36C10X26R0010 BETPSS_Responses_0002.pdf

pg. 1

RFP Question

Solicitation No. 36C10X26R0010 - National VHA Biomedical Engineering Technical Professional

Support Services

Question

No.

Question Answers

1 Contractor interviews, along with the government security background check, create long lead times before staff can be placed at a facility and begin execution of work. Will a government interview be required for each proposed staff member before initiating the required security background check, or can the interview process be skipped to speed up placement of staff?

Under federal vetting rules and VA

Handbook 0710, proposed staff must undergo all required steps of the background investigation process— including any mandated interviews— prior to placement. While fingerprinting and eQIP forms initiate the process, interviews (virtual or in person) are often required based on position sensitivity.

Local facilities do not have authority to skip these steps unless there is a formally granted waiver under VA or OPM policy.

Omitting such steps could delay adjudication and violate federal vetting requirements.

2. Regarding the Project Manager Role-Specific

Qualification in Paragraph 14.2, a bachelor's degree and

PMP can eliminate very qualified project managers in some cases. Will the government consider changing the requirement for Project Managers to a bachelor's degree and PMP, or a certain number of years of experience in lieu of PMP?

No, the project manager role-specific qualification will remain both a bachelor’s degree or higher and certification in project management

(e.g., Project Management Professional

(PMP)).

3. Contractor staffing economies of scale at the VISN level can be helpful and beneficial to contractors as well as the

VA. Will the government consider issuing VISN-level

TOPRs as part of this IDIQ?

Yes VISN-level TOPRs are allowed as there may be a need for VISN wide support staff. .

4. Will the sample task order be awarded as the first TOPR? Sample task order is replaced with the actual initial task order. An initial task order will be awarded with the IDIQ award.

5. PWS Statement: Worksheet E appears to be incomplete

Question: Can the government clarify the quantities and locations where the LCATS are needed? Presently, the worksheet does not provide quantities or types of LCATS required.

Worksheet E is correct as provided.

This is an IDIQ requirement; therefore, the Government is not specifying quantities or locations for labor categories at this time. Offerors should propose hourly rates for each LCAT listed. Ordering activities will identify specific quantities, locations, and labor category needs at the Task Order level.

6. PWS Statement: Attachment A List of Facilities appears to be incomplete

Question: Can the government clarify if the sites within scope of the STO are correct? The attached list appears to be the entire VA.

Sample task order is replaced with the actual initial task order. The full list of sites for the IDIQ is included in

Attachment A and does include the entire VA.

7. The anticipated period of performance of this task order

(TO) is September 20, 2021 – September 19, 2022.

Question: Can the government clarify the PoP?

Sample task order is replaced with the actual initial task order. The anticipated period of performance of this multiple award IDIQ with hybrid Firm-Fixed

Priced and/or Labor hour task orders is 5 years (a base period plus four (4) one-year option periods) from the award date.

pg. 2

The ordering period coincides directly with this period of performance.

8. The Contractor shall designate a Key Personnel for the entire contract as well as for each task order to address contract/task order needs.

Question: This language states it is as if this person is managing/overseeing the IDIQ. Is this specific to the

STO?

The requirement for Key Personnel applies at IDIQ level. The contractor must identify one individual who will serve as the primary point of coordination for contract‑level oversight, ensuring consistency and communication across all Task Orders.

This role is limited to contractor management responsibilities and does not involve performing inherently governmental functions.

9. Each TOPR will have a unique evaluation plan that will be developed by the CO. Factors, with the exception of

Price, will be assigned an adjectival rating. In general, TOPRs may be evaluated by analysis of the following factors:

Question: Could the government clarify the evaluation factors for the STO?

Section B.1.2 Task Order Procedures have been updated, see solicitation.

10. PPQ: RFQ #, Contract #, and [CONTRACTOR NAME] fields are not able to be edited

Question: Can the government send a new PPQ form so the RFQ, Contract #s, and contractor name fields can be edited?

Revised PPQ to include RFQ, Contract#, and Contract Name fields.

11. PWS Statement: Volume II Past Performance, Attachment C: “3 pages (1 page per reference as shown on the form)”

Question: Attachment C has 2 pages per reference.

However the instructions state 1 page per reference, can the government confirm it is 2 pages per reference?

RFP Amendment P00001 revised to 2 pages

12. PWS Statement: “Past performance will be evaluated to determine whether each reference is relevant (based on size, scope, and complexity to this requirement), recent

(within the past three years), and reflects performance which is satisfactory or better. The offeror will be evaluated to determine the extent to which their performance demonstrates the likelihood of successful performance in providing requirements similar in size, scope, and complexity to this solicitation.”

Question: Do any of the past performance have to come from the prime offeror?

Past performance may come from the prime or any proposed subcontractor.

The Government will evaluate each reference for relevance based on size, scope, and complexity, as well as recency (within the last three years) and overall performance. Offerors may determine how best to present past performance that demonstrates their ability to successfully perform this requirement.

13. PWS Statement: Block 10, NAICS 541990

Question: NAICS 541990 description is “This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in the provision of professional, scientific, or technical services

(except legal services; accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and related services; architectural, engineering, and related services; specialized design services; computer systems design and related services;

management, scientific, and technical consulting services;

scientific research and development services; advertising, public relations, and related services; market research and public opinion polling; photographic services; translation

The base IDIQ is designated under

NAICS 541990 as it best describes the principal purpose of the overall vehicle.

For individual Task Orders, the

Contracting Officer will assign the

NAICS code that best reflects the principal purpose of that order, which may differ from the base IDIQ NAICS.

Accordingly, future Task Orders may use other NAICS codes (e.g., 541512, 541513, 541519, 811210) when the order’s scope aligns with those industries. This approach is consistent

pg. 3 and interpretation services; and veterinary services).”

Under the current scope of the IDIQ PWS, the items highlighted as not included under this NAICS code are actually within the scope of the IDIQ PWS. Furthermore since BETPSS 2 IDIQ combines highly visible, mission critical biomedical engineering technical and professional support services with significant elements of system integration, technical consulting, IT infrastructure support/maintenance, and modernization-adjacent activities, will the Government consider allowing additional NAICS codes beyond 541990 to better align the vehicle with the predominant scope of work and to broaden competition to firms with the scale, staffing depth, and financial foundation needed to reliably recruit/retain highly qualified staff and sustain uninterrupted operations throughout the period of performance. Specifically, will the Government consider

NAICS 541512 ($34M) Computer Systems Design

Services (system integration, technical consulting), or

541513 ($37M) Computer Facilities Management

Services (technical support and system maintenance), or

541519 ($34M) Other Computer Related Services (IT infrastructure consulting and modernization), or 811210

($34M) Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and

Maintenance (maintenance and repair of electronics and medical/scientific instruments), as these codes more closely reflect substantial portions of the requirements and would reduce delivery risk associated with the current

NAICS of 541990.

with SBA regulations for multiple‑award contracts.

14. S02 36C10X26R0010 RFQ BETPSS IDIQ_Final.docx

Question: The prior IDIQ ceiling was $200M. The new

IDIQ has a ceiling of $175M. Can the Government please explain the scope change?

The ceiling amount for this IDIQ has been established based on the

Government’s current assessment of anticipated requirements over the ordering period. The change in ceiling does not alter the scope of the requirement. The ceiling represents the

Government’s best estimate of the maximum ordering value at this time.

15. Attachment G - Non Disclosure Agreement_Conflict of

Interest Statements.docx

The NDA appears to be for the selection committee. Will the Government please confirm this is the correct NDA?

The NDA has been updated, see

Attachment G.

16. S02 36C10X26R0010 RFQ BETPSS IDIQ_Final.docx

Will the Government please explain when a Contractor-provided Portal would be utilized for work order documentation (i.e., could a sample scenario be provided)?

That is just an example method of documentation. This is section 10 “The method for which work will be initiated and tracked will be determined by the

L-COR and followed by each applicable facility, but some acceptable examples include email, conference calls, Contractor-provided portal, or VA

Computerized Maintenance

Management System (CMMS) electronic work requests.”

17. S02 36C10X26R0010 RFQ BETPSS IDIQ_Final.docx

Historical utilization metrics for contractor‑owned test equipment are not available. The Government does not

pg. 4

Can the Government provide historical utilization metrics for the contracted owed test equipment?

maintain centralized tracking data at the level of detail requested

18. S02 36C10X26R0010 RFQ BETPSS IDIQ_Final.docx

Will the Government please clarify the requirements for the Availability Calendar? Is the deliverable to be a list of contractor staff and the dates they are available versus unavailable?

The deliverable can be a list, calendar, or other format to show the next sixty

(60) days out indicating the number of qualified personnel available each week.

19. S02 36C10X26R0010 RFQ BETPSS IDIQ_Final.docx

Does the Government have a preferred format for the

Availability Calendar deliverable?

The deliverable can be a list, calendar, or other format to show the next sixty

(60) days out indicating the number of qualified personnel available each week.

20. Attachment E - Pricing Spreadsheet.xlsx +

S02 36C10X26R0010 RFQ BETPSS IDIQ_Final.docx

The pricing spreadsheet speaks to Service Contract Act applicability being determined by the offeror. The solicitation indicates the pricing narrative needs to address Wage Determinations. The solicitation is absent of FAR reference for SCA (52.222-41). Will the

Government please confirm if SCA applies to the IDIQ?

The applicability of the Service

Contract Act (SCA) will be determined at the Task Order level, based on the specific nature of the services required.

Because this IDIQ may include both

SCA‑covered and non‑SCA labor depending on the individual requirement, the base IDIQ does not include FAR 52.222‑41. If a Task Order includes labor categories subject to the

SCA, the applicable Wage

Determination will be incorporated into that Task Order by the Contracting

Officer.

21. Attachment E - Pricing Spreadsheet.xlsx +

The pricing spreadsheet requests a bill rate for Biomedical

Technician/BESS - General (Level Intern). The Intern personnel requirements are absent from the solicitation.

Will the Government please confirm the intern requirements? Is this considered the Biomedical

Technician / Equipment Support Specialist – General

(Level 0) indicated in section 14.2.a?

Yes, the Biomedical Technician/BESS -

General (Level Intern) should be changed to Biomedical

Technician/BESS - General (Level 0) and equate to the description in 14.2.a

22. Attachment E - Pricing Spreadsheet.xlsx +

Will the Government please confirm the scope of work an intern may perform?

The Biomedical Technician /

Equipment Support Specialist – General

(Level 0) could be assigned any of the tasks outlined in section 9 Table 2: Core

Biomedical Engineering Functions.

However, detailed scope would be described in the task order PWS.

23. Attachment E - Pricing Spreadsheet.xlsx +

Will the Government please provide the historical utilization of the intern LCAT to included duration and hours of internship?

Historical utilization data for this labor category is not available. Additionally, as noted in the response to Question 21, the appropriate labor category is

Biomedical Technician/BESS – General

(Level 0), which represents an entry‑level contractor role rather than an internship position.

24. S02 36C10X26R0010 RFQ BETPSS IDIQ_Final.docx

Will the Government consider extending the Volume I, Technical Capability, IDIQ from 15 pages to 20?

No

25. S02 36C10X26R0010 RFQ BETPSS IDIQ_Final.docx

A PPQ is not needed if there is a

CPARS for past performance reference.

pg. 5

Can the Government confirm a PPQ does not need to be submitted for a past performance reference if there is an available CPARS rating?

26. S02 36C10X26R0010 RFQ BETPSS IDIQ_Final.docx

The Volume II - Past Performance Page Limitation indicates Attachment C is 3 pages (1 page per reference).

Will the Government consider extending the page limit to

6 pages total (or 2 pages per reference) which is the current Attachment C page count?

See response to question 11 (2 page per reference)

27. Amendments:

If solicitation amendments are issued close to the proposal due date, will the VA allow additional time for proposal revisions?

Does the Government anticipate awarding the Sample

Task at the time of IDIQ award?

See Amendment A0001, the proposal due date was extended.

Sample task order will be replaced with the actual initial task order. Initial task order will be awarded when the IDIQ is awarded.

28. PWS – Performance Locations

Will contractor personnel primarily work on-site at VA medical centers, or will remote/hybrid support be permitted for certain services?

Section 9.4 states “Planned and corrective maintenance inherently cannot be performed remotely.

However, the Contractor may be required to perform professional services remotely, except for hardware and software upgrades, implementations, and technical training and support, which require onsite attendance.”

29. Attachment F – Sample TO PWS

Will the Sample Task Order proposal be evaluated separately from the IDIQ proposal, or together as a single technical submission?

The IDIQ proposal and the Task Order proposal will be evaluated together as a single submission. Award of the IDIQ and the initial Task Order will be made concurrently based on the combined evaluation. Subsequent task orders awarded after the initial first task order will be pass/fail, lowest price.

30. Attachment F – Award only one IDIQ awardee or multiple awardees?

This is a multiple-award IDIQ.

31. PWS – Staffing Plan

Does the Government require identification of Key

Personnel at the IDIQ proposal stage?

How many personnel resumes should be included in the proposal?

Can subcontractor staff serve in lead technical roles or program management roles?

See answer to question 8 for the first question. No resumes are required at the

IDIQ level; resumes will only be required at the Task Order level and only for the Key Personnel proposed for that specific Task Order (typically one resume per Key Personnel position).Yes subcontractor personnel may serve in lead technical or program management roles, provided they meet all required qualifications .

32. Attachment D – PPQ

Are completed Past Performance Questionnaires required at submission, or will the Government contact references directly?

Required at submission. Refer to RFP

VOLUME II, FACTOR 2 for instructions.

33. Attachment E – Pricing Spreadsheet

The rate given for the role is what the

Government will pay.

pg. 6

Are proposed labor rates expected to be fully burdened rates?

Should offerors include labor rate escalation for option years?

Should travel costs be included in labor rates or proposed as separate cost elements?

Yes labor rates should include any escalation needs.

Travel costs should not be included in labor rates. See section 6 of the PWS for more information.

34. Evaluation – Price

Will VA provide Government Furnished Equipment

(GFE) for contractor personnel?

Yes, GFE will be provided when necessary to complete the work.

35. Security Prohibitions

Are contractors required to meet CMMC, NIST 800‑171, or other cybersecurity standards for this contract?

Yes. Cybersecurity and supply‑chain prohibitions are specified in FAR

52.240‑91 and related information security/privacy requirements in the

PWS and VAAR clauses within Section

C.

36. Program Management

Does the VA expect the contractor to establish a dedicated Program Management Office for contract oversight?

No a Program Management Office is not required. See answer to Question 8.

37. Performance Management

Will the Government provide standard performance metrics or KPIs for evaluating contractor performance?

This will be determined at the task order level.

38. Reporting

What reporting requirements will be expected at the IDIQ level versus the task order level?

Reporting occurs at both levels. The

IDIQ requires items like the Availability

Calendar, Kick‑Off, and monthly status reporting; additional reporting will be specified per TO.

39. VOLUME II – FACTOR 2: PAST PERFORMANCE

If a JV submits as the Prime offeror, will the government consider requiring at least one of the Past Performance references be a relevant prime contract from the protégé firm and/or JV itself to ensure meaningful consideration of the experience of the protégé firm and ensure they bring more than just size and socioeconomic status to the table?

The Government is not requiring a specific distribution of past performance between members of a Joint Venture.

Offerors may determine which past performance references best demonstrate relevant experience for the

JV. The Government will evaluate past performance in accordance with the solicitation to determine relevance and quality, regardless of whether the references are from the protégé firm, mentor firm, or the JV itself

40. VOLUME I – FACTOR 1: TECHNICAL CAPABILITY

The instructions for the Technical Capability state, "The offeror shall submit a Technical Capability volume which shall address in detail how the offeror proposes to accomplish each of the Performance Work Statement

(PWS) tasks." Does the Government expect Offerors to address all of B2. IDIQ PERFORMANCE WORK

STATEMENT (PWS) or just section B2.9 Services

Overview?

This is up to the discretion of the

Offeror, the government will evaluate the proposal to determine the extent to which it demonstrates a clear understanding of all features involved in solving the problems and meeting the requirements presented in the contract, and the extent to which uncertainties are identified and resolutions proposed.

Offerors may address any portion of the

IDIQ PWS they determine best supports their Technical Capability submission;

however, proposals that merely restate the requirement or state that the requirement will be met, without

pg. 7 providing supporting rationale, are not sufficient.

41. Can vendors submit bids focused on specific equipment categories, such as infusion pumps, rather than the full scope of biomedical support services

This is up to the discretion of the

Offeror, the Government will evaluate the proposal to determine the extent to which it demonstrates a clear understanding of all features involved in solving the problems and meeting the requirements presented in the contract, and the extent to which uncertainties are identified and resolutions proposed.

Offerors should be aware that the IDIQ covers the full scope of biomedical support services; therefore, proposals that address only a narrow subset of equipment categories may not fully demonstrate the Offeror’s capability to meet the overall requirements.

42. To what extent does VHA view this BPA primarily as a staffing vehicle versus a broader technical and program support vehicle and did that distinction drive the NAICS decision?

This IDIQ includes both staffing support and broader technical and program support services, as reflected in the Performance Work Statement. The nature and scope of the requirement informed the selection of the NAICS code, which represents the

Government’s determination of the code that best describes the principal purpose of the overall effort.

43. Has VHA evaluated whether the current structure could reduce competition by excluding SDVOSB’s with strong enterprise healthcare delivery and PM capability that may be too large under this NAICS, even though they are otherwise capable of performing the work (including current incumbents)?

The Government selected the NAICS code that best reflects the principal purpose of the requirement. The

Government does not anticipate that the contract structure or NAICS designation will limit competition among capable

SDVOSBs.

44. Would the government consider changing the NAICS code to 561320: Temporary Help Services to preserve a robust SDVOSB pool?

The Government does not intend to change the NAICS code for this requirement. The current NAICS code accurately reflects the scope and nature of the work

45. Has VHA considered whether the current NAICS choice unintentionally disqualifies a meaningful portion of the most capable bidder pool, including firms familiar with this work and/or incumbents or prior awardees who may no longer qualify under the same size standard?

In accordance with 13 C.F.R.

§ 121.402(b) and FAR 19.102, NAICS codes are assigned based on the principal purpose of the requirement, and the corresponding size standard is set by the SBA. The current NAICS code remains appropriate for the work described. While we are attentive to competitive impacts, NAICS selection cannot be adjusted to include or exclude specific vendors, incumbents, or prior awardees.

46. Can the government confirm if Key Personnel resumes are required with the IDIQ proposal submission?

See answer to question 31.

47. Will the Government confirm the following SCA WD

Occupational Code alignment:

The LCATs in the solicitation are not the same as the SCA codes listed in the question. The Government is not

pg. 8 confirming specific SCA Occupational

Code alignments. Offerors are responsible for proposing appropriate

SCA labor categories based on the duties described in the PWS and applicable Department of Labor guidance. However, final determinations will be made at the task‑order level.

48. o For the Sample Task Order, will the Government provide (depending on contract type):

▪ Estimated workload / level-of-effort for PM, CM, and professional services (e.g., asset counts, number of PMs, average CM volume, project hours).

▪ Estimated labor/overtime hours per LCAT or FTE.

▪ The full CLIN structure and contract type (FFP, LH, T&M, or hybrid) for this Task Order.

▪ Expected travel frequency, destinations, or is there a NTE Travel ceiling.

▪ Submission instructions

The Sample task order is replaced with the actual initial task order. The Initial task order will be awarded when the

IDIQ is awarded, see the specifics within this initial task order.

49. Instructions for Volume III, Factor 3: Price: mentions submitting a Price Schedule for both the IDIQ and Sample

Task Order. Will the Government provide updated

Attachment E?

Attachment E should be used for both submissions. Fully completed at the

IDIQ level and completed based on the roles proposed at the sample task order level. Sample task order is replaced with the actual initial task order.

50. Attachment C is 2 pages long, but instructions state each past performance should be one page. Would the government consider increasing the pages?

See response to question 11 (2 page per reference)

51. The PWS states this is a hybrid firm-fixed price and/or labor-hour IDIQ. Please clarify which task categories the

Government expects to issue as firm-fixed price versus labor-hour orders, and whether offerors should propose labor categories, loaded hourly rates, fixed monthly pricing, or all of the above.

This is determined at the task order level based on the work needs proposed.

See initial first task order.

52. Would the government identify the incumbent contractors by functional area and/or facility and indicate whether incumbent workload data may be released for pricing and staffing purposes?

The Government does not intend to provide additional incumbent or workload details beyond what is included in the solicitation.

53. Can the government provide historical workload data (by facility) for the previous 24 months?

The Government does not anticipate providing historical workload data for the previous 24 months. Offerors should rely on the PWS and solicitation materials for proposal development.

54. The PWS allows for remote support, with caveats. Which specific areas does the government consider eligible for remote work, and which are physically on-site?

Section 9.4 states “Planned and corrective maintenance inherently cannot be performed remotely.

However, the Contractor may be required to perform professional services remotely, except for hardware and software upgrades, implementations, and technical training

pg. 9 and support, which require onsite attendance.”

55. Could the government provide the estimated staffing model or baseline assumptions by labor category and facility type, including whether the government anticipates full-time onsite staffing, shared regional staffing, bench capacity, or a blended model?

The Government does not have staffing models or baseline assumptions by labor category or facility type. Offerors should develop proposed staffing based on the PWS requirements and their own technical approach.

56. The Sample Task Order provided does not appear to narrow the scope, services, or place of performance outlined in the IDIQ solicitation. We assume the government intended to narrow the scope, services, and place of performance in attachments A, B, & E. In the current format, the attached files cannot be accessed as they appear to have been pasted as pictures.

Will the government please provide offerors with access to attachments A, B, & E to the Sample Task Order as separate files? Will the government provide any additional

Sample Task Order specific tasks, lists of equipment, or instructions to offerors to further facilitate compelling and compliant proposal preparation and evaluation?

The Government has released the initial

Task Order. Attachments and information relevant to scope, services, and place of performance are included in the updated Sample Task Order.

57. RFP pg. 80 states, “Offeror’s bid intention to provide a proposal via email on or before close of business on the date specified on the SF1449, Block 20.” Block 20 specifies the dates/times that proposals and questions are due, but it does not state a deadline specifically for bid intentions. Please provide a due date/time for offerors to submit bid intentions.

RFP Section updated in amendment

A00001

58. Does vendor have to bid for all elements in Table 2: Core

Biomedical Engineering Functions, or whether our team could bid on a sub-set of the Functions

Offerors may propose their approach at their discretion; however, the

Government will evaluate proposals for their understanding of all requirements described in the solicitation. Proposals lacking sufficient explanation or rationale will not be considered adequate.

59. Can the Government clarify the place of performance for key personnel proposed under the Sample Task Order?

Place of performance will be specified in the initial task order, see initial task order.

60. To demonstrate coverage across the full scope of

BETPSS, can an IDIQ contract be submitted as a past performance reference?

Yes. An IDIQ contract may be submitted as a past performance reference, provided the Offeror demonstrates its relevance to the scope of this requirement.

61. Given uncertainty in places of performance, must all applicable Wage Determinations be submitted with the

IDIQ proposal, or may Wage Determinations be submitted at the task order level?

Wage Determinations will be addressed at the task order level.

62. May Offerors add a separate tab to Attachment E to price the Sample Task Order?

Yes.

pg. 10

63. How should travel and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) be proposed for the Sample Task Order when Attachment E includes labor categories only?

Sample task order is replaced with the actual initial task order. No travel or

ODCs will be required.

64. Are any key personnel positions required at the IDIQ level, and if so, may the same individuals be proposed for both the IDIQ and the Sample Task Order?

Contractor shall have a singular person identified for overseeing the IDIQ (see answer to Question 8), and this person can be the same for both the IDIQ and the sample/initial task order.

65. If equipment is added via contract modification, may

Contractors propose additional labor categories and revised pricing to support the new equipment?

The list attached to the RFP covers the full breadth of medical equipment in

VA to date. Due to its extensive nature, additional labor categories are not anticipated even if new equipment is added.

66. May Contractors include pricing for required general test equipment at the task order level?

The test equipment should be included and provided by the contractor if needed. There should not be any separate pricing for test equipment.

67. Can the Government clarify whether labor categories under the Sample Task Order are expected to be hourly or exempt/salaried?

Task orders may be FFP, LH, or a combination. Offerors should propose in accordance with applicable requirements, for the initial task order it is labor hour.

68. Does the availability calendar requirement indicate an on-call/surge staffing model, or full-time dedicated personnel? Should it reflect named individuals or labor category capacity?

The availability calendar does not indicate an on-call/surge staffing model.

It is meant as a communication method to identify the people that are qualified and available to work and be a back-up if needed.

69. Will the TOPR specify the anticipated duration a BMET is expected to remain at a given location, or should positions be assumed permanent within a region?

Yes, the TOPRs will specify the duration for each labor category needed under that TOPR.

70. Will each MTF maintain an active equipment inventory, and will someone be available onsite to assist contractors in locating equipment?

Each site does have an active equipment inventory, and other HTM staff at the site can help initially orient the contractor for locating equipment.

71. Who is responsible for coordinating Planned Maintenance activities that may impact patient care areas?

The HTM Chief or Supervisor.

72. If the 7-day corrective maintenance turnaround time cannot be met due to factors such as parts availability, how will exceptions be approved and documented?

That information should be documented in the system the site is using to document work, and the L-COR will be the one to review and approve exceptions to the turnaround time expectation for extenuating circumstances or delays out of the control of the contractor.

73. Does the VA intend for BMET personnel to advise on

OEHRM deployments, and if so, to what extent?

BMET or other contracted personnel could be tasked with supporting

OEHRM pre-deployment and deployment activities from a technical standpoint or in a project management role if a task order is issued for such work.

pg. 11

74. Can the Government confirm whether each facility will have a Facilities Manager available to coordinate site readiness and installation activities?

Yes, each facility will have a department manager over Facilities management.

75. Are there specific test equipment brands recommended, or

VA-owned equipment that may not be compatible with standard contractor-provided equipment?

No, any test equipment brand that will perform the needed tests for the equipment is acceptable.

76. How will VA facilities track and notify contractors of equipment still under manufacturer warranty?

The L-COR for the task order will make the contractor aware of any equipment in scope that is still under a manufacturer warranty.

77. How will contractors be assessed for compliance with the physical demands requirements?

If physical demands requirements apply, they will be identified at the task order level.

78. What is the VA’s approach for ensuring contractor personnel are properly trained in PPE and infection control requirements?

The L-COR will ensure contractors receive any necessary PPE/Infection

Control training or instructions prior to starting work under a task order.

79. How does the VA envision providing hospital- and department-level policy and SOP training to contractors?

The contractors will be given access to applicable policies and/or SOPs for their review, and any questions can be answered by the L-COR or HTM

Chief/supervisor.

80. What is the expected process and timeline for badging, GFE issuance, and ePAS access, and how will delays impact performance expectations and billing?

These processes and timelines vary by facility, expect about 1-3 months. The contractor will not be allowed to start work until they are properly credentialed according to that facility’s policies.

81. Given the requirement to use Government IT equipment only, how should contractors support personnel prior to

GFE issuance?

The contractor can perform other tasks prior to GFR issuance like attend training or review policies/SOPs, or they can manually document their work until access to a GFE.

82. Is the contractor expected to purchase materials for repairs and then seek reimbursement, or will materials be procured directly by the VA?

No, all materials, parts, and other vendor services will be procured directly by the VA.

83. Should Offerors propose a single national labor rate or geographically adjusted rates based on facility location?

Offerors must propose single national hourly rates for each LCAT (Years 1–

5). Those rates are the basis for all TO pricing. TOs may add ODCs or travel if needed, but hourly rates remain as awarded.

84. Can the Government provide a complete list of anticipated labor categories and identify which are subject to the

Service Contract Act (SCA)?

These are listed in the PWS – Section

14: Contractor Key Personnel

85. When completing Attachment C – Past Performance

References, it appears the entry form for both the

Description and the Performance is set to 1500 characters, which does not allow all the space provide to be utilized

(screenshots below). If possible, requesting the

Government consider a decrease in the font size for those sections, expand the character limitation, or confirm the

Character Limitation increased to 2000

pg. 12 sections are set to a 1500 character maximum. Thank you again for your time and review of this inquiry.

86. Would the requirements for an SDVOSB small business set-aside registered on SAM.gov be continued to be required to bid this opportunity?

Yes.

87. If so, Would the SDVOSB be required to support “ALL” products listed on the medical equipment listing attached or would some be parsed out to different SDVOSB contractors based on their designated specialty as there are many specialties within the scope?

The equipment list defines the outer scope of the contract.

Each Task Order defines the actual requirement.

Not all contractors need to support all equipment in the list, only the equipment relevant to a given Task

Order.

88. Are more documents being released to provide more detail with what training and biomedical support structure is being requested for each specialty product listed in the attached – as this is still flagged as a pre-solicitation?

This is under SAM as “solicitation”.

Please reference SAM solicitation notice 36C10X26R0010. Please find amendments to solicitation attached.

The sample task order has been replaced with the actual first initial task order.

89. Is the March 30th deadline to submit responses only for potential bidders to notify yourselves of the intention to bid on this opportunity or does the bidder need to provide completed documents attached to the pre-solicitation that we downloaded from SAM.gov?

Please reference SAM solicitation notice 36C10X26R0010, and its amendments. Additional solicitation questions are being accepted. See amendment A0002.