36C24621Q0466 0002.docx

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) none Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 6 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton

VA

23667 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 6 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton

VA

23667 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C24621Q0466 04-09-2021

X X X

Wednesday, APRIL 14, 2021, 2:00PM EST.

The purpose of this amendment is to submit responses for questions submitted by potential offerors and extend solicitation until Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 2:00 PM, EST.

Leah Trossen Contracting Officer Questions from Vendor NEIE

1.1 Contractor shall provide all services and supplies to weigh, remove transport, incinerate, or microwave Medical Hazardous Waste

· There are no provisions for autoclave disposal of wastes. Is auto-claving acceptable?

Answer: RMW should be disposed of in accordance with local, state, and federal law. SOW shouldn’t expand existing contract since waste streams haven’t changed.

2.6 Outdated Drugs: Non-hazardous outdated drugs that must be incinerated due to federal and state regulations:

· We can’t receive pharmaceutical wastes w/o having a formulary review performed of the items in hand at each facility. Please confirm that the VA will provide formulary information so that an annual formulary would need to be done. There is a cost for that and it part of the waste acceptance policy. Is this something the VA would do?

Answer: Not aware of a formulary being on file or performed annually by the VA. Scope of work shouldn’t change from existing contract.

2.7 Sharps: Sharps that have been used in animal or human patient care and treatment or in medical and research laboratories, including hypodermic needles, syringes (with or without attached needle), Pasteur pipettes, scalpel blades, blood vials, test tubes, needles with attached tubing and culture dishes (regardless of presence of infectious agents). Also included are other types of broken or unbroken glassware such as slides and cover slips.

2.7.1 Sharps are handled by the SVAMC however the potential/risk of these in medical waste can occur. If this occurs contractor will dispose of Sharps in accordance with federal, state and local regulations.

· Need confirmation that the VA will provide individual sharps containers and will ensure that any/all sharps offered to NEIE MWS are in line with any applicable Federal, State or Local requirements – as well as with Waste Acceptance Policy

Answer: The VA purchases and disposes of sharps in sharps containers in accordance with local, state and federal law.

3.3 The contractor will ensure that the waste will be removed as scheduled with disregard to weather conditions, catastrophe, etc.

· NEIE Medical Waste Services shall not be responsible if its performance of this Agreement is interrupted or delayed by contingencies beyond its control, including, without limitation, acts of God, war, blockades, riots, explosion, strikes, lockouts or other labor or industrial disturbances, fires, accidents to equipment, injunctions or compliance with laws, regulations, guidelines or orders of any governmental body or instrumentality thereof (whether now existing or hereafter created). Please confirm that this section can be modified.

Answer: Contractor shall not be responsible for removing waste if the performance is interrupted or delayed by extreme weather conditions, catastrophes or contingencies beyond its control.

4.1 Heavy duty, clean, puncture resistant, leak resistant box with lids approximately 24” x 24” x 24” in size with waterproof, puncture proof, impermeable plastic liners. Liners will be a maximum of 6 mil thickness. The boxes will bear a 4-inch universal biomedical waste emblem that complies with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030. This must include all supplies required to secure the container for transportation. The VA Outpatient’s Clinic name and address must appear on the outside of each container. The contractor shall provide labels or other means to comply with requirements. Contractor will furnish all tape, tape dispensers and warning labels needed to comply with storing and packaging infectious waste, pathology waste and trace chemotherapy waste.

· Containers provided are NOT designed for nor do they allow for the disposal of loose/non-containerized sharps. Please ensure that the VA realizes that the TRANSPORTATION containers to be provided do NOT meet the OSHA requirement for the proper containment of sharps waste and that any/all sharps wastes offered to NEIE MWS are in closed/sealed containers that meet Federal, State or Local requirements. Such containers can then be placed into the transportation container. Please confirm

Answer: The VA purchases containers that are outlined in the VA purchase agreement and disposes of sharps in sharps containers properly as regulated by local, state and federal law.

· NEIE MWS will only provide labels or other markings to comply with DOT transportation of waste containers. Any required signage, labeling, etc. within a VA facility will not be managed by NEIE MWS. Please confirm.

Answer: The VA packages and labels RMW for transportation / disposal in accordance with local, state, and federal law.

1. A letter stating the contractor assumes all liability related to the waste disposal from the time the boxes of waste are removed and until the waste is destroyed.

· No company can or will accept either customer or generator liability, nor indemnify the customer or generator for any actions, events, etc. as a result of the negligence or intentional wrongful conduct of the Generator or its officers, directors, agents, servants, or employees in connection with the use or failure to use the equipment and services provided under this RFP. Please confirm.

Answer: RMW is packaged and labeled in accordance with local, state and federal law. Contrator will be held responsible if waste is discharged due to negligence or intentional wrongful conduct.

Questions from Earth Smart

1.1 Contractor shall provide all services and supplies to weigh, remove transport, incinerate or microwave Medical Hazardous Waste.

· There are no provisions for autoclave disposal of wastes. This would mean to incinerate all wastes under this RFP. Please confirm the VA preferred methods of disposal, as current practice is a mixture of autoclave and/or incineration.

Answer: RMW should be disposed of in accordance with local, state, and federal law. SOW shouldn’t expand existing contract since waste streams haven’t changed.

2.6 Outdated Drugs: Non-hazardous outdated drugs that must be incinerated due to federal and state regulations.

· CANNOT receive pharmaceutical wastes w/o having a formulary review performed of the items in hand at each facility. Please confirm that the VA will provide formulary information to Vendor and that there will be provision for an annual fee for formulary review. Please confirm that the VA will insert a provision for an annual formulary review.

Answer: Not aware of a formulary being on file or performed annually by the VA. Scope of work shouldn’t change from existing contract.

2.7 Sharps: Sharps that have been used in animal or human patient care and treatment or in medical and research laboratories, including hypodermic needles, syringes (with or without attached needle), Pasteur pipettes, scalpel blades, blood vials, test tubes, needles with attached tubing and culture dishes (regardless of presence of infectious agents). Also included are other types of broken or unbroken glassware such as slides and cover slips.

2.7.1 Sharps are handled by the SVAMC however the potential/risk of these in medical waste can occur. If this occurs contractor will dispose of Sharps in accordance with federal, state and local regulations.

· Will the VA provide individual sharps containers and will ensure that any/all sharps offered to Vendor are in line with any applicable Federal, State or Local requirements?

Answer: The VA purchases and disposes of sharps in sharps containers in accordance with local, state, and federal law.

3.3 The contractor will ensure that the waste will be removed as scheduled with disregard to weather conditions, catastrophe, etc.

· Can any Vendor be responsible of their performance of this Agreement if it is interrupted or delayed by contingencies beyond its control, including, without limitation, acts of God, war, blockades, riots, explosion, strikes, lockouts or other labor or industrial disturbances, fires, accidents to equipment, injunctions or compliance with laws, regulations, guidelines or orders of any governmental body or instrumentality thereof (whether now existing or hereafter created)? Please confirm that this section can be modified.

Answer: Contractor shall not be responsible for removing waste if the performance is interrupted or delayed due to extreme weather conditions (i.e. hurricanes/tornadoes etc.) contingencies beyond its control.

4.1 Heavy duty, clean, puncture resistant, leak resistant box with lids approximately 24” x 24” x 24” in size with waterproof, puncture proof, impermeable plastic liners. Liners will be a maximum of 6 mil thickness. The boxes will bear a 4-inch universal biomedical waste emblem that complies with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030. This must include all supplies required to secure the container for transportation. The VA Outpatient’s Clinic name and address must appear on the outside of each container. The contractor shall provide labels or other means to comply with requirements. Contractor will furnish all tape, tape dispensers and warning labels needed to comply with storing and packaging infectious waste, pathology waste and trace chemotherapy waste.

· These type of containers are NOT designed for nor do they allow for the disposal of loose/non-containerized sharps. Please ensure that the VA realizes that the TRANSPORTATION containers requested do NOT meet the OSHA requirement for the proper containment of sharps waste and that any/all sharps wastes offered are to be in closed/sealed containers that meet Federal, State or Local requirements. Such containers can then be placed into the proposed transportation container/box. Please confirm.

· The VA Outpatient’s Clinic name and address must appear on the outside of each container.

In addition, Vendor will only provided labels or other markings to comply with DOT transportation of waste containers. Any required signage, labeling, etc. within a VA facility will not be managed by Stericycle. Please confirm.

Answer: The VA purchases containers that are outlined in the VA purchase agreement and disposes of sharps in sharps containers properly as regulated by local, state and federal law.

A letter stating the contractor assumes all liability related to the waste disposal from the time the boxes of waste are removed and until the waste is destroyed.

· Vendor cannot accept either customer or generator liability, nor indemnify the customer or generator for any actions, events, etc. as a result of the negligence or intentional wrongful conduct of the Generator or its officers, directors, agents, servants, or employees in connection with the use or failure to use the equipment and services provided under this RFP.

Please confirm.

Answer: RMW is packaged and labeled in accordance with local, state, and federal law. Contractor shall be held responsible if waste is discharged due to negligence or intentional wrongful conduct.

· Can you please clarify if this solicitation is for dock-to-dock service where the vendor will pick-up the waste from the Bio-Hazardous storage room at each location or does a Vendor employee need to collect the waste throughout the medical facilities and bring to the Bio-Hazardous waste room prior to transporting off-site for treatment?

1) Answer: These are the collection points: W. G. Hefner Health Care System: 1601 Brenner Ave. Salisbury, NC 28144

2) Kernersville HCC: 1695 Kernersville Medical Parkway, Kernersville, NC 27284

3) Charlotte HCC: 3506 Tyvola Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208

4) Charlotte CBOC: 8601 University East Drive, Charlotte, NC 28213

Questions from CLC Services

1. Section 4 states

4.1 Heavy duty, clean, puncture resistant, leak resistant box with lids approximately 24” x 24” x 24” in size with waterproof, puncture proof, impermeable plastic liners. Liners will be a maximum of 6 mil thickness.

QUESTION: Is the VA referencing reusable containers? The size referenced is not an industry standard container. Additionally, the industry standard Biohazard bag is 1.2 mil. Why the maximum 6 mil bag requirement.

Answer: The VA purchases containers that are outlined in the VA purchase agreement and disposes of sharps in sharps containers properly as regulated by local, state and federal law.

1. Who is the current contractor?

Answer. NEIE Medical Waste Services, LLC

1. What is the current obligation number?

Answer: VA246-16-C-0051

1. Is there an opportunity for a site survey?

Answer: Unfortunately, due COVID-19 restrictions and timeline for new award, there’s not an opportunity for a site visit.

1. What container sizes are required for the Chemotherapy drugs and nonhazardous items

Answer: Heavy duty, clean, puncture resistant, leak resistant box with lids approximately 24” x 24” x 24” in size with waterproof, puncture proof, impermeable plastic liners. Liners will be a maximum of 6 mil thickness. The boxes will bear a 4-inch universal biomedical waste emblem that complies with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030. This must include all supplies required to secure the container for transportation. The VA Outpatient’s Clinic name and address must appear on the outside of each container. The contractor shall provide labels or other means to comply with requirements. Contractor will furnish all tape, tape dispensers and warning labels needed to comply with storing and packaging infectious waste, pathology waste and trace chemotherapy waste.

Questions from Dunlap Solutions

· P. 4 Price Schedule. Please explain why the Quantity for CLINS 0001, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004 is zero. What exactly do you want priced in these particular CLINS?

Answer: CLINS 0001, 1001, 2002, 3001 and 4001 is for the total cost per year.

· P. 11, 2.0. How will the waste in this section be presented for pickup? Will the facility do all of the packaging and labeling for transport, or is that the contractor’s responsibility?

Answer: Waste are packaged and are handled by the facility.

· P. 12, 2.7 and 2.7.1. Will the facility be providing the Sharps containers? This seems to be indicated by 2.7.1 but please confirm.

Answer: The VA purchases and disposes of sharps in sharps containers in accordance with local, state and federal law.

· P. 14, B.5 A. This states that working hours are 8:00a – 4:00p where elsewhere the close time is stated as 4:30p. Please confirm which is correct and if these hours apply to all locations.

· P. 35, Factor 1, 1. This requires licensing and bonding “as required by the State of Virginia for doing business as a contract security company”. Since the solicitation is for medical waste disposal in the state of NC, can this please be amended to reflect the location and work?

Answer: The working hours are from 8:00AM – 4:00 PM. Also, If Offeror intends to satisfy this requirement, Offeror must provide current authorization to offer required services in the State of North Carolina and/or Rowan County, NC and provide copies of all applicable permits and licenses, such as but not limited to disposal facility permit, waste, transportation licenses.

· Is there a current contract for the work being solicited?

· If so, please provide that awarded contract number or task order number (NOT the incumbent GSA contractor number).

· Please provide the name of the incumbent contractor and when the contract is ending.

· Please provide the annual contract amount.

· Is the level of effort being performed under the current contract fundamentally the same as what will be required to fulfill #36C24621Q0466?

· If not, please explain how the work will be different under this solicitation.

· How long does it take for the incumbent to perform the weekly service at the main facility?

Answer: The current Incumbent is NEIE Medical Services. Please review Contract#VA246- 16-P-4299 for information.

· P. 6, QASP. This table appears to be for solid waste removal and dumpsters rather than medical waste, can you please update the table to reflect the performance requirements for medical waste disposal?

Answer: The Title will read at time of award as Waste Medical Hazardous Treatment and Disposal

Questions from Golden

1. Page 13 states you will be disposing of nonhazardous outdated drugs. There is not a line item for this. Can you please create a CLIN for this item and specify the amount anticipated to be destroyed?

Answer: The VA disposes nonhazardous outdated drugs in accordance with local, state and federal law, no additional CLIN is required.

1. Page 4 of 55 section B.2 Price/Cost schedule: please provide clarification on Item number 0001 “FY21 Waste Medical Hazardous Disposal Service”. There are no details or specifics relating to this line item. Please clarify what waste stream this applies to? Will also need volume and frequency of pickups for each site for this waste stream.

Answer: CLINS 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001 AND 4001 are for the base and option years for the total cost per year.

1. Please confirm the primary transportation units used are “cardboard medical waste boxes” for all sites or is it a red hard molded plastic reusable transportation unit? If so please provide size or picture of current container.

Answer: Heavy duty, clean, puncture resistant, leak resistant box with lids approximately 24” x 24” x 24” in size with waterproof, puncture proof, impermeable plastic liners. Liners will be a maximum of 6 mil thickness. The boxes will bear a 4-inch universal biomedical waste emblem that complies with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1030. This must include all supplies required to secure the container for transportation. The VA Outpatient’s Clinic name and address must appear on the outside of each container. The contractor shall provide labels or other means to comply with requirements. Contractor will furnish all tape, tape dispensers and warning labels needed to comply with storing and packaging infectious waste, pathology waste and trace chemotherapy waste.

1. Page 13 of 55 section 2.7.1. Please provide clarification on “sharps are handled by SVAMC however the potential/risk of these in medical waste can occur”. Are the sites using “reusable sharps containers”? If so do not see that indicated on RFQ and will need the volume of the number of units picked up per site, frequency and what size sharps containers are used at each site please. Or are the sites using single use disposal sharps containers? If the sharps are handled by SVAMC-then where are they going for final treatment/disposal?

Answer: The VA purchases and disposes of sharps in sharps containers in accordance with local, state and federal law.