36C77621R0018 0001.docx

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 NUMBERE

D 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 amendmen t, 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

36C776 Department of Veterans Affairs Program Contracting Activity Central 212 3rd Ave. South, Suite 29 Minneapolis MN 55401 00776 Department of Veterans Affairs Program Contracting Activity Central 212 3rd Ave. South, Suite 29 Minneapolis MN 55401 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C77621R0018 06-29-2021

X X X

X (1) The purpose of amendment number 0001 is the following:

1) Answer questions asked by Industry

2) Remove and replace in its entirety B.3 Statement of Work with B.3 Amendment 0001 Statement of Work

3) Remove and replace i n its entirety Attachment (1) Schedule of Items with Amendment 0001 Schedule of Items All other terms and conditions will remain in full force and effect.

Nicole Kutsi

VA-VHA-2020-E324CCD1

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

QUESTION (1): Section E – Solicitation Provisions (11) (e) (page 61) This part of the instructions states that “Offerors are encouraged to submit multiple offers presenting alternative terms and conditions, including alternative line items…… Each offer submitted will be evaluated separately.”

In contrast, E.7 52.212-2 Evaluation – commercial Items (Oct 2014) page 72-74.

Evaluation Factors: (c) Evaluation Approach The last sentence in this section (top of page 73) says “The Government is not requesting nor accepting alternate proposals” We are looking for clarification as to which one is correct.

ANSWER: Section E, Solicitation Provision 52.212-1, 11(e) Multiple Offers has been removed. Offerors are to respond IAW 52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Items.

QUESTION (2): The ADA is a public and commercial building code. To what extent are they going to apply it to a residential application. Curb height, Guards over 30”, Maximum slope at 1:20 or is lesser allowed?

ANSWER: Review Amendment 0001 Statement of Work, Section 3-Ramp Specifications states “all ramp installations shall adhere to VA and current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)….to the fullest extent”. Also see Amendment 0001 Statement of Work, Section 3-Ramp Specifications, subsection g, which provides ratio of incline requirements.

QUESTION (3): What is the manufacturer certifying their ramps to meet? There is no ADA certification to get. Is it to 3rd party certify the ramps meet the stated manufacturers specifications?

ANSWER: Review Amendment 0001 Statement of Work, Section 3-Ramp Specifications, subsection f, which provides ANSI requirements.

QUESTION (4): The solicitation states that the “ramp systems” must be aluminum solid surface. Can rubber threshold ramps be used?

ANSWER: Rubber is acceptable. Review Amendment 0001 Statement of Work, Section 3-Ramp Specifications, subsection c, which provides threshold requirements.

QUESTION (5): How can an Economic Price Adjustment be applied if the contractor is a non-manufacturer?

ANSWER: If appropriate any price adjustment will be applied in accordance with VAAR 852.216-71 Economic Price Adjustment of Contract Price(s) Based on a Price Index.

QUESTION (6): Can we submit multiple bids if we have commitments from multiple manufacturers?

ANSWER: No, please see question (1); VA is not requesting nor accepting alternate proposals.

QUESTION (7): 4.1 Assessments: Is it assumed that the cost for assessments (especially those in rural areas) should be included in our pricing and not reimbursable (separate for the cost of the ramp system and installation)?

ANSWER: Correct, assessments are included in pricing except for when assessments are not feasible or if ramps is refused after assessment.

QUESTION (8): B.2 Key Manufacturer:

Would the contracting officer consider a Key Manufacturer and a secondary manufacturer as this could promote more competitive pricing from both manufacturers?

ANSWER: There shall be only one (1) manufacturer per VISN, as defined in B.2 Key Manufacturer.

QUESTION (9): 4.2m-a -m "Administrative Fee CLIN: This is a FLAT fee to be assessed when a permit is required by state/county/local government for the property in question. The FLAT fee is intended to cover most of the cost, time and effort with obtaining the permit and the actual cost of the permit. This is not a cost reimbursable item. Contractor shall submit a copy of the permit and receipt with the invoice.” What is the amount of the fee?

ANSWER: The administrative fee is a line item per VISN in Attachment (1): Schedule of Items and shall be proposed by the Offeror.

QUESTION (10): 4.2E "The proposed location of all ramp components shall be demarcated using brightly colored cones, marking tape or other similar device so that the proposed locations are clearly visible in the photographs. " Ramp assessments are not completed this way (as a standard industry practice) and may lead to additional costs incurred from subcontractors (and ultimately passed on to the VA). Would the VA be willing to waive this requirement (referring specifically to cones and / or tape)?

ANSWER: Not at this time. Contractors shall conduct site assessments in accordance with Amendment 0001 Statement of Work, Section 4.2 Site Assessments.

QUESTION (11): 4.4 Ramp Installation (Recheck clarity) (k) and (m): They both reference rechecks, however one (k) states a requirement to recheck 5% of installed ramps the other (k) indicates "shall return 90-180 days or after snow thaw" Please advise if rechecks are only required on 5% of installs or if they are required on all installations.

ANSWER: Review Amendment 0001 Statement of Work Section 4.4 Ramp Installation, subsection’s k and m for updated clarification.

QUESTION (12): Section E: Proposal Instructions: "Elaborate brochures or documentation, binding, detailed artwork, or other embellishments are unnecessary and are not desired" .

May illustrations be used to provide clarity and context to unique proposed approaches to managing the program? If so, will they count against the 25-page count limitation if illustrations are included as attachments to corresponding sections?

ANSWER: Illustrations may be used to provide clarity. Attachments are not counted toward the total number of pages as stated in the Instructions to Offerors

QUESTION (13): B.2 Key Manufacturer. As the contract allows to bid per VISN, can we bid per VISN with a different manufacture or do all VISN have to be bid with same manufacturer?

ANSWER: Offerors are required to have an agreement with only one (1) manufacturer per VISN, as defined in B.2 Key Manufacturer.

QUESTION (14): 4.2 K Site assessment Quote pricing for a ramp system shall be itemized based on a per section price to include shipping and installation fees in accordance with the Schedule of Items.

Where is shipping allotted in Schedule of Items?

ANSWER: Review Amendment 0001 Statement of Work, Section 4.2 Site Assessment, subsection k, has been updated to reflect requirements for installation and shipping.

QUESTION (15): 4.2 M Why is the permit fee only meant to cover most of the fee and not the whole fee?

ANSWER: Review Amendment 0001 Statement of Work, Section 4.2 Site Assessment, subsection m, has been updated to reflect requirements for permit Administrative Fee Line item.

QUESTION (16): As this is a IDIQ with a min of $25,000, is that per VISN award?

ANSWER: Please review p. 23, which states, “The one-time minimum guarantee amounts for each contract established under this solicitation is $25,000.”

QUESTION (17): As a IDIQ award with a government minimum of $25,000, is the Contracting Officer solely responsible for controlling the amounts issued under the contract?

ANSWER: Correct, this is an IDIQ therefore all orders placed under the awarded contract will be governed by FAR 52.216-18 Ordering, 52.216-19 Ordering Limitations and Attachment (1) Schedule of Items.

QUESTION (18): As a IDIQ with a minimum of $25,000, will local VA Prosthetics staff be allowed to control the amounts from $25,000 to $40,000,000?

ANSWER: Correct, this is an IDIQ therefore all orders placed under the awarded contract will be governed by FAR 52.216-18 Ordering, 52.216-19 Ordering Limitations and Attachment (1) Schedule of Items.

QUESTION (19): I understand the intent and hope of the contract is for all VA staff to use the contract, but as an IDIQ with a minimum $25,000, can VA staff continue to use other vendors other than the awardee?

ANSWER: Correct, since this is an IDIQ and not a requirements contract, the Government can use other vendors if the need arises.

QUESTION (20): The contract requires a great deal of cost to establish and meet the requirements of the contract even prior to the start, if VA staff has the ability to bypass the awardee and still use other vendors, what protection has been put in place for the awardee other than a minimum of $25,000?

ANSWER: Since this is an IDIQ and not a requirements contract, the Government can use other vendors if the need arises.

QUESTION (21): What is the highest percentage of services that the awarded SDVOSB can subcontract out?

ANSWER: Please refer to clause 852.219-10 VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (2) Supplies or Products and (5) Subcontracting.

QUESTION (22): Will a SDVOSB that is a manufacturer still need to meet the minimum of the services portion of subcontracting?

ANSWER: Please refer to clause 852.219-10 VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (2) Supplies or Products and (5) Subcontracting.

QUESTION (23): The Offeror must demonstrate three (3) years of experience installing and delivering threshold and/or modular ramp systems in private residences throughout large geographical areas. Will an organization that has subbed out the majority of installations over a 3-year period be considered experienced? Qualifying for 3 years’ experience an organization that solely depends on the experience of their subs seems to heavily weigh on the experience of others.

ANSWER: Please see E.7 52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Items, Section d, subsection iii. Experience which states “Proposals will be evaluated on Offerors installation experience…” QUESTION (24): Will there be any consideration to a quarterly economic price adjustment due to the extreme volatility of metal pricing and general economic inflation?

ANSWER: The economic price adjustments shall be made at the start of each ordering period and every 6 months hereafter, as defined in VAAR clause 852.216-71 Economic Adjustment of Contract Prices based on a Price Index.

QUESTION (25): SOW, p. 7, Intro Paragraph 3.0, Ramp Specifications: The link provided for the ADA Standards refers to a non-government site which interprets a combination of both the 1990 and 2010 ADA Standards as well as Industry standards that do not reflect current International Code Council (ICC) regulations.

Does the Government intend for this contract to follow the standards provided via the link in the SOW or the most current 2010 ADA Standards found at: https://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm?

ANSWER: See Amendment 0001 Statement of Work, Section 3.0 Ramp Specifications, updating link of ADA standards.

QUESTION (26): SOW - SCHEDULE OF ITEMS, p. 7, 2nd Intro Paragraph B.3 3.0, Ramp Systems Specifications: ICC regulations and 2010 ADA Standards require balusters/guardrail for 30" rise and above. If included in ramp pricing, this would negatively impact pricing as it would not be used for every ramp, but the govt would be charged as if it was.

Would the Govt consider adding a CLIN for when Balusters/guardrail is required for compliance to ICC, ADA, and local jurisdiction?

ANSWER: See Amendment 0001 Statement of Work, Section 3.0 Ramp Specifications, subsection e; see updated Amendment 0001 Schedule of Items adding baluster/guardrails to all base ramp systems.

QUESTION (27): SOW - SCHEDULE OF ITEMS, p. 7, 3.0e, Ramp Systems Specifications:

Currently there is no ADA certification/stamp of approval for ramp Manufacturers. MFGs are however required to meet ANSI/NASI standards.

Would the government please clarify what Manufacturer certification is being requested to meet the requirement for this contract?

ANSWER: See Amendment 0001 Statement of Work, Section 3.0 Ramp System Specifications, subsection f which provides clarity requirements for meeting ANSI/NASI standards.

QUESTION (28): SOW - SCHEDULE OF ITEMS, p. 7, 3.0.c 3.0e, Ramp Landing Specifications:

Rubber landings create uneven terrain as they do not have tapers/transition plates. Specifications c and e seem to be in conflict with each other and the Schedule of Items as there is no CLIN that identifies the use of a Rubber landing pads.

Would the government please clarify and/or consider removing the approval of using rubber landing pads for this contract?

ANSWER: Not at this time, please review SOW, Section 3.0 Ramp Specifications, subsection “Ramp Landings Shall Comply with the following Specifications”, subsection c.

QUESTION (29): SOW - SCHEDULE OF ITEMS, p. 7, 3.0.i, Ramp System Specifications:

The SOW states: "All inclined runs of ramp will have a minimum of three points of support separate from the other ramp structures; under or near the center and as close as is feasibly possible to the high and low end. Mechanically fastening the ends to level platforms is not considered to be supported, the tread will have its own support legs, not rely on the platform for support."

a. Is this requirement for legs at the top, middle, and bottom of every individual ramp section?

ANSWER: Please review Amendment 0001 Statement of Work, Section 3.0 Ramp Specifications, “Ramp Systems shall comply with the following specifications, subsection j.

b. If certified Manufacturer specifications do not require legs at the top, middle, and bottom of every run of ramp, is the government intent to require the additional supports above and beyond manufacturer specifications?

ANSWER: Please review Amendment 0001 Statement of Work, Section 3.0 Ramp Specifications, “Ramp Systems shall comply with the following specifications, subsection j.

QUESTION (30): SOW - SCHEDULE OF ITEMS, p. 7, 3.0.I, Ramp System Specifications:

The SOW states that tie-downs shall be provided "where hurricanes are possible." A hurricane or the remnants of one that is still classified as a hurricane is possible in every VISN in the East Region.

Is the intent to install hurricane tie-downs for every ramp in every VISN, or is the intent for us to follow local jurisdiction as required?

ANSWER: Correct, see Amendment 0001 Statement of Work, Section 3.0 Ramp Specifications, “Ramp systems shall comply with the following specifications,” subsection m.

QUESTION (32): SOW, p. 8, 4.0, Process:

There is no mention in the SOW of how Government Holidays should be handled.

Would the government please clarify?

ANSWER: Please review Amendment 0001 Statement of Work, Section 4.6 Holidays for holiday requirements.

QUESTION (33): SOW, p. 37, C.9, Economic Price Adjustments (VAAR 852.216-71):

Dealers/Resellers do not control pricing of aluminum materials as Manufacturers do.

How can we as Dealers provide best pricing to the Government with no access or control over Economic Price Adjustments?

ANSWER: Economic price adjustment is based on the cost of material per the price index not the contractor.

QUESTION (34) SOW, p. 14-15, 4.5, Urgent/Emergency Requests How often does the Government expect these situations to occur?

ANSWER: Urgent/Emergency request instances are minimal.

QUESTION (35): Would it be possible to coordinate with a COR or Case Manager on-site? how will the processing of design approval and signoffs be addressed?

ANSWER: Please review 4.1 Assessment Request and 4.2 Site Assessment for communication requirements.

QUESTION (36): SOW, 19-20, 13.0, Contractor Personnel Security Requirements & Infection Control Procedures and Emergency Preparedness Section 13.0 is used twice in the SOW.

Would the government consider renumbering the SOW to reflect if these sections should be related to each other or stand on their own?

ANSWER: Review Amendment 0001 Statement of Work for updates.

QUESTION (37): Schedule of Items VISN 1 does not have a Permit Administrative Fee.

Was this intentionally left off the schedule?

ANSWER: Please See Amendment 0001 Schedule of Items all VISNs have been updated for the Line Item entitled Administrative Fee.

QUESTION (38): Schedule of Items The Schedule of Items refers to three Permit related CLINs:

1. Administrative Fee CLIN is not a cost reimbursable item,

2. Permit Fees-Reimbursable for actual costs

3. Permit Administrative Fee.

Would the government please clarify how they envision the three CLINs to be utilized?

ANSWER: Please see Amendment 0001 Schedule of Items, Administrative Fee shall be the line item that contractors will propose permit costs.

QUESTION (39): In reference to the following paragraph, “All inclined runs of ramp will have a minimum of three points of support separate from the other ramp structures; under or near the center and as close as is feasibly possible to the high and low end. Mechanically fastening the ends to level platforms is not considered to be supported, the tread will have its own support legs, not rely on the platform for support. The ground will serve as the support for the lowest end of the final ramp tread.”

While reading this it seems a bit excessive, if our chosen manufacturer can prove with engineering logic and testing how strong the ramps are without the extra support, are we still required to provide the three points of support separate from the other ramp structures as states above?

ANSWER: Correct, contractor is required to provide the three points of support as specified in the Statement of Work.

QUESTION (40): 10' ramps are only produced by very few manufacturers. Also, there are some VA hospitals in East Coast that do not allow using them. Even though we can quote the 10' ramp, other vendors may choose to quote this item as zero (since it is rarely used/produced) hence resulting in their quote being cheaper. May the government consider removing the 10' ramp from the items schedule?

ANSWER: Not at this time. The Government utilizes this ramp size on occasion.

QUESTION (41): Except for present bidders, will any other companies be awarded the same scope of work for the VA at the same facilities during the duration of this contract?

ANSWER: Since this is an IDIQ and not a requirements contract, the Government can use other vendors if the need arises.

QUESTION (42): Referencing 852.219-10 VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set- Aside (NOV 2020) (DEVIATION) on page 33 of the Solicitation. For the purposes of SDVOSB participation, does the VA view this procurement as contemplating a contract for services, construction, supplies or products, general construction, or special trade construction contractors?

ANSWER: Modular ramps are considered supplies or products as defined in 852.219-10, paragraph (2).

QUESTION (43): Does the VA view this procurement as including both services and supplies?

ANSWER: Modular ramps are considered supplies or products as defined in 852.219-10, paragraph (2).

QUESTION (44): The Solicitation states that in the case of a proposal from a non-manufacturer, it will supply the product of a domestic small business manufacturer or processor, unless a waiver as described in 13 CFR 121.406(b)(5) has been granted. Will the VA grant the waiver for this procurement?

ANSWER: The Agency is not required to seek waivers of the nonmanufacturer rule and is at the discretion of the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer has determined there is sufficient small business manufacturers available for installers to select a manufacturer for providing aluminum modular ramps.

QUESTION: Since each awarded contract under this solicitation has a ceiling of $40,000,000.00, may the government clarify if this ceiling would increase if a company provided a bid for multiple VISNs?

ANSWER: Please review B.4 Schedule of Items description, which states each awarded contract shall have a ceiling of $40,000,000. If an Offeror is awarded multiple VISNs, there will be a contract for each VISN.

QUESTION: Please advise why “Past Performance” and references are not required? 3 years of ramp installation experience does not prove the ability and expertise to perform on this contract.

ANSWER: Please review 52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Items, Section (e) Past Performance.

See attached document: AMENDMENT 0001 STATEMENT OF WORK.

See attached document: AMENDMENT 0001 Schedule of Items.

End of Document