Responses to Vendor Questions - 36C24822Q1019.docx

36C24822Q1019 – JOPC Shuttle and Valet Amendment 0001 - Responses to Vendor Questions

1. Reference the solicitation, the first page of the solicitation states it is a continuation of the SF 1449 blocks, however, the first page of the SF 1449 was not included. Will the government be issuing a SF 1449 for bidders to sign and submit with the proposal?

Response: The Table of Contents is a continuation of the solicitation document. Page1 is removed and the Opportunity Description states: “This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued.” Page 1 is not needed and signatures are not required.

1. Reference Section E.7, Evaluation – Commercial Products and Commercial Services, Staffing, which reads, “Submit the projected business organization structure/chart, with position title, employee name, employee number, and employee email,” can the Government please clarify the intent of this section?

Response: The VA would like an Organizational Chart of Key Personnel that will be involved in the operation and management of the contract.

1. We are currently performing similar work for the VA at Louisville, KY under a GSA contract. Is it too late for the government to consider using GSA for the acquisition strategy for these services? Would the government consider a direct award to a SDVOSB?

Response: No. It was decided to solicit Open Market with an SDVOSB set-aside for better competitive pricing.

1. Can you please tell me if there is an incumbent? If so, who is it and what is the contract number?

Response: There is one incumbent contractor.

JOPC Shuttle and Valet

Parking Veterans LLC

Contract #: VA248-17-P-0228

1. The valet requirement calls for specific staffing levels and schedules. Is this the primary requirement that will override performance? For example, if staffed per the contract and wait times are longer than 10 minutes, is the contractor out of compliance?

Response: No. We would discuss to modify the contract based on actual number of riders / wait times.

1. Does the required staffing plan include allowing time for rest and meal breaks?

Response: No

1. What volume/number of vehicles need to be parked each day?

Response: As we restore service, to pre-COVID-19 availability, the usage of the valet will only continue to increase. At the peak usage in 2019, usage averaged @ 70-80 vehicles per day across peak/non-peak times.

1. Where will the valet station be located?

Response: Current location, at the East entrance of the facility (front), will continue to be used at the receiving/return location for valet operations.

1. Where is the designated valet parking area? How many parking spaces?

Response: The assigned parking area has 45 striped parking spots, however, stacking of vehicles is permitted for additional spaces.

1. The requirement for 20 passenger buses means larger vehicles with associated space requirements, higher initial costs, and more fuel consumption. Can these be smaller so long as they accommodate rider demand?

Response: Current clinic shuttle(s) provide 24 total seats, with space for a single wheelchair, adjacent to lift.

While ridership has varied greatly in the last ~30 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, required social distancing, and restricted clinical operations. It is expected that ridership will only increase as the patients/visitors/veterans learn that the service has been restored.

1. What is the maximum number of riders on any one trip during non-COVID times?

Response: See Response for #10.

1. How many wheelchair positions are required?

Response: A single wheelchair position is the minimum requirement.

1. Please clarify how the VA envisions using the parking shuttle for employee transportation to clinics. Is this an on demand, door-to-door service? (para 3.1)?

Response: Correct, this is an on demand, door-to-door service.

1. Please clarify how the VA envisions using the parking shuttle for veteran/patient transportation. Will it drive routes other than to/from JOPC and the parking garage? If so, what routes and how many times a day? (para 3.3)?

Response: The garage parking garage shuttle is not intended for veteran/patient transportation.

1. How will the requirement for employees waiting no more than 15 minutes from the parking garage be handled if the shuttle has been assigned to clinic or veteran/patient duties?

Response: See Item No. 14 above. Veteran/patient transport not required by garage shuttle

16. What is the expected daily volume for the parking shuttle?

Response: As we restore service, to pre-COVID-19 availability, the usage of the offsite parking garage is expected to increase. We have a maximum of 187 spaces available for use.

17. Will the VA provide secure parking for shuttle buses when not in use?

Response: Parking of the shuttle buses is permitted at the JOPC (1596 Jefferson Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32209) when not in use.

18. Does the VA prefer electric shuttle buses?

Response: The VA has no current input on the type of energy source used for vehicle propulsion.

19. Will the VA provide electricity for recharging batteries if electric vehicles are used?

Response: At this time, no method of charging vehicles at the parking garage or JOPC is available.