S05 Vendor Questions Final.pdf

Vendor Questions/Concerns for:

Trash Compactor / 36C24724Q0279 / Augusta, GA VA Medical Center

No information will be provided about the past or current contract.

1. Is there a separately published salient characteristics document as referenced in

Number (1) of General Requirements on page 5? No

2. If the answer to the first RFI is no, could you please provide details to numbers (4) and (5) of General Requirements on page 6? Cabinets and storage units are not an organic part of the waste compactor system. Reference to cabinetry and storage units are the compactors and control panels (if unit is not preassembled).

3. Is there a specific brand/manufacturer for the cabinets and storage units?

Marathon, Ramjet

4. Is there a model number desired for the cabinets and storage units? RJ-

250SC-34

5. What other specifics can you provide on the cabinets and storage units

(dimensions, materials, ets?) Dimensions are included for the compactors in solicitation.

6. Does the facility have forklifts capable of offloading the compactors? NO

7. Does the facility intend to keep the old compactors or have us haul them away? Haul them away.

8. To provide better installation price, can we get a picture of the current compactor site and area where the compactor will be offloaded. Attached

9. The bid calls for 2 compactors but the price schedule calls for 4. Please clarify the quantity. Qty is 4. 2UD and 2DD

10. How would you like your proposal submitted? Proposals are to be submitted per the directions in the RFQ and on the first page of the solicitation. The

RFQ must be completed with the “Price/Cost Scheduled” finished.

11. I am not sure what cabinets you are referring to. There is a small control panel, is that what you are referring to? There is a cabinet or panel on the VA side that provides power to this unit. Reference to cabinetry and storage units are the compactors and control panels (if unit is not preassembled).

12. I did not see any where that addressed our discount or credit for trade discounts for the old units. I plan to address at the bottom of the cost breakdown sheet and the credits and reflected in the grand total? Will that be acceptable. Yes, breakdown of any discount credit annotated and identified in the grand total is acceptable.

13. Statement of Work / Salient Characteristics (page 4 of 34). A requirement is listed for “Hydraulics Plumbed to Both Sides. Does this also require the electronics to be plumbed to both sides? Must have ability to be plumbed on both sides.

14. Statement of Work / Salient Characteristics (Page 4 of 34) and CLINs 0001 and

0003. There are multiple references for the Push Button Controls to be mounted on the panel box face, yet CLIN 0003 states the controls would be located on a 13’ satellite. Which is it? Are they to be mounted on the panel box face or 13’ satellite?

Push button controls are to be mounted on the 13’ satellite in lieu of panel box face if buttons cannot be mounted on panel.

15. Statement of Work / Salient Characteristics (Page 4 of 34) and CLINs 0001 and

0003. There are multiple references for 7’ hoses in the SOW and CLIN 0001 yet

CLIN 0005 requires 15’. Which length is required? Must have availability for both lengths as the two locations require separate lengths.

16. Statement of Work / Salient Characteristics (page 6 of 34). Section B.1, line k specifies “Continuous feeding capability – even while the compactor is operating.”

This can only be done with an open hopper that is ANSI and OSHA compliant.

That requirement is not listed here, will the SOW be updated to include this requirement? Hopper is open, however safety apparatus is present to meet

OSHA requirements.

17. Statement of Work / Salient Characteristics (page 6 of 34). B.3 specifies “on dock delivery”. Does this mean the compactor will be installed “On” the dock or

“In” the dock? Install is required into a covered area connected to dock area.

18. Statement of Work / Salient Characteristics (page 6 of 34). B.4 specifies

“install to include installation & assembly for cabinetry & storage unit”. Can the

Government expand on and provide more specific details as to what this means?

Cabinetry assembly refers to the compactor units if compactor unit does not come pre-assembled.

19. Statement of Work / Salient Characteristics (page 6 of 34). B.5 specifies

“Contractor shall provide a Spec Sheets for the cabinets and storage units with their proposal.” Please provide more details concerning what the “cabinets” and

“storage units” are. Cabinet and storage units refer to measurements of the compactor units.

20. B.2 Price/Cost Schedule. CLIN 0002 requests an interlock switch. However, since this requirement also specifies having an “open” hopper design there is nothing to “interlock”. Can the Government please specify this request? Interlock switch refers to the safety apparatus (gate), required to be shut before unit can be operated.

21. B.2 Price/Cost Schedule. CLIN 0004 specifies “Quick disconnects at mid container - SPECIFY LEFT HAND” however the SOW and CLIN 0001 specify

“hydraulics plumbed to both sides”. Which is it? Left hand is the preference, however flexibility to plumb from both sides is desired as one location left is optimal and at other location, right is optimal. However, both plumbed to left side is acceptable.

22. B.2 Price/Cost Schedule. CLIN 0001 specifies a QTY of 4. However, throughout the SOW and in other CLINs the required QTY seems to be 2. How many compactors are required, 2 or 4? Quantity of 4 (2 for each division/ campus).

23. B.2 Price/Cost Schedule. CLIN 0009 states “Rear Feed 3-sided hopper extended to both SIDES”. Is this unit dock fed or ground fed? Will these units be covered? If they are not covered, rainwater/snow will enter the waste stream and cause heavier loads, (costing the VA more money). This will also allow odors to more freely travel from the unit. Will the Government review alternative options for the setup of this compactor? Unit is dock fed. Yes, alternate options for set up may be considered.

24. B.2 Price/Cost Schedule. CLIN 0012 states “OnePlus Fullness Monitor with 1 year of monitoring”. OnePlus has not been in business for over 4 years. Is there an alternative monitoring system the Government requires for these compactors? If so, please list the manufacturer and model number for the required monitors and system. No alternate to monitoring will be considered.

25. B.2 Price/Cost Schedule. CLIN 0008 states “SC\S\2 Packer head option”. This is NOT an industry standard application and is proprietary to one specific vendor.

Since this does not promote a competitive bid environment and likely places undue cost on the VA, will the Government amend this to allow for more industry standard applications? Alternate options will not be considered as this option best meets the needs of the Gov.

26. A color-coded pressure gauge is not listed. This should be included to not only cross check fullness readings by the automatic monitor, but, to assist in trouble shooting service issues. This should be located next to the start / stop station......wherever that may be if on 15' line or on the panel box. Will the

Government add this to the requirement? No this will not be added to the requirement.

27. Nothing is stated about the hopper set up being ANSI & OSHA compliant.

This leaves self-interpretation to put the hopper work non-compliant and put the

VA as risk. Will this requirement be amended to the solicitation to ensure the VA is ANSI&OSHA compliant? Existing Safety apparatus is in place for appropriate OSHA compliance.

28. these units are fed from a dock, there should be an 18" piano hinge listed to bridge the gap between the dock and the compactor to avoid employees possibly falling off the dock while loading the compactor. Will this requirement be added to the solicitation? No, current platform is sufficient for the measurements for the compactor units to ensure employee safety.