36C24426R0021 0007.docx

36C24426R0021

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

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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) None 36C244 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 4 Coatesville VAMC 1400 Blackhorse Hill Road Coatesville PA 19320 Cynthia Laemmerhirt cynthia.laemmerhirt@va.gov 00244 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 4

To all Offerors/Bidders

36C24426R0021

X X X ** HOUR & DATE for Receipt of Offers is EXTENDED to: 06-05-2026 10:00 EDT X The purpose of this amendment is to answer the following final questions.

Questions closed on Tuesday, May 26

The solicitation to 6/5/2026 closing at 10:00am EST.

All other terms and conditions shall remain the same.

Cynthia Laemmerhirt Q1. Can the Government provide the current or most recent incumbent contractor name, contract number, award value, and period of performance, if applicable?

A1. Med-Van Transport is the incumbent. The contract number is 36C24420D0055 – 4/20/2020 – 4/19/2025 with the total 5-year evaluated award value of $5,088,840.00.

Q2. Can the Government clarify why the prior SDVOSB/VOSB set-aside solicitation was cancelled or reissued, and whether any scope, pricing, eligibility, or evaluation changes were made in the current 100% small business set-aside?

A2. The prior solicitation was cancelled after the Government determined that award could not be made as issued. The requirement was subsequently reviewed and revised, and the current solicitation was issued as a tiered set-aside beginning with SDVOSB concerns. Offerors should rely on the current solicitation for the applicable terms and conditions, eligibility requirements, instructions, and evaluation criteria.

Q3. The CLIN structure assigns counties to groups (CLINs 0001–0005), but the counties listed across all CLINs appear to total more than 14 (the PWS references 14 counties). Can the Government confirm the definitive list of counties covered under each CLIN, and clarify whether any county appears in more than one CLIN?

A3. As stated in Amendment 0004, there are counties that are in Altoona VAMC’s catchment area (PWS references 14) and others that are not. Altoona VAMC has had the requirement in the past to travel to these areas. The CLIN was created to account for these possible trips made in the past. In reviewing the Price Schedule, counties are not duplicated in different CLINs. Counties are assigned to only one CLIN.

Q4. Does the 15-mile base included in each CLIN apply to the trip from the Veteran's pick-up location to the drop-off destination only, or does it include any deadhead or repositioning mileage?

A4. Each CLIN references - Loaded Wheelchair Van Transport Trips - One way Trip includes first 15 miles and 30 min of wait time. There will not be a CLIN designated for unloaded, deadhead, or repositioning mileage.

Q5. For trips that cross from one CLIN county group into another (e.g., pick-up in Blair County/CLIN 0001, drop-off in Centre County/CLIN 0002), which base CLIN rate applies, and does each one-way leg price based on the county where that leg originates, with CLIN 0006 per-mile billing beginning at mile 16?

A5. Refer to Amendment 0005.

Q6. The Price Schedule estimates 1,350,000 miles under CLIN 0006. Can the Government clarify whether this estimate is based on historical usage, projected demand, or a ceiling/planning estimate?

A6. Price Schedule states all quantities are estimate 5-year quantities.

Q7. Can the Government provide a mileage-band breakdown for trips exceeding the 15-mile base — such as 16–25 miles, 26–50 miles, 51–100 miles, 101–150 miles, and over 150 miles?

A7. CLIN0006 will pay any loaded mileage starting at mile 16. VA is paying a per mile rate starting at mile 16.

Q8. Can the Government provide the historical average, median, and highest loaded mileage per one-way trip?

A8. This data is not available at this time.

Q9. Can the Government provide the approximate percentage of trips that are completed within the first 15 loaded miles and therefore do not generate additional CLIN 0006 mileage?

A9. This data is not available at this time. Please refer to PWS 4.9.3 in amendment 0005.

Q10. Did the Government prepare an Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) for this requirement, and if so, was it developed using historical contract pricing, actual trip and mileage utilization, market research, or another methodology?

A10. VA did prepare an IGCE. The estimate was developed using standard government practices and relevant data appropriate to this requirement.

Q11. Can the Government provide historical annual and monthly trip volume broken down by county/CLIN group, and further by Altoona VAMC, each CBOC, VISN 4 medical centers, community care destinations, airports, and Veteran residences, to the extent available?

A11. This data is not available at this time.

Q12. Can the Government provide the approximate percentage of trips that are scheduled in advance versus same-day or add-on requests?

A12. VA does not track or project this information. Same-day and add-on requests occur as needed and vary based on beneficiary needs.

Q13. Can the Government provide the approximate percentage of trips occurring outside normal weekday daytime hours, including evenings, overnight, weekends, and Federal holidays?

A13. NOTE: Information added to the PWS:

4.5.1.6. The number of transports under normal operating conditions will typically range from 75-85 transports each weekday and significantly less on weekends and holidays. The number of actual transports may vary throughout the life of the contract.

Q14. Can the Government provide the average wait time per trip and the approximate percentage of trips that require billable wait time beyond the included first 30 minutes?

A14. This data is not available at this time.

Q15. Can the Government confirm that the annual fuel price adjustment based on the U.S. DOE/EIA On Highway Diesel Fuel Price – Central Atlantic index applies to all base trip CLINs (0001–0005) as well as the mileage CLIN (0006) for the full five-year ordering period?

A15. Refer to Amendment 0003.

Q16. Can the Government confirm whether the contractor is required to maintain dedicated vehicles and drivers on standby during off-hours, or whether an on-call dispatch model is acceptable? Additionally, may vehicles be used for non-VA work when not actively assigned to VA trips, provided VA trips remain the priority and contract performance is not impacted?

A16. Please refer to the PWS as to VA requirements.

Q17. The PWS states that pick-up times cannot deviate more than 15 minutes before or after the scheduled time for scheduled orders. Is this 15-minute window also applicable to add-on (non-scheduled) trips?

A17. Please reference PWS 4.5.1.8. NOTE: The following language was added:

4.5.1.8.2 For all add-ons (not scheduled in advance) transportation requests, with pick-up at Altoona VAMC: The contractor will be allotted up to a forty-five (45) minutes response time from time of order placement of the transportation requests (arrive at Altoona VAMC).

Q18. For transportation requests not scheduled in advance and not originating from Altoona VAMC, can the Government clarify how "reasonable" pickup appointment times will be determined, given travel distance, speed limits, weather conditions, and rural location factors?

A18. Please reference PWS 4.5.1.8.3.b.

Q19. Can the Government clarify whether the expected service level is door-to-door, door-through-door, or limited assistance from the door to the vehicle and from the vehicle to the destination check-in point?

A19. Please reference PWS 4.6.

Q20. Can the Government clarify whether all pickup and drop-off locations are expected to be ADA-accessible? If not, are drivers required to assist wheelchair passengers over stairs, steps, curbs, gravel, snow, or other non-ADA-compliant barriers?

A20. Drivers are required to follow the assistance requirements outlined in the PWS 4.6. When safe and appropriate, drivers shall assist Veterans in maneuvering stairs, steps, curbs, or similar barriers as specified in the PWS. Pickup and drop‑off locations may vary, and ADA accessibility cannot be guaranteed at all sites.

Q21. Will the contractor receive advance notice when a Veteran uses a power wheelchair, oversized wheelchair, bariatric wheelchair, scooter, oxygen equipment, or other items requiring special vehicle capacity or securement planning?

A21. Information will be provided in VetRide upon trip order.

Q22. Does the Government anticipate bariatric wheelchair transportation needs, and if so, what vehicle, lift/ramp, securement, and staffing requirements should offerors plan for?

A22. Bariatric transports may be required. Please reference ADA website regarding bariatric vehicle requirements.

Q23. Can the Government provide the approximate percentage of trips requiring additional staff, attendants, escorts, or VA staff and equipment to accompany the Veteran?

A23. This data is not available at this time.

Q24. Are attendants separately billable when authorized by VA, or must attendant costs be incorporated into the base trip and mileage rates?

A24. Please reference PWS 4.6 states contractor’s driver or authorized attendant. This is intended to be the same person(s). PWS is changed From 3. Acronyms To 3. Acronyms / Definitions to add Attendant – Contractor Driver / Employee. There is no additional cost for Attendant.

Q25. Is shared or multiple-Veteran transport permitted when clinically appropriate and authorized by VA? If so, how should the base rate, mileage, and wait time be billed?

A25. Please reference PWS 4.5.1.1.

Q26. Is the contractor required to transport Veterans to locations outside of Pennsylvania, such as VA medical centers in Delaware or other states listed in the PWS Place of Performance? If so, do out-of-state trips follow the same CLIN pricing and mileage structure as in-state trips?

A26. Please reference PWS and above questions regarding Base CLIN and mileage.

Q27. Can the Government confirm that no-show reimbursement includes both the applicable one-way base CLIN rate and the loaded/enroute mileage accrued to the pickup location at the time of cancellation?

A27. Please reference PWS 4.5.2.

Q28. Can the Government provide the historical number or percentage of no-shows, late cancellations after dispatch, and cancellations before dispatch?

A28. This data is not available at this time.

Q29. For an outbound transport cancelled after the contractor has already arrived at Altoona VAMC, is the contractor entitled to the base CLIN rate plus mileage to the VAMC, or the base rate only?

A29. Please reference PWS 4.5.2.1.1.

Q30. Since VA uses the Bing Maps API based on shortest time of travel for mileage payment, can the Government clarify how mileage disputes will be resolved when actual safe travel routes differ from Bing Maps results due to road closures, weather, construction, vehicle restrictions, or patient safety needs?

A30. Please reference PWS 4.5.1.1.2.

Q31. Can the Government clarify whether tolls, parking, airport fees, bridge fees, or other pass-through costs are included in the base and mileage rates or are separately reimbursable?

A31. There will not be any separate reimbursement regarding costs mentioned in your question.

Q32. What is the minimum number of vehicles the contractor must have available and operational at contract award and throughout the period of performance? Does the VA have a required vehicle-to-trip ratio or minimum fleet size?

A32. See question 13 above. See additional language to amend the PWS 4.5.1.6 and 4.5.1.8.2.

Q33. Can the Government clarify the required maximum vehicle age, mileage limits, inspection requirements, and whether replacement vehicles must be pre-approved by the VA before being placed into service?

A33. Please reference PWS 4.4.

Q34. What is the process and timeline for resolving a vehicle compliance dispute, and will the contractor receive advance notice before a vehicle is restricted from service?

A34. Please reference PWS 4.4.

Q35. Is there a minimum interior clearance height (in inches) that the Government uses as its benchmark for "ample headroom" for standard wheelchair transport?

A35. Please reference PWS 4.4.

Q36. For Veterans requiring oxygen transport (up to 3 liters per PWS), is the contractor required to provide specific oxygen storage equipment, or is any commercially available, federally compliant oxygen storage container acceptable?

A36. Please reference PWS 4.5.1.7.

Q37. Will the VA accept National Safety Council (NSC) or other nationally recognized first aid certifications as equivalents to American Red Cross certification for the standard and advanced first aid requirement?

A37. Yes, VA will accept National Safety Council (NSC) or other nationally recognized first aid certifications that is equal to or greater than the American Red Cross Certification.

Q38. Does the oxygen administration requirement necessitate formal EMT or paramedic certification, or is first aid training that includes oxygen administration sufficient?

A38. Please reference Amendment 0004 as this question was asked and answered.

NOTE: The PWS 4.4.8.5. to read:

Wheelchair van drivers shall be capable of assisting Veteran supplied oxygen and shall have completed the standard and advanced first aid course of the American Red Cross or equivalent. It is the vendor's responsibility to provide a copy of the first aid certificates for all employees to the Program Point of Contact (POC) upon request.

Q39. If a driver tests positive for TB but is cleared by a licensed physician as non-contagious, is that individual permitted to continue performing services under this contract?

A39. Please reference PWS 4.3.2.

Q40. For new hires brought on after contract award, what is the maximum allowable time between their hire date and execution of the required confidentiality statement?

A40. Please reference PWS 12.

Q41. Is subcontracting permitted for outlying counties, provided the subcontractor meets all contract requirements and the prime contractor remains fully responsible for performance?

A41. Please reference Subcontracting requirements within the solicitation.

Q42. For the purpose of the 50% limitations on subcontracting, must subcontractors be SDVOSB, VOSB, or otherwise small business certified to count as "similarly situated," and may non-certified subcontractors be used within the allowable percentage?

A42. Please reference Subcontracting requirements within the solicitation.

Q43. If a VOSB or SDVOSB subcontractor is used, does that subcontractor's work count toward or against the prime contractor's 50% subcontracting limitation?

A43. Please reference Subcontracting requirements within the solicitation.

Q44. Can subcontractor past performance be submitted and considered during evaluation when the subcontractor will perform major or critical portions of the requirement?

A44. Please reference Instructions to Offerors, Evaluations, and Past Performance Questionnaire for additional instructions.

Q45. What is the expected onboarding timeline for VetRide Vendor Portal access after contract award, and will the contractor have full system access before the first trip is ordered? Additionally, may the contractor use its own dispatch or GPS system for internal tracking, quality control, and invoice backup in conjunction with VetRide?

A45. Please reference 4.5 regarding VA’s requirements for using VetRide Vendor Portal.

Q46. If VetRide or other VA-approved software is down and an alternate communication method is used to place a trip, does the 30-day invoice submission clock begin from the date of service or from the date the trip is reconciled in the system?

A46. Invoices must be submitted in accordance with the invoicing requirements of the solicitation and PWS, including the requirement to submit invoices within 30 days of the date of service. When VetRide or other VA‑approved software is temporarily unavailable, VA and the contractor will reconcile the trip the next business day, and standard invoicing timelines still apply.

Q47. Can the Government clarify how task orders will be issued and funded over the five-year ordering period, and whether the estimated CLIN quantities should be viewed as historical demand, planning estimates, or maximum possible ordering quantities?

A47. Please reference the information on the SF1449 Block 20 and just above the Price Schedule.

Q48. In the event of extraordinary fuel price volatility or a significant oil price spike, will the annual fuel price adjustment be the only available pricing relief, or may the contractor request an interim adjustment if fuel costs materially exceed the assumptions used in pricing?

A48. Please reference QA1 on Amendment 0003.

Q49. Given that 8 separate Wage Determinations cover the 14-county service area, how does the VA expect the contractor to document compliance with each applicable WD, and will a single certification statement cover all counties or is county-by-county documentation required?

A49. Upon contract award, the contractor will sign stating compliance with all terms and conditions set forth in the contract. A contract modification will be awarded annually for annual compliance with the latest WD downloaded from SAM.gov.

Q50. Can the Government clarify the expected transition and startup period after contract award, including the deadline for onboarding drivers, submitting vehicle documentation, completing VA-required training, and obtaining VetRide or other system access?

A50. VA is expecting the contractor to begin performance as soon as reasonably possible following award (by or on the effective date). There is no prescribed number of days. Contractors must ensure readiness in accordance with all PWS requirements.

Q51. Can the Government identify any recurring service challenges, missed-trip patterns, rural coverage issues, long-distance trip difficulties, or prior performance concerns from the current or prior contract that offerors should specifically address in their quality control approach?

A51. VA does not provide prior contractor performance information in Q&A. Offerors should address quality control in accordance with the requirements in the PWS and propose an approach that ensures compliance with all performance standards.

Q52. As Past Performance is significantly more important than price, does this also translate to VETRIDE experience?

A52. Past performance as a whole will be rated and VetRide is part of your past performance.

Q53. While performance is significantly more important, the lowest price is still a major factor, correct?

A53. Price is still a factor.

Q54. Does an 8(a) have to be prime for a higher weighted grade, or can they be the sub with the same high weighted grade?

A54. Prime contractors will be evaluated based on the Tiered criteria presented in the solicitation.

Q55. Are all transports wheelchair or a mix of wheelchair and ambulatory?

A55. This is a Wheelchair Van Transportation service contract per the PWS.

Q56. If ambulatory, can a standard vehicle be used for transport, or does it have to be a wheelchair accessible vehicle?

A56. Per the PWS, this is a Wheelchair Van Transportation Service requirement.

Q57. What is the timeframe the medical center must have trips in VETRIDE for it to be considered a scheduled trip?

A57. VetRide is the system Altoona VAMC uses to order trips. A trip is scheduled as soon as it is entered. Also, see PWS 4.5.1.8.

Q58. Are all veterans under 300lbs? If not, will there be a CLIN for Bariatric veterans, i.e., those over 300 lbs.?

A58. Not all Veterans are under 300 lbs. VA will not be including a Bariatric CLIN.

Q59. What is the process for after-hours discharge? Will AOD add these trips to VETRIDE before notifying the contractor? What is the response time for after-hours discharges?

A59. AOD will be putting the after-hours trips in VetRide. Please see above question Q/A17.

Q60. When was the use of VETRIDE implemented at this location?

A60. VetRide will be implemented upon contract award.

Q61. What is the barometer for Show Cause and or CURE Notices?

A61. Please review PWS 6.1.2, 6.1.3, 6.1.4, and 6.2. As well as review RFO 12.304.

Q62. Is there a requirement for the contractor to have a presence on-site? If so, will the medical center provide a location?

A62. There is no requirement for the contractor to have a presence on-site.

Q63. Will it be the medical center's responsibility to notify the veterans of a new contractor, or will it be the responsibility of the new contractor to notify the veterans?

A63. Altoona VA schedulers will update the Veterans to the change in contractor.

Q64. Is a Pennsylvania PUC operator license required?

A64. PA PUC is not required.

Q65 Has the annual volume presented in this contract been consistent during the past 12 months?

A65 Each CLIN in the Price Schedule reflects the estimated 5-year volume. Historical volumes were taken into consideration.

Q66. What was the contract value during the past 12 months?

A66. The incumbent estimated 5-year value was awarded as $5,088,840.00.

Q67. Please clarify the following questions regarding the format of our proposal submission.

To ensure our proposal is submitted in the format intended, please clarify the following:

Should the technical response addressing the CLINs, PWS requirements, and applicable Government standards and regulations be submitted as a separate electronic file from the Price Proposal and Past Performance file? Should the required supporting documents listed under Section D (e.g., BAA, VAAR certifications, Appendix D, Tuberculosis Exposure Control Policy, SBA certifications, etc.) be submitted as an additional separate file? Based on the solicitation instructions, is the Government expecting offerors to submit: one file for the Price Proposal, one file for Past Performance, one file for the Technical/PWS Response, and one additional file containing required attachments and certifications?

In other words, should offerors expect to submit four separate electronic files in total?

A67. This solicitation utilizes a Performance Price Tradeoff methodology. Please refer to “E.1 ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS… Instructions to Offerors No Technical Proposal Required” for the full instructions to offerors. As communicated in Paragraph A: “The response shall consist of two (2) separately bound parts, Part I - Price Proposal, and Part II - Past Performance Information.” Additionally, refer to “E.10 FAR 52.212-2 EVALUATION— COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES” and “Addendum to FAR 52.212-2” for additional instructions.

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