70Z02322R11120001 Questions and Answers.pdf

70Z02322R11120001 Multi-discipline Healthcare Services Q&A

1 Proposal Content;

pages 63-64

Please confirm that the title/cover page, cover letter, and table of contents are excluded from page count for all volumes.

In accordance with RFP, the Table Content is not included in the total page count.

See Amendment 000001. The title page will not be included in total page count.

See Amendment 000001. The cover letter shall be included in Volume 4.

2 Proposal Content;

pages 64; #4

Please confirm that the written component of the submission is soft copy only.

In accordance with RFP Due Date, Offerors shall submit proposals via email.

3 Oral Presentations;

Please confirm that the Government will be providing a slide template for oral presentations.

The Government will NOT be providing a slide template for oral presentations.

4 Oral Presentations;

Please confirm that all offerors submitting a written proposal for this effort will also be conducting an oral presentation.

The oral presentation is part of the proposal. All offerors that submit a written proposal shall also participate in an oral presentation.

5 Factor 2: Past Performance Volume 2;

Please confirm that only members of a proposed partnership that are considered critical and/or major are required to submit past performance references.

In accordance with the RFP Factor 2: Past Performance:

Volume 2 (Written), “References will be evaluated for the prime offeror, major subcontractors or any other affiliations or arrangements proposed.”

Yes, the government will evaluate the prime offeror, major subcontractors or any other affiliations or arrangements proposed

6 Factor 2: Past Performance Volume 2;

The RFP states “The past performance of a parent or affiliated/sister company will be attributed to an offeror of a JV where the firm's proposal demonstrates that the resources of the parent or affiliated/sister company have affected the performance of the offeror.” Please confirm that the parent company does not need to engage in a JV to leverage past performance of an affiliated/sister company.

See amendment A000001 revise the language of page 72 to remove “of a JV”.

7 Factor 2: Past Performance

Please confirm that CPARS can be used in lieu of a PPQ.

No, CPARS will not be in lieu of a PPQ. In accordance with the

Volume 2;

RFP, the Government will look at CPARS in addition to PPQs and other sources. The burden of providing thorough and complete past performance information rests with the Offeror.

8 General Who is the incumbent contractor? VESA Health & Technology is the incumbent contractor

9 General What are the current costs per year and total on the current contract?

The total contract is $109,656,858.96. The current cost per year is approximately $20M a year.

10 General Can the government please provide us with historical account on the current number of positions and labor categories at each location?

a. # of positions

b. labor category

c. location

See attached current level of effort for historical purpose.

11 SOW’s (documents provided in SAM.gov)

There are SOWs in the attachments for 26 specific labor categories:

Do these SOWs represent all labor categories we may potentially be awarded on this contract?

It is the Government’s intent that these 26 SOWs represent the labor categories needed.

12 WD’s (documents provided in SAM.gov), You also have WDs for certain locations:

Are these the only locations that will have SCA employees?

There are positions at all clinics that are covered under SCA. All clinics should be covered under the WD provided.

13 Holding prices firm:

On pg. 59 – (c.) states, … the offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 30 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, On pg. 71 (last para.) it states… period for acceptance of proposals:

The Offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 180 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers:

Can the government please clarify which date the offeror must abide by to “hold prices in its offer firm? Is the number 180 days is correct?

As stated in the Pre-Proposal conference, the FAR Clause states 52.212-1(c) Period for acceptance of offers. The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 30 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers, unless another time period is specified in an addendum to the solicitation. The FAR clause is not changeable;

therefore the USCG stated the time frame is 180 calendar days.

14 Regarding

Reps and Certs, if our company is certain that their Reps and Certs are updated in SAM.gov (including those exclusive to Homeland Security) and to cut down on space: May the offeror make a statement of affirmation on

Offeror shall provide Reps and Certs in accordance with FAR Clause 52.212-3 “B(2) The offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically in SAM accessed the cover sheet, that the Reps and Certs for our entity are accurate, correct, and complete instead?

through http://www.sam.gov. After reviewing SAM information, the Offeror verifies by submission of this offer that the representations and certifications currently posted electronically at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Products and Commercial Services, have been entered or updated in the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this solicitation (including the business size standard(s) applicable to the NAICS code(s) referenced for this solicitation), at the time this offer is submitted and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201), except for paragraphs…

15 In the solicitation and in the PWS there are references for OCONUS locations. However, we did not see any locations for OCONUS listed.

Can the government please clarify the locations for the OCONUS regions?

There are no OCONUS locations.

Page 7 of the solicitation has been revised to remove

OCONUS.

16 Proposal Format and Content pg.

63 and 64 of 92 number, RFP title, and copy number (e.g., copy 2 of 3).

The contents state that “The cover of each Volume shall clearly identify the offeror's name, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, volume title, RFP

Please clarify if the government want to see a

Title Page separating each volume A cover letters Table of Contents?

The original for each volume will be clearly identified on the cover.” The next line speaks to a “cover letter” and under format pg. 63-92 it mentions the header having name of firm and RFP # and footer containing Volume #.

In accordance with the RFP “Proposals shall be submitted as four (4) separate volumes as identified below. All electronic file names shall include the offeror’s name. Each volume shall be submitted as a separate document.”

In accordance with the RFP, the table content is not included the page count.

See Amendment 000001. The title page will not be included in total page count.

See Amendment 000001. The cover letter shall be included in Volume 4

Will these pages be excluded from the page count limitations?

17 Proposal Content: 4.

All sections in all volumes shall be tabbed for identification. Each volume shall be written on a stand-alone basis Does the government also want a “blank page” used as a (tab) in electronic form, to separate the volumes in addition to the title page, cover letter and Table of Contents?

OR should we submit each volume separately considering the limited number of space any one email submission will accept.

See answer to question 16.

18 RFP page 66-

Under Staffing Approach written pertaining ONLY to the key personnel subject ~~ The next section also has the title for Staffing Approach (written) but speaks to Staffing procedures, sustaining pool etc. This then refers to ORALs.

This is a bit unclear, please clarify if this was a typo and whether the second section listed as Staffing Approach (Written) should be:

Staffing Approach (Oral)?

As stated in the pre-proposal conference this was a typo. See Amendment 000001 for revision.

19 Past Performance

– Pg. 70-92 – Second to the last para.

It states that “Only one Past Performance Questionnaire shall be completed per contract.”

Our company has been a PRIME on IDIQ awards with task orders at various locations for various labor categories. This is relevant because it gives the government an understanding of how we perform and our capability of the management of multiple labor categories at multiple locations.

If the offeror is performing the work of several task orders, on 1 IDIQ and each Task ORDER is valid for relevancy and recency, may we submit a PPQ at the IDIQ level to show magnitude, strength, and complexity instead of at the Task Order level?

Yes, you may submit PPQ at the IDIQ level.

20 Past Performance

May we submit a CPAR in lieu of a PPQ Attachment 4 submitted by the offeror to USCG?

See answer to question number 7, 21 Past Performance clarification needed: pg.

70-92.

it states under Factor 2: Past Performance Volume 2 (Written), “In the past performance volume, the offeror shall furnish information for up to three (3) contracts for the prime offeror and up to three (3) contracts for each member of the partnership proposed on ongoing or completed within the last five (5) years For clarification, does this mean that the PRIME offeror should submit up to 3 Past Performance References and each of the subcontractor members may provide up to 3 Past Performance references each?

For example, there is a Prime contractor providing (3) references Subcontractor 1 will provide (3) Subcontractor 2 will provide (3) Subcontractor 3 will provide (3) Potential receipt of up to 12 past performance references?

How many references total will you expect in this scenario above?

Yes, in accordance with the RFP, the Prime offeror may submit up to 3 past performance and up to three (3) contracts for each member of the partnership proposed.

22 General The government encourages several proposals to be submitted.

Will the government consider the proposal with all 3 regions on 1 proposal and then may we bid for each separate region individually or will the government award regionally have based on the one all-inclusive proposal that is submitted?

Per FAR 52.212-1(b)(11)(e) multiple offers, offerors are encouraged to submit multiple offers presenting alternative terms and conditions. If an offeror is not submitting alternative terms and conditions, there is no need to submit multiple proposals.

The Government will evaluate the best value offer for each region.

23 Past Performance

May we submit a PPQ for relevant commercial work performed on a contract?

Will this affect the evaluation portion of the bid or will it be rated as equal to any PPQ for federal work?

Yes, you may submit PPQ for relevant commercial work.

No, it will not affect the evaluation of the proposal.

24 Insurance Does every subcontractor identified need to carry the malpractice insurance with the 1M per occurrence stipulation?

The offeror is required to be in compliance with FAR Clause 52.237-7. In accordance with FAR Clause 52.237-1 (f) The

Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (f), in all subcontracts under this contract for health care services and shall require such subcontractors to provide evidence of and maintain insurance in accordance with paragraph (a) of this clause. At least 5 days before the commencement of work by any subcontractor, the Contractor shall furnish to the Contracting Officer evidence of such insurance.

25 Oral Presentations

Will both Oral Presentations (1 & 2) take place in quick succession (within noted timeframes) or will they be held on separate days?

The Oral Presentations will take place in within the times frames noted on the RFP.

26 Proposal Content

Under the Cover Letter (2.) pg.64 of 92 …If applicable, subcontractor names(s) and DUNS Number (s;

and Business size classification, e.g., large/small business, 8(a) business, etc

1. DUNS numbers in SAM.gov are being replaced with the Unique Entity ID (UEI) # - May we submit this UEI number instead of a DUNS number?

2. Do you want information re:

Business size classification for the PRIME and ALL subcontractors on the Cover Letter?

1. Per the Pre-proposal conference this was a Typo. See Amendment 000001.

2. Yes, in accordance with the RFP Volume 4 - Administrative Information and Representations and Certifications, “If applicable, subcontractor names(s) and Unique Entity ID (UEI); and Business size classification, e.g., large/small business, 8(a) business, etc.”

27 SCA equitable adjustments - Pg 11 of 92

If an SCA employee for example an MRI technician is already getting paid well beyond the “pay rate” for the Wage Determination (WD).

Will the government still provide an equitable adjustment to us when the H&W has changed?

No.

28 SCA equitable adjustments -,

pg. 11 of 92

What if the WD never changes for a region and for a particular labor category How do we offer increases to the SCA employee in out years, if there is no adjustment to the WD, i.e., for cost of living?

Wage determination is a determination of the prevailing wage for the area and it is the minimum requirement for a federal contract.

Increases for cost of living are an individual company’s business decision.

29 Technical page limit (exclusions)

Will the government please clarify if the Cover page, cover letter and table of contents are to be included in the page count?

See answer to question #1.

30 Technical page limit (increase)

Due to the complex nature of this solicitation. Will the government please consider increasing the page limitation to 25 or more pages, excluding the Cover page, cover letter and table of contents?

The technical page limitation has been updated to include a separate page limitation for Transition Plan. See Amendment 000001.

31 SCA, page 11 of 92 …

The Contractor shall price the services all-inclusive in accordance with the schedule. The contractor shall take into consideration any transportation costs, cost of living increases, inflation, overhead, etc. for each ordering period year except that the portion of the price that is subject to the Service Contract Wage Determinations are subject to adjustment for each ordering period.

Can the government provide us with a percentage for this inflation rate?

In other words, Does the USGS have an inflation percentage they would like us to use?

No, the Government does not have inflation rates that it would like to see.

32 PWS –

Publications pg 6 of PWS

Could you provide copies of:

COMDTINST M5100.29

OMDTINST M5530.lA COMDTINST M6000.1 (series), please specify what versions ae the latest?

See Amended PWS to show the updated series.

COMDTINST M5100.29 is now series 47D COMDTINST M5530.lA is now series 1C COMDTINST M6000.1 is now series F.

The link to these three instructions:

CH-1 TO SAFETY AND

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH MANUAL,

COMDTINST M5100.47D

(defense.gov)

(PDF) PHYSICAL SECURITY AND

FORCE PROTECTION ...

https://media.defense.gov/2022/Mar/08/2002952161/-1/-1/0/CCN_5100.PDF https://media.defense.gov/2022/Mar/08/2002952161/-1/-1/0/CCN_5100.PDF https://media.defense.gov/2022/Mar/08/2002952161/-1/-1/0/CCN_5100.PDF https://media.defense.gov/2022/Mar/08/2002952161/-1/-1/0/CCN_5100.PDF https://pdfslide.net/documents/physical-security-and-force-protection-government-comdtinst-m5530l-c-b.html?page=1 https://pdfslide.net/documents/physical-security-and-force-protection-government-comdtinst-m5530l-c-b.html?page=1

Government...COMDTINST M5530.l C

b. Internal Use Only. This manual is not intended to create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, -

PDFSLIDE.NET

COAST GUARD MEDICAL MANUAL,

COMDTINST M6000.1F (defense.gov)

33 U.S. Coast Guard Security Center (Page 12 of PWS)

Could we get clarification on what it takes to get “positive adjudication from U.S. Coast Guard Security Center completing the national cooperation for laboratory accreditation (NACLA).”

The required documents that are needed for a Contractor – T1 for adjudication are as follows:

SF85

Signature page (Certification and Release forms) Contractor Coversheet

OF306

Fingerprints – newer than 120 days Proof of Citizenship if born abroad

34 For Clarification from Pre- Proposal conference = Key personnel.

Did we hear correctly on the call, did you want to have up to 3 Key personnel resumes or will the PM and APM resumes suffice?

In accordance with the RFP Staffing Approach (Written) resumes are required for the two key personnel.

35 Oral reviews Will all teams that submit proposals have an opportunity to submit oral reviews or will the written proposals first be evaluated before moving on to the oral reviews?

See answer to question number 4.

36 Pre-Proposal conference –

FTE

~ You mentioned that there are some regions that do not currently have certain labor categories Can the government provide the number of each labor category for each position at each region?

The anticipated start date is June 1, 2023, the current level of effort may not reflect the need for the new contract.

37 Attachment 1 (all)

Can the Gov't provide a list of current vacancies by location?

The anticipated start date is June 1, 2023, the current vacancies may not be applicable for the new contract.

38 Attachment 1 (all)

Can the Gov't provide an accounting of length of service for healthcare providers or workers in each staffed position?

The Government does not have this information.

https://pdfslide.net/documents/physical-security-and-force-protection-government-comdtinst-m5530l-c-b.html?page=1 https://pdfslide.net/documents/physical-security-and-force-protection-government-comdtinst-m5530l-c-b.html?page=1 https://pdfslide.net/documents/physical-security-and-force-protection-government-comdtinst-m5530l-c-b.html?page=1 https://pdfslide.net/documents/physical-security-and-force-protection-government-comdtinst-m5530l-c-b.html?page=1 https://pdfslide.net/documents/physical-security-and-force-protection-government-comdtinst-m5530l-c-b.html?page=1 https://media.defense.gov/2022/Sep/14/2003076969/-1/-1/0/CIM_6000_1F.PDF https://media.defense.gov/2022/Sep/14/2003076969/-1/-1/0/CIM_6000_1F.PDF

39 SF 1449 pg 62 Addendum to 52.212.1

How will the Gov't evaluate bidders per the 3 geographic pools?

See RFP FAR 52.212-2 page 73

40 Attachment 3 PWS, 2.2.e.

Can the Gov't please clarify if there are 10 or 11 federal holidays? Of will this be determined by the respective location WD?

In accordance with PWS, there are 11 federal holidays. See Amendment 000001 PWS.

41 Attachment 3 PWS 2.3.d.

Please provide more definition or value of a discount applicable for a temporary vacancy due to prolonged absence

See RFP Continuation of SF1449

– Block 18b/Invoices Procedures

(g) for more definition of discount applicable for a temporary vacancy due to prolonged absence.

42 Attachment 3 PWS 2.4.2.c.

Section defines services provided as personal. This conflicts with FAR Clause 52.237-7 on page 28 of the

RFP.

Please clarify if services provided are person or non-personal. If both, please state which positions are personal and which are non-personal?

Per the RFP and PWS, the services are defined as personal and non-personal.

Paramedic and EMT are the only labor categories that are non-personal.

43 Attachment 3 PWS 4.0.a.

Will orientation be conducted during normally scheduled working hours and be considered billable hours?

Yes, orientation takes place during working hours and considered billable

44 Past Performance

– RFP and Pre-proposal

If we have up to 4 subcontractors on a team AND you stated “each” team member may present up to 3 past performances for “each” team partner, (sub) that means with the Prime you will potentially receive up to 15 past performance references.

Is this correct?

See answer to question 21.

45 Pre-proposal Conference -

OCONUS

During the conference “OCONUS” work was mentioned along with CONUS and Territories. However, nowhere within the attachments or on the RFP or any other document do you list OCONUS areas, did the government mean to say CONUS and the territories only?

Can the government please provide areas for OCONUS regions?

See answer to question 15.

46 Pre-proposal conference

I understand that a link was going to be provided so that what was discussed could be review. Do you know when that will be released?

There will be no link provided for the pre-proposal conference.

47 Pre-proposal conference

In regards to the pre-conference call hosted this morning, will the

The attendance list will not be published.

attendance list be published for review?

48 RFP page 11 “i. Wage Determination Positions - The Contractor SHALL NOT ESCALATE LABOR RATES for the Service Contract Act positions in the out years. At each ordering period, an updated wage determination(s) will be incorporated into the contract, at which time the contractor may request a wage adjustment in accordance with FAR 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act -- Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts).”

Question: In order to hire and retain healthcare personnel, proposed labor wage rates will, in all probability, exceed the Wage Determination minimum labor rates.

When the proposed labor wage rates exceed the WD labor wage rate, is it acceptable to escalate the wage rates and not escalate the Health and Welfare rates?

See Amendment 000001 for revisions.

49 Page 74;

Reference

FACTOR 2:

Past Performance (Written)

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) Medical Q-Services (MQS) contract is a large multiple award, task order ID/IQ contract providing multidiscipline healthcare staffing nationwide. DHA does not provide past performance information at the ID/IQ contract level because contractor performance is reported at the task order level. CPARs are issued at the task order level.

Individual task orders are usually at one location. With multiple task orders, the MQS ID/IQ contract provides a strong record for relevant experience based on size, scope and complexity with nationwide and regional coverage.

Question: How can the offeror have the MQS contract evaluated for relevancy? If a relevant MQS task order information is provided that includes facts from the overall MQS

See the answer to question 19.

contract performance will the Government consider the overall MQS contract for relevancy?

50 Reference:

Page 66;

Staffing Approach (Written)

“The PM/APM shall have at a minimum a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Healthcare Management, Health Services Administration, Healthcare Resource Management or other area that demonstrates the ability to fulfill the requirements of the Contract.

The PM/APM resume shall demonstrate a minimum of five (5) years’ experience within the last 10 years managing multi-disciplinary healthcare staffing, multi-site healthcare services.”

These two requirements severely limit the number of potential candidates for PM/APM.

Question: Will the Government consider and revise the Bachelor’s Degree requirements to “preferred”.

“It is preferred that the PM/APM have a Bachelor’s Degree in….”?

For experience, please consider and revise the experience requirements to add “or healthcare organizations.”

These are the Government’s minimum requirements.

51 Reference:

Page 71;

Factor 3 Price: Volume

This section requires a “narrative for professional compensation” and “The offeror shall address FAR Provision 52.222-46 -- Evaluation of Compensation for Professional Employees (Feb 1993).”

This requires the salary rates and total compensation for each professional employee at each location for the base and all option periods.

Question: Is the offeror to provide a total compensation plan for each professional at each location? If so, what format should this be provided? If not, how does the

Yes, the offeror is to provide a total compensation plan for each professional at each location.

The Government does not have a preference for the format.

The total compensation plan is only required for the professional employees in accordance with

FAR 52.222-46.

Government want this information provided?

At each location, 14 of the 37 positions (including, registered nurses, CMAs, laboratory technicians, etc.) are covered by the Service Contract Act (SCA) and do not meet the definition for “Professional”.

Question: Since the “pricing proposal submissions will be evaluated to determine whether the labor rates are reasonable” how will the non-professional, SCA-covered employees’ labor rates be evaluated? Should a total compensation plan be provided for each SCA covered position to include the labor rate and total compensation?

52 RFP For the first part of Oral Presentations, will the Government consider eliminating the page limit, but keeping the time limit at 60 minutes?

The page limitation will remain the same.

53 RFP We respectfully request an extension to the October 24th due date for solicitation 70Z02322R11120001 due to the impact of Hurricane Ian to our team.

No extension will be provided with this amendment.

54 Reference:

RFP Page 66

“Joint Ventures (JVs) are required to be approved in writing by the Small Business Administration (SBA) prior to award (verification by the SBA that they have received your JV submission is required to be submitted with your proposal.)”

The SBA no longer approves JVs.

“SBA no longer approves joint venture agreements formed to pursue competitive 8(a) contracts.”

See Amendment 000001 for changes.