36C26318R0679-0001000.docx

Questions on 36C26318R0679, received 1/31/19 and 2/1/2019

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER

3. 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 CODE

CODE

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)

NA

36C618 Department of Veterans Affairs

NETWORK 23 CONTRACTING OFFICE

316 Robert Street N. STE. 506 St. Paul

MN

55101 Department of Veterans Affairs

NETWORK 23 CONTRACTING OFFICE

316 Robert Street N. STE. 506 St. Paul

MN

55101 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C26318R0679

X

See questions and answers on 36C26318R0679 These questions were received on 1-31-19 and 2-1-19

1. Can you please expand on the process/procedures around two specific scenarios that have our folks concerned about our inability to terminate:

Emergent unexpected/unplanned loss of eligible providers to perform services under the VAMC contract (i.e., LOA, FMLA).

VA would likely work with the contractor to cover the initial short-term lapse.

Non-emergent unexpected/unplanned loss of eligible providers to perform services under the VAMC contract (i.e., termination or resignation) VA would likely work with the contractor to cover the initial short-term lapse, but would expect the contractor to actively address and resolve the situation moving forward.

2. Does the contractor have an out if they can no longer support this contract. Can a contractor choose to end the contract at the end of an option year?

Basically no, the contractor would not have an out. It will likely be a full five year contract.. The FAR allows the Government to terminate a contract at any time (termination for convenience), it does not allow the contractor to do this. Although, if the Government were to terminate a contract for convenience, the contractor can submit a claim for expenses due the termination of the contract.

In terms of option years. If the Government exercises an option on a contract prior to 30 before the active base or current option expiring, it is considered a unilateral contract modification. Basically, it means the Government can exercise the option period without the contractors approval or signature. If the Government exercises the contract under 30 days of the active base or current option expiring, it becomes a bilateral modification. Basically meaning the contractor does not have to approve or agree to preform services on the option period.

Here’s an example of the option clause:

C.9 52.217-9 OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)

(a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 30 calendar days of contract expiration; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 60 calendar days before the contract expires. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension.

(b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause.

(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed five and a half years.

3. Do/will you accept an electronic signature (contractorusing DocuSign, an electronic signature software) on the SF1449 that requires HHS signatures? And would you prefer we return the full 85-page RFP or will you accept just the face page and an attached proposed pricing schedule? AND, are you okay to receive an emailed pdf version of whatever it is you require for submission?

VA’s current policy requires contractors to sign all documents in ink. (good question) We only need a copy of the face page and the pricing schedule. (All 85 pages not needed) An emailed PDF would work great. I’ll respond letting you know we received your proposal.

4. Specific to the pricing schedules specific to Weekends, we need you to clarify the ‘quantity’ and ‘unit’? As the incumbent we’re noting that our current contract pricing schedule estimates we will provide 36 days (or 18 weekends, which are defined as Saturday through Sunday) at the unit price, but the RFP is only requesting 18 days (or 9 weekends, defined as Saturday 7am to Monday 7am).

The service line determined the need for this contract by using a gap analysis and by using historic numbers.

5. If the contract is modified and the contractor performs more work than is currently be ask for, will the contractor be payed for additional hour worked?

In the event this contract is modified and the VA requests additional days of coverage, the VA will absolutely pay for any additional days/services provided. Also, such a modification would be considered a supplemental modification, requiring both parties to agree and sign.

6. Folks are wanting to understand our options specific to any unanticipated inability (due to provider illness or leave of absence) for us to provide the level of coverage requested by the VAMC. They have noted that VAMC can, essentially, terminate this arrangement at any time, but are less certain of options to provide notice to terminate (either emergently for unplanned lapses in coverage, or without cause should leadership not desire to continue participation in the agreement during the anticipated term).

Unfortunately, there is not really an out for the contractor once the contract is signed. However, we understand the unplanned situations arise and we would work with any contractor is such a situation should arise. Situations like these do happen from time to time.

Page 1 of

Page 1 of