36C24E26Q0002 0001.docx

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE

CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office.

is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243 (Type or print) (Type or print) (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (If other than Item 6) (Specify type of modification and authority) (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer) 240E 11-18 -2025 None 00240E Veterans Health Administration Regional Procurement Office East Building 32 Suite 1A1111 1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh PA 15215-1802 00240E Veterans Health Administration Regional Procurement Office East Building 32 Suite 1A1111 1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh PA 15215-1802 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C24E26Q0002 11-05-2025

X X X ** HOUR & DATE for Receipt of Offers is EXTENDED to: 12-03-2025 15:00 EST X The purpose of this amendment is to extend the due date for the receipt of quotes from 11/26/2025 to 12/03/2025, 3PM EST and to provide answers to all questions received pertaining to the solicitation. Government responses to questions are included on pages 2-6 of this amendment.

Contractors shall acknowledge receipt of this amendment by filling out and signing blocks 15A through 15C and returning a copy with the submitted quote by email only at annmarie.stewart@va.gov no later than 12/03/2025, 3 PM EST.

Ann Marie Stewart Contracting Officer

VA-VHA-2021-9A527CD0

RFQ 36C24E26Q0002 Q&A LOG

Geriatric Out-of-Hospital Meal Delivery Trial in Heart Failure

1. Have any amendments or updates been made to the Statement of Work (SOW) since its initial release?

No

2. Will the government be using specific performance metrics or KPIs to evaluate contractor success?

In monthly reports, the study team will request at minimum: number of orders placed, number of orders fulfilled, number of delayed orders and reason for delay, customer service complaints and requests from study participants made to contractor, shipping time in days for orders fulfilled.

3. Is there a ceiling price, budget range, or estimated value associated with this contract? Yes, $1,500,000.00 for the total four years.

4. Should we include separate pricing for optional services or contingencies, such as veteran phone support or printed materials?

No, this should be covered under the purchase of meals.

5. What is the anticipated award date and expected start of performance?

January 2026 time frame.

6. Are there any critical milestones, phased deliverables, or onboarding timelines we should be aware of?

No

7. Will there be flexibility in the delivery schedule in the event of unforeseen delays?

No, the vendor shall deliver meals within 1-3 days (with exceptions of holidays, Sundays) from the date of order anywhere within the 48 continental United States with the capacity to ship up to 21 meals per week per patient. The meals need to meet study-specified nutritional requirements. Meals must be provided to cover a 42-day period, i.e., 6 weeks, for each of the 700 study participants, over a period of up to 48 months with the detailed time varying by participant’s enrollment status.

8. Is there a small business subcontracting goal or requirement associated with this solicitation?

The limitations of subcontracting applies to the requirement. FAR Clause 52.219-14 establishes limitations on subcontracting for small business contractors, requiring them to perform a certain percentage of the contract work themselves to ensure they are not merely pass-through entities for larger firms. Small business contractors must perform at least 50% of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel with their own employees.

9. Are Letters of Commitment from subcontractors required at the time of proposal submission?

No

10. Will the contractor be required to submit monthly or quarterly performance or compliance reports? If so, what format is preferred?

The contractor must provide the study team with monthly reports of the orders fulfilled under the study-related account; email preferred.

11. Are there any mandatory training or certification requirements for personnel assigned to this contract?

No

12. Will there be a Q&A period or pre-proposal conference scheduled prior to the submission deadline?

The question period was to email questions to the Contracting Officer no later than 11/12/2025. Responses are due back through an amendment posted on or before 11/19/2025.

13. What is the expected response time after task order issuance for scheduled and unscheduled transports?

The vendor shall deliver meals within 1-3 days (with exceptions of holidays, Sundays) from the date of order anywhere within the 48 continental United States with the capacity to ship up to 21 meals per week per patient. The meals need to meet study-specified nutritional requirements. Meals must be provided to cover a 42-day period, i.e., 6 weeks, for each of the 700 study participants, over a period of up to 48 months with the detailed time varying by participant’s enrollment status.

14. Are there specific delivery windows or blackout periods (e.g., holidays, weekends) we should plan around?

The vendor shall deliver meals within 1-3 days (with exceptions of holidays, Sundays) from the date of order anywhere within the 48 continental United States with the capacity to ship up to 21 meals per week per patient. The meals need to meet study-specified nutritional requirements. Meals must be provided to cover a 42-day period, i.e., 6 weeks, for each of the 700 study participants, over a period of up to 48 months with the detailed time varying by participant’s enrollment status.

15. Will deliveries be required at multiple locations or centralized? Can the government provide a geographic breakdown of service areas?

Deliveries will be required to multiple locations. Meals are required to be delivered to the participants home address Anywhere within the 48 continental United States. The service area is anywhere within the 48 continental United States depending on where each participant lives.

16. Is advance notice required before each transport or delivery?

The VA study team must be able to track each delivery once it has been shipped.

17. Are there any specific packaging requirements, such as labeling, temperature control, or tamper-proof seals?

Yes, Vendor personnel must be compliant with all applicable food safety laws and HIPPA regulations, Vendor must ensure food stability, safety, and quality maintenance during delivery process.

18. Should each transport or delivery include printed instructions or documentation?

Yes

19. Is proof of delivery (POD) required for each transport? If so, what format is acceptable? Study team must receive proof of delivery for each transport. The acceptable format can include: tracking number of the shipment provided to the study team, delivery email directly to the study team, or study team access to the vendor’s internal tracking system for the study participants.

20. Will the government require real-time tracking or delivery confirmation?

Vendor must have a system to track the delivery once sent out for shipping and must have the ability to share this information with study team and study participants. Vendor must be able to provide a regular monthly report to the study team of orders fulfilled under study-related accounts.

21. Should delivery logs be submitted monthly, per task order, or in real time?

Delivery logs must be submitted monthly. Vendor must be able to provide a regular monthly report to the study team of orders fulfilled under study-related accounts.

22. What is the protocol if transport is delayed or a vehicle is damaged?

A replacement meal delivery will be sent to the participant as soon as possible at no cost to the government.

23. Will the contractor be responsible for re-delivery at no additional cost in such cases? Yes

24. Will transport be made to residential addresses, government facilities, or both? Residential addresses only.

25. Is there a preferred method for notifying the government of transport delays or service disruptions?

Email notification as soon as the contractor becomes aware of the delay or disruption.

26. Will the contractor be required to provide customer service support to veterans or VA staff?

Yes, both

27. When is the anticipated start date or contract period?

January or February 2025 time frame.

28. Are the patients local to Connecticut or located within the 48 states?

The patients are located at residential addresses within the 48 states.

29. What are the standard requirements for the Dash Diet, as they can vary.

A sodium-restricted Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating pattern, which has been associated with lower heart failure (HF) incidence and greater survival in patients with HF. The DASH diet emphasizes heart-healthy foods, focusing on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy while limiting sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars.

The following are required:

Section B.3, p. 11, para 4. SCOPE.4.1.1 Study menu items must be restricted to meals in alignment with DASH Diet principles, at the discretion of the study team. The vendor must provide menu options that include:

. Fruits . Vegetables . Whole grains . Lean protein options - chicken, turkey, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, and/or legumes . Low-fat dairy products . Meals low in added sugars

30. Do you know the region/area the participants will be located? Shipping fees and amount of coolant vary wildly based on their proximity to our facility.

The participants can be located anywhere within the 48 continental United States. The participants will be recruited throughout the period of performance.

31. We do not currently make/stock Halal foods. Is it possible another vendor can handle those meals or does 1 vendor need to do all of them? If that's the case, are you ok with us outsourcing to another meal provider?

Yes, you are allowed to subcontract out as long as you meet the limitations of subcontracting. The limitations of subcontracting applies to the requirement. FAR Clause 52.219-14 establishes limitations on subcontracting for small business contractors, requiring them to perform a certain percentage of the contract work themselves to ensure they are not merely pass-through entities for larger firms. Small business contractors must perform at least 50% of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel with their own employees.

32. It's difficult to anticipate the food costs 2-5 years in advance. Proteins particularly fluctuate month to month and year to year. If we were quoting this bid in 2020, I would NEVER have expected the food costs in 2025 to be so substantially higher than they were back then. Is there any part of the agreement that allows for a re-bib/ cost consideration if food costs rise so much?

No there is not. This is a four year contract. Each year needs to be priced up front. You can add an increase in each year. The pricing will be evaluated by adding the total of all line-item prices for all four years. The Total Evaluated Price will be that sum.

33. Who is responsible for any damages to shipments, lost shipments, etc. Will the government pay for a new box for that participant.

The contractor is responsible for re-delivery at no additional cost to the government.

34. Does working on a current clinical trial meet the requirement in Section 3.8: “Vendor must have previously worked on clinical studies and trials” or is completion of a trial necessary to qualify.

Yes, this would qualify as experience previously worked on clinical studies and trials.

35. Can you consider extending the deadline for the response to quotes from 11/26/2025 to 12/03/2025?

Yes the respond date is extended with this amendment from 11/26/2025 to 12/03/2025 at 3PM EST.