Vendor questions and answers 11.14.2025.docx

Q1. Please confirm that the contract is single-award Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with a base + four option years and that equitable price adjustment (EPA) applies only to gold CLINs.

A1. This is a single-award FFP five-year IDIQ with five (5) ordering periods. EPA only applies to the gold CLINS. This is not an options contract. See page 1 block 20 on the SF Form 1449 of the solicitation.

Q2. May the Government confirm that daily pick-ups/deliveries via commercial carriers (FedEx/UPS) meet the requirement for “courier” service?

A2. Commercial couriers may be used but please see limitation on subcontracting clause listed in the solicitation on page 36.

Q3. For Government Furnished Property (GFP) counts (articulators, facebows, shipping containers), should we assume the listed quantities are maximum in circulation or starting inventory?

A3. GFP counts for durable equipment (articulators, facebows, shipping containers, etc.) are the projected maximum quantities in circulation at any given time during the contract period.

Q4. For documentation, will the VA accept IdentAlloy/IdentCeram (or equivalent) certificates for all alloy/ceramic components including those milled by authorized partners (e.g., Strategy Milling)?

A4. Yes. See statement of work (SOW section 1.5.8 on page 3) Q5. Is there an opportunity to provide a short video conference demonstration showcasing 3D printing of dentures and digital workflow capabilities, and to discuss how our approach can minimize chairside adjustments and improve turnaround efficiency for the VA dental clinics?

A5. No.

Q6. Please confirm that subcontracting is acceptable, provided that vendor maintains overall contract responsibility, case management, and final quality control.

A6. Offerors are required to meet the limitations on subcontracting in accordance with FAR 52.219-14 of the solicitation found on page 36. Contractors must show adherence to timelines, VHA Office of Dentistry standards, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved materials or products specified in SOW (1.5.17 and 1.5.18 page 4) and as part of their proposal in FAR 52.212-1 Instructions updated in Amendment 0001.

Q7. Could the VA provide clarification on acceptable turnaround times and whether any adjustments or extensions can be granted for complex implant/full-arch cases to ensure both quality and compliance with clinical needs?

A7. Complex implant/full-arch cases may require additional working days especially in cases where an implant abutment/connecting bar needs to be milled by the parent implant company. Target completion time for complex implant/full-arch cases is 15 working days (SOW 1.5.6 on page 3).

Q8. Could the VA provide clarification on acceptable turnaround times, particularly for complex denture?

A8. Complex denture cases may require additional working days, especially in cases where an implant connecting bar needs to be milled by the parent implant company. Target completion time for complex denture cases requiring an implant connecting bar to be milled is 15 working days (SOW 1.5.6 on page 3) Q9. The SOW states the pricing should be inclusive of pickup and Delivery costs; however, does that include delivery to the contractor AND delivery back to the VA?

A9. Yes, pricing is inclusive of all costs to include pick-up, delivery, and return of the completed case to the clinic location (SOW 1.5.15 on page 4) Q10. Can 2nd Day Delivery service level be used for all cases inbound to the contractor AND outbound to the VA?

A10. Inbound and outbound delivery service should be next day delivery (see SOW 1.5.1 and 1.5.2 on page 2) Q11. With regards to the Past Performance Requirement, if we have Evaluations listed in CPARS, does that meet the requirements of this bid if they are within the last 3 years or do you need the Performance Evaluation completed and submitted directly to the Natasha Holland?

A11. Offeror may submit a copy of their recent and relevant CPARS in place of the questionnaires. The performance should be recent and relevant as described in the instructions under FAR 52.212-1. See updated Instructions dated 11.14.2025.

Q12. Will impressions be sent digitally?

A12. No, Physical Polyvinyl Siloxane (PVS) impressions will be sent.

Q13. For the CLINS that have requested Posterior teeth in a set of 6, they come in set of 8. Can that be changed so we can quote for a set of 8 teeth?

A13. Yes, all CLINS for posterior sets of teeth should be corrected to a set of 8 teeth (unit of issue). See updated Schedule B Attachment dated 11.14.2025.

Q14. There appears to be a lot of duplicate items in the price list. Is that correct to have the same line items repeated throughout each year?

A14. This is ordering period pricing for the 5 Year IDIQ and covers multiple locations.

Q15. If Price is the primary factor, how will you determine lowest price since there are no quantities provided?

A15. Schedule B Attachment shows the estimated quantities. This will be evaluated IAW FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation of Commercial Products and Services, which begins on page 58, and states that “all non-price factors when combined are significantly more important than price,” and the Government will evaluate proposals using the tradeoff process outlined in FAR 15.101-1.”

Q16. What unit of measure should the CLINS for alloy only be priced as?

A16. Unit of measure is Gram (Schedule B Gold CLINS).

Q17. CLIN106 is the alloy to be billed separately?

A17. No, alloy is not billed separately for a Wironium framework (CLIN0100 and associated CLINs). CLINs 0105, 0106, 0107, 0108, and associated CLINs cover additional labor, materials, and alloy costs for additional framework design features above the standard Wironium framework with 2 claps.

Q18. When requesting a price for “Articulation” is that the labor to articulate the case?

A18. This price is inclusive of labor and consumable materials utilized to articulate the case on a simple hinge or semi-adjustable articulator.

Q19. Will the articulators be provided by the VA?

A19. Articulators will be provided by the Contractors. Cases requiring changes in occlusal vertical dimension, full mouth rehabilitation, and/or exhibiting severe skeletal/dental malocclusion may be mounted on a VA-furnished articulator by the treating dentist prior to submission to the Contractor. In such cases, the VA-furnished articulator should only be used for that case until treatment is completed (SOW 1.5.11.1 on page 3).

Q20. CLIN 145 Please provide more information of what is being requested for “stock Abutment Modification – VA provides stock abutment” A20. This CLIN covers labor to modify a prefabricated implant abutment prior to crown fabrication. For instance, modifying the finish line, reducing abutment height, and/or changes to axial inclination.

Q21. CLIN146-147, CLIN170 – Please provide more information on what is being requested A21. CLIN0146 and CLIN0147 are the fabrication of a custom abutment using a UCLA-style castable abutment. The castable abutment is provided by the VA (SOW 1.5.7 on page 3) and the Contractor would fabricate the design, cast, and finish the abutment. CLIN0170 is the pick-up for attachment housings during a denture processing or lab reline. The attachment analog and housing are provided by the VA (SOW 1.5.7 on page 3).

Q22. If we do not fabricate an item, do we indicate “no bid” on the line item or some other form of notation?

A22. This is an all or nothing requirement. If unable to meet CLINS it will be technically unacceptable.

Q23. CLIN158- Is that to be priced for ONLY the connecting bar?

A23. CLIN0158 is the cost of the implant connecting bar/hybrid framework only. CLIN0159 and CLIN0160 cover the cost to set denture teeth and processing, respectively.

Q24. Are CLINS159-169 to include the price of the bar as well or just the restoration, exclusive of the cost of the bar?

A24. CLIN0158 is the cost of the implant connecting bar/hybrid framework. CLIN0159 and CLIN0160 cover the cost to set denture teeth and processing, respectively. CLIN0161 is the cost of the entire prosthesis, there is not a separate bar for this prosthetic design. CLIN0162 is the cost of the implant connecting bar. CLIN0163 is the cost of the superstructure (if required) cast to fit intimately with the bar and is processed into the removable prosthesis. CLIN0164 and CLIN0165 cover the cost to set denture teeth and processing, respectively. CLIN0166 and CLIN0167 are different internal/external frameworks to be used with a tissue supported, implant retained prosthesis – this prosthetic design does not incorporate an implant connecting bar. CLIN0168 and CLIN0169 cover the cost to set denture teeth and processing for a tissue supported, implant retained prosthesis, respectively.

Q25. Can you tell me if there is a wage requirement with the awarding of the contract?

A25. No, there is no wage determination.

Q26. Please explain the requirement for insurance mentioned in 1.7.9. Would attaching our existing Certificate of Insurance (COI) be sufficient or do we need to add some statement or language to the COI?

A26. A copy of existing COI is sufficient. Any changes to insurance coverage must be communicated to the contracting officer no less than 30 days prior to change.

Q27. Please explain the requirement for infection control mentioned in 1.7.8. What do we need to attach with our proposal to prove conformance to these requirements. Would a write-up on Infection Control Protocol be sufficient or does the agency need documents to prove vaccination of personnel and anything else?

A27. Contractor shall provide a copy of a written Infection Control Plan. Infection Control Plan shall include documentation concerning the in-person or self-study training activities which staff members receive in regard to Infection Control/Prevention as described in the instructions under FAR 52.212-1. See updated Instructions dated 11.14.2025.

Q28. Is this a new requirement or was there a previous contract? If a previous contract existed, can you share the incumbent name and contract number.

A28. The incumbent is GNATHODONTICS with contract number 36C25921D0009 Q29. Any pain points concerning the incumbent? What are the agency's key expectations from the awarded vendor?

A29. ECHCS and CVAHCS desire the best quality dental laboratory prosthesis and implants available for the veterans that they serve. Both facilities require high quality laboratory products with consistent quality, timely turnaround, and few remakes (SOW 1.3 on page 1).

Q30. Can the agency share the historical pricing of the previous contract?

A30. The incumbent is GNATHODONTICS with contract number 36C25921D0009.

Q31. Is commercial experience accepted and if so, should we send PPQs to commercial clients for validation of past performance?

A31. All past performance is acceptable (commercial or government) but must be recent and relevant as defined in the solicitation under FAR Provision 52.212-1 beginning on page 49 and as updated in Amendment 0001 of RFP 36C25925R0043 in FAR 52.212-1 Instructions dated 11.14.2025.

Q32. Is the agency interested in the digital capabilities of vendors or is that not a consideration? Would the agency consider sending digital cases or only traditional?

A32. The goal of this contract is to provide dental laboratory prosthesis, implants etc. using conventional dental impression (SOW 1.4.12 on page 2).

Q33. Does this contract have a wage determination requirement?

A33. See A25