36C26218Q0225-008.docx

Questions and Answers: RFQ # 3626218Q0225 – VAGLAHS VISUAL INSPECTION SERVICES OF AST AND UST

***The question are in black, while the government’s response is in red***

Q. Can a map of the VA Campus be made available, notating each inspection site?

a. Campus maps will be provided. For Sepulveda and LAACC clinics the locations are listed on annotated map. A campus map for West LA medical center identifying the buildings where equipment is located – however annotated map is not available at this time, but one can cross reference this with table in the solicitation.

Q. Can maps or elevation plans of the other sites be made available, similarly notating each inspection site?

a. Campus maps as noted in question 1 will be provided. Elevation plans are not available for every piece of equipment.

Q. Is there an existing format by which to document the visual inspection. If photographs are required within the existing format, are those submitted electronically or are they printed and then attached to the paperwork for record keeping?

a. A form is provided in solicitation for inspections. If contractor wishes to make photographs of the said equipment is at his option and such a supplement would help in documenting reporting. Paperwork will be maintained in physical binder on site. The second copy the vendor maintains for his own records may be paper or electronic.

Q. Who is the point of contact for submitting the inspection paperwork and is there additional review time once the paperwork has been submitted? Would the paperwork be submitted daily or once inspection is completed?

a. The paperwork will be provided at the conclusion of each inspection while inspector on site. The point of contract for VA will be the contract officer’s representative or his delegate from the safety office.

Q. Can we be provided with an examples of the current format for the visual documentation?

a. It is in the scope of work.

Q. Who would be the point of contact for scheduling as well as providing transportation on campus?

a. The point of contract for VA will be the contract officer’s representative or his delegate from the safety office. Transportation will be supplied by the contractor, in the event a government golf cart is not available on site. Only a government employee may drive government vehicles

Q. If there is a transportation scheduling conflict, who would we contact to make alternate arrangements?

a. The contractor will need to supply his own transportation. The contractor will have to make alternate arrangements if his business vehicle is not available.

Q. In the interest of avoiding scheduling conflicts, would there be a point during the course of the contract where the contractor could be provided security clearance in order to use the VA's available transportation, or their own?

a. The contractor will need to supply his own transportation. Local VA policy does not allow contractor to use government vehicles.

Q. In the event of the contractor using their own transportation for on-site inspection, would mileage reimbursement be submit-able?

a. There will be no mileage reimbursement for transportation while inspecting equipment on this contract.

Q. Is the campus available for inspection during weekends?

a. No

Q. What are the insurance guidelines for having the contractor on site?

a. Insurance should be the standard liabilities for this type of work.

Q. Is there a specified amount of time in which the monthly inspection is expected to be completed?

a. There is not a specified time of completion for monthly inspection, however, the VA will provide an escort while conducting the inspection. It left to contractor what is appropriate and reasonable duration to complete these inspections.

Q. The excel spreadsheet that details the name, type and size of the tank does not indicate age - can this information be provided?

a. VA data retention records on tank installation dates are very sparse. VA retains project records for only five years and after that only some blueprints. Some of the tanks likely have builders plate, others may not. The five year tanks have been in service for at least 5 year. The single 20 year AST vaulted tank, was part of building construction in the late 1980s. Further information will not be provided.

Q. The UST @ LAAC that requires the 20 year interior inspection - who is responsible for emptying/purging the contents?

a. The contractor would be responsible to empty and purge the contents of the tank and return the contents after the inspection of the tank. Prospective contractor needs to refer to SP001 standards for tank integrity testing and inspection requirements.

Q. UST's are typically not included in the SPCC program and are not part of SP-001 inspection standards. Do these UST's have full visual access? If not, have they been integrity tested? It Tank Integrity testing of the UST's to be considered within scope? If so, when was the last time these UST's had an integrity test?

a. SP-001 applies to metal AST tanks – that focuses primarily welds of field and shop constructed tanks as well as the wall thickness of the tank. The tanks subject to 5 year and 20 year inspection are all ASTs. All the USTs are of fiberglass construction and SP-001 standards do not apply and are not part of the scope.