Vendor Questions and Answers.docx

Vendor Questions and Answers (Solicitation 36C24726Q0843)

1. Under Factor C – Certifications, the solicitation states that the contractor shall have all licenses, permits, and certifications required by local and state authorities for the State of Alabama, while the place of performance and required NADL certification are identified as South Carolina. Can you please confirm whether the reference to Alabama is a typographical error and whether South Carolina is the intended state? The reference to Alabama is a typographical error. This factor has been edited under Factor C within the solicitation.

2. If a small business prime contractor proposes to perform the contract with a qualified dental laboratory subcontractor/teaming partner, may the dental laboratory partner's NADL certification and applicable licenses/certifications be used to satisfy Factor C? Yes

3. Please confirm whether this prime contractor/subcontractor structure is acceptable provided the prime contractor complies with FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, and all other requirements of the solicitation. Yes, this structure is acceptable IAW the mentioned FAR Part.

4. The solicitation states to have a certificate for the state of South Carolina; however, we are a California based dental Lab. Can we provide documentation for the state of California to meet this requirement? Yes, see updated Factor C information, also ensure that all other components of the solicitation and Statement of Work are fulfilled without exception.

5. Are out of state dental labs acceptable to respond to this solicitation? Yes, as long as requirements of the solicitation are met without exception.

6. Will the factors of evaluation be weighted between Price, Technical, Past Performance and Certification? The factors will not be weighted. Comparative Evaluation will be utilized IAW FAR 13.106-2(b)(3)

7. If the factors will be weighted, please provide the weighting system for Price, Technical, Past Performance and Certification. Factors will not be weighted.

8. Is there any way you can provide the Detailed Listing of items to be priced in an excel spreadsheet instead of embedded in this PDF File? The items listed in the price/cost schedule is the full extent of line item information that is available at this time. Additionally, line items have been included in a separate word document for ease of completion.

9. About how many dental patients are serviced this VAMC per year? Approximately 12,000

10. Is this a new Contract or is there an incumbent dental lab currently providing these dental lab services to the VAMC South Carolina? There is an incumbent contract as detailed below:

a. Contractor Name: BDL Studio & Supply, LLC

b. Contract Number: 36C24722C0019

11. For the restorations that require alloy for fabrication, are we to include that in the cost of the item or will alloy be priced separately? The included line items are the only separately priced actions/items.

12. Will metal occlusals/rest seats be required and if so, can they be added as a line item to be priced by the contractor? The included line items are the only separately priced actions/items. It is not recommended for the contractor to create new line items.

13. Please provide more information for line 0007 UNSPECIFIED PERIODONTAL PROC? There is no additional information at this time.

14. Will the VA be supplying the teeth for the dentures and partials? No

15. If the VA is not supplying the teeth, what type of teeth should be used for the dentures? portrait

16. Please provide more information on the type of custom abutment that should be priced for this line item: 0056 CUSTOM ABUTMENT. There is no additional information as thisa custom item, offeror should provide their best pricing at the time of quote submission.

17. Will the VA be providing the abutments? If so, what manufacturer of abutments are primarily used? No, VA will not provide abutment for implant CRN fabrication.

18. Please provide more information on this line item as HNOB is unclear. Line item 0058: High Noble Metal, Line item 0059: Full Cold Crown High Noble Metal

19. Are these high noble or noble restorations: noble and high noble as detailed within the specific line item.

20. Are the turnaround times as stated from the time the impression is received by the lab or from the time of pickup from the VA? Pickup

21. Who is responsible for the costs of shipping? contractor

22. Will digital impressions be sent or only traditional impressions by mail/courier? Both digital and traditional mail.

23. Just to confirm, the turnaround required for custom trays and Occlusal Night-guard, vacuuform oral appliances is 24 hours? Does that include time in transit? Yes

24. The SOW, Section 1, states the Contractor shall provide services "24 hours per day 7 days per week and holiday coverage." Section 1.A states the contractor shall furnish services "Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. local time," and Section 6.H defines a Working Day as Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. Please confirm which coverage requirement governs. This section has been updated to reflect a more accurate timeline expectation.

25. . Section 1 requires pickup "twice daily, once in the morning and once in the afternoon." Section 1.B.II requires "Once daily pickup and delivery Monday through Friday." Please confirm the required pickup frequency. This section has been updated

26. SOW Section 1 references a "Listing of Services (Attachment A)." Attachment A does not appear in the solicitation package. Please provide. This section has been updated. Mention of Attachment A was in error.

27. FAR 52.222-41 and 52.222-55 are incorporated, and 52.222-42 is included with the employee class and wage/fringe table left blank. No Service Contract Act Wage Determination is attached. Please provide the applicable Wage Determination, or confirm none applies to this requirement.

28. Given the same-day turnaround and twice-daily pickup requirements, does the Government anticipate that offerors will maintain a physical production presence within the Charleston service area, or is a local partner arrangement acceptable? A local partner arrangement is acceptable.

29. Please confirm whether the quantities in Section B.2 are estimates only, and whether the resulting contract includes any guaranteed minimum. There is no guaranteed minimum.

30. Are historical usage figures available for the prior contract period by CLIN, to support price realism? Not at this time.

31. Regarding Factor A, please confirm the number of past performance references requested and whether the Government prefers CPARS records, Contractor Performance Assessment references, or client point-of-contact information for independent verification. Offeror will submit as many references as they deemed necessary to fulfill the requirement. The Government will evaluate the submitted past performance references using their own internal methods. This information will not be provided at this time. Offeror will submit their past performance references thoroughly as outlined by Factor A in the solicitation.

32. For many of these services, the laboratory cost cannot always be established as one fixed amount because the final material cost may vary depending on the individual patient case. For example, alloy costs may vary based on the type and amount of metal required, while denture teeth, implant components, and certain attachments may also vary depending on what is prescribed for the specific case. Could you please clarify how the VA would like offerors to account for these variable, case-specific costs? The offeror is expected to account for their costs to the best of their knowledge with the information given within the solicitation. We can not offer pricing insight at this time.

33. For Item 0090, Custom Sleep Apnea Appliance. Is there a specific type of FDA cleared appliance you are requiring? Must be medical grade.

34. Are the quantities provided based on actual annual data or simply estimates? Estimates

35. Line item questions: Not all line items will be utilized on a daily basis.

36. For High Noble alloy prostheses (e.g., Line Items 0002, 0003, 0058, 0059, 0075, 0077, 0081, 0083), clarification is needed on whether the proposed firm-fixed unit price must fully absorb all precious metal/gold cost fluctuations over the 5-year contract term, or if separate precious metal market surcharges/adjustments will be permitted. Best price should be offered at the time of quote submission. Precious metal market surcharges/adjustments MAY be permitted with justification.

37. SOW Section 1 (p. 26) mandates "same day turnaround for all requested services" (specifically highlighting relines, repairs, and temporary partials), whereas Section A.I (p. 26) lists repairs, custom trays, and night guards under a 24-hour schedule. Clarification is needed on whether "same-day" requires same-calendar-day return (e.g., picked up at 8:00 AM and returned by 3:30 PM) or return within 24 business hours (next-business-day delivery). Within 24 business hours.