ATTACHMENT 4 - Questions and GOV Responses - 09-22-2022.xlsx
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- 6515--FY23 Requirement | PSAS Program Office | Pick-Up Walkers & Rollators | Posting of Amendment 0006
- Solicitation number
- 36C10G22R0025
About this file
This document package includes a solicitation and three attachments related to a federal contract opportunity issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the procurement of walkers and rollators. The solicitation seeks pricing proposals for three groups of mobility devices to be awarded as IDIQ contracts to a maximum of five awardees per group. Products must meet mandatory technical requirements pertaining to dimensions, weight limits, construction materials and finishes, braking mechanisms, seat widths, and accessory components such as leg or handle height extensions. Offerors must submit separate price schedules for each proposed product and pricing proposals will be evaluated based on technical merit, past performance, and price.
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Sheet1
| Solicitation No: | 36C10G22R0025 | |||
| Question # | Page | Paragraph | Question | Government Response |
| 1 | 13 of SF1449 | 3rd paragraph, States Awardees shall not challenge a local VAMC's choice to order/use one awardees' products over the other awardees. | Will there be more than one award in each group? | Yes, per the original solicitation (page 54) under "1.1 Basis of Award" it states "The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Strategic Acquisition Center is issuing this |
Request for Proposal (RFP) for establishing (up to five awards based on each Walker Group) multiple-award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts for Walkers (Pick-Up & Rollators) for In Home Use. The Government reserves the right to establish as many as five or fewer (per Walker Group) as determined appropriate based on the result of this competition."
| 2 | 13 of SF1449 | 4th paragraph, states no verbal orders can be placed. . | Will the purchasing agents be notified of this request/requirement? Approximately 30% of our VA orders are verbal. We do ask that any drop ship orders be send as a hardcopy (email or fax) but we do accept phone orders. | Orders placed via Government Purchase Card can be accepted/initiated verbally but need to be initiated or followed-up with ordering information per the original solicitation under "1.6.4 Ordering" where it states, "The contractor may accept payments for written orders made using the Government-wide commercial purchase card" (Page 13) and "At a minimum, order shall contain the following information: [and lists 7 requirements]" (Page 14). |
| 3 | 15 of SF1449 | 4th paragraph, states regular delivery shall be made within 5 days after receipt of delivery. | Over half of the 48 states are 3 or more days travel by the two most common ground shippers. Would you consider 7 days? | Language has been update to reflect change to 7 calendar days not business days |
| 4 | 16 of SF1449 | 3rd, states contractor shall notify VHA site point of contact by telephone or email, of all incoming deliveries | Please notify the purchasing agents to include email address. As a process of creating the shipping labels, our transit companies can send tracking at end of day. We would need emails on all purchase orders. | Added "Government Ordering Officials shall provide Point of Contact email addresses and telephone information with each order for Contractor communications" to the section. |
| 5 | 54 of SF1449 | 1st, 1.1 Basis of award, states for establishing up to 5 awards. | Is this a carry over from previous wording? | When you say "carry over from previous wording" I am assuming you mean from the previous award, in which the answer is Negative. |
| 6 | 27 of SF1449 | (44) 52,225-1 | States- FAR 52-225-1+C21 Buy American. Will you accept a TAA compliant product? Or is American made only accepted. Do you have enough made in USA for competition. | Wrong clause initially selected. Updated Solicitation now has FAR Clause 52.225-5 Trade Agreements selected. |
| 7 | 74-75 of SF1449 | Paragraph (f) on page 74 Paragraphs (1) iii) | States- will evaluate offers in accordance with the policies and procedures of FAR Part 25. Will you accept TAA compliant indicated in part 2 of this clause? | Based on the update from Question 6, "Trade Agreements Certificate" section now applies to this solicitation. |
| 8 | Page 7 | 1 | What were the prices accepted for these items as per the previous contract? | Please be advised that the previously awarded contracts that were similar in scope were contract awards 36C10G20D0014 and 36C10G20D0022 but both contracts ended in Feb 2022 (at Contractors' request) due to supply-chain issues and rising manufacturer costs (pricing established prior to COVID pandemic) therefore those prices are not a good measure for comparison when building proposal pricing for this requirement. Additionally, the requirement has since been updated/revised since contract awards 36C10G20D0014 and 36C10G20D0022 inceptions, therefore, again, those prices will not effectively support in building pricing for this requirement as scope has been updated. |
| 9 | Page 7 | 1 | We manufacture 22 varieties of walkers & rollators and a few of them meet or exceed the specs provided. Can you share pictures of the approved designs supplied under the previous contract? | The requirement has since been updated/revised since previous contract awards (36C10G20D0014 and 36C10G20D0022) inceptions, therefore, those pictures/models won't support in building proposal submission for this requirement as scope has been updated. Government recommends reviewing the Scope of Work/MTRs towards selection/submission of products. |
| 10 | Pages 9 and 10 | MTR 15 and MTR16: Oxygen Tank Holder – Must accommodate up to E-cylinder size. | Will VA consider revising to D-cylinder size? E tanks are very large and unwieldy for users. | No change - E-tank size is what VHA primarily issues and therefore must be able to accommodate with our mobility devices. |
| 11 | Page 26 | Nonmanufacturer Rule | Will VA issue a nonmanufacturer rule waiver? | Per the "Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice" which was attached to the solicitation package, it stated "A Non-Manufacture Rule (NMR) Individual Waiver was approved for this requirement by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)." |
| 12 | Page 27 | FAR clause 52.225-1 Buy American-Supplies | Products are TAA compliant, will VA consider waiver/non-availability determination? | See Question 6 and Government Response |
| 13 | Page 35 | Economic Price Adjustment Clause | Supply chain environment is unsettled, and material costs are volatile. Will VA consider adding an Economic Price Adjustment Clause? | Negative on adding the Economic Price Adjustment Clause. Post award, If material cost becomes a concern, Contractor can have a discussion with the Contracting Officer/Office on possible options to support the Contractor's concern. Last thing this Contracting Officer wants is to force a Contractor out of business based on market volatility. |
| 14 | 15 OF 87 | 1.6.6 Delivery Requirements Delivery shall be made to any VAMC and alternate delivery locations within any of the fifty (50) states, to include the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, Alaska and Hawaii upon issuance of a delivery order. Offerors shall prepare three (3) different pricing proposals with each submission to incorporate shipping and delivery costs associated with this requirement. | Are the VAMCs/Outpatient Clinics located in Puerto Rico, Alaska and Hawaii (OCONUS) considered alternate delivery locations? | Alternate Delivery Locations are considered any locations that are not VAMCs/Outpatient Clinics, for example, a Veteran's direct home. |
| 15 | 15 OF 87 | 1.6.6 Delivery Requirements Delivery shall be made to any VAMC and alternate delivery locations within any of the fifty (50) states, to include the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, Alaska and Hawaii upon issuance of a delivery order. Offerors shall prepare three (3) different pricing proposals with each submission to incorporate shipping and delivery costs associated with this requirement. | Is it possible to provide specific pricing for OCONUS (Puerto Rico, Alaska and Hawaii) items? This is due to large variable shipping rates (particularly Puerto Rico) per OCONUS delivery location. | Approved. Please utilize a separate "Attachment 1" document for OCONUS delivery locations. |
| 16 | 15 OF 87 | 1.6.6 Delivery Requirements (2nd Paragraph) Regular delivery shall be made within five (5) days after receipt of a delivery/purchase order, expedited delivery shall be within two (2) days, and emergency delivery shall be within twenty-four (24) hours. | Can standard ground shipping to OCONUS (Puerto Rico, Alaska and Hawaii) be longer than 5 days? Will there be any Bulk orders expected within 5 days OCONUS? | Approved. Solicitation updated to reflect 10 business days. Yes to bulk orders, within 10 business days as well. |
| 17 | 65 of 87 | All offerors who claim small business status shall be certified in SAM (www.sam.gov) as a small business under NAICS code 334220. | Block 10 of the 1449 states the applicable NAICS Code is 339113. Is the NAICS code 334220 on page 65 a typo? | Contracting Office mistake. Updated solicitation reflects "339113" as the NAICS code. |
| 18 | 76 of 87 | (4) Trade Agreements Certificate. | Is clause at FAR 52.225-5, Trade Agreements (JUL 2020) applicable to this solicitation? (If so, on Page 28 the Trade Agreement clause is not marked.) | See Questions 6 & 7 and Government Responses to those questions. |
| 19 | 5 of 87 | 4. GOVERNMENT INVOICE ADDRESS: 2nd Paragraph [INSERT VERBIAGE ON WORD DOC VERSION] | Is something missing from this requirement? Is this a typo? | Contracting Office mistake. Updated Solicitation removes [INSERT VERBIAGE ON WORD DOC VERSION] area. |
| 20 | 61 of 87 plus Attachment 1 Tab Estimated Quantities | Price Rounding Issue - (last sentence of paragraph) Provide a total for the base and each option period. Finally, provide a grand total that includes the base and each option. | Do the estimated quantities include all VAMCs, Alternate Sites and Bulk for the base and each option period? Can you provide the estimated quantity broken down by VAMCs, Alternate sites, and Bulk for the base and each option period? | Quantity estimates broken down by facilities cannot be provided by the Government |
| 21 | 8 | MTR 12 | Is the requirement for the seat to 17 +/- 2 inches or the sitting area (Space between bars) | Functional sitting area should be 17" +/- 2" |
| 22 | 10 | MTR 11 | Is the requirement for the seat to 18 +/- 2 inches or the sitting area (Space between bars) | Language has been updated: Seat width language has been changed to reflect update to 20” +/- 3” |
| 23 | 50 | e | If we are submitting a few different products, should we just send in an additional price sheet or do we have to send in all volumes for each offering | Confused by the question. Are you stating that you are going to propose several different walkers under a single group? If so, then no, not allowed as only One walker product per Group, translating into up to 3 products may be proposed towards the full overall requirement if Offeror is interested/capable in providing products in all three Groups. If you are stating that you want to propose in different Groups and want to know if you have to send all volumes for each group proposing, then no, only separate volumes that coordinate to different Product Groups (Volume I and III). |
| 24 | 68 | E.9 | If we are registered in SAM what information do we need to submit for paragraph b. Paragraph b only seems to reference acknowledgment that the information in SAM is correct but there isn't any place to check off or sign. | Correct, common practice is that Offerors provide a copy of their SAM Representations and Certifications report, along with their proposal, to validate Offeror has reviewed/validated their information on the SAM database. |
| 25 | 74 | F | Is this solicitation limited to Buy American. Does that specifically mean only made in US or those with Free Trade Agreements? If we are offering a TAA compliant product will that preclude us from being considered? | See Questions 6 & 7 and Government Responses to those questions. |
| 26 | Page 1 | Block 10 | This RFP states that it is a 100% set aside for small business. Questions: Will SDVOSBs be given a decrement off the final price of their submission? If so, what is the percentage? Is there any advantages or considerations given to SDVOSBs that submit for this Solicitation? | SDVOSBs will not be given a decrement off the final price of their submission. |
| 27 | Page 7 | Group One | Questions: How will the folding (pick-up) walkers be required to ship, individually or in cases of 4? | Shipment of walkers should be based on delivery order request. If order calls for shipment of one (1) walker then ship only one (1) walker |
| 28 | Page 8 | Group Two, MTR 10 | MTR 10 states, "Brakes should be able to be engaged with one hand. When brakes are engaged, walker wheels should not have any rotation and brakes should have contact with both wheels". We are offering a Rollator that has become the most widely used Rollator by therapists in the VAMCs over the last 5 years. However, the Rollator has a left and right brake that engage the wheels independently. For a Rollator to have the feature of "one hand brake" to engage both wheels would be considered a specialty item instead of what is widely needed by the industry. Question: Can you modify this MTR to include a hand brake mechanism that engages the rear wheels independently? (For example, the right-hand control break mechanism engages and makes contact with the right rear wheel and the left-hand control break mechanism engages and makes contact with the left rear wheel.) | Language has been updated for clarification purposes: Hand controlled brake mechanism for rear wheels. Each Brake should be able to be engaged with the force of one hand. When brakes are engaged, walker wheels should not have any rotation and brakes should have contact with both wheels. |
| 29 | Page 9 | Group Two, MTR 17 | MTR 17 states, "Height Extensions - eight extensions - must increase floor to top of handle height in increments to at least 41 inches". Questions: Can you please clarify the meaning of "eight extensions"? Are these 4 extensions for the legs and 4 extensions for the handles? We are offering a Rollator that has become the most widely used Rollator by therapists in the VAMCs over the last 5 years. Although the Rollator does not offer extensions to the handle it does offer a separate Rollator to accommodate taller patients. The advantage of offering a taller rollator option are: (1) Seat height would be conducive to the height of the Veteran without adding any attachments, (2) Rollator stability of a taller option would be greater without adding height extensions for a Rollator that was designed and engineered to be a lower height, (3) Less expensive because there will be no additional cost for extensions (the taller Rollator option would be substituted when needed at the same price of the bidded Rollator option) and (4) A taller Rollator option would align with the out of the box, tool-free delivery requirement of the Solicitation. Question: Can we offer a taller Rollator as an option, instead of height extensions, to satisfy MTR 17? | HEIGHT Extension, whether that is a replacement part or a standard feature of the walker to accommodate a measurement of at least 41". The "eight" appears to be a typo where the "h" was mistakenly omitted from "height". The VA is not interested in purchasing a "tall" walker. The solicitation has been updated to correct the typo. |
| 30 | Page 10 | Group 3, MTR 11 | MTR 11 states, "Seat width of 18" +/- 2 inch". We are offering a Rollator that has become the most widely used Rollator by therapists in the VAMCs over the last 5 years. However, the Rollator has a seat width of 23 inches to accommodate a larger, more obese Veteran up to 450 pounds. This seat size does not impede the Rollator going through doors or the way it folds. Question: Can you modify this MTR to include a seat width of 23 inches? | See Question 22 and Government Response |
| 31 | Page 15 | 1.6.6 Delivery Requirements | The Solicitation states, "Fully assembled walker excluding accessories shall be delivered". Question: Does every walker or Rollator (excluding when accessories are ordered) issued under this requirement need to be delivered fully assembled out of the box? | Yes. |
| 32 | Page 32 | C.4, (a) Minimum Order | The Solicitation states, " Minimum order. When the Government requires supplies or services covered by this contract in an amount of less than $2,500.00, the Government is not obligated to purchase, nor is the Contractor obligated to furnish, those supplies or services under the contract". Questions: Are any orders issued by this contract that are less than $2,500.00 considered open-market or not on contract? Does this eliminate Consults are direct shipped Veteran specific orders that are under $2,500.00? | The "Minimum Order" amount defines what an awardee is automatically entitled to as an award under this contract, which establishes the baseline. All orders beyond/post that baseline will be required, and obligated by the Contractor to furnish to the Ordering Offices. |
| 33 | 13 & 32 | 1.6.4 and C.4 Order Limitations | Is there a minimum dollar amount per Purchase order? | Whatever the cost of a Walker plus accessories (depending on the group) could be the minimum amount. As an awardee, the Contractor is automatically entitled to $2,500.00 which establishes the award baseline and obligation requirement of future orders. |
| 34 | 27 | (48) 52.225-1 Buy American | As far as my industry knowledge, all rollators and walkers are manufactured outside the CONUS and then would qualify for the 52.225-5 TAA. Does the government intend to make this TAA compliant requirement and not USA made requirement. | See Questions 6 & 7 and Government Responses to those questions. |
| 35 | 65 | Naics code: 334220 | Naics code listed is for Broadcast and wireless. | See Question 17 and Government Response |
| 36 | 8 | MTR 10 | Brakes: "Brake should be engaged with one hand" Can the government clarify if they intend one brake to operate both wheel brakes (not industry standard) or each brake hand to operate corresponding brake and should be able to engage one brake with one hand? | See Question 28 and Government Response |
| 37 | 1 | Set aside | The Governement has this proposal as a Small business set-aside. Many SDVOSBs are distributors of TAA compliant rollators that would fit the MTRS. How did Kingdomware's rule of 2 not make this a SDVOSB set-aside? | Kingdomware's Rule of Two applies when any two VOSB and/or SDVOSB are capable of providing the required supplies at fair and reasonable prices. Yes you are correct that there any many SDVOSBs capable of providing the supplies but based on Market Research Analysis captured, at least two could not provide supplies at Fair and Reasonable Prices when compared to the rest of the market. Based on these results, the Rule of Two does not apply towards this requirement and the Small Business Administration concurred with the Market Research Analysis/Results captured. |
| 38 | 0 | Tiered evaluation of small business offers 15.101-3 | With the small business set-aside, is the government planning on using tiered evaluation FAR 15.101-3 in the evaluation factors? | Tiered evaluation does not/will not apply towards this requirement. |
| 39 | 15 | 1.6.6 Delivery Requirements | "Alternate Delivery Locations" Can the government provide more information on what is an Alternate delivery location such as a DME provider and is this shipping individual units to Veteran's homes? | See Question 14 and Government Response |
| 40 | 36 | 852.216-71 Economic Price Adjustment of Contract prices | With COVID still affecting container prices and volatility in the raw material costs, Would the government consider adding the 852.216-71 EPA clause like other recent solicitations? | See Question 13 and Government Response |
| 41 | 13 | Section 1.6.4 | Section 1.6.4 states that the Secretary’s authority under 38 USC §1823 is being used to issue the solicitation. This statute allows the VA to procure prosthetic appliances “without regard to any other provision of law.” How does a walker fit within the definition of a prosthetic appliance? | Per VA Acquisition Manual (VAAM) M813.001 "Definitions" state [1] "Prosthetics is a broad term used to identify the total concept associated with replacing, supporting and/or complementing human anatomy impaired or destroyed as a result of trauma or disease. This term may be used to refer to orthotics, sensory aids, medical equipment, medical supplies, components, research, education and training, appliances, services, repairs, and any other related aspects of administering the total program." [2] Prosthetic appliances means all aids, devices, parts or accessories which patients require to replace, support, or substitute for impaired or missing anatomical parts of the body. The items include artificial limbs, terminal devices, stump socks, braces, hearing aids and batteries, cosmetic facial or body restorations, optical devices, manual or motorized wheelchairs, orthopedic shoes, and similar items." A "Walker" is defined as "portable framework used for support and assistance in walking by a person with a gait impairment for which a cane or crutches are inadequate." (Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012) |
| 42 | 13 | Section 1.6.4 | Section 1.6.4 states that the Secretary’s authority under 38 USC §1823 is being delegated to “decentralized locations so that it empowers and allows VAMCs and Clinical Determination to directly place orders.” Has the Secretary delegated this authority to these decentralized locations, and if yes, can you point to the delegation memorandum? | VAMCs and Clinicians will still need to coordinate with their local (decentralized) Contracting Officers/Ordering Officials for Order placement. For Contracting Officer delegated authorities, see FAR 1.602, in which Contracting Officers have delegated authorities from the Secretary. |
| 43 | General | Given the flexibility the VA has conduct this procurement under 38 USC §1823, why has the VA decided not to set-aside this procurement for SDVOSBs? | See Question 37 and Government Response | |
| 44 | General | Would the VA consider amending the solicitation to allow for a tiered evaluation? | See Question 38 and Government Response | |
| 45 | General | Has the VA obtained an SBA waiver of the non-manufacturer rule for this procurement? | See Question 11 and Government Response | |
| 46 | General | In the absence of a waiver of the non-manufacturer rule, please confirm whether a small business that wants to compete for award must either offer products they manufacture or offer the product of a domestic (U.S.) small business manufacturer. | See Question 11 and Government Response | |
| 47 | FAR 52.225-1 | Please confirm that to comply with the solicitation’s FAR 52.225-1, Buy American Act – Supplies, the walkers must be manufactured in the USA. | See Questions 6 & 7 and Government Responses to those questions. | |
| 48 | Pages 6 to 10 | 1.4 Requirements | Do the MTRs represent the “salient characteristics” of a particular device or accessory for purposes of determining its technical acceptability? | The MTRs represent VHA minimum requirements for the stated products |
| 49 | 7 | General MTR Question for Group 1 | How will the folding pick up walker be required to be shipped? By case or single unit? Or both? Please clarify if you will need single units shipped as well as cases shipped. Destinations for each? Meaning cases to hospitals and single units to Veterans. | See Question 27 and Government Response |
| 50 | 8 | Group 2 MTR 10 | Hand controlled brake mechanism for rear wheels. Brakes should be able to be engaged with one hand. When brakes are engaged, walker wheels should not have any rotation and brakes should have contact with both wheels. |
---(Please clarify this MTR)—Does one brake have to engage both brakes of the rollator?
| If so, please consider amending MTR 10, as this feature would be on a specialty rollator walker. | See Question 28 and Government Response | ||||
| 51 | 9 | Group 2 MTR 17 | Height Extensions- eight Extensions (clarify 8 extension, what is meant by this?) – Must increase floor to top of handle height in increments to at least 41 inches | See Question 29 and Government Response | |
| 52 | 9 | Group 2 MTR 17 | Does the height extension have to be an accessory to the rollator, or can you offer a tall model rollator option? | See Question 29 and Government Response | |
| 53 | 9 | Group 3 MTR 1 | Can you consider amending this MTR for Handle Height to be a minimum of 34” +/- 2” ? Based on the fact that most Heavy Duty Rollator users are of taller stature. | No Change. The handle height is appropriate. | |
| 54 | 10 | Group 3 MTR 9 | (Please clarify this MTR)—Does one brake have to engage both brakes of the rollator? | ||
| If so, please consider amending MTR 9, as this feature would be on a specialty rollator walker | See Question 28 and Government Response | ||||
| 55 | 10 | Group 3 MTR 11 | Can this MTR be amended to 22” seat width +/- two inches based on size of a Heavy Duty User? If seat size does not impede the rollator going through doors, the way it folds, portability, or overall width of rollator this minimum seat width should not begin at 18”. Average size of heavy-duty seat should begin at 22”. | See Question 22 and Government Response | |
| 56 | Pages 9 and 10 | MTR 15 and MTR16: Oxygen Tank Holder – Must accommodate up to E-cylinder size. | Will VA consider revising to D-cylinder size? E tanks are very large and unwieldy for users. | See Question 10 and Government Response | |
| 57 | Page 26 | Nonmanufacturer Rule | Will VA issue a nonmanufacturer rule waiver? | See Question 11 and Government Response | |
| 58 | Page 27 | FAR clause 52.225-1 Buy American-Supplies | Will VA consider waiver/non-availability determination? | See Question 11 and Government Response | |
| 59 | Page 27 | FAR clause 52.225-1 Buy American-Supplies | Will VA consider TAA? | See Questions 6 & 7 and Government Responses to those questions. | |
| 60 | Page 35 | Economic Price Adjustment Clause | Supply chain environment is unsettled and material costs are volatile. Will VA consider adding an Economic Price Adjustment Clause? | See Question 13 and Government Response | |
| 61 | 54 | 1.1 Basis of Award | Will there be multiple awards per group? Or will there be only one awardee for each group? | See Question 1 and Government Response. (Multiple Awards per Group) | |
| 62 | 8 and 9 | Group 2 and 3 MTR 1 | For group 2 and 3, MTR 1 states “a minimum of 34 inches floor to top of handle height”. Can you please clarify that the lowest setting must be at or below 34” inches or if the lowest setting cannot be below 34”? | For Clarification purposes: The handles can go lower to the floor than 34", but must hit 34-36" | |
| 63 | Pages 6 to 10 | General MTR Question for all Groups | It seems that these MTRs are Will the VA accept products submitted that meet the MTRs | Not understanding the question being asked here. | |
| 64 | General | Will the Government include a price realism clause as a determining factor during evaluation? | Unsure of the question, as I can't say that I've heard of an official "Cost Realism Clause" but have heard of a Cost Realism Analysis. For the methods of how cost/price will be evaluated, please review provision amendment 52.212-2 Evaluation - "Evaluation Factor 4 - PRICE" where it states: "The Government shall evaluate the proposed price to determine whether it is fair and reasonable. The Government shall evaluate price reasonableness using price analysis techniques as prescribed in FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)." | ||
| 65 | 10 | General MTR Question for all Groups | The technical requirements that are listed seem to be outdated. There are newer technologies widely available today that deliver equal results. Is the Government open to receiving bids of these products? | The Government posted the minimum requirements for the stated product. If new technology meet or exceeds the minimum, please submit an offer | |
| 66 | Pages 6 to 10 | Warranty MTR | If a product has a limited lifetime warranty on the frame and includes a 5-year limited warranty on all other parts, will that satisfy the warranty requirement? | Yes, it satisfies warranty requirement | |
| 67 | Page 65 | Phase 2: Technical - Hands-On/Physical Inspection | If a product reaches the phase 2 of evaluation, will the government allow for the vendor to show the product in person before the government does their own inspection? Many products have small features/benefits that may require to be shown to fully understand the benefits over other product options. | An Industry Day was conducted in connection with Sources Sought/RFI Notice 36C10G22Q0064 for Walkers therefore, there is no need for a vendor presentation before physical/hands-on evaluation | |
| 68 | 15 | 6 | Can alternate delivery orders for Group one be only in minimum case quantity of 4? | Shipment of walkers will be based on delivery order request. | |
| 69 | 54 | 1 | What changes necessitated the choice of multiple awardees (as compared to previous iterations of this solicitation)? | There are no previous iterations of this solicitation is the original solicitation, and was initially/officially released on 01 Sep 2022. Maybe you're referring to the Sources Sought/Request for Information Notice that previously went out which was not an official solicitation and the Government at that time was still building up their requirement. | |
| 70 | 54 | 1 | Will it be 5 awardees per Group or for the entire solicitation? | See Question 61 and Government Response. | |
| 71 | 54 | 1 | Does the VA intend to award to as few as a single awardee if insufficient options are available? | See Question 1 and Government Response. And see ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL ITEMS (OCT 2014) - "Evaluation" which states "Awards will be made based on the best overall (i.e., best value) proposal that is determined to be the most beneficial to the Government, with appropriate consideration given to the three following evaluation factors: Technical, Past Performance, and Price." | |
| 72 | 54 | 1 | Could the VA potentially award contracts for the same Walker product(s) to multiple different entities (e.g., distributors)? | If multiple offerors propose the EXACT SAME product(s) (same brand/model/spec), then Price will be the determining/eliminating factor during the evaluation phase, as why would the Government pay for the exact same product from Offeror A, if Offeror B is offering the very exact same product at a lower price? | |
| 73 | 57 | 1 | If submitting multiple offers, will Volumes II and IV need to be resent or will one email inclusion suffice? | One email will suffice. | |
| 74 | 61 | 4 | Volume III calls for, "a grand total that includes the base and each option," which line is to be used to input totals for each year? | Updated Attachment 1 provided which highlight columns M & O for totals, and added rows to insert totals for each PoP. | |
| 75 | 65 | 1 | The notice on Sam.gov has NAICS 339113, however page 65 states NAICS 334220, please clarify which NAICS code. | See Question 17 and Government Response | |
| 76 | Attachment 1 | N/A | Group 1 comes in cases of 4, please clarify the UOM for inputting price. | This isn't a concern with other potential Offerors. There may be orders which only require the purchase of "Quantity of 1" therefore we need pricing per unit. | |
| 77 | Attachment 1 | N/A | Are we able to quote multiple brands? | Confused by the question. Are you asking can you quote multiple different walkers under a single group? If so then no, only One product per Group, translating into up to 3 products may be proposed towards the full overall requirement if Offeror is interested/capable in providing products in all three Groups. If you are asking can different brands make up a "Group" then yes, as long as all the end products meet the MTRs/requirements of the contract. | |
| 78 | Attachment 1 | N/A | Please provide a breakdown of estimated quantities per each delivery option. | See Question 20 and Government Response | |
| 79 | Attachment 1 | N/A | If the government is the most favored customer can columns I and J equal each other? | If you don’t have any "Favored Customers" outside the U.S. Government, as in Private/Commercial Sector customers, then sure you can mirror columns I and J but it is preferred to how a different set of pricing (displays that you experience/served both Government/Private sector). | |
| 80 | Attachment 1 | N/A | Will separate price schedules need to be submitted if there are multiple item numbers due to a change in unit of measurement for the same item? | Confused by the question. Only 1 price schedule should be provided, even if you are proposal 1 walker product/accessory per all three groups. | |
| 81 | Will separate price schedules need to be submitted if there are multiple item numbers if rollators come in multiple sizes and colors? | The Government is only seeking and evaluating one size/color option therefore multiple item numbers will not be allowed. | |||
| 82 | Attachment 1 | N/A | For column L, would you like to know the discount percentage off the commercial catalog price (column K) for the most favored customer price(column I)? | No, Column L illustrates any additional discounts you are offering from the Commercial Catalog Price (Column K). | |
| 83 | Attachment 1 | N/A | Can multiple manufacturers be offered in one price proposal? | See Question 77 and Government Response | |
| 84 | Attachment 1 | Group 2 | MTR 10- Hand controlled brake mechanism for rear wheels. Brakes should be able to be engaged with one hand. When brakes are engaged, walker wheels should not have any rotation and brakes should have contact with both wheels. |
---(Please clarify this MTR)—Does one brake have to engage both brakes of the rollator?
| If so, please consider amending MTR 10, as this feature would be on a specialty rollator walker. | See Question 28 and Government Response | ||||
| 85 | Attachment 1 | Group 2 | Does the height extension have to be an accessory to the rollator, or can you offer a tall model rollator option? | See Question 29 and Government Response | |
| 86 | Attachment 1 | Group 2 | MTR 15-17 is listed as Required Accessories/Options. If the handle height extensions can only be a separate accessory, can you include it to be a tall option? | See Question 29 and Government Response | |
| 87 | Attachment 1 | Group 2 | MTR 17 : Height Extensions- eight Extensions – Must increase floor to top of handle height in increments to at least 41 inches. Please clarify 8 extension, what is meant by this? | See Question 29 and Government Response | |
| 88 | Attachment 1 | Group 3 | Can you consider amending this MTR for Handle Height to be a minimum of 34” +/- 2” ? Based on the fact that most Heavy Duty Rollator users are of taller stature. | Handle height is 34" + 2" so that would accommodate a taller stature | |
| 89 | Attachment 1 | Group 3 | MTR 9- Hand controlled brake mechanism for rear wheels. Brakes should be able to be engaged with one hand. When brakes are engaged, walker wheels should not have any rotation and brakes should have contact with both wheels. |
---(Please clarify this MTR)—Does one brake have to engage both brakes of the rollator?
| If so, please consider amending MTR 9, as this feature would be on a specialty rollator walker | See Question 28 and Government Response | ||||
| 90 | Attachment 1 | Group 3 | MTR 11 Can this MTR be amended to 22” seat width +/- two inches based on size of a Heavy Duty User? If seat size does not impede the rollator going through doors, the way it folds, portability, or overall width of rollator this minimum seat width should not begin at 18”. Average size of heavy-duty seat should begin at 22”. | See Question 22 and Government Response | |
| 91 | 7-10 | MTR | On March 8, 2022, the VA PSAS posted a Sources Sought Notice and Walkers Industry Day MTRs Requirements v2 2.24.22.pdf for Contract Opportunity 36C10G22Q0064, with the stated intent to collaborate with manufacturers of Medical Walkers to define minimum technical requirements for the ultimately issued solicitation (i.e., Solicitation No. 36C10G22R0025). Numerous manufacturers and other stakeholders participated in the related Industry Day in April 2022, but only very minor changes were made to the MTRs posted on March 8, 2022 (as compared to the MTRs included in the final solicitation document). | ||
| What stakeholder feedback did the VA PSAS include in the MTRs that are part of the final solicitation? | The Government held an Industry Day and information received was taken and utilized to update the MTRs as deemed necessary. | ||||
| 92 | 7-10 | MTR | In determining the MTRs to include in the final solicitation document (i.e., Solicitation No. 36C10G22R0025), did the VA PSAS consult VA facilities regarding their currently preferred products and the associated MTRs? Were any other stakeholders consulted? If so, which ones? | This is a national requirement and we had representation from various facilities across VHA including representation from the Prosthetic Program Office who funds the IDIQ contract. | |
| 93 | 7-10 | MTR | In the MTRs (Solicitation No. 36C10G22R0025, pages 7-10), each group has an MTR in the “Required Accessories/Options” section that pertains to extending the floor to handle height (see Group 1, MTR 13 (which of note has a different name (“Leg Extensions”) than Groups 2 and 3 (“Height Extensions”); Group 2, MTR 17; and Group 3, MTR 16). Some product lines have “tall” models that meet the stated specifications, but the required height range is not achieved by an extension accessory or option. Rather, it is a standalone unit that cannot be easily modified, and certainly not without the use of tools. Can the VA confirm that a tall model of a product that meets the stated specifications satisfies the applicable MTR (and/or clarify same in the solicitation)? | See Question 29 and Government Response | |
| 94 | If a bidder were to bid on just one or two groups, will that disqualify the bidder? | No, if a bidder can only offer products in one or two groups, they will still be considered for award in only those specific groups. | |||
| 95 | Would an Economic Price Adjustment be considered post award? | See Question 13 and Government Response |
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File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .