S06 - 36C24626Q0592 0002 QandA amended sched PWS.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 12

0002 07-31-2026

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 36C24626Q0592

X

X X

** HOUR & DATE for Receipt of Offers is EXTENDED to: 08-07-2026 12:00pm EDT

X 1

1. The purpose of this Amendment is to provide answers to vendor provided questions and additional updates to the Schedule and Performance Work Statement (PWS).

2. Questions and answers and an Amended Schedule and PWS section 4.9 are posted in the continuation pages of this document.

3. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

4. Amendment 0001 extended the initial quote date to no later than 8/7/2026 at 12:00 pm ET.

David E. Smith Contracting Officer

CONTINUATION PAGE

Questions & Answers

Question #1: The RFQ pricing sheet listed estimated transport volume by level of service.

How close are those figures to the historic actuals for the past two years?

Answer #1: The estimated transport volume is the average # of trips from September 2024 to present.

Question #2: What is the average distance of loaded miles based on previous years?

Answer #2: 19 miles per one-way trip.

Question #3: How many trips in previous years have been over 40 loaded miles?

Answer #3: 354 trips since September 2024 have been over 40 loaded miles. The average is 17 trips per month with an average mileage of 75.14 miles one way.

Per updated guidance from the VA National Office, included base mileage is being reduced to 25 miles from 40 miles for all transport levels. Current Loaded Mileage Outside Base Rate CLINs 0006/1006/2006 have been increased to show an estimated 28,000 miles (see attached Amended Schedule).

Question #4: Can you provide information about transport volume based on time of day?

Answer #4: Average per 1000 trips, 85% between 7am-7pm and 15% between 7pm- 7am.

Question #5: Would the government consider adding differentials cost to the pricing sheet or an economic price adjustment (EPA) mechanism for fuel and prevailing wage rates?

Answer #5: The solicitation incorporates FAR 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards—Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts). This clause provides a statutory price-adjustment mechanism tied to changes in the Department of Labor Wage Determination. FAR 52.222-43 satisfies the requirement to address wage-related adjustments for covered classifications under the Service Contract Labor Standards. While local market rates for EMTs and paramedics may exceed the Wage Determination minimums, contractors are responsible for proposing labor rates that reflect the actual wages they choose to pay in order to recruit and retain qualified staff in their operating region. The Wage Determination establishes the minimum legal threshold, not the prevailing commercial market rate, and the FAR does not require the Government to adjust firm-fixed prices based on local market wage competition.

Regarding fuel-cost volatility, the solicitation does not include an additional EPA clause for fuel. The decision to include or omit an EPA clause is at the discretion of the Contracting Officer (CO). For this procurement, the CO has determined that a fixed-price structure remains appropriate.

Offerors are expected to evaluate market conditions—including fuel and labor costs— when preparing their proposals. The solicitation provides sufficient information for offerors to develop competitive pricing that accounts for these factors.

For these reasons, the omission of additional EPA provisions is intentional, consistent with Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contracting principles, and fully within the CO’s authority.

This will be an FFP contract with a base year plus two one-year options.

Question #6: Can we apply for the bid even if we do not provide ALS services?

Answer #6: Quoters must respond as requested and be able to provide all services outlined in the Solicitation including Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ALS), and Critical Care Transport (CCT) to be considered.

Question #7: The solicitation mandates a 30-minute dispatch for unscheduled requests originating outside SVAHCS. The geographic footprint encompasses remote Community- Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and counties. Given the sheer mileage to these rural locations, achieving a 30-minute on-scene response time is physically unfeasible and introduces an immediate risk of failing Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) Standard SS1.

Answer #7: Solicitation section 4.5.1.9.4 - For transportation requests which do not have a pick-up at SVAHCS: The contractor may be required, if requested by the VA, to dispatch ambulances on short notice for transportation requests not scheduled in advance; for these transportation requests the contractor shall dispatch ambulances within thirty (30) minutes of receiving the order. There is no requirement to be on scene within 30 minutes for non-emergency requests.

Question #8: Would you consider increasing the contract maximum of $5,000,000.00 stated on page 5 of the solicitation?

Answer #8: We have reviewed the IDIQ maximum on page 5 and are increasing the IDIQ contract Maximum to $7,000,000.00 in B.2 Price/Cost Schedule (see attached Amended Schedule).

Question #9: Why is emergent response time now 30 minutes in the Performance Work Statement (PWS)?

Answer #9: The 30-minute emergent response time is now mandated by the VA National Office Performance Work Statement (PWS) template for ambulance services and standardized across all facilities.

Question #10: Why has the current 25-mile base mileage increased to 40 miles in the Solicitation?

Answer#10: Per recent guidance from the VA National Office, we are changing the included base rate mileage to 25 miles from 40 miles (see attached Amended Schedule).

Question #11: Can you provide a definition of "Emergent" BLS for purposes of this fee schedule? In addition, can you give exact numbers of these transports for any or all of the past three years?

Answer #11: We are amending the Solicitation to change the estimated quantity for non-emergent BLS (CLINs 0003/1003/2003) to 1788 and emergent BLS (CLINs 0004/1004/2004) to 12. The facility defers to clinicians for these requests, and emergent requests are almost always ALS emergent (see attached Amended Schedule).

Question #12: Are the estimated quantities in the Solicitation realistic and supported by current utilization?

Answer #12: Yes, see below.

a) CLINs 0001/1001/2001 and 0002/1002/2002: Our information from 12/10/2025 until now shows 64 completed ALS trips to date.

b) CLINs 0003/1003/2003 and 0004/1004/2004: The numbers were based upon historical quantities. However, the BLS non-emergent vs. emergent quantities have been adjusted as described above in answer #11 (see attached Amended Schedule).

c) CLIN 0006: No Show/Cancellation data from 12/10/2025 until now shows 80 No Shows/Cancellations to date. See also Answer #14 and attached Amended Schedule.

Question #13: There appears to be an ambiguity regarding CLIN 0008 and PWS Section

4.9.3 and 4.9.4 – Unloaded mileage.

Answer #13: Per guidance from the VA National Office, we are removing all references to unloaded mileage including deleting prior CLINs 0008/1008/2008 from the Schedule and deleting Sections 4.9.3. and 4.9.4. relating to unloaded mileage from the PWS (see attached Amended Schedule and Amended PWS section 4.9).

Question #14: Please clarify the discrepancy between the pricing methodology for CLIN 0006/1006/2006 – No Show/No Load/Cancellation BLS/ALS/CCT and PWS section

4.5.2.1.1 - No-show reimbursement shall be based upon the base rate for the type of service requested (Stretcher Transports during BLS, ALS, CCT) and the one-way mileage (Stretcher Transports during BLS, ALS, CCT) accrued enroute to the pick-up location at time of cancellation.

Answer #14: We are deleting prior CLINs 0006/1006/2006 – No Show/No Load/Cancellation BLS/ALS/CCT as reimbursement is addressed in section 4.5.2.1.1 of the PWS (see attached Amended Schedule).

Question #15: Please address inconsistent units used for CLINs 0009/1009/2009. 920 15-minute increments were used for CLIN 0009 and 230 hours for CLINs 1009/2009.

Answer #15: This has been corrected in the attached Amended Schedule.

Question #16: The prior solicitation’s flat-rate, one way service for distant destinations such as Durham VA and Richmond VA has been deleted, with no corresponding pricing mechanism identified for these trips under the new mileage-based structure.

Answer #16: As other network VAMC hospitals are not in close proximity, mileage reimbursement is appropriate as it exceeds the mileage included in the base rate. In addition, VetRide is a mileage-based reimbursement system. If the transport company has to take an alternate route that adds mileage, and the vendor requests modified payment, this creates an administrative burden for the vendor and the administrative team. Thus, there is no necessity to create two reimbursement pathways. All contract payments should utilize ONE reimbursement - mileage system as the preferred reimbursement. There is no additional benefit noted if a flat-rate trip is considered.

Question #17: Removal of Cath Lab Standby Service creates ambiguity inconsistent with VA policy.

Answer #17: We are unable to calculate this in VetRide as a Veteran receiving a Cath in an outpatient status is not necessarily eligible for beneficiary travel.

If the need becomes emergent then all Veterans in an outpatient status at the Salem VAMC would be eligible for transportation. In addition, the 30-minute emergent response time should meet the need for emergent transport from the Cath Lab.

Question #18: New requirements directed by VA Memorandum are not incorporated or priced in the Solicitation.

Answer #18: Any Government does not intend for the awarded contractor to perform out of contract scope transport. The solicitation’s PWS fully defines the required scope of ambulance services. The VA is not requiring the contractor to perform out of the PWS scope. Work outside the PWS is not being requested or directed.

B.2 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE – AMENDED

The Government shall order the below specified minimum contract value of services and may order up to and including the below specified maximum contract value of services through task orders under this basic IDIQ contract for all ordering periods. The maximum amount under this contract is not guaranteed.

IDIQ contract Minimum $10,000.00

IDIQ contract Maximum $7,000,000.00

Only warranted Contracting Officers from the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Network Contracting Office 6 may place task orders against the IDIQ contract.

AMBULANCE (Ground)

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES – PRICE SCHEDULE

BASE PERIOD: 09/15/2026 – 09/14/2027

NOTE: A price quote must be provided for all data elements shaded in YELLOW within this SCHEDULE OF SERVICES – PRICE SCHEDULE for any offeror to be determined technically acceptable for consideration for an award.

Line Item

Description of Services

12-Month Quantity

(Estimated Maximum)

Unit of Issue

Unit Price

Total Price

(Maximum

NTE)

Base Rate Transport

(Using Bing Maps) One-Way

Trip

0001 (A0426) Advanced Life Support (ALS), Non- Emergent Transport (base rate to include first 25 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

40 Maximum (One-Way

Trips)

Per Trip (One- Way)

0002 (A0427) Advanced Life Support, Emergent Transport, Level 1 (base rate to include first 25 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

Response time is 30 mins

150 Maximum (One-Way

Trips)

Per Trip

0003 (A0428) Basic Life Support (BLS), Non-Emergent Transport

1788 Maximum Per Trip

(base rate, to include first 25 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue

(One-Way Trips)

(One- Way)

0004 (A0429) Basic Life Support, Emergent Transport, (base rate, to include first 25 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue. Response time is 30 mins

12 Maximum (One-Way

Trips)

Per Trip

0005 (A0434) Critical Care Transport (CCT) (Upper-Level Care) (ALS Level 2) (base rate, to include first 25 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue. Response time is 30 mins

10 Maximum (One-Way

Trips)

Per Trip

0006 (A0425) Loaded Mileage Trip Outside the Base Rate BLS/ALS/CCT (26 miles or greater)

28,000 miles Price Per Mile

0007 (A0420) Wait Time BLS/ALS/CCT (more than 30 minutes shall be paid in 15-minute increments).

920 Quarter Hours (15-minute increments)

Per 15 minutes

0008 (ZZ004) Bariatric Fee (325 lbs.

or greater)

120 Per Trip (One Way)

Total Estimated Cost of Base Year: $____________________

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES – PRICE SCHEDULE

OPTION YEAR 1 PERIOD: 09/15/2027-09/14/2028

NOTE: A price quote must be provided for all data elements shaded in YELLOW within this SCHEDULE OF SERVICES – PRICE SCHEDULE for any offeror to be determined technically acceptable for consideration for an award.

12-Month Quantity

Unit of Issue

Unit Price

Total

Description of Services (Estimated Maximum)

(Maximu m NTE)

1001 (A0426) Advanced Life Support, Non- Emergent Transport, (base rate to include first 25 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

40 Maximum (One-Way

Trips)

Per Trip (One-Way)

1002 (A0427) Advanced Life Support, Emergent Transport, Level 1 (base rate to include first 25 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue. Response time is 30 mins

150 Maximum (One-Way

Trips)

1003 (A0428) Basic Life Support, Non- Emergent Transport (base rate, to include first 25 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue

1788 Maximum (One-Way

Trips)

1004 (A0429) Basic Life Support, include first 25 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue. Response time is 30 mins

12 Maximum (One-Way

Trips)

1005 (A0434) Critical Care Transport (Upper-Level Care) (ALS Level 2) base rate, to include first 25 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue. Response time is 30 mins

10 Maximum (One-Way

Trips)

1006 (A0425) Loaded Mileage Trip

BLS/ALS/CCT (26 miles or greater)

1007 (A0420) Wait Time BLS/ALS/CCT (more than 30 minutes shall be paid in 15-minute increments).

920 Quarter Hours (15-minute increments)

1008 (ZZ004) Bariatric Fee (325 lbs. or greater)

120 Per Trip

Total Estimated Cost of Option Year 1: $____________________

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES – PRICE SCHEDULE

OPTION YEAR 2 PERIOD: 09/15/2028-09/14/2029

NOTE: A price quote must be provided for all data elements shaded in YELLOW within this SCHEDULE OF SERVICES – PRICE SCHEDULE for any offeror to be determined technically acceptable for consideration for an award.

Description of Services

12-Month Quantity

(Estimated Maximum)

Unit of Issue

Unit

Total Price

(Maximu m NTE)

2001 (A0426) Advanced Life Support, Non- Emergent Transport (base rate to include first 25 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue.

40 Maximum (One-Way

Trips)

2002 (A0427) Advanced Life Support, Emergent Transport, Level 1 (base rate to include first 25 miles) One-way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue. Response time is 30 mins

150 Maximum (One-Way

Trips)

2003 (A0428) Basic Life Support, Non-include first 25 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue

1788 Maximum (One-Way

Trips)

2004 (A0429) Basic Life Support, 12 Maximum Per Trip include first 25 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue. Response time is 30 mins

(One-Way Trips)

2005 (A0434) Critical Care Transport (Upper-Level Care) (ALS Level 2) (base rate, to include first 25 miles) One-Way trip is equivalent to one each for the unit of issue. Response time is 30 mins

10 Maximum (One-Way

Trips)

2006 (A0425) Loaded Mileage Trip

BLS/ALS/CCT (26 miles or greater)

2007 (A0420) Wait Time BLS/ALS/CCT (more than 30 minutes shall be paid in 15-minute increments).

920 Quarter Hours (15-minute increments)

2008 (ZZ004) Bariatric Fee (325 lbs. or greater)

120 Maximum (One-Way

Trips)

Total Estimated Cost of Option Year 2: $____________________

Total Estimated Cost of Base and All Option Years: $____________________

B.3. PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS) – AMENDED

4.9 Invoicing

4.9.1. Each transport shall include thirty (30) minutes of wait time; the contractor may invoice for wait times in excess of this initial thirty (30) minutes. Wait time shall begin only once the contractor has both reached the pick-up address location and the appointment time has elapsed. All wait times shall be itemized and invoiced in fifteen (15) minute intervals. For partial fifteen (15) minute intervals, zero (0) to seven (7) minutes shall be rounded down to zero (0) minutes and eight (8) to fifteen

(15) minutes rounded up to fifteen (15) minutes.

4.9.2. When invoicing for mileage, the contractor shall round to the nearest mile. Mileage ending in .5 or higher shall be rounded up to the nearest mile. Mileage ending in .4 or lower shall be rounded down to the nearest mile. Payment for mileage to or from the point of care shall be limited to the VA’s calculation according to the VA’s Bing Maps API determination. Bing Maps API is optimized to determine mileage based on the shortest time of travel.

4.9.3. Upon notification of the contracting officer, the vendor must receive training and begin implementation of invoices via Vet Ride within 30 days versus VA Tungsten Network e-Invoicing network. Invoices must be submitted via the electronic HCFA 1500 in the VetRide Vendor Portal or other VA approved software. These invoices shall not include patient information, but shall include the following:

Contractor Name

Contract Number

Current Purchase Order Number

Date of service

Total amount invoiced including a summary of the total number of charges that align with the line items of this contract (i.e., total number of BLS Base Rate, total BLS Mileage incurred, etc.)

An itemized list of charges or services rendered that align with the line items of this contract (i.e., BLS Base Rate, BLS Mileage incurred, etc.)

4.9.4. Payment by VA under this contract to a provider of ground ambulance transportation services authorized under this contract extinguishes any and all liability on the part of the VA BENEFICIARY for that transportation service. UNDER NO

CIRCUMSTANCES ARE VA BENEFICIARIES, THIRD PARTY

INSURANCES, MEDICARE, OR MEDICAID TO BE BILLED FOR THE

SERVICES PERFORMED UNDER THIS CONTRACT.