36C25926Q0620 Questions and Answers.docx
DOCX document 17 KB Posted
- Attached to
- B533--Potable Water Testing
- Solicitation number
- 36C25926Q0620
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers document for Solicitation 36C25926Q0620, addressing clarifications on potable water testing services at the George E. Wahlen Veterans Medical Center under the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network 19.
The document clarifies six key areas of the solicitation: (1) PFAS testing is not currently anticipated as the facility has met initial monitoring requirements, though contract modifications may be necessary if requirements change; (2) Lead and Copper sampling under CLIN 2002 will begin September 30, 2028, with monthly sampling thereafter, revising the initially stated June-September 2028 timeframe; (3) Emergency retesting and other water-quality testing quantities of 50 tests per year should be priced as firm annual amounts, but invoicing occurs only when actually performed up to the maximum quantity; (4) Water Operator labor CLINs of 325 hours annually cover sample logistics coordination, field data collection, chain of custody management, and sample shipping, with certification not required, and hours represent an adjustable estimate rather than a firm quantity; (5) Initial routine sampling will commence in September 2026 rather than August 2026 to allow contractor on-boarding time; and (6) offer submissions exceeding four megabytes may be transmitted via multiple sequential emails with a total 10-megabyte limit, with subject lines including the solicitation number and sequential email identification.
View the file
Other files
Show all 19
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
Solicitation 36C25926Q0620 Potable Water Testing Questions & Answer
| Q1: | PFAS and Other Water-Quality Testing - The SAM.gov opportunity description states that services may include other water-quality testing as required, including PFAS. However, the Statement of Work and pricing schedule do not identify a PFAS analyte list, analytical method, anticipated quantity, reporting requirement, laboratory qualification, or separate PFAS CLIN. Please confirm whether PFAS testing is anticipated under this requirement. If PFAS testing is anticipated, please identify: a. The required PFAS analytes and analytical method; b. The estimated number of samples; c. The required laboratory certifications or accreditations; and d. Whether PFAS testing should be priced under the emergency or other water-quality testing CLINs, or through separately added line items. |
| A1: | PFAS testing is not currently anticipated. The facility has met their initial monitoring requirements. However, as testing requirements change, a modification to the contract may be required to include the changes. |
| Q2: | Lead and Copper Sampling Period - The pricing schedule identifies CLIN 2002, Lead and Copper Testing, with an Option Year 2 period of performance from August 7, 2028, through August 6, 2029. |
| However, SOW Section C.9.d states that the next Lead and Copper sampling timeframe is June through September 2028. Please confirm whether the 20 Lead and Copper samples are to be collected only after Option Year 2 begins, during the period from August 7 through September 30, 2028, or whether a different period of performance or sampling timeframe applies. | |
| A2: | The required sampling will begin September 30, 2028, and will be monthly thereafter. Section C.9.d.ii of the SOW has been revised to reflect this. |
| Q3: | Emergency Retesting Quantity and Invoicing - SOW Section C.9.e describes emergency retesting and other water-quality testing as “up to 50 tests per year.” The pricing schedule lists a quantity of 50 EA for the applicable emergency-retesting CLIN in each performance year. Please confirm whether offerors should extend their total evaluated price using all 50 tests for each performance year. Please also confirm whether the resulting line item will be paid as a firm annual amount or whether testing will be ordered, authorized, and invoiced only when actually performed, up to the stated maximum quantity. |
| A3: | Offerors should extend their total evaluated price using all 50 tests for each performance year. However, testing will be ordered, authorized, and invoiced only when actually required and performed, up to the stated maximum quantity of 50. |
Q4: Water Operator Labor CLINs - The pricing schedule includes 325 hours per year under the Water Operator labor CLINs. SOW Section C.10 states that the contractor must provide personnel with the training necessary to collect samples properly, but the SOW does not otherwise define the Water Operator labor requirement. Please clarify:
a. The specific tasks intended to be performed under the 325 Water Operator hours;
b. Whether a state-issued Water Operator certification is required and, if so, the required certification level;
c. Whether these hours are separate from the sample-collection labor included in the routine testing CLIN unit prices; and
d. Whether the 325 hours represent a firm annual quantity or a not-to-exceed amount invoiced only for Government-authorized hours actually performed.
A4: a. Tasks include comprehensive logistical coordination for sample collection; executing all aspects of sample preparation and collection; conducting field data collection and thorough documentation; adhering to chain of custody requirements, managing packaging and shipping of samples; and confirming sample delivery within the required timeframes.
b. A certified Water Operator is not required.
c. The other CLINs include the cost of testing. The Man Hour CLINs were designed to cover any man hours required to perform the work stated herein.
d. The 325 hours is an estimate that can be adjusted as needed to reflect the offeror’s true requirements.
| Q5: | Initial Sampling Following Contract Start - The base-year period of performance begins August 7, 2026. SOW Section C.9.f states that all sample collection will be conducted at the beginning of the month, and the sampling schedule includes routine Legionella, bacteriological, and DBP sampling during August. Please confirm whether the successful contractor will be expected to complete the full August 2026 sampling event after the August 7 contract start date, or whether the first routine monthly sampling event will begin in September 2026. |
| A5: | The decision was made to begin sample collection and testing in September 2026. This will provide the awarded contractor with sufficient on-boarding time. The Statement of Work and Price Cost Schedule quantity columns have been revised to reflect this decision. |
| Q6: | Four-Megabyte Email Limit - The solicitation establishes a four-megabyte email limit and requires submission of four volumes, testing plans, laboratory certifications, past-performance documentation, and the Limitations on Subcontracting certificate. Please confirm whether offerors may transmit the quotation through multiple sequential emails if the complete submission exceeds four megabytes. If multiple emails are permitted, please confirm the preferred subject-line and file-labeling convention. |
| A6: | Normally, email transmissions have a total limit of 10MB. If the email can be transmitted with all attachments included, then there is no need to limit to 4MB. Whether one email or multiple, the preferred subject line must include the solicitation number 36C25926Q0620. If sending the offer via multiple emails, the first paragraph should include, for example, “this is 1 of 2 emails for the offer.” |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .