36C24425Q0007 0001.pdf

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 NUMBERED 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 amendment, 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)

1 5

10-04-2024

36C244

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 4

1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh PA 15215

36C244

Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 4

1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh PA 15215

To all Offerors/Bidders

36C24425Q0007

09-25-2024

X

X X

The purpose of this Amendment is to provide answers to questions proposed by vendors in response to solicitation 36C24425Q0007.

Please see pages 2 through 5 for vendor Q&A.

The due date for responses to this solicitation remains 1:00PM, ET, Thursday, October 10, 2024.

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Stephanie McFadden Contracting Officer

I. The purpose of this solicitation amendment is to answer vendor questions for solicitation 36C24425Q0007.

II. Vendors submitted 29 questions. The Government has included those questions verbatim and provided answers below:

Question 1: I would like to know if there is an incumbent contractor for this project. If so, could you please provide the incumbent’s name and the award price of the previous contract?

Answer 1: Vantage Healthcare Linen Services, LLP; Please refer to USASpending.gov, contract 36C24424P0598.

Question 2: I, the Contractor, am to provide linens, correct?

Answer 2: Yes

Question 3: EVAMC, owns and will provide clothing worn by VA employees, correct?

Answer 3: Yes

Question 4: I, the Contractor, is not expected to provide any clothing / garments, correct?

Answer 4: Yes. (Just gowns for patients)

Question 5: These linens are specific, will you share the vendor they can be purchased from?

Answer 5: We do not purchase linens and are unable to provide the vendor to purchase from.

I’m sure these aren’t as specific as you think. The table you are referring to was copied over from our current ordering process with the current contractor. This is how they label their items.

Question 6: What is the facility census? This is in an effort to have an idea for possibilities of patient garments.

Answer 6: We have roughly 68 beds, UCC, and the OR. Generally, the only patient garments that will need supplied are gowns. We roughly order 100 of each size a week. Sometimes less.

(Red, Blue, Green)

Question 7: I have attached a list of the requested items that does not specify size. Will you indicate the sizes and quantity for each item?

Answer 7: Knitted contour fitted sheets 36x84x14

Bariatric fitted sheets 48x88x14 Pillowcase 42x34 Blanket 72x90 Under pads 34x36 Magna patient gowns 10xl I don’t have inches measurements for this item Iv gowns 48x66 PT gown 48x66

Question 8: As per the Scope of work which states, “ All workmanship shall be in accordance with the practices established by the National Association of Institutional Linen Management (NAILM), International Fabricare Institute (IFI), Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) accepted industry standards, and use universal precaution methods in handling linen. It is intended that services shall include all processes necessary for the laundering of the articles even though every step involved is not specifically mentioned. All work shall be performed under sanitary conditions as specified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).” Please clarify whether accreditation is required from each association or is laundry to be completed in accordance with the practice of established guidelines from NAILM, IFI, TRSA, and JCAHO is acceptable.

Answer 8: You need to follow these industry standards by these accreditations. You don’t need to be accredited by them.

https://www.usaspending.gov/

Question 9: If accreditation is required, will current VA Healthcare laundry service providers which in Veteran Health Administration VISN 4 be offered an opportunity to obtain accreditation?

Answer 9: Not required.

Question 10: Who is the current incumbent and solicitation number.

Answer 10: Please refer to USASpending.gov, contract 36C24424P0598.

Question 11: Is there an incumbent for this contract ?

Answer 11: Yes.

Question 12: Who was the previous awardee for this contract?

Answer 12: Please refer to USASpending.gov, contract 36C24424P0598.

Question 13: Is there an incumbent on this project? Or contract ID?

Answer 13: Please refer to USASpending.gov, contract 36C24424P0598.

Question 14: Is there an incumbent if so, what is the contract number, value and name of the company?

Answer 14: Please refer to USASpending.gov, contract 36C24424P0598.

Question 15: How do you want your submitted?

Answer 15: Quote submission instructions are provided in the solicitation.

Question 16: I’ve reviewed all Dept. of Veteran Affairs Healthcare laundry within VISN 4 which all have the same Scope of Work statement related to laundry servicing established guidelines of “ All workmanship shall be in accordance with practices established by the National Association of Institutional Linen Management (NAILM)/Association for Linen Management (ALM), International Fabricare Institute (IFI), and Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) accepted industry standards and use universal precaution methods in handling linen. It is intended that services shall include all processes necessary for the laundering of the articles even though every step involved is not specifically mentioned. All work shall be performed under sanitary conditions as specified by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).”

Can you provide the establish VHA policy which speaks to accreditation required to perform laundry service for VHA VISN 4 as if this is a new guideline it would be beneficial for SDVOSB to bid appropriately and would accreditation be required from all 5 accrediting bodies sited in all VA Healthcare laundry solicitation Scope of Work or a select few. Will all VHA VISN 4 include requirement of accreditation in the future. I am independently working with the VA Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization to assist with finding the appropriate policy and FAR related to this matter to remain informed related policy changes. Any direction to VHA policy related to this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 16: Accreditation not required. Just follow their standards from ALM & Joint Commission.

Question 17: In order to provide a competitive and well-informed proposal, we kindly request information regarding the previous incumbent’s contract, specifically the pricing details.

Understanding how much the previous contractor was paid for the same or similar services would greatly assist us in crafting a thorough and competitive offer.

Answer 17: Please refer to USASpending.gov, contract 36C24424P0598.

https://www.usaspending.gov/

Question 18: We would love the opportunity to introduce ourselves and perform a walk-through or site visit of the facility. This would allow us to gain a better understanding of the environment and ensure we can offer the best possible solution to meet the needs of the VA Medical Center.

Answer 18: A walk through site visit is not possible for this solicitation.

Question 19: Would dry-cleaning be needed or any linen repairs as part of this service for any of the items in the scope of work?

Answer 19: No, but if VA owned items laundered are ripped/torn at your facility, we expect some type of repair.

Question 20: Is there a current incumbent? If so, what is the award number?

Answer 20: Yes. Please refer to USASpending.gov, contract 36C24424P0598.

Question 21: Will the government be tax exempt? If so, what documents will be provided?

Answer 21: Please refer to FAR 29.302(b).

Question 22: Are there any special requirements for access to the facility?

Answer 22: Use a lift gate truck for drop off. You should not have to access the building as our team will be there to receive.

Question 23: We are not NAILM certified. What other Certifications would be acceptable?

Answer 23: The contractor must be certified by ALM or a graduate of an independently controlled management training program established by institutional laundry. The On-Site Manager shall be certified by Association of Linen and Laundry Management (ALM), Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) or, graduate of an accredited, independently controlled management-accredited University or College training program emphasizing institutional laundry.

Question 24: Regarding Next day return delivery; Are personal items and/or T-Shirts included?

Answer 24: Generally, no, but it’s a possibility. We launder personal items in house, for emergency purposes we have included that as an option. VA owned items such as OR gowns, OR sheets, and OR pillowcases are expected to be returned next day of business.

Question 25: Is there flexibility on packaging specs?

Answer 25: Please elaborate more. All finished products shall be packaged in such a manner that will prevent contamination or degradation in the cleanliness and quality of the product prior to its use at EVAMC.

Question 26: Is there any way to get a ballpark of how many lbs will be processed per week, even though I know it may vary?

Answer 26: Going off the SOW, I’m dividing the monthly 15,500lbs per month by 5 weeks.

Estimated max weekly = 3,100 lbs. This may be on the higher end, but we don’t want to short ourselves. As we continue to grow in clinics, linen usage is always expanding to newer areas. I don’t want to say we only use 2,300lbs per week, then next year we grew substantially in size.

I’ve attached our weights for the last month for reference.

Question 27: I also understand that a lot of what is to be cleaned will be provided by the contractor, however a few of them have asked how many Lb's will be processed.

Answer 27: Simply going off being weighed by clean linen as a whole. 15,500lbs per month max.

Question 28: Who is the Incumbent? What is the contract number? What is the total value of the contract?

Answer 28: Please refer to USASpending.gov, contract 36C24424P0598.

Question 29: Can the government provide an estimation of dry lbs needed for wash annually?

Answer 29: The total amount of dry linen issued throughout the course of the year would be 186,000lbs. We have no way of dividing that up in-between specific items as we pay by the pound, not by unit. I would expect the linen contractor to have enough items of each item for us to be able to mix and match up to that 186,000 lbs. over the year. Maybe 50,000lb in bath blankets, 50,000 in towels, etc…. no possible way to know exacts. Whatever is determined on the price per pound will be equal all across the board between items i.e.: towels, sheets, gowns, etc… We do have a section in our SOW that includes a small portion of the washing of veteran owned clothing, however we don’t see that being utilized as we launder those in house. It’s in the contract for emergency situations where we are down operations. In the event we need to send out veteran owned clothing, it should not exceed the max of 1,200lbs per year.

III. The Government has answered all timely vendor questions, and the question period has closed. The Government will not accept further questions relating to this solicitation. The solicitation response time remains 1:00PM, ET, Thursday, October 10, 2024.

See attached document: September Daily Weights.

End of Document