Responses to RFP 75A50224R00011 Questions_06102024_final.pdf

Medical Surgical Supplies and Equipment RFP No. 75A50224R00011

Attachment 4 Questions and Answers Template

Question Document Page No. Section Paragraph Response

1. Example: What does NSSE stand for? Attachment 1, SOW 1 Objective 1

2. Attachment 2 of the solicitation notes that the quantities included within the overarching item list represent a cross section of the projected medical surgical consumables. Will ASPR consider releasing an updated attachment with projected quantities included? This information is necessary to meet the solicitation’s pricing requirements, including but not limited to proposing a Total Ceiling Price for the entire five-year period of performance and a Total Price for each year of the contract.

Attachment 2 Overarching Item

List Medical Surgical Supplies

Instructions Tab Line 5

No - The requirements are flexible and dependent on the number of caches required to maintain which fluctuates, the number of products expiring and needing replacement, and the number of deployments of the caches based on emergency response and training missions. Also, the government has no way to anticipate the needs of the field during response.

3. The agency notes that product substitutions are allowable if ASPR first provides approval. Will substitute/product equivalents count toward meeting the 80% product availability requirement included on page 35?

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35 Ordering Service 4 Yes

4. Is there a standard list of items that must be included in "Attachment 3 - IDIQ ORM Pricing Schedule?" If not, how many

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30 IDIQ ORM Pricing Schedule

For evaluation purposes, the Government requests cost/pricing information for the sample of 50 items on items is the offeror required to include in Attachment 3 and are there any limitations for the items that can be included (e.g., must the items come from the list of items in Attachment 2)? Without a standard list of items, how will the Government compare competitors’ pricing for evaluation purposes?

Attachment 3. Which will be provided in Amendment 1 of the RFP.

5. Article G.3.A outlines task order procedures and elements of

RTOPs. Attachment I, Statement of Work, pg. 33, indicates that a contract with the agency would allow for an online one-stop shop system with immediate shipping upon purchase. Will every purchase order be issued through a task order, or will the agency utilize online ordering?

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4 Article G.3. Task Order Procedures

1 The agency will utilize online ordering to build carts;

however, the contractor shall not process the order without a Task Order as this authorizes the funding allocated to the online order.

6. Would the Government consider removing the Alternate 1 version of FAR 52.243-1 Changes-Fixed Price (Aug 1987) from the solicitation? The Alternate I version of the clause does not appear to be applicable as it applies when the requirement is for services and no supplies are to be furnished.

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14 Section 1- Contract Clauses

Yes, the Government concurs with removal of the Alternate I version of FAR 52.243-1, Changes-Fixed- Price. The RFP will be revised to reflect this change.

7. Would the Government consider removing HHSAR 352.237-74 Non-

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14 Section 1- Contract Clauses

Yes, the Government concurs with removal of

Discrimination in Service Delivery (Dec 2015) from the solicitation?

This clause does not appear to be applicable as the contractor will be not delivering services directly to the public under an HHS program.

HHSAR 352.237-74, Non- Discrimination in Service Delivery. The RFP will be revised to reflect this change.

8. The Government has noted that offerors must have the ability to source at least 80% of the medical supply needs, with subcontracted capabilities to cover the remainder. Many items under Attachment 2 Overarching Item List medical surgical supplies would not fall under the definition of medical supplies.

Does the 80% only apply to items defined as medical supplies?

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29 Technical Proposal- Part

2 All items on Attachment 2 relate to either direct medical/surgical supplies or those that provide wrap around/support to the deployable medical capability. The government will assess offers based on the ability to support as many of the items listed on Attachment 2 however it is understood that many items are not medical/surgical.

9. The SOW requires contractors to directly manage multiple medical distribution centers located across the United States (CONUS and OCONUS) and its territories.

Is it acceptable for a contractor to use CONUS facilities to meet the OCONUS distribution and shipping requirements?

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33 Statement of Work:

Nationwide Outsourcing

Service

4 Yes, however the contractor will be required to meet specified delivery timelines and explain how they will be met during emergencies in the delivery location.

10. What are the specific manufacturer requirements where substitutions are not appropriate due to equipment already managed by ASPR?

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34 Statement of Work:

Product Availability and

Quality Service

6 We have a small number of specialty products that are manufacturer specific but too long to list here.

11. Where should the offeror provide and price labor categories that are relevant to the SOW? Can you clarify the purpose of this requirement? Is this related to the key personnel requirements?

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31 Section M: Price/Cost 9 Section M: Price/Cost will be revised to remove subfactor b., Labor Categories. The RFP will be revised to reflect this change.

12. Other than activating the contract, are there other tasks the key personnel are expected to perform?

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34 Statement of Work:

Customer Service

4 Provide 24/7 customer service to the government and provide training as required by the contract

13. Should pricing for establishing and providing access to an electronic warehouse management system (WMS) be:

(i) included as a separate line item in the IDIQ proposal, (ii) priced in a task order, or (iii) priced into the proposed products?

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33, 35-36 Statement of Work:

Scope & Warehouse Management System

(WMS)

Various Pricing associated with this requirement should be included as a separate line item.

14. Will the Government accept a WMS solution that does not provide direct access to the system, but instead provides the required system outputs (e.g., SKU/QR code information, product lifecycle data and locations, etc.)?

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33, 35-36 Statement of Work:

Scope & Warehouse Management System

(WMS)

Various The Government’s need is detailed in the RFP, and offerors will be assessed on the ability to support the full scope of work.

15. In lieu of a WMS solution, will the Government accept an electronic ordering system that provides electronic reporting, product attributes, the ability to manage orders and search for products, and the ability to view invoices and make payments?

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33, 35-36 Statement of Work:

Scope & Warehouse Management System

(WMS)

Various The Government’s need is detailed in the RFP, and offerors will be assessed on the ability to support the full scope of work.

16. Given the unique solicitation requirements (e.g., warehouse management, vendor managed inventory, training, 24/7 customer service, etc.) not present in Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) and Government Services Administration (GSA) schedule contracts, can the government remove the requirement to offer the same or better pricing than GSA/FSS pricing when available?

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35 Statement of Work:

Product Availability and

Quality Service

2 The Government’s need is detailed in the RFP, and offerors will be assessed on the ability to support the full scope of work.

17. As this is a solicitation for commercial products and services, will the Government allow changes to the Article H.10 Harmless and Indemnification Agreement provision to more closely align with the offeror’s commercial practices?

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12 Article H.10 Harmless and Indemnification

Agreement

1 No, Article H.10, Harmless and Indemnification Agreement provision will remain as stated in the RFP.

18. In lieu of providing direct access to the contractor’s systems, will the government allow a contractor to share all relevant data related to the contract in a report-based format?

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11 Article H.7. Access to Documentation/Data

7 Yes, the Government will allow an offeror to share all relevant data related to the contract in a report-based format.

19. If the government has determined that FAR 52.222-50, Alternate I applies, can it please provide the directives and/or notices that are applicable to contractor employees and the contract place(s) of performance the directives/notices apply to?

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18 FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions

Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial

Products and Commercial Services

10 The Government has determined that FAR 52.222-50, Alternate I does not apply and will be removed. The RFP will be revised to reflect this change.

20. The solicitation requires the contractor to provide product with the longest possible expiration dates at the time of shipping. An offeror may comply with this requirement, but each offeror’s longest possible expiration date may differ. Would the government consider revising this requirement so offerors can explain their approach to expiration dates and clearly state what expiration dates they will provide?

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34 Statement of Work:

Product Availability and

Quality Service

7 The government will not revise this requirement;

however, offerors may provide this additional information in their proposal.

21. In lieu of providing one price for the base and all option years, would the government allow for prospective vendors to provide separate product pricing in Attachment 3 for the base and each option period?

29 Business/Price Proposal

– Part II

1 Offerors can provide separate product pricing in Attachment 3 for the base and each option year.

However, offerors are still required to provide a total price for the base year and each option year, and a total ceiling price for the entire five-year period of performance.

22. The solicitation requires that all deliverables shall be marked with the contract number and Contractor name. Would the Government consider removing this requirement for items shipped directly from the manufacturer?

2 Section D- Packaging, Marking and Shipping

4 Yes, however the contractor should notify the government when these instances exist and provide all available delivery information. The RFP will be revised to reflect this change.

23. Can the government define “Vendor Managed Inventory” and provide guidance on VMI volume, product categories, and/or frequency of rotation?

35 Statement of Work:

Product Availability and Quality Service

5 Vendor Managed Inventory represents inventory the contractor would have on the shelf that HHS/ASPR has paid for but is stored and managed by the contractor and is available when HHS/ASPR needs it to be shipped.

VMI can vary, and the government has no direct intent to utilize this clause immediately. As such, the government is unable to provide this information.

24. Are the WMS requirements related to the option for vendor managed inventory? If so, are the WMS requirements optional tasks that will be exercised at the Government’s discretion?

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33, 35-36 Statement of Work:

Scope & Warehouse

Management System

(WMS)

Various The WMS is not related to VMI and can be tracked outside of a WMS. The offeror should explain how the tracking of VMI will be accomplished.

25. Should pricing for the option for vendor managed inventory (VMI) be: (i) included as a separate line item in the IDIQ proposal or (ii) priced in a task order. Given this is an optional task it does not appear that pricing the VMI requirements into the proposed products is a viable option.

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35 Statement of Work:

Product Availability and Quality Service

5 Pricing associated with this requirement should be included as a separate line item.

26. Can pricing for expedited shipping be included as a separate line item?

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36-38 Statement of Work:

Delivery Service

Various Pricing associated with this requirement should be included as a separate line item.

27. Can pricing for weekend delivery be included as a separate line item?

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36-38 Statement of Work:

Delivery Service

Various Pricing associated with this requirement should be included as a separate line item.

28. Are there different delivery requirements for CONUS and OCONUS deliveries (e.g., can OCONUS shipments be delivered outside of the 24 hour delivery window)?

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36-38 Statement of Work:

Delivery Service

Various Delivery timelines are not modified based on delivery location. If delivery timelines are challenged for distant OCONUS locations (e.g., Guam, Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands (CNMI), offerors should provide the best available options in their proposal.

29. Are you looking for one manufacturer/distributor to be able to supply all items or will partial shipment be awarded?

One awardee will be identified for this contract.

30. Will you only pay invoices monthly?

Attachment 1, SOW

6 Invoice Submission PT. i Invoices will be paid within 30 days of submission

31. Will there be any penalty if delivery is not made on time?

Yes. The Government’s need is detailed in the RFP, and offerors will be assessed on the ability to support the full scope of work.

Inability to support the full scope of work may be reflected in the offerors performance assessment or result in a breach of contractual requirements.

32. Can I have the definition of Contractor?

Attachment 1, SOW

Organization that enters into a contract with the government to provide supplies or services, labor and/or materials to perform a specific job.

33. Small distributors would not be able to adhere to barcoding online order processes that are required. Do you expect everyone that response to be able to fulfill all requirements listed in the SOW?

The government’s need is detailed in the RFP and offerors will be assessed on the ability to support the full scope of work.

34. Can we decline an order if we cannot meet the required deadline?

Orders should never be declined if the offeror cannot meet the required deadline. The Government’s need is detailed in the RFP, and offerors will be assessed on the ability to support the full scope of work.

Inability to support the full scope of work may be reflected in the offerors performance assessment or result in a breach of contractual requirements.

35. Where do we list shipping fees Outside of the US?

Pricing associated with this requirement should be included as a separate line item.

36. Will you accept shipments to DC’s instead of to overseas areas?

Please specify what distribution centers (DC’s) you are referencing? Are you referring to OCONUS DC’s?

37. Do you have an estimated quantity usage that can be provided?

See response to question number 2.

38. Several of the items on the Medical Supplies excel sheet are not TAA compliant and PPE. While this solicitation is looking for capacity to store and deliver, it does contemplate eventually purchasing the Medical Supplies items in the event of an emergency. How does HHS/ASPR intend to comply with the Make PPE in America Act when these items are required for an emergency? Will there be subsequent solicitations for US manufactured PPE like face masks?

Overarching Item List

FAR 52.225-5 RFP

Make PPE in America Act

Entire p.20

List of items

52.212-5 (b)

List of items

(b) of 52.212-5

The formulary is a living document and can change due to manufacturing changes, alterations to the cache, federal legislation, and other factors. As product changes occur, the government will work with the awardee to meet any new product needs at that time.

In the case of an emergency, the Government will implement the waiver process to comply with the Make PPE in America Act.

We have no information on subsequent solicitations for

PPE.

39. Is this a small business set aside given that the NAICS is 423450?

Attachment 1, RFP/SOW

1 Brief Description of Supplies or Services

Article B.1 No, this is not a small business set aside.

40. Is this requirement funded?

Per the RFP, Article B.3.

Prices, paragraph d., “No funds are obligated on the based IDIQ contract. Funds will be obligated on each task order.”

41. If this requirement is funded, how much funding is available for 5 years?

See response to question number 40.

42. Does the government anticipate making multiple awards for this contract?

Per the RFP, Article B.3.

Prices, paragraph a., this will be a Single Award IDIQ contract.

43. Does HHS consider is to be a conflict of interest if an offeror is a manufacturer and submitting to this requirement? Cardinal, McKesson, Medline, and Owens & Minor are all manufacturers.

No

44. If the requested product is not available or is non-TAA, will you accept an alternate or TAA compliant product with the same form, fit and function?

Attachment 1, SOW

19-20

FAR 52.212-5 The government’s need is detailed in the RFP, and offerors will be assessed on the ability to support the full scope of work. The RFP describes the process should product substitution occur.

45. Will offerors be required to provide COO item information to confirm a TAA compliant product is being quoted?

Attachment 1, SOW

19-20

FAR 52.212-5 The offeror should notify the Government when these instances occur.

46. Could you please verify there is no small business set-aside requirements?

https://sam.gov/a pi/prod/opps/v3/ opportunities/res ources/files/58c6 ef67bd02498591 dba3ea45ae0dbd /download?&toke n=6b14ee32-c0e4-49a8-82d8-

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15 FAR 52.212-5 CONTRACT

TERMS AND

CONDITIONS REQUIRED

TO IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR

EXECUTIVE ORDERS –

COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES

(FEB 2024)

1 This is not a small business set aside. However, large businesses are required to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan, in accordance with FAR 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan (SEP 2023).

47. Could you please verify there is no small business subcontracting goals that must be met?

https://sam.gov/a pi/prod/opps/v3/ opportunities/res ources/files/58c6 ef67bd02498591 dba3ea45ae0dbd /download?&toke n=6b14ee32-c0e4-49a8-82d8-

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15 FAR 52.212-5 CONTRACT

TERMS AND

CONDITIONS REQUIRED

TO IMPLEMENT

STATUTES OR

EXECUTIVE ORDERS –

COMMERCIAL

PRODUCTS AND

COMMERCIAL SERVICES

(FEB 2024)

Large businesses are required to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan, in accordance with FAR 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan (SEP 2023).

48. For OCONUS will the medical air bridge be providing distribution support?

N/A N/A N/A N/A Unknown at this time as this is dependent on a variety of factors associated with the emergency response.

49. Could you please confirm whether or not the pricing is fixed for the contract term, or if there are opportunities for annual renewals as needed up to the ceiling amount quoted?

https://sam.gov/a pi/prod/opps/v3/ opportunities/res ources/files/58c6 ef67bd02498591 dba3ea45ae0dbd /download?&toke n=6b14ee32-c0e4-49a8-82d8-

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30 Business/Price Proposal Part II

2 The pricing is fixed for the contract term. The offeror’s proposed pricing in Attachment 3 will be incorporated into the contract as the established FFP IDIQ Pricing Schedule.

50. I was advised to ask if there is a specific template for this solicitation, and if so, how do I obtain it?

There is no specific template for this solicitation.