36C24120Q0180-0001000.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) 04-24-2020 650-20-1-104-2353 None Y Department of Veterans Affairs VA Boston Healthcare System Contracting Officer (90C) 940 Belmont Street Brockton MA 02301 Y Department of Veterans Affairs VA Boston Healthcare System Contracting Officer (90C) Belmont Street Brockton MA 02301 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C24120Q0180

X x x This Amendment is to answer questions for the solicitation #36C24120Q0180 Lactaid Kits with support services.

CS: Gail Grundy Gail.Grundy@va.gov

Proposals remain due on 4/27/2020 by 4PM EST

Clark Crandall Contract Officer QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING SOLICIATATION #36C24120Q0180 Lactaid Kits

1) JC/CMS Requirements: "Contractor employees" or “Who does this apply to? Owners? Laborers packaging the products. Just the board-certified lactation professionals providing the lactation consulting. This seems like an excessive requirement for anyone to be employed in the conduct of this contract to meet.

The vendor who is awarded the contract will need to meet or exceed the Joint Commission standards.

2) Key Personnel: The key personnel requirement seems excessive in current form in language earlier in the contract. Would an employee that places items inside a box to be shipped under this contract be considered "key personnel"? Or does this mostly apply to any critical contract manager and the professional lactation consultants that provide the consultation service? On page 55, it seems to imply key personnel are only personnel that interact with the VA; could you clarify this further?

Key personnel refers to the President/CEO, Manager/Point of contact for the VA, Billing Manager, Lactation Consultant Lead and key department leaders that will interact with the VA.

3) Digital Certificates: There are two categories of data/operations for conduct of this contract: a) Purchase Order/Sales Order/Invoice process for information including VA billing information, contents of package, and fulfilment data such as delivery address and tracking numbers which can be communicated to VA personnel and/or Veteran. b) The more medically relevant and sensitive data used in the lactation consulting services and records. Is the requirement for PKI/digital certificates required for both sets of data/systems?

Any e-mail communication that includes a Patient’s name and/or Social Security Number will need to use encryption software.

4) Records of state licensure/performance level: There is language regarding furnishing records of state licensure/performance level of all employees working under this contract. Due to the time availability requirement of the lactation consulting service, it is likely to be serviced by a wide pool of lactation professionals or subcontracted out to a company that performs this service at scale. It may be impractical to furnish the sheer number of records for every professional -- in case of subcontracting a company to perform this service, would it not be more acceptable to furnish compliance proof/records of the company and its' policies for compliance of each individual professional? The vendor should have a record of state licensure/performance levels for the employees that will work on this contract – this can be in a summary format.

If this is not available, please state this and then provide the policy guidance that is used to determine and review the employees/subcontractor’s performance on a contract of this size.

5) Access to Veteran Medical Data: The service requested for lactation consulting seems to be describing the optional service included with a discount with Medela's breast pumps. This service discusses pertinent details with the customer and counsels/assists them with additional knowledge and recommendations on lactation. Is there further expectation beyond that of the lactation consultant to view VA patient records relevant to the Veteran or to enter results of consultation into a VA system. Is there an expectation for any access to VA medical data beyond the Veteran's contact information and delivery address?

Information required for the lactation consultants to perform their duties will be provided to the vendor. We do not anticipate access to the VA computer system will be needed; if this changes, then the VA would assist the vendor in this process.

6) Insurance Requirements: Why is there a requirement for Automobile liability for the company if no services would be performed by courier or commercial auto activity. Ie. if packages are shipped by major carriers (UPS/Fedex/USPS) and no physical travel of employees is being conducted commercially, this automobile insurance does not seem to apply. The employees/owners maintain individual personal auto insurance because they are required already by other government bodies.

Vendor commercial insurance is required, but not auto insurance.

7) The past performance questionnaire involves detailed data for accuracy. 10 days is a short time window for accurate answers from non-stake holders. Will the submittal date be extended?

Contracting will determine if the date will be extended. Past performance questionnaires should be completed in a timely fashion, and Contracting will determine if receipt of past performance questionnaires received after the deadline will be accepted.

Product questions:

8) Line item 1: Medela Advanced Breast Pump, Double Electric/2 Phase Technology; This type of pump is sold in several different sets. Which item is requested for this line item?

Prices for all can be provided.

Starter set: # 101035077 With on-the-go Tote: # 101036449 With Backpack: #101036453

9) Line item 2: Nursing Bras: If Medela products are desired, these do not extend to G cup size according to Medela sizing charts. Only B-F. If it is not Medela products that are desired, what specifications/description are being used to differentiate between 'regular' and 'sleep' types?

Design and flexibility – but the SOW speaks for itself.

10) Line item 4: Tender Care Lanolin only is packaged in 2cc, 0.3oz, or 2oz. Is 1 bottle of 2oz preferred or 2 bottles of 4oz?

Either is acceptable.

11) The solicitation requirements seem to imply all parties involved need General Liability insurance. Is a certificate of General Liability expected of subcontractors (for example, Medela)?

The vendor awarded the contract will ensure any subcontractors meet their company’s requirements, as the vendor is ultimately responsible for the performance on the contract. Re: individual products, like the Medela pump, are not part of this requirement.

Additional Questions:

1.Could you clarify which product it is?

The cups are optional items to assist with breastfeeding – to help assist patients with inverted or flat nipples.

2.Also, if this item is intended to help mothers who have sore nipples, could I recommend this as a better, more cost-effective option?

Yes, you can recommend products as long as they meet the terms of the contract.

Is each Veteran receiving a full kit or picking and choosing the items they want?

The Veteran will receive the items prescribed by the VA clinician’s prescription and subsequent purchase order by Prosthetics.

3. Is payment received via government card with electronic receipt of invoice and proof of delivery?

Yes

4.How quickly do you anticipate awarding the contract in light of the start date being 5/11?

Contracting will review the submissions and will award the contract as soon as possible.

5.In what format would you accept pricing? I understand that you have your line items listed in section B.2, but with all the options being requested, there may be additional price decreases/increases depending on configuration of items needed.

The proposed pricing should be outlined by line item and for each year of the contract.

6. The first item is for a Breast Pump on its own. Then for item 8, you ask for an option to be a backpack. Do you intend to order item number 1 and if you wanted a backpack order line number 8? Or would you accept pricing for a unit to come with the backpack, so if you wanted to purchase a breast pump and a backpack, all you would order is line item number 8?

Pricing should be available on the pump alone, the pump with a backpack, and the backpack alone.

7.Are all offers due on 4/27/2020 or 4/28/2020? The posting on beta. Sam shows 4/28/2020 and the Word document shows 4/27/2020.

Offers will be do as stated (written) on the solicitation 4/27/2020 by 4pm, (not sure why the date changed on the posting )