36C25021Q0301 0001.docx

36C25021Q0301 0001

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 NUMBERE

D 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 amendmen t, 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) 02/19/2021 610--21-3-087-0032 None Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 10 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive Lobby M, Suite M2200 Ann Arbor MI 48105 Y Department of Veterans Affair Network Contracting Office 10 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive Lobby M, Suite M2200 Ann Arbor MI 48105 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C25021Q0301 02-18-2021

X X X

610-3610160-087-822300-2560 010034165 X One( 1) The purpose of this amendment is to provide answers to questions received from Contractors in response to the initial solicitation posting.

See following pages for questions and answers.

Kristina L. Peart Contracting Officer

CONTINUATION PAGE

RFQ 36C25021Q0301 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Question: What is the typical volume of mail and supplies delivered to the CBOC’S?

Answer: The typical amount of mail is two (2) to three (3) legal sized envelopes per week. The typical amount of supplies varies based on the CBOC but can range from one (1) empty specimen sponge (6.75”Wx4”Dx 2.5”H) to 12 empty specimen sponges and can include small boxes or trays of reagents/specimen containers not to exceed 12”W x 12”L x 3”H.

1. Question: Are there any CBOC’s currently run together?

Answer: Yes

1. Question: Will this be a set aside for SDVOSB?

Answer: Set aside will be changed to SDVOSB due to meeting the rule of two (2). This Amendment changes the Small Business set aside to Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

1. Question: What is currently being used to transport frozen specimens?

Answer: Currently the couriers have a small soft sided cooler packed with frozen ice packs that they use to transport frozen specimens.

1. Question: Who is the incumbent and what was the award amount?

Answer: The incumbent is Crosstown Courier Service, Inc. and the award amount for 6-month bridge was $52,088.75.

1. Question: Other than blood and urine samples, what other specimens will we be transporting? Can you please provide the required temperatures?

Answer: Typical specimen types other that blood or urine that are being transported are:

Sputum- Refrigerated Culture Swabs- Can be Room Temp, Refrigerated or Frozen depending on test ordered Histology/Cytology specimens- Room temp.

1. Question: How much in advance will we be notified for a stat courier runs (as described in lines 008 and 009)?

Answer: The courier service will be notified for STAT courier runs at the time they are needed.

1. Question: When picking up mail, will they be placed in bins that the driver can take to the delivery?

Answer: The mail needing to be delivered to or from the CBOCs will be placed in the outside pocket of the biohazard bags used for the specimen sponges. The sponges and bags will be in bins labeled with the CBOC names at the Fort Wayne facility lab. Currently, these are placed back into the empty cooler for transport back to the CBOC the next day.

1. Question: Since the driver is expected to return/delivery lab supplies/mail the next business day, is there a specific time the CBOC needs the items? Is it okay if the driver drops off these items when he does his routine pickup?

Answer: Current practice which will continue to be considered acceptable is that the return of empty specimen sponges, unsoiled biohazard bags, mail and supplies are delivered to the CBOCs at the time of the next scheduled pickup.

1. Question: What is the recommended cooler size?

Answer: Cooler size required may vary based on how many CBOCs are on each route. For routes with multiple CBOCs on them a 62qt hard sided cooler on wheels is recommended with a separate small soft sided cooler for frozen specimens. For routes with a single CBOC on them a 28qt hard sided cooler on wheels is recommended with a separate small soft sided cooler for frozen specimens. It is recommended that the soft sided cooler be able to fit into the hard-sided cooler. The outermost cooler most be able to be locked using a standard combination lock to prevent unauthorized access to patient information during the transport process.

1. Question: Is there a requirement for types of vehicles used?

Answer: No specific requirements exist for the type of vehicles used. However, the vehicles need to be capable of transporting the cooler being used to transport specimens and should be capable of functioning in all weather conditions that may be encountered in northern Indiana(i.e. Rain, Snow, Heat, Cold, Sleet, Wind, Etc.).

1. Question: Will the SOW soon be available for review?

Answer: The SOW was posted on 2/18/2021.

1. Question: Do you know when the official solicitation will be published?

Answer: The Official Solicitation was published on 2/18/2021

1. Question: Will the contractor be responsible for supplying dry ice for specimen transport?

Answer: Dry Ice is not currently used for specimen transport. However, if the contractor wishes to use dry ice for specimen transport it will be their responsibility to supply it.

1. Question: Is it acceptable that we forward this Pricing Realism chart with our Price response?

Answer: See evaluation factors at 52.212-2, price realism is not utilized.

1. Question: Have there been any modifications from the previous contract to this solicitation? (new routes added/etc.).

Answer: No modifications have been made to bridge from the previous contract. New routes added to this solicitation are Items 0005 – 0009.

1. Question: How many drivers are currently being utilized?

Answer: The number of drivers cannot be released as it is propitiatory information of the incumbent.

1. Question: Will the couriers originate from the Ft. Wayne clinic to pick up supplies, etc. to deliver to the CBOCs?

Answer: All supplies and mail will be given to the couriers for the CBOCs at the previous day’s specimen drop-off at the Fort Wayne facility lab.

1. Question: Will the VA lab staff pack the coolers for the courier?

Answer: The VA lab staff will pack and unpack the coolers for the courier.

1. Questions: The contract states the contractor is to provide insulated chest/cooler and refrigerants.

19. What size coolers are required? Hard-side or soft-side coolers?

Answer: Cooler size required may vary based on how many CBOCs are on each route. For routes with multiple CBOCs on them a 62qt hard sided cooler on wheels is recommended with a separate small soft sided cooler for frozen specimens. For routes with a single CBOC on them a 28qt hard sided cooler on wheels is recommended with a separate small soft sided cooler for frozen specimens. It is recommended that the soft sided cooler be able to fit into the hard-sided cooler. The outermost cooler most be able to be locked using a standard combination lock to prevent unauthorized access to patient information during the transport process.

19. Question: How many coolers per CBOC?

Answer: No specific requirement for a certain number of coolers per CBOC exists. The contractor must provide the number of coolers they believe is needed to keep specimens at their specific storage temperatures.

1. Question: Does the contractor need to supply smaller coolers to place in a larger container/cooler for transport?

Answer: It is recommended that the contractor supply a smaller cooler to transport frozen specimens that can fit into the larger cooler.

19. Question: Is dry ice required?

Answer: Currently dry ice is not required to keep specimens adequately frozen during transport.

2. Question: If so, how far in advance will the contractor be notified if dry ice is needed? How much dry ice?

Answer: N/A

19. If the contractor is to supply ice pack and ambient packs;

3. Question: How many are needed per each cooler?

Answer: Current practice is to have enough ice packs to cover the bottom of the cooler plus two (2) in the cooler for frozen specimens. However, this amount may need to be adjusted based on the specific coolers used to maintain a temperature for refrigerated specimen of 2-8 degrees Celsius.

3. Question: Can the refrigerants be stored at the clinic?

Answer: There is not adequate freezer space at many of the CBOCs to store ice packs.

1. Question: What is the estimated number of stats that occur after-hours or on weekends?

Answer: 96 STAT pickups from Marion to Fort Wayne per year, 12 STAT pickups from Fort Wayne to Marion per year.

1. Question: What is the turnaround time for stats to be delivered?

Answer: The time from pickup of stats to delivery at their destination should not exceed 90 minutes and total time from time the courier service is notified of a stat pickup being needed to the stat arriving at its destination should not exceed 3 hours.

1. Question: What is the average cargo load per day?

Answer: Varies by day and number of CBOCs on a route. Typically, two (2) CBOCs can fit into a 62qt hard sided cooler or a single CBOC can fit into a 28qt hard sided cooler.

22. Question: Will standard size vehicles be sufficient, or SUV/Transit Van required?

Answer: A standard size vehicle is sufficient

1. Question: When is the Huntington clinic expected to open?

Answer: The Defiance, OH CBOC is currently slated to open on April 19th, 2021 and the Huntington, IN CBOC is estimated to open mid to late May 2021.

1. Question: The Marion clinic pick up is at 4:30pm with an NLT 5:30pm delivery to the VA. This is a 1hr drive and leaves no room for any traffic delays, etc. Will a later delivery be accepted?

Answer: Yes, there is some room for pickup of specimens from the Marion facility should not be before 4pm and no later than 4:30pm. Delivery of specimens should be no later than 6pm on a regular basis.