36C24E24Q0092 0002_1.docx

SUBJECT*

Research Support - Medical Gas Supply

GENERAL INFORMATION

Regional Procurement Office East Building 32 Suite 1A1111 1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh PA 15215-1802

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contracting Officer Ms. Millicent Covert millicent.covert@va.gov Calls shall not be accepted

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

POSTAL CODE

COUNTRY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation

Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation

DESCRIPTION

Page 1 of

Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation

RFQ 36C24E24Q0092 – Amendment 0002 Research Support - Medical Gas Supply Questions & Answers

**Quote submission is extended from Friday, September 13, 2024, to no later than 11:59A EST, Friday, September 20, 2024.**

Quotes shall be submitted via email to millicent.covert@va.gov. Offerors must reference Solicitation 36C24E24Q0092 in the subject line of the email. No telephone requests for information will be considered. Incomplete packages will be considered nonresponsive.

This amendment is to address additional questions that arose during the extension that shall be answered by the Contracting Officer. Please note technical questions still require a response from the Research Department at VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. Amendment 003 will be released addressing those questions.

1. CASCADING EVALUATION: Page 3 of 12, is “Cascading Evaluation” the same as FAR 819.7010 - Tiered set-aside evaluation – if not, what is fundamentally different please?

Yes. Cascading and Tiered Set-Aside Evaluations are the same thing.

2. SDVOSB SOLE SOURCE PROVISION: Given PL 106-50, if the “Rule of Two” is met, will the GOV consider an SDVOSB Sole Source Award given pricing is determined as Fair and Reasonable? This would be consistent with the VETERANS FIRST CONTRACTING PROGRAM.

If the Rule of Two is met, that means that there is more than one source; therefore, SDVOSB sole source cannot be considered.

3. The Limitations on Subcontracting clause is listed for services, whereas it should be for supplies. Since NAICS code 325120 is classified under supplies, the appropriate clause should be VAAR 852.219-76, VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting - Certificate of Compliance for Supplies and Products. Could you please confirm this adjustment or provide further guidance?

Yes, this should be a contract for supplies under NAICS 325120. The RFQ will be updated from that of services to supplies, which will include the correct VAAR clause.

4. What is the Award Evaluation metric in the RFQ? One was not listed. Page 11 of 12 Paragraph F3 states:

“3. If there continues to be inadequate competition between SDVOSB and VOSB concerns, the cascading will continue through the contracting order of priority in accordance with VAAR 819.7004 and FAR 19.203. If the contracting officer determines that offers from small business concerns do not meet the solicitation requirements in terms of technical acceptability, past performance, and fair market price, the small business set-aside[s] will be withdrawn, and award will be made on the basis of full and open competition.”

What is the evaluation metric: Best Value Trade off, Lowest Price Technically Acceptable, etc. Page 11 of 12, a viable mix of Technical Capability and Capacity (remember this requirement support research), to include Recent and Relevant Past Performance, and a fair and reasonable price.

The following language under “Instructions to the Offeror”, Page 10, shall be replace current language on original Combined Synopsis and Solicitation:

Instructions to the Offeror

Award will be based upon a comparative evaluation of quotes in accordance with the Simplified Acquisition Procedures of FAR 13. Comparative evaluation is the side by side pairwise comparison of quotes based on factors resulting in a Contracting Officer decision for the quote most favorable to the Government.

Comparative Evaluation of Quotes will be used, in accordance with FAR 13.106-2. The following are the decision factors:

Factor 1 - Technical Capabilities All offerors must meet or exceed all requirements as listed in the Statement of Need/Statement of Work.

Factor 2 – Small Business Status for Socioeconomic Utilization

Factor 3 - Past Performance Past Performance will be based on the most current CPARS Report. A lack of relevant past performance will be graded as “neutral” during evaluation.

Prime Contractors may use Subcontractor’s past performance with written subcontractor’s written authorization.

Factor 3 – Price

The following FAR provision and clauses apply to this solicitation and are incorporated by reference. The solicitation document, incorporated provision and clauses are those in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2024-05, Effective May 22, 2024. It is the responsibility of the contractor to be familiar with the applicable clauses and provisions. The clauses may be accessed in full text at www.acquistion.gov. This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available.

(SAM registration is required to be complete at time of submission of response) Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications electronically via thein accordance with FAR 52.212-3, “Offerors Representations and Certifications–Commercial Products and Commercial Services.” If paragraph (j) of the provision is applicable, a written submission is required)

ALL QUOTERS MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING TO BE CONSIDERED FOR AWARD:

· SIGNED & COMPLETED RFQ DOCUMENT ATTACHED

SECTIONS 17a with SAM Unique Entity ID (UEI)

· Signature: sections 30a-c

· COMPLETE PRICING SCHEDULE ON PAGE 12 OF ATTACHED RFQ

Additionally:

E.6 52.212-2 Evaluation – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (NOV 2021) will be amended to include evaluation factors listed above. Technical and past performance will be greater than price alone.

**Quote submission is extended from Friday, September 13, 2024, to no later than 11:59A EST, Friday, September 20, 2024.** Quotes shall be submitted via email to millicent.covert@va.gov. Offerors must reference Solicitation 36C24E24Q0092 in the subject line of the email. No telephone requests for information will be considered. Incomplete packages will be considered nonresponsive.

See attached document: SF1449 - RFQ 36C24E24Q0092 - Medical Gas Supply_updated.

See attached document: SF30 - RFQ 36C24E24Q0092 - Medical Gas Supply_Amendment 0002.

See attached document: SF1449 - RFQ 36C24E24Q0092 - Medical Gas Supply_updated.