09.13_Q&A_Template_V2_(002)_31_May_2019.pdf

Rapid DNA Testing for RFP 70CMSD19R00000002 2019

RFQ Comments, Questions and Answers

Industry Questions Government Response 1 Referencing the Combined_Synopsis_Solicitation document of the RFP

Package, under the Evaluation Factors Section, Factor # 3: Past Performance:

can you please clarify the intent of the section?

The Government will evaluate the offeror’s relevant past performance (similar size, scope, and complexity), performed within three (3) years of the date of issuance of the solicitation to determine the Government’s confidence that the offeror will be able to successfully perform this requirement.

2 Given the need to have approximately 2 hours from sample in to answer out, we assume the reference to DNA testing is specifically RAPID DNA TESTING, given that DNA TESTING more broadly includes the much slower lab processing of DNA samples.

Yes, all reference to DNA testing shall be considered Rapid DNA testing.

3 The combined solicitation states that the award will be based on the LPTA offer and past performance will not be evaluated if the lowest priced offeror’s technical proposal is acceptable. However, Past Performance is listed as the third evaluation factor for the proposal and is required.

a. Under what scenario(s) would Past Performance be considered?

b. The solicitation states that the lowest priced offeror will be evaluated based on its technical proposal. Does the technical proposal include both the Technical Approach (Factor 1) and the Specialized Experience (Factor 2)?

The amendment clarifies this information

4 Sections 3.0 and 4.4 of the SOW states that “Chemicals within the Rapid DNA machine should destroy the sample in a way as to not allow the DNA to be reread” and “instruments must have the capability to destroy the physical swabs/samples once analysis is complete.” Would proper disposal/incineration of the instrument cartridges and swabs after instrumentation runs satisfy this requirement?

Yes, if the DNA samples and swabs are destroyed in a manner that does not allow for the information to be obtained and reread, proper disposal/incineration will suffice.

5 SOW Section 4.6 states that at no time can any computer hardware be connected to any Government owned network. Will the sites have other available networks (internet connections) that can be utilized by the contractor?

No, the CONTRACTOR would be responsible for all computer networks, routers, wi-fi connections, etc., required for their specific purposes.

6 Will the Government provide dedicated areas/rooms for the Rapid DNA operations? If so, what is the size of the room?

Yes, the Government will provide dedicated areas for the Rapid DNA operations; however, until the specific offices/locations have been established, it is impossible to provide the exact size of each room. It is expected that these rooms will vary in size, but the Government can ensure the operations will be provided with space capable of completing the testing in a safe and judicious manner.

7 Should contractor costs for housing, meals, transportation, etc. be included in

CLIN 0003?

All costs will be in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulation. This CLIN will not be priced at this time.

Costs will be provided to the Contracting Officer for approval if/when required.

8 SOW 4.1.1 states that during the initial 30-day period, contractor personnel will be responsible for assisting with the processing of samples. It is envisioned that contractor personnel will remain on-site in a support capacity for the remaining POP?

No, on-site support from the CONTRACTOR is only required for the initial 30 days.

9 If contractor personnel are no longer at a site and a movement of Rapid DNA capabilities is required, will the Government be responsible for moving and setting up the equipment at a new site or will contractor personnel need to re-deploy, move equipment, set-up at a new location, and train new personnel?

Yes, in the event locations are changed after the initial 30 days, the CONTRACTOR would be expected to provide personnel to move all equipment; however, it is expected that during the initial 30-day period, the need to relocate will be identified and all notifications will be made at that time.

10 The success rates of Rapid DNA are not 100% and modified reachback analysis by trained Forensic DNA analysts can improve success rates and avoid the cost of rerunning samples. Will reachback analysis of this nature be permitted?

Yes, it is understood that these tests are not 100% accurate, and in the event any reachback analysis is required, Forensic DNA Analysts can and should be utilized to assist.

11 For SOW 4.11, can the “contractually required level of support” for staffing be outlined for each month of the POP, both for on-site and reachback support?

Also, please outline what a work day/work week constitutes

It is expected that during this operation, the on-site staff will be required to work seven days a week/12-hours a day. In addition, it is expected that the CONTRACTOR personnel should be able to reachback if the on-site personnel need assistance.

12 The SOW outlined the usage of a minimum of 14 DNA processing instruments.

Can more be proposed and utilized to meet sample throughput as outlined?

The listed quantity is the minimum government requirement.

13 For CLIN 0001 and 1001 pricing, the cost for a DNA Test includes a mix of fixed costs (e.g. instrument, personnel) and variable (e.g. sample cartridges, gloves, etc). Although the RFP includes a minimum amount of $1M, it does not include a minimum sample quantity. Theoretically the Government could order as little as 12,500 Units (as per 4.5 of the SOW) at a cost of $1M.

a. Please confirm our understanding of the Pricing table.

b. Would the Government consider changing to a Quantity of 1 and specify that this includes everything necessary to process 50,000 samples?

c. For CLIN 0001 and 1001 sub categories (AA, AB, and AC), please confirm individual pricing is not required for these lines items and those prices are rolled into CLINs 0001 and 1001.

Clarified in the Amendment. NSP stands for Not Separately Priced for CLINs 0001 and 1001 sub categories (AA, AB, and AC).

14 SOW 4.3 addresses training and certification classes. In the event that training is conducted at a CONTRACTOR-designated location, will the government be responsible for ODCs specific for government personnel travel?

Yes, government will be responsible for all government required travel.

15 SOW 6.0 references twelve-hour days. Are there specific hours of operations?

If necessary, is it possible to operate longer than 12-hour days (e.g. if an unexpected influx of samples requiring testing arrives)?

It is not expected that on-site personnel will be required to work more than 12 hours a day.

16 What is the response format? Page length, font size, etc. No specific format is required.

17 With Questions due on 05/30 and a reasonable expected turnaround time of 24 hours for responses to be posted on 05/31, that leaves less than one business day until the proposal due date. With the large scope of this project, will the Government modify the due date of proposals/quotations to a later date?

No. At this time the government does not intend to extend the proposal due date and time.

18 Will the instruments that will be provided under this effort remain contractor owned or will the Government take ownership of them?

All hardware required to analyze the DNA samples will remain contractor-owned.

19 The Past Performance instructions state the contracts listed should specifically deal with DNA testing. Is this reference in terms to all DNA testing or Rapid DNA testing only?

Past performance should be in accordance with the instructions listed within the Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

20 The bid document requires a submission price for 50,000 samples over a 5 month period. Are we to understand that this is maximum amount of samples that will be required to be run over the contract period of 5 months by the required deployed minimum 14 instruments?

This contract will be awarded as an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contract. The minimum initial order will be in accordance with the SOW. The maximum number of samples included in this contract will be the initial 50,000 samples with the option to include an additional 50,000 samples if exercised.

21 The initial deployment (within 72 hours of Bid Award) requires a minimum of 14 instruments (2 per border post) and consumables for 12,500 samples in total (1,785 per border post). Over what period of time must these 12,500 samples be run?

It is expected these individual tests (12,500) will be utilized within the first 30 days of the operation.

However, in the event each test is not used in that timeframe, these tests can be rolled over into the following month within the period of performance of the initial delivery order.