Attachment 4 - Solicitation 75N99C26Q00001 Questions and Answers.pdf

Solicitation 75N99C26Q00001 Questions and Answers

1. Question: Can we extend the due date by at least 4 weeks to properly bid out the materials?

1. Answer: The response date has changed from 02/20/2026 to 2/25/2026.

2. Question: Can you clarify what MSDS are needed to be provided?

2. Answer: The MSDS is outline with the Attachment 3 – Full Specifications of MPW Boxes with Bags.

3. Question: Since the boxes, bags, zip ties and bundles are property of NIH, can we pick up a sample bundle of materials and pay for it? Previously, we were told the current bundles were not meeting the required standards by a manufacturer.

3. Answer: See the Attachment 3 – Full Specifications of MPW Boxes with Bags that provides a full outline of the requirement.

4. Question: Can you supply the actual print plate used for these boxes instead of drawings? This should NOT be proprietary information if the bid is asking for the exact box to be replicated as it was created for NIH to use. The drawings provided and not perfectly clear, symmetrical or standard with measurements of decals, words, logos, etc.

4. Answer: See Attachment 3 - Full Specifications of MPW Boxes with Bags that provides a full outline of the requirement.

5. Question: Will delivery be done by tractor trailer? I see there are two different volumes being delivered.

5. Answer: The Supply Center will accept deliveries via tractor trailer, box truck or any other appropriate vehicle used to transport these shipments.

6. Question: Who is unloading the pallets of materials once on site?

6. Answer: The preference would be for the delivery driver to offload materials from their vehicle. We can provide a forklift and/or forklift driver if the shipments arrive via tractor trailer, but any shipments arriving via box truck will need to be offloaded by the driver to avoid damage.

7. Question: Can we pick up empty pallets that were used previously from shipments? Is there room to store empty pallets for us to pick up at the next delivery?

7. Answer: There are no empty pallets available for pick-up. There is no available room to store empty pallets for pick-up on the next delivery.

8. Question: Will you provide us with the barcode you wish to use or is the barcode on the pallet internal to the supplying company?

8. Answer: No. We will not provide “the barcode”, as it is associated with the (internal to NIH) product stock number (811500L040680), and can be generated via any free barcode generating website.

9. Question: Is there a specific document we need to submit with pricing or just an email sent with the cost per bundle?

9. Answer: Submit your proposal in accordance with the solicitation requirements, and to include any/all supporting documentation.

10. Question: Please confirm how many bundles are on each pallet.

10. Answer: Previously, each delivered pallet contained 40 bundles/packages.

11. Question: Please confirm if any other documents besides price per bundle need to be submitted with this bid. The previous bid had a long list of documents needed.

11. Answer: Submit your proposal in accordance with the solicitation requirements, and to include any/all supporting documentation as you see fit.

12. Question: Please confirm how the bundles should be held together?

12. Answer: Complete bundles/packages should be banded together in a way that maintains the integrity of the bundle/package.

13. Question: Please confirm how the pallet should be held together?

13. Answer: Complete bundles can be shrink-wrapped to prevent shifting during transport.

14. Question: Are there any current challenges with these materials or services that we can address in our response?

14. Answer: No, there are no current challenges with these materials or services that can be addressed.

15. Question: Can we schedule a tour of the facility and see a delivery?

15. Answer: There is no scheduled tour of the facility.

16. Question: Can a trailer be left on site or is everything unloaded, and the trailer removed?

16. Answer: Any/all delivery vehicles must be removed from the property after the delivery is complete.

17. Question: When we previously bid this, there was concern about the transparency/fairness of this bid as we were the most cost-efficient provider. The feedback/responses we received were inconsistent with industry standards for the materials. I see items have changed on this bid, but I would still like a call to review. For example, we were penalized because we offered multiple corrugated boxes manufactures that had the ability to create this box. We believe redundancies provide value and should not be considered a weakness to ensure deliveries and services are met by our clients. Another example was our zip ties were not exactly 12 inches long.

This bid now states they need to be "approximately 12 inches long". I want to confirm how exact the requirements need to be so when I reach out to my vendors, I can explain in depth the accuracy needed. I can send you the full report if needed.

17. Answer: Any concerns and/or uncertainty about the previous solicitation and/or award should’ve been communicated at the time of solicitation. Please follow the specifications as reflected in the current solicitation, to include the required “tie” length and strength.

18. Question: Would it be acceptable to place the bundles in a fold-over box instead of shrink wrap, provided there are 40 bundles per pallet on a 48" x 42" 4-way pallet and the total height does not exceed 55" including the pallet?

18. Answer: Unsure about a fold-over box and cannot confirm suitability as a shipping/delivery option, but the solicitation references the components of each bundle to include the shrink wrap, so please adhere to the solicitation instructions for this requirement.

19. Question: Please confirm whether a UN marking or certification requirement applies to this procurement.

19. Answer: Yes, the UN marking and/or certification requirement does apply to this procurement/product.

20. Question: For the larger quantity, it lists delivery, “As needed.” Do you have an idea about how many deliveries and want quantities those deliveries usually are?

20. Answer: Deliveries of the MPW Boxes include 8 pallets (40 bundles per pallet for a total of 320 bundles). We have the warehouse space to accommodate the full quantity of each POP (i.e. Base quantity, option quantity 1), so the supplier should be prepared to ship the awarded quantity as requested.

21. Question: Part of the bid says that the zip ties need to be taped to the poly bag, but your bid says 12 zip ties and 10 bags per bundle. Where do you need the extra zip ties?

21. Answer: A zip tie doesn’t need to be taped to each individual poly bag, but the 12 zip ties must accompany each bundle. For example, you can band the 12 zip ties with a rubber band and tape that component to the poly bags.

22. Question: Can we keep them rubber banded in a count of 12 within each bundle?

22. Answer: Yes, you can keep the zip ties banded in a count of 12.