Attachment 3 Consolidated Questions and Answers.pdf

CONSOLIDATED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

RFQ 36C24827Q0047 — FY27 Waste Management and Recycling Services

C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center and Lee County Healthcare Center

1. SDVOSB Teaming and Similarly Situated Subcontractors Consolidated Question: May an SDVOSB prime contractor subcontract waste collection, hauling, and disposal services to another SBA-certified SDVOSB while the prime performs contract management and oversight? How do the limitations on subcontracting apply to this arrangement?

Government Response: The solicitation addresses subcontracting requirements under FAR 52.219-14, VAAR 852.219-73, VAAR 852.219-75, and SOW Section 10.H.

Subcontracting to a qualifying similarly situated SDVOSB is permitted, provided the arrangement complies with all applicable limitations on subcontracting and other contractual requirements.

Payments to qualifying similarly situated entities are treated in accordance with the applicable FAR, VAAR, and SBA regulations.

The prime contractor remains responsible for satisfactory contract performance and compliance with all solicitation requirements. The Government will not make advance determinations regarding compliance of hypothetical teaming or subcontracting arrangements.

2. Limitations on Subcontracting and Excluded Costs Consolidated Question: How is the 50-percent limitation on subcontracting calculated for this acquisition? Are third-party landfill, transfer-station, recycling-processing, or tipping fees eligible for exclusion as other direct costs? What documentation is required, and how are payments to non-similarly situated subcontractors treated?

Government Response: The limitations on subcontracting are governed by FAR 52.219-14, VAAR 852.219-73, VAAR 852.219-75, and applicable SBA regulations, including 13 CFR 125.6.

For this services acquisition, the applicable limitation generally restricts payments to firms that are not similarly situated to no more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government to the prime contractor, subject to applicable regulatory exclusions.

A first-tier subcontractor must satisfy the applicable similarly situated entity requirements, including the required socioeconomic certification and size standards. Work further subcontracted by a similarly situated entity is treated in accordance with 13 CFR 125.6.

The Government does not make a blanket determination that landfill, transfer-station, recycling-processing, or tipping fees qualify for exclusion as other direct costs. Any claimed exclusion must satisfy the applicable regulatory criteria under 13 CFR 125.6.

Contractors are responsible for maintaining documentation sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the applicable limitations on subcontracting, as provided in VAAR 852.219-75.

3. SDVOSB Certification, Compliance, and Verification Consolidated Question: What are the requirements for SDVOSB certification at quotation submission and award, limitations-on-subcontracting compliance, compliance documentation, and verification of subcontractor eligibility? Must the VAAR 852.219-75 Certificate of Compliance be submitted with the quotation, and how will potential ostensible-subcontractor concerns be handled?

Government Response: The solicitation establishes SDVOSB certification and limitations-on-subcontracting requirements under VAAR 852.219-73, VAAR 852.219-75, FAR 52.219-14, and applicable SBA regulations.

Quoters must be SBA-certified SDVOSBs listed in the SBA certification database at quotation submission and award, as required by VAAR 852.219-73.

Compliance with the applicable limitations on subcontracting will be measured in accordance with the solicitation, including the base contract period and each subsequent option period.

In accordance with Section C.12(d) and Section E.1(a)(4), the completed and signed VAAR 852.219-75 Certificate of Compliance must accompany the quotation. Section C.12(d) establishes that quotations without the required certification will not be considered for evaluation or award.

The Contracting Officer may request documentation demonstrating compliance with the limitations on subcontracting in accordance with applicable contract requirements.

Questions involving SBA size or affiliation determinations, including ostensible-subcontractor concerns, will be addressed through applicable SBA procedures. The Government will not provide advance determinations regarding hypothetical teaming arrangements.

All quoters remain responsible for complying with the solicitation and applicable regulations.

4. Contractor and Subcontractor Equipment and Licensing Consolidated Question: May the prime contractor rely on subcontractor-owned or leased vehicles, compactors, containers, and appropriately licensed personnel? Which licenses, registrations, or permits must be held independently by the prime contractor, and what information must be provided in the technical quotation?

Government Response: The solicitation does not require the prime contractor to own all vehicles, compactors, or containers. Subcontractor-owned or leased equipment and appropriately qualified personnel may be utilized, provided all applicable solicitation and contractual requirements are satisfied.

The Government has not established any additional facility-specific licensing or permitting requirements beyond those identified in the solicitation.

The prime contractor is responsible for ensuring that all entities performing the required services possess and maintain the applicable Federal, State, and local licenses, registrations, permits, and authorizations necessary for their respective activities.

Quoters shall demonstrate their technical capability in accordance with Section E.1 of the solicitation.

The prime contractor remains responsible for satisfactory contract performance and compliance with all applicable limitations on subcontracting.

5. Cape Coral Franchise-Hauler Requirements Consolidated Question: Do City of Cape Coral franchise-hauler requirements apply to the Lee County Healthcare Center? If applicable, which waste streams or services must be performed by an authorized franchise provider?

Government Response: The Government does not designate or require the use of a specific franchise hauler under this solicitation.

Contractors are responsible for determining and complying with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, licenses, permits, and authorizations necessary to perform the required waste collection, hauling, recycling, and disposal services.

Quoters shall account for all applicable requirements when developing their firm-fixed-price quotations.

The Government does not intend to amend the solicitation to designate a specific waste collection provider.

6. Incumbent Contract Information Consolidated Question: Is there an incumbent contractor for these services? If so, what is the contract number, contract value, and available information concerning the incumbent's use of subcontractors for front-load, roll-off, and compactor services?

Government Response: This requirement is a follow-on acquisition for existing waste management and recycling services at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center and Lee County Healthcare Center.

The incumbent contract information is as follows:

Incumbent Contractor: Tri-County Recycling, Inc.

Contract Number: 36C24822P0366

Information concerning the incumbent contract's award history and publicly reported contract values may be obtained through official Federal contract reporting systems, including USAspending.gov.

The Government is not providing information regarding the incumbent contractor's specific subcontracting arrangements. Prospective quoters are responsible for developing their own technical approaches and ensuring compliance with the solicitation's requirements, including applicable limitations on subcontracting.

7. Historical Waste Quantities and Weight Records Consolidated Question: Can the Government provide historical waste quantities, weight tickets, or monthly tonnage summaries by facility, container, and waste stream? What waste streams are included in the estimated 2,450,000 pounds annually, and what accounts for the difference from the earlier 800,000-pound estimate?

Government Response: Section 4.I of the Statement of Work (SOW) identifies an estimated annual quantity of approximately 2,450,000 pounds of non-hazardous waste. This estimate includes regular solid waste and treated, non-infectious medical waste. It does not include other waste streams, such as brush, recyclable materials, or concrete.

The estimated annual quantity was established in coordination with the requiring activity during development of the current SOW and reflects the Government's estimated requirements for this acquisition. The estimate does not constitute a guaranteed minimum or maximum quantity.

Attachment 1 — Waste Collection and Recycling Service Schedule identifies the required container types, sizes, locations, collection frequencies, and estimated on-call quantities.

Historical weight tickets and monthly tonnage summaries by individual facility, container, and waste stream will not be provided.

Quoters shall develop their firm-fixed-price quotations based on the requirements and estimated quantities established in the current solicitation.

8. Firm-Fixed-Price CLINs and Informational CLINs Consolidated Question: Please identify which CLINs require separate pricing and which are informational and designated Not Separately Priced (NSP), including emergency-service CLINs.

Government Response: Section B.3 — Price/Cost Schedule establishes the pricing requirements for this solicitation.

Quoters shall provide firm-fixed monthly unit prices and extended amounts for CLINs 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001, and 4001.

All remaining scheduled and estimated on-call service CLINs are informational and designated "NSP" (Not Separately Priced). The costs associated with these services shall be included in the corresponding contract period's firm-fixed-price CLIN.

Emergency waste management service CLINs 0022, 1022, 2022, 3022, and 4022 are designated "NSP" for quotation purposes. Emergency services requiring additional compensation must receive prior written Contracting Officer authorization and appropriate funding in accordance with SOW Section 11.C.

9. On-Call Collection Quantities Consolidated Question: Do the estimated on-call quantities represent annual service occurrences per container or aggregate occurrences across multiple containers? How are the listed quantities incorporated into the firm-fixed price, and what contractual procedures apply if actual requirements exceed the estimates?

Government Response: The estimated quantities identified as "Each" in Attachment 1 — Waste Collection and Recycling Service Schedule represent the total anticipated annual collection occurrences for each service line, aggregated across all containers identified within that line, rather than occurrences per individual container.

For example, Line Q's estimated 165 occurrences represents the combined annual total for all three brush bins identified under that service line.

In accordance with Section B.3 — Price/Cost Schedule, the firm-fixed monthly price shall include all scheduled and estimated on-call services identified in the Statement of Work (SOW) and Attachment 1.

The estimated quantities are provided for quotation development and do not constitute guaranteed minimum or maximum quantities.

Services requiring additional compensation must receive prior written authorization from the Contracting Officer in accordance with SOW Section 4.B and applicable contractual requirements.

10. Emergency and Special-Event Services Consolidated Question: Which emergency and special-event services are included in the established firm-fixed price, and which require separate Contracting Officer authorization, pricing, or funding?

Government Response: The solicitation addresses emergency and special-event services under Section B.3 — Price/Cost Schedule and Sections 4.B, 4.C, and 11.C of the Statement of Work (SOW).

The firm-fixed monthly price includes all scheduled and estimated on-call services identified in the SOW and Attachment 1 — Waste Collection and Recycling Service Schedule.

In accordance with SOW Section 4.C, relocation of up to five (5) existing containers during a single special event shall be performed at no additional cost to the Government, provided the relocation does not require additional containers or separately priced collection services.

Additional special-event services requiring compensation must receive prior written authorization from the Contracting Officer.

In accordance with SOW Section 11.C, additional emergency containers and associated services requiring compensation must receive prior written Contracting Officer authorization and appropriate funding before performance.

The designation of emergency-service CLINs as "NSP" (Not Separately Priced) does not constitute advance authorization for additional services or establish separate firm-fixed prices for emergency work.

11. Recycling Revenue and Remittance Consolidated Question: Should quoters account for anticipated recycling revenue when developing firm-fixed prices? How must recycling revenue be remitted to the Government, and how are processing or handling costs treated?

Government Response: In accordance with Section 5.B of the Statement of Work (SOW), all revenue generated from the sale of recyclable materials collected under this contract shall be remitted to the Government.

Recycling revenue shall be remitted separately by check payable to the Department of Veterans Affairs and mailed to:

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

VA MEDICAL CENTER

ATTN: AGENT CASHIER

PO BOX 5005

BAY PINES, FL 33744

No processing fees, handling charges, or other deductions are permitted from the recycling revenue owed to the Government.

The contractor shall provide supporting recycling sales receipts in accordance with the SOW.

Quoters shall include all costs associated with recycling collection, transportation, processing, and handling in their firm-fixed-price quotations. Recycling revenue shall be remitted separately and shall not be applied as a credit against the contractor's monthly invoice.

12. Compactor Specifications and Equipment Condition Consolidated Question: What compactor types, dimensions, electrical connections, and interface requirements apply at each facility? Must contractor-furnished compactors be new, or may clean, serviceable used equipment be provided? Who is responsible for electrical service and related installation requirements?

Government Response: The required compactor capacities, locations, collection frequencies, and service requirements are identified in Section B.3 — Price/Cost Schedule and Attachment 1 — Waste Collection and Recycling Service Schedule.

At the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center (Bay Pines), the contractor is responsible for the collection, transportation, and disposal or recycling of waste from the existing compactors identified under Lines A and C of Attachment 1. The contractor is not required to furnish replacement compactors at these locations.

At the Lee County Healthcare Center, the contractor shall furnish and service the required trash and cardboard compactors and associated containers identified under Lines B and C of Attachment 1.

The Lee County loading dock is approximately three (3) to four (4) feet above ground level, with existing electrical disconnects located approximately two (2) to three (3) feet from the compactor locations.

Existing electrical equipment includes a compactor connection labeled 480 volts, three-phase.

At Bay Pines, the existing compactor equipment includes electrical disconnects and control equipment with 480-volt labeling, as illustrated in the reference photographs. The VA maintains the existing facility electrical service at both locations.

In accordance with SOW Sections 4.J, 7.B, and 8.B, contractor-furnished compactors must be clean, safe, functional, and serviceable. New equipment is not required; used equipment is acceptable provided it meets all applicable contractual requirements.

Reference photographs of the existing equipment locations, electrical connections, loading arrangements, and site conditions at both facilities have been provided for informational purposes.

Contractors are responsible for furnishing equipment compatible with the designated service locations and capable of meeting all solicitation requirements.

13. Disposal Facilities and Waste Classification Consolidated Question: Does the Government designate disposal or resource-recovery facilities, or may the contractor select an appropriately authorized facility? What requirements apply to treated, non-infectious medical waste, including transport documentation and permits?

Government Response: The Government does not designate a specific disposal or resource-recovery facility under this solicitation.

Cedar Trail is currently the only approved facility in Lee County for accepting treated, non-infectious medical waste. Contractors may utilize other appropriately licensed and authorized facilities outside Lee County that accept this waste stream.

Contractors are responsible for ensuring that all waste is transported and disposed of in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and local requirements.

Weight tickets from the receiving disposal or processing facility are required and shall be submitted in accordance with Section 4.H of the Statement of Work (SOW).

For treated, non-infectious medical waste, contractors shall comply with the documentation and handling requirements of SOW Section 11.B, including the required driver acknowledgment before removal from VA property.

14. Container Inventory and Collection Frequencies Consolidated Question: Does Attachment 1 establish the complete service inventory, including container sizes, locations, and collection frequencies? Please clarify the listed container quantities, permitted recycling-container configurations, and the collection frequency for Building 46.

Government Response: Attachment 1 - Waste Collection and Recycling Service Schedule establishes the required service inventory, including container types, sizes, quantities, locations, collection frequencies, and estimated on-call quantities, as referenced in SOW Section 11.A.

For recycling services, CLIN 0019 and Attachment 1, Line R permit either two (2) 30-cubic-yard closed A-frame bins for single-stream recycling or separate recycling containers for each recyclable material.

For Building 46, CLIN 0010 and Attachment 1, Line I require two (2) 8-cubic-yard front-end- loader containers to be serviced twice weekly, once on Monday and once on Thursday.

15. Transition, Mobilization, and Performance Start Consolidated Question: What is the anticipated award date, and will a transition period be permitted before December 30, 2026? How will the Government coordinate incumbent equipment removal, new equipment placement, and submission of collection routes and schedules?

Government Response: The contract performance period is scheduled to begin December 30, 2026, as specified in Section 2 of the Statement of Work (SOW).

The Government anticipates making an award in sufficient time to allow the successful contractor to meet the pre-performance requirements.

The Government will coordinate with the successful contractor to permit staging of contractor-furnished compactors and containers in designated areas on December 28 and 29, 2026.

The contractor shall place the required equipment in its designated service locations on December 30, 2026, in coordination with the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), to ensure continuity of services.

In accordance with SOW Section 4.A, the contractor shall submit proposed collection routes and schedules no later than ten (10) workdays before the start of contract performance.

16. Site Visits Consolidated Question: Will prospective quoters be permitted to inspect the Bay Pines and Lee County facilities before quotations are due? If so, what is the scheduling and access-request procedure?

Government Response: Site visits will not be offered for this solicitation.

Reference photographs of the existing waste collection areas, equipment locations, loading arrangements, and site conditions at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center (Bay Pines) and Lee County Healthcare Center have been provided to assist prospective quoters in preparing their quotations.

The photographs are provided for informational purposes and do not modify the requirements established in the Statement of Work, Price/Cost Schedule, or Attachment 1.

Quoters shall prepare their quotations based on the solicitation requirements.

17. Past Performance of Prime Contractors and Team Members Consolidated Question: Will the Government consider recent and relevant past performance of proposed subcontractors or similarly situated SDVOSB team members under Factor 2? How will the Government evaluate the prime contractor's actual role in performing referenced contracts?

Government Response: Past performance will be evaluated in accordance with Section E.8, Factor 2

— Past Performance, based on the recency, relevance, and quality of performance involving waste collection and recycling services of similar scope and complexity.

The Government may consider relevant past performance of proposed subcontractors or team members when the performing entity and its proposed role under this requirement are identified.

The Government will consider the nature of the work performed and its relevance to the proposed performance arrangement. Subcontractor or team-member past performance does not automatically establish the prime contractor's capability to perform the contract.

The existing limitation of three (3) past performance examples remains unchanged.

All quoters remain responsible for satisfying the solicitation's technical capability and applicable subcontracting requirements.

18. Requests to Modify Past Performance Evaluation Requirements Consolidated Question: Will the Government amend the solicitation to exclude management- only or pass-through contracts from relevant past performance, or require past performance examples to demonstrate compliance with SDVOSB limitations on subcontracting and identification of subcontractors?

Government Response: The solicitation already establishes the applicable limitations on subcontracting under FAR 52.219-14, VAAR 852.219-73, and VAAR 852.219-75.

Past performance will be evaluated in accordance with Section E.8, Factor 2 — Past Performance, based on the recency, relevance, and quality of the submitted information.

The Government does not intend to establish additional restrictions or past-performance submission requirements beyond those identified in the solicitation. No amendment to the solicitation is necessary.

19. Technical Quotation Requirements and Proposed Subcontractors Consolidated Question: Must technical quotations identify proposed subcontractors, their certification status, assigned responsibilities, equipment, drivers, and permits? Will the Government amend the technical submission instructions to require this information, and would any additional documentation be excluded from the five-page technical narrative limit?

Government Response: The technical quotation submission requirements are established in Section E.1, and technical capability will be evaluated in accordance with Section E.8, Factor 1.

Quoters shall demonstrate their capability to perform the required services, including the availability of necessary equipment, personnel, licenses, permits, and certifications, as specified in the solicitation.

The Government does not intend to amend the technical quotation instructions to require additional subcontractor, vehicle, or personnel identification beyond the existing solicitation requirements.

The five-page technical narrative limitation and exclusions for licenses, permits, certifications, and other supporting documentation remain unchanged.

All quoters remain responsible for compliance with the applicable limitations on subcontracting and other contractual requirements.

20. Contracting Officer Approval of Subcontracting

Consolidated Question: Will the Government amend the solicitation to require express Contracting Officer approval before the contractor subcontracts collection or hauling services?

Government Response: The Government does not intend to amend the solicitation to require express Contracting Officer approval before subcontracting collection or hauling services.

In accordance with RFO 44.000(b), the consent and advance-notification requirements of Subpart 44.2 do not apply to prime contracts for commercial services.

Subcontracting remains subject to the applicable requirements of FAR 52.219-14, VAAR 852.219-73, VAAR 852.219-75, and SOW Section 10.H.

The prime contractor remains responsible for satisfactory contract performance and compliance with all applicable contractual requirements.

21. Quotation Deadline and Eastern Time Consolidated Question: Please confirm the quotation submission deadline and applicable Eastern time designation for November 6, 2026, given the references to EDT and EST.

Government Response: The quotation submission deadline is hereby extended from November 6, 2026, to November 12, 2026, at 12:30 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST).

This amendment updates Block 8 of the SF 1449 and paragraph (a)(7) of the Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 to reflect the revised quotation submission deadline and correct the Eastern time designation.

All quotations must be received by the revised deadline in accordance with the submission instructions established in the solicitation.

22. Wage Determinations, Insurance, and Bonding Consolidated Question: Are bid security or performance/payment bonds required? What insurance minimums apply? Please confirm the applicable wage determinations and whether they will be incorporated into the resulting contract.

Government Response: Bid security, performance bonds, and payment bonds are not required under this solicitation.

The minimum insurance requirements are established in Section C.7 — Supplemental Insurance Requirements, in accordance with FAR 52.228-5, and are as follows:

• Workers' Compensation: In accordance with applicable Federal and State requirements.

• Employer's Liability: $100,000 minimum, subject to the exceptions identified in Section C.7.

• General Liability: $500,000 per occurrence.

• Automobile Liability: $200,000 per person, $500,000 per occurrence, and $20,000 for property damage.

The successful contractor shall provide evidence of the required insurance in accordance with Section C.7 of the solicitation.

The applicable wage determinations are identified in Section D.2 as follows:

• Pinellas County: Wage Determination No. 2015-4571, Revision 31.

• Lee County: Wage Determination No. 2015-4529, Revision 32.

The applicable wage determinations will be incorporated into the resulting contract, subject to any required updates before award.

23. Solicitation Documents and Quotation Submission Consolidated Question: Where can prospective quoters obtain the complete solicitation package, including SF 1449, the CLIN schedule, wage determinations, and attachments? How must quotations be submitted?

Government Response: The complete solicitation package for RFQ 36C24827Q0047, including SF 1449, the Price/Cost Schedule, Statement of Work (SOW), Attachment 1 — Waste Collection and Recycling Service Schedule, Attachment 2A — Bay Pines Reference Photographs, and Attachment 2B — Lee County Reference Photographs, is available through the solicitation posting at SAM.gov.

Applicable wage determinations are identified in Section D.2 and may be accessed through the links provided in the solicitation.

In accordance with Section E.1, quotations shall be submitted electronically via email to Lakiesha.Anderson@va.gov no later than November 12, 2026, at 12:30 PM EST. The solicitation number shall be included in the email subject line. Electronic files must be compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF. Compressed (ZIP) files will not be accepted.

24. Supplier and Rental Opportunities Consolidated Question: Are there opportunities for equipment or container rental suppliers to participate through an eligible SDVOSB prime contractor? Is a publicly available bidder list or purchasing contact available, and does the Government have a separate requirement for temporary site rentals?

Government Response: This solicitation is a 100% Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside.

Eligible SDVOSB prime contractors may utilize equipment or container rental suppliers, provided all applicable solicitation requirements and limitations on subcontracting are satisfied.

The Government does not maintain or provide a bidder list or facilitate subcontracting or supplier arrangements. Interested suppliers are responsible for independently identifying and contacting prospective prime contractors.

The solicitation does not establish a separate requirement for temporary fencing, portable toilets, mobile offices, or other temporary site rentals.