Questions and Responses.pdf

Questions and Responses 36C25723R0035 Page 1 of 4

QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES

Question:

I see a testing volume of 26500. Is this potential volume over the duration of the contract?

Response:

The volume of 26,500 (22,000/4,000/500) is the potential volume for each annual period of the contract. See Exhibit A, Historical Data, to see the actual number of tests that have been performed (month by month) during the last year.

Question:

On pages 5 through 9 of the (solicitation) it asks for bid costs on the same item 5 different times, but the numbers are different. For example, item number 0001, 1001, 2001, 3001 and 4001 are all asking for the same bid. Do all these need to be filled out?

Response:

The item numbers represent different option periods (i.e., 0001 = Base Period, 1001 = Option I Period, etc.) [see the period of performance within each item number]. If pricing is not provided on all item numbers, the government will consider the offeror is only proposing for those items where pricing was proposed.

Question:

In the SOW, in several places, there is mention if the contractor to provide for the collection of the samples at the collection site. But there is also mention of the contractor providing the supplies to the VA for the specimens to be collected by the VA. Can you clarify if the contractor will need to provide facility, personnel, and supplies for the collection of the specimen(s) or the VA personnel will collect the specimen(s) (with contractor provided supplies) and the contractor will pick it up for our lab to do the analysis?

Response:

The contractor must provide a collection site within Bexar County, TX, the personnel needed for collections and the supplies needed for specimen collection. The contractor must provide collection supplies to the VA for the specimen collections that will be done at the Audie Murphy VAMC (see Line Item X002). The contractor is responsible for the pick-up and transfer of the specimens collected at the VA to the contractor’s laboratory facility for analysis. The VA will not provide personnel to collect specimens at the contractor’s collection site.

Question:

On page 1 & 2 of the Statement of Work, it mentions that the contractor will collect and analyze samples. However, item (f), subitem e., states the contractor will provide supplies for the STVHCS to use with specimens to be sent to the contractor. Will the VA lab collect samples directly from patients? Please clarify if the contractor will collect all samples or VA will also collect, and the contractor will be responsible to pick-up samples and analyze.

Response:

The contractor must provide collection supplies to the VA for the specimen collections that will be done at the Audie Murphy VAMC (see Line Item X002). The contractor will collect samples (see Line Item X001) at their collection site and the VA may collect some samples at the VAMC (see Line Item X002). The contractor is responsible for the pick-up and transfer of the specimens collected at the VA to the contractor’s laboratory facility for analysis. The contractor

36C25723R0035 Page 2 of 4 must define how the specimens collected at the STVHCS will be transported to the contractor’s laboratory (i.e., contractor pickup or third-party collection).

Question:

Will some samples be collected by the VA lab and some samples be collected by the contractor lab?

Response:

Yes, see response to the question above.

Question:

On page 2 of the Statement of Work, under Test sample preparation, VA labs will be responsible to provide lab specimens prepared in accordance with the contractor’s user manual. Please clarify, as it is a little confusing, as not sure if only the contractor is collecting samples, of if the VA will collect all samples and the contractor’s lab will be testing and analysis of specimens.

Response:

The contractor needs to provide the VA with guidance on how the contractor provided supplies are to be used with the specimens collected at the VA (i.e., label marking, label placement, packing instructions, storage temperature, etc.).

Question:

If the contractor is to provide the collection of specimens(s), do we need to build a temporary drive-through site, such as a tent, etc.? And where to build it?

Response:

Contractor must provide a local site/facility within Bexar County, Texas, for patient access (SOW, page 1). Offeror shall provide a description of the location (i.e., address) of their proposed collection site with their proposal (xiii)(h).

Question:

Is a drive-through style setting required for the collection site?

Response:

No. The government expects contractor performance 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 hardships of patients with mobility issues.

Question:

Can a drive-through style event be organized on VA premises?

Response:

No space on the Audie Murphy VAMC campus will be allowed for contractor performance of the collection services.

Question:

Does the government require services to be provided in a clinic or office setting (collection site)?

Response: No

36C25723R0035 Page 3 of 4

With reference to the contractor location required to be within Bexar County, does this refer to the collection site, contractor lab providing analysis and test results, or both?

Response:

The contractor’s collection site is required to be within Bexar County, TX. The contractor’s laboratory is not required to be within Bexar County, TX.

Question:

Can you clarify if only the collection site location is required to be in Bexar County of if the vendor company must be in Bexar Count?

Response:

The contractor must provide a collection site within Bexar County, TX.

Question:

Do we need to provide personnel to staff the collection site from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, or will the VA provide personnel for the collection?

Response:

The contractor shall be responsible for providing services in between the hours of 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, and Saturday 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM, excluding Federal Holidays (SOW, page 6). The VA will not provide personnel at the contractor’s collection site/facility.

Question:

With regards to (exhibit) VA Directive 6500 Appendix A, is the information requested for our equipment being used, or the software system we have for reporting?

Response:

The exhibits in the solicitation (MD ERA Inventory Template, MD ERA Network Topological Diagrams Sample, MD ERA Ports Protocols Services Template, VA Directive 6500 Appendix A, VA MOU ISA Template, VA Subcontractor Business Associate Agreement Template and the VHA Local BAA Template) are provided for informational purposes only. Offerors are not required to complete or provide any of these exhibits with their proposal. Only the successful offeror will be required to complete and submit the applicable templates after the award notice has been issued.

Question:

Requesting an extension to the due date.

Response:

The solicitation is extended to 5/9/2023, 5:00 PM, CST

Question:

Have these services been requested before? If so, what was the accepted price for the services offered? Which company offered the services in the past?

Response:

Contractor Quest Diagnostics Incorporated is currently providing the services on bridge order 36C25723P0138 and previously under 36C25721P0876.

36C25723R0035 Page 4 of 4

Is there an accepted price range the government is looking to stay within for the services?

Response:

The government has not set a competitive range for this competitively negotiated solicitation.

Question:

Does the government have any bid tabulation documents from previous solicitations for the services that can be shared?

Response:

No. Contractor bid or proposal information from previous acquisitions is considered source selection information and will not be provided.