Questions and Responses.pdf

Questions and Responses 36C25723R0011 Page 1 of 3

QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES

Question: We utilize an onsite rapid testing unit (Abbott ID NOW™) for performing PCR testing; this unit does not require a Medical Director. Would this type of unit be authorized and approved for use?

Response: No, this is not acceptable.

Question: The Statement of Work Scope section states “In-house COVID-19 & FLU A&B RT- PCR Testing”; however, the CLIN breakdown references CLIN X001: Contractor shall provide COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) collection and testing. And for CLIN X003: Contractor shall provide COVID-19 and FLU A&B (RT-PCR)testing.

Are all test(s) performed PCR test(s)?

Are any of the test(s) requested Antigen tests?

Response: All tests must be PCR

Question: “In-house RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 and FLU A&B testing” When referring to “in-house” testing we would like to know if that is on-site at a VA facility or if it would be our facility located at...?

Response: In-house is referring to the contractor’s laboratory.

Question: The Statement of Work states: Drive-Through services. Does that mean that the facility the contractor provides needs to be drive-through accessible?

Response: The Statement of Work describes that the current contractor-provided services are being performed as drive-through services. The government is not directing how the contractor performs the services but needs performance results with little to no complaints from veteran patients. The contractor’s collection operation must consider patient safety, that multiple tests may need to be conducted hourly and consider the possible hardships of patients with mobility issues. Specimen collections for commercial services (i.e., Walgreens) for COVID-19 testing are currently being performed as drive-through services.

Question: Line Item 0002, 4000 EA Contractor shall provide COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) testing, without collection, in accordance with the attached Statement of Work. (Estimated Annual Quantity) Please clarify; does this line-item account for laboratory services only?

Does this assume that the specimens will arrive in our laboratory, already appropriately labeled? If so, we will only process the specimens and report the results?

Response: The services in this line-item account for more than laboratory services only. The contractor is responsible for the transportation of specimens collected at the STVHCS (without collection by the contractor) to the contractor’s laboratory. The contractor will define how the specimens collected at the STVHCS will be transported to the contractor’s laboratory (i.e., contractor pickup or third-party collection). The specimens collected at the STVHCS will be labeled and prepared with supplies provided by the contractor in accordance with the contractor’s laboratory user’s manual [see SOW, page 2, e. and Test Sample Preparation]. The contractor must process and report the results for those specimens collected at the STVHCS.

Question: Line Item 0003, 500 EA

36C25723R0011 Page 2 of 3

Contractor shall provide COVID-19 and Flu A&B (RT-PCR) testing in accordance with the attached Statement of Work. (Estimated Annual Quantity) Please confirm this item includes collection, testing and reporting of results?

Response: Yes

Question: The Statement of Work Scope section (f)(b) states “Provide a list of tests currently available with a price list.” What other tests is the VA specifically interested in seeing? Will a contractor that provides a wide array of tests (be) preferred over others who do not?

Response: The Statement of Work has been revised to remove this text.

Question: The Statement of Work states in the Data Management Section that test ordering is electronic. Does that mean the VA will need to access to it in the Lab or the individual patient?

(i.e., Ordering application on a smartphone/tablet?)

Response: All test results must be provided directly to the Laboratory and not to the patient. VA providers must review and convey the test results to their patients. [see SOW, Scope, l. (page 2)]

Question: CLIN X004 lists Site/Facility charge. Is the contractor required to provide a testing trailer positioned onsite at all times? If so:

Will power be provided?

Will the unit need to be self-powered?

Roughly, where will this be located in relation to the main ALM facility?

Will the contractor be allowed to utilize the ALM facilities for restrooms?

Response: No space on the Audie L. Murphy VAMC campus will be allowed for contractor performance of the services. The contractor is required to provide an off-site facility within Bexar County, preferably near the ALM VAMC, to perform specimen collection for the services.

Question: The facility that the contractor is providing; what is the maximum size (length, width, height) allowed?

Response: The contractor must determine what size their off-site facility is appropriate for performing the services.

Question: Will the (VA) facility provide the contractor the space for testing or it would be the contractor to set up mobile testing?

Response: The contractor is required to provide an off-site facility within Bexar County to perform specimen collection for the services.

Question: Line Item 0004, 12 MO Contractor Site/Facility Charge; Contractor costs to perform collection services – inclusive of personnel, PPE, supplies, transportation and all other costs associated with collections.

For this item, there will be considerable variability in contractor site/facility charges for

500 tests per month compared to 1,800 tests per month. To accurately model the response to this item, what monthly volume should we assume? Should we use the historical average of 22,000, or 27,000?

Response: Exhibit A, Historical Data, was provided in the solicitation to show that there has been a decline in test requests over the past year from the anticipated estimated annual quantities in 2021. The offeror may use the data in Exhibit A to discern the risk assumed by the contractor.

36C25723R0011 Page 3 of 3

Question: If the VA is currently providing this service, where at ALM is this function occurring?

Response: The VA is not currently providing the requested services. The services are currently being provided by a contractor at an off-site facility within Bexar County.

Question: The Statement of Work states “Services are currently being provided as a drive-through service.” Does that mean that there is an incumbent for this service? If so, who is the incumbent and what is the obligations number?

Response: The current services are being performed by Quest Diagnostics Incorporated. The financial obligation number(s) used for the services is confidential between the government and the contractor and will not be provided.

Question: Is this a new requirement? If not, what was the previous contract awarded for? Who is the previous incumbent?

Response: The requested services are currently being performed by Quest Diagnostics Incorporated.

Question: We would like to know if this is a brand-new contract, or if there is/was an incumbent performing these services. If not brand new, could you please provide the current/previous contract number?

Response: 36C25721P0876