QuestionsandAnswers.pdf

Dental Lab Services – Birmingham AL Vendor Questions & Answers

*The below are all of the questions and answers submitted by offerors as of 4/30/2026

1. Who is the current incumbent contractor performing dental lab services for the Birmingham VA Healthcare System under this or any predecessor contract? There is no currently operating contract for these services. The most recent incumbent contractor is Oral Arts Laboratory, Inc.

2. What is the award number of the predecessor contract? The predecessor contract number is 36C24720C0198.

3. We would like to coordinate the pickup of the casts referenced in the contract so that we can proceed with providing the required samples. Please let me know what information or steps are needed from my end to move this process forward. All instructions for coordinating the pickup and drop-off of the casts are detailed in the attachment entitled “Technical Samples”, that was included in the solicitation posting under solicitation number 36C24726Q0412 on SAM.gov.

NOTE: The “phases” of the solicitation have been shifted and the sample pick-ups will be coordinated AFTER completion of Phase I and notification from the contracting officer.

4. Since we are not inside the 2 hour window, does this disqualify us? There is a locality requirement documented on page 36 of the solicitation, anything outside of this range would be considered unacceptable.

5. How and when will offerors be notified to pick up the casts and other materials required for sample fabrication? The “technical samples” document has been modified and updated to include instruction as to how the casts will be picked up and dropped off.

6. Is in-person pickup and delivery at the Birmingham VA Medical Center mandatory, or are shipping/courier options permissible for either pickup and/or return of completed samples? In person pickup and drop-off are the only permissible means for performing the solicitation tasks at this time. There is no option for shipping/courier at this time.

7. Will pickup be coordinated individually with each offeror, or is there a designated pickup window applicable to all vendors? Pickup and drop-off will be coordinated as detailed in the “technical samples” document.

8. Does the 10-day turnaround period begin at the time of physical pickup, at notification, or at another defined point? This turnaround time has been modified and updated within the “Technical Samples” attachment. The technical samples will now be executed later in the solicitation process after completion of “Phase I”.

9. Should scheduling and coordination for pickup/delivery be arranged directly with the listed POC

- Sonni Woodbury (Dental Service Administrative Officer). If Yes, kindly provide the contact details for Sonni Woodbury. Yes, the contact information for Mr. Woodbury is detailed below as well as the newly added alternate POC, Mr. Jimmy Reed.

Attention: Dental Service Administrative Officer, Rm 2625 Birmingham VA Medical Center 700 South 19th Street Birmingham, Al. 35223

Primary POC: Sonni Woodbury Sonni.Woodbury@va.gov

(205) 933-8101, ext. 336466 (205)887-4917, mobile

Alternate POC: Jimmy Reed Jimmy.Reed3@va.gov 205-933-8101

10. In the event of scheduling conflicts or delays in pickup, will alternate arrangements or extensions be permitted? There are no options for alternate arrangements or extensions permitted at this time.

11. For the purposes of the technical sample evaluation, are offerors required to use traditional fabrication methods exclusively, or are digital workflows (e.g., scanning and CAD/CAM processes) acceptable provided the final deliverables meet the stated quality requirements? For the purposes of the technical sample evaluation, offerors may use digital fabrication to achieve final deliverables as long as they meet the stated quality requirements.

12. Will the deadline for sample submission be extended? The deadline for the technical samples have been shifted, originally the samples were due within 10 days of the solicitation being issued (4/20/2026), as detailed under Phase I of the original solicitation. However, the solicitation was inactivated for revision. As of today’s date, Phase I and Phase II have “swapped” and the technical samples are now due after completion of Phase I and detailed in the updated attachments. Offerors will be required to submit documentation IAW with the updated Phase I requirements, once evaluated, acceptable offerors will proceed to Phase II (technical samples).

13. Are you looking strictly for local labs? Can vendors propose a model where some items are fabricated by local labs and other items with longer lead times are fabricated outside of AL and shipped within the established TATs? Local labs are required to be within a 2-hour radius. There is no shipping option at this time.

14. Will you be issuing a new Price Schedule with specific line items & quantities? Not at this time.

mailto:Jimmy.Reed3@va.gov