Attachment B Vendor Questions and Government Responses.pdf

Vendor Questions and Government Responses

Confined Space Assessment, Reporting, Signage, Training, and SOP Services Bay Pines VA Healthcare System

Q1. Is this requirement a new procurement or a follow-on/recompete? If it is a follow-on, please identify the incumbent contractor, previous contract number, period of performance, contract value, and any similar services previously acquired by the Government.

A1. This is a new, one-time service requirement. This procurement is not a follow-on or recompete of an existing contract. Therefore, there is no incumbent contractor, prior contract number, period of performance, or contract value associated with this requirement.

Q2. Will the Government provide the existing SOP, confined space inventory, permit templates, CAD drawings, maps, and other documentation?

A2. The Government will provide the existing Confined Space Program SOP, confined space inventory information, and permit templates to the awarded contractor for reference purposes only. A campus map will also be provided. The contractor shall independently identify and validate all confined space locations, classifications, and conditions.

Q3. Approximately how many buildings and confined spaces are included in this requirement?

A3. The BPVAHCS campus consists of approximately thirty (30) buildings. Existing inventories are provided for reference only. The contractor shall independently identify, evaluate, and validate all known, newly identified, and previously unidentified confined spaces.

Q4. For confined spaces already identified in the Government inventory, is the contractor required to perform a complete new evaluation?

A4. Yes. The contractor shall independently validate all confined space locations, classifications, and conditions in accordance with the Statement of Work. Existing inventories are provided for reference purposes only.

Q5. May representative sampling be used for similar confined spaces (e.g., manholes), or must each individual confined space be evaluated separately?

A5. Yes, representative sampling can be used for spaces of similar construction (e.g, manholes, comm vaults, lift stations).

Q6. Is the contractor expected to physically enter confined spaces to perform evaluations, or may evaluations be completed from the point of entry where appropriate? Approximately how many atmospheric sampling events are anticipated?

A6. The contractor may have to physically enter confined spaces if unable to determine classification from the point of entry. Should the contractor’s assessment require breaking the plane of entry into the confined space, the contractor would have to perform entry as per OSHA requirements. The number of atmospheric sampling events is unknown.

Q7. If permit-required confined space entry is required, is the contractor responsible for providing rescue services and all confined space entry/rescue equipment, or will the Government provide rescue support and/or equipment?

A7. Contractor is responsible for providing rescue services and all confined space entry/rescue equipment.

Q8. Is Appendix C (Confined Space Entry Permit) required to be completed for each confined space identified during this assessment?

A8. No. The contractor may use their own entry permit/ permitting process if required to enter a permit-required confined space entry.

Q9. Approximately how many confined space signs are anticipated? Is the contractor responsible for furnishing and installing all signage?

A9. The contractor shall develop, furnish, and install OSHA-compliant signage at all identified confined spaces in accordance with the Statement of Work. The estimated quantity available for planning purposes is +/-129.

Q11. Please clarify the training requirements. Is the contractor required to provide awareness training or full-confined space entry training? Will Government atmospheric monitors be available during training?

A11. The contractor shall provide two (2) onsite training sessions in accordance with the Statement of Work and OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1207. Training will include the use of government provided atmospheric monitors. Safety will provide.

Q12. Please define "Qualified Safety Professional." Is a CSP, CIH, or other specific certification required?

A12. No specific certification is required. Experience in providing safety training and competency in 29 CFR 1910.146 requirements, hazard recognition, evaluation and classification of confined spaces is acceptable.

Q13. Should signage costs be included in the firm-fixed-price quotation or proposed separately as Other Direct Costs (ODCs)?

A13. Signage shall be included as part of the contractor's firm-fixed-price quotation. The solicitation does not provide a separate CLIN for signage or ODCs.

Q14. Will additional evaluation preference be given to SDVOSBs or teams comprised entirely of SDVOSBs?

A14. Evaluation credit will be assigned in accordance with VAAR 852.215-70 (Deviation) and Section 52.212-2 of the solicitation. A verified SDVOSB prime contractor will receive evaluation credit under the Veterans Involvement factor. Non-SDVOSB/VOSB prime contractors may receive some consideration for proposing verified SDVOSB/VOSB subcontractors as described in the solicitation. The solicitation does not provide additional evaluation preference based solely on a team being comprised entirely of SDVOSBs beyond the evaluation criteria stated.

Q15. Is there an example confined space report available?

A15. No. There is no example report available. The contractor shall prepare the report in accordance with the Statement of Work.