Questions_and_Answers-FINAL.pdf

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region VIII

Disinfecting Wipes to support Region VIII States – COVID-19

Questions and Answers

***** NO FURTHER QUESTIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME*****

*****DEADLINE TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS WAS 11/6/2020 NLT 5:00PM MST*****

Q: What is the solicitation number?

A: Notice ID#: 70FBR820R00000003

Q: A question about the contractor performance review (Past Performance Questionnaire) … who fills that out?

A: Please refer to page 39 of the solicitation, under Factor 4: Past Performance.

Q: It appears the solicitation documents were available for a couple of hours today on SAM.gov. Is that correct?

A: Notice ID#: 70FBR820R00000003 is still currently active (10/23/2020). Please ensure you are viewing the most recent actions for this notice, as there have been updates to this posting.

Q: Can you pls confirm this is active and due on Nov 10?

A: Yes. Notice ID#: 70FBR820R00000003 is still currently active (10/23/2020). Please ensure you are viewing the most recent actions for this notice, as there have been updates to this posting.

Proposal due date and time are noted within the solicitation.

Q: I read through the payment terms on this RFB, but didn't see anything about timeliness of payment from DHS…. Can you clarify a timeline of payment please?

A: Please refer to page 6 of the solicitation: FAR Part 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items. A full text of this clause, to include payment terms, can be located at the following address: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/

Q: Is email submission acceptable for the FEMA Disinfecting Wipes bid?

A: Please refer to page 37 of the solicitation, under 3.0 Proposal Submissions.

Q: If I have received wipes from China can I still submit my bid?

A: Please note for this requirement the Buy American Act (BAA) has been waived. However, the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) still applies.

Q: Does DHS accept bids from foreign suppliers?

A: Please note for this requirement the Buy American Act (BAA) has been waived. However, the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) still applies. Please read through the entire solicitation for proposal and vendor requirements.

Q: Can you please send me direct link. I can not locate the exact solicitation bid on your web site.

A: The solicitation and all corresponding attachments are located at beta.sam.gov.

The Notice ID# is: 70FBR820R00000003. You will need to refer back to the site in order to track any changes or updates to the solicitation.

Q: Are partial bidding allowed for this opportunity or you expect the vendor to bid for the full requested amount in the solicitation?

A: Please read through the entire solicitation for minimum and maximum quantity requests.

Q: Attachment 2 of the submission forms does not have any areas for area for supplier information.

A: Attachment 2 – Contractor Assurance reads, “The Offeror shall submit information supporting this certification to the CO with their proposal.”

Q: My offer capacity is for 250k containers, is it expected to distribute this qty. to the 3 different locations? or do I have the option to deliver the whole qty to 1 particular location?

A: The quantities requested per location are listed within the solicitation. Please include delivery information within your proposal.

Q: What is the current price paid per container?

A: Your question is unclear. Please clarify.

Q: Is product from China accepted in the proposal?

A: Please note for this requirement the Buy American Act (BAA) has been waived. However, the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) still applies.

Q: Does this requirement need a specific size wipe OR the typical size of 6 in x7 in?

A: The measurement per individual/single wipe shall be between 6” to 8” in height, and 7” to 9” in length.

Q: If you could share what is the maximum number of wipes allowed per container?

A: The minimum number of acceptable wipes per container shall be 75 qty. The maximum number of acceptable wipes per container shall be 400 qty.

Q: Is there a preference, cylinder or bag style container?

A: Per the solicitation, disinfectant wipes should be divided into resealable containers.

Q: With the EPA- N List, there is a range of germ kill time speed, does this require a specific a contact time (kill time)?

A: There is no minimum contact kill time required to fulfill this request. However, please read through the entire solicitation to ensure you understand all other requirements.

Q: Is there a preference; alcohol, peroxide, chloride/water base OR does it not matter?

A: A preference has not been specified. However, please read through the entire solicitation to ensure you understand all other requirements.

Q: What kill time does the government require? (Kill time is the amount of time the solution can have to kill a certain virus/bacteria)

A: There is no minimum contact kill time required to fulfill this request. However, please read through the entire solicitation to ensure you understand all other requirements.

Q: Past performance? how do I submit the names of the people on past performance and could they be some of the VA's I've already sold to? please clarify

A: Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation for required past performance information.

Q: Page 25 it says "line item" and "Country of Origin" could you please explain

A: Please ensure you have read through the entire FAR clause 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certification – Commercial Items, within the solicitation.

Q: Price...would you like price per sheet and price of each container?

A: Please see Attachment 1 – Pricing Worksheet

Q: My first question is regarding the past performance questionnaire. Since this would be our fist government bid, we have no government contacts to fill out this sheet. Can I use our national distributors as references?

A: Please read through the entire solicitation, including Section L and M which speaks to Past Performance.

Q: Could you accept manufacturer with EPA number but products not on EPA list?

A: In order to meet the Government’s requirement, products must be included on the EPA’s List N: Products with Emerging Viral Pathogens AND Human Coronavirus claims for use against SARS-CoV-2. The product’s EPA registration # must be included in the offeror’s proposal.

Q: My organization was planning on submitting a bid for this solicitation. (PS70FBR820R00000003). I saw that it has been marked as inactive. Will this be re-published/re-opened or is it cancelled?

A: #PS70FBR820R00000003 is the pre-solicitation notice.

Notice ID#: 70FBR820R00000003 is the solicitation and is currently active. Please ensure you are viewing the most recent actions for this notice, as there have been updates to this posting.

Q: Is there any flexibility on the first order of the delivery schedule?

A: Required delivery times are stated within the solicitation.

Q: Can the canisters have as much as 160 wipes or does if have to be 75 or 100 wipes per canister?

A: The minimum number of acceptable wipes per container shall be 75 qty. The maximum number of acceptable wipes per container shall be 400 qty.

Q: We are wondering if we are able to submit two product costs, a USA product and an overseas e.g.

China product?

A: Please note for this requirement the Buy American Act (BAA) has been waived. However, the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) still applies. Per the solicitation, “the offeror’s initial proposal should contain the offeror’s best terms from a cost or price and technical standpoint.”

Q: I was wondering if you are accepting soft pack antibacterial wipes, A: Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation prior to submitting your proposal, and to ensure you have a full understanding of the requirements.

Q: May we offer a 75 count flat pack package at a lower cost to the Government or does the Government require hard plastic canisters?

A: Per the solicitation, disinfectant wipes should be divided into resealable containers. However, please read through the entire solicitation to ensure you understand all other requirements.

Q: I wanted to know if I can quote a soft pack that has 72 wipes per soft pack. I saw the addendum that specified minimum of 75 wipes per container, but just wanted to make certain.

A: Per Amendment #0001 of the solicitation: : The minimum number of acceptable wipes per container shall be 75 qty. The maximum number of acceptable wipes per container shall be 400 qty.

Q: Will payment be net 30 or straight invoice? Also I see the address in documents however who is the point of contact at each address?

A: Please refer to page 6 of the solicitation: FAR Part 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions –

The point of contact for each location will be designated at the time of award(s).

Q: I have a wipe option with 72 wipes per container, will that work for this bid?

A: Per Amendment #0001 of the solicitation: : The minimum number of acceptable wipes per container shall be 75 qty. The maximum number of acceptable wipes per container shall be 400 qty. Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation to ensure you have a full understanding of the requirements.

Q: Has this contract been filled for the disinfection wipes, as well as other cleaner?

A: Notice ID#: 70FBR820R00000003 is still currently active (10/23/2020). Please ensure you are viewing the most recent actions for this notice, as there have been updates to this posting.

Q: It states that wipes need to be in resealable containers...Would you accept soft packs that have a plastic resealable lid?

A: Per the solicitation, disinfectant wipes should be divided into resealable containers. However, please read through the entire solicitation to ensure you understand all other requirements.

Q: For the bid submittal, I see 3 require documents are necessary the solicitation document, the past performance document, and the price sheet. Do we need to submit the information attached below in the screenshot with those documents, or not?

A: There are no attachments or screenshots included within this email. Please ensure you are reading through the entire solicitation prior to submitting your proposal to ensure you have a full understanding of all requirements.

Q: For the past performance questionnaire, do we consider that as our past performance review and just have those three references fill out that questionnaire? And if so, where do the references fill out their info on the questionnaire?

A: Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation, including Amendment #0001.

Q: Do you have a document of a previous contract awarded for a similar project so we have an idea what we are working with?

A: Information not available.

Q: As far as past performance goes, is it a requirement that we have sold large orders of wipes?

A: Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation, including Section L and M which speaks to Past Performance.

Q: Are you preferring a name brand like Clorox (more expensive) or the cheapest option as long as it fits the technical requirements? Would submitting a bid where part of the Supply Chain Management plan is supplied with several brands, and or suppliers (each option would be outlined in the proposal) be acceptable?

A: Per the solicitation, “the offeror’s initial proposal should contain the offeror’s best terms from a cost or price and technical standpoint.” Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation before submitting your proposal.

Q: I'm wondering if these are surface or hand wipes? I also was curious to know; my company is very new with no previous experience. This being said, my supplier(s) have been in business for decades in one case. Would I be able to use their business history, for past performance qualification of 3 years of sufficient production?

A: Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation for product requirements. Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation, including Section L and M which speaks to Past Performance.

Q: We are looking to do a combination of containers and soft packs with resealable lids but don’t want to waste time submitting the soft packs portion of that is something you do not desire at all.

A: Please ensure you read through the entire solicitation, to include all amendments

Q: I have one more question on page 41 the pricing worksheet has unit price to be filled out, the question is, is the unit price per container or per sheet/wipe?

A: Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation, including Amendment #0001.

Q: We understand there is a bid for 75 count surface disinfectant wipes, put out by FEMA Region VIII?

Could you send me a copy of the bid please?

A: The solicitation and all corresponding attachments are located at beta.sam.gov.

Q: Would the government accept a product that is FDA approved?

A: Per the solicitation: “In order to meet the Government’s requirement, products must be included on the EPA’s List N: Products with Emerging Viral Pathogens AND Human Coronavirus claims for use against SARS-CoV-2. The product’s EPA registration # must be included in the offeror’s proposal.” Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation before submitting your proposal.

Q: Are payments made per accepted delivery? Will FEMA- Finance-Vendor-Payments@fema.dhs.gov wire funds or issue checks?

A: Please refer to page 6 of the solicitation: FAR Part 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions –

Q: Our… wipes are currently not listed on the EPA "N" list as it takes months to receive EPA approval although our product is as mentioned, can we still submit?

A: Per the solicitation: “In order to meet the Government’s requirement, products must be included on the EPA’s List N: Products with Emerging Viral Pathogens AND Human Coronavirus claims for use against SARS-CoV-2. The product’s EPA registration # must be included in the offeror’s proposal.” Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation before submitting your proposal.

Q: Do we need to submit the product prior to bid close?

A: Required product delivery times are stated within the solicitation. Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation, to include all amendments.

Q: We are registered with SAM, and I found the referenced bid, so does that mean we can quote on this bid then? We are a small manufacturing business, but for these wipes we are a distributor for a manufacturer, we don’t produce them ourselves.

A: Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation prior to submitting your proposal, and to ensure you have a full understanding of the requirements.

Q: It is seemingly stating that it is required to have 3 years of recorded business. Although, the contracting officer (government), will ultimately choose whether or not, having no business history eliminates a candidate from consideration. Can you please clarify for me as to whether or not I am capable of being up for consideration, as long as my supplier can sufficiently fill the order.

A: Section L, Volume IV – Past Performance: pertains to the offeror’s past performance history.

Section M, d. Past Performance: pertains to how the offeror’s past performance history will be assessed. Per the solicitation: “Offeror’s without a record of relevant performance or for whom no performance information is available will be given a ‘neutral’ risk.”

Q: We are working on our bid now and want to confirm if a canister style solution is required or will FEMA accept a resealable flatpack?

A: Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation, to include all amendments.

Q: Would it be acceptable to send the proposal prior to providing the questionnaire?

A: Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation, to include all amendments.

Q: I was curious to know if incorporated companies qualify?

A: Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation, to include all amendments, for all requirements.

Q: If we use a subcontracting reseller in US / Canadian that have all the wipes but made in china , is it acceptable ? the reason of this question is that I know that BAA will not apply but TAA will be apply to this procurement, our sub-contracting company /reseller has the chinses wipes already within US / CA boundaries still going to be acceptable?

A: For this requirement the Buy American Act (BAA) has been waived. However, the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) still applies. The solicitation includes: FAR Part 52.225-5 Trade Agreements. A full text of this clause, and further description, can be located at the following address: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/

Q: Will your customer amend the solicitation and include FDA approval in order to purchase a superior product at a lower price

A: No changes are being made at this time to remove the product’s EPA registration requirement from the solicitation.

The requirement per the solicitation is: “In order to meet the Government’s requirement, products must be included on the EPA’s List N: Products with Emerging Viral Pathogens AND Human Coronavirus claims for use against SARS-CoV-2. The product’s EPA registration # must be included in the offeror’s proposal.” Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation to include all amendments.

Q: The bid seems to imply that pack sizes close to 75 will be considered… Please let me know if it is acceptable to submit a bid with a 72 wipe container.

A: Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation, to include all amendments.

Amendment #0001, states the minimum and maximum acceptable quantities per container.

Q: Should we include any technical information of the wipes within our proposal so they can be officially verified? Is there a maximum wipe per container limit that would not be accepted at all or is the 75 per container just a baseline?

A: Please read through the entire solicitation, to include all amendments, to ensure you have an understanding of all requirements prior to submitting your proposal. Amendment #0001, states the minimum and maximum acceptable quantities per container.

Q: I was "NOT" proposing removing the EPA requirement. I "WAS" proposing adding a FDA registered product that would meet or exceed all other governmental requirements. Please advise.

A: The solicitation, amendments, and all requirements therein remain as they are currently issued as of today’s date 11/5/2020. Should any changes be made to the solicitation, an amendment will be issued and posted on beta.sam.gov If you are able to meet all requirements of the solicitation, please submit your proposal prior to the deadline.

Q: Amend0002_70FBR820R00000003 shows the quantities changed from 1,750,000 to 18,750,000 but the original quantities don't ever show 1,750,000 but rather 1,020,000. Please confirm quantities being requested, furthermore the price sheet still shows the original 1,020,000 quantity. Is this going to be update or should we just replace 1,020,000 with 18,750,000?

A: Amendment #0001 corrects an administrative error within Section L, Volume III – Cost/Price, in regards to the ‘Breakdown per wipe, for minimum quantity that must be proposed’.

Attachment #1 – Pricing Worksheet, states a ‘Requested NTE Qty of 1,020,000 containers/canisters’. However, please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation, to include all amendments, to ensure you have a full understanding of all requirements.

Q: The above referenced requirement has been amended as follows: Correct an administrative error on Page 36, Volume III – Cost/Price: Change from: 1,750,000 qty Change to: 18,750,000 qty HOWEVER There is no corresponding change to the delivery schedule. Please advise.

A: Amendment #0001 corrects an administrative error within Section L, Volume III – Cost/Price, in regards to the ‘Breakdown per wipe, for minimum quantity that must be proposed’.

Q: Will payment be made prior to shipment or a portion? if neither how long does payment take to be processed ? I see that Utah was one of the states listed for delivery but there is no location listed in the solicitation. Is there a delivery going to Utah?

A: The following clause is included in the solicitation: FAR Part 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions –Commercial Items. A full text of this clause, to include payment terms, can be located at the following address: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/ Please refer to Section F – Deliveries or Performance, of the solicitation for delivery locations and further delivery requirements.

Q: I have attached out SDS Formula of our FDA approved wipes that we are currently producing and shipping. We would like to know does our wipe formula meet your needs to bid on this request for

FEMA?

A: Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation, to include all amendments, for all requirements prior to submitting your proposal.

Q: What payment discounts are being considered? Will you accept an invoice to be submitted upon a BOL being issued?

A: The following clause is included in the solicitation: FAR Part 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions –Commercial Items. A full text of this clause, to include payment terms, can be located at the following address: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/

Q: Can you please advise if all the documents have been properly submitted. If not, please advise if there is anything missing.

A: Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation, to include all amendments, to ensure you have an understanding of all requirements.

Q: I cant seem to find the full solicitation, when I click on the Solicitation link I only get 2 pages out for the 44 pages. Also, if I have a product that 60% of it is made in the USA but the other 40% is made in china is that acceptable for this solicitation, I know TAA is acceptable but what if most of the product is made in the USA but part from china?

A: Notice ID#: 70FBR820R00000003 is currently active. Please ensure you are viewing the most recent actions for this notice, as there have been updates to this posting.

For this requirement the Buy American Act (BAA) has been waived. However, the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) still applies. The solicitation includes: FAR Part 52.225-5 Trade Agreements. A full text of this clause, and further description, can be located at the following address: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/

Q: Where do I find the official bid notice for this solicitation?

A: The solicitation and all corresponding attachments are located at beta.sam.gov.

Q: Would FEMA consider accepting multiple quotes, max of 2, per vendor for this solicitation?

A: Per the solicitation, “the offeror’s initial proposal should contain the offeror’s best terms from a cost or price and technical standpoint.”

Q: Does FEMA expect each Volume to be an independent, stand-alone document? Or, one document containing several volumes? Does FEMA want the price/quote to be a separate document from the technical response.

A: Please refer to Section L – 1.0 Proposal Contents, of the solicitation for further information.

Q: What is the max size for pallets received? Are there limitations on size of pallets? (size & weight)

A: Currently there are no restrictions on pallet size or weight. However, should any changes be made to the solicitation, an amendment will be issued and posted on beta.sam.gov

Q: Given the timeline, please consider extending the due date till Friday 11/13/2020 to allow time for vendors to receive and process answers.

A: No extension to the proposal deadline will be granted at this time. However, should any changes be made to the solicitation, an amendment will be issued and posted on beta.sam.gov

Q: Please advise if you are willing to accept a quotation with more than one Option. For example: two different wipes (that meet the specifications) to provide a faster lead time. Also please advise if canisters with higher wipe counts are acceptable to provide best possible pricing

Per the solicitation, “the offeror’s initial proposal should contain the offeror’s best terms from a cost or price and technical standpoint.”

Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation, to include all amendments.

Amendment #0001, states the minimum and maximum acceptable quantities per container.

Q: Will the lack of past performance cause our bid to be rejected or not be considered?

A: Per the solicitation: “Offeror’s without a record of relevant performance or for whom no performance information is available will be given a ‘neutral’ risk.” Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation, to include all amendments, to ensure you have an understanding of all requirements.

Q: Quantity says NTE 1,020,000 qty containers. Does Not To Exceed mean the vendor cannot deliver more than 1,020,000 containers, or that FEMA will not order more than 1,020,000 but could order less?

A: Per the solicitation, the requested not to exceed (NTE) quantity is 1,020,000 containers/canisters.

Please refer to solicitation, and all amendments for further requirements, to include but not limited to: acceptable minimum and maximum quantities of individual wipes per container.

Please refer to solicitation, and all amendments for further requirements, to include but not limited to: acceptable minimum and maximum quantities of individual/single wipes.

Q: Delivery is 120 days after receipt of order. When does FEMA expect to make the order?

A: Please refer to the solicitation: Section L, 4.0 – Projected Milestones.

Q: If orders are not placed by or around 11/20/2020, what is the last possible order date anticipated?

A: Information not available.

Please refer to the solicitation: Section L, 4.0 – Projected Milestones.

Q: Page 4 says, ‘Products will be subject to Government testing. The contract for any defective items not passing testing will be terminated for cause and forwarded to FEMA’s debarring official. Any other items shall not be acceptable.’ What specific test will be performed and what are the evaluation criteria that will deem a product to pass or fail?

A: Please see Amendment #0003. Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation, including all amendments.

Q: Page 4 says, ‘Products will be subject to Government testing. The contract for any defective items not passing testing will be terminated for cause and forwarded to FEMA’s debarring official. Any other items shall not be acceptable.’ Will FEMA consider testing sample product before placing order and upon receipt of product?

A: Please see Amendment #0003. Please ensure you have read through the entire solicitation, including all amendments.

Q: For how long must an offer be good, i.e., 90, 180 days?

A: If your proposal will only remain valid for a specific timeframe, please note this within your proposal. Please refer to the solicitation: Section L, 4.0 – Projected Milestones.

Q: When you say the word “container”- what is the definition? Does that include soft pack with resealable plastic top.

A: Please see Amendment #0002. Please ensure you have read the entire solicitation, to include all amendments.

Q: Will FEMA will provide a sales tax exempt certificate?

A: Should an offeror be selected for award, a tax exempt certificate may be furnished upon request.

Q: Is a nonmanufacturer waiver required for this disinfectant wipe solicitation, and if so, has one been granted.

A: Please see Amendment #0003. Please ensure you have read the entire solicitation, to include all amendments.

***** NO FURTHER QUESTIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME*****

*****DEADLINE TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS WAS 11/6/2020 NLT 5:00PM MST*****