Attachment 5 Solicitation Question Responses.pdf

Tucson Solicitation Amendment Questions Received

7/10/2024 2:00 PM CST

The below provides responses to questions received. Please note, questions that are outside the scope of this solicitation, such as questions regarding staffing contracts at other facilities, union activities, or the incumbent approach will not be answered as part of this amendment.

Document Page

Reference/Section Question

36C77022R0008 0005 45 Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Proposals/ Volume III. Past Performance, 6.

Past Performance Questionnaire

If we are using the same past performances on all the CMOPs, can we have our customer submit one past performance questionnaire rather than one for each separate opportunity? It would greatly reduce the required effort from our customers.

Response: Please see Attachment 6-Past Performance r1. Page 1 must identify the Solicitation(s) for which the PPQ is submitted for. Offerors may list multiple Solicitation numbers in the appropriate field if they desire the PPQ to be considered for multiple procurements.

Attachment 6 – Past Performance R1

Page

Instructions to Prime Contractor

Under what circumstances would the government use previously completed PPQs for the other CMOP projects?

Response: Please see Attachment 6-Past Performance r1. Page 1 must identify the Solicitation(s) for which the PPQ is submitted for. Offerors may list multiple Solicitation numbers in the appropriate field if they desire the PPQ to be considered for multiple procurements.

RFP amendment 5 44 and

Volume III – Past Performance, Points 4 and 5

Can offerors submit up to 3 projects PPQs from prime offeror and up to 3 additional PPQs from Teaming Partners? (Total up to 6)

OR

Is it a total of up to 3 that includes both Prime offeror and teaming partners combined.

Response: Please submit PPQs in accordance with instructions in Addendum 52.212-1. “…no more than 3 projects for this subsection.”

PWS 2 1.6.8 Are the fringe hours for holidays, sick leave and vacation billable to the government?

Response: The only direct billed items are listed in the schedule. CLIN unit price should be all inclusive and will only pay the CLIN price set forth in the schedule.

PWS 1 1.3.1 – 1.3.2 There is not a classification for a pharmacist lead, can this be added to the Pricing Schedule?

Response: Labor categories not listed in the schedule will not be ordered or otherwise utilized under this contract.

PWS 1 1.3.2 This section lists 15 FTEs for 2Nd shift Pharmacist, but the pricing schedule has 33,280 hours which is 16 FTEs. Which is correct?

Response: The Government anticipates awarding a single indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract under the solicitation. Accordingly, actual hours will be ordered via individual Task Orders (TOs). The hours in the Price Schedule are estimates only and not guaranteed.

PWS 1 1.3.5 and 1.3.7 These sections require 16 Certified pharmacy techs (1.3.5) and 28 Non-Certified Pharmacy Techs for 1st shift. However, CLIN 0005 has total hours for 44 Pharmacy Techs without making the distinctions between certified and non-certified. There is a wage difference between these 2 classifications can this be separated in the Pricing Schedule?

Response: The Government anticipates awarding a single indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract under the solicitation. Accordingly, actual hours will be ordered via individual Task Orders (TOs). The hours in the Price Schedule are estimates only and not guaranteed.

PWS 1 1.3.6 and 1.3.8 These sections require 16 Certified and 44 non-certified Pharmacy Techs for 2nd Shift and CLIN 0007 combines these FTEs. Can this be broke out separate CLINs to allow for the wage differentiation of the 2 labor categories.

Response: The Government anticipates awarding a single indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract under the solicitation. Accordingly, actual hours will be ordered via individual Task Orders (TOs). The hours in the Price Schedule are estimates only and not guaranteed.

PWS; 1 General 1.6.10 2 Overtime shall be considered any hours in excess of the regular scheduled hours and outside of normal operating hours ordered for a particular

CLIN.

Will the government confirm that overtime can be accrued by an individual during regular operating hours when the total hours worked exceed the standard 40-hour workweek due to increased demands authorized by the VA? These could be within or outside of the normal facility hours as directed.

Response: Please see Attachment 1 PWS r3, paragraph 1.6.10

PWS; 1.6.2 2 Future operational hours may change, increase, or decrease, to include expansion to morning, evening, weekend, or split shifts, based on workload demand or operational contingencies to include, but are not limited to inclement weather, equipment failures, local, state, or Federal emergencies, workload transfers, and staffing shortages.

If weather shuts down access to the Lancaster facility, will the government reimburse awarded small businesses for contracted employees arriving at the facility? If so, how many hours?

Response: The Government anticipates awarding a single indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract under the solicitation. Accordingly, actual hours will be ordered via individual Task Orders (TOs). The hours in the Price Schedule are estimates only and not guaranteed.

PWS; 1.6.3 2 The government reserves the right to decrease operations when deactivating facilities or due to significant decreases in workload.

If the government sends contractor employees home due to reduced production needs during a week, how much will the government reimburse for their availability?

Response: The Government anticipates awarding a single indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract under the solicitation. Accordingly, actual hours will be ordered via individual Task Orders (TOs). The hours in the Price Schedule are estimates only and not guaranteed.

PWS; 9.15 12 “…The Contractor is liable for any workers’ compensation events resulting for the delivery of services.”

Are workers’ compensation cost estimates expected to be the same as those of prior years during this new period of performance? If so, must the contractor include estimates in overhead, or will there be equitable adjustments during the PoP?

Response: All unit prices are fully burdened rates. Proposal preparation and submission is a matter of business judgement. It is up to the offeror how to structure their proposal in order to meet the requirements set forth in the PWS.

PWS; 10 Contractor Deliverables 10.2

12 A monthly production report must be provided to the COR, listing by name, each contract provider and associated production measures at each assigned station.

Will the government provide weekly data from the system tracking the DLH provider and each assigned workstation in SQL database format?

If not, can we specify an appropriate alternate? We desire to get back to having sufficient data to not only report accurate production and productivity results but also use such data for performance management.

A data version (not hardcopy) is required in order to calculate statistical indices.

Response: This is an amendment to the solicitation that has yet to be awarded and thus data on current employees with a different contractor will not be provided. The awardee will have data provided to them on the performance of their employees.

36C77022R0008 0005 41 of

ADDENDUM TO FAR

52.212-1

INSTRUCTIONS,

CONDITIONS, AND

NOTICES TO

PROPOSALS

Submittal and Inquiries.

– Proposal Format

Note for offerors who have already submitted proposals

Offerors who have previously submitted shall, in response to

The government stated that offerors who have already submitted proposals shall include a complete submittal of all proposal volumes. Does the government plan to allow other companies who have not submitted a proposal by January 27, 2023 (original due date) an opportunity to submit a response under Amendment 0005?

this amendment, include a complete submittal of all proposal volumes. Even proposal volumes without changes shall be resubmitted in full.

To facilitate evaluation, offerors must identify the changes in each proposal volume (e.g., highlighted text, strikeouts, or text change bars).

A cover sheet shall accompany each volume. The cover sheet shall be clearly marked as to volume number, title, copy number, solicitation identification, offeror's name and must clearly identify which sections of the volumes have been edited since the prior submission.

Response: Any offerors who submit in accordance with the terms of 36C77022R0008 Amendment 0005(and subsequent amendments) may be considered for this opportunity.

36C77022R0008 0005 41 of

Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Proposals

Note for offerors who have already submitted proposals Offerors who have previously submitted shall, in response to this amendment, include a complete submittal of all proposal volumes.

The government has issued an amendment permitting new companies to bid on this opportunity while also allowing the original bidders to resubmit their proposals with revisions. Will the government accept new proposals from the current bidders? If so, what will happen to the proposals they previously submitted?

Even proposal volumes without changes shall be resubmitted in full. To facilitate evaluation, offerors must identify the changes in each proposal volume (e.g., highlighted text, strikeouts, or text change bars).

Response: Please refer to 36C77022R0008 Amendment 0005, Addendum to FAR 52.212-1.

General N/A N/A Can 1 SDVOSB offeror bid on multiple CMOP solicitations. Ex: Can same company submit proposals / BIDs on both Hines and Tucson CMOP locations?

Response: Proposal preparation and submission is a matter of business judgement.

RFP amendment 5 38 (h) Multiple awards. Is the government limiting awards to only 1 company per each CMOP location?

Is government limiting awards in a way that 1 company will not receive awards for more than 1 CMOP locations?

Response: The Government anticipates awarding a single indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract under the solicitation.

RFP Amendment 5 41-

General The evaluation criteria are aligned towards contractors currently working on an existing CMOP contract. Did the government consider the evaluation criteria from a general perspective and also ensure a fair chance to evaluate all proposals, including those from non-incumbent contractors, equally and in accordance with applicable FAR and other regulations?

Response: Evaluation will be conducted in accordance with Addendum to 52.212-2.

36C77022R0008 0005 43 of

Addendum to FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation— Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

Subfactor B *Note: If a proposal includes a Facility Administrator that is unavailable at the time of anticipated contract award, that the proposal will be deemed unacceptable

Given that a) evaluation and awards have taken over 6 months, and b) the RFP Key Personnel clause requires that the contractor request and provide an FA that meets or exceeds the requirement, would the government protect the VA’s best value decision by keeping the award to the awarded contractor provided that the FA at start of the contract fully meets or exceeds the requirement?

and ineligible for award.

Response: Evaluation will be conducted in accordance with 36C77022R0008 Amendment 0005, Addendum to 52.212-2.

36C77022R0008 0005 43 of

Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Proposals; Factor 1 Sub-factor B

Factor 1 Technical Capability, Sub-factor B: Program Management states: “Provide your proposed method of electronic timekeeping and records management for large numbers of personnel. Include all equipment, software, and/or other approaches you are proposing for timekeeping purposes. Examples must include a sample of timekeeping, attendance, and payroll reports and how they are used to support attendance and invoicing..”

Will the government provide on-site ethernet connection as well as facility space for the on-site SDVOSB SCA employees and FA personnel to record their time on a daily basis? If not, what bandwidth can be expected for on-site personnel to conduct time recording? If no on-site provision will be furnished, will the on-site workers’ time away from the facility for time recording for each SCA labor category (i.e., pharmacy technicians and shipper/packers) be billable to the contract, or must that time for each SCA FTEE be absorbed by the contractor on a daily basis?

Response: Please see Attachment 1 PWS part 8.6, 9.8, and 9.9

RFP Amendment 5 43 2 (b) (i) We request government to accept 2 FA resumes for each shift in the proposals (instead of 1 FA resume) as sometimes FAs may not be available at the time of award (especially if award is delayed).

Response: Proposal preparation and submission is a matter of business judgement. It is up to the offeror how to structure their proposal in order to meet the requirements set forth.

RFP Amendment 5 49 2. Sub-factor B:

Program Management

Solicitation reads “Note: If a proposal includes a Facility Administrator that is unavailable at the time of anticipated contract award, that proposal will be deemed unacceptable and ineligible for award.” We request govt to apply this rule only if awarded within 90 days after proposal submission deadline. If govt awards this 6-month to 1 year after submission, we have no control over FAs just waiting for this opportunity.

Response: Evaluation will be conducted in accordance with 36C77022R0008 Amendment 0005, Addendum to 52.212-2.

36C77022R0008 0005 43 of

Addendum to FAR 52.212-1 Instructions, Conditions, and Notices

RFP requires navigating the VA’s unique credentialing, background, and onboarding process. Is the contractor responsible for the associated costs related to the VA actions, or does the VA cover those costs? If the contractor is responsible, what are those costs?

to Proposals; Factor 1 Sub-factor 1.b

Response: Yes the contractor is responsible for onboarding and credentialing in accordance with the PWS. Proposal preparation and submission is a matter of business judgement. It is up to the offeror how to structure their proposal in order to meet the requirements set forth in the solicitation.

36C77022R0008 0005 32 of

Section C.12 Supplemental Insurance Requirements

Section C.15 Supplemental Insurance Requirements of the Solicitation includes the statement “(d) The successful bidder must present to the Contracting Officer, prior to award, evidence of general liability insurance without any exclusionary clauses for asbestos that would void the general liability coverage.” Is the VA indicating there is a risk of exposure to asbestos in the VA facilities? If not, what is the purpose of including this requirement, as it could have a significant cost implication?

Response: This information is required by regulation "when the contract amount is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold."

70CDCR24R00000006,

Amendment A0003

10 Price/Cost Schedule The Price/Cost Schedule is misnumbered. Can the government please confirm that there are no positions for Item Numbers 0017 and 0018?

Response: Please see updated schedule which renumbers items to include 0017 and 0018.

36C77022R0008 0005 Page

B.3 Schedule Given this contract has the same phase-out language and requirements as the Leavenworth solicitation, is the B2. Price/Cost Schedule missing a Phase-Out

JB/CLIN?"

Response: Negative. Phase out CLIN not applicable.

36C77022R0008 0005 Page

B.2 Ordering Periods What is the new timeline for the anticipated award and phase-in date (contract start date) given the suspension of other bids?

Response: Anticipated award date is unknown at this time. Please see Attachment 1 PWS part 7 for information regarding phase-in/phase-out.

Attachment+1-PWS+r2 Attachment+2-PRS+r1

Page

PWS,

Page

PRS

8.3, 8.6, 8.8, 8.15, 9, 14.1, 10.3.1, 10.3.2

The PRS references sections in the PWS do not match, and in some cases, do not exist. How do we successfully address these items that do not correlate?

Response: Please see updated Attachment 2 PRS r2

36C77022R0008 0005 Page

ADDENDUM TO FAR

52.212-1

INSTRUCTIONS,

CONDITIONS, AND

NOTICES TO

PROPOSALS

For tables, graphics, photos, etc., is the 8pt Times New Roman font the minimum?

Response: Please refer to 36C77022R0008 Amendment 0005, Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Proposal Format.

Attachment+1-PWS+r2 Page

4. Qualifications While we will conform to contractual standards and The Joint Commission standards of occupational health requirements for contract personnel, can you please confirm the occupational health requirements for these positions?

Response: Please see Attachment 1 PWS part 4 and 8.4.1.

Attachment+3- Performance+Standards

Page

Production Expectations

What are the VA employee standards of productivity, competency, quality, conduct and protocol for the Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians? What Units are being measured?

Response: Please see Attachment 3 for VA employee standards of productivity.

Attachment+3- Performance+Standards

Page

Production Expectations

What is the expected productivity of assigned area within the auto packing, semi-auto packing, and manual packing.

Response: Please see Attachment 3 for VA employee standards of productivity.

PWS 7 4.5.1 You state that the Pharmacy Technician Lead must have all the qualifications of Pharmacy Technician.

Please clarify if that is for a certified Pharmacy Technician for a non-certified Pharmacy Technician.

Response: Pharmacy Technician Lead qualifications listed in PWS 4.4.1 is revised to clarify certified or non-certified.

RFP Amendment 5 49 FACTOR 1 Technical Capability - Sub-factor A: Experience

Is proposal evaluated based on placement experience for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Sub Factor A? Please confirm that shippers and packers experience is not required in Sub factor A.

Response: Proposal preparation and submission is a matter of business judgement. It is up to the offeror how to structure their proposal in order to meet the requirements set forth in the PWS

General N/A N/A Does a teaming partner have to be exclusive with only one team? Example: company A is a teaming partner who joined company B and Company C where both company B and C are prime SDVOSB offerors and submitting proposals for same opportunity – CMOP Tucson?

Can a teaming partner join in more than one team / prime offerors to submit proposals?

Response: Please submit in accordance with instructions in Addendum 52.212-1 for submittal instructions. This is a single award contract and thus there will only be one awardee for this Solicitation.

General N/A N/A Is government expecting to include the teaming agreements with subcontractors or partners in the proposal?

Response: Please submit in accordance with instructions in Addendum 52.212-1 for submittal instructions. This is a single award contract and thus there will only be one awardee for this Solicitation.