Amendment 0001 - Questions and Answers Document.docx

Solicitation 36C26127Q0017 – Amendment 0001 Questions and Answers Document – Amendment 0001

1. Subfactor 2 states the Government will evaluate whether the quote contains documentation from accredited training bodies for each course listed in the PWS. Will the Government identify the accrediting bodies it considers acceptable, or will it accept documentation from any nationally recognized accrediting body relevant to the subject matter?

Unless the accrediting body is specified in the governing OSHA or NFPA standard, any nationally recognized accrediting body is acceptable.

2. Where a course is performed by a named subcontractor, will that subcontractor's instructor credentials and accrediting-body documentation be evaluated under Subfactor 2 on the same basis as the prime contractor's?

Yes.

3. For Confined Space Rescue, please confirm whether the requirement is to qualify VA personnel as a rescue team under 29 CFR 1910.146(k), or whether it is procedural and awareness training that includes participation in entry and rescue drills.

The requirement is to quality the VA personnel as a rescue team.

4. For Confined Space Rescue, please confirm whether the contractor furnishes all rescue, retrieval, and atmospheric monitoring equipment used in the drills, and whether drills are conducted in actual VA confined spaces or in a simulated setting.

For this training, VA equipment will be used, so the staff are familiar with the available equipment. There are a sufficient number of confined spaces that can be utilized for the setting.

5. For Asbestos/Lead Awareness, please confirm the training is awareness level for staff who may encounter but do not disturb asbestos-containing or lead-containing materials, and that certification under CDPH lead-related construction requirements (Title 17 CCR) is not required.

Yes, this training is awareness training only.

6. Section B lists CLIN descriptions, but the Quantity and Unit columns are blank. Please confirm the pricing basis for each CLIN (per class, per student, or per annual period) so that quotes are comparable across offerors.

A copy of the price schedule will be provided as an attachment to this amendment to resolve any confusion. However, please note that certain screen settings may affect how the solicitation document appears.

7. The PWS states Forklift/Scissor/Boom/Skid Steer training is conducted quarterly to meet an annual requirement, but CLINs for these courses appear only in the Base Period and Option Period 3. Please clarify the intended frequency and, if applicable, amend the price schedule.

The recertification will take place every 3 years. The intended design of the price schedule is to get everyone on the same schedule using base year and then the 3-year recertification would take place during Option Year 3.

8. Please confirm that travel and per diem are to be included in the CLIN unit prices, with no separate reimbursement or travel CLIN.

Prices should be inclusive of all costs associated with performing the services. A separate CLIN including travel is not intended to be utilized for this requirement.

9. For Forklift/Scissor/Boom/Skid Steer training delivered onsite, the PWS states the vendor provides boom lift rental. Please confirm whether the rental cost is to be included in the applicable CLIN unit price or treated as a separate Other Direct Cost.

Yes, the vendor is responsible for the cost to rent the lift and coordinate its delivery to the Fresno VA. The price should be included under the applicable CLIN unit price.

1. Will the Government permit multiple courses to be scheduled within a single consecutive block of days each quarter, or must courses be distributed across the quarter to maintain Engineering Service staffing coverage?

Multiple courses may be scheduled in a consecutive block in a quarter; however multiple offerings may be required in the block to ensure not all staff from a single shop or workgroup will be pulled out of their regular work.

1. Will the Government or the contractor control the training calendar, and how far in advance will session dates and attendee counts be confirmed?

The intent is for the vendor to control the training calendar in conjunction with coordination with the Safety Program Specialist. Session dates and attendee counts will be confirmed 2-to-4-weeks in advance.

1. For courses where face-to-face delivery is preferred but TEAMS delivery is authorized, will the Government evaluate a quote proposing face-to-face delivery more favorably than one proposing TEAMS?

Face-to-face delivery is preferred, however the evaluation will consider the whole quote package.

1. Will the Government accept commercial (non-federal) contract references as relevant past performance where the size, scope, and complexity of the training delivered is comparable to this requirement?

Yes, commercial (non-federal) contract references can count towards relevant past performance provided the services provided under the contract are relevant to size and scope of this requirement. Guidance pertaining to required documentation (Past Performance, total dollar value, etc still applies).

1. Is this requirement a brand-new contract or is an incumbent performing these services? If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number?

No previous contract information was able to be identified. This is a new requirement.