ATTACHMENT A 36C10X23Q0265 TEMPLATE FOR INDUSTRY QUESTIONS_Amend 1.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 16 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Q201--Rural Health Care
- Solicitation number
- 36C10X23Q0265
About this file
This document contains questions and answers related to solicitation number 36C10X23Q0265 for rural health care services. The solicitation seeks a contractor to provide mobile medical clinics and associated clinical staffing on a firm-fixed price basis to various rural locations within a year-long period of performance. Services will include primary care, mental health care, and specialty services such as audiology and optometry delivered via contractor-owned mobile units. The Department of Veterans Affairs requires the awarded contractor to integrate patient medical records into its electronic health records system and comply with Service Contract Act requirements. Offer submissions are due by a date extended to allow a minimum of five business days from the release of the final amendment.
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Sheet1
| No. | Question | Solicitation Reference | Final Answer/Comments | |
| 1 | Will the Government consider extending due dates? | N/A | The Government will not respond to requests to extend due dates unless there is a reasonable request that includes the circumstances surrounding the request. | |
| 2 | When will responses to questions be posted? | N/A | The Government plans to post answers as soon as possible after the Q&A close date. | |
| 3 | Is there an incumbent? | N/A | No, this is a new requirement | |
| 4 | The Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice states: “The contract resulting from this solicitation will be a Firm-Fixed Price contract and will include the appropriate clauses for the tier awarded” (bottom pg. 3). RFP Attachment E, Provisions and Instructions says, “The Government contemplates award of a Labor Hour Contract resulting from this solicitation” (bottom pg. 6). Attachment B Section 3 and FAR 52.216-1 also require labor hour. In the industry presentation discussions, NAVAHCS stated they wanted a fixed unit price day rate, and the RFQ requires labor hour rates. Request clarification of the contract type and CLIN structure for Tasks 1-4 and updates to Attachment D. | Solicitation, Attachment B, Attachment D, Attachment E, FAR 52.216-1 | Rural clinics there is not enough housing and the providers will not be provided housing by the VA. The contract is FFP unless a respondent quotes differently with a justification to support a different contract type. The documents have been updated to reflect this change. | |
| 5 | The draft SOO in the RFI stated that "The VA may also require IT support services if IT interfaces are identified to support operations." In the industry presentation discussions, NAVAHCS stated that when Contractor Mobile Medical Clinics are used for events that the resulting medical records would need to be transferred to the VA's Electronic Health Records System. The SOO does not reflect this requirement, and Attachment D does not contain a pricing structure for this item. Request clarification of the requirement and the addition of an EHR Systems Integration CLIN for associated labor categories, hours, and labor rates. | Attachment B, Attachment D | The EHR aspect is crucial for timely integration into VA's EHR. The requirement to us the VA's EHR has been added into the SOO. | |
| 6 | The SOO includes provision of the outlined services via Contractor mobile medical clinic services. Attachment D does not contain a structure for this item, as it includes items in addition to labor (e.g., logistics, fuel, consumable supplies, etc.). Request clarification on price submission for these services and recommend the addition of a Contractor mobile medical clinic CLIN for a fixed price daily rate. | Attachment B, Attachment D | Respondent may add additional CLINs to the 2nd tab of attachment D. The first tab is to show the VA how the labor portion of the contract was established. However, the contractor should quote all items as Firm Fixed Price. | |
| 7 | Under FAR 52.212-2 applicability, B. 2., "The Government will evaluate quotes for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. This includes rates applied to FAR clause 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services." Request clarification of total price evaluation, given that the complete contract period of performance is 12 months. | Attachment E | Far 52-217-8 is continuation clause, it continues the services, at the price currently paid, for up to 6 months. It is not included in the total contract value unless exercised by the Government. | |
| 8 | The table on page 7 incorporates VAAR 852.239-75 by reference. Recommend removal of this clause, given that the contract will not require delivery of IT/software products. | Attachment E | Agreed, the table has been updated. | |
| 9 | "VAAR 852.237-70 INDEMNIFICATION AND MEDICAL LIABILITY INSURANCE (OCT 2019)" of Attachment G does not contain values in the fill-in. Request values and recommend $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 in the aggregate per year; that is typical coverage in the industry and hence will not constrain availability of providers. | Attachment G | Recommendation should suffice per typical coverage in the industry. Attachment G has been updated. If a respondent quotes differing terms, they should an explanation as to why. | |
| 10 | Request/recommend removal of FAR 52.222-41, FAR 52.222-42, and FAR 52.222-43 requirements. This is a contract to be performed overwhelmingly by physicians, who are not “service employees.” Additionally, the Service Contract Act requires a flow down to subcontractors. Since the Act requires the payment of minimum compensation for work performed under the contract, and recordkeeping to prove that such compensation was paid, the compliance burden for the average medical practice would be burdensome. The flow down of the Act will make it very difficult to obtain medical practices as subcontractors. | |||
| The physicians themselves are exempt from the Act as “professionals.” 29 C.F.R. § 541.304 (a) & (b). Moreover, some nurses and physician assistants are also exempt. 29 C.F.R. § 541.301(e). Other nurses and medical technicians are apparently covered, and will have to be paid the minimum compensation in the wage determination applicable to their locality. These individuals may work for the prime and/or a subcontractor. In addition, other individuals performing duties on the contract may be exempt as “administrative” workers. | Attachment G | The clause is required. However, respondents may indicate in their quotes that the planned approach does not include covered positions. If there are covered positions directly performing work on the contract, the contractor is required to comply with the law. | ||
| 11 | Based upon our review and research, FAR 52.222-55 does not appear to be applicable to the potential contract. The contract is not a type covered by the Executive Orders 13658 and 14026, e.g., is not a construction or concessions contract. Request removal of this clause. | Attachment G | Clause is required as 52.222-41 is included in the contract. | |
| 12 | The RFQ does not contain a Standard Form 1449 for submission of the offer (reference FAR 52.212-1). Please clarify if a signed letter is acceptable or if a SF1449 will be provided. | N/A | A signed letter is acceptable. | |
| 13 | Section 6 of the SOO states travel is not required. Attachment D contains a CLIN 0002 for Travel. It is our understanding that travel will be required -- given the local shortage of medical providers/high turnover due to location and housing challenges -- and therefore travelling providers are required. It is our assumption that daily rates should include GSA travel rates, unless the government prefers a different approach. If so, the contract requires a mechanism to support invoicing of potential travel as shown in Attachment D. | Attachment B, Attachment D | There is no travel required that would be subject to Federal Travel Regulations. If a respondent quotes travel that should be under FTR, the respondent should add that line item in their quote. However, relocating employees to perform under a contract is not considered travel. If travel is quoted, include a justifiable narrative as to why travel, under FTR, is needed. | |
| 14 | Is there a file size limit for submission email? If so, what is the limit, and are multiple emails acceptable? | Attachment E, (a) | One email with all appropriate submission shall be provided. However, if there is a limit due to size, multiple emails is acceptable, but all emails must be received timely. | |
| 15 | Attachment E, Quote Submission Instructions (e) 2., states, "All files will be submitted as either a Microsoft Excel (.XLS) file or an Acrobat (PDF) file or compatible as indicated in the table below." The table dictates the following: Technical Approach file .doc or .pdf; PWS fil .doc; Price/Cost Schedule .doc or .pdf; and Revisions & Other Documents .ext. Comment on first page of the PWS requires submission as .doc. Volume II Price instructions on page 3 state, "Respondents shall submit a completed ATTACHMENT D Pricing Spreadsheet, which shall be submitted as a Microsoft Excel (.xls/.xlsx) file." Request clarification of file types required for each document. Recommend same file type for both Volume I documents. | Attachment E, (e) 2., 6., and 6.2. | Attachment E has been updated. Respondents may email the CO/CS for further clarifications | |
| 16 | Will the government accept the submission of a cost narrative (.doc or .pdf) with Volume II? | Attachment E | Yes | |
| 17 | With what volume should offerors submit the required/completed FAR clauses, e.g., Volume II or Volume III? | Attachment E | Volume III | |
| 18 | It is understood that responding to the set of questions and any subsequent revisions to the solicitation requires adequate time from VA. And an adequate timeframe is also needed by offerors to incorporate the Amendment(s) content into the submission. Therefore, we respectfully request an extension of the proposal due date to provide a minimum of 5 business days from release of the final Amendment. | N/A | Yes, respondents will be provided adequate time from the date of the last amendment | |
| 19 | Will you break down the # of PA/NP's required and the # of hours per year? Also the same for the Mental Health Specialists projected for phase 1 | N/A | The VA estimates 8 PA/NP's working full time. However, the respondent and ultimate awardee is responsible for performing all requirements as stated in the resultant PWS, based on their own assessment of the work. | |
| 20 | Psychologists/Psychiatrists are priced much differently then License Clinical social workers, could you please clarify the # of hours you will need for each? | N/A | The VA estimates 4 Psychologist working half time, 4 Psychiatrists working quarter time. However, the respondent and ultimate awardee is responsible for performing all requirements as stated in the resultant PWS, based on their own assessment of the work. | |
| 21 | Are you seeking pricing for specialist providers-Audiologist, Ophthalmologists, PT's, Etc.? If so, do you want the hourly rate or the entire cost for the year? | N/A | The pricing for the services required within the Mobile Clinics shall be all inclusive to perform the required operations of the mobile clinic when the clinic is in operation. It estimated that the Mobile Clinic will be needed only one per month. | |
| 22 | As for using Mobile Clinics, where would the mobile clinic be based and where would the provider be based? | N/A | The mobile unit location will vary within the scope of the performance locations. The providers are not federal employee's and therefore their "base" is not something the VA is providing. |
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