36C25819Q0023-0001000.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 ITE M 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED 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 r eference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

BY

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) 11-13-2018 Department of Veterans Affairs NCO22-Gilbert Network Contracting 3601 S. 6th Avenue Tucson AZ 85723 Department of Veterans Affairs NCO22-Gilbert Network Contracting 3601 S. 6th Avenue Tucson AZ 85723 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C25819Q0023 11-09-2018

X X X X The purpose of this amendment is to answer questions related to this soliciaiton.

The amendment also provides a revision to Section E Solicitation Provisions to "Content Organization" 2 File #2 (a)

Hal Robinson Contracting Officer

CONTINUATION PAGE

Q: What was the previous awarded Solicitation Number, Dated awarded?

A: GS-06F-0013L / VA258-14-J-0419, 04/01/14, Pest Master Services Inc. Any other questions related to the previous contract or contractor would require a FOIA request.

Q: What is the expected total man hours expected each month to provide the pest services to all areas outlined within the scope of service?

A: Averages are 40 to 50 hours per week. An exact number cannot be provided as there are too many variables due to the number of additional call-outs and emergency call-outs requested.

Q: How many after hours service request has there been in the past 12 months?

A: 16 to 20 per month depending on seasonal issues. Lat 12 months was 240.

Q: Can you provide the square footage of areas of treatment coverage?

A: An exact number of square footage of treatment is not available. It is estimated that the Phoenix campus averages 1 million plus square feet including all interior and exterior. Note: NOT all the area is treated (actually sprayed) but we have 1 mil. square feet that the contractor would be responsible for throughout the year.

Q: If bed bugs are included in this scope how many Bed Bug services have been performed over the past 12 months?

A: 105 bed bug services in past 12 months.

Q: If termites are included in this scope how many termite services have been performed over the past 12 months?

A: At least 10 services in the past 12 months.

*Any other questions related to the previous contract or contractor would require a FOIA request.

REQUEST/COMMENT FROM OFFEROR:

SECTION E - Solicitation would like to address Section B.3, Statement of Work, Subsection 2 Requirements, item 2.3 Requirements within this solicitation.

The Quality Pro Certification and Green Pro Certification issued by NPMA for an annual fee. This certification is not required for pest control businesses to perform or operate pest services in Arizona or throughout the United States. Currently there are only around 200 pest companies throughout the United States that subscribe to this certification. This requirement has not been a standard requirement with similar VA Pest Control solicitations across the United States.

Pest Control companies are permitted to perform pest control services including IPM Services without this certification as long as they are licensed within the State where service is rendered. I am confident that the government can achieve the same protection and assurance that they are seeking from contractors through licensed and experienced companies as well as companies with special certifications such as ACE and BCE.

As a certified SBVOSB business, an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE), a licensed pest operator in Arizona, but more important a capable pest business able to perform the scope of work for this solicitation within the highest standards, I believe that the requirement outlined in B.3 (2) 2.3 is too restrictive and prohibits highly qualified and certified pest control businesses from submitting proposals. I am hereby respectfully request that this requirement be removed from this solicitation and that the response date be extended 7 days.

GOVERNMENTS RESPONSE

The certification by NPMA (National Pest Management Association) is one of the highest standards in the industry. This certification requires application process, and passing the NPMA’s rigid testing. The certification although is not required to perform and operate pest services in AZ or throughout the United States, it is considered an advanced qualifier. The solicitation is requiring this certification because this VA is seeking to find a highly skilled contractor with experience and knowledge of monitoring and managing pest control. The additional “Green Pro” certification assures us that we’re providing the VA with the latest “green” approaches, including non-pesticide approaches, advanced inspection and monitoring techniques (rather than simply “spraying”) and the SOP’s to deliver effective pest management, without the excessive use of pesticides.

A requirement to have the Quality Pro credential and Green Pro certifications will stand as this is the choice of the Phoenix VA to require additional certifications and set higher standards for our contractors. The Government’s intention is to seek out and obtain the highest quality for services considered sensitive in nature that will have a direct effect on Veteran community.

The due date will remain as is, there is no significant changes to the solicitation that would justify an extension.

SOLICITATION PROVISIONS

The changes to the section Content Organization will remove “Quality Control Plan” and add “The offeror shall describe how they will meet the requirements of the SOW

Content Organization:

2. File #2: Technical Requirements:

The offeror shall submit technical information listed below:

a. Quality Control Plan

Is now changed to:

a. The offeror shall describe how they will meet the requirements of the SOW.