Questions Related to Solicitation 36C25524Q0018 VISN 15 Eyeglasses and Optician Services Interim 12-1-23.docx

Questions Related to Solicitation 36C25524Q0018 - VISN 15 Eyeglasses and Optician Services Interim

1. Please confirm that the contract that results from this solicitation will not be linked to any current or proposed contract between the contractor and the Veterans Canteen Service. 36C25524Q0018 will not be linked to VCS

2. Paragraph 5.7 and its sub-paragraphs set conditions on any potential contract between the contractor and the Veterans Canteen Service, including price restrictions. Later, in paragraph 19.10, the solicitation states the contract is not linked in any way to any VCS agreement. Our interpretation is that these statements are a direct contradiction. Our suggestion is to remove this section 5.7 entirely. If not, please clarify. The resulting award will not include VCS, the language will stay however. The language will not be removed.

3. Please also see work statement paragraph 14 for language that creates restrictions on any VCS contract that includes upgrades. Our suggestion is to remove all evident conflicts with any potential VCS contract. If not, please clarify. Same response as above

4. If the anticipated contract is not linked with any VCS contract, we suggest VA removes the discussion of upgrades from SOW paragraph 14 “Warranty,” in order to avoid contractual conflicts with any potential contract between the contractor and the VCS. Does VA agree? If not, please explain. The language will remain as the government does not see any conflicts, this resulting contract will not involve VCS

5. Please clarify this statement in paragraph 15: “The VA will ship the glasses using a carrier that can track the shipment.” Again, we expect the language used here originated from a VA solicitation where the contractor is not required to provide any opticians. Our expectation is that the contractor would be responsible for returning remakes to the lab, as needed, at contractor staffed optical shops. Please clarify. Contractor provided opticians will provide shipping that will have tracking package capabilities and the vendor will be responsible for returning remakes to the lab as needed. The optician can utilize the VA mailroom to ship the prepaid package.

6. Do the photochromic plastic CLINs (XX20) include anything other than “Transitions Signature” or equal? Other photochromic options, items such as Transitions XTRActive or equal, are more expensive to procure than Transitions Signature or equal. Grouping all photochromic lens options in one CLIN may unnecessarily increase VA’s costs. We suggest VISN 15 creates individual line items for all photochromic lens options, as other recent VISN contracts have done. This is brand name or equal, no revisions will be made

7. It appears VA may have unintentionally omitted Transitions XTRActive from the work statement (including in paragraph 5.1.1.6). Can VA please clarify if both Transitions XTRActive and Transitions XTRActive Polarized should be included in the work statement? No, It is a brand name or equal requirement

8. Please confirm if frame samples are required with the offeror’s response. No

9. If frame samples are not required with the solicitation response, what process should offerors expect the VA to use to assess if the successful offeror’s provided frames meet the requirements of the solicitation? Price is the evaluation criteria, though the Government is still required to determine the offeror responsible based on the processes outlined in the FAR.

10. Please confirm that the Service Contract Act and all related contract clauses do not apply to this solicitation or any resultant contract. The Service Contract Labor Standards do not apply to this requirement. See FAR 52.212-5.

11. Will VA allow the contractor to use an online customer survey, in addition to the paper copy required by contract? In our experience, multiple survey methods help to increase the number of responses from Veterans. And regardless of survey type, all responses can be easily compiled and reported to VA, in accordance with the solicitation reporting requirements. Yes

12. Please confirm if the lens type being requested on all bifocal CLINs and sub-CLINs (complete pair and lens only) is FT28. Confirmed. The lens type being requested on all bifocal CLINs and sub-CLINs is FT28.

13. Please confirm if the lens type being requested on all trifocal CLINs and sub-CLINs (complete pair and lens only) is 7x28. Confirmed. The lens type being requested on all trifocal CLINs and sub-CLINs Is 7x28.

14. Currently, safety frames are included in CLIN’s 0001, 0002, 0003, and 0004 (base and option years). Similar to Titanium frames, safety frames are most appropriately included in the schedule as an add on, in order to minimize cost to the VA. Would the VA consider adding CLINs to the schedule for safety frames? No, add-on CLINs will not be added to the price schedule for safety frames.

15. Section 1.4.1 on page 66 says all plastic lenses will have scratch resistance coating. Section 5.1.1 on pages 77 and 78 says all lenses must have scratch resistance coating. Please clarify. All shall have scratch resistant coating

16. Work statement paragraph 5 and it’s subparagraphs indicate a high index range of 1.60-1.74. The price schedule includes CLINs for 1.56 as well. We understand VA likely intends to purchase the range of high index lenses in the schedule. Can you please confirm? The line items on the solicitation incorporates 1.56 already

17. Work statement paragraph 5.1.2.2. indicates flex hinges are acceptable. Please confirm if this statement indicates that hypo-allergenic flex titanium frames are acceptable. Yes

18. Will VA consider reducing the requirement for an additional lab inspection, after final inspection, to 2%, or remove it altogether? Regardless of the number of lab inspections, the contractor will still be required to perform to the quality performance standards specified in the contract, which will ensure the VA receives the quality required. No changes will be made to this requirement.