Questions and Responses.pdf

Questions and Responses 36C25721Q00374 Page 1 of 3

Question: Could you please tell me if this is a new requirement, or if there is a current or previous contractor who has performed similar services? If available, can you please send along the incumbent contract or task order number?

Response: The current services are being performed under task order number 36C25721N0203.

Question: T-Spot testing is listed as a requirement on the Evaluation Criteria;

however, it is not mentioned on the Price List. Is it mandatory that the T-Spot testing methodology be used, or can a comparable test be substituted?

Response: The EPVAHCS must have the ability to test for M. tuberculosis through a blood sample. QuantiFERON-TB Gold is also a state-of-the-art test to use. Test QuantiFERON-TB Gold has been added to the Price List (Attachment 2) as Subline Item number 00001NM.

Question: I have a question regarding Anatomic Pathology carve outs. We are a diagnostic and prognostic laboratory for cancer needs. Would it be possible to submit an offer for this solicitation that only covers the AP portion of the testing needs?

Response: The solicitation is posted for a single award contract. A few sources sought notices were posted in FY19 and FY20 for VISN-17 reference laboratory testing service requirements that have a wide array (multiple SIN categories) of testing services. The sources sought notices were published for planning purposes and to determine socio-economic business type participation. None of the interested parties that responded to the sources sought notices requested to divide or split the requirement of testing categories. An offer with only a few quoted tests would be assessed as not being able to provide the required services.

Question: We would like to see if by not providing or agreeing to the following items would exclude our response from consideration:

1449 document

- 1) Section C.2 IT Contract Security. We would need this entire section struck from the document as we cannot comply with it in its entirety. For example, 3(b) on page 8 – VA information Custodial Language – we cannot indicate that information will not be comingled. It is stored on our lab information system with other patient/client data. We also retain/destroy in accordance with our policy and applicable law and cannot agree to the VA sanitization requirements.

- 2) Subcontracting provision – we would ask that these be removed. Our couriers are subcontractors, but we don’t feel that this language is necessary for this relationship.

Performance Work Statement

- 1) Verify that we will not be eliminated if we cannot provide all testing on the

PWS.

36C25721Q00374 Page 2 of 3

- 2) Confirm that we will not be eliminated if we don’t have a BPG ISA and MOU currently in place (see Section IX. A.)

- 3) In general, will we be eliminated if we delete all of Section IX, as not applicable?

- 4) Please confirm that deletion of Section II. Under Contract Security Requirements will not result in elimination. This is not applicable as we will not have access to VA systems.

- 5) Please confirm that deletion of Section IV Computer Security will not result in elimination. We retain results and samples in compliance with applicable law and our policies.

- 6) Please confirm that deletion of Section V VA Information Custodial Language will not result in elimination.

Response:

SF1449 Document:

- 1) C.2. IT Contract Security clause will not be removed from the solicitation or resulting contract. The example at 3. b. on page 8 states that “VA information should not be co-mingled, if possible, with any other data...”

Although it would be preferred that VA information be kept separate from the contractor’s other data, the government understands it may not be possible to separate VA information.

- 2) The subcontracting clauses and provisions will not be removed from the solicitation or resulting contract. In accordance with FAR 19.702(a)(1)(i), except for the exceptions in paragraph (b), In negotiated acquisitions, each solicitations of offers to perform a contract that is expected to exceed $750,000 and that has subcontracting possibilities, shall require the apparent successful offeror to submit an acceptable subcontracting plan. If the apparently successful offeror fails to negotiate a subcontracting plan acceptable to the contracting officer within the time prescribed by the contracting officer, the offeror will be ineligible for award.

Performance Work Statement

- 1) Tests that cannot be performed by the offeror can be subcontracted to a contractor that can perform those tests. An offeror that does not make a proposal on all tests would most likely be assessed for Technical Capability as either Marginal or Unacceptable.

- 2) A current BPG ISA or MOU is not required when the apparent successful offeror is provided a notice of award; however, it is required to perform the services in the contract.

- 3) Telecommunications Interface Requirements, Section IX, will not be removed from the resulting contract. The note at paragraph A. states that a subcontractor may be utilized to outsource the connectivity solution.

- 4) Contractor Security Requirements, Section II, Contractor Personnel Security Requirements, will not be removed from the resultant contract. The requirement requires an electronic interface with a VA system and the contractor and/or subcontractor personnel will have access to VA patient information.

36C25721Q00374 Page 3 of 3

- 5) Section IV, Computer Security, will not be removed from the resultant contract. An offeror may describe (propose) how information in this section can be revised or changed within their proposal. Proposed changes are conditional to technical evaluation and legal review approvals.

- 6) Section V, VA Information Custodial Language, will not be removed from the resultant contract. An offeror may describe (propose) how information in this section can be revised or changed within their proposal. Proposed changes are conditional to technical evaluation and legal review approvals.