Answered Questions.docx

RFI 1. Please provide the current contract number and contract value. 36C24719P0524 for $711,293.88

RFI 2. On page 5 of 76, A. GENERAL:, 2., the solicitation states that a turnkey service program for all sharps will be provided. Turnkey usually denotes technician services, but technician services are only called out on the pricing schedule for the 109 Bee Street location. Please confirm which locations require technician services. Sharps services are required only at the main facility.

RFI 3. Twice per week technician services at the 109 Bee Street location are called out on the pricing schedule under Item Number 0003. However, on page 6 of 76, e., it states Contractor will remove and replace existing sharps containers three times weekly. Please clarify how often a technician is to service the 109 Bee Street location and/or any other locations. Service is only at the main facility located at 109 Bee Street location. Service is currently twice weekly.

RFI 4. Please clarify what the technician’s scope of work would be.

1. Is technician only responsible for servicing reusable sharps or would they service other waste streams? Reusable sharps only.

1. Is the technician responsible for inspecting/correcting labeling or just for changing out full/expired reusable sharps containers and taking full containers to a centralized waste locker? We do not have labeling issues with the current type of sharps being used. Yes, replace and take to a centralized waste locker.

1. Would the technician service any occupied patient rooms? no

1. Is the technician a full-time position? This is up to the contractor. The technician does not have an office onsite at 109 bee street.

1. If the technician position is not a full-time position, what days/hours would the technician be expected to be on-site? Twice weekly for 8 hours each day. 16 hours weekly.

RFI 5. On page 7 of 76, E., the solicitation states, “The contractor is responsible for training medical center staff on the use, handling and care of reusable sharps containers”. Please confirm all training will be performed at the 109 Bee Street location. Training would be done by the contractor at their own location.

RFI 6. On the price schedule Item number 0003 asks for pricing for the pickup of reusable sharps at all locations. Item Number 0008 asks for pricing for the pickup of sharps containers at the optometry clinic. Please clarify why the pickup of sharps at the optometry clinic is not included under Item Number 0003. Most likely it was added as a mod. Does this location not use reusable sharps? They only use reusable sharps Does this location generate RMW? no

RFI 7. Item Number 0002 of the pricing schedule asks for per pound pricing for autoclave/incinerate waste. There is a large difference in price between these two methods of destruction. In order to provide the VA with the best pricing, could the VA replace Item Number 0002 with two separate Item Numbers; one asking for per pound pricing for an estimated amount of autoclave waste and the other for an estimated amount of incinerate waste? The contractor has always decided on which method of destruction is used and reported back to VA on the manifest as required by law. It is possible to separated, but the VA would have no estimate in this regard.

RFI 8. In the alternative, can the VA provide an estimate of how much of the estimated 150,000 pounds is autoclave waste? Contractor decides what is autoclaved and what is incinerated for RMW. All sharps are autoclaved.

RFI 9. Please confirm that the use of the word “contractor” in the solicitation refers to the prime contractor and the prime’s subcontractors. In other words, the VA understands that the SDVOSB prime contractor may subcontract various tasks as long as the SDVOSB meets the limitation on subcontracting requirement. Example - if the actual destruction of waste will be subcontracted, then the permits/licenses for a destruction/disposal facility that the prime contractor submits to the VA would be held in the subcontractor’s name. The Contract will be awarded to the contractor that submits the quote. We have no responsibility to or with the subcontractor. Therefore, all licenses and permits would need to be in the name of the contractor providing the quote.

1. How do we charge the outpatient facilities? By the box or by the pound? Same as the main facility. Provide a quote.

2. Will outpatient facilities use reusable sharps containers? yes

3. Do you want a price for reusable sharps containers picked up at outpatient facilities? They have been included in the price previously

4. Do we need to give different prices for different waste streams? RMW, Pathological Chemotherapy, Pharmaceutical? No. No pharmaceutical will be handled.

5. Can they send a picture of the current reusable sharps containers and what locking mechanism they are currently using? See attached catalog

6. Can the reusable sharps be secured with countertop locks in each room? Sharps are currently wall mounted.

1. The SOW also mentions a “turn key” program regarding Sharps services; however, it does not mention if the expectation is for vendors to provide service technicians for all facilities (including CBOC locations) or just the main facility? In most every case the CBOC locations due to low volume and low container counts are self-service by VA staff members as it is very expensive and cost prohibitive to have vendors provide technician services for the CBOC locations. Please advise. Sharps services are required only at the main facility.

· Can you please separate the RMW weight from the chemo/path/non-rcra pharmaceutical waste totals? This cannot be separated as chemo weight is combined with RMW weight o Incinerable waste is a higher cost than the RMW, so the price per pound to the VA will also vary. Can these please be two separate line items? That is fine

· Will there be a site visit offered, or may we stop by the facility to do a site walk prior to the due date? Once the contract is awarded, a site visit can take place.

· Does the facility have a sani-pak or autoclave on site? Will the VA be acquiring one during the span of this contract term? No. possibly.

· How many sharps techs are utilized presently? one o The RFQ states the sharps tech is on site 3 times a week:

§ How many hours per day? 8 hours

§ If we can provide the same quality of service in 2 days per week, could we make that change? No, we have a large amount of sharps and areas.

Pick up Dates are flexible, but will be consistent based on the agreed dates between the awarded contractor and COR.

Average number of containers so far in the current POP is 300 monthly.

Here are some estimated numbers based on last year.. some changes may have occurred since then such as adding additional containers or removing.

January, 23

February, 23

February, 23

March, 23

April, 23

May, 23

June, 23

July, 23

August, 23

September, 2023

VA Hinesville PCC

VA Savannah PCC

VA Compensation & Pension Cl

Myrtle Beach Annex-Off Market Comm

CRRC

VA Goose Creek Optometry Clin

October, 2023

VA Trident PCC

VA Hinesville PCC

VA Compensation & Pension Cl

Myrtle Beach Annex-Off Market Comm

CRRC

VA Goose Creek Optometry Clin

Myrtle Beach Annex

November, 2023

VA Trident PCC

VA Hinesville PCC

VA Compensation & Pension Cl

Myrtle Beach Annex-Off Market Comm

CRRC

VA Goose Creek Optometry Clin

Myrtle Beach Annex

December, 2023

VA Trident PCC

VA Compensation & Pension Cl

Myrtle Beach Annex-Off Market Comm

CRRC

VA Goose Creek Optometry Clin

Myrtle Beach Annex

Ralph Johnson VA 8-8gl Ralph Johnson VA 5-2gl Ralph Johnson VA 6-2gl Ralph Johnson VA 15-2gl Hinesville 1 8gl Trident 3 – 8gl Savannah 4 8gl Trident 9-4gl