FA251720Q0017 - Q and As 1 June 2020 REVISED.pdf

1 JUNE 2020 – Questions and Answers – RFQ FA251720Q0017 - REVISED

Question 1: Section 1. Description of Services states, "with the backfill the vehicle in the event of mechanical or other issue in which the dedicated vehicle is unavailable. The contractor shall participate in PAFB and SAFB exercises, special events, sports/athletic events, and specialized training, and in-flight emergencies. "Understanding that there is a need to provide continuous coverage in the event of multiple incidents can the government provide historical run data for last 5 years for each installation?

Answer: For Schriever AFB, it is an average of 8-12 runs per month. For Peterson AFB, we do not have historical data, as this is the first contracted ambulance we will have in place; however, please refer to PWS paragraph 1.2 for estimated workload information.

Question 2: Special event data (exercises, events, sports and specialized training) and or schedules. How many days and or hours of coverage would be needed?

Answer: An average of 6 requests per month, with an average of 1-3 hours on-site for an event.

Question 3: Would this coverage be provided by the dedicated 24/7 staff or would it require additional staffing and equipment?

Answer: This coverage could be provided by the dedicated 24/7 staff.

Question 4: Would the government consider a separate line item for special event (exercises, events, sports and specialized training) - if we could quantify the coverage need we could quote a fee for days or hours as needed with a projected number of hours(days) of coverage per contract period and create a more competitive bid.

Answer: The CLIN structure will remain as outlined in the SF1449, as this is a Firm-Fixed Priced commercial service. Estimated workload data has been provided to aid offerors in drafting a competitive quote.

Question 5: Section 1.5.3.1 requires "... and possessing a valid Class “C” Colorado driver’s license."

Many of our employees live in other states and hold valid Colorado EMS licenses; at times, we might find it necessary to meet staffing requirements by utilizing some out of state or area staff. If our staff met the requirements of El Paso County Emergency Services Authority to operate and ambulance with a valid driver’s license would the government consider waiving this requirement?

Answer: If the out-of-state license states the member to operate the ambulance, an additional Colorado license is not required if it meets the El Paso County Emergency Services Authority to operate an ambulance.

Question 6: Will these questions and answers be posted somewhere?

Answer: Q&As are posted via betaSAM.gov.

Question 7: When 911 services and transports are conducted, will we be able to Bill third party insurance for services rendered?

Answer: Yes, a revised PWS dated 1 June 2020 is forthcoming in Amendment 2.

Question 8: Please provide the annual number of EMS request in 2019 for Peterson AFB & Schriever

AFB.

not have historical data, as this is the first contracted ambulance we will have in place.

Question 9: Please provide the annual number of EMS transports in 2019 for Peterson AFB & Schriever

AFB.

Question 10: What is the payer mix for patients transported by EMS for Peterson AFB &

Schriever AFB?

Answer: I believe this has to deal with insurance billing; A revised PWS dated 1 June 2020 is forthcoming in Amendment 2.

Question 11: Please provide number of annual special events requiring additional resources beyond the requested dedicated on-site ambulance for Peterson AFB & Schriever AFB.

Answer: This coverage could be provided by the dedicated 24/7 staff.

Question 12: What are the estimated average annual hours of special events requiring additional resources beyond the requested dedicate on-site ambulance for Peterson AFB & Schriever AFB?

Answer: Currently, there has not been any event requiring additional resources beyond the on-site ambulance. Coverage is currently being provided by the dedicated 24/7 staff.

Question 13: Wage Determination number 2015-5417 (attachment 4 of the RFP) lists job codes 12040 Emergency Medical Technician and 12010 Ambulance Driver. There is no listing for "Paramedic". Do you consider ALS/Paramedic to be classified as 12040 EMT as well? If so, do you also require that the Paramedic receive HEALTH & WELFARE: $4.54 per hour up to 40 hours per week or $181.60 per week or $786.93 per month.

Answer: Yes, if applicable. Rates provided should be fully burdened.

Question 14: Contract FA255016C0001, modification number P00011 allowed for use of government furnished fuel stations. Will this clause be continued into future contracts?

Answer: No, this was added as the commercial fuel pumps are under construction at Schriever AFB, construction will be completed before the start of performance. There are commercial fuel stations on each installation available to the contractor to use.

Question 15: Call volume - Could you please provide a breakdown of call volume, known or predicted, for 911 response and transport of ALS and BLS patients from both locations (PAFB and SAFB).

Question 16: Patient billing - Do you intend to allow billing of insurance for any patients transported by the ambulance service? If so, are there any restrictions associated with billing for transport services?

Answer: Yes, please see guidance outlined in revised PWS 1 June 2020 in forthcoming Amendment 2.

Question 17: PWS 1.2: Base and MTF Exercises/Special Events/Sports Events/Specialized Training - Do you anticipate one of the primary response assets from either PAFB or SAFB being assigned to these events (estimated at 6 per month per installation) or will you request that a dedicated vehicle/crew be assigned that is independent of primary response duties from PAFB or SAFB?

Answer: Currently, there has not been any event requiring additional resources beyond the on-site ambulance. Coverage is currently being provided by the dedicated 24/7 staff.

Question 18: PWS - According to NFPA Standard 1710 “NFPA Standard 1710 establishes a 60 second “turnout time” and 480 second “travel time” (together, 540 seconds or 9 minute “response time”) benchmark time goal for “the arrival of an advanced life support (ALS) unit at an emergency medical incident” with “a minimum of two members trained at the EMT-Paramedic level” at not less than 90% of dispatched incidents” (“EMS Response Time,” n.d.). With this information provided, can the 8-minute response time requested be adjusted to 9 minutes? Reference: EMS Response Time. (n.d.). Retrieved May 21, 2020, from https://fems.dc.gov/page/ems-response-time

Answer: No, the requirement is 8 minutes response time IAW DoD Instruction stated in the

PWS.

Question 19: Will Fire Department dispatch awardee simultaneously or will Fire Department assess patient first, then dispatch to awardee?

Answer: The Base Fire Department will dispatch awardee simultaneously. The fire department and contracted paramedics will assess the patient and if transport is required the contractor will provide services IAW PWS paragraph 1.1

Question 20: What is the number of emergency calls on each base per month?

Question 21: What is the number of Inflight Emergencies at Peterson Air Force Base?

Answer: For Peterson AFB, we do not have historical data, as this is the first contracted ambulance we will have in place.

Question 22: The PWS states that quarters will be provided for the crews. Will these quarters include a climate-controlled area to park the ambulance as well as centrally located to achieve the required response times?

Answer: Yes, there is a garage for the ambulance to park at each installation.

Question 23: Will the crew quarters be able to accommodate 2 employees separate sleeping arrangements, shower accessibility and equipped with kitchens?

https://fems.dc.gov/page/ems-response-time

Answer: Yes, there are crew quarters available to accommodate 2 employees sleeping arrangements, shower accessibility and a breakroom/kitchenette.

Question 24: Document: Attachment 2 Staffing Table - Should the staffing table be completed with data from a daily, weekly, monthly or annual data set in reference to the Labor Hours/Work Schedule?

Answer: Support required is 24 hours a day/7 days a week/including holidays.

Question 25: Can you please define the Labor Hours/Work Schedule column so that we understand the correct information being requested? Is this the number of hours required to fulfill the contract requirements (i.e., quantity of fulltime employees and quantity of part time employees)?

Answer: Support required is 24 hours a day/7 days a week/including holidays.

Question 26: In the Hourly Wages column, should the Full time/Part time wages include the Health and Welfare amount as well?

Answer: Yes, if applicable. Rates provided should be fully burdened.

Question 27: In the Hourly Wages column, should this calculation include overtime, holiday pay and

PTO?

Answer: Yes, fully burdened rates.

Question 28: Will the government further describe the facilities on base for crew and equipment?

o Is the Ambulance storage area heated?

o are there bunks for ambulance crew o is the crew permitted to sleep during night shifts o is internet access permitted?

Answer: There are garage bays for the dedicated ambulance. There are crew quarters available to accommodate 2 employees sleeping arrangements, shower accessibility and a breakroom/kitchenette. The crew is permitted to sleep during night shifts. Internet access is permitted. A post-award orientation will be conducted with the awardee.

Question 29: Will the government provide area maps (street maps) with the response area identified and the ambulance and crew area identified?

Answer: The Government will provide area maps.

Question 30: Will the government quantify, for each location, the population served and their demographic information?

Answer: That information is not currently available to be shared in this forum as it is considered OPSEC. This information will be provided to the awardee during a post-award orientation.

Question 31: Can the awardee bill the patients that are transported through tri-care or their private insurer?

Answer: Yes, please see guidance outlined in revised PWS dated 1 June 2020 forthcoming in Amendment 2.

Question 32: Is there any different billing rules or issues for exercises or airfield emergency responses?

Answer: Yes, please see guidance outlined in revised PWS dated 1 June 2020 forthcoming in Amendment 2.

Question 33: Are there any other billing issues we should be aware of?

Answer: Yes, please see guidance outlined in revised PWS dated 1 June 2020 forthcoming in Amendment 2.

Question 34: Is it possible to arrange a site visit for interested vendors prior to the response date?

Answer: Yes, a site visit can be arranged for interested vendors.

Question 35: In consideration of the late posting date, (less than 30 days between posting the solicitation and the response date) the questions asked and the additional information that must be evaluated in order to produce a well considered and competitive bid would the government consider extending the open period by 10 business days?

Answer: In the event the RFQ response date is extended, an Amendment will be posted via betaSAM.gov.