36C25623Q1091 0001.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 NUMBERE

D CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE 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 amendmen t, and is received prior to the opening hour and date 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 30

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) 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

36C25623Q1091 06-12-2023

X X X June 20, 2023; 10:00 a.m. CT See CONTINUATION Page X The purpose of this amendment is to respond to all questions received and extend the due date from 06/14/2023 to reflect 06/20/2023; 10:00 a.m. CT . No other questions will be entertained at this time.

Danette Rene' Impey Contracting Officer

CONTINUATION PAGE

Questions to RFQ 36C25623Q1091

1. APHA Method 9215 is the testing procedure in the lab, not the sampling procedure for collecting water samples. VHA Directive 1061 (1) is for Legionella which appears to be the reason for the solicitation. Can you please confirm if this solicitation is for Legionella?

This solicitation is for Legionella and Heterotrophic plate count per the Scope of Work (SOW).

The VA requires ELITE Certified labs for testing Legionella. EPA provides sampling procedures, and there are numerous agencies that also suggest sampling procedures, none discuss wiping down the sampling point with alcohol before sampling. I am curious as to why a healthcare environment would want to mask the results that would lead to false negatives.

The recommendation to wipe test ports with alcohol at critical water sample points was made to VA by subject matter experts (SMEs) who specialize in reverse osmosis membranes and their performance in critical waster for healthcare and pharmaceutical applications. VA consulted with SMEs to determine the root cause of inconsistent false positives for critical water HPC tests. The revised sampling procedure for critical water was also reviewed by VA Engineering, Sterile Processing Service (SPS) and Infection Control. The procedure requires cleaning the port before a 5 - 10-minute flush of critical water through that port before taking the HPC sample. This ensures no residual alcohol creates a false negative and we receive the most representative sample of the critical water.

2. Scope Clarification: Are there any specific areas within the facilities that require more frequent or intensive testing? Are there any additional services that might be required as part of this contract that are not explicitly mentioned in the Scope of Work?

The frequencies and quantities are defined in the scope of work. Any additional services that might be required due changing conditions, requirements, or equipment will be handled through a contract modification with the review and approval of the Contacting Officer (CO).

3. Evaluation Criteria: Could you provide more information about the evaluation criteria for proposals? What factors will be given the most weight (e.g., cost, technical capability, past performance)?

Technical capability and past performance will be of equal importance, while also providing competitive pricing.

Questions to RFQ 36C25623Q1091 (cont’d)

4. Budget: Is there a budget range for this contract? Understanding the budget can help us create a more competitive proposal.

The government cannot take a position of advising an offeror on what it should or should not include in their quotes. In accordance with FAR 13.106-2(b)(3), the quotes will undergo a comparative analysis evaluation to determine which vendor provides the best value to the government in terms of high technical capability and past performance, while also providing a competitive price.

5. Past Contractors: If possible, could you share any lessons learned or feedback from past contractors who have performed similar work?

The government is not authorized to provide this information.

6. Point of Contact: Who will be our main point of contact during the execution of the work? Will it be you or someone else from your team?

A Contracting Officer Representative (COR) based at the Pensacola, FL, Clinic, will be appointed to oversee the execution of the work for the duration of the contract on or before contract award.

7. Maintenance Coordination: Are there any specific maintenance schedules or activities that we need to be aware of that could potentially impact our testing schedule?

For awareness, Biomed monthly disinfects the RO critical water loop and the cooling towers are serviced annually by a mechanical contractor. Biomed works around the critical water testing schedule. Annual cooling tower service normally involves draining and cleaning the sumps. These service dates can be communicated by the COR and may affect the ability to catch sump samples.

8. Work Permits: Are there any work permits or other forms of documentation that we need to complete before we can commence our testing procedures?

Lab accreditations requirements are described in SOW. Sampler must be registered with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) as a certified environmental health contractor. VA’s Water Safety Management Team (WSMT) requires the forms below be filled out by the awarded contractor.

9. Lockout/Tagout Procedures: Are there any lockout or tagout procedures that we need to follow during our testing operations?

No. Sample ports are arranged so that water samples can be collected safely while the RO critical water loop, HVAC condenser loop, and cooling towers are operating.

Questions to RFQ 36C25623Q1091 (cont’d)

10. Potential Challenges: Could you please identify any potential issues or challenges that could cause a delay in pulling samples?

· Government holiday schedule

· Unplanned HVAC equipment downtime. Per VHA Engineering Standard ES-2019-001 HPC water samples are not required on HVAC cooling tower water when cooling tower system is not operational.

See attached document: Water Safety Mgmt Tool.

See attached document: Lab Cert Water Safety Mgmt Tool.

image1.emf

Sampler Certification Info WSMT.pdf image2.emf

Lab Certification WSMT.pdf