Vendor Questions Answered.docx

Vendor Questions/Answers Solicitation #36C24821Q0652 Safe Haven Transitional Housing Service

The purpose of this amendment is to answer the following questions:

1. Please tell if any work performed currently or in the past, or will this be a new requirement? If so, please provide the most current contract #.

Answer: The current contract for the service is VA248-16-D-0081.

1. If in the best interest of/best value to the government and veterans, would the VA agree to receiving a discounted flat rate for exclusive use of facility and beds for the entire duration of the contract and remit payment whether or not beds are occupied?

Answer: BPVAHCS will only pay for occupied beds.

1. Alternatively, if in the best interest of/best value to the government and veterans, would the VA agree to remit payment for a minimum number of beds whether or not the beds are occupied?

Answer: BPVAHCS will only pay for occupied beds.

1. If the facility can demonstrate providing 24/7 quality supervision would contactless or remote solutions suffice in lieu of having staffers onsite 24/7?

No, the contractor shall provide staffers onsite 24/7 in providing the service to homeless veterans.

1. The PWS (under Section 5. Scope of Work paragraph 5) appears to require the contractor to perform outreach (i.e., contractor is required to perform work but if the bed is unoccupied then the contractor will not be compensated for outreach that does not immediately result in admitting a veteran into the facility)

4. There is not CLIN for outreach.

4. Will contractor be compensated for performing outreach particularly if the outreach does not result in a bed being utilized by a veteran?

Answer: No, outreach is expected to occur as part of the Safe Haven programming.

1. How many veterans are ready to be housed in a Safe Haven on 5/1/2021?

Answer: The contractor should be ready to provide the service for 1-20 veteran beds at the time of award.

1. Under what circumstances would the VA disapprove payment for the admission of a veteran that occurs on the weekend?

Answer: If a Veteran is admitted but does not meet criteria for the program, payment for admission may be denied.

1. Does BPVAHCS reimburse for PPEs and infection control?

Answer: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is an administrative cost budgeted by the vendor. The contractor shall provide at no additional charge any needed supplies for infection control such as masks, gloves, and alcohol hand gel.

1. In Section 5. Scope of Work paragraph 10, contractor is required to provide a daily bed roster that excludes the weekends, will contractor be compensated for beds days of care provided on the weekend?

Answer: Yes. The solicitations state the contractor is to provide the service (beds) 365 days per year.

1. If a veteran is not at the facility on the weekends is that considered an absence from the facility?

Answer: Unapproved absences will not be compensated. Veterans may be allowed passes as part of programming. If a Veteran is on an approved pass for 48 hours this would not be considered an absence.

1. Paragraph 13(e) appears to conflict with Paragraph 10. At what point will Contractor be required to initiate a search/outreach for an already admitted veteran who leaves the facility on a Friday?

10. If the veteran leaves the facility on Friday but returns on Thursday, then is the veteran considered absent for 2 days/48 hours on Sunday or Tuesday?

Answer: If a veteran has been missing from the facility for 24 hours, attempts should begin to locate the veteran and contact the VA Liaison.

1. This seems to indicate that we are only to review the work statement – that you are not requesting a response outlining how we will meet the scope of work. That what you want to receive is a submission of a quote and a completed Business Associate Agreement. Is that a correct interpretation? Or should I include a response outlining how we will implement the scope of work?

Answer: Instructions to contractors on how to be considered for award are highlighted on page 15 of the S02 – Attachment B – Contract Administration. Please review pages 15-18 for the complete listing of instructions.

1. We want to request/Are we able to give the VA a quote based on 85% of the possible 7300 (6,205) available bed days, which will allow us to increase our unit price.

Answer: All quotes should be submitted for the total of 7300 estimated quantity as listed in the solicitation.

1. When a Veteran goes AWOL, we hold the bed open for 7 days. Many vets return during this time. Yet the VA will only pay us for two days while the vet is AWOL despite the fact we cannot close the bed in case the Veteran returns. Will the VA consider allow us reimbursement for the seven days the bed is held open for the veteran.

Answer: VA may reimburse for absences up to 48 hours. If a bed is held open for an absent Veteran who returns past the 48-hour timeframe, reimbursement may be considered if the Veteran’s reason for absence is documented and legitimate, for example being hospitalized in the community.

***ALL QUOTES ARE DUE APRIL 23, 2021***