Amendment A00002 - Q_A.pdf

Solicitation No: 36C10G20Q0050 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY / COMPETITION

SENSITIVE SOURCE SELECTION INFORMATION -

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The Cost Price Schedule is based of UTECH part numbers.

UTECH part numbers are not standard across the industry and other vendors quote their solution differently from

UTECH. Requiring a vendor to match another vendor’s preferred price format is inherently biased and provides an advantage to UTECH. As this is a “brand name or equal” solicitation, we request that vendors be allowed to submit the price schedule in their own format.

A brand name or equal product must be identified for each item listed in the price schedule. Proposed products must be either the brand name or be an equal to the brand listed on the Price Schedule. Changes to the price cost schedule to meet your format is acceptable.

However, the Offeror must clearly describe any modifications it plans to make to a product, or equal product, to make it conform to the solicitation requirements.

CLIN 0004 indicates the price schedule is based off twenty-four (24) individual sites; however, CLIN 0001 only has a quantity of six (6). Will CPRS and VISTA image integration to include project management, implementation, installation, training, and support only be required at six (6) sites?

CPRS and VISTA image integration to include project management, implementation, installation, training, and support is at twenty four (24) sites annually. The quantities provided are estimates only, and VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased.

The solicitation document references that a vendor must be capable of integrating with CPRS, VISTA, and Cerner;

however, CLIN 0001 and CLIN 0002 only reference integration to CPRS and VISTA. If Cerner integration is required, we request that the price schedule be revised to reflect that.

A vendor must be capable of integrating with

CPRS, VISTA, and Cerner.

How many sites is the cost price schedule based off? Twenty four (24) annually. The quantities provided are estimates only, and VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased.

How many procedure rooms are there per site? See the Endoscopy Site Listing. The quantities provided are estimates only, and VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased.

Will any rooms require the ability to capture images from multiple sources at one time (i.e. fluoroscopy systems, EUS systems, etc.)?

Yes. Assume all rooms and carts must capture HD

Still AND Video. Assume all must be configured to run any type of endo case (GI, Pulmonary)

(e.g., ERCP/EUS/EBUS). The quantities provided are estimates only, and VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased.

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If so, what other sources specifically would be involved and at what sites would need this ability?

Assume all must be configured to run any type of endo case (GI, Pulmonary) (e.g., ERCP/EUS/EBUS).

Also, how many of the rooms at each site would require this?

Assume all rooms and carts must capture HD Still

AND Video. Assume all must be configured to run any type of endo case (GI, Pulmonary) (e.g., ERCP/EUS/EBUS). The quantities provided are estimates only, and VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased.

Additionally, what specific types of video outputs would the additional source connections have in order capture the images/video into the proposed solution?

Assume all rooms and carts must capture HD Still

AND Video. Assume all must be configured to run any type of endo case (GI, Pulmonary) (e.g., ERCP/EUS/EBUS). The quantities provided are estimates only, and VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased. There are some sources in bronchoscopy (such as navigation, robotics) which are occasionally captured.

Do all procedure rooms require offline capabilities for when the network is not available?

Yes. Assume that all rooms and carts must be have full functionality and able to continue to function even when the VA network is down. The quantities provided are estimates only, and VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased.

How many mobile/ travel carts are needed per site? See the Endoscopy Site Listing. The quantities provided are estimates only, and VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased.

Does each site require a production and test server? Yes. The quantities provided are estimates only, and VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased.

Are the application and database engines required to be run on separate servers?

Yes. The quantities provided are estimates only, and VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased.

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Is there a preference for running physical server vs virtual server?

This will depend on the VISN and facility. You may provide a proposal for both physical server vs virtual server. The quantities provided are estimates only, and VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased.

What are the expectations for the various sites involved in this project to be interconnected, considering any challenges currently involved such as differences in time zones and network bandwidth between all locations?

VA expects interconnectivity and will evaluate each Offeror's proposal with regard to achieving interconnectivity.

Will any sites be running off the same database or will each site have their own independent system running their own database with servers physically located at each site?

This will depend on the VISN and facility. You may provide a proposal for both running off the same database within a VISN and running separate databases with physical server and virtual servers at each site. The quantities provided are estimates only, and VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased.

With regards to CLIN 0020, what legacy systems need to be migrated? (If possible, please provide the brand of Legacy system involved and what version is currently in place along with a list of the corresponding site where its located).

See the Endoscopy Site Listing. The brands listed may have changed or may change at any time.

Therefore, this list of brands may not be a complete or may not be an accurate representation of today's configuration. This will depend on the VISN and facility. Assume any versions over the past 20 years to be present.

The quantities provided are estimates only, and

VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased.

Please provide database sizes for each site and each system that we are required to migrate.

This will depend on the VISN and facility. Assume

50,000 records per facility. The quantities provided are estimates only, and VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased.

With regards to CLIN 0021, why is the annual maintenance and support QTY 0?

CLIN 0021 QTY is zero (0) in the base year because VA assumes there will be a 12 month warranty period. The QTY increases by 24 each year as warranty periods end. The quantities provided are estimates only, and VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased. The price schedule has been updated.

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There is a line item for SQL server licenses; however, CLIN

0017 says that SQL licenses are included with the server.

Please clarify.

CLIN 15 is for the SQL server license only. CLIN

0017 is for the server including the SQL license.

The quantities provided are estimates only, and

VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased.

With regards to the Contract Line Items (CLINs), product different than the one listed in the CLINs, our offering isn’t an apples to apples comparison and our line items may not be the same.

Offerors must propose pricing for each line item in an award group. This is an all or none. Failure to propose on each line item will deem proposal non-responsive and the proposal will be eliminated from further consideration. If an accessory item is being offered at no cost the offeror must indicate in price/cost schedule (no charge)”

Question: If our product doesn’t have the same offering as the vendor listed, will our proposal be eliminated?

No. A brand name or equal product must be identified for each item listed in the price schedule. Proposed products must be either the brand name or be an equal to the brand listed on the Price Schedule. Changes to the price cost schedule to meet your format is acceptable.

However, the Offeror must clearly describe any modifications it plans to make to a product, or equal product, to make it conform to the solicitation requirements.

Since we represent a product different than the one listed in the

CLINs, our offering isn’t an apples to apples comparison, with regards to the CLINs. Questions: What do the quantities listed in the CLINs represent? Are we expected to match those quantities?

You should provide a proposal that meets the requirement for Twenty four (24) VA Facilities annually. The quantities provided are estimates only, and VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased. A brand name or equal product must be identified for each item listed in the price schedule. Proposed products must be either the brand name or be an equal to the brand listed on the Price Schedule. Changes to the price cost schedule to meet your format is acceptable. However, the Offeror must clearly describe any modifications it plans to make to a product, or equal product, to make it conform to the solicitation requirements.

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I noticed that Attachment 12 – Question Submission Format, was uploaded into beta.sam after we submitted our questions this morning. Would you like us to resubmit our questions in that format?

No that is not necessary. Solicitation was admended on January 27, 2021 which added

Attachment 12 (Questions Submissions Format) was added. The Government has accepted all offerors questions submitted via email or through other means.

Due to the scope of this request, pricing justification required, and past performance questionnaires, we are requesting an extension of two weeks until March 1, 2021.

The current due date is on a federal holiday.

The solicitation is extended and all offers must be received by Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 12:00

Noon (EST).

Would the VA consider a company small if it is submitting an offer in its own name, but which proposes to furnish items which it did not itself manufacture and their size is less than

500 employees?

We cannot offer legal advice or offer a preview into how the solicitation may be awarded, therefore the company in question would have to submit a full offer to the solicitation in order to receive consideration. This requirement is being solicited using TIERED EVALUATIONS

INCLUDING LARGE BUSINESS CONCERNS: This solicitation is being issued as tiered evaluation with the following tiers: (1) SDVOSB concerns, (2)

VOSB concerns, (3) small business concerns with

HUBZone small business concerns and 8(a) participants having priority; and (4) large business concerns. If award cannot be made, the solicitation will be cancelled, and the requirement resolicited.

There are several references to page count limitations, but no limitations are delineated. Please provide page count limitations for each response volume.

Page count limitations is 25 pages for each volume.

What is the minimum and maximum number of past performances that can be provided?

Up to three (3) questionaires can be submitted.

A Past Performance Questionnaire has been provided but there is no mention in the solicitation document regarding the number of questionnaires that must be sent out or when questionnaires need to be submitted by. Please provide this information.

Up to three (3) questionaires can be submitted.

Please have your former/current customer(s) send the questionaires to kevin.pendleton@va.gov AND sharon.redman@va.gov . We will accept questionaires until February 26, 2021.

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Do Past Performance Questionnaires need to be submitted by the customer to the VA POCs or can the customer return the questionnaire to the vendor to be submitted?

Up to three (3) questionaires can be submitted.

Please have your former/current customer(s) send the questionaires to kevin.pendleton@va.gov AND sharon.redman@va.gov . We will accept questionaires until February 26, 2021.

Attachment 5 – Questions Submission Format is referenced in the solicitation document. This document has not been provided by the government. If the government desires questions to be submitted in a specific format, please provide that document, and extended the questions period.

Solicitation was admended on January 27, 2021 which added Attachment 12 (Questions

Submissions Format) was added. The

Government has accepted all offerors questions submitted via email or through other means.

In the Section D of the solicitation, the Past Performance

Questionnaire is listed as Attachment 1; however, on beta.sam it is provided as Attachment 5. On beta.sam

Attachment 1 is provided as Salient Characteristics;

however, it is not included in Section D of the solicitation.

We request that Section D of the solicitation be revised to reflect the correct attachments.

Solicitation Revised. See highlighted areas.

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On page 86 of the award, it states “This acquisition is unrestricted and is being conducted in accordance with the procedures in Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR part 12

Acquisition of Commercial Items in conjunction with FAR part 15 Contracting by Negotiation. A solicitation will be posted to the Government Point of Entry at www.FedBizOpps.gov (FBO) for approximately 20 days or more, including the period and time for questions and answers.” However, the 1449 form, states that the acquisition is set-aside for Small Business and SDVOSB.

Question: As a large business will our offer be considered?

The VA will not offer legal advice speculate, or prematurely evaluate an offer before it has been submitted under the solicitation. Therefore, companies that seek to compete in accordance with solicitation requirements, are welcome to submit an offer to Solicitation #36C10G20Q0050 to receive consideration. This requirement is being solicited using TIERED EVALUATIONS

INCLUDING LARGE BUSINESS CONCERNS: This solicitation is being issued as tiered evaluation with the following tiers: (1) SDVOSB concerns, (2)

VOSB concerns, (3) small business concerns with

HUBZone small business concerns and 8(a) participants having priority; and (4) large business concerns. If award cannot be made, the solicitation will be cancelled, and the requirement resolicited.

On page 95 of the RFP, it states that the acquisition will be set aside in accordance with 38 USC 8127 with tiered evaluations to be made on technical, past performance, socio-economic and price factors. It seems clear that large businesses will be considered, but without a Small Business and/or SDVOSB prime or sub-contractor, we may not score points on socio-economic factors. Question: Can we respond to the RFP as a large business without a Small

Business and/or SDVOSB prime or subcontractor?

The VA will not offer legal advice speculate, or prematurely evaluate an offer before it has been submitted under the solicitation. Therefore, companies that seek to compete in accordance with solicitation requirements, are welcome to submit an offer to Solicitation #36C10G20Q0050 to receive consideration. This requirement is being solicited using TIERED EVALUATIONS

INCLUDING LARGE BUSINESS CONCERNS: This solicitation is being issued as tiered evaluation with the following tiers: (1) SDVOSB concerns, (2)

VOSB concerns, (3) small business concerns with

HUBZone small business concerns and 8(a) participants having priority; and (4) large business concerns. If award cannot be made, the solicitation will be cancelled, and the requirement resolicited.

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With regards to the Contract Line Items (CLINs), product different than the one listed in the CLINs, our offering isn’t an apples to apples comparison and our line items may not be the same. a. “Offerors must propose pricing for each line item in an award group. This is an all or none. Failure to propose on each line item will deem proposal non-responsive and the proposal will be eliminated from further consideration. If an accessory item is being offered at no cost the offeror must indicate in price/cost schedule (no charge)” Question: If our product doesn’t have the same offering as the vendor listed, will our proposal be eliminated?

No, your proposal will not be eliminated. This is a brand name or equal solicitation so your product must perform similar to the products listed.

Since we represent a product different than the one listed in the CLINs, our offering isn’t an apples to apples comparison, with regards to the CLINs. Questions: What do the quantities listed in the CLINs represent? Are we expected to match those quantities?

The quantities represent the estimated quantities needed to meet all the requirements in the solicitation for 24 facilities per year for 5 years. No, you do not have to match the quantities but you do have to provide the brand name OR EQUAL with quantities that will meet all the requirements in the solicitation for 24 facilities per year for 5 years based on the brand you offer. You should provide a proposal that meets the requirement for Twenty four (24) VA

Facilities annually. The quantities provided are estimates only, and VA makes no guarantee regarding the actual quantities that may be purchased. A brand name or equal product must be identified for each item listed in the price schedule. Proposed products must be either the brand name or be an equal to the brand listed on the Price Schedule. Changes to the price cost schedule to meet your format is acceptable.

However, the Offeror must clearly describe any modifications it plans to make to a product, or equal product, to make it conform to the solicitation requirements.

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On page 96 it states, “Evaluation of the offeror’s proposal shall address each Non-Price factor as it applies to the

Product Description (PD). Offerors must provide certification that they are verified within Vendor Information Pages (VIP).

Any offeror who fails to provide proof they are verified within VIP as a SDVOSB with their proposal shall be deemed

UNACCEPTABLE and thus, ineligible for award.” Question:

We are not a small business and therefore not certified in

Vendor Information Pages (VIP) –will our proposal be deemed unacceptable?

The solicitation will be amended for clarity. If you are a small business, then you must be registered in VIP. If you are other than a small business, you will be evaluated according to your small business subcontracting plan.

The VA will not offer legal advice speculate, or prematurely evaluate an offer before it has been submitted under the solicitation. Therefore, companies that seek to compete in accordance with solicitation requirements, are welcome to submit an offer to Solicitation #36C10G20Q0050 to receive consideration. This requirement is being solicited using TIERED EVALUATIONS

INCLUDING LARGE BUSINESS CONCERNS: This solicitation is being issued as tiered evaluation with the following tiers: (1) SDVOSB concerns, (2)

VOSB concerns, (3) small business concerns with

HUBZone small business concerns and 8(a) participants having priority; and (4) large business concerns. If award cannot be made, the solicitation will be cancelled, and the requirement resolicited.