QA.pdf

Q&A

VENDOR QUESTION VA RESPONSE

Integration solicitation asks for (1) 32” and (1) 55”(row 34 item 32a), however Booms solicitation asks for 3 mounts for display monitors (row 47 item 12k). How many monitors would you like quoted and do they all need to be able to reach the sterile field and on a monitor arm support?

Need a single 55” per room and the smaller monitor quantities should match the number of mounts being provided.

The Booms solicitation requires a code alarm button (row 13 item 5g) and a nurse call system(row 14 item 5h).

a. Does the vendor need to quote the supply of each of these operations or just have the space and ability to accommodate a code and nurse call system on the proposed boom?

Just needs to have the space and ability to accommodate a code and nurse call system.

Mounting specifics

a. The solicitation requests that we utilize all the current structure in each clinical space (B.2 Statement of Work Section C Scope). Where is the current mount with regards to distance above the finished ceiling?

b. What are the weight parameters of the current structures?

c. In order to quote accurately to meet clinical needs, are all OR’s and additional clinical spaces designed the same with regards to structural integrity, installed structural specifics, and mount location

a. At least 16", no more than 60”

b. All sites have at least 3000 psi structure or equivalent.

c. No

If we needed to schedule an additional site visit, to whom do we schedule that with? Are we able to schedule a phone call to address the questions?

Site visits are not available

Are you looking for ONE vendor for everything or multiple awards for this IDIQ contract? Olympus can supply the Integration products as OEM and can partner with Amico for the Lights & Booms. However, we are working with a VOSB that could function as contractor/project manager, but we are in the process of setting them up and the process will take some more time. If Olympus is awarded the contract for part of the IDIQ such as Integration

Yes. 1 vendor.

This RFQ requires a subcontracting plan per clause 852.219-9. As long as the subcontracting plan meets the following goals it is up to the awardee how they execute the requirements.

The small business subcontracting goals are:

All Small Business 16.6% Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business

(SDVOSB) 5%

and/or Lights & Booms could the VISN award the contractor/project manager to a different third party?

Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) 7% Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Small Business 3% Small Disadvantaged Businesses 5% Women-Owned Small Business 5%

Could you please clarify the closing date for questions on this solicitation?

The deadline is for business days so with the Labor Day weekend the response deadline was 9/4/2021.

Is this for all facilities in VISN23 or only the listed facilities (Fargo, St. Cloud, Iowa City, Central Iowa, and Black Hills)?

It’s only for listed facilities

Does this Requirement include VA Minneapolis? No Do our local reps have the authority and permission to schedule necessary site visits on their own with coordination at the local VA station level?

No

Due to the complexity (different needs and configurations) of the statement of work, would the VISN entertain an extension of the solicitation to ensure that vendors will be able to appropriately address the unique needs of each station within VISN 23?

See response to last question

Most of the salient characteristics are uniform, except one or two anomalies that will raise the minimum requirement across the VISN and potentially limit competition. Would the VISN consider removing the following salient characteristics:

a. Surgical Lights: Item 3, Color Rendering Index. All sites are >90 apart from Iowa City at >97. This will limit competition as there are only two known manufacturers of lights with a >97 Color Rendering Index.

b. Surgical Lights: Item 13, Lens cover material. One site is specifying polycarbonate material. This is an exception to the rest of the VISN and will significantly limit competition as not many manufacturers use Polycarbonate.

Many manufacturers use medical grade glass, which is a far superior material to polycarbonate.

c. Surgical Lights: Item 23a, Diameter, cm (in), lighthead. Two sites have a specification (=>30”) that will limit competition as most industry leaders make lights slightly smaller than 30” in diameter.

a. Yes, can change to >90

b. Yes, can remove

c. Yes, can remove

d. Yes, can change minimum total payload weight limit to 350 lbs

d. Line item 10 -Booms, Load Capacity, kg (lb). The load requirements are listed by the arm weight, but there is no mention of the number of arms required per boom, number of shelves, etc. by OR. More detail is required to ensure that the correct configuration of boom is proposed and installed at each station. At a minimum, a total payload weight limit would be needed for accurate equipment quoting.

This RFQ requires installation of the items being purchased on this solicitation, however the Service Contract Act is not included in FAR 52.212-5. Was this left out in error?

No it was not. All existing structure is there to install booms, if it is not then a construction project will be done to ensure it is ready to hang the booms. We would like a set fee for installation, we do not want this broken down into an hourly basis.

The CLIN Structure of this solicitation is currently not biddable. For example, CLIN 0002- Equipment Booms has a quantity of 42 ea where prospective contractors are expected to provide a single unit price. However, in the Salient Characteristics there are many different configurations of booms required for the many different Operating Rooms and additional clinical areas (e.g. Iowa City). Every different boom configuration comes with different components and different prices. Suggest that the bid schedule be revised in the following manner for the government to obtain accurate and comparable pricing.

VA Central Iowa:

• Total Booms and Lights Cost = $

• Total Boom and Light Installation Cost =

• Total Integration Cost = $

• Total Integration Installation Cost = $

• On Site Training Cost = $

Total Cost of Project for VA Central Iowa = $ VA Iowa City:

• Total Booms and Lights Cost = $

• Total Boom and Light Installation Cost =

• Total Integration Cost = $

• Total Integration Installation Cost = $

• On Site Training Cost = $

Total Cost of Project for VA Iowa City = $

This is not that type of contract, the numbers are estimated quantities only. We are creating a price list to place orders against. This is not getting priced out per location per se, but is getting priced out based off the price against the estimated quantities of items. If there are different prices per boom, then list the different types of booms and your prices, we don’t know the different types of booms you offer and could not possibly anticipate the styles/configurations as you might have several different booms that work for a given specification, the schedule will be updated to the winning bid

What is the rationale for making the evaluation factors for award LPTA?

This requirement meets the criteria stipulated at FAR 15.101-2. Based on that LPTA is the evaluation method for this solicitation.

Given the fact that there are many questions with the solicitation, both in the bid schedule and the technical requirements, does the VISN feel that they will have ample time to answer all submitted questions prior to the current closing date? In order to appropriately and responsibly address the technical requirements and alter the CLIN schedule (to best identify true costs per station), it is hereby requested that VISN 23 extend the closing date of this solicitation for a minimum of 30 days.

Denied - see response to the following question

Requesting a 48 hour extension to the 9/8/21 due date of this solicitation.

Granted. Response deadline is extended to 9/10/2021 at 4pm CDT.