36C24226Q0505 Questions - Answers FINAL.pdf

36C24226Q0505 Questions - Answers FINAL

Questions Answers

1. We have reviewed the solicitation package for this opportunity. It specifically states “OFFER SUBMISSION SHALL INCLUDE: 1. Completed and Signed SF1449”. It appears that the package does not include a 1449 document outline as standardly occurs with Department for Veterans Affairs solicitations. Will the government be providing the 1449?

As this is a combined synopsis, an SF1449 was issued by the government. Therefore, NO, a signed SF1449, will not be required by any Offerer.

a. Acknowlegement of Amendments Signature section added on page 2 (see Amendement 0001).

2. Section C of the SOW specifies that all properties will be serviced 3 times per week. The previous contract under this requirement was modified to be performed 5 days per week. Please confirm whether the 3 times per week frequency stated in the current solicitation represents the intended service frequency for the base period and all option years, or if the government anticipates a continue on the current 5 days per week service frequency at all 3 locations?

The frequency will be 5 times per week at all 3 locations.

3. Section C references “Attachment Four”, the Task and Frequency Chart, as the minimum basis for scheduling pest management tasks. This attachment does not appear to be included in the solicitation package. Will the government be providing the Task and Frequency Chart?

This part of the SOW can be removed.

4. Section E.3 of the SOW states that the Contractor shall respond via phone to emergencies within 1 hour after notification and shall report to perform necessary services no more than 1 hour after notification. Section F.3 states that emergency service shall be performed within 4 hours after receipt of notification. Please confirm the required emergency on-site response time requirement for this contract?

The required response time of communicaton is one (1) hours (ex. You are emailed/called at 10 AM. It is required that confirmation of communication is received and being addressed by 11 AM.) Contractor must ensure that a representative is on-site within four (4) hours after receiving an emergency notification.

5. Volume 1 requires a technical narrative addressing transition-in, staffing, training, methodology, quality assurance and reporting procedures, key personnel qualifications, and three past experience narratives, in addition to licenses, permits, and Certificate of Liability Insurance. The 10-page limit significantly limits the space available for required narrative content. Please confirm whether supporting documents (licenses, permits, and insurance certificate) count toward the 10-page limit or may be submitted as separate attachments?

As the full length of licenses, certificates, and permits will vary, NO, these documents will NOT be counted torward the 10-page narrative limit. They may be submitted separate attachements, but please still label them a part of Volume 1.

6. During evaluation and technical review due to concerns of public safety for pesticides applications and dealing with some public health related pests while performing IPM Pest Management services as outlined within the Statement of Work, will the government require Prime Contractors to have direct pest industry experience as well as maintain proper pesticide General Liability insurance to include pesticide pollution coverage as per National Pest Management Association Standard of Care and Best Practices guidelines in alliance of the VHA Directive 1850.02 Pest Management Operations and VAAM Appendix M815-A Department of Veterans Affairs Source Selection Guide or will the government permit subcontractors to qualify Prime Contractors that do not have pest industry experience and/or pesticide related insurance?

Yes, a Prime could utilize the certifications/licenses and past experience of the Sub, so long as the required information is provided with their offer.

7. Has any part of the Statement of Work (SOW) changed in this solicitation compared to the last awarded contract? If so, what changed or was added?

The frequency has changed to 5 times per week at all 3 locations. Wildlife trapping should also be included/written in the contract

8. Can the government clarify how many emergency/unscheduled service requests there have been in the past 12 months at the below listed locations?

At least one a month

a. Manhattan Campus At least one a month

b. Brooklyn Campus At least one a month

c. St. Albans Community Living Center At least one a month

9. Can the government confirm the number of exterior rodent bait stations that are present at each location listed below? Will the government require these to be provided by the contractor upon award?

a. Manhattan Campus 21

b. Brooklyn Campus 20

c. St. Albans Community Living Center 53

10. Can the government confirm the number of fly lights that are present at each location listed below? Will the government require these to be provided by the contractor upon award?

a. Manhattan Campus N/A

b. Brooklyn Campus 1

c. St. Albans Community Living Center 7

36C24226Q0505 Questions - Answers FINAL

11. Section G Task 12 includes control of pest birds within the SOW. Please confirm whether bird control under this contract is limited to monitoring and standard IPM methods, and that bird exclusion and deterrent services such as netting, physical devices, and trapping are not included?

In addition to monitoring and standard IPM methods, bird exclusion and deterrant services such as physical devices and trapping should be included for birds and other vertebrate pests. The type and amount of such methods shall be discussed with the contracting facility beforehand and may be subject to change based off of need.

12. Can the government clarify regarding Section G Task 13 includes control of other vertebrate pests within the SOW; how many “other vertebrate pests” service requests there have been in the past 12 months?

Unknown at this time.

13. Could we have a scheduled site visit?

A site visit will not be scheduled. A walk through may be schedule after contract award with the facility, as needed.

14. Please provide a square footage estimate for each of the three campuses so that we can understand the upper limits of the PWS in terms of how much service is to be required for this facility.

Values are the gross square footage

a. Manhattan Campus 1,139,929

b. Brooklyn Campus 971,204

c. St. Albans Community Living Center 656,641

15. Is 178-50 Linden Blvd part of this scope of work, or is that not part of the St Albans campus? 178-50 Linden Blvd is not part of this scope of work.

16. Please provide clarification on precisely what an emergency service call-back is defined as. In our experience, some staff might see a mouse or a cockroach as an emergency call-back, while others would not. This clarification will directly affect the pricing of all offerors

A pest emergency refers to any sighting that may have an immediate harmful impact to patients or staff, which if not treated immediately could jeopardize the health and safety of patients, staff, and visitors

17. Please provide clarification on the 4-hour emergency service call back window and if that window will shift into the next working day? (a. For example, if an emergency call back is initiated at 3PM on a Friday, would the emergency call back window naturally extend into the next working day, on the following Monday?)

The 4 hour emergency window will not shift into the next working day. It will be 4 hours from initial contact/outreach. As it is an emergency, services need to be provided within the specified time.

18. Please provide clarification on what type of IPM services are required for birds. Ie: what is the goal of the facility with bird control? Where are the birds to be controlled from (rooftops, grounds, loading docks)? What type of birds need to be controlled (just geese, pigeons, crows, or does the facility want all birds prevented)? What products does the facility want or not want used on their campus to control birds? (a. The reason this question is required is because some facilities request netting that will impede staff and patient traffic, others request physical and audial prevention programs, others customers require scented prevention systems, and others require alarm and surveillance programs. Each of these options are drastically different in pricing and also the impact to the facility. This will need to be specified in order to accurately provide pricing for this SOW.)

Birds of all types are not to be inside of the buildings in all capacities. All and any intervention methods used should not impede upon staff or patients. Cages, traps, etc. Non-lethal methods of control and removal are required. The type of products that can/will be used will be subject to discussions with the facility upon contract award as facilities may have different needs.

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