36C24820Q0140-0002013.docx

1. .0Is there an incumbent for this contract/project? And if so, what was the awarded contract price?

GS-21F-188AA/VA248-15-F-0008 Bestway Services, Price will have to be through FOIA request.

2. According to the solicitation, the work hours stated regular hours except for late Wednesday (closed 7:00PM) and Saturday (8:00 AM to Noon), is this hour’s flexible base on the volume of activities each location. Can the hours be modified best suited by location?

Yes, the hours expected to be flexible to meet the changing needs of the healthcare system.

3. In the event of patience death (termination), is there any special requirement to sanitize the room i.e. protective gear like mask, suit etc.? What is the estimate number of occurrences i.e. estimated monthly?

Yes, for any isolation situations.

4. The RFQ stated size standard is smaller than the SBA size standard for that NAICS. As of today, the SBA states that small business size standard for 561210 is $41.5 million. Is the size standard $7.5M as the RFQ states, or $41.5M as the SBA shows?

The new SBA Size Standard is $41.5 Million.

5. If not new, has the requirements of the job changed at all?

To some extent (documentation of privacy awareness training, documentation of blood born pathogens training, not limit to what has already been stated, heighten attention to patient perception of cleanliness and timely response),

6. Page 68 of the RFQ states that the Contractor must provide a "detailed quote" under the Technical requirement. Is the contractor is required to submit a written description of its technical approach to accomplishing the PWS (how we will do the work), or are they referring to how much we will charge to perform the specification?

Yes, the perspective contractor needs to provide detailed description of how they are going to accomplish the task.

7. What is the normal close of business at all CBOCs other than Wednesday’s and Saturday’s as listed in the solicitation?

5:00pm

8. Are cleaning crews expected to be onsite from opening of CBOCs until close of business each day?

Current expectation is for a staff member to be present at all locations between 9:00a and noon.

9. Are there any site maps/floor plans available detailing how many bathrooms, offices, labs, operating/consultation rooms? ENGINEERING

10. Will the government provide a location or office for shift leaders at each location?

No

11. Would it be possible to visit all of the locations, starting today?

Yes, with the proper coordination with Contracting Office and scheduled with EMS staff.

Possible site visits with groups.

12. Is there any date available for site visits?

Coordinate with Contracting Office

13. Who is responsible for consumables (i.e., toilet tissue, hand towel, hand soap, and etc.)

EMS through Logistics will provide items.

14. Is there any location that required day porter services? If so, how many hours per day and how many days per week?

See # 8.

15. Paragraph 1.2 of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) appears to have a word or words missing: “These areas require the use of gloves, gowns, masks, and shoe covers provided by the…” Who is to provide the gloves, gowns, etc.? Please clarify.

EMS will provide employee personal protective equipment through Logistics

16. PWS 1.2.1 states “Proof of all required company or individual employee certifications throughout this contract shall be provided by the Contractor as part of the Contractor’s bid submission.” PWS 1.2 lists Executive Housekeeper and Shift Leaders as key personnel. For the purposes of the proposal, is proof of certifications required solely for the Executive Housekeeper? Please clarify.

No, all staff including Executive Housekeeper are required to complete training.

17. PWS 1.2 states that the Executive Housekeeper must have three years of experience. PWS 1.2.2.1 states the Executive Housekeeper must have a minimum of five years of experience: at least three years of verifiable hospital housekeeping experience and a minimum of two years of general housekeeping experience. Please clarify the experience requirements.

At least 5 years of healthcare housekeeping experience (1.2.2.1) is required.

18. Depending upon how the Government clarifies our question above, must the Executive Housekeeper also possess general housekeeping experience? For example, would a candidate with five years of hospital housekeeping experience (as opposed to a minimum of two years of general housekeeping experience and three years of hospital housekeeping experience) be considered to meet the qualification requirements? Please clarify.

Yes

19. Beginning on page 7 of 69, PWS 1.3, of the synopsis/solicitation, the acronym “PBWS” is used frequently throughout the remainder of the document. This acronym does not appear to be defined or described within the solicitation. By “PBWS,” does the Government mean “Performance Based Work Statement”? Please clarify.

YES

20. At PWS 2.2, there appears to be a word or words missing: “The Government will provide the following related services:” What related services will the Government provide? Please clarify.

Supplies will be provided and cubical curtains will be cleaned by the VA but contractor is responsible for removal and re-hanging of curtains.

21. PWS 1.4.5 states (emphasis added) “The Contractor shall submit an initial personnel roster to the COR immediately after award, for all personnel proposed to provide housekeeping services at each CBOC. This roster must include; name, date of birth, citizenship, passport number and work permit number if non-US citizen.” This is a requirement that only the incumbent could potentially be expected to fulfill, and also contradicts PWS 4.1.2, which requires the Personnel Roster no later than 30 calendar days from the date of award. Please clarify.

Discuss with contracting officer. Service (EMS) requires a contractor with full capabilities to execute contract expectations. Roster will be required 30 days from the date of award.

22. PWS 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.8.1, 4.9.3, and Technical Exhibit A all refer to “expanded [extended] clinic hours for the Bradenton CBOC, Pt. Charlotte CBOC, Naples CBOC and Sarasota CBOC. The clinics will remain open until 7:00pm on Wednesday nights and will be open from 8:00am to noon on Saturdays. Contractor shall provide continued housekeeping services to cover expanded clinic hours.” However, the regular clinic hours are not specified, only the expanded clinic hours, which indicate certain clinics remaining open on Wednesdays until 7:00 PM and Saturdays from 8:00 AM to noon. What are the regular opening and closing hours for the clinics? Please clarify.

Clinics open 8:00a – 5:00p

23. PWS 4.2.1 and 4.2.2 state that cleaning/housekeeping services are to be provided during normal working hours. Typically, periodic tasks such as carpet shampooing and stripping and waxing are performed during other than normal working hours to preclude disruption of staff and patients. Please clarify.

Tasks performed during work hours include but not limited to are cleaning of public restrooms, waiting areas, break rooms conference rooms, any urgent patient care needs.

24. Appendix E references JCAHO. Hasn’t JCAHO been replaced by The Joint Commission (TJC)? Please clarify.

Yes

25. Appendix E defines Key Personnel as the Executive Housekeeper, Shift Leaders, and Supervisors. PWS 1.2 defines Key Personnel as the Executive Housekeeper (PWS 1.2.2) and Shift Leader(s) (PWS 1.2.3). Please clarify.

PWS is correct, Executive Housekeeper and Shift Leader

26. B.2.b, page 30 of 69, of the synopsis/solicitation lists the Government point of contact as “Adam Speert, Bay Pines VA, david.hess2@va.gov.” The name provided differs from the name indicated for the e-mail. Would the Government please confirm and verify both the correct name and e-mail address?

David Hess is the CO for this action

27. Page 2 of 69 of the synopsis/solicitation states “Quotes shall be submitted via email to david.hess2@va.gov.” On page 66 of 69 of the solicitation, the “Instructions to Quoters” states (emphasis added) “Submit your company’s quote in writing and on paper to the address specified on page 1 of this Request for Quotes (RFQ) or via e-mail utilizing either PDF or Microsoft Word formats (8 Megabyte File Size Limitation).” Is a printed submission permissible? Or should the submission be electronic via e-mail, within the specified file size limits? Please clarify.

Preferred method is e-mail submission

28. Page 66 of 69 of the synopsis/solicitation, “Instructions to Quoters,” specifies an 8 Megabyte File Size Limitation for proposals. Will the Government please confirm that the technical, past performance, and price elements specified on page 68 of 69 are to be submitted together, as a single file?

You may send multiple e-mails if necessary so that

29. There are several blanks in Exhibit A, specifically: Sarasota is blank in regard to carpet and VCT; Bradenton is blank in regard to carpet and plank flooring; and Port Charlotte is blank in regard to VCT. Please clarify.

Sarasota CBOC has laminate flooring, Bradenton CBOC has laminate flooring and Port Charlotte has laminate flooring

30. Is the Lee County VA Clinic maintained under a separate contract?

No, not under contract

31. What is the anticipated length of the phase-in/transition period? (i.e., the period from date of award to first day of contract performance)

October 1 2019 seamless transition

32. Exhibit A does not indicate which locations are single story and which are multiple story. Please clarify.

Sarasota has two floors

33. Exhibit A does not indicate the number of restrooms, nor does it indicate the number of single occupancy restrooms or number of stalls in multiple-occupancy restrooms. Would the Government be able to provide this information?

Yes, through Engineering

34. PWS 2.5 specifies that the Government provides trash receptacle and trash can liners. Would the Government be able to indicate the number and type (e.g., office waste, medical waste, outdoor, etc.) of receptacles for each CBOC to be serviced under the proposed contract?

No, the number of receptacles could increase.

35. Section 1, paragraph 1.1.1, last sentence is incomplete. It states, “ These areas (isolation areas), require the use of gloves, gowns, masks, and shoe covers provided by the __________” . Could you please advise what the rest of the sentence should state?

Provided by Environmental Management Service

36. Please confirm there is only one work shift at each location and what the specific hours are for housekeeping services. “Normal working hours” and “business hours” are mentioned in the solicitation but not defined. (For example: one shift at each location working 8AM to 430 PM.)

Yes

37. Can the Executive Housekeeper also be one of the shift leads at one of the locations?

Yes

38. Will the Emergency Calls before the shift time stated in section 4.2.4 be reimbursable?

No

39. Section 4.30 requires an itemized list of all equipment. Can you define “all equipment” ? Does it include government provided equipment, contractor equipment, or both. Would vacuum cleaners, buckets, mops, towels and other non-consumables be considered equipment?

All tools, equipment and supplies will be provided by Environmental Management Service.

40. Does the proposed JV have to be registered in SAM/VETBIZ and certified or is our status as a certified SDVO SB with majority ownership of the JV satisfactory to submit an acceptable proposal?

Yes the Joint Venture must be registered in SAM.

41. According to the solicitation, the work hours stated regular hours except for late Wednesday (closed 7:00PM) and Saturday (8:00 AM to Noon), is this hour’s flexible base on the volume of activities each location. Can the hours be modified best suited by locations?

No, the hours reference here are the hours of operation of the CBOCs.

42. The Government provided two different wage determinations for this scope. Both cover Pinellas County, which includes the South Saint Petersburg and Palm Harbor Clinics. However, these wage determinations provide different rates of pay for the Janitor SCA labor category. Would the government please clarify which wage determination is applicable for Pinellas County?

43. The Government indicated that Wage Determination WD 15-4571 (Rev.-7) is applicable. However, in SAM the wage determination appears to be 2015-4571 Revision 9

Revision 9

44. The Naples Clinic appears to be in Collier County, which apparently has two different applicable SCA wage determinations 2015-4545 Revision 10 and 2015-4546 Revision 10. Will the government please indicate which wage determination is applicable for this county?

2015-4545 Revision 9

45. The Government indicates different types of cleaning areas. The Technical Exhibits do not indicate the square footage of each clinic for each type of area (e.g. Clinical versus administrative). Will the government please provide the square footage of each type of space on a per clinic basis?

Yes, through Engineering

46. Will the government please provide the square footage of glass to be cleaned IAW section 5.23.2

Blue prints can be provided upon request

47. Will the government please indicate the square footage at each clinic that has floor types that require buffing?

Blue prints can be provided upon request

48. The government requires the cleaning of bathrooms and various fixtures in said bathrooms. Will the government please provide the sqaure footage of bathrooms for each clinic?

Blue prints can be provided upon request

49. Per the RFP, the windows are to be cleaned monthly. Will the government please provide the square footage of glass at each clinic?

Blue prints can be provided upon request

50. Per the RFP, the carpets are to be deep cleaned annually. Will the government please provide the square footage of carpet at each clinic?

Blue prints can be provided upon request

51. Exhibit A specifies “Bradenton – 12,445 Sq. Ft. (plus 5300 SF of expansion).” Would the Government please clarify the following:

a. For the Bradenton CBOC, does the Contractor actually service 17,745 SF (12,445 SF + 5,300 SF)?

Eventually 17,745 SF

b. Is the expansion planned, in process, or completed/anticipated to be completed by the first day of contract performance?

Planned

c. If the expansion is planned or will still be in process on the first day of contract performance, will the Contractor be expected to perform post construction/renovation clean-up of the area once the expansion is completed?

The contractor will clean after the contractor using VA approved cleaning supplies.

d. If the Contractor will be expected to conduct clean-up once the expansion is completed, will the fee for that be negotiated separately?

No,

e. If the expansion is planned for the future, would the Government negotiate with the Contractor in regard to the price of including the additional square footage into the contract?

The incumbent will be given the opportunity to provide pricing for new square footage needed to be cleaned,