36C25819Q0366-0004000.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 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 reference 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

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) 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

36C25819Q0366 08-30-2019

X X X September 4, 2019 Due by 1200 pm EST The purpose of this amendment is to clarify government requirements in response to an agency protest received.

The receipt of offers due date has changed from 8/19/19 to 9/04/19 at 1200 pm EST.

Contractors are advised to reference Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items found on pages 69-70, specifically "Content Organization" using File 1 & 2 for submitting offers.

Dan Thiel Contracting Officer QUESTION 1: In general, the sizes of containers to be provided at each location remains confusing despite two rounds of Q&A. On page 6 of the 1449, the following explanation of sizes is provided:

1. Container/Bin Sizes:

1. Executive bin: The executive bin is a smaller bin that measures approximately 26” h x 12’ w x 20” d and holds 18 gallons.

1. Small bin: The small bin is a standard console that measures approximately 36”h x 20” w x 16” d and holds 32 gallons.

1. Large bin: Large bins are either 65 or 95 gallons.

1. Two and four bag bins: Each bag can hold approximately 32 gallons

ANSWER: This solicitation will remove all previous sizes related to the containers from all three facilities, this includes sizes described in the original solicitation and any sizes on amendment 0001, and 0002.

The “Location and Container Descriptions and Quantities” spreadsheet has been added to this amendment to identify each location, quantity, original container description and “standard description” of the container. On page 6-8 of this amendment a “Container Description and Specification sheet has also been included to further identify each container and provide pictures.

*The government is aware that not all contractors carry the same item exactly as shown in the pictures, these shall be used to provide more clarification and detail of what is expected as a general standard. The government is not asking for the contractor to verify sizes from the original to the converted size descriptions. Contractor shall only use what has been listed in the column that reads “Conversion of Bin Size Description” to identify what container is requested for that specific site.

QUESTION 2: There is also inconsistency in naming protocol across the three Health Care Systems. For example, Prescott requires “wooden executive” containers, but there is no definition of the size of these.

ANSWER: The contractor is to reference the "Container Description and Specifications" found on page 6-8 of this amendment. The description "wooden executive" has been revised the wooden container is not a required material for the container. The description remains only in the attached spreadsheet in the column titled “descriptions from amendment 0002”.

QUESTION 3: Page 3, PVAHCS Phoenix Table, #19 includes in the count the Phoenix HCS Outpatient Care Center, but per earlier information in the 1449, pages 12-13, this location is not to be included in the offer at this time but will be addressed via modification when the Center becomes operational. This needs to be clarified – are to include this count or not?

ANSWER: There is No statement in the original solicitation stating that the “Phoenix HCS Outpatient Care Center” should not be included nor is this stated in any of the amendments.

What is included on page 12-13 of the original solicitation, specifically states that the government is estimating the construction completion date is December 2021 and the estimated square feet is 208,000. The changes clause has been included and language is included to ensure that if the estimated date changes and or square feet changes the government can increase or decrease this and change the start date from December in Option Year 2, using the changes clause. The government is providing an advance notice, estimating this building to begin needing services by providing “estimated dates” based on the information given to us by the construction contractors.

Further-more in Amendment 0001 and 0002 the location indicates what is being estimated as the amount of containers that will be utilized for that specific area making a note this would not be needed until December 2021 which would be covered under Option Year 2.

The government expects that pricing the containers and service listed for the specific location starting December 1 – September 30 In Option 2 and each option year there after and we are giving the estimated quantities for the contractors to include in the pricing. If this changes in any way, the contract will have a modification processed to make that change.

QUESTION 4: Page 5, 2. The response is that there are cardboard containers inside of a locked container. Industry standard consoles come with nylon bags. Who will be providing the cardboard boxes for these containers and replacing them as they become worn with use?

ANSWER: Recommend a full review of the response on Amendment 0002 Question # 2 specifically states “this question may no longer apply”.

2. Question: Q&A #8 – The response that “PVAHCS uses only nylon bags and cardboard containers roughly half of each” doesn’t make sense. If this is true, why are there container sizes listed for Phoenix? Also, since bags and boxes are not secure, how can this location be compliant with VA and HIPPA rules regarding the handling and storage of sensitive information?

A: Bags and Boxes are secured. The Nylon bags are inside the secured bin, the bag is removed and emptied and returned to the secured bin. Bins have a locking system in front and cannot be accessed without a special key. The same would apply to the cardboard containers these are secured and placed inside of a locked container. Executive bins have nylon bags in them, all small containers have card board box in them.

NOTE: It is possible that this site is looking at the bins and identifying the contents that the current containers have which are; bags and boxes they don’t appear to be separate items but part of the existing containers (Executive and Small) these containers are not different from any other location therefore this question may no longer apply. The bag and box are part of the container.

QUESTION 5: Page 6, 3. The size for “Large” and for “Executive containers” is the same save 1” in height. This needs clarification and is a good example of why the inconsistency in naming protocol across the systems is confusing.

ANSWER: The containers have been identified using a “Standard’ name, and an attachment is included to identify each container with specifications and pictures. No other clarification will be made on these containers, if you do not carry the containers then do not quote them.

QUESTION 6: Page 6, 4. The answer is ambiguous – are these extra bins to be stored on site or does the delivery of these, which will likely take a special trip or an extra truck, need to be included in pricing?

ANSWER: This question has previously been answered with sufficient detail; Amendment 0002 Question 1 has three tables that represent the three VA sites and CBOCS. Each site has already determined specifically what amount and size of containers would be considered “not to exceed” and identifies what amount of those containers are located on site or not.

Question # 4 on the same amendment also states what the phrase “Not to exceed” means and explains the billing for these bins, the purpose and the required response time.

A: The Phrase “Not to exceed” is used as a number of containers that the sites will not exceed as an amount to be used to reference the list of locations, quantities and sizes provided in each table. There are additional amounts of containers that are considered “spares” these are used to replace either broken bins or due to an increased need. Because it is not possible to know when these two episodes will occur each site either asks for the spare bins to be on location at the main facility or will call and ask them to be delivered the request for a delivery allows for the bin sizes listed to always be available and delivered in a 24-hour period if they are not located on site. This will prevent delays due to funding, or contract modifications. Each location will be paying for those “spares” regardless of their use to ensure their availability at all times. The bins are not to exceed that amount listed in each table as “total” if at anytime the total amount of bin changes this would require additional funding and a contract modification.

Please Note: this is not a new requirement the VA is asking for, several contracts past and present have the not to exceed containers listed and are used for purposes as described above. If this is not a service a contractor is willing to provide please state that in your offer.

QUESTION 7: Page 8, 8. The table for unit cost lists 5 types of containers, with “Wooden Executive” appearing as a distinct type of container since both it and “Executive” are listed. Again, what is the difference between a Wooden Executive and an Executive?

ANSWER: Reference the answer above on Question #2.

QUESTION 8: In summary, the inability to use a standardized nomenclature for the different size containers creates confusion and ambiguity. The descriptive terms “large” and “small” used throughout are inherently vague. It is suggested that the solicitation is reconfigured to use industry standard language for all three locations, and to provide photos of the actual containers accompanied by 3 measurements (height, width, depth). This will clarify what the requirements are for container sizes.

ANSWER: The government has clarified any requirements that might have been confusing to the offerors in the attached spreadsheet attached and the “Container Description and Specifications” found in this amendment starting on page 6.

QUESTION 9: Requests a thorough review and reconciliation of the ambiguities and technical deficiencies noted above, including a consistency in naming protocol and size definitions across the three systems, in order to make an intelligent offer on the solicitation.

Specifically requests that the containers are specified in industry standard language, and photos with measurements are included in the revision.

ANSWER: Although the names of the containers were not changed, the government has included an additional column to identify them with a secondary identifying name using a gallon size and or container size with a detailed description provided to include pictures.

CONTAINER DESCRIPTION AND SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATIONS:

· The 32-gallon carts are compatible with most lifting systems

· JCAHO (Joint Commission) Compliant

· Compatible with most lifting systems

· Outfitted with rubber wheels for easy movement and quiet transport

· Large comfortable handles

· 125lb capacity

· Reinforced lid for added security

· Standard 38.5” H x 19”W X 22.5”D

· The 95-gallon carts are compatible with most lifting systems

· 12” Rubber wheels for easy movement and quiet transport

· Large comfortable handles

· Reinforced lid for added security

· Holds 350 lbs

· Standard 46.5”H x 26”W X 26.5”D

· The 65-gallon carts are compatible with most lifting systems

· Rubber wheels for easy movement and quiet transport

· Large comfortable handles

· Molded deflector for strength and security

· Holds 250 lbs

· Standard 42.5”H x 25”W X 29.5”D

SPECIFICATIONS:

· JCAHO (Joint Commission) Compliant

· Tamper Proof Lid

· Manufactured in North America

· Lightweight for deployment and servicing

· No bag or liner required

· 6-point engagement system for unmatched security

· Standard 24”H x 20” W x 11” D

Available in two sizes; 36” and 24”

SPECIFICATIONS

Page 1 of

· 24” Executive Console

· JCAHO (Joint Commission) Compliant

· Anti-phishing paper deflector improves security

· High quality, cost-effective security solution

· 180-degree hinge for easy opening

· Wall-hugging bag

· Ergonomic and space efficient design

· True universal bag to fit all consoles

· Standard 24”H x 20”W x 16”D

· 36” Executive Console

· JCAHO (Joint Commission) Compliant

· Anti-phishing paper deflector improves security

· High quality, cost-effective security solution

· 180-degree hinge for easy opening

· Wall-hugging bag

· Ergonomic and space efficient design

· True universal bag to fit all consoles

· Standard 36”H x 20” W x 16”D Page 1 of

See attached document: Location and Container Descriptions and Quantities.

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