NOLA Rad Onc DB - Phase I RFIs - 12-10-24.pdf

SOLICITATION # 36C77624R0107

RADIATION ONCOLOGY ADDITION DESIGN BUILD AT THE SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA VETERANS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM (SLVHCS)

PHASE I TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND VA RESPONSE TRACKING SHEET

ITEM

NO.

DATE

QUESTION

RECEIVED

DATE

QUESTION

ANSWERED

QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

1. 12‐2‐24 12‐10‐24 Please provide the sign‐in sheet from the site visit on 12/4

The site visit sign‐in sheet amendment for Phase I was issued to SAM.gov on 12‐10‐24

DATE

QUESTION

RECEIVED

DATE

QUESTION

ANSWERED

QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

2. 12‐2‐24 12‐10‐24 Phase I Factor 1 decides relevant scope as:

Project(s) shall have a minimum dollar value of $15M, a minimum size of 5,000 square feet (sf), and be 100% completed. Relevant scope elements include but are not limited to: radiation shielding, site preparation for installation of equipment of similar size and weight of a Linear Accelerator, foundation work, and complex phasing to account for displaced staff.

QUESTION: Although SDVOSB contractors may have experience with one or a few of the items above, because the VA has never issued a solicitation to SDVOSBs for a D/B Linear Accelerator project over $15M, by definition there are no SDVOSB contractors with this specific relevant experience. The Linear Accelerator requirement, Square Footage requirement, and Value are too restrictive and exclude virtually all SDVOSBs, including experienced firms capable of performing the project. Please consider re‐defining relevant as : Project(s) shall have a minimum dollar value of $10M, and be 100% completed. Relevant scope elements include but are not limited to: radiation shielding, site preparation for installation of equipment of medical equipment, foundation work, and complex phasing to account for displaced staff.

The government agrees to relax the requirement for minimum dollar value to $10M and remove the square footage requirement. However, the context of relevant experience remains the same.

The importance of previous linear accelerator site preparation is paramount to success of the project. Engineering and construction involving radiation oncology equipment is arguably one of the most difficult designs and builds due to the involvement of physics to ensure proper shielding and weight distribution of the vaults.

The vault construction and shielding of linear accelerators is unlike shielding of other radiation or standard medical equipment.

DATE

QUESTION

RECEIVED

DATE

QUESTION

ANSWERED

QUESTION GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

3. 12‐9‐24 12‐10‐24 Reference Factor 1 Project Experience (Technical) ‐ I would like to request that the evaluation factor be broadened to include ongoing projects in addition to completed ones. As a growing company, our largest and most relevant project examples are currently in progress. Larger and more complex projects, which feature design and construction phasing, often have multi‐year performance periods. Therefore, projects that were completed ten years ago may not provide as accurate an indication of our current performance trends as ongoing projects.

Including ongoing projects in the evaluation criteria will offer a more comprehensive view of our capabilities and current performance standards.

The Government agrees to accept active project experience that is 75% or more complete.