Questions and Answers 1.docx

Questions and Answers Solicitation 36C26126Q0763 Reasonable Accommodation Program for San Francisco VA Health Care System

1. Question: When an evaluation recommends equipment for an employee, does the contractor have any role in procurement, or is the contractor's responsibility limited to providing recommendations for VA/EH&S to act on?

Answer: Contractor must provide sufficient information for an employee to select appropriate equipment from standard retail outlets, but contractor is not responsible for purchase of equipment.

1. Question: The price schedule contains only a flat monthly CLIN (12 MO per period) with no separate travel line; the SOW requires the contractor to furnish all "transportation." Can the Government clarify whether travel (mileage, lodging, per diem) is to be included in the firm-fixed monthly price, or whether travel will be reimbursed separately at actual cost not to exceed GSA/JTR rates as a distinct line item?

Answer: Travel will be required and should be captured in the monthly rate, not reimbursed separately.

1. Question: Can the Government clarify that the contractor is responsible only for recommending ergonomic equipment (not procuring or funding it), and that the VA purchases and furnishes all recommended equipment?

Answer: See response to questions #1

1. Question: Can the Government clarify whether the VHA Ergonomics Guidebook (HEFP, Nov 2025) and the referenced reporting format/SOPs/checklists will be furnished to the awardee, and whether a copy can be provided to offerors during the solicitation period?

Answer: Yes, this can be provided to contractor but is not available to the public at this time.

1. Question: Document states, "Preference for national board certification such as Certified Professional Ergonomist or Certified Industrial Ergonomist…" Can the Government clarify whether CPE/CIE certification is a mandatory minimum qualification for the evaluator, or a preference that will be scored under Technical Capability without disqualifying non-certified but experienced professionals?

Answer: CPE/CIE certification is a mandatory minimum.

1. Question: Document states, "representative(s) and/or consultant(s) who has experience specific to the requirements" and "evidence contractor personnel have technical training," but no explicit resume or Key Personnel clause. Can the Government clarify whether resumes and/or a formal Key Personnel designation are required in the Technical Volume, and whether there is a page limit for the Technical Volume?

Answer: No Need to Submit Individual Resumes. Give a consolidated summary of your team’s experience and how it aligns with the specific requirements.

10 page maximum.

1. Question: Can the Government clarify whether offerors may propose escalated monthly rates in the option years to account for SCA wage-determination increases and inflation, or whether a level rate is expected?

Answer: Escalated monthly rates are acceptable in offers to the Government.

1. Question: Regarding Evaluation Factor – Price, can the Government clarify the level of pricing detail required (e.g., labor hours, rates, travel assumptions) and whether a specific template or basis-of-estimate format should accompany the price schedule?

Answer: Offerors are not required to provide detailed cost‑element breakdowns such as labor categories, individual labor hours, rates, travel estimates, or basis‑of‑estimate narratives unless explicitly instructed in the RFQ.

FAR price‑analysis principles base price reasonableness primarily on comparison of overall proposed prices. luate price. [acquisition.gov], [ecfr.gov] Offerors should therefore submit a completed price schedule only, as provided in the solicitation. Offerors should ensure that their submitted pricing is clear, complete, and self‑explanatory within the price schedule alone.

1. Question: Can the Government clarify the expected timeline for NACI/PIV processing and whether the contractor may begin performance/billing before adjudication is complete, given the 09/01/2026 start date?

Answer: The process typically takes between two and four weeks on average but it is dependent on contractor responsiveness, completion of assigned tasks, and scheduling.