RFP Questions 4.14.25.docx

1. RFP Task Order Procedures A. GENERAL pages 9-12 of 95 AND Task Order Procedures A. GENERAL pages 13-17 of 95. These two sections are the same but the verbiage is different in each.

Question: Which of these two ’ Task Order Procedures A. GENERAL’ is the section contractors should use?

Answer: Task Order procedures from pages 13-17 have been deleted. See Conformed copy of the RFP dated 4/10/25.

2. RFP, Section M – Evaluation Factors for Award, B. Evaluation Approach, 1. Factor 1 – Past Performance/Experience: Bullet 2: “Offeror shall use the attached form titled “Past Performance/Experience Questionnaire” (PPQ)…” From the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) website, “CPARS is an evaluation program run by the Government. CPARS is used to evaluate contractors on their performance of awarded contracts that either meet or exceed a particular dollar threshold dependent on the type of contract. The subsequent evaluations are used for Contract Source Selection….”

Question: Can we submit the final “Contractor Performance Assessment Report (CPAR)” for our recent and relevant past performance projects in lieu of PPQs, using PPQs when CPARS are unavailable?

Answer: PPQs are required. Vendors are welcome to submit CPARS in addition to the required PPQs.

3. RFP, Page 10 of 95 and duplicate page 15 of 95 mention Electronic Contract Management System (eCMS) Vendor Portal located at the following web link, https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov .

Question: Will Vendor Portal be used at all for this VISN 20 MATOC with Seed Project Solicitation?

Answer: No, eCMS Vendor Portal will not be used for the seed project.

4. RFP page 83 of 95 D. Proposal Format lists page limitations. If acceptable for this solicitation, the government’s Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) reports for Contractor Source Selection can often be 6 or 7 pages long for each project.

Question: Are PPQs and/or CPARS included in the 40 page limit?

Answer: Yes, PPQs and if you chose to submit CPARS, it does count against the page limit.

5. Missing Specification Sections:

00 01 15

05 40 00

23 05 12

23 21 23

23 25 00

23 40 00

23 73 00

23 82 16

23 84 00

The above Specification sections are included in the Table of Contents for the Statement of Work for B20 but there are no Specifications. Please provide the missing Specification Sections.

Answer: Missing specification section will be provided by a separate amendment.

6. The RFP includes a Price Schedule in Section B.1 on page 6 of 95. The Price Schedule seems to represent the future amounts for the IDIQ MATOC and are typically left blank. Will the VA clarify if the price submitted for the Seed Project should be entered in Item 0001, or only in Block 17 of the SF 1442?

Answer: Page 6 shows that the price NA in the unit and amount areas. Please do not fill them in. They are placeholders for the base period and option years only. For the seed project, follow the instructions in Section L, paragraph D.

7. The Drawings depict new work for the Fire Alarm system but the Specifications do not include a Section for Fire Alarm, or any other Division 28 sections. Will the VA provide the requisite Specification Section(s) for the Fire Alarm work and also provide the manufacturer / system model for the existing FA system?

Answer: the current fire alarm system is Edwards EST-3. Div 28 specifications will be provided in a separate amendment.

8. Drawing Sheet G-101, Scope of Work, 4th paragraph states that panographic x-ray equipment is a part of this project. The Specialty Equipment Schedule on Drawing on Sheet A-603 indicates that this equipment will be VA furnished / VA installed. Will the VA confirm that this equipment will be purchased and installed under a separate contract and that this will not be a part of the Contractor’s scope of work?

Answer: As indicated on sheet A-603, the panographic X-RAY requipment will be VA furnished/installed.

9. Drawing Sheet AD100, Photo #C instructs the Contractor to dismantle and relocate/install a panographic X-RAY machine. Will the VA clarify if this work will be performed by a VA Vendor under separate contract? If it will be the Contractor’s responsibility to dismantle and re-install this equipment, will the VA provide the Vendor’s representative contact information as this work must be performed by a manufacturer’s certified installer.

Answer: – The panographic X-RAY machine relocate/install will be performed by the VA.

10. Will the VA clarify if all loose items, furniture, and portable equipment will be removed by the VA prior to the start of construction?

Answer: The VA confirms all loose items, furniture and portable equipment will be removed by the VA prior to the start of construction.

11. Will the VA clarify if all areas within the confines of the construction limits will be vacant during each respective construction phase?

Answer: The VA confirms all areas within the confines of the construction limits will be vacant during the respective construction phase.

12. Will the VA clarify if any of the depicted dental equipment that is ceiling or wall mounted, other than that which is depicted on Drawing Sheet S101, will require structural backing or support? If so, will the VA provide structural details for mounting this equipment?

Answer: Yes, the ceiling and wall mounted dental equipment will require backing to be provided and installed by the construction contractor. The mounting details for the wall equipment will be provided while before gypsum wallboard installation. VA will be working with dental equipment vendors to purchase equipment, shown on the plans, in tandem with this construction. For bidding purposes assume that wall mounted equipment will require 6” 16GA sheet metal (Galv) that span 4 studs and 2 x 6 wood backing for equipment mounting fasteners. The backing detail for the panographic is attached ‘Panographic backing detail’. Provide and install dental equipment wall backing before gypsum wallboard is installed. For ceiling mounted dental equipment – Provide and install Unistrut backing at equipment locations shown on the drawings.

13. No mention is made in the drawings or specifications of any hazardous materials. Will the VA clarify whether any HAZMAT (asbestos, LBP) is expected to be encountered or disturbed during the course of this project? If HAZMAT is expected to be encountered, will the VA provide the current HAZMAT Survey and the requisite Specification Sections for removal?

Answer: No HAZMAT is expected to be encountered or disturbed during this project. Construction contractor shall sample materials for hazardous materials as required by landfill and recycling centers for disposal and recycling of demolition debris.

14. Drawing Sheet EP102, Flag Note #7 refers to work in the Physical Access Control scope. A Specification Section was not provided for Access Control. Will the VA provide the requisite Specification Section for Physical Access Control and also supply the manufacture’s name, model number, and contact information for the current Access Control Vendor?

Answer: Yes, the Div 28 specification will be provided in a later amendment. The Physical Access Control is Andover Continuum through Schneider Electric. Access controller shall be ACX and devices shall be FIPS 201 compliant. Contact is Scott from Schneider Electric – 425-480-3323.

15. SF 144w2, Block 11 was let blank since this solicitation is for a new MATOC. Will the VA provide the Period of Performance for the VA Vancouver Seed Project?

Answer: Seed project period of performance is outlined in the RFP Attachment 4, 648-22-100 Vancouver WA consolidate Dental Building B20 - MATOC Seed Project SOW 10.9.24.

16. SF 1442, Block 13-d shows a 180-day acceptance period for this solicitation. Material pricing is currently very volatile. Will the VA clarify if the Seed Project pricing must also remain valid for 180 days?

Answer: The Seed project is part of the proposal submission requirements and must be valid for 180 days.

17. Drawing Sheet G-101, Phasing Plan Outline states that all work must occur between 4:30 p.m. -> 5:00 a.m., Monday -> Sunday. The RFP, Section C, A-4 page 7 of 95 states that the work will occur Monday -> Friday 7:00 a.m. -> 4:30 p.m. Work during after-hours or on weekends are typically at premium pay rates. Will the VA clarify the actual working hours for this project?

Answer: Section C, A-4 states: Hours of Work and Scheduling: All work will be done during the normal work week Monday through Friday, except holidays, 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM unless otherwise scheduled with the COR, or identified in the TO SOW. RFP Attachment 4, 648-22-100 Vancouver WA consolidate Dental Building B20 - MATOC Seed Project SOW 10.9.24 states the work hours for that specific project.

18. After review of the RFP, we were unable to locate the deadline for RFI questions. Will the VA provide the RFI questions deadline?

Answer: See Amendment 0001, issued 4/2/25 for deadline for question submission.

19. Is there a minimum aggregate bonding capacity that we must have? If so, what is that number?

Answer: Please see provision FAR 52.228-1, Bid Guarantee, and FAR 52.228-15, Performance and Payment Bonds-Construction, added by amendment 0002.

20. Is there a minimum single-job bonding limit we will need?

Answer: Please see provision FAR 52.228-1, Bid Guarantee, and FAR 52.228-15, Performance and Payment Bonds-Construction, added by amendment 0002.

21. - Will we be expected to submit proposals for every project including ones in Alaska?

Answer: A MATOC holder is not required to submit proposals on every project. See RFP Section C, Task Order Procedures, paragraph D.1.

22. I don’t see anything stating that first tier sub past performance can or cannot be used in the Past Performance / Experience portion of the proposal. Can you please clarify, if first tier sub-contractor past performance will be accepted?

Answer: Past Performance of a subcontractor will be considered if they will be performing critical or major aspects of the entire MATOC effort, not just the seed project. The Past Performance Questionnaire has been revised to allow supporting information to indicate what critical or major aspects of the entire MATOC that the subcontractor will support.

23. RFP, Section M – Evaluation Factors for Award, B. Evaluation Approach, 1. Factor 1 – Past Performance/Experience: Bullet 2: “Offeror shall use the attached form titled “Past Performance/Experience Questionnaire” (PPQ)…” and RFQ_Questions_4.10.25, Amendment 0002 “PPQs are required.”

Due to high turnover rates at many Federal Agencies including the VA, many of the project Points of Contact (POC) are no longer available to fill out PPQs. For example, we completed multiple projects at the Seattle VA on the previous VISN 20 MATOC and the Contracting Officer has Retired, the Contract Specialist was a contractor and has taken a job with another Federal Agency, the Project Engineer has left the VA, the back-up Project Engineer has retired, the Facility Manager has left the VA. By only allowing PPQs instead of CPARS, it is making demonstrating Past Performance not about highlighting the most applicable projects for this MATOC, but what projects still have valid POC that we might be able to get a PPQ from.

We urge you to reconsider your response in Amendment 0002 and allow CPARS in lieu of PPQs.

Answer: PPQs are required. If the primary POC at the Federal Agency has departed, seek out other knowledgeable staff at the agency to assist you in completing the PPQ.

24. I see that amendment 0002 was posted on SAM.gov. I have a question regarding the site visit. The first page of the amendment 0002 says the site visit was on April 3rd however, the original solicitation and amendment 0001 both say May 1st. Can you please confirm what the date is for the site visit?

Answer: See Amendment 0003 for clarification.