36C10X20Q0244 0002.docx

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 NUMBERE

D 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 amendmen t, 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) 09-09-2020 36C10X Strategic Acquisition Center - Frederick Department of Veterans Affairs 5202 Presidents Court, Suite 103 Frederick MD 21703 36C10X Strategic Acquisition Center - Frederick Department of Veterans Affairs Presidents Court, Suite 103 Frederick MD 21703 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C10X20Q0244 09-02-2020

X X X

The purpose of this amendmnent is to respond to contractor questions.

Questions:

1) The requirement lists cases. Do the cases need to be installed on the phone prior to shipment or can they be shipped separately and require the VA site or Veteran to install?

RESPONSE: These should come already on the phone to avoid additional shipping costs.

2) Does the phone have to be able to support VA Video Connect (VVC)?

RESPONSE: Yes.

3) Does the phone have to have a camera to support VVC or telehealth encounters?

RESPONSE: To be answered in AMENDMENT 0002

4) The current POP has a start date of 9/25. If the phone deliver after that date should the 12 months of prepaid service start at the time of delivery to the facility?

RESPONSE: The 12 months should begin when the phone is activated. Service should not begin before the phones are delivered for use. The data plan should not start until it is activated.

5) Are there any reporting requirements as part of this requirement?

RESPONSE: No.

6) Does the phone service need to be activated at time of shipment or can it require the site or Veteran to do the initial setup?

RESPONSE: The Veteran and his or her case manager will complete activation and instructions must be provided by the vendor for this process.

7) Under 15 U.S.C. §638(r)(4)), Federal agencies and Federal prime contractors are directed to issue Phase III Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) awards relating to technology to the SBIR/STTR award recipients that developed the technology to the greatest extent practicable. And under 15 U.S.C. §638(e)) agencies are required to notify the Small Business Administration (SBA) and document if it cannot use a sole source award to the SBIR awardee. After notifying the VA of our SBIR Rights in the Request for Information (RFI) process, the government has proceeded with a competition for disposable phones. Did the Department of Veteran Affairs follow the procedures under Special Acquisition Requirement (https://www.sbir.gov/sites/default/files/SBIR-STTR_Policy_Directive_2019.pdf#page=29 and notify the SBA of its decision?

RESPONSE: This requirement is not considered a technology SBIR/STTR award.

8) Under 15 U.S.C. §638(e)) agencies that cannot issue a sole source award to the SBIR awardee are required to include a preference for the SBIR derived technology in its solicitation. If the VA determined that it cannot use a sole source award, why did the VA not include an SBIR preference as required under 15 U.S.C. §638(e)?

RESPONSE: This requirement is not considered an SBIR award.

9) In previous similar efforts, the government has documented the potential for waste, fraud and abuse even for disposable phone programs. How does the government intend to ensure the devices are managed to avoid misuse?

RESPONSE: VA Homeless Program staff will routinely contact Veterans with phones to monitor utilization consistent with the terms of use and will manage phones at the medical center level.

10) In previous similar efforts, the government has documented the potential for waste, fraud, and abuse even for disposable phone programs. How does the government intend to mitigate risks associated with the distribution, damage, loss/theft of devices?

RESPONSE: To be answered in AMENDMENT 0002

11) Request for clarification on "Tier 3." As a WOSB we want to make sure we will be able to submit an offer and that this procurement is open to all WOSBs under Tier 3.

Tier 3 - Small Business Concerns with HUBZone Small Business Concerns and 8(A) Participants Having Priority

It is ambiguous as to whether the SB concern is only limited to HUBZONE SBs and 8A under the Tier 3 priority or it is open to all SBs along with HUBZONE SBs and 8As under this priority.

RESPONSE: WOSBs would be considered in Tier 3.

12) There are two Blocks in the Solicitation that have conflicting dates regarding the offer Due Date:

Block 8, "Offer Due Date 9-14-2020" Block 20, "All quotes are due September 11, 2020"

RESPONSE: The quote due date is extended until 9-15-2020. Block 20 should have been for bid intentions; SAM will be updated accordingly.

13) RESERVED.

14) Please verify which due date is correct for the response:

RESPONSE: The quote due date is extended until 9-15-2020. Block 20 should have been for bid intentions; SAM will be updated accordingly.

15) Are there specific requirements for the device?

RESPONSE: The phones must have all of the capabilities of a traditional smartphone to allow for telehealth services with VA, including use of apps and video calls.

16) Section E – Solicitation Provisions, E.1 Instructions to Offerors, #1 and #2 Please confirm that the SAM certification for NAICS code 517312 (Wireless Telecommunications Carriers – Establishments primarilty engaged in operating and mantaining switching and transmission facilities to provide communications via the airwaves) can be either a primary or non-primary NAICS code.

RESPONSE: Yes, that is the NAICS for this requirement.

17) Since the VA is asking for one firm-fixed price line-item for a year, does the VA expect or allow the vendors to select one carrier for the wireless service at all locations?

RESPONSE: The best suitable carrier for the location is requested, but one-line item will be for the entire service.

18) If not, and based on the address of all VA Locations identified in attachment “A” (CONUS and OCONUS), how would the VA determine which carrier has the proper wireless coverage for those locations?

RESPONSE: All addresses are CONUS

19) If the VA requires wireless services from all national carriers; will the VA consider changing the price evaluation to Best Value vs. LPTA so vendors can provide a normalized price per device from any of the 3 national carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile/Sprint)?

RESPONSE: This is a lowest price technically acceptable evaluation criteria.

20) Due to the Labor Day Holiday, would you please consider providing an extension to the RFQ submission deadline?

RESPONSE: The quote due date is extended until 9-15-2020. Block 20 should have been for bid intentions; SAM will be updated accordingly.