36C25624Q0774 0003.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 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 amendment, 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) 00586 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Officer 16 715 S. Pear Orchard Road Ridgeland

MS

39157 10N16 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 16 715 South Pear Orchard Road Ridgeland

MS

39157 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C25624Q0774

X x x

See CONTINUATION Page

The purpose of this amendment is to answer the questions asked in reference to the soliciation.

Please see the following page for the questions and answers Please see Number 11 in the questions and answers. E.5 5.212-2 Evaluations is replaced with the update in Number 11 of the questions and answers.

This solicitation is NOT extended and responses are due by 4pm CST May 17, 2024.

Ricky Weaver Contract Officer

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. In Amendment 0001, question 2 – the history of minimal re-testing needed over the past several years is very useful, could you please expand the answer to include how the bidder should price for re-sampling? Is it to be wrapped inside overall pricing or will it be discussed/handled at the time retesting is needed? Hourly rate for retesting should be submitted with the bid

2. Are there any access challenges to the various locations from which samples will be drawn? No

3. Will the onsite POC be readily available on a scheduled testing day to escort our personnel to the various sites where samples will be drawn, at least the first time when sampling occurs? Yes

4. Is there a current or recent contract for the work being solicited? If so, what is the contract or task order number, plus the name of the vendor? 36C25619C0086. Hyperion Biotechnology

5. Is this contract subject to Clause 52.222-43 Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards--Price Adjustment? If so, can the government provide an amendment showing this?

For option contracts when Service Contract Labor standards apply, yes. However, Service Contract Labor Standards don't apply to all service contracts.

If the contract includes 52.222-55, the same type of price adjustments will be authorized annually in January instead of at the award of the option periods.

6. Section 2.2.5 Are any of the buildings listed in the solicitation that have 20 or fewer sample locations? There are 4 buildings and 10 samples are required for each building for a total of 40 samples.

7. Section 2.2.6 States, “This additional testing will be paid at a pre-agreed hourly rate.”

a. Can the government clarify what is meant by pre-agreed hourly rate?

· Please submit hourly rates for resting with the contract bid.

b. How will the government get a pre-agreed hourly rate for additional testing?

· Contractor can submit with bid their hourly rate for additional testing.

c. When will this negotiation take place?

· Submit hourly rate with contract bid.

d. How will this hourly rate be considered as part of the price evaluation of the proposal?

· The technical evaluation team will look at all aspects of the bid.

e. This is a variable not a fixed cost and thus how is this allowable under an FFP-type procurement?

· The pre-agreed hourly rate is not variable, it will be paid with additional funds.

8. Can the government confirm that this contract is solely for routine sampling and that any retests will be conducted on an as needed basis using a PO? Yes, that is correct.

9. E.5 5.212-2 Evaluation – Can the government clarify the evaluation factors for award?

a. What is the basis for determining which offer will be accepted by the VA? Evaluation criteria listed in number 11 below.

b. Is there any method for determining technical acceptability of the offeror’s proposal? Evaluation criteria listed in number 11 below.

c. Is there any method for evaluating the technical proposal and if so, what method will be used? Evaluation criteria listed in number 11 below.

d. If price and technical acceptability are factors considered in making the award, how are these factors weighed to determine which contract gets the work? Evaluation criteria listed in number 11 below.

e. Is there any method for determining price acceptability of the offeror’s proposal? Evaluation criteria listed in number 11 below.

f. Is past performance used as a sub-factor in determining award? Evaluation criteria listed in number 11 below.

g. How are past performance, price and technical approach weighed to determine which quote gets the award? Evaluation criteria listed in number 11 below.

10. Page 52, first sentence – this isn’t clear. Could you please confirm if the evaluation going to be based on lowest price technically acceptable, or most advantageous to the government as mentioned in the paragraph above? Evaluation criteria listed in number 11 below.

11. E.3 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (NOV 2021)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

TECHNICAL ACCEPTABILITY PER STATEMENT OF WORK AND PRICE:

1. Technical Acceptability: To be technically acceptable the quote must meet all requirements described in the Performance Work Statement. Proof to show the ability to provide service must be provided along with quote.

2. Contractor will comply with Laboratory requirements as stated in Performance Work Statement paragraph 2.2.7.1 through 2.2.7.1.6.

3. PROPOSAL EVALUATION CRITERIA – Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) Past performance will be considered for responsibility purposes only.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of Provision)

Perform quarterly water sampling/testing for Legionella