Questions and Answers.docx

Questions and Answers

· Is the Massachusetts pest control business license required to be held by the prime contractor at the time of proposal, or can the requirement be satisfied through a properly licensed subcontractor performing the pest control services?

The prime Contractor as well as all Sub-Contractors performing pest control duties must possess a current business license for pest control services in the state where contract execution is to be conducted and must directly employ a licensed and certified pesticide applicator in the state where the service is conducted.

· Must the prime contractor independently hold a Massachusetts pest-control business license and directly employ a Massachusetts-certified pesticide applicator, or may these performance qualifications be satisfied through a named subcontractor?

The prime Contractor as well as all Sub-Contractors performing pest control duties must possess a current business license for pest control services in the state where contract execution is to be conducted and must directly employ a licensed and certified pesticide applicator in the state where the service is conducted.

· Massachusetts generally licenses or certifies individual pesticide applicators. What exact document does VA intend by “business license”?

A copy of the MDAR-issued Commercial (or Core) Applicator Certification held by the employee.

Proof of current pesticide liability insurance tied to that certification.

· Please identify the precise Massachusetts certification categories VA will accept as equivalent to “Structural” and “Health Related.”

Massachusetts follows 333 CMR 10.00, administered by the Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). Its Commercial Applicator Certification under Category 7.

You must hold Massachusetts' Commercial Applicator Certification – Category 7, including subcategories Termite/Structural Pest Control and Fumigation and Other Industrial/Institutional/Structural and Health‑Related Pest Control aspects You must also have passed the Core applicator exam and obtained appropriate EPA Category 7 certification.

· Is QualityPro accreditation mandatory for the prime, the performing subcontractor, or both?

Preference will be given to QualityPro accredited pest control companies as endorsed by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA).

· The PWS calls QualityPro a preference, please confirm whether a quotation lacking QualityPro will be ineligible.

A quotation lacking QualityPro will not be ineligible.

· Please clarify how the weekend, after-hours and holiday rates will be applied given the statement that emergency and non-emergency callbacks shall incur no additional cost.

The Government anticipates a Firm Fixed Price contract for this requirement.

· Are building square footage, existing device inventories, building maps, historical call volumes or recent pest-activity reports available?

Available, site visit is preferred.

· Please confirm whether an inspection can be arranged and, if so, advise the available date(s), access procedure, and any attendee information or forms required.

Site Visit will take place Wednesday, 9/2/2026 at 9:00am. Meet James O’Neill at 421 N. Main St., Eagle Building, B25 in Basement level. Please see attached map.

· During evaluation and technical review due to public safety concerns regarding pesticide applications and managing public health pests while applying pesticides during IPM Pest Management services as outlined in the Statement of Work, will the government require Prime Contractors to have direct pest industry experience and maintain specific pesticide General Liability insurance coverage that includes pesticide pollution coverage as per the National Pest Management Association Standard of Care and Best Practices guidelines as well as state requirements? This requirement aligns with VHA Directive 1850.02 (Pest Management Operations) and VAAM Appendix M815-A (Department of Veterans Affairs Source Selection Guide), which prohibit subcontractors from qualifying Prime Contractors that lack pest industry experience and/or pesticide-related insurance.

Yes.

· Can the government confirm the number of exterior rodent bait stations that are present?

0 currently

· Will the government require these exterior bait stations to be provided by the contractor upon award?

Yes, if needed.

· Can the government confirm the number of fly lights that are present?

3 currently, 1 getting installed.

· Will the government require these fly lights to be provided by the contractor upon award?

Yes.

· How many wood-destroying organisms services (subterranean termites, dry wood termites, fungi, wood boring beetles, etc.) have occurred at Central Western Massachusetts VAMC over the past 12 months?

· Can the Government confirm whether fumigation and ULV/thermal fogging treatments will be priced separately, or handled as an emergency, no-cost action requiring individual approval?

Priced separately, listed in proposal.

· Can the government provide the number of service requests that have been performed for “other vertebrate pests” over the past 12 months?

· Can the government provide how many bat service requests have occurred in the past 12 months?

· Can the government provide the number of Geese service requests that have been made at the Central Western Massachusetts VA Medical Center over the past 12 months?

· Can the government provide how many bird service requests have occurred in the past 12 months?

0 due to current sub-contractor’s limitations. Can’t give estimate on how many there would have been.

· Can the government provide how many Bees or Wasp service requests have occurred in the past 12 months?

21 Wasp/bees services.

· Can the government confirm if there is a height limitation for removal of accessible bees and wasps attached to the building?

If no height limit for bees and wasps, what is the maximum height of your tallest structure for services being requested?

No height limitation, the tallest building is 3 stories.

· Algae is regulated under Aquatic Waterways and not considered a structural pest. Can the government confirm that Algae is a covered pest under this solicitation as stated in lists aquatic pests (midge/mosquito larvae, algae)?

Yes, pests included for management in the contract include but are not limited to: aquatic pests (e.g., midge and mosquito larvae, algae etc.).

· Can the government clarify how many emergency service requests have been made in the past 12 months at the following locations?

a. Central Western Massachusetts VAMC- 2

b. 8 Cherry St., Northampton, MA -0

· Under “Attachment 1: List of Areas / Buildings to be serviced” specifically “Cherry St Buildings – 8 Cherry St. Northampton, MA”, Can the Government clarify if this is one unit or multiple buildings?

1 building, 4 units.

· Are the Regular, Weekend, After Hours, and Holiday rates in the Price/Cost Schedule quoted per visit, per hour, or per service event?

The Government anticipates a Firm Fixed Price contract for this requirement.

· The PWS requires emergency and non-emergency callbacks at no additional charge. Should the cost of these callbacks be included in the weekly routine rates, or is there a separate government estimate/CLIN for callback volume?

The Government anticipates a Firm Fixed Price contract for this requirement.

· Are all weekly, monthly, semiannual, and exterior inspection requirements expected to be performed within the nominal Tuesday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. weekly service window, or should additional labor/visits be priced within each CLIN?

Times for inspections can be done during Tuesdays 8:00-12:00 or be other times negotiated with the COR, the Government anticipates a Firm Fixed Price contract for this requirement.

· Can the Government provide the approximate square footage, number of devices/traps/bait stations/insect light traps, and current pest activity/service-call history for each building and the Cherry Street location?

Yes.

· Are termite work, vertebrate/bird control, fumigation, ULV/thermal fogging, structural exclusion, and remediation recommendations included in the fixed price, separately authorized, or priced only when ordered by the COR/PMO?

Termite, vertebrate/bird control and structural exclusion, and remediation recommendations are included in the fixed price.

Fumigation, ULV/thermal fogging Priced separately, listed in proposal.