Vendor Questions and Answers.pdf

Current Solicitation Questions and Answers

1. Section E, paragraph (4) of the solicitation requires copies of a Water Treatment Technician Certification, such as Certified Water Technologist (CWT), for the technician(s) working the contract. The Statement of Work, Section E.b, states "a recognized water treatment certification (such as Certified Water Technologist – CWT) or equivalent training." Please clarify what the Government will accept as equivalent training. Would manufacturer training and documented experience on medical-grade RO/DI systems satisfy this requirement in the absence of a CWT credential?

A: Yes, manufacturer training plus documented experience on medical-grade RO/DI systems can satisfy the “equivalent training” requirement, provided offerors supply detailed documentation and explanation clearly showing equivalence to the technical level of the CWT credential.

What the Government Will Need:

a. A copy of the manufacturer’s training certificate or letter

b. Detailed training outline/syllabus( Course agenda, Topics covered (operation, control logic, maintenance, safety, startup/shutdown procedures), Duration of training, Hands-on sections included, Any evaluations or practical demonstrations performed)

c. Records showing hands-on operation experience, prove actual field experience working on medical grade RO/DI systems. Acceptable documentation can include:

i. Work orders showing RO/DI maintenance performed

ii. Service reports

iii. Preventive maintenance logs

iv. Commissioning/startup documentation

v. Job history summaries for RO/DI and sterile processing water systems

d. Any third-party proof (letters, references) confirming your competence

2. Section E, paragraph (5) of the solicitation requires copies of a state-licensed Journeyman or Master plumber, or equivalent mechanical piping certification, for personnel working the contract. Please confirm whether this requirement may be satisfied by a subcontractor holding the applicable Minnesota licensure, with the prime contractor providing the water treatment technical scope. If so, please confirm the licensing documentation may be submitted in the subcontractor's name.

A: This requirement may be satisfied by the subcontractor (if any) that will be used in the performance of this solicitation. Ensure to identify any subcontractor(s) that will be used by task in the performance of this solicitation and provide applicable licenses/certifications.

3. Please confirm whether the Minnesota plumbing contractor license and any Minneapolis local certification are required of the prime contractor, or only of the entity performing the licensed plumbing work.

A: Licenses/certifications are required from the company that will be performing the work under this solicitation. If a company will be using a subcontractor to perform this work the prime contractor is not required to hold these licenses as well. Ensure to clearly articulate what subcontractor(s) will be used by task and provide applicable licenses/certifications for the work they will be performing.

4. Section E, paragraph (3) of the solicitation requires manufacturer training certificates for the systems being worked on, including AmeriWater RO/DI and Culligan or equivalent UV. Please clarify whether these certificates are required for all technicians on site or only for the lead technician, and whether training certificates held by a subcontractor's personnel are acceptable.

A: The lead technician may hold these certifications and satisfy this requirement as long as the lead technician will be on site while these systems are being worked on.

5. SOW paragraph B.a.ix names two rooms for sink isolation (BB-137 and BD-112), while the "DI Sinks to Remove from DI Loop" drawing labels DI points #1–#12. How many sink branches are to be isolated at the main loop?

A: Only two sink branches per the SOW. The diagram, “DI Sinks to Remove from DI Loop,” with the 12 sinks (D1-D12) is a map of the existing 12 lab sinks and the two rooms that need to be removed are clouded with a note on the upper right side stating these rooms are to be removed.

6. The SPS reference drawings instruct changing the 1¼″ interstitial DI loop to 2″ to match the RO loop, including at one location where the loop drops. Is that upsize in scope, and if so, approximately what linear footage should quoters assume?

A: The attachment labeled “SPS System Modification Reference Drawings” was mistakenly added to the solicitation. Offerors are to disregard the notes found within the attachment. Refer to the SOW and other attachments for work to be performed under this solicitation.

7. Beyond ST108-compliant port installation and loop sanitization, does the Government perform post-installation water-quality testing/acceptance, or is testing support included in CLIN 0002 labor? What acceptance criteria apply?

A: The VA has a preexisting contract for water quality testing and will perform appropriate testing after construction and loop disinfection is completed.

8. Is an infection-control risk assessment (ICRA) permit or containment standard required for work in and around Sterile Processing, beyond the daily cleaning and PPE requirements stated in the SOW?

A: Yes, an ICRA permit will be required and containment will be required for the work in the sterile processing area. The SOW has been updated with this requirement.

9. Will any shutdowns need to be coordinated with the facility?

A: Yes, the DI side is currently active and being used, so a shutdown request will have to be coordinated with the facility. The RO loop is active but not being used by the facility so the RO loop can be shut down at anytime and the shutdown will not need to be coordinated with the facility

10. Will all piping connections and modifications be performed in the interstitial space?

A: No, there are piping connections and modifications both in the interstitial space, as well as in sterile processing.

11. Can the installation of testing ports for all steam sterilizers be performed simultaneously, or does the work need to be completed one sterilizer at a time to minimize disruption to SPS operations?

A: Sterile processing can temporarily operate with two steam sterilizers running, so work and connections can be completed on two sterilizers at a time. Shutdowns will need to be requested and coordinated with the VA prior to any shutdowns.

12. Can the work be scheduled outside regular working hours to avoid disrupting SPS operations?

A: The only work that is needed to be schedule outside of working hours, or during low use times, is adding the testing and flushing valves on the decontamination side of sterile processing. All other work can be scheduled and coordinated during regular business hours.