S02 36C26225Q1032 Q_A Amend..pdf

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO. 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODECODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office.is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30 PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

(Type or print) (Type or print)

(Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code)

(If other than Item 6)

(Specify type of modification and authority)

(such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

1 5

0001 07-08-2025 691-25-3-5042-0357

36C262

Department of Veterans Affairs NCO 22 - Network Contracting 3601 S. 6th Avenue Tucson AZ 85723

36C262

Department of Veterans Affairs NCO 22 - Network Contracting 3601 S. 6th Avenue Tucson AZ 85723

To all Offerors/Bidders

36C26225Q1032

06-20-2025

X

X X

See CONTINUATION Page

X One(1)

The purpose of this amendment is to provide clarification to the solicitation 36C26225Q1032.

Please refer to the Questions/Responses page of this amendment for the questions and their responses.

No further questions will be accepted for this acquisition.

Cervantes, Rafael Contracting Officer

CONTINUATION PAGE

A.1 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

ITEM

NUMBER

DESCRIPTION OF

SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

0001 1.00 EA ______________ ____________

Stop the Bleed Coalition Training for an estimated 1,600 VA Employees PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 611430 - Professional and Management Development Training PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: U006 - Education/Training - Vocational/Technical

GRAND TOTAL ____________

The purpose of this modification is to provide clarification to the Solicitation 36C26224Q0348.

Please refer to the Questions/Responses page of this amendment for the questions and their responses.

No further questions will be accepted for this acquisition.

1. How many individuals are expected to be trained at one time/estimated class sizes?

- Depends on location and schedules. Advanced registration has worked in the past;

however, we have allowed walk-ins previously. Average 160 per site.

2. What instructor-to-student ratio is preferred or required for these sessions?

- 1:25 Lecture and 1:15 Hands on Preferred

3. How much time has been allocated for each training session? Does the VA require an extended version or just the basic format? Please identify the expected or acceptable duration for each training course.

- Stop the bleed- 3-4 hrs. per session, format is designed to account for advanced methods TACMED not covered in a standard Stop the Bleed program.

4. Is the VA aiming to complete training in a single coordinated effort, or are you seeking to train the maximum number of people on a monthly/ongoing basis? What is the overall training goal in terms of reach and timeline?

- To train the maximum number of people. This will be for no more than 1,600 total for all listed locations. This will not be for the main campus.

5. It is not clear what the Quantity refers to. Please clarify whether offerors should price each student or each class.

- Total price for training 1,600 staff members, however we are currently flexible on the structure of pricing (per student, per class, etc.) which can be discussed at time of award. Payments will be made monthly in arrears.

6. Scope states, "This course must also include Emergency Casualty Care (ECC) for VA personnel…" This is the only mention of ECC in the SOW. Section 4 Contractor Tasks references using TCCC guidelines. Are ECC and TCCC used interchangeably here? If not, please explain what ECC includes beyond the TACMED training described in this section.

- Yes, for this purpose, their use is interchangeable. ECC are components covered in TCCC geared more towards the purpose of the requirement rather than overall response methodologies designed for first responders.

7. The SOW references the “the addition of other tactical medical intervention techniques” beyond the standard Stop the Bleed curriculum. Are these other techniques listed in section D.2.4.b? If not, please specify which additional techniques are expected.

- Stop the Bleed only addresses Direct pressure, Tourniquets and Wound packing.

Advanced Bleed control kits commonly recommended by the Tactical Combat Casualty Care Committee on Trauma also include other such items such as Compression bandages, occlusive dressings such as Chest Seals, Hyperthermia and head injuries, to name a few. Additionally, the training we’re seeking should also include improvised items serving as force multipliers to our currently deployed Bleed Control Kits. For example, through a previous vendor, we learned how to make improvised compression bandages using items currently used in our facilities on a routine basis and as well as how to improvise an effective chest seal for injuries to the body. Standard Stop the Bleed curriculum does not cover such techniques.

8. Item d requires the Contractor to "ensure [STB] certification remain in effect throughout their [participant] certification period." Currently, STB certifications do not expire, so there is no certification period. Please explain what the government expects from the contractor to ensure an STB certification "remains in effect."

- Unless the standards have changed recently, it is our understanding and experience Stop the Bleed “Certification” is generally valid for two-three years based on date issued depending on the source. Two-years for American Heart Association and American Red Cross, and Three-years validly for ACS & DoD. We understand there are sources that claim there is no expiration date on these certifications however, that’s not our understanding. While a person may take the ACS & DoD interactive training multiple times this does not negate the need to recertify and it is highly recommended to do so.

Additionally, we’ve preciously experienced where prior contractors/subcontractors refused to validate training certifications due to non-payment (reminder: payment is completed monthly in arrears, and the VA is not responsible for subcontractors). For this reason, VA is asking that once these certificates are issued, they remain in effect for their certification period.

9. What is the period of performance, timeline goals, start, NLT completion for all 1,600 personnel (“established term” TBD)?

- Immediately following award, contractor should begin coordination of contract fulfillment, and shall complete all training within six (6) months.

10. Please clarify whether instructors are required to hold certifications in all three of the following: Stop the Bleed, TACMED, and TCCC or CLS. Or would certification in any one of these be sufficient?

- The primary certification should be either TACMED, TCCC, CLS, combination of any of the three or all if applicable for the prime’s lead and/or primary instructors facilitating the program. However, Stop the Bleed licensing is required to meet the requested certifications for staff. In other words, Stop the Bleed “Licensing” is not sufficient by itself.

Additionally, the Stop the Bleed license requirement is for both the Vendor as an organization and the instructors facilitating the training.

11. Is this a new requirement?

- Yes, this is a new requirement.

12. What specific student training materials are required/requested/recommended (hard copy handouts, text books, etc.)?

- Hard copy handouts.

13. Online resources required/requested? Follow on training we can recommend?

- No, in person training only.

14. Do you intend for this training to be delivered sequentially or concurrently across all ten (10) locations?

- Sequentially, however based on schedules we are open to combing locations as needed. Must be approved ahead of time with point of contact.

15. Provision/coordination for training spaces? Will this be the responsibility of VA or the vendor?

- This will be done by the VA.

16. On p. 42: “Offeror shall submit documentation that their firm has at least ten (10) years of verifiable experience in providing the requested training.” Does the ten (10) year requirement apply to instructors, the vendor, or the program manager (or all the above)?

- A combination of the program managers and instructors facilitating the training. It is understood some vendors (Companies) are new and have only been in business for a couple of years, but their staff have the prerequisite training and experience. Provided they meet licensing and certification requirements.

17. On p. 43: “Contractor is a licensed Educational Licensee under the US Dept. of Defense, Stop the Bleed Coalition (DoD/STBC).” If the prime vendor is pending Educational License but the sub is a current licensed Educational Licensee, are we compliant with this requirement?

- No, the prime must meet this “Educational Licensee” requirement in the event the sub cancels or become ineligible. The sub may also have an Educational License, however, if either party have a dispute jeopardizing the requirement, VA will be at risk of not having a licensed vendor. It would be easier for the Prime to hire a licensed independent instructor rather than rely on a sub for the entire requirement.

18. Do you anticipate a need for computers or video equipment on-site? Provided by vendor or VA? Per the SOW, “The Certification and Accreditation (C&A) requirements do not apply, and Security Accreditation Package is not required” as any computers used will not be connected to VA internal trusted systems.

- Contractor must provide their own AV equipment/computers for presentations.

19. Post training, in what format do you prefer STB Training certification? Hard copy?

Online link?

- Hard copy on site upon completion of training.

20. On p.25, “Ensure certification remain in effect throughout their certification period”:

Will we be required to track students’ continuing ed to ensure certification remains current?

- No, please see response to question 8.

21. Per the SOW, wage determination is required IAW: 2015-5613 (R.29). Do you consider the following series appropriate for this requirement? 15095: Technical Instructor and/or 15095: Technical Instructor/Course Developer?

- Yes, there are only a few exceptions to the Wage Determination, please reference FAR Part 22- Application of Labor Laws to Government Acquisitions, specifically 22.1003- 3Statutory exemptions.

22. Have you considered including stay behind associated kits/equipment with this requirement? We can provide one Stop the Bleed kit per student or one kit per workspace for an additional charge.

- Kits are already available to each location. Confirm with point of contact prior to class.

23. Who is responsible for scheduling the 1,600 personnel for the training? Each individual site, VA HR, contractor?

- VA point of contact will be scheduling.

24. Who is responsible for deconflicting training schedules at the different locations?

- The point of contact will coordinate with site representatives for any scheduling conflicts.

25. Is there a prescribed order for training, i.e… North Hills 1st, Bakersfield 2nd, Santa Maria 3rd, etc…?

- No.

26. Will the vendor be provided a roster of trainees for each training session, prior to each training session? Or will the vendor manage training rosters?

- Both, VA point of contact will coordinate, but contractor should manage rosters day of training.

27. If a trainee does not pass STB training, is the vendor compensated for remedial training?

- No.

28. Will the vendor be provided points of contact at each site to coordinate training?

- VA point of contact will be the coordinator for each site.