36C10E20Q0009-0002000.docx

FedBizOpps Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation

CLASSIFICATION CODE

SUBJECT

CONTRACTING OFFICE'S

ZIP-CODE

SOLICITATION NUMBER

BASE NOTICE TYPE

RESPONSE

DATE (MM-DD-YYYY)

ARCHIVE

DAYS AFTER THE RESPONSE DATE

RECOVERY ACT FUNDS

SET-ASIDE

NAICS CODE

CONTRACTING OFFICE

ADDRESS

POINT OF CONTACT

(POC Information Automatically Filled from User Profile Unless Entered)

DESCRIPTION

See Attachment

AGENCY'S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT'S EMAIL

ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

ADDRESS

POSTAL CODE

COUNTRY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

* = Required Field FedBizOpps Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation Rev. March 2010 S Amendment Answer Vendor Questions & Extend 20006 36C10E20Q0009

COMBINE

08-12-2019 N 561730 Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration Office of Acquisition 1800 G. Street N.W.

Washington DC 20006 Jorge Martin Jorge.Martin@va.gov 1250 Poydras Street, Suite 803 New Orleans, LA 70113 70113

USA

Jorge.Martin@va.gov Jorge.Martin@va.gov The combined synopsis solicitation 36C10E20Q0009 is amended to post answers to vendor’s questions and to extend the closing date to 08-12-2019 at 8:00 AM CST.

1. Question: Is there a water supply closet/area in the building or office space that can be used to fill our water buckets? Or would we be using the dining area sinks?

1.Answer: Yes. There is a water supply area available to the contractor in the janitor closets on each floor.

2. Question: JAF does guarantee the plant material when we are in contract if the plants were to die due to lack of maintenance or failure of the plant. But we do have instances at other locations where a worker on the property will water the plant and give it too much water, or also we have instances where someone will pour a drink into the plant and it will kill the plant. If something like this were to occur, how would we go about sending an estimate to replace?

2. Answer: The government shall replace the plant if the government damages it.

3. Question: What are the vendor procedures to getting into the building? Do we just go through security on the 2nd floor each visit?

3. Answer: No, check-in with the guard at the loading dock. Please call at least 24 hours ahead of time to ensure security is informed.

4. Question: Are there certain locations for our employees to park when they are doing maintenance in the building?

4. Answer: Parking is available at the loading dock for unloading and short visits (30 minutes). If the visit will take longer than 30 minutes, then the contractor will need to park off site.

5. Questions: Per item #4.1.8, we are not recommending the addition of any new material or equipment. However, based upon inspection of each individual plant, we may want to apply fertilizer (Osmocote Smart-Release Outdoor & Indoor Plant Food, 19-6-12). The MSDS sheet for this product is attached. Could this product be used?

5. Answer: Yes. From a safety perspective, anything that could potentially harm employees is not allowed in the regional office.

6. Question: Can a water machine be used? If yes, where can we store the water machine?

6. Answer: Yes, a water machine can be used but we do not have a storage area.

7. Question: Are there any janitor closets available to access water?

7. Answer: Yes. There is a water supply area available to the contractor in the janitor closets on each floor.

8. Question: Will you validate parking for the workers?

8. Answer: Parking is available at the loading dock for unloading and short visits (30 minutes). If the visit will take longer than 30 minutes, then the contractor will need to park off site.

9. Question: Will on-site storage space be available to store tools and materials?

9. Answer: No

10. Question: Does the current provider have the same clause of replacement guarantee and terms within their scope?

10. Answer: Yes.

11. Question: Are all the plants government owned?

11. Answer: Yes.

12. Question: Are all the plant containers government owned?

12. Answer: Yes.

13. Question: What is the process for recommendation for containers replacements? (example materials, types of containers, sizes, colors, etc.

13. Answer: Government shall approve and purchase the contractor’s recommended container change.

14. Question: What are the differences in maintenance or services from what the current vendor is providing vs. this new contract?

14. Answer: There is no difference.

15. Question: Are there any maintenance /services issues with current vendor? If yes, what are the problems?

15. Answer: No.

16. Question: Are there any and has there been pest issues? If yes, please explain?

16. Answer: No.

17. Question: If plants are moved during the new contract, will contractor be notified? Because temperature fluctuations may affect the plant's appearance and health.

17. Answer: Yes.

18. Question: Referring to paragraph 4.1.7 in the S.O.W. , it states: The contractor agrees to respond within 24 hours of receiving a request for maintenance, inspection, or replacement. Is the visit to the location required within 24 business hours or 24 Non-business hours (1-2 days)?

18. Answer: Yes. Two business days is acceptable.

19. Question: What is the approx.. date of the original installation, and are the current plants part of this original installation? How old are the plants?

19. Answer: Original installation was five years ago. Some plants have been replaced by the contractor during the last five years. The exact age of each plant is not known.

20. Question: Does the current vendor provide weekly or bi-weekly plants maintenance services?

20. Answer: Bi-weekly.

21. Question: What type of parking restrictions may be in place?

21. Answer: Parking is available at the loading dock for unloading and short visits (30 minutes). If the visit will take longer than 30 minutes, then the contractor will need to park off site.

22. Question: What is the elevator access for vendor services? Service and or Passenger elevators available?

22. Answer: There are service elevators available.

23. Question: Is there a vandalism policy or well-meaning care disclaimer?

23. Answer: The government shall replace the plant if the plant is physically damaged or vandalized.

24. Question: Are plant rotation services required?

24. Answer: Yes, if needed to maintain healthy plants.