S02 36C26021R0050 AMENDMENT 0004.pdf

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)

1 9

07-15-2022 none

36C260

ATTN: V4CONT

Network Contracting Office 20 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd Vancouver WA 98661

36C260

ATTN: V4CONT

Network Contracting Office 20

1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd Vancouver WA 98661

To all Offerors/Bidders

36C26021R0050

06-09-2022

X

X X

X 1

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Clarify the evaluation criteria to include specific relevant experience of key personnel and any proposed subcontractor. Addition are in red text. See pages 2-3 for updated addendum to 52.212-1.

2. Provide answers to questions received pertaining to this requirment. See pages 3-9.

Peggy L. Corcoran Contracting Officer

ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS

Provisions that are incorporated by reference (by Citation Number, Title, and Date), have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available.

The following provisions are incorporated into 52.212-1 as an addendum to this solicitation:

Specific Instructions:

Provide your proposal to Jacob.jackson2@va.gov by the due date and time expressed on the Standard Form 1449 (SF1449). The deadline for questions is June 29, 2022 at 17:00 PST. All questions shall be submitted in writing, verbal questions will not be answered.

Please input the following in the subject line of the email: “Proposal [Company Name] VA26021R0050 VISN 20 Home Oxygen Services”

Please note the email has a size limitation of 5 GB. More than one email shall be required if the submittal is over 5 GB. Zip files will be removed and therefore not considered.

Late proposals will not be considered. The proposal must be received by the due date/time shown. Please note delays of more than half an hour have been experienced with email transmission, so it is recommend sending at least an hour prior to the time proposals are due. If you email your proposal before proposals are due, but the Government receives it after proposals are due, the proposal is late and will not be considered. Likewise, any post-closing amendments must be received timely.

Proposal Submittal Requirements: Offerors are required to include the following information with their proposal submissions.

a. Factor 1 – Experience. This factor will be used to assess the Offeror’s, key personnel’s, and any proposed subcontractor’s (if applicable), experience providing contracted in-home oxygen services and contracted in-home ventilator services to patients in their place of residence.

Offerors shall provide a narrative describing their, and any proposed subcontractor’s, specific experience providing contracted in-home oxygen services and contracted in-home ventilator services to patients in their place of residence. This narrative shall include the Offeror’s experience in creating and providing all reports required by the Statement of Work (SOW) and provide examples if applicable. Offerors shall also demonstrate their experience in seeking and maintaining Joint Commission or equivalent accreditation standards and provide current accreditation if applicable. For each reference contract the Offeror submits as evidence of its or proposed subcontractor’s experience providing in-home oxygen services or in-home ventilator services, or both, the Offeror’s narrative must clearly state the following information:

a. the legal name of entity with whom the Offeror or subcontractor held the contract;

b. the contract number;

c. whether the contract was for in-home oxygen services, in-home ventilator services, or both;

d. a description providing details of the specific tasks the Offeror or subcontractor performed under that contract;

e. in what geographic location the Offeror or subcontractor performed these services;

f. the dates during which the Offeror or subcontractor performed the contract;

g. the number of patients to whom the Offeror or subcontractor provided in-home oxygen services or in-home ventilator services, or both, under that contract – break out and specify numbers separately for oxygen services and ventilator services;

h. whether the Offeror or subcontractor was the prime contractor or a subcontractor for that contract;

i. the name, phone number, and email address of a person at the entity with whom the Offeror or subcontractor held the contract who can verify the information the Offeror provides in the narrative description for this factor.

The information requested above is required for the Government to evaluate proposals for the Experience evaluation factor. General statements claiming experience providing contracted in-home oxygen services and contracted in-home ventilator services that do not include specific references to prior contract work, or that do not include the information required above, are not acceptable. FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE INFORMATION REQUIRED ABOVE TO SUPPORT

THE OFFEROR’S CLAIMED EXPERIENCE MAY BE VIEWED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS

EVIDENCE THAT THE OFFEROR LACKS EXPERIENCE IN PROVIDING CONTRACTED IN-

HOME OXYGEN SERVICES, OR CONTRACTED IN-HOME VENTILATOR SERVICES, OR

BOTH, WHEN EVALUATING PROPOSALS FOR THE EXPERIENCE EVALUATION

FACTOR.

b. Factor 2 – Price. This factor will be used to assess the reasonableness of the Offeror’s proposed price. For this factor, Offerors shall submit Price proposals using B.4 Price/Cost Schedule.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

NAICS Code 621610. Seeing as though this is a rental contract and not government-owned, the proper NAICS code is 532283. Please clarify the appropriate NAICS code.

Answer: The NAICS will remain 621610 as this requirement is not strictly for the rental of equipment. This has been verified with the Small Business Association (SBA).

Page 6 of 193 states: “Contractor’s facilities may be inspected by the respective Medical Center prior to the contract award.” Are contractor’s required to have their facilities in place prior to contract award? Or can contractor’s open facilities after contract award?

Answer: See Amendment 002. Language changed to “Contractor’s facilities may be inspected by the respective Medical Center at any time after contract award.”

Page 6 of 193 states: “Transition of services to the new Contractor shall be completed as soon as possible, but no later than 90 calendar days from the date of award of a new contract.” Other VISNs have gone to a 120 day transition given the supply chain issues and numerous other challenges that have affected our industry. Consider revising to a 120 day transition period.

Answer: This language shall remain unchanged.

Page 9 of 193 states: “At least once every ninety (90) calendar days the Contractor shall visit VA beneficiaries to reassess equipment compliance, equipment educational needs, etc.” I did not see a line item on the price schedule for performing Contractor visits to VA beneficiaries to reassess equipment compliance, equipment educational needs, etc.

Since this is a requirement that must be performed every 90 calendar days, there should be a line item to bill for this service. Please clarify.

Answer: This language shall remain unchanged. The cost of this service shall be included in CLIN pricing.

Page 12 of 193 states: “Contractor must submit a copy of all proposed reports as part of the offeror’s technical proposal.” According to the Proposal Submittal Requirements on page 168 of 193, the only Technical Proposal requirement is “Experience.” Please clarify if contractor must submit a copy of all proposed reports as part of the offeror’s technical proposal. If so, what section of the Technical Proposal should they be included?

Answer: See Amendment 001 and 002. “Technical” has been removed and all reports shall be included with the “Experience” proposal if applicable.

Page 13 of 193 states: “Contractor must submit a copy of the plan for surveillance, prevention and control of infection as part of the offeror’s technical proposal.”

According to the Proposal Submittal Requirements on page 168 of 193, the only Technical Proposal requirement is “Experience.” Please clarify if contractors must submit a copy of the plan for surveillance, prevention and control of infection as part of the offeror’s technical proposal. If so, what section of the Technical Proposal should they be included?

Answer: See Amendment 001 and 002. “Technical” has been removed and all reports shall be included with the “Experience” proposal if applicable.

Page 20 of 193 states: “Each branch office or distribution point must be nationally accredited and meet Joint Commission or equivalent accreditation Standards. Proof of such accreditation must be submitted to the VAMC with technical proposal.” According to the Proposal Submittal Requirements on page 168 of 193, the only Technical Proposal requirement is “Experience.” Please clarify if contractors must submit proof of such accreditation with the technical proposal. If so, what section of the Technical Proposal should it be included?

Answer: See Amendment 001 and 002. “Technical” has been removed and all reports/proof of accreditation shall be included with the “Experience” proposal if applicable.

Page 22 of 193 states: “Health and Human Services (HHS)/Office of Inspector General (OIG): To ensure that the individuals providing services under this contract have not engaged in fraud or abuse regarding Sections 1128 and 1128A of the Social Security Act regarding federal health care programs, the contractor is required to check the Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (HHS/OIG), List of Excluded individuals/Entities on the OIG Website (www.hhs.gov/oig) for each person providing services under this contract. Further the Contractor is required to certify in its proposal that all persons listed in the contractor’s proposal have been compared against the OIG list and are NOT listed.” According to the Proposal Submittal Requirements on page 168 of 193, the only Technical Proposal requirement is “Experience.” Please clarify if contractors are required to certify in its proposal that all persons listed in the contractor’s proposal have been compared against the OIG list and are NOT listed. If so, what section of the Technical Proposal should it be included?

Answer: This shall be included with the Contractor’s Experience proposal.

Section B.4 Price/Cost Schedule: I see where no estimated quantities are provided on the CLINS. In order for contractors to be able to propose on this contract, we need to know what the estimated quantities are for each line item. We need to know how much of each piece of equipment we will need to purchase. Some pieces of equipment are much more expensive than others and without knowing the estimated quantities, we will be bidding blind. Further, by not providing contractors the estimated quantities, whoever subcontracts with the incumbent contractors has an unfair advantage over all other bidders. Kindly provide the estimated quantities for each line item number to provide an even playing field and so contractors know how much of each piece of equipment we will need to purchase.

Answer: See table below for annual estimations for each facility.

Line Item 1005 – “Portable system for new set-ups. Consists of "E", "D", or "B" (M6) size aluminum (or equivalent eight metal) cylinder with regulator, flow meter, handcart, pouch and disposable supplies.”

Is this a monthly rental of the Portable System?

Answer: Yes.

Line Item 1015 – “Delivery for re-supply and/or relocation of equipment due to change in beneficiary's residence.” Please define Delivery for re-supply. I assume this line item is used when contractors have to re-supply cylinders and/or supplies for high use patients and also if the patient moves and contractors have to move the equipment to the patients new residence. Please clarify when contractors will bill for this line item.

Answer: This is for relocation services. Contractor will invoice the month that service was performed.

Line Item 1016 – “Home Oxygen Cylinder Refill System” Is this a monthly rental line item? And what size cylinders and how many cylinders are required to be included?

Also, is this for a 5 lpm or 10 lpm system?

Answer: HCPC K0738 Portable Gaseous Oxygen Refill System. Number of tanks is based on patient’s prescription and needs for portability. The refill system cost is not related to the liter flow. Yes, this is a monthly rental line item.

Line Item 1017 – “Portable Oxygen Concentrator (POC)” Is this a monthly rental line item?

Answer: Yes.

Line Item 1018 – “Ventilator System E0465 (includes disposable supplies, initial setup by R.R.T and routine preventative maintenance per manufacturers guidelines.) Is this a monthly rental line item? Is the backup ventilator system to be included in this price?

Answer: Yes, this is a monthly rental item. Yes, see SOW.

Line Item 1019 – “Ventilator System (Non-Invasive Open Ventilator) E0466 (includes disposable supplies, initial setup by R.R.T and routine preventative maintenance per manufacturers guidelines) Is this a monthly rental line item? Is the backup ventilator system to be included in this price?

Answer: Yes, this is a monthly rental item. Yes, see SOW.

Page 18 of 193 states: “All patient education material must be presented in written form to the CO for approval prior to the award.” Will contracting be requesting these documents from all companies who submit proposals?

Answer: See amendments 001 and 002. “Offerors shall provide a narrative describing their specific experience providing contracted in-home oxygen services and contracted in-home ventilator services to patients in their place of residence. This narrative shall include the Offerors experience in creating and providing all reports and educational material required by the Statement of Work (SOW) and provide examples if applicable.”

What is the maximum value of this contract?

Answer: The maximum value of this requirement is $66,000,000.00. If multiple awards are made the estimated values of each facility is:

Puget Sound: $17,700,000.00 Boise: $13,000,000.00 Portland: $11,500,000.00 Spokane: $8,400,000.00 Walla Walla: $6,800,000.00 Roseburg: $4,000,000.00 White City: $4,500,000.00

Will VA accept a Technical Capabilities Proposal to supplement required documents, Factor 1 – Experience and Factor 2 – Price?

Answer: No, not for the sake of the evaluation. The evaluation factors are Experience and Price. Please see solicitation and amendments 001 and 002. We are requiring an “Experience Proposal” containing all required information as stated.

Section B.4 Price/Cost Schedule, all CLIN volumes are set to one (1). Will VA provide actual utilization volumes for reasonable price modeling?

Will VA provide HCPC codes for each of the CLINs?

Answer: See table below for HCPC codes and annual estimations. For reference HCPC codes can be found at: List of CPT/HCPCS Codes | CMS

“Emergency Services,” page 10 of 193, does not define what constitutes an emergency.

Will VA please define what constitutes an emergency and falls under the “Emergency Services” requirements?

Answer: Natural disaster, equipment failure, power failure, etc. Compliance with Joint Commission or equivalent written emergency management plan.

“Patients Who Travel,” page 11 of 193, states, “Arranging, coordinating, and providing travel oxygen services shall be provided at no additional cost to the VA.” Will VA please clarify the Contractor’s responsibility for provision of travel oxygen services, differentiating between initiating Veteran travel versus when the Veteran is traveling in the non-covered area (i.e., what’s the threshold for a Veteran traveling “too long” with travel oxygen equipment and the Contractor’s responsibility for provision of on-going travel oxygen care)?

Answer: This covers the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska. See “Patients who Travel” section of Statement of Work. Travel services shall be coordinated for each individual patient’s needs.

P6. Implementation mentions “Transition of services to the new Contractor shall be completed as soon as possible, but no later than 90 calendar days from the date of award of a new contract. If the Contractor fails to accomplish the phase-in, the Contractor shall be responsible for any costs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may have to pay the incumbent Contractor beyond 90 days.”

What safeguards are in place to ensure the outgoing contractor works with the new contractor and assists with meeting the 90 day transition timeline?

Answer: FAR Clause 52.237-3 Continuity of Services is in both existing contracts, which requires the incumbent contractor to perform this task if dictated by VA.

P7. mentions “Veterans with a prescription for an oxygen concentrator shall be provided with an appropriate backup system consisting of a compressed gas source, humidifiers, cannulas/mask for use during the event of a power failure or mechanical problem and necessitating the use of the backup cylinder. The cost for the above-mentioned backup system would be borne by the Contractor. The cost of replacement of equipment damaged, lost or misplaced not through beneficiary’s negligence shall be borne by the Contractor.” There are several price CLINS that include backup systems. Please clarify if the statement “The cost for the above-mentioned backup system would be borne by the Contractor” means that the contractor will price backup system into the appropriate

CLINS.

Answer: Yes.

Additionally, is the contractor responsible for equipment damage, lost or misplaced by a beneficiary?

Answer: See SOW. The VAMC will not pay for the Contractor’s lost or damaged equipment provided under this contract unless circumstances, as reviewed by the Contracting Officer, are concluded to be the results of willful negligence on behalf of beneficiaries or VAMC employees.

Accordingly, this is the cost of doing business and is the requirement of the Contractor to incur this cost. Contractor may request payment by submitting a written summary of the circumstances of lost or damaged equipment to the contracting officer within thirty (30) calendar days of the occurrence of the incident in question. The Contracting Officer will review the summary, and a written determination will be made to the Contractor as to the liability. The VAMC will not pay for rental on equipment not being used by an authorized beneficiary or for equipment that cannot be found during the performance of this contract.

P9. mentions “The government shall notify the Contractor in the event of an order to discontinue oxygen service to any beneficiary covered under this contract. Notification shall be by encrypted or de-identified by electronic means and/or facsimile (telephone if an emergency). Payment will be pro-rated based upon the notification date of discontinuance of service.” Will the VA allow the contractor time to schedule with the beneficiary to pick up the equipment or will they stop payment as of the day of notification?

Answer: Payment will be pro-rated based upon the notification date of discontinuance of service.

P12. Reports mentions “Contractor must submit a copy of all proposed reports as part of the offeror’s technical proposal.” Please confirm which reports need to be included, and if they need to be submitted with Factor 1 Experience since there is no technical proposal.

Answer: See Amendment 001 and 002. “Technical” has been removed and all reports/proof of accreditation shall be included with the “Experience” proposal if applicable.

B.4 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE: The quantities listed on the price schedule are all 1 month.

Will the VA provide the actual usage per area from the previous contract or an estimate of the monthly usage for each CLIN and number of patients per area? Doing so will assist the contractors to submit a more accurate bid with a better value to the government.

Answer: See table below for annual estimations for each facility.

Statio n

Pt E0431 E04

E0443 E0443 E043

E043

E044

E046

E1390 E1390 E1392 K0738

VA18

VA111 VA111

Coun t

Port Gas

Refil ls Gas E

Refills Gas (M&H

BU

Batter y

Liquid Port

Liquid Stat

Liq Fill

Vent Concen t

HF

Concen t

Port Conc

Homefil l

Safe Valve

Conserve r

Oxymize r

Boise 1530 7800 0 0 0 3120 3120 0 72 13800 480 1200 540 1530 6600 0

Portla nd 1230 10140 0 0 0 480 3 3 420 13740 660 3960 540 1230 5700 180

Roseb urg 465 1740 480 0 0 0 0 0 48 4680 300 540 1140 465 2280 0

Puget Sound 1400 11400 0 0 0 660 660 0 540 13620 1320 1080 8280 1400 10140 60

Spoka ne 700 4620 0 0 0 60 60 0 288 7740 300 1740 624 700 3120 48

Walla Walla 575 3480 0 0 0 48 48 0 60 6420 240 1740 24 575 2820 24

White City 425 1740 600 0 0 24 24 24 180 4260 180 180 180 425 2520 144

Total 6325 40920 0 0 0 4392 3915 27 1608 64260 3480

0 11328 6325 33180 456