36C25721R0087 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 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) None Department of Veterans Affairs Central Texas Veterans HCS 2002 Scott Blvd.

Temple TX 76504 Department of Veterans Affairs Central Texas Veterans HCS 2002 Scott Blvd.

Temple TX 76504 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C25721R0087 07-02-2021

X X X 09/01/2021 at 10 AM Central Time See CONTINUATION Page X The purpose of this amendment is to provide responses to questions and to extend the date for receipt of proposals to 09/01/2021 at 10AM Central Time.

See continuation page(s) for details and the attached conformed solicitation and revised price schedule.

Lindsey Hooge Contracting Officer

VA-VHA-2021-781C9D52

CONTINUATION PAGE

Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items is hereby changed to direct all Technical Inquires and Proposal Submission to the Contracting Officer, Lindsey Hooge at Lindsey.Hooge@va.gov. No inquires or proposals shall be submitted to the Contract Specialist Susan Flores at Susan.Flores2@va.gov.

Questions and Answers:

1. Please confirm single optician optical shops be allowed to close for mandatory breaks and lunch.

0. Yes

1. Paragraph 8.7 on page 18 of the work statement indicates that pre-approval from the Contracting Officer and Contractor are required before the contractor can work any hours outside of the provided schedule. How should the contractor handle situations when Veterans are still waiting for service when the optical shop is scheduled to close?

1. Please see conformed solicitation 0003 for the below change:

8.7. An On-Site Fitter, (Optician) is currently projected to be required as follows (To be ordered via task order): Note: As projected clinics are opened, the resulting contract will be modified to include Opticians to provide services at those locations. Furthermore, Optician quantities are estimated based on current need and level of service, and may change at the task order level:

Pre-approval from the Contracting Officer is not required for the contractor to work up to 30 minutes outside of the optical shop’s closing time. Any time in excess of 30 minutes requires pre-approval from the Contracting Officer. Please be advised that Optical Shop Hours may be modified to support the Optical Program.

NOTE: In instances where Veterans are still waiting for service at the time the optical shop is scheduled to close, pre-approval from the Contracting Officer is not required for the contractor to work up to 30 minutes outside of the Optical shop’s closing time. Over-time will be approved for this additional 30 minutes. Please be advised that Optical Shop Hours may be modified to support the Optical Program.

1. Related to the question above, please confirm the contractor will invoice VA for optician services provided based on actual hours worked, even if those hours exceed the optical shop hours listed in paragraph 8.7 of the work statement (in order to meet the needs of Veterans waiting for service).

2. Yes

1. The solicitation indicates that optician services will be ordered by task order. For locations that require more than one optician, will the contractor be required to invoice the corresponding price schedule rate for each optician at that location? Or will each optician’s rate be negotiated separately, during the task order process?

3. Please see revised Price Schedule.

1. Please confirm that any changes to a VA prescription will be ordered through a new purchase order.

4. Yes, if the glasses have already been manufactured. If not it will be a modification to current order.

1. Please confirm that any remakes due to VA error will be paid for at VA expense.

5. Yes, concur

1. It is customary commercial practice, and consistent with other VISN eyeglasses contracts, to include an add on CLIN for titanium frames. Will VA consider making this adjustment to the price schedule?

6. Yes, concur (see updated price Schedule)

1. P12 PWS section 4.1. mentions “Glass ophthalmic lenses shall be chemically strengthened for impact resistance only.” Please confirm that glass lenses can be heat strengthened for impact resistance (as an alternative to chemically strengthened), as this method is also approved by the FDA.

7. Yes, concur Please see conformed solicitation 0003 for the below change:

4.1. All lenses shall be fabricated and provided in accordance with the standards set forth in the current edition of “American National Standards for Ophthalmic Lenses – Recommendation” ANSI Z80.1 or latest edition. All ophthalmic lenses shall be in accordance with Food and Drug (FDA) Regulation (2) CFR, Parts 3 and 4 for impact resistance, unless otherwise specified in the order. Glass ophthalmic lenses shall be chemically, or heat strengthened for impact resistance. All glass and plastic ophthalmic lenses shall be corrected curved lenses. Ophthalmic lenses with cylinder power of less than 1.5D may be fabricated in either plus or minus cylinder form, unless positive cylinder form is specified for the order. All lenses shall be UV Coated at no charge to the government.

1. Please define which items on the price schedule should be priced as an add on cost to the base order. (An example might be the CLIN for tint, 0005AE in the base period.)

8. See updated Price Schedule AR coating and titanium frames added.

1. Page 12 PWS section 4.1 of the solicitation states that all lenses shall include UV coating, at no additional cost. We recommend removing line item 0005AF and 1005AF from the price schedule.

9. Concur UV coating has been removed and replaced with AR coating (see updated Price Schedule)

1. Is email an acceptable communication alternative to fax, in order to meet the requirements of paragraph 1.3.4 in the work statement? (Page 9)

10. fax or email to Prosthetic Representative or ordering individual Please see conformed solicitation 0003 for the below change:

1.3.4. The contractor shall notify the VA Prosthetic Representative or Ordering Individual via fax or email to Prosthetic Representative or Ordering Individual and show cause in the event he/she is unable to deliver the required items in accordance with the Government’s required delivery date. Failure by the contractor to provide a written notification within twenty-four (24) hours as specified above constitutes receipt of an order.

1. How many frame sample kits will be required by contract? Please see paragraph 2.1.1.

11. Minimum of one for each location where an optical shop is located.

Please see conformed solicitation 0003 for the below change:

2.1.1. Sample kits for each healthcare system are to be sent to addresses outlined in section 1.4 above. At a minimum each identified location will require one sample kit.

1. Please clarify what is required in the requested lens catalog (Proposal Submission Instructions, Part 2: Technical Proposal). The lenses requested in the solicitation are common commercial items, available to optical labs from a variety of sources. By submitting a proposal, offerors are accepting the solicitation and price schedule lens requirements. If that is sufficient, please remove the lens catalog requirement in Part 2: Technical Proposal. If not, are you asking offerors to submit a listing of every possible lens that would meet each requirement? Documentation of that nature will be many pages.

12. See conformed solicitation 0003 for below change to Part 2: Technical Proposal and Part 4: Miscellaneous:

· Part 2: Technical Proposal The Offeror’s Technical Proposal shall contain the following items:

· Technical Acceptability Criteria:

· Frame Catalog: Submission of one (1) frame catalog, as described below:

In order to determine whether the frames proposed by the Offeror meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation, the Offeror shall submit for review one (1) frame catalog meets or exceeds the minimum requirements for eyeglasses frames in PWS paragraph 2 and 5.

There shall be no mention of price within the lens technical proposal and frame catalog submissions.

Every item submitted in the frame catalog technical proposal shall be available for Veterans to choose from under this contract.

· Part 4: Miscellaneous

· Completed Attachment 1, Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) from Section D - Contract Documents, Exhibits, or Attachments.

· Completed Attachment 2, Contractor Certification – Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, from Section D - Contract Documents, Exhibits, or Attachments.

· Completed Attachment 3, from Section D – Business Associate Agreement

· Completed response to 52.212-3(b) and any other sections of 52.212-3 as applicable to this procurement. Ensure that you have completed ORCA within the SAM system. If not, you must submit a completed copy of E.9 – 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications.

· Copy of VA CVE Verification.

· Manufacture of eyeglasses: Please explain in detail how you will conform with either the limitations on subcontracting as a manufacturer described in 13 CFR 125.6 or with the nonmanufacturer rule described in 13 CFR 125.6 and 13 CFR 121.406. For this acquisition the CO is not aware of either an existing individual or class waiver of the non-manufacturer rule.

· Lens certification: Provide certification that any lenses provided will meet the requirements of ANSI.

· Buy American Certificate: Provide a completed copy of the certificate provided as in E.5 FAR 52.225-2, Buy American Certificate.

· Copy of 2020 VETS-4212 Report or Filing Verification

1. Please confirm if VA prefers for all remade glasses, due to contractor error, to be returned to the VA. Or should the contractor be prepared to ship remakes to the address on the original order? (See Paragraph 6.5 of the work statement which reads: “If eyeglasses are returned to the contractor for correction of a problem due to contractor error, the corrected glasses shall be returned to the VA facility within three (3) business days of receipt of the defective glasses.”)

13. Changed to read: If eyeglasses are returned to the contractor for correction of a problem due to contractor error, the corrected glasses shall be returned to the VA facility or upon direction of the VA corrected glasses may be directly returned to the Eye Clinic, Prosthetic Sensory Aid Service or to the patient’s place of residence within three (3) business days of receipt of the defective glasses.

See conformed solicitation 0003 below change:

6.5. During the one-year warranty period the contractor shall make all necessary adjustments (i.e., material defects, distortions, etc.). The contractor warrants/guarantees the eyeglasses against defective material and/or workmanship for a minimum of one year from the date of acceptance. Manufacturers’ warranties of eyeglass components that extend beyond the minimum one-year period shall be expressed and also enforced. The contractor agrees to furnish without additional cost to the government, all labor and materials necessary to correct defects that were detected during the warranty period. Should the prescription be incorrectly filled, the contractor agrees to make corrections at no additional cost to the Government. These conditions do not apply to adjustments incidental to the wearing of eyeglasses, adjustments required by physical change of the wearer, or where there is evidence of deliberate misuse or alteration by anyone other than the contractor. If eyeglasses are returned to the contractor for correction of a problem due to contractor error, the corrected glasses shall be returned to the VA facility or upon direction of the VA corrected glasses may be directly returned to the Eye Clinic, Prosthetic Sensory Aid Service or to the patient’s place of residence within three (3) business days of receipt of the defective glasses.

1. What is the limit on value and condition of patient owned frames that the contractor must accept?

14. There is no limit.

1. The State of Texas does not require opticians to be licensed or to be ABO certified. Please confirm offerors can provide opticians in accordance with the requirements of the State of Texas.

15. Yes, paragraph 8.1.1 has been changed to read (See conformed solicitation 0003):

8.1.1. The Optician must have evidence of professional knowledge, which may be demonstrated by substantial on-the-job experience, professional degree, or current certification of one or more of the following types: Certification as an Optician by the American Board of Opticianry; Certification by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology as a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA), Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) or Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technician (COMT); Certification by the American Optometric Association, Commission on Paraoptometric Certification as a Certified Paraoptometric (CPO), Certified Paraoptometric Assistant (CPOA) or Certified Paraoptometric Technician (CPOT). Proof of professional knowledge must be provided to the Contracting Officer.

1. The solicitation states that contractor shall deliver all items no later than seven (7) business days after receipt of prescription/order. Would VA please consider allowing ten (10) business days for orders requiring special lenses (i.e. high prism, etc…) and/or anti-reflective coating?

16. Yes, paragraph 1.3.1 has been changed to read (See conformed solicitation 0003):

1.3.1. The contractor shall deliver all items no later than SEVEN (7) BUSINESS DAYS if the order requires special lenses (i.e. high prism, etc. and/or anti-reflective coating) the contract shall deliver all items no later than TEN (10) BUSINESS DAYS after receipt of prescription/order issued by Government authorized personnel against the contract.

1. The price schedule lists a total of 26 optician positions by location. Can VA please confirm the number of opticians that are required at each of the facilities listed in section 8.7 and if this list of locations is consistent with those in the price schedule?

17. Please see updated Price Schedule

Currently we have contracted Opticians at the following locations.

Amarillo VAHCS 6010 Amarillo Blvd, West Amarillo, TX 79106

Lubbock OPC 6104 Avenue Q South Drive Lubbock, TX 79412

West Texas VA HCS 300 Veteran BLVD, Big Spring, TX 79720

Central Texas VAHCA 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive Temple, TX 76504-7451

Central Texas VA Medical Center 4800 Memorial Drive, Build 91 Waco, TX 76711

Austin OPC 7901 Metropolis Drive Austin, TX 78744

El Paso VAHCS 5001 North Piedras Street El Paso, TX 79930-4211

Dallas VAMC 4500 S. Lancaster Dallas, TX 75216

Ft. Worth OPC 2201 SE Loop 820 Ft. Worth, TX 76119

Bonham VAMC 1201 E. Ninth Street Bonham, TX 75418

Tyler CBOC 7916 S. Broadway Ave.

Tyler, TX 75703

Garland VAMC 2300 Marie Curie Blvd.

Garland, TX 75042

Kerrville VAMC 3600 Memorial Blvd.

Kerrville, TX 78028

Lackland OPC 1001 Truemper Rd.

San Antonio, TX 78236

San Antonio Veterans Health Care System 8410 Datapoint Dr.

San Antonio, TX 78229

Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care Center, Harlingen 2601 Veterans Drive Harlingen, TX 78550

1. Please confirm that for technical acceptability, no frame sample kit is required to be submitted with the proposals and that offerors are to instead submit a frame catalog that includes at a minimum the frame types listed in section 2.1.3.

18. Correct

1. Please elaborate on the specific required information which must be included in the lens catalog to be technically acceptable – (such as photos, description of lenses and materials, etc.). Section 4 of the PWS states the typical requirements of lenses across the various styles and materials that are found in VA eyeglass solicitations but lens catalogs are not typically required to be provided by offerors in their proposals thus more specific guidance and direction is requested.

19. Description that they ANSI requirement is met, availability of lens blank sizes (variety) and description of progressive layout of lenses proposed.

1. Taking into consideration the length of the contract with the base period consisting of 5 years and option period consistent of an additional 5 years, will VA permit an Economic Price Adjustment based on price index or required wage and benefits increases?

20. No, there is no evidence to support a determination that there will be potential significant fluctuations in labor or material costs. Furthermore, this contract is not subject to Service Contract Labor Standards.

1. Please advise as to how orders are currently entered and communicated from the opticians to the eyeglass manufacturer and how VA is submitting PO’s to the manufacturer.

21. VA utilizes a variety of methods to communicate with the Vendor. Every station has different processes such as Government Purchase Card or Four Sight.

1. Section 4.5 of the PWS states that non-adapts would be replaced by lined bifocals or trifocals at no charge to the VA. Would VA please consider changing this provision, as in these cases the contractor correctly fulfilled the order as prescribed?

22. Concur changes made, see below and attached Conformed Solicitation 0003.

4.5. Progressive Lenses – Lenses shall be available in glass, plastic, polycarbonate, and high index (1.60-1.74) materials. Photochromatic lenses shall be available. Oversized blanks shall be available when needed. Progressive lens style/layout shall be the same for all materials. Progressive style shall be considered “soft” in design. Construction of lenses shall include spheres, plano-cylinders, an sphero-cylinders in all powers. Add powers of +1.00 to +3.50 shall be available. Non-adaptive would be replaced by lined bifocals or trifocals at a charge to the VA. All senses shall be placed in frames unless otherwise requested.

1. Can you please provide the data pertaining to the ordered quantities of each line item over the past 5 years? -

23. Our system does not capture that specific data (i.e., tint, etc.). The average breakdown by percentage is listed below:

1. The acceleration of glasses from year 1 to year 10 is quite dramatic. The estimated volume of year 1 is 181,244 pairs and year 10’s is 568,641 pairs—a threefold increase. Furthermore, the rate of additional glasses each year compared to the previous is 12% from years 2 through 7, however years 8, 9 & 10 all see a 65% increase in quantity from the previous year. Can you confirm that these estimated quantities are indeed accurate? –

24. We projected a 16.5% increase annually based on historical data and we confirmed that the estimated quantities are accurate on pages 8-9.

1. The price schedule lists the quantity of optician hours as 2080 hours per optician, however, the performance period is 5 years. Should this not be amended to 10,400 per optician over each 5-year period? –

25. Please see revised Price Schedule.

1. There is a discrepancy between the projected VISN 17 facilities. The chart under 1.4—page 9—and under 8.1—page 17—enumerate the same addresses with the following exceptions: 1.4 includes the Kerrville VAMC while 8.7 does not whereas 8.7 includes both the McAllen CBOC and Corpus Christi OPC while 1.4 does not. I understand that chart 1.4 regards dispensary facilities and 8.7 regards facilities that will need opticians, however at first thought, I assume the lists should be one in the same. Furthermore, the price schedule notes that the Kerrville VAMC will require an optician. –

26. 1.4 has been corrected to add Corpus Christi OPC and McAllen CBOC and 8.7 has been corrected to add Kerrville VAMC. See attached conformed solicitation 0003.

1. Can you please disclose the incumbent provider of glasses for VISN 17?

27. PDS Consultants

1. Can you please provide a list of add-ons that the contractor will be expected to furnish if requested by the VA (prisms, coatings, executives, etc.)?

28. See revised schedule

1. Can you please provide clarification regarding the licensing needed by the opticians? The solicitation states that the opticians "must have an American Board-Certified Optician License to perform these services and be licensed in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States or the District of Columbia. If a particular state does not require an American Board-Certified Optician, the Optician must abide by the State Licensing Requirements.”

29. See response to Question 16 above.

1. The OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS in the Amendment 1 solicitation document contains a clause that may not apply to the solicitation. Can you confirm the following clause, found on the bottom of page 84 applies: [X] (2) Certain services as described in FAR 22.1003- 4(d)(1). The offeror [ ] does [ ] does not certify that—

30. This clause does not apply to this contract as SCLS is not applicable. It has been removed. Please see attached conformed solicitation 0003

See attached document: Revised SCHEDULE.

See attached document: 36C25721R0087 - Conformed Solicitation 0003.

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