RFP 75D30122R72236 Questions and Answers.docx

RFP # 75D30122R72236

“Biologic Specimen Repository and Inventory Management for the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) Projects”

Questions and Answers

Question 1: Do we need to include a small business subcontracting plan with the proposal (or only prior to award during negotiation phase)? (RFP: p. 65).

Answer 1: Yes, the offeror shall include the small business subcontracting plan with the proposal submission. The plan has to be approved the Small Business Administration prior to award.

Question 2: Are any units (freezers / tanks) coming from Fisher?

Answer 2: No, other than the GFE listed in the RFP, no supplies and equipment including the freezers and LN2 tanks will come from Fisher BioServices nor CDC. All supplies and equipment will need to be provided by the new contractor.

Question 3: Does the transition plan need to be priced and included in the budget? (RFP pp. 7-8, 63-64) Answer 3: Yes, the transition plan needs to be priced and included in the business proposal.

Question 4: In Section B (RFP: pp. 2-3)- Supplies Or Services And Prices/Costs, do the "Annual Supplies and Services" tables require both labor and materials to be mapped in these sections? Or, is it just all non-labor as labor will be demonstrated in the hourly rate/total hours tables (RFP: p.4)?

Answer 4: Each Table/CLIN in section B shall include the total value of the contract per the specific period of performance, which would include all costs, including labor and materials. Additionally, the labor break down will be demonstrated in the hourly rate/total hours tables.

Question 5: 6) On p. 70 of the RFP: "Cost/Price Price proposal shall be fully supported by detailed information to include all labor and materials that make up the cost/price. Specifically, the proposal shall include labor categories and associated hours and material mix and amounts broken down by task requirement area and linked to the statement of work," Does the sponsor have a set format they would like to see this presented?

Answer 5: No, there is no preferred format. The offeror may use any format they deem appropriate.

Question 6: Will any GFE (freezers) be transferred as part of the contract?

· If so, would it be possible to share the type of freezers (make model, upright vs chest), age, how many -80C and LN2 freezers for budgeting purposes/ Answer 6: No, other than the GFE listed in the RFP, no supplies and equipment including the freezers and LN2 tanks will come from Fisher BioServices nor CDC. All supplies and equipment will need to be provided by the new contractor.

Question 7: What type of tubes are being used for these aliquots (make , brand) Answer 7: Our preferred tubes are 2.0ml or 0.5ml Sarstedt screw cap micro tubes with o-rings suitable for the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen.

Question 8: For section 3.2.3. in regards to split storage, is this requirement for all phases of storage or just permanent storage. More specifically can samples be stored together temporarily upon physical receipt prior to data entry/placement into permanent storage?

Answer 8: No, to prevent possible permanent loss of the specimen, the sister aliquots from specimens should be separated/split during all phases of shipment, receipt and storage.

Question 9: For specimen that do require split storage, would this separation requirement also be applicable to shipment?

Answer 9: Yes, to prevent possible permanent loss of the specimen, the sister aliquots from specimens should be separated/split during all phases of shipment, receipt and storage.

Question 10: For transition planning, we are assuming the costs associated with planning, and the actual transfer itself (whether at a vial or freezer level) will samples transfer cost will be covered by the new contractor (and the new contractor will need to arrange the transportation). Is this assumption correct? Answer 10: The cost to transfer the specimens to the new contractor in 2022 is already included in the current contract with Fisher BioServices. All new contractors shall include the cost to plan, coordinate, receive, sort, inventory, and place into storage as part of their transition cost in 2022. All contractors shall price and include the optional Item #4002 transition cost for the 3 months at the end of the contract in 2027.