Questions _ Answers.docx

Q1. Is it possible to tell me who the incumbent contractor is and what contract award amount is for a base year an any option years?

A1. The vendor was C E & G Transport Services, Inc. Base and 4 option years totaled $1,131,750.24.

Q2. Previous award amount?

A2. $1,131,750.24.

Q3. Incumbent contractor?

A3. C E & G Transport Services, Inc.

Q4. Any changes from current contract to this new solicitation?

A4. Yes. The VA is requiring the courier to complete two daily scheduled round trips, one morning round trip and a second-round trip in the afternoons Monday through Friday for the Monroe, Texarkana, and Longview clinics. The VA is requiring the courier to complete two daily scheduled round trips, one morning round trip and a second-round trip in the afternoons Monday through Friday for the Buckner Square and the Knight Street clinic. The VA is now requiring one scheduled round trip each Friday for the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare system.

Q5. Number of current drivers?

A5. The current contract winner has 4 drivers.

Q6. Will mini-transit vans be sufficient?

A6. Yes

Q7. What’s the max mileage radius from OBVAMC for as needed requests for the Shreveport/Bossier area?

A7. The travel radius only includes Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas.

Q8. For stat requirements - what’s the turnaround time from point of call to delivery?

A8. Two hours

Q9. What’s the estimated number of boxes/equipment that is transported each day?

A9. 25 boxes per round trip.

Q10. Will the VA provide specimen coolers and refrigerants? If this is the contractors responsibility; how many coolers per CBOC; sizes; hard/soft side cooler; lockable type?

A10. The contractor is responsible for purchasing the coolers and refrigerants. Two coolers per clinic. Hard side 50 Quart lockable type coolers.

Q11. Regarding the transportation of oxygen tanks and nitrogen - do the couriers need a special license to transport? Do the vehicles need to be placard? Will the VA supply racks to hold the tanks? How many cylinders are transported on average?

A11. The contractor is responsible for purchasing placard and signs/ supplies and racks to hold the tanks. On an average, there should only be four tanks transported at one time.

Q12. Regarding the pharmacy items - are couriers transporting narcotics/controlled substances? Any special license to transport if so?

A12. Yes, it is a possibility. VA supplies the containers and the locks for the device. The VA does not require a special license, but you must comply with all other applicable laws.

Q13. Is this a new requirement or is there an incumbent contract? If there is a current contract, will the Government please provide the current contract number, incumbent contractor, and the previous awarded contract value?

A13. There is an incumbent contractor. Current contract number: VA256-17-D-0082; Incumbent Contractor: C E & G Transport Services, Inc.; Previous awarded contract value: Base and 4 option years totaled $1,131,750.24.

Q14. How many vehicles and FTEs are currently used to complete the weekly trip schedule?

A14. The VA does not know the number of FTEs that the vendor uses.

Q15. The solicitation makes no mention of a transition/phase-in period. A transition period would be beneficial to familiarize drivers with the locations, routes, parking requirements, etc. How much time will offerors be given to transition the contract from the incumbent contractor?

A15. The Period of Performance will start on 01 October 2021. The winning vendor may use anytime between notice of award and 01 October 2021 to familiarize themselves with locations, routes, parking, etc.

Q16. Regarding submission of offers, can the Government provide the file size limitation for email?

A16. Contracting has not created file size limitations for e-mails. If your file size exceeds VA IT limitations, you will be required to send multiple smaller e-mails.

Q17. Factor B instructions state, “The personnel required for the successful execution of this requirement are identified in the PWS…Documentation which includes (but is not limited to) resumes, certifications, credentials, and education documents should be submitted that verifies the relevant experience, education, and knowledge of these individuals.” The Contractor Employees section of the SOW lists key personnel as “primary and alternate Project and Program Managers.” Are offerors required to propose both positions (Program and Project Managers)?

A17. From SOW: “A list of key personnel shall include primary and alternate Project and Program Managers responsible for ensuring successful performance of the courier services.”

Q18. Factor B requires documentation to verify relevant experience, education, and knowledge of offeror personnel. Will the Government please verify that offerors are only required to provide this documentation for key personnel?

A18. At a minimum, this documentation is required for key personnel.

Q19. Factor C instructions state “Offerors shall submit documentation to prove their ability to meet the performance schedule as defined in the Performance Work Statement.” Will the Government please clarify what documentation should offerors provide to prove their ability to perform the schedule?

A19. Provide your proposed schedule with your plan to meet the requirements.

Q20. On page 18 of the Scope of Work, the departure times listed for CBOCs are 9:30am and 3:00pm Monday through Friday; however, on page 20 all three CBOC schedules do not align. For example, the Monroe CBOC schedule list a morning departure of 8:30am and an afternoon departure of 2:30pm. There is also a discrepancy with the CAVHS schedules on page 18 and page 22. What are the actual scheduled departure/arrival times for each CBOC and CAVHS?

A20. Corrections were made on the revised SOW.

Q21. For the As-Needed Trips, what is the contractual response time (notification of as-needed trip to Driver arrival at pick-up location) during normal working hours (8am – 5pm), after hours (5pm – 8am), weekends, and holidays?

A21. One-hour response time for returned calls and the driver’s maximum arrival time at the pick-up location is three - hours. This is applicable to any scenario or time of day.

Q22. “The VA Government Information Specialist will the contractor with the training required.” Please clarify.

A22. Corrections were made on the revised SOW. The COR will notify the Contractor of the details.

Q23. “The contractor shall pick up pharmaceuticals, supplies, samples, x-rays, specimens, patient records, equipment that can fit within a half-ton panel van or weighs up to 160 pounds, forms and/or other items required by OBVAMC and delivered to the specified destination.” Regarding the requirement to transport equipment weighing up to 160 pounds, will VA personnel be available to help drivers load and unload heavy equipment? If VA personnel are not required to assist, will offerors be given sufficient notice in order to schedule two drivers to complete the heavy equipment transport?

A23. Revised to read 50 pounds. VA personnel are not required to assist drivers with loading and unloading. The VA will provide 72 hours’ notice to the contractor in regard to scheduling additional drivers to transport heavy equipment.