against the 8-page limit.

58. Question: Are these breeding stock rodents, or research/experimental rodents?

Answer: There will be both types of rodents.

59. Question: Have any of these rodents been subjected to Infectious disease or Zoonotic methods?

Answer: Yes, approximately 280 cages will be exposed to pathogens. Please note, it is not in the scope of this contract to have contact with these cages – all occupied animal caging will be handled by trained vivarium staff.

60. Question: What is median age of these rodents, i.e. more adults, or more pups?

Answer: Mostly adults, but some pups will be present.

61. Question: How are rodents caged? Individual cages, or more than one rodent per cage?

Answer: Both individual and groups.

62. Question: In SOW, Page 8/41 Deliverable 002 Transition Plan it shows providing “Security Plan”. Will the Contractor be required to provide security for the old and new building during the duration of the project? If yes will the Government require 24/7 security and for what duration of the project?

Answer: The government will provide security at the new building, however the Contractor must adhere to the VA’s security requirements such as obtaining badges from the VA Police, not leaving exterior doors propped open, etc. Security at the existing buildings is not in this contract. Please note, this requirements document is a Performance Work Statement (PWS), not a Statement of Work (SOW).

63. Question: In the SOW, page 11/41 Per Section 4.2 Comprehensive Warehouse and Warehouse Services Paragraph 6 It states “It shall have a minimum of one loading dock for the exclusive use of the Government. “ Is it the Government’s plan to use government vehicles to unload and load equipment from the contractors’ warehouse? Is there specific equipment the Government plans to move? Will the Government also be storing additional equipment in the Contractor’s warehouse that is not already identified in the SOW?

Answer: Please note, this requirements document is a Performance Work Statement (PWS), not a Statement of Work (SOW). No, we are not planning on using government vehicles to load and unload equipment at the warehouse. The sentence in question refers to the Activations Contractor working on a government contract.

64. Question: In the SOW, page 13/41 In section 14.3 Comprehensive Delivery and Installation Services from Warehouse to New Facility, para 4 it states “The Contractor shall transport and install warehouse stored equipment, fixtures, and IT items, to agreed-upon staging areas or storage areas, and from there to locations within the building as shown on the installation plans.”

Are the “agreed-upon staging areas or storage areas” in the new building or a separate location other than the warehouse?

Answer: The staging area will be in the new building, probably at or near the loading dock or nearby storage rooms. Please note, this requirements document is a Performance Work Statement (PWS), not a Statement of Work (SOW).

65. Question: In 36A77619Q0143-025 ATTACHMENT B - Equipment List pg. 27 there lists 4 PC Computer Tower with LCD Monitor, and from the list in total 10 Mobile computer workstation w/PC EQ3.35.101 tower and Monitor. Are there only a total of 14 computers to roll out? Can the Government confirm the number and description of the new IT items involved? Are phones involved in this scope of work? Printers?

Answer: Offerors to quote on the documents as shown.

66. Question: Can the Government provide the Contractors “36A77619Q0143-025 ATTACHMENT B - Equipment List” in excel format so we can better analyze the equipment data?

Answer: Yes. Excel document is attached to this amendment as well as the PDF.

67. Question: Does the Government already have a set “new equipment” delivery schedule or will the Contractor be able to manage the “new equipment “delivery schedule? Will the Government allow the Contractor to adjust the delivery schedule for certain equipment to be delivered directly to the BSRB?

Answer: Contractor will be able to develop schedule for delivery of new equipment, for VA approval and activations team implementation.

68. Question: In SOW page 15/41 under “Boxed Items” it states: Approximately 500 end-user packed boxes to be relocated to Vivarium and Levels 1 and 2 (not shown on installation plans). Question: Is the total number of personnel the contractor is required to move 500? Are the total number of personnel moving coming from building 4 and 54?

Answer: The estimated number of boxes does not equal the number of personnel moving to the new building. At the time of building opening, there will be approximately 16 staff in the Vivarium and about 30-40 staff on Levels 1 & 2. Once the building is fully staffed, it will house about 80 staff total. Please note, this requirements document is a Performance Work Statement (PWS), not a Statement of Work (SOW).

69. Question: In 36A77619Q0143-025 ATTACHMENT B - Equipment List page 30/171 for room V-238 it states in “Comments: The MRI will be reselected and ordered in 2020, to be delivered and installed in 2020. The MRI is Vendor installed, with the exception of the Electrical Panel and seismic anchoring. Activation Contractor to provide pricing for an option for MRI rigging, from Loading Dock to Imaging. Does the Government expect optional pricing to be submitted under this solicitation or after award and Contractor and conduct site walks with Vendors for proper pricing?

Answer: The MRI procurement has been postponed until after the Activation phase. This section has been deleted from the PWS and supporting documents.

70. Question: In multiple areas in the 36A77619Q0143-025 ATTACHMENT B - Equipment List under comments section it states “EXISTING RELOCATED EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES: Approximately 100 boxes. Not shown on plans.”. What are the dimensions and weight of the boxes?

Answer: The Equipment List shows 200 boxes for the Vivarium, and 100 for each upper floor (Levels 1 & 2. Assume 100 additional boxes, for a total of 500 boxes (per the PWS). Assume nothing bigger or heavier than a microwave.

71. Question: Will the Contractor be required to develop equipment specifications or procurement packages for any of the equipment identified as “new equipment”?

Answer: No, procurements are done in-house by the VA Facility Planning department (OFPD).

72. Question: On page 16/41 under 15.3 Move, Delivery and Installation Close-out: “…The Contractor shall deliver all excess fixtures, equipment and IT items to a VA facility located in Mountain View, CA, about 7 miles from the Palo Alto campus.” Question: Does the excess fixtures, equipment and IT items reference new items in the new building or items in building 4 and 54?

Answer: It references both new and existing.

73. Question: Is the Contractor responsible for the turn-in of old fixtures, equipment and IT items left in building 4 and 54? If so, approximately how many staff work from these existing areas, how many individual offices, how many different shared workstation spaces, any systems furniture?

Answer: No, the Contractor is not responsible for anything left in buildings 4 and 54.

74. Question: Will the Government be providing a form for pricing submission?

Answer: No

75. Question: What is the anticipated date of award?

Answer: NLT 9/30/2019

76. Question: What is the Liability for animals; both from a physical liability and if there is a research liability, what is the full amount needed?

Answer: Estimate $2 million for the value of the lab animals to be transported.

77. Question: Any requirements on transporting the -80 degree freezers?

Answer: I assume this refers to existing freezers? Freezers must be moved with their contents inside. The contents are held in place by metal boxes, so minimal to no shifting of contents should occur during move. Most if not all of these freezers are on upper floors of Buildings 4 and 100, so the path of travel includes elevators.

78. Question: Tentative dates for the move?

Answer: May/June 2020

79. Question: Why is the truck requirement 40’ long if VA only want to move 4 racks at a time? Straight trucks, which are more efficient could be used. They are about 24’ in length.

Answer: The end-users have revised their request; 26’ trucks will work.

80. Question: What are the rack dimensions? Especially the height Answer: The mouse racks are just under 7’ high x 6’ wide x 20” deep, and carry 80 cages. These are the largest racks – there are also 70-cage racks, and 28 cage racks for rats, which are smaller.

81. Question: What type of insurance should we carry for the moving of the -80 Freezers? (Estimated replacement cost of the Contents in the freezers)

Answer: The freezers can be insured for $15,000 each. However, for many of the freezers, the contents cannot be replaced, no matter how much they are insured for, since they are samples that have been collected over many years.

82. Question: Are the contents in the freezers registered in the Federal Selective Agent Program (CDC database)?

Answer: No.

83. Question: What level of insurance should we carry for the moving of Animals? (Estimated replacement cost for the animals) Answer: $2M

84. Question: Is there an estimation of linear feet of research files that require transfer to a new location? Paragraph 15.1.1 (Existing equipment to be relocated); Boxed Items – identifies approx. 500 end-user boxes however clarification is requested if the 500 end-user boxes includes research files in addition to personal goods/government files from their offices.

Answer: Four (4) labs will be relocated from Building 4 to the BSRB. Assume four (4) 5-drawer 36 inch wide lateral file cabinets for each lab – for a total of 16 filing cabinets. Some of the 500 boxes could be research files.

85. Question: Is there an expectation that existing furniture will be reused reuse and require disassembly and assembly? If so can you provide an estimate of the number of offices/work spaces that will need to be dis-assembled and re-assembled?

Answer: No existing furniture is expected to be moved.

86. Question: Travel Paragraph, section 11, PG 5, states that “the primary place of performance is at the location identified in section 5 above.” Can you clarify how the place of duty is relevant in a firm fixed price contract since labor cost and travel costs will all be included in the fixed price. Section 5 (or paragraph 5 is titled Applicable Documents- please clarify.

Answer: The site location is relevant to a FFP contract because contractors need to know how to build in the FFP for any travel, location, transportation costs, etc. Without a location, how would you know your business costs? FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation; Factor 2 (4) “Technical Submission provides an explanation on how the Government will evaluate the travel narrative as part of the overall evaluation. (Section 11 of PWS updated to reference section 10, not 5).

87. Question: What is the average size of the animal racks? Can we get make, model or a picture of the animal rack moving? Is there power requirements need for the moving of these racks?

Answer: See question 80. These racks are made by Tecniplast. There is a power requirement once they are installed in the new building, but they can be trucked without power. Trucking distance is about ½ a mile.

88. Question: How many pieces of Excess equipment or supplies needing to be removed from the old buildings? Can we get a list of this equipment/supplies?

Answer: No, we do not have a list – this requirement will be more precisely defined at the end of the Move phase.

89. Question: Does the Mountain View CA facility have a loading dock?

Answer: No

90. Question: How many rooms need to have the Deep Clean performed? Which spaces will need this cleaning? (New space or Old spaces or both)?

Answer: New space only. Assume entire vivarium level.

91. Question: Is floor/wall/door protection need in the old buildings? If so, who many lineal feet are require in the old buildings?

Answer: Assume 200 linear feet, including elevators, for Building 4 only. Building 54 is slated for demolition, and therefore does not require building protection.

92. Question: Is the temporary office space for which the contractor is required to provide workstations, furniture, computers and etc. located at a government site or is the contractor required to rent space at the indicated location?

Answer: It will be in the new building (the BSRB).

93. Question: Does the government require the contractor to develop a "staffing plan with labor rates" for only the transition period during which dual operations may be necessary (versus a staffing plan that modifies the total current research and administrative personnel for the Palo Alto BSRB)?

Answer: No staffing plan for VA Research and Administrative personnel is required. The staffing plan is for Activation Services Contractor only.

94. Question: Will the government provide the detailed construction and procurement schedule with the solicitation?

Answer: No – the building contractors will be gone and construction will be complete by the time the Activation Contractor begins their work. Procurement is underway, and there will be additional procurements in late 2019 and early 2020. All procurements will be handled in-house by VA Palo Alto Facility Planning staff. A procurement delivery schedule will be provided to the activation contractor after contract is awarded and when available.

95. Questions: Are there any vaccinations (outside of the standard CDC Healthcare Worker’s and State of California that staff Immunization Law) that are recommended and/or required for staff/contractors?

Answer: No. Please note, Contractors will have no contact with animals – they will be handled exclusively by trained VA vivarium staff.

96. Question: Who will be responsible to sanitize/decontaminate and certify re-use equipment prior to move?

Answer: Assume VA vivarium staff will provide this – do not include in Offeror

97. Question: Who will be responsible for decontamination of the vacated space and items which includes all waste products (feces, hazardous drugs, chemicals, etc.) that are not specified to be moved and/or on re-use list?

Answer: This is not within the Activation Contractor’s scope.

98. Question: Will any of the end-user 500 banker boxes have contents that need special handling considerations (i.e. specimens, organisms, hazardous waste, drugs or chemicals and etc.)? Can the contractor use alternative packing versus "banker boxes" for personal items?

Answer: Some boxes will likely contain chemicals which are typically used in research laboratories. Contractor will not be handling organisms, hazardous waste, etc.

99. Question: Is the equipment listed in the PWS 15.1.1 "not shown on installation plans" included on the Attainia Equipment List provided in the solicitation?

Answer: They are included on the Attainia list.

100. Question: Is the contractor required to follow GLP guidelines for validation of lab sample movement (40 freezers and their contents)?

Answer: This is not a requirement.

101. Question: Will any of the contents contained in the freezers be classified IAT?

Answer: Does IAT mean Indirect Antiglobulin Test? The end-users do not know what this is.

102. Question: Is there an expectation for dual vivarium operations during move/transition?

Answer: Yes.

103. Question: Will the contractor be responsible for rental of additional equipment to maintain dual operations?

Answer: No.

104. Question: Will the government provide the specifications (salient characteristics) of the reuse equipment in the solicitation?

Answer: We will provide spec sheets for most of the Existing High Value Equipment.

105. Question: Who will be responsible to conduct deep cleaning of new vivarium prior to animal transport?

Answer: The Activation Services Contractor. This should be included in the quote

106. Question: Should project close-out be priced as an optional task?

Answer: Everything under Section 15 Optional Tasks, must be firm fix priced

107. Question: In regard to Sec 15.3, Para. 1, Contractor shall provide cleaning of the building and installed items? Please further define “building and installed items” for purposes of cleaning.

Answer: The PWS has been revised to better define cleaning.

108. Question: Does the Attainia Equipment List have JSNs and will the government provide the equipment list in excel format? If JSNs are not available in the Attainia Equipment List, does the government require the contractor to add JSNs for each item?

Answer: Please ignore the JSN’s. This project uses the format; EQX.XXX

109. Question: Will the equipment installation plan be provided to the contractor in Revit?

Answer: Yes, if it is requested. However this solicitation does not include modifying Revit plans in any way – this will be done in-house by the VA.

110. Question: Will the Government provide a pricing template in the solicitation?

Answer: The Contractor is to provide pricing using their own format.

111. Question: paragraph 14.2 states “The size of the warehouse (square footage) shall be estimated by the contractor based on the Government provided Attainia equipment list (Attachment B) and the Installation Floor Plans (Attachment A).” However, it is unclear whether the warehouse will need to contain ALL the listed equipment at one time, or if some equipment will be moved from the existing to the new laboratory. Can the Government provide a square foot estimate for the size of warehouse space that is anticipated to be needed?

Answer: Please estimate square footage based on the Attainia list (+5%) and the installation drawings.

112. Question: Section 4.0 states: “Furniture will be installed by others; the contractor shall coordinate with furniture installers.” Is furniture installation an item to be priced, or is this intended to be logistics coordination only? Will furniture need to be stored in the warehouse, or moved from existing labs to the new lab?

Answer: No furniture will be moved or stored in the warehouse under this contract. No existing furniture will be moved. Furniture is shown on the installation plans for reference and coordination purposes.

113. Question: The attached equipment inventory list does not provide dimensions for all listed equipment. This presents difficulties in estimating warehouse size requirements, and also costs for equipment moves. Can the Government provide dimensions for all equipment that is to be moved or stored in the RFP?

Answer: We cannot provide this information to Offerors at this time. The plan drawings are scalable with Bluebeam or similar software. In addition, there is a graphic scale, showing 4’ and 8’ lengths, in the bottom right corner of each drawing sheet on the Installation Plans. These scales can be used to estimate sizes. All equipment is less than 7’ high. Width and depth of equipment can be estimated by comparing to the 4’/8’ graphic scale on the installation plans.

114. Question: The RFP states: “The Government will evaluate the offeror’s past performance on active and physically completed federal contracts. The Government will contact the offeror’s submitted references on Government contracts. Past performance information may be obtained from any other sources available to the Government, to include, but not limited to: Contract Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) or other databases; interviews with Program Managers, Contracting Officers, and Contracting Officer’s Representatives (CORs). The past performance evaluation will assess the relative risks associated with an offeror’s likelihood of success in performing the Contract PWS requirements as indicated by the offeror’s record of past performance.” Will the government accept past performance references of individuals assigned as key personnel as evidence of low risk/successful performance of the offeror?Will the government accept past performance references of team members as evidence of low risk/successful performance of the offeror?

Answer: Past Performance is for instances of corporate/firm past performance

115. Question: The requirement for six (6) Apple 9.7 inch IPad with unlimited LTE data plan. Can the VA relay which provider has the best cell service in the project area, AT&T or Verizon?

Answer: Requirement has been changed to 11” iPad.

116. Question: How many drawings will the VA upload to PlanGrid?

Answer: Please procure the “unlimited sheets” option.

117. Question: Can the VA provide which temperature monitoring system being used at the Palo Alto location and how notifications are passed to staff?

Answer: Is this question referencing the temperature monitoring in the Vivarium? There is a building management system in the new building provided by Siemens. Notifications will be passed via the Ethernet. This isn’t part of the Activations scope of work…