36C10G26R0004 0012 CCN Next Gen - Dental Network Amendment.pdf

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO. 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR

ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office. is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES

SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30 PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

(Type or print) (Type or print)

(Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code)

(If other than Item 6)

(Specify type of modification and authority)

(such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

1 22

0012 03-20-2026

36C10G

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

OPAL | Strategic Acquisition Center

10300 Spotsylvania Ave | STE 400

Fredericksburg VA 22408-2697

36C10G

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

OPAL | Strategic Acquisition Center

10300 Spotsylvania Ave | STE 400

Fredericksburg VA 22408-2697

To all Offerors/Bidders

36C10G26R0004

12-15-2025

X

X X

X

The purpose of this amendment (0012) is to:

1. Update language in the RFP.

2. Publish an updated version of the full conformed copy for the CCN Next Generation Dental Network solicitation

36C10G26R0004.

3. All other terms and conditions remain the same.

See continuation pages.

Jessica Portillo

Continuation Page 36C10G26R0004 0012

This amendment provides a conformed copy of the CCN Next Generation Dental Network solicitation, noticed as 36C10G26R0004. The following revisions have been incorporated into the updated conformed copy and are detailed below for your reference.

Outlined in this document are responses to questions received relative to the Community Care

Network – Next Generation, Request for Proposal (RFP) 36C10G26R0004. Offerors are hereby notified that all comments/questions provided to the Government have been reviewed and considered by the Government but may not be specifically addressed herein due to duplicative content. Please be advised that the information provided herein may differ from information provided prior to issuance of the RFP on 12/15/25 or as amended thereafter. Please also be advised that any information contained herein is for informational purposes only, is offered in response to specific questions posed by prospective Offerors and is subject to change throughout the question-and-answer process. Accordingly, in the event that there is any discrepancy between the information contained within this document, any prior or subsequent Question and Answer document(s), and/or the Solicitation, Offerors are hereby advised that the terms and conditions are contained within the final Solicitation control.

If indicated in the Question and Answers provided below, updated information will be incorporated into the RFP by an amendment to the RFP.

Note: The words in red font in the “To” sections of each change denote the new language to be added in each version.

CHANGE 1:

E.2 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2025)

FROM:

(a) Submission of offers. Submit signed and dated offers to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. As a minimum, offers shall include—

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The name, address, telephone number of the Offeror;

(3) The Offeror’s Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and, if applicable, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator;

(4) Information necessary to evaluate the factors contained in the provision at 52.212-2 or as described in the solicitation;

(5) Responses to provisions that require Offeror completion of information, representations, and certifications (other than those collected via the System for Award Management (SAM)); and

(6) A statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation and any solicitation amendments.

(b) Period for acceptance of offers. The Offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 60 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(c) Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers.

(1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers and any modifications or revisions to the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation.

(2) Any offer, modification, or revision received after the time specified for receipt of offers is “late” and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made and the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition. However, a late modification of an otherwise successful offer that makes its terms more favorable to the Government will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

(3) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that offers cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of offers by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of offers will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume.

(4) Offerors may withdraw their offers by written notice to the Government received at any time before award.

(d) Contract award (not applicable to Invitation for Bids). The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with Offerors. Therefore, the Offeror’s initial offer should contain the Offeror’s best terms. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions, if necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest, accept other than the lowest offer, and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

(e) Debriefings. If a postaward debriefing is given to requesting Offerors, the Government will disclose the following information, if applicable:

(1) The agency’s evaluation of the significant weak or deficient factors in the debriefed Offeror’s offer.

(2) The overall evaluated cost or price and technical rating of the successful Offeror and the debriefed Offeror and past performance information on the debriefed Offeror.

(3) The overall ranking of all Offerors when any ranking was developed by the agency during source selection.

(4) A summary of the rationale for award.

(5) For acquisitions of commercial products, the make and model of the product to be delivered by the successful Offeror.

(6) Reasonable responses to relevant questions posed by the debriefed Offeror as to whether the agency followed source-selection procedures set forth in the solicitation, applicable regulations, and other applicable authorities.

(End of provision)

TO:

(a) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and small business size standard. The NAICS code(s) and small business size standard(s) for this acquisition appear elsewhere in the solicitation. However, the small business size standard for a concern that submits an offer, other than on a construction or service acquisition, but proposes to furnish an end item that it did not itself manufacture, process, or produce is $47 million under NAICS code 524114, Direct Health and

Medical Insurance Carriers—

(1) Is set aside for small business and has a value above the simplified acquisition threshold;

(2) Uses the HUBZone price evaluation preference regardless of dollar value, unless the offeror waives the price evaluation preference; or

(3) Is an 8(a), HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, economically disadvantaged women-owned, or women-owned small business set-aside or sole-source award regardless of dollar value.

(b) Submission of offers. Submit signed and dated offers to the office specified in this solicitation at or before the exact time specified in this solicitation. Offers may be submitted on the SF 1449, letterhead stationery, or as otherwise specified in the solicitation. As a minimum, offers must show—

(1) The solicitation number;

(2) The time specified in the solicitation for receipt of offers;

(3) The name, address, and telephone number of the offeror;

(4) A technical description of the items being offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary;

(5) Terms of any express warranty;

(6) Price and any discount terms;

(7) "Remit to" address, if different than mailing address;

(8) A completed copy of the representations and certifications at Federal Acquisition

Regulation (FAR) 52.212-3 (see FAR 52.212-3(b) for those representations and certifications that the offeror shall complete electronically);

(9) Acknowledgment of Solicitation Amendments;

(10) Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references

(including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers and other relevant information); and

(11) If the offer is not submitted on the SF 1449, include a statement specifying the extent of agreement with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in the solicitation. Offers that fail to furnish required representations or information, or reject the terms and conditions of the solicitation may be excluded from considerations

(c) Period for acceptance of offers. The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 365 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation.

(d) Product samples. When required by the solicitation, product samples shall be submitted at or prior to the time specified for receipt of offers. Unless otherwise specified in this solicitation, these samples shall be submitted at no expense to the

Government, and returned at the sender's request and expense, unless they are destroyed during pre-award testing.

(e) Late submissions, modifications, revisions, and withdrawals of offers.

(1) Offerors are responsible for submitting offers, and any modifications, revisions, or withdrawals, so as to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the time specified in the solicitation. If no time is specified in the solicitation, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for the designated Government office on the date that offers or revisions are due.

(2)(i) Any offer, modification, revision, or withdrawal of an offer received at the

Government office designated in the solicitation after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is "late" and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made, the Contracting Officer determines that accepting the late offer would not unduly delay the acquisition; and—

(A) If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method authorized by the solicitation, it was received at the initial point of entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 5:00 p.m. one working day prior to the date specified for receipt of offers;

or

(B) There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at the Government installation designated for receipt of offers and was under the Government's control prior to the time set for receipt of offers; or

(C) If this solicitation is a request for proposals, it was the only proposal received.

(ii) However, a late modification of an otherwise successful offer, that makes its terms more favorable to the Government, will be considered at any time it is received and may be accepted.

(3) Acceptable evidence to establish the time of receipt at the Government installation includes the time/date stamp of that installation on the offer wrapper, other documentary evidence of receipt maintained by the installation, or oral testimony or statements of

Government personnel.

(4) If an emergency or unanticipated event interrupts normal Government processes so that offers cannot be received at the Government office designated for receipt of offers by the exact time specified in the solicitation, and urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation or other notice of an extension of the closing date, the time specified for receipt of offers will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal

Government processes resume.

(5) Offers may be withdrawn by written notice received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers. Oral offers in response to oral solicitations may be withdrawn orally. If the solicitation authorizes facsimile offers, offers may be withdrawn via facsimile received at any time before the exact time set for receipt of offers, subject to the conditions specified in the solicitation concerning facsimile offers. An offer may be withdrawn in person by an offeror or its authorized representative if, before the exact time set for receipt of offers, the identity of the person requesting withdrawal is established and the person signs a receipt for the offer.

(f) Contract award (not applicable to Invitation for Bids). The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussions with offerors. Therefore, the offeror's initial offer should contain the offeror's best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the Contracting Officer to be necessary. The Government may reject any or all offers if such action is in the public interest; accept other than the lowest offer; and waive informalities and minor irregularities in offers received.

(g) Availability of requirements documents cited in the solicitation.

(1)(i) The GSA Index of Federal Specifications, Standards and Commercial Item

Descriptions, FPMR Part 101-29, and copies of specifications, standards, and product descriptions can be downloaded from the ASSIST website at https://assist.dla.mil.

(ii) If the General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, or Department of Veterans Affairs issued this solicitation, a copy of specifications, standards, and commercial item descriptions cited in this solicitation may be obtained from the address in paragraph (i)(1)(i) of this provision.

(2) Most unclassified Defense specifications and standards may be downloaded from the ASSIST website at https://assist.dla.mil.

(3) Defense documents not available from the ASSIST website may be requested from the Defense Standardization Program Office by-

(i) Using the ASSIST feedback module (https://assist.dla.mil/feedback); or

(ii) Contacting the Defense Standardization Program Office by telephone at 571-

767-6688 or email at assisthelp@dla.mil.

(4) Nongovernment (voluntary) standards must be obtained from the organization responsible for their preparation, publication, or maintenance.

(h) Unique entity identifier. (Applies to all offers that exceed the micro-purchase threshold, and offers at or below the micro-purchase threshold if the solicitation requires the Contractor to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).) The

Offeror shall enter, in the block with its name and address on the cover page of its offer, the annotation ‘‘Unique Entity Identifier’’ followed by the unique entity identifier that identifies the Offeror’s name and address. The Offeror also shall enter its Electronic

Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator, if applicable. The EFT indicator is a four-character suffix to the unique entity identifier. The suffix is assigned at the discretion of the Offeror to establish additional SAM records for identifying alternative EFT accounts (see FAR subpart 32.11) for the same entity. If the Offeror does not have a unique entity identifier, it should contact the entity designated at www.sam.gov for unique entity identifier establishment directly to obtain one. The Offeror should indicate that it is an offeror for a

Government contract when contacting the entity designated at www.sam.gov for establishing the unique entity identifier.

(i) [Reserved]

(j) Debriefing. If a post-award debriefing is given to requesting offerors, the

Government shall disclose the following information, if applicable:

(1) The agency's evaluation of the significant weak or deficient factors in the debriefed offeror's offer.

(2) The overall evaluated cost or price and technical rating of the successful and the debriefed offeror and past performance information on the debriefed offeror.

(3) The overall ranking of all offerors, when any ranking was developed by the agency during source selection.

(4) A summary of the rationale for award;

(5) For acquisitions of commercial products, the make and model of the product to be delivered by the successful offeror.

(6) Reasonable responses to relevant questions posed by the debriefed offeror as to whether source-selection procedures set forth in the solicitation, applicable regulations, and other applicable authorities were followed by the agency.

(End of Provision)

CHANGE 2:

Section C.7 52.216-22 INDEFINITE QUANTITY (NOV 2025) is hereby changed as follows:

FROM:

As prescribed in 16.505(e), insert the following clause:

Indefinite Quantity (NOV 2025)

(a) This is an indefinite-quantity contract for the supplies or services specified, and effective for the period stated, in the Schedule. The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not purchased by this contract.

(b) Delivery or performance shall be made only as authorized by orders issued in accordance with the Ordering clause. The Contractor shall furnish to the Government, when and if ordered, the supplies or services specified in the Schedule up to and including the quantity designated in the Schedule as the "maximum." The Government shall order at least the quantity of supplies or services designated in the Schedule as the "minimum."

(c) Except for any limitations on quantities in the Order Limitations clause or in the

Schedule, there is no limit on the number of orders that may be issued. The

Government may issue orders requiring delivery to multiple destinations or performance at multiple locations.

(d) Any order issued during the ordering period of this contract and not completed within that period shall be completed by the Contractor within the time specified in the order, which may include order options to be exercised after the ordering period of this contract but before the end of the period of performance of the order. The contract shall govern the Contractor's and Government's rights and obligations with respect to that order, including options exercised, to the same extent as if the order were completed during the contract's ordering period; provided, that the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after the contract expiration date.

(e) Either party may cancel this contract in whole or in part by providing written notice.

The cancellation will take effect 30 calendar days after the other party receives the notice of cancellation. If either party makes such notification, no further orders may be issued against the contract, but orders already awarded will be completed unless a termination action is taken against the order. If the Contractor elects to cancel this contract, the Government will not reimburse the minimum guarantee.

(End of clause)

TO:

Section C.7 52.216-22 INDEFINITE QUANTITY (OCT 1995)

As prescribed in 16.505(e), insert the following clause:

(a) This is an indefinite-quantity contract for the supplies or services specified, and effective for the period stated, in the Schedule. The quantities of supplies and services specified in the Schedule are estimates only and are not purchased by this contract.

(b) Delivery or performance shall be made only as authorized by orders issued in accordance with the Ordering clause. The Contractor shall furnish to the Government, when and if ordered, the supplies or services specified in the Schedule up to and including the quantity designated in the Schedule as the "maximum." The Government shall order at least the quantity of supplies or services designated in the Schedule as the "minimum."

(c) Except for any limitations on quantities in the Order Limitations clause or in the

Schedule, there is no limit on the number of orders that may be issued. The

Government may issue orders requiring delivery to multiple destinations or performance at multiple locations.

(d) Any order issued during the ordering period of this contract and not completed within that period shall be completed by the Contractor within the time specified in the order, which may include order options to be exercised after the ordering period of this contract but before the end of the period of performance of the order. The contract shall govern the Contractor's and Government's rights and obligations with respect to that order, including options exercised, to the same extent as if the order were completed during the contract's ordering period; provided, that the Contractor shall not be required to make any deliveries under this contract after the contract expiration date.

(End of clause)

CHANGE 3:

Section E.3 ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—

COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES, FACTOR 3:

VETERANS’ INVOLVEMENT/ SUBCONTRACTING PLAN is hereby changed as follows:

FROM:

FACTOR 3: VETERANS’ INVOLVEMENT/ SUBCONTRACTING PLAN

All large business Offerors shall include their Small Business Subcontracting Plan in their submission. The page limitation for the Subcontracting Plan is 10 pages.

Describe your proposed range of services that will be provided by small business concerns under any resulting contract. Provide the names, Unique Entity Identifier

(UEI), and addresses of specific small business firms that will be providing the proposed range of services under any resulting contract. Delineate the socioeconomic status

(e.g., Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned

Small Business (VOSB), small business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone

(HUBZone) small business) of each.

If the Offeror proposes subcontracting goals that differ from those identified in the table below, the Offeror shall describe how and why its proposed goals are set at levels that realistically represent the maximum practical small business subcontracting goals consistent with efficient contract performance.

FACTOR 3: VETERANS’ INVOLVEMENT/ SUBCONTRACTING PLAN

All large business Offerors shall include their Small Business Subcontracting Plan in their submission. The page limitation for the Subcontracting Plan is 10 pages.

Describe your proposed range of services that will be provided by small business concerns under any resulting contract. Delineate the socioeconomic status (e.g., Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned Small

Business (VOSB), small business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small business) of each.

If the Offeror proposes subcontracting goals that differ from those identified in the table below, the Offeror shall describe how and why its proposed goals are set at levels that realistically represent the maximum practical small business subcontracting goals consistent with efficient contract performance.

CHANGE 4:

Section E.3 ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS— COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES, General Instructions are hereby changed as follows:

FROM:

a. The Offeror’s proposal shall include all the requested information and shall be submitted in accordance with these instructions. Failure to provide proposals in compliance with the instructions specified in this RFP may render the

Offeror’s proposal incomplete, and that proposal may not be further evaluated for an award. Offerors are hereby advised that any Offeror-imposed terms and conditions and/or assumptions which deviate from the Government’s material terms and conditions established by the Solicitation, may render the

Offeror’s proposal Unacceptable, and thus ineligible for award.

b. The Offeror should not simply rephrase or restate the Government's requirements in its proposal. The Offeror shall provide a clear explanation that addresses how the Offeror intends to meet the requirements. Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of their facilities, capabilities and experience, or information presented in the Offeror’s proposal.

c. Offerors are advised that the Government will utilize The MITRE Corporation

(herein referred to as “MITRE”), Guidehouse, Agile4Vets, and Tria Federal to assist during the source selection. The exclusive responsibility for source selection will reside with the Government. Proprietary information submitted in response to this solicitation will be protected from unauthorized disclosure as required by Subsection 27 of the Office of Procurement Policy Act as amended (41 U.S.C. 423) (hereinafter referred to as "the Act") as implemented in FAR subpart 35.017. MITRE is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) as authorized in 41 U.S.C. 1709(c) is bound contractually by Organizational Conflict of Interest and disclosure clauses with respect to proprietary information. Offerors personnel assisting in the proposal evaluation are procurement officials within the meaning of the

Act and will take all necessary action to preclude unauthorized use or disclosure of a competing Offeror's proprietary data.

d. The Government will evaluate proposals in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth within this solicitation. This RFP does not commit the

Government to pay any of the costs associated with the preparation and submission of the Offeror’s proposal.

e. The Offeror shall submit one (1) electronic (e-mail) copy of its proposal no later than the time specified in SF1449, Block 8, unless this date is changed via a formal amendment. The electronic copy of the Offeror’s proposals shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer identified on the SF1449.

f. The Government is not responsible for confirming receipt. In accordance with

FAR 52.212-1(f), Offerors are responsible for submitting proposals to reach the Government office designated in the solicitation by the date and time specified in the solicitation. The e-mail inboxes

CCNNextGenInquiries@va.gov are the Government office designated in the solicitation as defined in FAR 52.212-1(f)(1) for timely receipt of proposals.

g. WARNING: Please do not wait until the last minute to submit your proposals!

Late proposals will not be accepted for evaluation. To avoid submission of late proposals, we recommend the transmission of your proposal file 24 hours prior to the required proposal due date and time. Please be advised that timeliness is determined by the date and time an Offeror’s proposal is received by the Government not when an Offeror attempted transmission.

Offerors are encouraged to review and ensure that sufficient bandwidth is available at the end of the transmission.

h. Acceptance Period. The Government requires Offeror to hold prices in its proposal firm for a period of 365 calendar days from the date specified for the receipt of proposals.

i. In addition, offerors must maintain continuous, uninterrupted registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) https://sam.gov/ at the time of proposal submission, throughout the evaluation process, and at time of award.

j. As a result of this solicitation, the Government anticipates awarding a single award, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to the Offeror whose proposal conforms to the solicitation requirements and represents the

Best Value to the Government.

k. Debriefings. The CO will notify Offerors of any decision to exclude them from the competitive range. Offerors excluded from the competitive range are entitled to no more than one debriefing in accordance with FAR 15.206.

Offerors excluded from the competitive range may request a pre-award debriefing or may choose to wait until after the source selection decision to request a post-award debriefing. The CO will notify unsuccessful Offerors in the competitive range of the source selection decision in accordance with

FAR 15.205. Unsuccessful Offerors, upon such notification, may request a debriefing in accordance with FAR 15.205 or 15.206, as applicable.

mailto:ccnnextgeninquiries@va.gov

a. Offerors shall submit a well-written proposal with adequately detailed information which clearly demonstrates compliance with the solicitation requirements and allows for a meaningful evaluation by the agency. Clarity and completeness are essential. Data not submitted with the proposal but submitted previously or presumed to be known (i.e. previous projects performed for the United States

Government) will not be considered as part of the proposal, except for Past

Performance. If proposing alternative NAICS and PSC codes, the Offeror’s proposal shall identify the alternative NAICS and/or PSC, provide a detailed rationale for the selection of these alternative codes, and ensure compliance with requirements as stated in the PWS.

b. Socioeconomic Category Disclosure. Each Offeror shall disclose their socioeconomic category in their proposal. This information includes, but is not limited to, the following categories: Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small

Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), Small Business

(SB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged

Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), Historically Underutilized Business

Zone Small Business (HUBZone SB), 8(a) Business Development Program, Other Small Business, and Large Business. The Offeror must clearly state their socioeconomic status in their proposal as follows:

1. [Company Name]

2. [UEI Number/CAGE Code]

3. [Socioeconomic Category]

For verification purposes, offerors classified under the small business socioeconomic categories must be registered and verified in the System for

Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov. Failure to provide the required socioeconomic information may result in the proposal being deemed non-responsive and rejected.

c. The Offeror’s proposal shall include all the requested information and shall be submitted in accordance with these instructions. Failure to provide proposals in compliance with the instructions specified in this RFP may render the Offeror’s proposal incomplete, and that proposal may not be further evaluated for an award. Offerors are hereby advised that any Offeror-imposed terms and conditions and/or assumptions which deviate from the Government’s material terms and conditions established by the Solicitation, may render the Offeror’s proposal Unacceptable, and thus ineligible for award.

d. The Offeror should not simply rephrase or restate the Government's requirements in its proposal. The Offeror shall provide a clear explanation that addresses how the Offeror intends to meet the requirements. Offerors shall assume that the Government has no prior knowledge of their facilities, capabilities and experience, or information presented in the Offeror’s proposal.

e. Offerors are advised that the Government will utilize The MITRE Corporation

(herein referred to as “MITRE”), Guidehouse, Agile4Vets, and Tria Federal to assist during the source selection. The exclusive responsibility for source selection will reside with the Government. Proprietary information submitted in response to this solicitation will be protected from unauthorized disclosure as required by Subsection 27 of the Office of Procurement Policy Act as amended

(41 U.S.C. 423) (hereinafter referred to as "the Act") as implemented in FAR subpart 35.017. MITRE is a Federally Funded Research and Development

Center (FFRDC) as authorized in 41 U.S.C. 1709(c) is bound contractually by

Organizational Conflict of Interest and disclosure clauses with respect to proprietary information. Offerors personnel assisting in the proposal evaluation are procurement officials within the meaning of the Act and will take all necessary action to preclude unauthorized use or disclosure of a competing Offeror's proprietary data.

f. The Government will evaluate proposals in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth within this solicitation. This RFP does not commit the

Government to pay any of the costs associated with the preparation and submission of the Offeror’s proposal.

g. The Offeror shall submit one (1) electronic (e-mail) copy of its proposal no later than the time specified in SF1449, Block 8, unless this date is changed via a formal amendment. The electronic copy of the Offeror’s proposals shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer identified on the SF1449.

h. The Government is not responsible for confirming receipt. In accordance with

FAR 52.212-1(f), Offerors are responsible for submitting proposals to reach the

Government office designated in the solicitation by the date and time specified in the solicitation. The e-mail inboxes CCNNextGenInquiries@va.gov are the

Government office designated in the solicitation as defined in FAR 52.212-1(f)(1) for timely receipt of proposals.

i. WARNING: Please do not wait until the last minute to submit your proposals!

Late proposals will not be accepted for evaluation. To avoid submission of late proposals, we recommend the transmission of your proposal file 24 hours prior to the required proposal due date and time. Please be advised that timeliness is determined by the date and time an Offeror’s proposal is received by the

Government not when an Offeror attempted transmission. Offerors are mailto:ccnnextgeninquiries@va.gov encouraged to review and ensure that sufficient bandwidth is available at the end of the transmission.

j. Acceptance Period. The Government requires Offeror to hold prices in its proposal firm for a period of 365 calendar days from the date specified for the receipt of proposals.

k. In addition, offerors must maintain continuous, uninterrupted registration in the

System for Award Management (SAM) https://sam.gov/ at the time of proposal submission, throughout the evaluation process, and at time of award.

l. As a result of this solicitation, the Government anticipates awarding a single award, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to the Offeror whose proposal conforms to the solicitation requirements and represents the

Best Value to the Government.

m. If the Offeror believes that the requirements in these instructions contain an error, omission, or are otherwise unsound, the Offeror shall immediately notify the CO, in writing, provide supporting rationale and a proposed remedy for CO consideration. The Government reserves the right to award this contract based on the initial proposal, as received, without discussions in accordance with FAR

Alt I 52.215-1(f)(4).

n. Debriefings. The CO will notify Offerors of any decision to exclude them from the competitive range. Offerors excluded from the competitive range are entitled to no more than one debriefing in accordance with FAR 15.206. Offerors excluded from the competitive range may request a pre-award debriefing or may choose to wait until after the source selection decision to request a post-award debriefing.

The CO will notify unsuccessful Offerors in the competitive range of the source selection decision in accordance with FAR 15.205. Unsuccessful Offerors, upon such notification, may request a debriefing in accordance with FAR 15.205 or

15.206, as applicable.

CHANGE 5:

Section B.5.4 Waivers of Payment Rates is hereby changed as follows:

FROM:

The Contractor may submit a waiver of payment rates request to VA when payment to its providers aligned to DVAFS is insufficient to maintain the network in highly rural areas and/or for scarce resources. A highly rural area is defined as a county with fewer than seven individuals residing per square mile. Scarce resources are defined as situations where the Contractor is unable to meet network adequacy standards for specific dental services due to a lack of capable providers in a specific area as determined through the justification provided by the Contractor in the “Waiver of

Payment Rates Request Form” described below.

If a waiver of payment rates is established for a network provider for specific dental services, the approved rates will be used to set the maximum price that the VA will pay the Contractor for authorized specific dental services. Approved rates shall be applied as a percentage of DVAFS. The Contractor shall evaluate the billed charges versus the awarded maximum waiver rate; if the provider's billed charges are lower than the awarded maximum waiver rate specified in the contract, the Contractor shall pay the provider claim based on billed charges and the Contractor shall invoice VA in that amount.

The Contractor shall use the “Waiver of Payment Rates Request Form” provided in

Attachment Q, Network Adequacy Rate Waiver Form- Dental Network_02_24_26 v3.pdf. A waiver of payment rates request shall specify the localities for which the waiver is being requested, with consideration given for all localities associated with the

Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and/or National Provider Identifier (NPI). The

Contractor shall ensure that the Waiver of Payment Rates Request Form is accurate, complete, and includes all required information related to the justification for the request, to include, but not limited to, the reasoning for submission in terms of network adequacy, the CDT codes to be used with the proposed rate, and whether the

Contractor is at risk of not successfully retaining the network provider. Waivers of payment rates will only be applicable to active CDT codes, and VA will not reimburse non-active CDT codes nor modify active CDT codes submitted in a waiver request.

Waiver of payment rates requests are not guaranteed to be approved. VA will consider patient needs, market analyses, dental provider qualifications, or other factors. If the waiver request is approved and executed by the VA CO, the Contractor shall pay providers in accordance with the VA approved waiver rate schedule or the provider billed charges, whichever is less. The VA approved waiver rate will be effective for claims with a Date of Service (DOS) on or after VA’s final signature date and will remain in effect for the duration of the contract unless otherwise specified by VA. If VA denies the request, and the Contractor will be informed accordingly.

VA reserves the right to request that a waiver of payment rate be used for a specific provider or a specific specialty of a provider.

The VA has set a “not to exceed” (NTE) ceiling for rate waivers of 200% above

Medicare or the VA Fee Schedule. Rate waiver submissions exceeding 200% above

Medicare of the VA Fee Schedule will be denied without further review. The Contractor may submit a waiver of payment rates request to VA when payment to its providers aligned to DVAFS is insufficient to maintain the network in highly rural areas and/or for scarce resources. A highly rural area is defined as a county with fewer than seven individuals residing per square mile. Scarce resources are defined as situations where the Contractor is unable to meet network adequacy standards for specific dental services due to a lack of capable providers in a specific area as determined through the justification provided by the Contractor in the “Waiver of Payment Rates Request Form” described below.

If a waiver of payment rates is established for a network provider for specific dental services, the approved rates will be used to set the maximum price that the VA will pay the Contractor for authorized specific dental services. Approved rates shall be applied as a percentage of DVAFS. The Contractor shall evaluate the billed charges versus the awarded maximum waiver rate; if the provider's billed charges are lower than the awarded maximum waiver rate specified in the contract, the Contractor shall pay the provider claim based on billed charges and the Contractor shall invoice VA in that amount.

The Contractor shall use the “Waiver of Payment Rates Request Form” provided in

Attachment Q, Network Adequacy Rate Waiver Form- Dental Network_02_24_26 v3.pdf. A waiver of payment rates request shall specify the localities for which the waiver is being requested, with consideration given for all localities associated with the

Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and/or National Provider Identifier (NPI). The

Contractor shall ensure that the Waiver of Payment Rates Request Form is accurate, complete, and includes all required information related to the justification for the request, to include, but not limited to, the reasoning for submission in terms of network adequacy, the CDT codes to be used with the proposed rate, and whether the

Contractor is at risk of not successfully retaining the network provider. Waivers of payment rates will only be applicable to active CDT codes, and VA will not reimburse non-active CDT codes nor modify active CDT codes submitted in a waiver request.

Waiver of payment rates requests are not guaranteed to be approved. VA will consider patient needs, market analyses, dental provider qualifications, or other factors. If the waiver request is approved and executed by the VA CO, the Contractor shall pay providers in accordance with the VA approved waiver rate schedule or the provider billed charges, whichever is less. The VA approved waiver rate will be effective for claims with a Date of Service (DOS) on or after VA’s final signature date and will remain in effect for the duration of the contract unless otherwise specified by VA. If VA denies the request, and the Contractor will be informed accordingly.

VA reserves the right to request that a waiver of payment rate be used for a specific provider or a specific specialty of a provider.

CHANGE 6:

Section B.6 DENTAL CLIN STRUCTURE is hereby changed as follows:

FROM:

CLIN X002, Waivers of Payment Rates:

Waiver of Payment Rates, VA compensates the Contractor for authorized services in rural/highly rural areas and/or regions with scarce dental resources by allowing payment at a percentage above the DVAFS. Upon VA approval and execution of a waiver request, the Contractor shall reimburse providers at the lesser of the approved rate or the billed charges for the specified services. The lesser of the billed charges means that if the provider's billed amount is lower than the rate approved through the waiver request, the Contractor will reimburse the provider based on the billed amount rather than the higher approved waiver rate.

TO:

CLIN X002, Waivers of Payment Rates:

Waiver of Payment Rates, VA compensates the Contractor for authorized services in rural/highly rural areas and/or regions with scarce dental resources by allowing payment at a percentage above the DVAFS, not to exceed 200%. Upon VA approval and execution of a waiver request, the Contractor shall reimburse providers at the lesser of the approved rate or the billed charges for the specified services. The lesser of the billed charges means that if the provider's billed amount is lower than the rate approved through the waiver request, the Contractor will reimburse the provider based on the billed amount rather than the higher approved waiver rate.

Change 7:

Section E.3 ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—

COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES, Factor 4: Price is hereby changed as follows:

FROM:

FACTOR 4: PRICE

All proposals must include a Price Volume to be considered for award. The Price

Schedule contains CLINs with varying pricing methodologies. The following CLINs and their corresponding Sub CLINs are pre-priced by VA: CLIN X001 and CLIN X003. The

Offeror must propose pricing for all non-pre-priced CLINs (i.e., populate all cells within the Price Schedule), including all CLINs identified as optional. Offerors must provide pricing for the base year and all option periods for all non-pre-priced CLINs. Failure to price the base and all option periods shall cause the offer to be rejected from further consideration. Offerors shall submit their prices using Attachment 3 “CCN Next Gen

Dental Pricing Template,” and provide an explanatory narrative that the Offeror provides as the basis for their proposed price.

The Offeror’s completed Price Schedule constitutes its price proposal to the

Government. VA requires the Offeror to propose pricing for all non-pre-priced CLINs

(X002, X004, X005, X006, X007, X008) for each applicable year of the period of performance. Green colored cells require Offeror input. Gray colored cells are not priced by Offerors. Do not add or change gray cells.

The formulas, calculations, and links shall not be hidden. Print image files or files/worksheets containing only values are not acceptable.

Price Rounding: The Government requires the Offeror to propose prices that are two decimal places. The Offeror shall ensure that the actual values in the spreadsheet cells are no more than two decimal places.

The Offeror shall provide a narrative description of its price proposal, in PDF, addressing the following items. The narrative description of the Price Volume shall be limited to 50 pages (Excel files do not count against page count).

1. The Offeror must clearly provide a basis of estimate (BOE) for each CLIN that it is proposing and describe any additional conditions or exceptions upon which its price proposal is based.

2. The BOE shall include methodology, source and build-up of prices and rates, source of inflation index, geographic location, and any ground rules and assumptions that impact the price proposal (e.g., rurality, facility and provider locations). As previously indicated, prices proposed in the Price Schedule, in

Microsoft Excel, do not count against the page limit, however, there is a 10-page limit for the BOE. The proposed unit prices and rates do not need to be duplicated in the Price Volume if listed in the Price Schedule.

3. The BOE will not be evaluated for realism, accuracy of assumptions, or validity of estimating methods, and will not be used in the determination of cost or price realism. VA will not conduct a price realism analysis as part of this procurement.

If a proposal is not received from a HubZone small business concern, the price evaluation will not consider the preference for HubZone small business concerns (FAR

52.219-4).

Historical purchasing patterns and volume data, provided as Attachment O, “Dental

Volumes by Station Dental Network_Updated.xlsx” can be used to inform Offerors’ proposals and network development. There is no guarantee for future purchase volumes.

Price Schedule

The Price Schedule contains CLINs with varying pricing methodologies. VA requires the

Offeror to propose pricing for all non-pre-priced CLINs, for each applicable year of the

Period of Performance. The X in the CLIN number stands for the year of the contract, with zero being the base year (e.g., CLIN X001 in the base year is CLIN 0001). Refer to

Section B above, Dental CLIN Structure, for a description of each CLIN. Calculations supporting the percentages may be submitted in the applicable tab in the Price

Schedule Excel file

Directions for Pricing CLINs

The Offeror shall input their proposed prices/rates in the green colored cells. Proposed prices for Option Year 10 will be used to determine the price for the optional extension period for evaluation purposes.

CLIN X001, Dental Services:

Dental Services: Not priced.

CLIN X002, Waivers of Payment Rates:

Waiver of Payment Rates: Offerors shall propose a maximum…