36C25924Q0631 0001_1.docx

Q&A Solicitation # 36C25924Q0631

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)

36C259 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office

NCO 19

6162 South Willow Drive, Suite 300 Greenwood Village CO 80111

36C259 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office

NCO 19

6162 South Willow Drive, Suite 300 Greenwood Village CO 80111 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C25924Q0631 08-14-2024

X

See CONTINUATION Page

LOA# 575-3640162-6043-854100-2520 010050192

The purpose of this amendment is to answer questions received (see continuation pages).

The submittal due date remains the same in that all offers must be submitted to heather.clemons@va.gov and received no later than 5:00pm MDT on 8/20/2024.

All other terms and conditions remain the same.

CONTINUATION PAGE

Questions and Answers below are referencing RFQ 36C25924Q0631:

Q. Is this a new or follow-on requirement? If a follow-on, who is the incumbent and what is the contract number?

A. This is a new base plus four (4) option years requirement. This requirement has not previously been awarded and therefore there is no incumbent.

Q. Can you clarify what is meant by 'Base Year' and 'Option Year' in regards to when the contract has begun? Does that mean VA Salt Lake will decide year by year whether they would like to continue?

A. The intent is to continue the contract for the full 5 years but funds are obligated one fiscal year at a time by the VHA. Each year there is a review process to ensure needs are met, but our intent would be to continue utilizing the product for a full 5 years.

Q. 'Funding available for the procurement' is often mentioned. Would it be possible to know how much funding is available for this procurement?

A. Funds are obligated each fiscal year to meet the specified amount within the contract. We have to validate each fiscal year that the funds are provided and available and are tied to our budget.

Q. Are any additional documents besides the RFQ required to be submitted?

A. Yes, see E.3 52.212-2 EVALUATION regarding Special Standards of Responsibility (SSR).

Q. Is a site visit mandatory?

A. No, a site visit is not mandatory.

Q. Are there limitations to subcontracting?

A. Yes, please review sections: C.6 VAAR 85.219-74 Limitations On Subcontracting and E.1 Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors paragraph: General Standards of Responsibility.

Q. In section 4.1 there is reference to servicing the backflow assembly (or assemblies) connected to the irrigation system after the water has been purged. We are confused by this requirement as why would you service the unit if it has not failed? What would you service? Also, since there is not a space to price such a service, we are assuming that we can use some of the 5K allocated for service and repairs if in fact it is the government’s intention to service the backflow assembly even if it has passed.

A. The term “service” s/b changed to “tested.” I revisited with the local plumbers here and verified these need to be tested in the spring after the irrigation lines have been charged and ready to irrigate. So, the line that reads “The contractor shall service the irrigation system backflow preventers after the lines have purged of water” can be eliminated.

Q. Are the backflow assemblies connected to the irrigation outside or inside? In most hospitals these assemblies are located inside which is why we are asking?

A. Outside.

Q. Section 4.4.1.1 lists requirements for recording pertinent information pertaining to each assembly. This is just an observation but size is not listed, however we would also record size. I do note that the government has size recorded in their comprehensive list?

A. No problem with size being added to the reporting. The previous inspection reports do indicate size on each device.

Q. There is a requirement to annotate the location of the shut-off valve for each unit. To be clear, each assembly will have an inlet and an outlet shutoff valve – commonly referred to as shutoff valve 1 and shutoff valve 2. Many plumbed in backflow assemblies will also have an upstream shutoff valve which is super nice if you have to replace one. However, not all assemblies will have this – for instance the assemblies feeding your hospital probably would need to be shut off with a water key near the water main or meter. Our only question here is would we annotate if the unit does not have an existing upstream shutoff valve?

A. All of the existing BFP’s have the isolation/shutoff valves located. This statement was pertaining to new devices discovered or added during the contract period. The hospital has a full loop system with 2 delivery points of water, so if the key is shut to test the first BFP after delivery point, that would be the annotated shutoff valve.

Q. We have noticed the requirement for an ASSE certified “inspector” (ASSE 5110) and repairer (ASSE 5130). We are concerned that we could get eliminated from the competition simply because we cannot produce anyone with that certification that works for our company at time of award. Since repairs are generally not the brunt of the work on contracts like this especially after the first year (if they are fixed right the first year the failure rate will drop off substantially), our plan would be to subcontract this out to a local master plumber with a water safety certification in accordance with your standards. This would also be our local boots on the ground should an emergency occur. We are certified in accordance with ASSE 5110 and 5120 (cross connection control) however we don’t employ plumbers as we simply don’t have enough work for one, plus our experience has been that local hospitals prefer to work with companies in the community when they can. In addition, since we do work all over the US and plumbers need to be state certified to have a license, we find it best to subcontract that work when it occurs. I do recognize that the solicitation says “failure to provide copies of the certifications “could” (not would) result in a contracting officer’s determination that an otherwise eligible company is not eligible. I just wanted you to understand our position. We even did the New Orleans VA right up the road for 2 years (it was only a 2-year contract because they had us train 15 people on how to test them so they could do it in-house) and we subcontracted 100% of the repairs. It’s just the best way for us to operate as it’s way cheaper for us to use local talent then bring one of our contingency plumbers from Louisiana to Colorado.

A. The required ASSE certifications are specific for the personnel working on the devices, not necessarily the entire company they are employed by. 4.1.4.2 requires the contractor to provide a quote for repairing deficiencies they discovered during the inspection and testing. I wrote it this way to allow the VA the option to complete this work using the in-house plumbers, subcontract this to another sub, or have the testing contractor repair.

B. Additional information the in-house plumbers provided me today, in April 2025, the State of Colorado is requiring all cross-connection control technicians to be licensed plumbers.

Q. There isn’t any mention of an escort. We have found that government projects almost always mandate that we have an escort and have instructions on where to check-in etc. Are we required to have an escort while on-site working? Our experience in working at hospitals is that we are required and in fact need an escort just for the keys we need to get into certain areas as well as all of the HIPPA, PHI, etc.?

A. That was an oversight and should be included.