Questions and Responses.docx

Questions and Responses

1. Are there any attachments for 36C26122Q0195 - Pharmacy Technicians? No attachments are visible and I only see a circle constantly spinning.

Response: Yes, they are in SAM.

2. If one of the contracting officers who I have worked with in the past is no longer with the VA and I don’t have his direct contact information can I fill out the form still as proof of prior performance because it is in CPARS? How would you like me to handle that?

Response: CPARS will be pulled for each vendor submitting a quote. The questionnaire can be used for other contracts other than Federal if needed.

3. Section 1.3 and Section C.6 may conflict. Section 1.3 states 4 ordering period options, are those 1 year options or 6 month options as per Section C.6?

Response: There are ordering periods since this will be awarded as a Single Award Firm-Fixed Price IDIQ Contract as described on page 57 of the RFQ. C.6 is referencing FAR clause 52.217-8 which allows the Government to extend the IDIQ 6 months after the expiration date of 9/30/2027. The two sections do not contradict themselves.

4. Is there a minimum number of years of experience required for various types (i.e. hospital pharmacies for inpatient assignment or retail pharmacies for outpatient vs. basic knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature vs. VA environment)?

Response: There is no minimum number of years of experience required.

5. How does the government define relevant? Relative to NAICS CODE: 561320 - Temporary Help; Temporary; Medical; Pharmacy Technician, or another standard?

Response: Pharmacy Technician.

6. Do we need to present candidates for this bid or only pricing?

Response: Please page 57 of the RFQ.

7. Can the government confirm if there is incumbent staff?

Response: Yes

8. If there is an incumbent staff, can the government provide the average length of service, on the whole span of continuous service, with present and/or successor contractors, to ensure compliance with the vacation accruals required under the attached Wage Determination?

Response: No and the WD is one of the attachments.

9. If there is an incumbent staff, are all positions filled and if not, how many are vacant?

Response: N/A

10. Would the Government consider removing the evaluation where the offer will be rated more favorably if they have letters of intent or commitment letters from candidates? The incumbent contractor has an advantage with the evaluation criteria, and it is likely the incumbent contractor has required their personnel to sign non-compete agreements.

Response: This will not be removed.

11. Will you accept CPARS in lieu of PPQ’s?

Response: Yes. The PPQ is more for past performances not reported in CPARS.

12. If a contract action to exercise an option on a contract was within with 5-year recency period will this suffice the requirement?

Response: Only contracts awarded within the past five (5) years will be considered.

13. Does the Gov’t have an existing staffing model for the various locations and shifts that it can share to aid in the recruiting of the correct mix of Pharmacy Technicians for this effort?

Response: No

14. Is there a maximum amount of PPQ’s that can be submitted?

Response: No but must be received prior to due date and time.

15. Why is this solicitation being released at this time?

Response: Not sure how this is relevant to the requirement.

16. Is VAPAHCS currently utilizing an outsourced contractor for pharmacy technician services? If so, what is the current contract number?

Response: Yes, there is an incumbent. No, the current contract number will not be released.

17. Will the new contractor be able to offer first refusal employment to the current incumbents employees? If yes how soon can the new contractor engage with the current incumbent employees?

Response: We are not in the business of giving the names of the current contractors. This is the reason for the lead time for a 10/1/2022 start date.

18. Based on the shift schedules provided we have made the assumption that there is a need for 5 FTE at Palo Alto, 3 FTE at Menlo Park, and 2 FTE at Livermore. Can you confirm this assumption is correct? If not correct, would you please provide the expected breakdown of FTEs at each site?

Response: This depends on staffing needs. Due to the recent departures of PAD techs (both OP and IP), we have required more of a need for contract techs than MPD and LIV, who have had less turnover. Currently there are no contract techs at Menlo Park or Livermore, but this may change if staff leave.

19. What is the weekend shift requirement at Palo Alto?

Response: Hours are under 2.1 of the PWS.

20. Are there any pharmacy technicians that are considered ‘lead’ pharmacy technicians?

Response: No lead technicians

21. How many new pharmacy technicians were onboarded in 2021 at VAPAHCS?

Response: That information is not needed for this requirement. This requirement is for 10 FTE.

22. What is the average tenure of the current pharmacy technicians?

Response: See 3.1 of the PWS for qualifications.

23. How many of the current pharmacy technicians working at VAPAHCS have experience with making IV bags?

Response: See 3.1 of the PWS for qualifications.

24. Will VAPAHCS require the contractor to provide onsite supervision via a lead tech or pharmacy tech manager? Or will the pharmacy technicians report directly to a pharmacist?

Response: Contractor will not provide any supervision to anyone. They will report to the appropriate pharmacist supervisor.

25. Is this a new requirement or an existing requirement?

Response: Follow on requirement

26. How many incumbents are there performing this work?

Response: One vendor

27. What are the incumbent names, contract #s, and revenues received under the incumbent contract?

Response: That information will not be released.

28. How many FTEs were on the previous contract? Has the PWS Changed?

Response: This is for 10 FTEs.

29. What did you like about the previous contract? Dislikes?

Response: Not relevant to this requirement.

30. What are your KPIs?

Response: If you mean Key Performance Indicators then please see the QASP.

31. If we have a teaming agreement with a subcontractor, does the subcontractor's experience count as experience for the prime?

Response: See page 58 of the RFQ.

32. Can you tell me if once the provider is assigned to a certain site or facility, if they will be moved or will they stay at that site or facility?

Response: Most contract technicians will be assigned based on needs and staffing. Their location is not fixed, however the majority of contract technicians will stay at a location until those needs/staffing change (new hires start, etc.). I am only aware of one contract tech who moved locations due to a full time staffer who returned from extended leave and fulfilled staffing needs.

33. Is historical staffing data available for the 3 work sites? (PWS 2.1) Response: No

34. Will the government please clarify how personnel are scheduled? Will all contractor personnel be scheduled at the same site at a given time? Or could they be split between multiple sites? (PWS 2.1) Response: Schedule is based off needs of each location. Each Pharmacy Supervisor at each location provides contract technicians with a schedule a few weeks in advance.

35. Does the government have any requirements for the formatting of the response? (Section E) Response: See page 57 of the RFQ for what is required.

36. Is there a minimum/maximum number of past performance examples required? (Section E) Response: No there is not.

37. Will the government provide an updated Past Performance Questionnaire or a new due date to put on the PPQ? The version on SAM lists a due date of April 21. (PPQ) Response: Yes. Please see attachments.