Questions and Reponses.pdf

Questions and Responses

36C25622Q1149

1. Amico has a significant amount of experience and success in retrofitting our ceiling lift’s on other manufacturers’ rails with ease for large health organizations (references available). As part of the installation and commissioning a Load test is performed at the safe-working load of the lift. This follows standard PM policies to ensure compliance of the overall system with ISO 10535 standard. We have found this to be extremely economical for facilities going this route in lieu of removing ceiling tracks. Before allocating further resources, we would like to confirm this is a viable option for the New Orleans VA Medical Center.

Answer: This is a viable option as long as the lift system can be certified by the installer upon completion.

2. In Section B.2 Price Cost Schedule: Item 001AA mentions Name brand or Equal to

Handicare A450 Manual Traverse. Although in Ceiling Lift performance requirements,

xxvii. “Ceiling Lifts shall not be combined with rails or hardware from different manufacturers.” These are contradicting one another. Could you please confirm whether this is a sole source for Handicare or if other ceiling lift manufacturers (other than Handicare) can retrofit onto the existing tracks?

Answer: Section 3 (a) xxvii “Ceiling Lifts shall not be combined with rails or hardware from different manufacturers” is now removed from the PWS.

3. If other manufacturers meet the specification that cannot be put on the Handicare rails, can you please explain why?

Answer: If another manufacturer meets the specification per the solicitation, contractor shall ensure compatibility to be put on the existing rails.

4. In statement of works it mentions we will be installing on Handicare tracks but in the attachment it shows Waverley Glen Specifications. Understanding they are both the same enterprise at this point in time, can you confirm whether it is Handicare or Waverley Glen track we are installing Lifts on?

Answer: Waverley Glen

5. Price/Cost Schedule identifies of capabilities of bariatric patients. Although, the SOW only requests 450lbs capacity. Can you clarify what the track systems are rated to? 450lbs?

880lbs? 1000lbs? With our lift capabilities, we have the ability to economically switch from

450lbs to 880lbs and to 1000lbs depending on the rail rating.

Answer: 450 pounds

6. What style Rails systems are currently installed throughout the VA?

1. XY Gantry

2. Straight Track

3. Curves and Turntable

4. All of the above

Answer: all of the above

7. Confirm the style of inrail charging that is currently being used; Continuous Charge throughout entire track or End-Rail Charging?

Answer: continuous charge

8. In Section D. 2. A. i. Part List: A450 Manual Traverse w/ Load Cell. Could you please clarify the functionality of the Load Cell?

Answer: A load cell is a transducer that converts the mechanical force into readable electrical units, similar to our regular weighing scales.

9. In Section D. Performance work statement paragraph D.3.a.vii states “Ceiling lift motors shall be fully compatible with existing Handicare OMNI-Charge in-rail charging track systems. Lift motors shall be able to utilize this charging setup anywhere along the rail or provide charging capability at one point along the track.” Please provide more clarity to “or provide charging capability at one point along the track”. Does this mean the lift must be able to be continuously charged at any one section of a track? The same question applied to

D.3.a.xvi

Answer: Vendor must provide a way for the motor to charge at least one point on the track continuously (to include being docked at one end and charged).

10. Please provide clarification on if you want the ceiling lifts to continue to be powered traverse or are you changing these ceiling lifts to manual traverse?

Answer: Continue to be powered traverse.

11. Once the project is awarded, can you please confirm the estimated start date?

Answer: Estimated Award date September 1, 2022

12. SF1442 -Please send a copy of this form as we cannot locate it within the documentation

Answer: SF1442 is not within document or required for this Solicitation.

13. Please confirm whether:

a) the VA is considering “or equivalent” lifts that can utilize existing Handicare/Prism/Waverly

Glen rails, OR

b) “Ceiling lifts shall not be combined with rails or hardware from different manufacturers” as stated in B.4 PWS Section D.3.xxvii

If “a”, then the VA is limited to one manufacturer, which restricts full and open market competition, and may result in bids that do not represent the best value to the VA.

If “b”, then contractors must be allowed to remove entire rail system and install entirely new systems to latest standards and technology, which might be in the VA’s favor given that the current systems are past their useful life after only 7 years (below industry standard of 10 years) in addition to utilizing components and rails from manufacturers that no longer exist.

Answer: The VA is considering “or equivalent” lifts that can utilize existing

Handicare/Prism/Waverly Glen rails. During the market research phase, interested vendors confirmed they had the capability of utilizing existing rails with different brand lifts.

14. According to the VA Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Design Criteria handbook

(https://www.cfm.va.gov/til/etc/dcSPHM.pdf) and following the direction of VISNs across the country, the preferred layout for ceiling lift systems is traverse/room-covering, with or without tracks into the bathroom and with a weight capacity of 550 lbs. minimum

(section 2.8.2.3 VA EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION – OVERHEAD RAIL SYSTEM).

a Is there a specific reason this facility requires straight rail systems, "which are of limited assistance in performing many high-risk patient handling tasks" (VA Safe Patient Handling and

Mobility Design Criteria handbook section 2.8.2-1) and with such restrictive weight capacities?

Answer: The requirement is to utilize existing rail systems.

15. Is there a project timeline as to when the SDVOSB will be awarded the project?

Answer: Solicitation is unrestricted.

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