36C25619Q1016-0001000.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 ADM

INISTRATIVE 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 d ate 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 3

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) 520-19-3-9332-0005 None Department of Veterans Affairs Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System Network Contracting Office 16 400 Veterans Avenue Biloxi

MS 39531

Department of Veterans Affairs Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System Network Contracting Office 16 400 Veterans Avenue Biloxi MS 39531 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C25619Q1016 07-01-2019

X X X 12PM CST July 15, 2019

The purpose of this amendment is to answer all questions derived from solicitation 36C25619Q1016 courier service.

***All responses remain due by 12PM CST July 15, 2019 via email to tina.harris3@va.gov***

********************SEE CONTINUATION PAGE FOR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS********************

Tina Harris Contracting Officer

CONTINUATION PAGE

1. If it's necessary to fill out a Past Performance form and also include a Past Performance Questionnaire since they're both asking for similar information? Can we provide a PPIRS report in lieu of the reference?

Yes, both are required for the Past performance references is the list of historical contracts performed, while the questionnaire is that customers input as to the quality of service performed.

You can provide the PPIRS for we pull these for validation however, we still require the questionnaire. Not all of the same information is addressed in PPIRS as the questionnaire.

2. Can you please provide the name of the incumbent and the price of the last full option year?

This is a new requirement, there is no incumbent for these services for these locations. Our Mobile Clinic is new.

3. How large are the totes that we will be picking up each day?

The totes are about 12” tall X 15” wide X 22” long

4. What's the average number of totes that will need to be picked up?

There will generally be one red and one grey per trip. However, there could be more. Transporting from Biloxi to Mobile in the morning there will be one grey bin with contents and possibly several red bins that would be empty and stackable. Transporting from Mobile to Biloxi in the evening there will be one or two red bins with contents and possibly multiple grey bins that would be empty and stackable.

5. Can you please provide the weight range that these totes will be?

The bins with contents would be less than 20lbs each.

6. I would like a copy of that contract or at least the contract award number.

7. What was the previous contract award amount?

8. Who is the incumbent contractor?

9. Have there been any changes to the contract that affected the previous award amount?

Please see response to question # 2 above for answer to questions 6,7,8, and 9

10. What size are the RME totes and how many are expected at the time of pick up?

Please see response to questions #3 and #4 above.

11. What is the average weight per tote?

Please see response to question #5 above

12. Is the vehicle required to be a company owned or are personal vehicles acceptable?

Company Car

13. Are there any vehicle requirements regarding the interior surfaces? For instance, if the car has cloth seats or areas covered in fabric where the totes were stored would that be a cleaning issues with the use of the Sani-wipes?

Area that is used for tote needs to cleanable with Sani-wipes.

14. Is it required that the entire vehicle interior needs to be fully wipeable for sterilization?

NO

15. Is there a VHA Directive that the contractor will need to follow?

VHA DIRECTIVE 1116(2)

j. When transporting outside the medical facility:

(1) The closed, soiled container to be transported to the host medical facility must be exchanged for a clean container at each scheduled pick up. The closed, soiled container must be placed in a larger container or closed cart for transport. The cart or container must be properly labeled for biohazard transport according to local, state, and federal Department of Transportation regulations. Soiled items must be contained in such a way as not to contaminate the person or persons in the transport vehicle or the vehicle itself.

(2) Clean containers are to be dedicated for clean transport and storage. Clean containers must be clearly designated as such and are never to be used to transport soiled equipment. Reprocessed items (high-level disinfected or sterilized) must be transported in an enclosed vehicle. The design and materials used in the construction of transport vehicles needs to allow for appropriate decontamination processes, especially if the vehicles are to be used alternately for the transport of clean or sterile items. Transport vehicles are to be checked periodically to ensure that they do not leak.

16. What was the cost of the final full option year of the previous contract?

Please see response to Question #2 above

17. How many drivers/vehicles are currently used to service the current contract?

There is no contract currently in place recommend at least two drivers.

18. What are the vehicle sizes required?

A vehicle that can sustain transport of the tote size stated above and meet the specifications required in the statement of work.

19. Will dry ice be needed for specimen transport? Is it the responsibility of the contractor to provide dry ice?

NO, dry ice is not needed for the transport

20. Regarding personnel and vehicles to perform and their documentation: It is common practice for small businesses that the drivers, cars and other equipment used for a contract are not sourced until after an award has been made, for cost effectiveness and to reduce loss. Will you be accepting this documentation after the award? We believe 5 business days after the award is a very short window. Will you be providing more time to set-up the contract performance?

The perspective contractor shall know in advance who they will be utilizing for drivers for this is a part of the evaluation criteria. The need for potential qualified drivers must be presented prior to award for it is apart of evaluation listed in addendum to FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation.

For example: If you intend on subcontracting out the driver position, you can provide potential driver information. If awarded the contract, the actual documentation for the actual hired deriver must be provided within 5 business days.

21. Do you require attachments 005 to 008 to be signed and return with our Proposal?

There are seven (7) attachments labeled attachment A thru Attachment G. Attachments5, 6 and 7 which you are referring to, should be Attachment E,F, and G respectively. Attachment F and G, which are the notification of compliance with insurance and Contractors Rules of Behavior must be returned with packaged signed.

NOTE: You only need to return the signature page of attachment G in lieu of all the pages. Please don’t forget to sign and return attachment D Contractor certification.

22. Will this contract be SCA enforced? After reviewing the solicitation on FBO, it contains language and dollar values regarding the Service Contract Act. This solicitation stipulates $12.93 minimum wage for courier drivers, $4.18 minimum H&W, Sick Time/Vacation. Do you verify now that those are the minimum required rates to be performed on this contract upon award?

The contract does utilize the Service Contract Act (SCA). These are the minimum wage requirements provided by the Department of Labor and yes hey are checked.

23. SBA Final Rule regarding FAR Clause 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting, dated June 30, 2016, reclassifies Independent Contractor drivers as Subcontractors — 13 CFR 125.6 “Work performed by an independent contractor shall be considered a subcontract.” Please inform us how the VA would like us to proceed upon award regarding this rule change given that it will affect our offer regarding pricing and performance.

There is a deviation to FAR52.219-14 An independent contractor will be considered a subcontractor and that the subcontractor has to be s similar socio-economic status in order to achieve the 50% amount of work for the set aside requirement.

End of Document