Responses to Vendor Questions.pdf

36C24821Q0295 – AMENDMENT 0003

RESPONSES TO VENDOR QUESTIONS

Q1 - Will the Government allow a Joint Venture to be proposed with past performance in the name of the managing members versus the Joint Ventures?

A1 - The Government is allowing Joint Ventures. All entities within the Joint Venture should have their attributed past performance assigned to their company. You may not use the past performance of another company even if you are partnered with them.

Q2 - Since this is an SCA, can the government please provide the mandatory occupational code and title?

A2 - Applicable wage rates were posted as part of amendment 0002 to the solicitation. Further wage determinations questions should be directed to the Department of Labor.

Q3 - Section E- Solicitation Provisions, Volume 3- Certifications "The quoter shall submit all certifications to perform the work specified in the PWS".

Can the government please clarify, are resumes and certifications required to be submitted as part of the proposal? If so, how many?

A3 - Resumes and certifications (CRCST, IAHCSMM) are required, fifteen is the preferred amount.

Q4 - I have reviewed the subject Solicitation and would like to submit a question regarding the Limits on

Subcontracting Self Verification on page 20.

There is not an option for a SDVOSB company to subcontract to a small business (or any business) that is not a Small SDVOSB firm. The VA issued a class deviation on July 25, 2016, which among other things, adopted the SBA limitation of subcontracting requirements at 13 C.F.R. 125.6. VA Class Deviation (July 25, 2016) Now the VA and SBA limitation on subcontracting rules are the same, which are fully cited below. Now, in the case of a contract for services (except construction), the Prime Contractor will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not similarly situated. Any work that a similarly situated subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 50% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. This would allow firms that are not SDVOSB to be considered as a subcontractor.

Would you consider adding an option that includes the use of not similarly situated (non SDVOSB) teaming partners?

A4 - 50% of the total contract value must remain with the SDVOSB prime contractor or similarly situated subcontractor. Beyond that requirement, you may subcontract with any entity if they are registered in SAM.

Q5 - Can the Government please provide an estimated breakdown of how many FTEs are required for each of the specific locations noted in the PWS?

A5 - It is based need at the time the majority will be in Gainesville. Current break down is 13 Gainesville 1

Lake City 1 Tallahassee.

Q6 - In regards to the subject solicitation for 15 Supply Technicians, is there an incumbent company currently performing these services? If so, can you please provide the name of the company and the contract number that services are being provided under?

A6 - Vesa Health and Technology is the current vendor. The current contract number is VA248-16-C-0074.

Q7 - How many current contract staff have been working on station without a break in service for 3 or more years (necessary to ensure proper bid with regards to WD vacation time)?

A7 - 1 Employee

Q8 - Can you provide information with regards number of contract staff currently at each location?

A8 - It is based on need. At the time the majority will be in Gainesville. Current break down is 13 Gainesville

1 Lake City 1 Tallahassee.

Q9 - What certifications is the document referring to under section 7?

A9 - International Association of Healthcare Central Service Materiel Management, Certifying Board of

Surgical Processing and Distribution, Certified Registered Central Service Technician, and Certified Surgical

Technologist’s

Q10 - Under Section 7 it is referring to Surgical Technologists. Is this bid for Sterile Medical Supply Techs or Surgical Technologists?

A10 - The requirement is for Medical Supply Technicians with Certified Surgical Technologist being a suitable substitute.

Q11 - Is there an incumbent currently performing? If so, what are the anniversary dates of the current staff.

A11 - Vesa Health and Technology is the current vendor. The Anniversary dates are as follows:

• 03/23/2020

• 01/21/2021

• 12/06/2018

• 01/15/2019

• 02/13/2017

• 10/23/2019

Q12 - Clarification: Are you looking for a MST who is also a CST or has CST training/certification? CST is only mentioned in this paragraph.

A12 - The requirement is for Medical Supply Technicians with Certified Surgical Technologist being a suitable substitute.

Q13 - Clarification: Do you have a breakdown of MST's needed at each location above (out of 15 FTE)?

A13 - It is based need at the time the majority will be in Gainesville. Current break down is 13 Gainesville

1 Lake City 1 Tallahassee.

Q14 - Can you give the total FTE requirement for each location listed in this section?

A14 - It is based need at the time the majority will be in Gainesville. Current break down is 13 Gainesville

1 Lake City 1 Tallahassee.

Q15 - The hour listed state that “occasional weekends” are required. In the case where weekend shifts are required is the contractor expected to pay overtime or is it expected that the contractor will rotate the personnel so as not occur OT hours.

A16 - Rotate personnel so as not to occur OT hours.

Q17 - If OT hours are expected to be incurred. What is the historical OT usage for each location?

A17 - No OT has occurred.

Q18 - The Price/Cost Schedule is for a total of FTEs. Does the 15 FTEs in this requirement include supervisors?

A18 – No, supervisors are not required.

Q19 - What are the Government furnished items and the contractor furnished item to supplied in this

RFQ?

A19 - Currently no requirements from contractor in the past we had a Steel toe shoe requirement that contractor provided. The government furnishes scrubs and personal protective equipment etc…

Q20 - Can all applicable Wage Determinations be posted?

A20 - Applicable wage rates were posted as part of amendment 0002 to the solicitation

Q21 - For the list Wage Determination there is not an occupation code for Medical Supply Technicians or

Sterile Supply Technicians. What is correct occupation code that is to be used for the RFQ?

A20 - Applicable wage rates were posted as part of amendment 0002 to the solicitation. Further wage determinations questions should be directed to the Department of Labor.

Q22 - In reference to "Medical Supply Technicians - Solicitation Number 36C24821Q0295" what equipment/tools will the contractor be responsible for providing under the contract? Referenced below on page 5 of the solicitation. 2.0. SCOPE 2.1. The Contractor must provide all labor, equipment, tools, material, supervision and other items and services necessary to perform the work as defined in this

Performance Work Statement.

A22 – Currently there are no requirements for the contractor. In the past we had a Steel toe shoe requirement that contractor provided. The government furnishes scrubs and personal protective equipment, etc.

Q23 - Section E - Solicitation Provisions, Volume 2 – Past Performance, Item (1) (page 22) reads “three (3) relevant prime contracts or subcontracts that the quoter is currently performing or has completed during the last three (3) years.” Our subcontractor brings the bulk of our team’s directly relevant experience.

Would it be possible to use subcontractor experience for this past performance factor? Barring that, would you accept experience from our personnel but with a previous company?

A23 - Yes, subcontractor past performance is acceptable. Any experience from personnel that occurred with a previous company is acceptable as long as the individual is currently employed with your company.

Q24 - On Page 5, the Government states, “The Contractor must provide all labor, equipment, tools, material, supervision and other items and services necessary to perform the work as defined in this

Performance Work Statement.” Will the Government clarify if the Contractor must provide equipment, tools, and materials?

A24 - Currently no requirements from contractor in the past we had a Steel toe shoe requirement that contractor provided. The government furnishes scrubs and personal protective equipment etc…

Q25 - On Page 21, the Government states, “Quoters shall provide information on their Past Performance

Record related to Medical Supply Technician services. Past performance not related will not be evaluated.

This information is used in determining the level of confidence the Government has for a successful performance based upon the quoters actions under previously awarded, relevant contracts,” will the

Government define how relevancy will be evaluated? For example, is relevancy defined as scope, magnitude and complexity?

A25 - Past performance information is relevant information regarding a contractor’s actions under previously awarded contracts. For this requirement relevant Past Performance will be evaluated as:

• The contractor’s record of conforming to specifications and to standards of good workmanship.

• The contractor’s record of containing and forecasting costs on any previously performed cost reimbursable contracts.

• The contractor’s adherence to contract schedules, including the administrative aspects of performance.

• The contractor’s history for reasonable and cooperative behavior and commitment to customer satisfaction.

• The contractor’s business-like concern for the interest of the customer.

The Government is not explicitly looking for Past Performance that directly mirrors the Performance Work

Statement (PWS) but does demonstrate the capability to perform similar types of services. For this requirement the Government would like potential vendors to show past performance that does demonstrate the capability to perform moderately complex actions that includes staffing.

Non relevant past performance will be given a neutral rating.

Q26 - By relevant, is the Government specifically looking for past performance that mirrors the

Performance Work Statement (PWS)?

A26 - The Government is not explicitly looking for Past Performance that directly mirrors the Performance

Work Statement (PWS) but does demonstrate the capability to perform similar types of services.

Q27 - PWS Paragraph 4.1 describes the requirement as, “Medical Supply Technicians;” however, in PWS

Paragraph 7.7.5, the requirement is for Certified Surgical Technologists (CSTs). Please clarify, is the requirement is for Medical Supply Technicians certified as CSTs?

A27 - The requirement is for Medical Supply Technicians with Certified Surgical Technologist being a suitable substitute.

Q28 - Page 10, PWS Paragraph 10.0, PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND QUALITY MEASUREMENT, 1.0

Technical Compliance, the standard states, “Adherence to Path & Lab Medicine Service protocols and other clinical informatics protocols.” Is pathology and laboratory medicine service correct? In other words, as this is for Medical Supply Technicians for work within the Sterile Processing Department, should not the standard reflect the protocols for performing within the Sterile Processing Department instead?

A28 - Please See the updated PWS with corrected terminology.

Q29 - Page 22, FAR Addendum 52.212-1, Volume 3-Certifications, states, “The quoter shall submit all certifications to perform the work specified in the PWS.” Exactly which certifications is the Government seeking specifically?

A29 - Resumes and certifications (CRCST,IAHCSMM) are required fifteen is the preferred amount.

Q30 - Page 22, FAR Addendum 52.212-1, Volume 3-Certifications, states, “The quoter shall submit all certifications to perform the work specified in the PWS.” Will the Government accept certifications from a pool of eight (8) candidates for evaluation in lieu of the full fifteen (15)?

A30 - Contractor must provide certifications for all employees they are providing. Each employee must have the required certifications to perform the work outlined in the PWS.

Q31 - Would the government provide a breakdown of how many medical supply technicians the VA desires at each location and per shift? Since multiple locations are served and each has a unique Wage

Determination, this is important for cost buildup.

A31 - It is based need at the time the majority will be in Gainesville. Current break down is 13-Gainesville, 1 -Lake City, 1-Tallahassee.

Q32 - Is weekend work anticipated at each location?

A32 - All shifts are M-F occasional weekends refer to possible training requirements only offered on weekends. We have never had more than one a year.

Q33 - For some locations, it is unclear if 0700-1530 and 0800-430 shift, respectively, refers to the M-F shift or the weekend shift. Would the government please clarify?

A33 - All shifts are M-F occasional weekends refer to possible training requirements only offered on weekends. We have never had more than one a year.

Q34 - Will the government confirm this will be a firm fixed price contract and not a time and materials/labor hour contract?

A34 - This will be awarded as a Firm Fixed Price Contract.

Q35 - We noticed the SCA WDs applicable do Not list MSTs as a labor category. For the sake of levelling the playing field among offerors, would the government advise which SCA labor category applies?

A35 - Applicable wage rates were posted as part of amendment 0002 to the solicitation

Q36 - Are Past Performance Questionnaires being requested, and if so, will there be an official Past

Performance Questionnaire template released for this solicitation?

A36 - No

Q37 - Are there any font size/type requirements?

A37 - No

Q38 - Are there any page limitations for the three volumes requested?

A38 - No

Q39 - There is not an option for a SDVOSB company to subcontract to a small business (or any business) that is not a Small SDVOSB firm. The VA issued a class deviation on July 25, 2016, which among other things, adopted the SBA limitation of subcontracting requirements at 13 C.F.R. 125.6. VA Class Deviation

(July 25, 2016) Now the VA and SBA limitation on subcontracting rules are the same, which are fully cited below. Now, in the case of a contract for services (except construction), the Prime Contractor will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not similarly situated. Any work that a similarly situated subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 50% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded.

This would allow firms that are not SDVOSB to be considered as a subcontractor. Would you consider adding an option that includes the use of not similarly situated (non SDVOSB) teaming partners?

A39 - If 50% of the total contract value remains with the SDVOSB, you may subcontract with any entity as long as they are registered in SAM. If the total percentage retained by the SDVOSB is less than 50%, whomever the subcontractor is must also be a VIP verified SDVOSB.