36C24218Q9947-0001002.pdf

Q1. Is bulk oil (55g) not being evaluated?

A1. Bulk Oil (55g) is listed in the ATTACHMENT – PRICE SCHEDULE under “Waste for recycling (in addition to Universal Waste).”

Q2. How long does a typical pickup take to complete?

A2. Depends on the size of the particular pickup. It could be anywhere from 3-5 hours.

Q3. How many staff does the current vendor provide for a typical pickup?

A3. Only questions pertaining to the requirements of THIS SOLICITATION will be answered.

Q4. What are the title positions (chemist, technician, etc.) that the current vendor provides?

A4. Only questions pertaining to the requirements of THIS SOLICITATION will be answered.

Q5. Are there any vehicle requirements? (size, lift gate, etc.)

A5. Size dependent of the amount of waste for pickup (the inventory will be an indicator of size of the pickup)

Q6. Please provide the total spend for services covered under this contract over the last two years.

A6. No. Only questions pertaining to the requirements of THIS SOLICITATION will be answered.

Q7. Please provide the 4 most recent invoices.

A7. No. Only questions pertaining to the requirements of THIS SOLICITATION will be answered.

Q8. Please provide the 4 most recent shipping documentation.

A8. No. Only questions pertaining to the requirements of THIS SOLICITATION will be answered.

Q9. Please provide the current contract pricing.

A9. No. Only questions pertaining to the requirements of THIS SOLICITATION will be answered.

Q10. Over the last two years, how many Emergency services requests were made?

A10. None

Q11. Please provide the incident information/description for the emergency service requests.

A11. N/A

Q12. Please clarify the container size of the 4-foot fluorescent lamps (15” Fiber drum). Is this a lamp tube?

How many lamps does this container hold?

A12. This depends on the size of the fiber drum, for example;

Container size 15.25” x 96” holds approximately 150 T8 or 90 T10 lamps Container size 23” x 49” holds approximately 350 T8 or 220 T10

Q13. Please clarify what “Unit of Issue” is? For example, in the below:

A13. Unit of Issue refers to the unit size that the line item is priced. Container Size/Unit (Container Size per Unit) refers to the capacity of the unit of issue. Note: Price Schedule is updated to reflect container.

For the example of Loose Pack Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste Toxic, where the container size (capacity) is 12 gallons, the unit of issue is 2. This means that during the year, the estimated hazardous waste disposal for this line item is two 12-gallon containers.

Q14. Regarding “Loose Pack DEA Controlled Substance (RCRA Hazardous waste)”, please provide the typical identification of DEA controlled substances that would ship under this line item.

A14. This would only be phenobarbital which is both DEA and RCRA regulated. This waste stream is not generated often.

Q15. Please indicate the shipping frequency of DEA regulated waste.

A15. Maybe once a year

Q16. When shipped, please indicate the typical number of DEA regulated waste containers.

A16. This would be in a 1-gallon container (activated charcoal and bitrex). As a result of this clarification, the price line is changed for Loose Pack DEA Controlled Substance (RCRA Hazardous waste) to reflect 1-gallon sized containers, with a quantity of 2 per year.

Q17. Regarding “Lab Pack Trace Methadone”, what is the material containing the methadone? Is this typical non-regulation debris? What all RCRA codes apply to this stream?

A17. This is non-regulated debris – plastic and trace methadone

Q18. Please provide a copy of the profile for the lab Pack Trace methadone.

A18. No waste profile needed; not regulated

Q19. Are any labpack reactives generated? How will reactives be invoiced if they are picked-up?

A19. No labs. This waste stream is generated very infrequently, maybe a small container or two. Invoice as any other hazardous waste.

Q20. May a line item be added to the price schedule for EPA Electronic manifest upload fees? The EPA is imposing a mandatory charge per manifest related to the implementation of the electronic manifest system.

A20. This fee can be included with the Bi-monthly pick-up fee. No need to add new line. The EPA has already established this fee based on the type of manifest.

Q21. What is the shipping container for the large computer and lead acid batteries?

A21. Pallets

Waste Stream (cost includes container and packing supplies)

Container Size/Unit

Unit Price

Estimated Yearly Quantity

Unit of Issue

Extended Price

Loose Pack Pharmaceutical Hazardous waste toxic

12 gallons $0.00 2 20 $0.00

Q22. Do items in the Waste for recycling section of the bid schedule need to include the cost of packing and container?

A22. Yes

Q23. For the Loose pack chemo and pharmaceutical waste containers, are these black boxes, or are these 18g and 12g drums? Please provide a picture of these containers.

A23. For the trace chemo they are the yellow bins- 18-gallon size

Bulk chemo (regulated)- black and white container- size: 2 gallons P-listed- black and white- 1 quart D and U listed- black and white sizes 12 and 18

Q24. What size container are the silver nitrate filters packaged in?

A24. That depends on the number of filters. We currently only have one unit in operation. These must be recycled.

Q25. Does the Pre-solicitation posted as solicitation number 36C24218Q9947 on FBO contain requirements similar to an existing contract or will this be a new requirement? If possible, please provide the current contract number.

A25. This is a new requirement. All questions should be about this published requirement and not about prior requirements or contract actions because it is immaterial to this solicitation.

Q26. Can you confirm that this bid is unrestricted and will does not require any small business/WOSB/SDVOSM set aside.

A26. Confirmed – this solicitation is unrestricted competition.

Q27. Can you confirm that the pricing on universal waste in the bid sheet is Per Pound for Ubulbs and 4 Ft lamps? Can you confirm that you are only shipping 3 pounds of utubes per year or should the unit be per drum? The same question goes for the 4 ft lamps, are you only shipping 75 pounds per year or should that unit be per drum? More competitive pricing for the VA could be provided if the unit of measure was cost per drum or cost per foot.

A27. The pricing is per fiber drum not pounds.

Q28. For the line 41 and 42 (batteries, lithium ion/Batteries lead acid) is the bid asking for pricing on Each 400-pound battery? Or should it be taken to mean that 400 total pounds of batteries will be shipped in a year?

A28. It means pounds per year.

Q29. For line 50 and 51 (of the Price Schedule) should the unit of measure be Drum?

A29. Drums

Q30. For lines 16-23 the unit of issue does not match the container size. What is the unit of issue for each of those lines?

A30. See answer 13- It should match the unit of measure (container size). The pricing is to be priced per container with respect to the container size/capacity.

Q31. For line 43 can you confirm that you are only shipping 1 pound of Mercury contained in articles annually? Or should that unit of measure be per drum?

A31. No, it should read 1 drum.

Q32. Can you provide an estimated time on site for each job? Along with how many technicians are needed per job?

A32. There should be 2 people at each pickup – a technician and a scientist

Q33. How will off-spec or nonconforming waste be handled under this bid?

A33. I have only seen one occasion where we had an off-spec or nonconforming waste so it does not happen often, so these will be handled on a case-by-case basis, there is no need for a price line item.

Q34. How will waste streams not on this bid sheet be handled?

A34. Waste streams not identified in this solicitation will not be part of the resultant contract and cannot be added to the contract at a later date.

Q35. We intend to submit our proposal for this effort, however formally notifying you the DVA Vendorportal precludes downloading of information, as well submission/uploading of documentation, specifically our proposal, e.g. the DVA Vendorportal is not working. Hence the proposal will be emailed to you directly.

A35. See E.1 ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS, as well as block 20 of the SF1449 and the FBO synopsis. We are not interfaced with Vendorportal to receive communications initiated through Vendorportal. This is why you are instructed to email questions and offers to the CO’s email address. If you feel that FBO is not functioning properly, you need to contact the Federal Service Desk. For more information, go to https://www.fbo.gov/utils/help_desk.

Q36. Further the solicitation criteria denote SDVOSB and VetBiz registration, albeit you reference this to be an ‘unrestricted’ solicitation. This appears to be a contradiction in guidance/terms, albeit we will submit our proposal within the mandated time frame to your email address and deal with the aftermath of adherence to the Federal Acquisition Regulation and Veterans First Contracting Program, 38 U.S.C. §§ 8127 – 8128, VAAR, subpart 819.70.

A36. This is not a contradiction. Firms identifying as a VOSB or an SDVOSB must be registered in VetBiz to be recognized as such a firm. The difference between VetBiz registration and any other source, such as https://www.fbo.gov/utils/help_desk

System for Award Management (SAM), is that VetBiz is independent verification, whereas SAM is self-certification by the firm. VA offices are required to verify a firm’s status utilizing VetBiz.

As to the solicitation being unrestricted, that means that there is no set-aside; competition is full and open, to include large business.

If an SDVOSB/VOSB firm, as identified by their self-certification in SAM, submits an offer to an unrestricted solicitation, their SDVOSB/VOSB will be verified with a check in VetBiz. If they are not VetBiz verified, they will be counted as a small business, or any other socioeconomic small business category that may be applicable.

As to the Rule of Two, market research indicated that there wasn’t sufficient SDVOSB/VOSB competition to warrant such a set-aside.

In addition to changes because of the clarifying questions and answers above, the following changes have been made to the Statement of Work, which are highlighted:

C1. On page 5 of the solicitation, at the Statement of Work section titled “V.

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK”, a paragraph is inserted after the first to read as follows:

The Contractor will perform Onsite Support Service (OSS) twice a month. This service will consist of removing waste from the satellite accumulation areas and transporting it to the main accumulation areas (2), providing service such as ensuring the waste containers have been properly labeled and characterized, weighing and logging each waste stream and providing service as needed. Onsite Support Service staff must have all required training.

Note: This job typically occurs on Wednesdays and is about 2 hours each job.

C2. On page 6 of the solicitation, at the Statement of Work section titled “V.

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK”, subsection “A. WASTE PACKAGING, DISPOSAL AND GENERAL REQUIREMENTS”, paragraph 5:

5. The James J Peters VA Medical Center” typically require waste clean-outs 3 to 4 times per year.

Is changed to read:

5. The James J Peters VA Medical Center” typically require waste clean-outs every other month (6 per year).

C3. On page 7 of the solicitation, at the Statement of Work section titled “V.

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK”, subsection “B. KEY PERSONNEL”, paragraph 2:

2. A Hazardous Waste Specialist with a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) credential or its equal is required for administrative oversite, quality assurance and quality control for this contract.

Is changed to read:

2. A Hazardous Waste Specialist with a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) credential or its equal is required for administrative oversite, quality assurance and quality control for this contract. In addition to a specialist there must be a chemist (at minimum 2 people).

C4. On page 8 of the solicitation, at the Statement of Work section titled “V.

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK”, subsection “E. ELECTRONIC DATA BASE FOR MANIFESTS AND HAZARDOUS WASTE PROFILES”, paragraphs 3 and 4 are added to read as follows:

3. The contractor shall provide copies of the certificates of recycling for all recycled waste.

4. The contractor will provide a Certificate of Completion for all hazardous waste confirming final disposition of the waste, no later than six months after removal from the facility.

C5. On page 9 of the solicitation, at the Statement of Work section titled “V.

DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK”, subsection “K. TASK ORDERS”, paragraphs 3 and 4 are added after paragraph 2 to read as follows:

3. The contractor will supply the facility upon request with supplies (empty containers). The facility will list supplies needed together with the chemical waste inventory:

a) 5-gallon waste containers for liquids

b) 5-gallon waste containers for solids (metal cans)

c) 18-gallon RCRA white and black containers

d) 12-gallon RCRA black and white containers

e) 2-gallon RCRA black and white containers

f) 1-quart RCRA black containers for P-listed waste

g) 18-gallon Trace Chemo yellow bins

h) 55-gallon for Used Oil

i) 55-gallon for Trace Methadone waste

j) Fiber drums (15”) for Waste lamps

k) Fiber drums for U-shaped lamps

4. Invoices must reflect the line entries from the hazardous waste manifest and provide a cost per pound for each waste stream.

Because of inserting these two paragraphs, paragraph 3 is now paragraph 5.