36C25923R0089 0003.docx

SUBJECT*

Solid Waste and Recycling Support and Analysis - 554

GENERAL INFORMATION

Network Contracting Office

NCO 19

6162 South Willow Drive, Suite 300 Greenwood Village CO 80111

POINT OF CONTACT*

Edward Emerson Contact Specialist Edward.Emerson@va.gov 303-712-5720

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Eastern Colorado Health Care System

1700 N. Wheeling Street

Aurora CO

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Answers to questions

1. Copies of current programs and recycling efforts broken down by building you are requesting. Answer: See SOW, Paragraph 2

1. Facility map. Answer: See Attachments, FACILITY MAP.

1. What your goals are. (i.e. 100% non-landfill, % of diversion from landfill, FY 24,25,26 goals) these are your goals regardless of if they are realistic or not. But this will give us a base to try to look and see if we can make them a reality. Answer: See SOW, Paragraph 3.

1. What and who is providing you recycling currently and are you happy with them as a vendor or do you “Feel” like they could be doing better. Answer: There is no recycling formally provided now, but we do have small venues recycled such as, but not limited to, wood pallets, shredded paper, printer cartridges, metals, e-wastes, single use medical devices, and batteries.

1. Do you “Feel” like it is a vendor issue or an internal personnel issue that is limiting your recycling efforts? Answer: No.

1. Can you provide more details about the current waste management practices at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMRVAMC)?

Answer: RMRVAMC has an existing comingled/single stream recycling program. RMRVAMC desires to recycle all plastics including hard plastics (2, 3, 4, 5 & 6), except for plastic bags, but including blue wrap; mixed paper; cardboard; clean (non-infectious) medical wastes from treatment rooms; metals including aluminum, copper, brass and steel cans; food waste, glass, Styrofoam, and wooden pallets. Excluding metals, these materials are transferred from areas within the hospital to 40-yard cubic yard compacted containers located next to the municipal solid waste container. We’ve also got a large capacity autoclave for regulated medical waste treatment prior to disposal which needs evaluation to be brought on-line. This study shall also determine the feasibility of recycling based on the regional market demand, available resources at RMRVAMC for recycling to include equipment, in-house manpower, and an estimated cost for recycling for the RMRVAMC.

2. What materials are currently being recycled at the RMRVAMC and how are they being collected, stored, and disposed of or sold?

Answer: Recycle all plastics including hard plastics (2, 3, 4, 5 & 6), except for plastic bags, but including blue wrap; mixed paper; cardboard; clean (non-infectious) medical wastes from treatment rooms; metals including aluminum, copper, brass and steel cans; food waste, glass, Styrofoam, and wooden pallets.

3. Are there any existing recycling contracts in place at the RMRVAMC? If so, what are the terms and limitations of those contracts?

Answer: Yes. In addition to very small contracts, a mixture of federal agencies along with small and large business concerns currently work with the hospital on items shown in Para 2. Some even provide a small credit; however, with your partnership, we shall correlate, consolidate and coordinate our recycling program.

4. What is the geographical location of the RMRVAMC, and what are the operational limitations that may impact recycling efforts?

Answer: Geographic Location: 13611 E. Colfax Avenue, Aurora CO 80045 Geographical Coordinates: (Latitude/Longitude or UTM) 39.744042/-104.829172

5. Can you provide information about the local recycling infrastructure, including the facilities available to process recyclables and the local market demand for recyclables?

Answer: Yes. Excluding metals, recyclable materials are typically transferred from areas within the hospital via a programmable Transvac system to a compactor or 40-yard cubic yard compacted containers located next to the municipal solid waste container. We’ve also got a large capacity autoclave for regulated medical waste treatment prior to disposal which needs evaluation to be brought on-line.

6. What is the objective diversion rate that the Department of Veterans Affairs aims to achieve at the RMRVAMC?

Answer: This requirement is from mandatory VA Directive 0057, Appendix F, “VA policy is at least 50 percent of nonhazardous solid waste (including food and compostable material) and construction and demolition waste and debris by fiscal year 2025 and 75 percent by fiscal year 2030.” However, a specific percentage must be achievable by our facility based on tailored market research for our geographic area as well as practical recommendations to achieve it. Current federal, state, and industry practices might, or might not, are great resources.

7. Are there any specific recycling opportunities or partnerships that the RMRVAMC should consider with local community organizations or businesses?

Answer: Unknown at this time as the work shall provide substantive answers.

8. What is the budget allocated for this recycling services project at the RMRVAMC?

Answer: The exact budget is uncertain at this point since might recommend a follow-on contract with the successful bidder.

9. What is the expected timeline for the implementation of the recycling services?

Answer: Please reference the solicitation, Para B.1.7, which includes implementation.

10. Can you provide information about the qualifications and experience required for the contractor's team providing the services?

Answer: The Contractor shall provide personnel with the necessary level of expertise to successfully accomplish the work under this contract. Resumes are part of the past performance submission for the Contractor’s personnel who will perform the work under this contract. Contractor shall provide a resume for each person proposed for the project.

11. How will the proposals be evaluated in terms of meeting the Department's needs and improving waste diversion rates?

Answer: Please refer to solicitation Sections E.1 52-212-1 and E.9 52.212-2, for requirements. The Contractor may also how their proposal shall align and be compliant with VA Directive 0057, Appendix F.

12. Are there any local, state, or federal regulations related to waste management and recycling that the contractor needs to adhere to?

Answer: Yes. This is VA Directive 0057, Appendix F.

13. Has there been any previous attempt to improve recycling practices at the RMRVAMC? If so, what were the outcomes and lessons learned?

Answer: No.

14. Who are the key stakeholders involved in the project, both in terms of implementing new recycling practices and those affected by them?

Answer: The hospital’s Stakeholders are each functional element shown on the Facility Map page “General Locations for Medical and Admin Functions”.

15. What are the specific performance work statement deliverables and expectations for each task outlined in the solicitation description?

Answer: In accordance with the SOW, Paragraph 4, Reports are really your ONLY deliverable with the purpose of consolidating information from field survey tasks to successfully meet each objective expectation.

PLEASE SEE DOCUMENT TITLED "36C25923R0089 Updated Solicitation". SOLICITATION HAS BEEN AMENDED TO CHANGE THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE.

Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center Solid Waste and Recycling Survey

In order to effectively manage wastes for government owned buildings, it is important to have a full understanding of the waste streams and disposal options and to implement and or improve existing recycling programs. The Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMRVAMC) desires to survey the waste disposal processes at 1700 North Wheeling Street, Aurora CO for recycling opportunities. The purpose of these surveys is to help RMRVAMC determine the most cost-effective methods to manage recycling materials, develop strategies to minimize waste generated in its facilities, established a realistic and obtainable diversion rate, verify vendor collection data regarding recycled material collected. The results of these surveys shall help us develop strategies to meet these goals, determine if this goal is attainable and assess cost-saving measures. This is not a summary of available information relating to the topic of healthcare recycling, but a study specifically tailored to RMRVAMC on how it can succeed with recycling and waste minimization. After successful completion of the survey, the Contracting Officer may select the Contractor to partner with RMRVAMC on implementation of the survey’s outcomes.

The Contracting Officer (CO) is the only point of contact for this acquisition. Any questions regarding this solicitation must be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer, Edward.Emerson@va.gov and NCO19Services1@va.gov, no later than 2 PM MT on Friday, July 21, 2023. All responses to questions received will be posted to the Contracting Opportunities website via an amendment. Proposals shall be submitted electronically via email only to Edward.Emerson@va.gov and NCO19Services1@va.gov by 10 AM MT on Friday, August 4, 2023.

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