Responses - TMD QAs - RFP 75A50325R00010.pdf

Temperature Monitoring Devices - RFP 75A50325R00010 Questions and Answers

Number Section Question Government Response

1 L.1 For the technical proposal, what content counts toward the 20-page limit (e.g., forms, certifications, tables)?

Items such as a Title Page, Cover Letter, Table of Contents, Standard Form (SF) 1449, and items of that nature will not be included in the 20-page maximum technical proposal. Information need not be repeated.

It is suggested to tailor information to best represent the technical capabilities of the requirement in the allotted pages.

2 SF1449

Completion of Standard Form 1449: The solicitation references submitting a signed Standard Form 1449 with Volume II. Our understanding is that our authorized signatory would complete boxes 17a, 23, 24, 30a, 30b, and 30c. Section B also references “Unit Price” and “Extended Price.”

a) Could you confirm whether these fields (and any others) should be completed?

b) For submission, do you prefer the entire 41-page document provided in SAM, or only the pages containing the completed sections?

On the SF1449, complete blocks 17a, 30 a, b, and c. It is not necessary to complete blocks 23 and 24, nor Section B as this information is captured on Attach 4. It is only necessary to submit page 1 of the SF 1449. The signature in block 30 is comprehensive and signifies agreement with the remaining pages.

Attach 1 is for Representations and Certifications.

Attach 2, Tab 1 is for Technical information (NO PRICING).

Attach 3, Tab 2 is for Past Performance information (NO PRICING).

Attach 4 is for Business/Pricing information.

3 C.4

Single-use vs. multi-use devices: Section C.4 states that devices should be available in “single-use or multi-use formats."

A particular reusable device is available, however, invoicing typically occurs upon delivery and includes fees for the device’s initial use. Considering a device could be discarded after a single use or reused multiple times, should additional fees for replacement devices within the same performance period be handled through a contract modification, or through another mechanism?

Vendors should submit a total cost per device as a single or multi-use device. Vendor may submit pricing for both configurations and the government may choose to purchase a mix of devices. Contract is not structured for an additional recurring fee. Replacement devices, if any, will be handled thru a separate mechanism. Information on the cost structure for a replacement program can be included as part of the proposal but will not be considered for the evaluation.

4 C.4

Pre-programmed specifications: Section C.4 states that “Device shall be pre-programmed to agency specifications prior to shipment.”

Could you provide additional details on the specific pre-programmed settings the government expects?

The Government has standard operating procedures establishing the setup for measurement of certain parameters (temp. range for alarm, reporting intervals, startup delay, etc.). Exact settings will be provided after award.

5 C.10

Delivery schedule and allocation: The solicitation indicates that devices will be allocated across eight different locations, with a preference to stagger deliveries to manage expiration dates. If the vendor has sufficient inventory to deliver all 7,300 devices (per Section C.10, Table 1), but can also stagger deliveries at the government’s discretion, is there a preferred delivery schedule or allocation approach?

The Government has requested staggered quarterly deliveries. Each facility will receive an allocated total per Section C.10, Table 1. Any changes will be coordinated with vendor prior to delivery windows.

6 C.10

Please confirm the batch size per quarterly delivery. For example, in Table 1, Atlanta is slated to receive 600 Category 1 and 300 Category 2 units across 4 quarters. Should this be interpreted as 150 Category 1 and 75 Category 2 per quarter at each location?

Yes, Category 2 has one (1) site with 100ea per quarter

7 C.4 Can you clarify the rationale for the 30-minute delayed start requirement, so we may better understand the need?

The delay allows for the preconditioning of insulated shippers.

8 C.3 Do you require a physical display on the device, or is access via smartphone, tablet, or computer sufficient?

It is not a requirement, however, it is not an exclusionary factor either.

9 C.4 Do you require light sensors in addition to the specified features?

It would be beneficial to the Government, but is not a requirement.

10 C.4 What is the required frequency of location updates (ping rate) for real-time tracking?

At a minimum, data collection intervals shall be 15 mins for at least 150 days.

11 C.3 Are installation services expected, or is delivery of configured/calibrated devices sufficient?

Delivery is sufficient.

12 C.3

Should the vendor also provide monitoring services (e.g., alert response if a device goes down), or is monitoring solely the Government’s responsibility with the vendor providing only platform access?

Monitoring is soley the Government's responsibility. However, device/monitoring platform automated alerts are beneficial to the Government.

13 C.3 How many mobile vehicles are expected to carry vaccines and require monitoring?

That will depend on the nature of SNS mission requirements.

14 C.10 Will Category 1 devices remain at the SNS warehouse locations in Table 1, or be shipped onward to other sites for storage?

Reallocation of devices among SNS faciltities will be at the discretion of the Government.

15 C.2 What level of technical support is required (e.g., help desk hours, escalation procedures, on-site support, 24/7 support)?

At a minimum, technical support should be available during business hours. Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM ET. As part of C.7 Special Considerations, contractor must provide information on scalability for emergency demands to include technical support.

16 C.4 Do you expect Category 2 devices to be used strictly for in-transit monitoring, or also for storage monitoring at SNS warehouses or fixed sites?

All devices are intended strictly for in-transit monitoring.

17 C.10 Should the first delivery within 30 days of award cover all eight locations in Table 1, or only select sites?

All locations shall receive their first allocation of devices within 30 days; e.g. 150ea Category 1 every site & 75ea for 7 sites and 100ea for 1 site of Category 2.

18 C.4 If devices are primarily used in transit, should Category 1 units also include GPS/location tracking, or is this required only for Category 2?

It is a requirement for Category 2. However, it would be beneficial for the Government to also have this capability under Category 1, but is not required.

19 C.4 Can lithium batteries be used in Category 1 devices?

Battery technology is not specified in the requirements. Non-lithium battery chemistries are more beneficial to the Government.

20 C.4 Does the government require real-time alarm notifications delivered by email, SMS, voice call, and in-app while vaccines are in route?

Real-time alarm notifications are beneficial to the Government and considered part of requirements as listed in C.3. Data Access and Remote Reporting.

21 C.4 Do you require alarm escalation to multiple users in real-time? It would be beneficial to the Government, but it is not a requirement.

22 C.4 Would it be helpful to have a cloud dashboard where national, regional, and site users can see live temperature and GPS for their shipments?

As per C.3 Data Access and Remote Reporting, the Government's requirement is for a "platform" that can provide the required data.

Platform specifics are left up to the vendor's proposed solution.

23 C.4 Should each distribution center be able to auto-generate batch reports (daily/weekly/monthly) for all inbound/outbound shipments?

Reporting will be handled by the authorized users to the provided platform.

24 C.4 Would it be helpful for the government to have route-aware/geofenced alerts (route deviation, early/late arrival)?

It would be beneficial to the Government, but it is not a requirement.

Attach 2, Tab

TAA and BAA compliance: In Attach 2, Tab 1, the solicitation asks: “Are your products Trade Agreement Act (TAA) and Buy American Act (BAA) compliant?”

Could you confirm whether it will be a requirement for the contract awardee to be compliant with both the TAA and BAA, or if compliance with only one of these acts would be sufficient?

Yes, a contract awardee must be compliant with both the Trade Agreement Act (TAA) and Buy American Act (BAA).

TMD Q&As