Responses to Questions.pdf

Department of Education, Office of Federal Student Aid Document Destruction Services

RFQ# 91003123R0004

Responses to Questions

Q1. Who is the Current Incumbent?

A1. The services as requested under 91003123R0004 are not the same as the current services being provided so there is no incumbent for the same services. Currently, similar services are being provided by Safeguard Privacy Protections Services, Inc.

Q2. When does the current contract end?

A2. The current purchase order to provide similar services expires April 28, 2023.

Q3. Is this a new requirement?

A3. Yes, FSA currently has shredding services. However, the scope of the services has been reduced under 91003123R0004.

Q4. Are any Bridge Contracts in place that extend the current contract?

A4. This question is not clear to FSA. However, there are no bridge contracts associated with this requirement.

Q5. What are the last contract award number and total award amount?

A5. The last award for similar services was a six-month purchase order valued at $23,000. For additional information, vendors can submit a Freedom of Information Act request.

Q6. Is there a loading dock or area the truck needs to park to perform the services at all locations?

A6. Yes, there is a loading dock or a truck parking area at all locations Q7. The time between the questions period, bid due date and start date creates an unreasonable solicitation response time. Will the agency consider extending the offer due date for a questions period and review of answers?

A7. The deadline for proposal submission is not changed.

Q8. Will badging be required?

A8. No Q9. Are you using USAccess, e-Quip, or another system for badging?

A9. Not applicable Q10. The badges can take from 14 to 30+ days to process, will you allow our employees to work during the processing period or will you provide an escort?

A10. FSA will provide escort.

Q11 What site or contract specific training do you require and will you provide the training platform?

A11. Not applicable Q12. Can you please provide the evaluation criteria and the FAR that this award will be based on?

A12. The evaluation criteria are listed in the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation after the list of the office locations. The three evaluation factors are technical approach, past performance and price. FAR part 12 is applicable to this combined synopsis/solicitation.

Q13. There is ambiguous language in the solicitation that contradicts each other, the place of performance states “off-site destruction” and then references “mobile shred platform”. If the contractor can meet the requirements of 5/8 pierce and tear on a mobile platform as identified in the work requirement paragraph 2, will onsite destruction quotes be technically acceptable?

Department of Education, Office of Federal Student Aid Document Destruction Services

RFQ# 91003123R0004

A13. Yes, as long as the contractor can meet specified requirements, onsite destruction via a mobile shred platform will be acceptable.

Q14. Can you provide the methodology behind the need for the offsite shredding requirement?

A14. The government determined that offsite shredding was appropriate for this requirement.

Q15. For On-Site or Off-Site destruction will the contractor be required to come inside the facility locations?

A15. Yes, the contractor will be required to come inside to access the bins.

Q16. Will a 1449 be provided to submit with the bid from vendors?

A16. No, a 1449 along with the contract terms and conditions will be sent to the apparent successful offeror for signature prior to award.

Q17. Purge Services: Will a line item be added for each location to price these services?

A17. No, vendors will provide a flat price for a purge service regardless of location. Purge services must be approved and completed prior to being invoiced. See Revised Attachment II to provide pricing for Purge/Overflow Services.

Q18. Can you provide the historic count of how many purge services were requested per year at each location?

A18. Yes, purge services have varied, FSA has had as many as 2 and some years we have had 0.

Q19. How many containers are utilized for the non-paper media of CDs, DVDs and tapes?

A.19. No containers are used. We place a cardboard box on top of the shred bin, it may be 1 box per location per year. These items are being phased out.

Q20. Can you address onsite (the most secure method of document destruction) and off-site (waste management process with minimal security). Would you allow the destruction process to be onsite?

A20. Yes, as long as the contractor can meet specified requirements, onsite destruction via a mobile shred platform will be acceptable.

Q21. Is this a multiple Award?

A21. No Q22.Can you please help us with the incumbent details with PO and total value of the current contract?

A22. See previous answers to Questions 1 and 5.

Q23. I have a question about solicitation 91003123R0004 for shredding 11 locations for the Office of Federal Student Aid shredding. I cannot find the frequency of service for the locations, could you please provide that?

A23. Shredding for the Region locations will be scheduled monthly. Shredding for Headquarters located at Washington DC will be done on a bi-weekly basis.

Q24. Can a company bid only on services needed within their local area only? (Note – this question is based upon one that was submitted. It was rewritten to remove the vendor information) A24. No, this requirement is for a single contractor to provide services to all locations.