36C24526Q0097 _ VISN DC_MD Only Solid Waste BPA Q_A - v1.pdf

Item # Question Response

1 Please further explain the agencies' scheduled tiered evaluation criteria. Will the evaluation be based first on the technical and pricing submissions, then on the socio-economic set-aside? Section E states that the evaluation is based solely on pricing.

For example, will the award be made to the lowest-priced SDVOSB and or VOSB offeror?

A technical submission is required, and according to the SOW, the focus is on awarding to a contractor with the technical expertise. I am confused about the evaluation criteria that rely solely on pricing when a technical submission is required. The agency must also confirm that the awarded offeror will perform 50% of the necessary services. Which will take precedence? Technical, pricing, or socio-economic status?

For small businesses, the time and resources devoted to preparing a submission are significant. If these submissions are not reviewed, it diminishes the value of participation.

This will be awarded in accordance with RFO FAR 12.201-1(e)(3), to the best valued quote based on comparative evaluations, not price only. The tiered evaluation details can be reviewd at https://www.acquisition.gov/vaar/819.7010-tiered-set-aside-evaluation. Our decision to utilize this evaluation approach is based on thorough market research.

The following is copied directly from E.8 Supplemental Instructions to Quoters with regard to the evaluation approach:

"This Request for Quote (RFQ) is issued under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) FAR Part 12. The RFQ is structured as a Tiered Evaluation, including Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) (Tier 1), Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) (Tier 2), and Small Businesses (SB) (Tier 3) in accordance with VAAR 819.7010. Quotations from non-SDVOSB/VOSB small businesses may only be considered if fewer than two responsible quotations are received from SDVOSBs and VOSBs.

All eligible business types—SDVOSBs, VOSBs, and SBs—must submit their quotes by the original solicitation due date reflected in Block 8 of the SF 1449 (Page 1 of the RFQ), or the date which is reflected in any RFQ amendment which extends the due date. A notice will be issued to all qualifying quoters when moving into a new tier; however, businesses will not be granted additional submission opportunities when transitioning to lower-level tiers.

Comparative evaluations of Technical, Past Performance, and Price will be conducted in accordance with the procedures outlined in FAR 12.203. The resultant award will be a Single Award Firm Fixed Unit Price Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for one base year plus four option years, in accordance with RFO FAR 12.201-1(e)(3), to the best valued quote based on comparative evaluations. The Government reserves the right to award the BPA based on the initial quote without further discussions."

2 SOW – Page 4, section A – third paragraph states that the requirement under this contract is broad and diverse and requires an integrated approach to performing this contract.

Under the established evaluation criteria, the technical submission is not evaluated. How will the government determine whether the offeror provides the required services?

As stated within section E.8 of the RFQ, comparative evaluations will be conducted IAW RFO FAR 12.203, which can be researched at https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-12#FAR_12_203

3 In your Excel pricing worksheet, what does the column labeled “Base Yr SLIN Total” represent? What total needs to go here? What does “SLIN” represent?

SLIN = Sub-Line Item Number. A CLIN (Contract Line Item Number) is the primary identifier for a product or service, while a SLIN (Sub-Line Item Number) breaks down a CLIN into more detailed components like specific deliverables, performance metrics, or funding elements, offering greater granularity for tracking and accounting within a contract. "Base Yr SLIN Total" is the calculation of the requested quantity of the item/service detailed in the SLIN and the unit pricing for that item/service which is ultimately combined for the primary CLIN total. The provided sheet will autocalculate based on unit pricing input.

4 Are there any age limits required on the containers the contractor needs to provide on this contract? For example, do all containers need to be new at the start of the contract?

All replacement containers should be new. For current containers, they should be good condition and suitable for continued service. Refer to SOW B.1.e and B.2.g.

5 Does the agency see any concern about how the SDVOSB/VOSB offeror will meet the requirements of “Limitations on Subcontracting” on this contract when collection, transportation, and disposal are significant requirements on this contract?

No, based on the thorough market research which was conducted including a virtual industry day and vendor survey, both of which were publicized on SAM.gov via Notice ID 36C24526Q0024.

6 In an annual waste audit, what is the government looking for? Is the COR requesting a detailed waste characterization report for all locations? Or only for the larger facilities such as the VAMC’s?

Pending Response

7 Please confirm that all containers required for all locations under this contract are started on SOW pages 6-7? Are all containers required under this contract, contractor-provided?

Are there any other containers that need to be provided that are not listed in the SOW?

Pending Response

8 At Loch Raven VAMC, how are the pallets currently stored? There is no request for open-tops for this location.

Pending Response

9 Is there a specific reason at two of the locations (Eastern Baltimore County CBOC and Fisher House VAMC) for the use of rear-load containers? Can we substitute them with front-load containers?

Pending Response

10 At Fisher House VAMC, please confirm what type of wax is stored inside the 30-gallon drums?

Pending Response

11 At some of the CBOC’s there are requirements to provide internal collection containers for recycling. Who will be responsible to provide the interior collection services, as no labor services are indicated?

Pending Response

12 At Baltimore and Washington DC VAMC’s are the balers for cardboard collection? How is baled cardboard stored until collection?

Pending Response

13 At Washington VAMC, SOW Page 9 section vi - #5, there is a requirement for the contractor to bring pallets from the floors to the warehouse to the central collection area.

What is the number of pallets the contractor must move daily? Does the contractor have to provide a truck or cart to move around?

Pending Response

14 At Washington VAMC, what size cardboard compactor is required? Could you share a photo of the unit so we can see the customization needed?

Pending Response

15 At Baltimore VAMC, what are the daily hours required for labor services? Pending Response

16 Is a contract Project Manager resume required to be submitted with the quote submission or at award?

E.8.1.a)ii) states that proof of qualified personnel necessary to fulfill the requirements must be provided.

17 SOW – states the contractor is required to provide additional containers for special events, etc. At any VA location, is there space for the contractor to store additional containers and equipment for emergency services?

Pending Response

18 Under container requirements, can you please provide the following:

a. What type of compactor is required at Baltimore, Loch Raven, and Washington VAMCs?

Please provide current photos of the compactors you have on-site. Do the contractor need to provide the power units, voltage required, and compactor specifications.

b. Does the contractor need to provide decals on each of the containers? What decals are required for each container type – front-load, open-tops, and compactors?

Pending Response

19 Can the government provide historical data on special event requirements for the last year? How many events and what type of containers were historically requested?

Pending Response

20 Who is your current waste collection contractor? Is the current scope of work in this RFQ similar to what they are currently providing? If not, what are the government's requirements and expectations under the new contract?

This Single Award BPA for Municipal Solid Waste and Recycling services, specifically for VAMCs and associated CBOCs in DC and MD, represents a new waste management contracting strategy for the VISN. The current estimated requirements are outlined in the CLIN/SLIN quantities, with precise details to be finalized at the order level.

21 Can you provide historical special collection requests at all of the CBOC’s last year? Pending Response

22 Can you provide total tonnage data for each of the CBOC’s from last year? Pending Response

23 Does any of the VAMC requires contractor-provided vehicles for collection within the buildings and transferring to the central collection areas?

Pending Response

24 Who is the current contractor providing services to VISN 5 (MD and DC) locations? Can you please provide the current contract number?

This Single Award BPA for Municipal Solid Waste and Recycling services, specifically for VAMCs and associated CBOCs in DC and MD, represents a new waste management contracting strategy for the VISN.

25 The disposal rates change annually at most of the disposal sites. Can a contractor submit a request for a price adjustment for a rate increase?

Quotes are expected to include forecasted pricing to account for inflation and other historically foreseeable factors. Any additional unforeseen issues will be addressed collaboratively by the contracting officer and the contractor during the performance periods, in accordance with relevant policies and laws.

26 On-Site Labor Requirements

a. Can you confirm which specific facilities require on-site labor support versus locations that are limited to container servicing only?

b. For locations requiring labor, are there defined days/hours of coverage, or is staffing expected to be flexible based on operational demand?

Pending Response

27 2. Incumbent & Historical Performance Data; If permissible, can you share any high-level information regarding the current or prior incumbent(s), including:

a. General service model used (self-performed vs. subcontracted),

b. Approximate staffing approach (on-site labor vs. haul-only),

c. Historical volume ranges or service intensity by facility?

Pending Response

28 Volume & Container Assumptions

a. While estimated volumes and container types are provided in the SOW, can you confirm whether those figures reflect current operational usage or represent planning estimates?

b. Should offerors assume that all listed container types and frequencies will be exercised at contract start, or will some be phased in via task orders?

The amounts included in the SOW and other estimated quantities are the current planning estimates and precise details will be finalized at the order level.

29 Evaluation Emphasis; Beyond price, are there specific performance or operational factors (e.g., staffing model, recycling diversion capability, responsiveness, reporting methodology) that will weigh more heavily during evaluation under Section E.8?

Reference E.8 in its entirety for additional details on evaluation and expectations of vednor responses to the RFQ.

30 Do you want us to price the line items with 0 as the quantity? Yes, only unit pricing as stated in E.8.2)e)

31 What does NSP mean? NSP=Not Separately Priced. When applicable, the total cost of the respective CLIN is the sum of its associated SLIN totals.

32 We noticed that no site visit for this requirement is listed in the RFQ documents. Given that an effort of this magnitude requires eyes on each site to fully understand the requirement, develop accurate assumptions, and facilitate an effective response, would the VA consider permitting small businesses to perform a site visit in advance of the due date? If so, we respectfully request the VA extend the Q&A deadline to allow contractors to submit questions that may arise during the site visit.

Site visit can be facilitated on 9JAN26 in the morning at the Washington, DC VAMC (11:00AM) and in the afternoon at the Baltimore VAMC (2:30PM). Email the CO, darren.morris2@va.gov, and the COR, eric.winans@va.gov, NLT 1000 8JAN2026 to RSVP with names, titles, and contact info for all attendees to receive POC information for each facility.

Subject of email should read 36C24526Q0097 Site Visit RSVP/Company Name.

Also, the Q&A Deadline can be extended to close 12JAN2026 at 2:00PM.

33 **More to follow upon closing of new question window** v1 01/06/2026

36C24526Q0097 QUESTIONS

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