36C25023R0032 0002.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) Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10 6150 Oak Tree Blvd., Suite 300 Independence

OH

44131 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office (NCO) 10 6150 Oak Tree Blvd., Suite 300 Independence

OH

44131 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C25023R0032 02-14-2023

X X

X The question period has closed all questions received before the cutoff have been answered in this amendment.*********** The question period has closed and no further questions will be accepted. ********************************************** The response date remains 03/10/2023 at 1500 EST************************************************************************

Jason E. Lawson Division Chief

VA-VHA-SAOC-2019-979EB393

CONTINUATION PAGE

1. Are there any page limitations related to the Part 2 Non-Price?

No

2. Page 69 of the solicitation, Sub-Factor 1: Staffing Plan line-item i. states “Describe the organization’s senior leadership’s experience with Durable Medical Equipment (DME).” Are we to include the names of senior leadership in the narratives to address this requirement? Because the solicitation states that Part 2 shall contain no identifying marks, we are worried that leadership names may convey the company submitting the proposal.

No, just list the title and experience.

3. Page 69 of the solicitation, Sub-Factor 1: Staffing Plan line item ii. states: “Provide a list of sites that will be supported by direct hired employees and provide a subcontracting plan and identified sub-contractors”. Then on page 70, Factor 3: Price, line-item h. states “Subcontracting Plan, if applicable”. Should subcontracting plans be included in both Part 1 and Part 2?

Yes

If a subcontracting plan is required to be submitted in Part II should all subcontractor names be redacted?

Yes

4. Are contractors able to utilize subcontractors’ past performance for Factor 2?

No

5. Please confirm that both Factor 3 and Factor 4 are to be included in “Part 1 Price Response” volume.

Factor 4 should be included in Part 2

6. NAICS code 532283 (Home Health Equipment Rental). Since the government owns the equipment and there are no rental line items, the appropriate NAICS code is 621610 (Home Health Care Services). Consider revising.

No

NAICS 532283 was chosen for this procurement because it is more appropriate based on the services being provided (storage, deliver, and maintenance/repair of equipment).

7. Price/Cost Schedule: The line item descriptions are not clear on what the government is requesting pricing for. Please add much more detail to the line item descriptions for clarity.

The line items do not require further detail, the requirement are spelled out in the Performance Work Statement. Please refer to paragraph Three.

8. Price/Cost Schedule: The unit column lists JB for each line item. Consider changing the unit column to coincide with the terminology used in the PWS. i.e., trip, delivery, hour, etc…

Job covers all aspect of the job related to each line item.

9. Consider deleting this requirement: “b. The technical proposal shall contain no identifying marks and nothing indicating the company name or any identifying product other than on the cover page.”

No

1. JB Units - Job “JB” Units are listed for each item number. It is our understanding that in the current contract, a Repair line item included a “Trip Fee” and an “Hourly Rate.” How are trip fees/travel time and labor to be reimbursed on this contract?

Proposed pricing should include the estimated trip fee/travel time and hourly rate for the job, the line-item pricing will be fix price per job.

1. Emergency Deliveries – There does not appear to be an Emergency Delivery line item. How are Emergency Deliveries going to be reimbursed since they often entail after hours care, overtime, etc. and are not a “standard delivery”?

CLIN 0004 and subsequent option years line items shall encompass delivery, set-up, and patient education of standard and high-end specialty DME as well as Repairs.

1. PKI encryption is listed as a requirement but in the current contract, it is our understanding that many VA employees choose to use Microsoft 365 instead of PKI encryption. Is either system acceptable?

The contractor/subcontractor must store, transport, or transmit VA sensitive information in a VA approved encrypted form, using VA-approved encryption tools that are, at a minimum, FIPS 140-2 validated.

1. It is our understanding previous contract authorized repairs up to $500 without prior authorization. This Solicitation does not list an authorized dollar amount for repairs. How will this be determined ? This could cause unnecessary delay for veterans.

IAW the performance Work Statement paragraph 3.5.4 will be ordered and authorized by the COR. Therefore, authorization must be obtained prior to the repair.

For example, when a technician goes out for a Repair, they may determine that the problem is old batteries. Batteries are kept on board and can usually be replaced during the first Repair visit. Requiring an authorization will require the technician to submit for an approval, delay immediate resolution of the repair needs and charge the VA for a second trip.

Another example, when a technician goes out for a repair, they may determine that the problem is a minor part, example belt, limit switch or swingaway hardware, that are under $500.00 in VA cost. The time involved with quoting and submitting requests for authorizations -vs- immediate ordering of parts truly impacts the Veteran experience.

1. Additionally, Section 3.5.3 indicates that parts for repairs are to be billed separately. Are you stating that labor and trip fees be billed separate from parts? Please explain in more detail.

Proposed pricing should include the estimated trip fee/travel time and hourly rate for the job, the line item pricing will be fix price per job.

1. Section 3.5.5 states that additional trips will be billed in 15 minute increments. What is the 15 minute increment be based on? Are you stating that Drive Time and/or Labor should be billed in 15 minute increments? ( or is this meant for labor & the second/return trip is being funded by the “JB”amount)?

The job should be billed in 15 minute increments and all aspects related to the job should be included in the pricing.

1. How are authorized second/return trips to Veteran’s homes for the completion of repair being paid for?

This will be paid for as a second trip under the repairs CLIN.

1. Section 3.5.6 requires the contractor to submit an estimate with the number of days anticipated to complete the repair. Many manufacturers have stopped providing estimated dates of shipment. How should this be handled?

When possible, the contracted vendor shall work with the manufacturer to provide an estimated date of delivery. However, when one is not provided, the contractor shall check on the status of the part weekly and provide an update to the ordering VA and affected veteran.

1. Section 3.5.6 states that the contractor should follow up on a daily basis until a response is received for a Repair estimate. Does this require the contractor to communicate daily to VA Prosthetic Reps?

Yes.

1. Section 3.12.1 states that the Government shall conduct background checks on all contractor personnel and that the Government makes the final decision on whether the employee can be hired? Is this the case?

Yes.

1. Records Management – how long should records be kept?

Delete 3 years from the end of each fiscal year.

1. Please provide a complete description of what is included in “JB” FOR CLIN0003 “REPAIR” and CLIN0004 “EMERGENCY REPAIR”.

The requirements are spelled out in the Performance Work Statement. Please refer to paragraph Three. 3.5 and 3.6