Updated Questions and Answers - 09-14-2023.pdf

Updated Questions and Answer 09/14/2023

NTX Grease Trap Services

1. From the SOW Sec�on “2.2 Place of Performance. The work to be performed under this contract shall be performed at the following VA Medical Centers. VA Medical Center Dallas Building #2 - Two 1000 - gallon grease traps 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, TX 75216 VA Medical Center Garland Building #1 - One 3000 - gallon grease trap 2300 Marie Curie Blvd Garland, TX 75043 Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center Building #2 - One 1500 - gallon grease trap 1201 East 9th Street Building #3 - One 1000 - gallon grease trap Bonham, TX 75418 ………………….. The contractor shall field verify the depth of the grease traps during the scheduled site visit”

Ques�on: If the interceptors are found to be larger (greater than 10% higher than stated volumes) will the contractor have the opportunity to re-nego�ate the price for that interceptor? All our trucks have digital gauges that read down to the ¼ gallon.

Answer: Offerors were given the opportunity to verify interceptors’ volumes during the site visit.

Sec�on 2.4 of the Scope of Work states “The contractor shall be responsible for the verifica�on of all requirements for this service. All measurements and condi�ons must be verified by the contractor.

Any discrepancies between field condi�ons, project documents, and this SOW shall be immediately brought to the Contrac�ng Officer’s aten�on. Verifica�on can be completed during the scheduled site visit prior to contract award.” These line items will not be re-nego�ated.

2. From SOW Sec�on “……. Contractor shall ensure in-lets are free of grease. Contractor shall scrape sides of grease traps to remove any clinging substance and leave area above and around grease traps in a sanitary condi�on…….”

Ques�on: How o�en does the VA require this to be performed? The industry standard is annually during the visual inspec�on to take pictures of the walls.

Answer: SOW Sec�on 2.4 b. 1) is changed to read: 1) Contractor shall remove all grease, sludge, and caked detergent from grease traps. Contractor shall ensure in-lets are free of grease. Contractor shall scrape sides of grease traps to remove any clinging substance as required and in accordance with Industry Standards and leave area above and around grease traps in a sanitary condi�on.

Answer: The SOW Sec�on 2.5 General Requirements reads “The contract cer�fies that all applicable services offered under this contract shall conform to all common industry standards. The contractor for these services shall meet any regulatory requirements.”

Ques�on: To properly scrape the sides of the grease interceptor walls, floor, and ceiling, this required a confined space entry and since Grease traps produce H2S gas in small amounts monitoring and PPE is required. Do the VA understand that confined space entry will be required?

Answer: The VA understands that Confined Space Entry is required and shall be in the Safety Plan.

Ques�on: Does the VA want copies of all personnel training in Confined space entry included as part of the submission?

Answer: Sec�on 2.13 Safety Plan Requirements is changed to read, “b. The contractor shall be required to submit a safety plan with required cer�ficates of training in accordance with OSHA and VA Regula�ons as part of the technical proposal.”

3. From the SOW Sec�on 2.6 “Repor�ng Requirements. As a part of the cleaning, inspect and make a writen report on any abnormal condi�ons found. This report shall be provided to the COR at the comple�on of each service visit.”

Ques�on: Does the VA require a visual inspec�on to be done of each tank at each service? The industry standard for Grease interceptors is an annual visual inspec�on with report and photographs.

Answer: The SOW Sec�on 2.5 General Requirements reads “The contract cer�fies that all applicable services offered under this contract shall conform to all common industry standards. The contractor for these services shall meet any regulatory requirements.”

Ques�on: Please advise if the VA is requiring the contractor to enter the tank each service to conduct this inspec�on.

Answer: The SOW Sec�on 2.5 General Requirements reads “The contract cer�fies that all applicable services offered under this contract shall conform to all common industry standards. The contractor for these services shall meet any regulatory requirements.”

4. From the SOW Sec�on 2.13 Safety Plan Requirements. …….”the contractor shall be required to submit a safety plan in accordance with OSHA and VA Regula�ons. The safety plan shall include but not limited to: 1) Company Safety and Health Policy 2) Company Safety and Health Objec�ves

3) Job Site Inspec�ons process / requirements 4) Iden�fica�on of Contractor Safety Administrator

5) Personal Protec�ve Equipment Requirements 6) Safety Rules; Job Hazard Analysis for commercial Grease Trap tasks 7) Job Safety Training Requirements (OSHA Training, State or Local Training requirements) and comple�on status. 8) Safety Discipline (i.e. correc�on of viola�ons, etc) 9) Hot Work Permit (i.e. responsibili�es, procedures, etc) 10) Confined Space Training / Competent Person Training 11) Emergency Procedures (i.e. responsibili�es, procedures, etc) 12) Writen Hazard Communica�on Program (i.e. responsibili�es, procedures, list of hazards, MSDS, etc) c. All ladders, scaffolding, tools, equipment, personal protec�ve equipment, etc. must be OSHA approved for the work to be performed. Contractor must use cau�on signs as required by OSHA Regula�ons. Cau�on signs must be on-site on commencement of Contract…..”

Ques�on: Does the VA require this as part of the submission package.

Answer: SOW Sec�on 2.13 Safety Plan Requirements is changed to read: “b. The contractor shall be required to submit a safety plan with required cer�ficates of training in accordance with OSHA and VA Regula�ons as part of the technical proposal.”

5. From the SOW Sec�on 2.14 “…..2) Compliance with OSHA and State construc�on safety regula�ons. Construc�on contracts require that the general contractor’s on-site “competent person” have completed the OSHA 30-hour construc�on worker course and that all other general and sub-contractor’s workers have completed the OSHA 10-hour construc�on worker course or other relevant competency training. The determina�on for training is based on the project hazards and complexity, State and Federal regula�ons and VA requirements. Verifica�on of comple�on of training shall be required prior to performing work. 3) Compliance with EPA and State environmental regula�ons.”

Ques�on: This is not a construc�on project does the VA mean OSHA General Industry 10 and 30 Hour training?

Answer: Changing SOW Sec�on 2.14 to read “Compliance with OSHA and State General Industry Safety Regula�ons. If confined space entry is required, the Contractor shall comply with OSHA confined - space standard, 29 CFR 1910.146.”

Ques�on: This is not an issue but would the VA like the cer�ficates submited with the solicita�on submital packet?

Answer: Cer�ficates are required to be submited with the solicita�on packet. SOW Sec�on 2.13 Safety Plan Requirements is changed to read: “b. The contractor shall be required to submit a safety plan with required cer�ficates of training in accordance with OSHA and VA Regula�ons as part of the technical proposal.”

6. CLIN 0005 10.00 JB _____________ _____________ Provide hydro-je�ng service in accordance with the Statement of Work for Dallas, Garland and Sam Rayburn Medical Center.

Ques�on: Does the VA know the length of the lines which will require je�ng (Length from the Kitchen to the interceptor) (interceptor to the sewer) at all loca�ons.

Answer: The VA does not know the exact length of the line requiring je�ng.

Ques�on: Does the VA know the type of line which is required to be jeted? (PVC, Clay, cast etc.)

Answer: Cast Iron

7. CLIN 0006 1.00 YR _____________ _____________ The contractor shall provide on-call grease trap service and repairs (as needed) upon issuance of work request. Not-To-Exceed amount to be entered by the Government upon contract award.

Ques�on: Do you want the bidding contractor to leave this CLIN blank since the amount will be entered by the government?

Answer: Line Items 0006, 1006, 2006, 3006, and 4006 have been changed to reflect the number of Jobs (JB) for each Period of Performance. The offeror shall quote 5 JB per year for Standard and Emergency Service Calls.

Answer: Added Line Items 0007, 1007, 2007, 3007, and 4007 for repair parts Not to Exceed $5000.

Offerors shall include this amount in the Grand Total for total contract value, but will not be evaluated for price reasonableness.