Attachment A -RFP Amendment Pages - Added language in Red- 36C25520R0084- Ambulance Services EKHCS.pdf

36C25520R0084

Attachment A

(6) Reasonable responses to relevant questions posed by the debriefed offeror as to whether source-selection procedures set forth in the solicitation, applicable regulations, and other applicable authorities were followed by the agency.

(End of Provision)

E. 2 ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—

COMMERCIAL ITEMS

Provisions that are incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date), have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available.

The following provisions are incorporated into 52.212-1 as an addendum to this solicitation:

(1). In addition to the information requested in Paragraph (d) entitled “Submission of Offers”, offerors shall include the following with their offers in order to be considered for award:

a. Offerors are required to complete Blocks 17 and 30 of the SF 1449, desired parts of the Schedule of Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs in the manner requested, and FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items. In doing so, the offeror accedes to the contract terms and conditions as written in the RFP. Only Paragraph (k) of 52.212-3 applies if the offeror has completed online representations and certifications at the SAM website: http://sam.gov.

b. Telegraphic offers (submitted by telegram or mailgram) will not be accepted.

c. Facsimile offers will not be accepted.

d. Electronic Submission of Offers: Offerors must submit an electronic version of the technical and past performance (technical) and price/cost (Price) Offers via email to tresanna.tacia@va.gov. The email must have the solicitation number identified in the subject line. Files must be readable using Microsoft Office 365, Work, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat or Access. Scanner resolutions must be set at least 200 dots per inch (dpi) when submitting files in Adobe PDF. Ensure that attachments are not too large to be emailed. When splitting up the attachment, be sure to identify the solicitation on the email subject line, i.e.

36C25520R0084/ABC Company/1 of 4. Note: Zip files are not acceptable. It is incumbent upon the offeror to ensure that their proposal is received by the due date and time when submitting electronically.

(2). Tailoring of Paragraph (c) of 52.212-1, Period for Acceptance of Offers: Note that paragraph (c) of 52.212-1 above is being tailored from its normal 30-day period for acceptance of offers. The Offeror in this procurement is agreeing to hold the prices in its offer firm for 60 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers.

(3). TECHNICAL QUESTIONS: Offerors should submit all technical questions regarding this solicitation to the Contracting Officer in writing. Questions may be sent via e-mail to tresanna.tacia@va.gov. Subject shall be identified as Sol. 36C25520R0084. Verbal questions will not be addressed. All responses to questions, which may affect offers, will be incorporated via an amendment to the solicitation. Questions must be received no later than 10/29/2020 at 11:00AM CT.

(4). PROPOSAL EVALUATION:

i. Offers will be evaluated for both technical merit and price reasonableness following the evaluation procedures of this solicitation. The offer format, which follows, has been included to assist you in preparing a complete offer. In order to provide full consideration of your qualifications and ability for contract award, you are encouraged to ensure that the information furnished in support of your offer is factual, accurate and complete.

http://sam.gov/ mailto:tresanna.tacia@va.gov mailto:tresanna.tacia@va.gov

ii. You may provide information you believe will enhance your offer, however, overly elaborate presentations are not desired. Failure to provide the information requested may render the offeror’s as unacceptable. The Government reserves the right to verify any information provided.

iii. The government is not obligated to request any additional information from an offeror who does not provide sufficiently detailed information of which an accurate evaluation can be made of an offeror. Failure to submit complete information in the manner described above for the Offer may be considered a “no response” and exclude the offer from further consideration.

iv. The Offer will be submitted in a narrative form, which clearly addresses the Evaluation Factors for Award as outlined in the following paragraphs. Each response shall address each element within the respective Factor in the sequence listed and shall clearly identify which element of the Factor is being addressed. This is not intended to restrict answering in as much detail as the offeror deems necessary to adequately present and address each element in the technical proposal. Offeror must identify any subcontractors proposed to be utilized for the provision of services required under this solicitation. All elements applicable to the utilization of subcontractors must be addressed in the technical proposal.

(5). EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD: Offers will be evaluated and rated based upon the technical factors set forth in 52.212-2. Which are:

Two Phase Evaluation Factors (similar to those described in VAAR 873.111 (d)):

Non-price Factors are Factors 1-3:

Phase 1 – Advisory Down Select Factor 1 (Go/No-Go): Current and/or Previous Experience - Three (3) years of experience as the prime contractor within the last 5 years providing the same type services for facilities of a similar size as the EKHCS. A frequency chart/volume chart has been added to the solicitation as an Attachment to gauge that experience level.

Phase 2 – Best Value Tradeoff Criteria Factor 2: Technical Capabilities. See Components that must be address within the technical proposal portion to receive consideration for full credit. The quality of how those items are addressed will determine the total rating. Items

a. Overall technical approach as it relates back to the Performance Work Statement and ensuring that it addresses the six (6) areas listed below.

b. Components that must be addressed within the technical proposal portion to receive consideration for full credit. The quality of how those items are addressed will determine the total rating.

a. Available 24/7/365

b. Response time within 30 minutes for routine transfers

c. Qualified staff to provide appropriate services

d. Patient Safety

e. Vehicle maintenance

f. Socio-Economic Considerations or Subcontracting Plan pursuant to Provision 852.215-

Ultimately, the overall technical approach will be evaluated based on the merits of the approach as it relates back to the requirements contained in the Performance Work Statement or effective strategies for providing the required services. After the overall approach is evaluated it, it will then be evaluated against the sub-components below to ensure each component has been adequately addressed. See Components that must be addressed within the technical proposal portion to receive consideration for full credit. The quality of how those items are addressed will determine the total rating.

Factor 3: Past performance

Factor 4: Price

a. Factor 1 (considered the Phase 1 Advisory Down Select Factor) establishes a minimal level of experience performing similar services. Experience must be gained as the prime contractor providing services substantially the same for hospitals of a similar size. Substantially the same is defined as performing services at 50% or greater of the current estimated volumes for two facilities. Vendors shall provide verifiable experience with the contact information where similar services were provided. If a “No-Go” rating is received, the vendor will only receive a notice that they did not move forward past Phase 1 of the down select criteria, and this information is being provided on an advisory basis based on the experience requirement that was not met.

b. All vendors can submit technical and price related proposals in Phase 2. However, vendors who did not meet the experience level required will be advised they have little to no chance of being awarded the contract. Evaluation Factors 2 and 3 are considered non-cost technical factors. These non-cost technical factors listed are of equal importance. Technical and past performance when combined are slightly more important than cost or price alone.

Technical and past performance, when combined, are slightly more important than price. The VA will evaluate the Offers, and rate each offer using an adjectival rating. The contractor that provides the best value to the Government will be awarded the contract.

* Socioeconomic Considerations: In an effort to achieve socioeconomic small business goals, the Government will evaluate proposed participation in performance of the contract by Service- Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (“SDVOSB”) and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (“VOSB”). The following clauses, which are included in the Addendum to FAR 52.212-4 and 52.212-5 in Section C in of this Solicitation, set forth what will be considered under this evaluation factor.

• VAAR 852.215-70, SDVOSB and VOSB Evaluation Factors (DEC 2009)

• VAAR 852.215-71, Evaluation Factor Commitments (DEC 2009)

• VAAR 852.219-71, VA Mentor-Protégé Program (DEC 2009)

• VAAR 852.219-72: Evaluation Factor for Participation in the VA mentor-Protégé Program (DEC 2009)

• FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (JAN 2011)

• VAAR 852.219-9, VA Small Business Subcontracting Plan Minimum Requirements

(DEC 2009)

E.3 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY

REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions 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. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation

Network Contracting Office (NCO) 15 3450 S 4th Street Trafficway

Leavenworth KS 66048

(b) The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO.

E.8 VAAR 852.233-70 PROTEST CONTENT/ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE

RESOLUTION (OCT 2018)

(a) Any protest filed by an interested party shall—

(1) Include the name, address, fax number, email and telephone number of the protester;

(2) Identify the solicitation and/or contract number;

(3) Include an original signed by the protester or the protester’s representative and at least one copy;

(4) Set forth a detailed statement of the legal and factual grounds of the protest, including a description of resulting prejudice to the protester, and provide copies of relevant documents;

(5) Specifically request a ruling of the individual upon whom the protest is served;

(6) State the form of relief requested; and

(7) Provide all information establishing the timeliness of the protest.

(b) Failure to comply with the above may result in dismissal of the protest without further consideration.

(c) Bidders/offerors and Contracting Officers are encouraged to use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures to resolve protests at any stage in the protest process. If ADR is used, the Department of Veterans Affairs will not furnish any documentation in an ADR proceeding beyond what is allowed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(End of Addendum to 52.212-1)

E.9 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2014)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

Phase 1- Advisory Down Select – This Submission is Due 10/27/2020 11/6/2020 by

11:00AM CT

Factor 1- (Go/No-Go Factor) – Experience Current and/or Previous Experience - Three (3) years of experience as the prime contractor within the last five (5) years providing the same type services for facilities of a similar size as the EKHCS. A frequency chart/volume chart has been added to the solicitation as an Attachment to gauge that experience level. The experience section should clearly define start date and ending dates of experience received prior to closing date of this RFP. See Page 99, page100, and Attachment 6 for additional information.

Phase 2 - Best Value Tradeoff Criteria – See pages 16-35 and Pages 99-100 for additional information.

Factor 2- Technical Capability I. Overall technical approach II. Sub-Factors/Components within the Technical Approach

a. Available 24/7/365

b. Response time within 30 minutes for routine transfers

c. Qualified staff to provide appropriate services

d. Patient Safety

e. Vehicle maintenance

f. Socio-Economic Considerations or Subcontracting Plan pursuant to Provision 852.215-70

Factor 3 -Past Performance – See Attachment 1 for additional information.

The Past Performance evaluation will assess the relative risks associated with an offeror’s likelihood of success in performing the solicitation’s requirements as indicated by that offeror’s record of past performance. The offeror should provide no more than three (3) contracts for review. Past Performance should be recent and relevant. For each listed contract the vendor must be listed as the prime contractor, and the offeror will provide the following information:

(a) Project or contract title,

(b) Contract number and duration,

(c) Name and address of contracting activity,

(d) Name and phone/fax numbers for the Procurement Contracting Officer, Administrative Contracting Officer, and/or Contracting Officer’s Representative,

(e) A brief summary of the service provided, to include any special problems or challenges, proposed and applied solutions, and results. If no past performance is provided the offeror will receive a rating of neutral.

(1) Recency Definition: Past performance efforts will first be evaluated for recency. To be recent, some portion of the performance effort must have occurred within the last three years prior to the issue date of the solicitation. Among those performance efforts qualifying as recent, more recent efforts will be given greater weight than less recent efforts.

(2) Relevancy Definition: The Government will next evaluate the relevancy of performance that qualified as recent. The Government will conduct an in-depth evaluation of all recent performance information obtained to determine if it is the same or similar in nature, size, and complexity to the services/products being procured under this solicitation.

Note: The Government will review available past performance data in the Past Performance Information Retrieval System (PPIRS); however, the Government reserves the right to obtain past performance information from any available source and may contact customers other than those identified by the offeror when evaluating past performance.

Factor 4 -Price -See Section B.4 and the Continuation of Section B.4. Both should be completed in their entirety (to include the percentage of unit price for fuel) for consideration.

Price analysis will be used to determine that the prices are fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR Part 15.404-1(b).

(1) Award will be made to the responsible, responsive offeror whose offer, conforming to this solicitation, is determined to be the best value to the Government (price and non-price factors considered).

(2) As a basis for award, trade-offs between price and non-price factors are permitted.

THEREFORE, THE GOVERNMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AWARD TO OTHER

THAN THE LOWEST PROPOSED PRICE. However, the degree of importance of price as a factor in determining award could become greater depending upon the equality of the proposals evaluated in the non-price factors. The greater the equality of proposals within the non-price factors, the more important price becomes in selecting the best value to the Government.

(3) The Government intends to evaluate proposals and award a contract without discussions with Offerors. Therefore, the Offeror’s initial proposal should contain the Offeror’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. The Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if the Contracting Officer determines them to be necessary. In the event that discussions are held, a competitive range determination will be made. If the Contracting Officer determines that the number of proposals that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the Contracting Officer may limit the number of proposals in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated proposals. Clause 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services will be included in the solicitation and subsequent contract. Therefore, the government will evaluate prices for the option by using the last year’s option prices to calculate the price for the six months of effort and adding that amount to the base and other option years to arrive at the overall total of the contract.

Technical and past performance, when combined, are slightly more important than price.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

E.10 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS—

COMMERCIAL ITEMS (MAR 2020)

The Offeror shall complete only paragraph (b) of this provision if the Offeror has completed the annual representations and certification electronically in the System for Award Management

(SAM) accessed through https://www.sam.gov. If the Offeror has not completed the annual https://www.sam.gov/