Pre-Bid Site Visit Questions and Answers.pdf

22 August 2025 Attachment 6 - FA301025R0021

FA301025R0021 Refuse & Recycling Pre-Bid Questions and Answers

1. Is the solicitation a new requirement set by the government or is this a contract currently being performed that the government is renewing. If this is a renewal, do you have the contract number associated with the old contract?

A: The current refuse contract at Keesler AFB is FA301020C0027.

2. What are the hours of operation for on base recycling center?

A: 7am-3pm

3. What are the bin sizes on appendix F? (lockable shred cans)

A: 35 GAL

4. What are the bin sizes on the main base common cans?

A: 8 YDS

5. What are the bin sizes for the recycling containers?

A: 95 GAL

6. What sizes are the government furnished property of horizontal and vertical balers? Also, how often are they serviced?

A: 1.62 cubic yards per bale. Balers should be serviced per manufacturer instruction.

7. Are all the recycling containers on appendix D government furnished?

A: Yes

8. Would you be able to push back the service start date from October 1st to November 1st? The reason for this request is simply because of delivery of equipment required for your contract.

We don’t believe two (2) weeks is enough time for delivery of purchased equipment for your contract to be brought to our facility, inspection and labeling of equipment to be performed at our facility, and then delivery of equipment to your facility.

A: The contract must start on 1 October 2025 as the current contract ends on 30 September 2025; however, the logistics of mobilization can be discussed with the COR upon award. The Government will be as flexible as possible in light of the quick turnaround.

9. Are the cardboard dumpsters dumped on site near the baler or disposed at a recycling facility off campus?

A: Yes, the cardboard dumpsters are dumped on site near the baler.

10. Pricing: Please confirm that we are to provide a price per each only for X0004/X0005, and that it will not be multiplied by a quantity for price evaluations nor counted toward the award total since it is a NTE line item. If there is a quantity please state that quantity.

A: We are requesting unit pricing only. This unit price will be factored into the Total Evaluated Price (TEP).

11. Pricing: Please confirm that we are not supposed to provide a price for X0010, and it will not be counted toward the award total since it is a NTE line item.

A: Government Furnished Equipment Maintenance and Government Furnished Equipment Repair CLINs have been changed to Not to Exceed (NTE) CLINs. No pricing information is requested for these CLINs.

12. PWS 1.4.1: Is yard waste required to be recycled under this contract?

13. PWS 1.2.14: What is the contractor supposed to do if the Government sets out Government furniture next to the solid waste containers and how do we distinguish between Government and non Government?

A: Furniture will go to Government auction; non-Government personnel are instructed not to set out furniture. Contractor to coordinate with COR if this occurs.

14. 1.2.3 Food Waste Collection – Currently food waste is collected in 35 gallon containers 7 days a week at designated facilities. We do not see this requirement in the contract. Please confirm if food waste collection is required by collecting 35 gallon containers at designated facilities or if all food waste will be placed in the 8YD containers in Appendix B, and provide listing of the number of cans by building.

A: Yes, food waste collection is required by collecting 35 gallon containers. Appendix I, listing facilities where food waste collection will occur, is added to the PWS. All containers/dumpsters/etc. for each building are listed in the PWS.

15. 1.4.3: Please confirm that the contractor can store refuse trucks, containers and equipment at the Base recycling center yard.

16. Is it the Governments intentions for the contract to brief/train base Personnel on Recycling?

Para 1.1.5 states we are or can conduct educational training on Recycle procedures.

A: If the Contractor deems training necessary, information can be provided to building managers to share with their personnel.

17. Para 1.8.2: Are we to report Vehicle Inspections to the Government if we own the Vehicles?

A: Contractor vehicles will be inspected at the Commercial Gate upon entry.

18. If the Government intends on posting the awarded price from last contract, will the Government acknowledge to all offerors that the landfill has gone up more than 40% since last award, and wages for recycling labor position has gone up more than 25%.

A: The Government is aware of general cost increases in the marketplace.

(Continued on next page)

19. PWS 1.2.15. Weighing of Vehicles, states, “ All vehicles used in the collection of MSW, C&D, organics and recyclable materials shall be weighed on state certified vehicle scales in the local area. (Keesler has no certified weight scales). Incoming and outgoing vehicle weights shall be recorded on weight tickets provided by the operator at an off-site weigh station. The Contractor shall submit a monthly report that includes weight tickets that reflect the disposed tonnage figures, date of disposal, and type of vehicle and cost of landfill tipping fees. The Contractor shall be reimbursed for tipping fees according to submitted invoices. “

PWS 1.5.1 Off Base Disposal: states, “The Contractor shall be responsible for any permit or fees associated with the use of off-base disposal location. “

Will the Government please confirm if; Scenario A) The government will reimburse the actual disposal costs incurred regardless of the Unit Price the contractor bids on Line Disposal Landfill Fees for x008, and Disposal Landfill Fee – Medical Center facilities X0014, or if Scenario B) The Government will hold the contractor to its bid price, and be responsible for that bid entry over the entire contract, based on that bid amount for the respective CLINS above regardless of the price the disposal facility charges?

A: The Government will hold the contractor to its unit price as bid. Any costs over that unit price will be the responsibility of the contractor. However, at the time that each option year is exercised, the contractor will be given the opportunity to increase the unit price based on increased landfill rates.

20. For example, if Scenario A) The contractor collects 500 tons during a given month and the disposal facility charges the contractor on its invoice $75 per ton x 500 tons = $37,500 for that month, but Scenario B) the contractor actually bid and was evaluated and awarded on a bid of $65 per ton x 500 tons = $32,500; will the government reimburse the contractor the actual charged amount of $37,500 in Scenario A?, or hold the contractor to the bid amount of $65 per ton and only allow a charge to the Government of $32,500.00 for that month in Scenario B?

A: Please see the answer to question 19.

21. If Government confirms Scenario A, then it seems that the Unit Price for this Line Item for all years should be factored out or extended by the Government for price evaluation purposes. This would avoid a contractor entering an unrealistically low price for the line item, to keep their price down, when the Government would still be reimbursing the contractor based upon the submitted disposal invoice. In other contracts, the Government provided a Not To Exceed, Lump Sum amount (plug-in number for all Offerors) for these type CLINs for each year so that this Line Item was not manipulated for price evaluation purposes. Would the Government please confirm if this Scenario would apply?

22. If Government does not confirm Scenario A, and Scenario B is the way these CLINS will be paid, will the Government please confirm that this price bid in X008 and x0014 should be at market rate initially and the contractor will be able to submit price increases if the landfill increase its fees, or will it not be able to modified in the contract or changed for ANY reason, even if the disposal facility reneges on its price to the contractor, or regardless of any reason or price the disposal facility charges?

23. Are there any other comments that the Government can offer or clarify in terms of pricing disposal for this contract since WM is the only game in town for MSW?

A: No additional comments.

24. On past contracts, there have been MOUs for OCC and other recycling collection at the VA, National Guard, etc. Are there any such MOUs still in place?

A: No

25. Would the Government please provide a list of permanent roll-off containers, by quantity, name, and building, on this contract and confirm these should be priced in the FFP under X0001?

A: 2 permanent roll-off containers are at Bldg 4003. 2 are at Bldg 4002. 1 is at Bldg 3902.

Permanent roll-off containers should be included in the FFP cost of CLIN 0001.

26. Would the Government please confirm the roll-off hauls for metal/wood/recyclables/C&D at the recycling center should be priced in the FFP for X0003?

27. Would the Government please confirm the updated recycling equipment inventory to include the brass deformer, pallet jacks, and the balers that are/are not functioning or were scrapped?

A: Please see revised GFP list in Appendix H or Revised Attachment #3.

28. Does the government want a completed Representation, Certification, & Other Statements to be included in the proposal?

A: Please ensure Reps & Certs are updated in SAM.gov.

29. Can the Government please confirm that Part III-Past Performance consists of ONLY the past performance list?

A: The Government will evaluate the past performance provided on the Past Performance Reference List submitted by the contractor (and their corresponding PPQs) as well as data independently obtained through other government and commercial sources (such as CPARS).

30. Can the Government please confirm that Past Performance Questionnaires should be completed and sent directly to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer (i.e. NOT included in the proposal submission)?

A: Please include your Past Performance Reference List (PPRL) in your proposal submission.

PPQs should be submitted directly from the person completing it. Proposals may be submitted via email to 81cons.pka.flight@us.af.mil, alicia.bowman@us.af.mil and tiffany.aultman@us.af.mil.

31. If CPARS are available, does the Government want them to be included in Part III-Past Performance?

A: CPARS can be included in past performance information, but is not required.

mailto:81cons.pka.flight@us.af.mil mailto:alicia.bowman@us.af.mil mailto:tiffany.aultman@us.af.mil

32. 5th paragraph on page 73 of 77 states “Provide a completed copy of the SF 1449. The offeror shall complete blocks 17a, 26, 30a, 30b, and 30c of the SF 1449 cover sheet. For purposes of proposal submission, ignore the entry '(For Govt. Use Only)' in block 26. All 'fill-in' clauses included in the SF 1449 shall be completed prior to proposal submission. The offeror shall enter unit prices and extended prices for CLINs 0001 through 4014. State all prices in United States Currency (USD) using only whole dollar amounts (in order to avoid potential rounding issues).

Signature by the offeror on the SF 1449 constitutes an offer, which the Government may accept.” Can the government please confirm that the SF 1449 an associated pricing should be included in Part I-Price proposal?

33. Does the Government want a price narrative?

A: No, the Part I – Price Proposal requirements are listed in the “Evaluation Factors for Award” section of the solicitation.

34. Can the Government please confirm that the only requirement for Part I-Price Proposal is the completed CLINS from pages 3-10 of the solicitation?

35. On pages 72 and 73 the content under “ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS the numbering is inconsistent. There is no (1), (2), (5), (7), (8), or (9). Can the Government please confirm that no information is missing?

A: This is an addendum to the clause 52.212-1, so only information that is being added to the wording already in the clause is listed.

36. Item 5 in the table in PWS 2. SERVICE SUMMARY references “PWS PARA 1.6”. Can the Government please confirm that this reference is inclusive of 1.6.1, 1.6.2, and 1.6.3?

37. Below PWS 1.7 are sections 1.8.1 and 1.8.2. Can the Government please confirm that no information is missing?

A: No info is missing from section 1.7 or 1.8.

38. The PWS goes from 1.13.1.4 to 1.15. There is no 1.14. Can the Government please confirm that no information is missing?

A: No info is missing.

39. The PPQ says that the completed documents should be sent to Alicia Bowman and Tiffany Aultman, however Section L identifies Alicia Bowman and Katie Nelson. Can the Government please clarify who the PPQs should be sent to?

A: Please send PPQs to alicia.bowman@us.af.mil and tiffany.aultman@us.af.mil.

40. Are there any condition requirements for contractor-provided containers, truck, equipment, etc.?

A: Serviceable mailto:alicia.bowman@us.af.mil mailto:tiffany.aultman@us.af.mil

41. Are any compactors used onsite?

42. Are any open top containers kept onsite permanently?

A: Yes, five 30 yard containers.

43. Please provide the following information on all GFP:

- What is the manufacturing date of this item?

- Is this item currently serviceable and in use?

- If the item is currently not serviceable and not in use, then why has it not been repaired and placed back in use?

- Has this item been out of service at any time over the last 5 years?

- If the item has been out of service at any time over the last 5 years, why was it out of service and what was the cost of each repair?

- What is the manufacturers anticipated lifecycle of this item?

- What would the cost of replacing this item with a new or fully refurbished unit be?

A: Please see revised GFP list in Appendix H or Revised Attachment #3.

44. Are all of the numbers and information that the government notes under the “Model Number” section for the 15 items that make up the Government Furnished Property actually the “Model Number” or is it the serial number? If it is not the model number, can the model number please be provided along with answers for the questions asked pertaining to that specific “Model Number”.

A: The numbers listed are the model numbers.

45. There was a Forklift next to the inoperable equipment outside the recycling center, is this part of the Government Furnished Property as well? If yes, please provide answers to the questions in #46.

A: Yes, the forklift is on the GFP list.

46. Will the government remove CLIN 0010 (and all corresponding CLINS) from the contract as there is no way for a Total Small Business contractor to foresee and intelligently price what the cost of repairs will be for equipment the government has owned over an extended period?

A: The Government Furnished Equipment Maintenance CLINs are FFP CLINs meant to cover standard, recurring maintenance on equipment. The Government Furnished Equipment Repair CLINs have been changed to Not to Exceed (NTE) CLINs. Contractor should provide a unit cost.

Only the unit cost will be included in the TEP. See addendum to 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Products and Commercial Services in the solicitation for more information.

47. Will the government adjust CLIN 0009 (and all corresponding CLINS) to read “Govt Furnished Equipment Maintenance for Fully Functional Government Furnished Equipment”. To expect an awarded contractor to know what the maintenance cost will be for items that they have no history on and were shown to be unserviceable at the site visit is unrealistic.

A: See answer to question 46.

48. Why is the government requiring the awarded contractor to be responsible for a considerable amount of unserviceable capital equipment, that is owned by the government, as part of a solicitation titled “Refuse and Recycling”? Wouldn’t it be ideal for the Government to have a separate contract for the repair and maintenance of all the Government Furnished Property as the principal purpose of this contract is to provide “Refuse and Recycling” services as noted in the title chosen by the government?

A: Please see revised GFP list in Appendix H or Revised Attachment #3. One horizontal baler is currently inoperable, but Contractor will not be responsible for its repair.

49. There were bundles of Bailing wire seen at the site visit. The following questions relate to the bailing wire if it is to be provided by the awarded contractor. If the awarded contractor is not required to provide the wire, will the government please note that in the response to this question?

- Is the awarded contractor responsible for providing the bailing wire?

- What is the specification of bailing wire required for each bailing machine?

- How many bundles of bailing wire have been utilized over the last year of each type?

- How many individual bailing wires are needed to make a bale for each of the bailing machines listed in the Government Furnished Equipment list.

A: Contractor is responsible for providing the bailing wire. Refer to equipment manufacturer recommendations for bailing wire specifications.

50. There are plastic liners in use as part of the current contract that were seen at the site visit.

There were liners with trash. There were liners with recyclable material. There were liners with shredded paper. The following questions relate to the plastic liners and if they are to be provided by the awarded contractor or if they will be provided by the government. If the awarded contractor is not required to provide the plastic liners, will the government please note that in the response to this question?

- How many of the different cans/containers/shred cans require the use of plastic liners?

- How many of each type/size of plastic liner is needed per month per type/size of cans/containers/shred cans?

- Is the awarded contractor responsible for providing these liners?

A: Drum liners are 45 GAL; Contractor is responsible for providing liners as needed. Refer to manufacturer recommendations for drum liner specifications.

51. The historical tonnages being utilized as part of this solicitation are identical to the historical tonnages of the 2020 solicitation. Did the government consider any increase or decrease in historical tonnages in the development of their Initial Government Cost Estimate (IGCE)? The copy and paste approach for historical tonnage information must be addressed and actual tonnages should be considered. As required by the FAR and by GAO Case Law, will the government please update all corresponding historical tonnages by providing the last 24 months of tonnage reports submitted to the government as required by the current contract therefore being information that would be deemed accurate and readily available in compliance with the

FAR?

A: The tonnages in Appendix A have been updated based on data from the last 12 months.

52. There were multiple old bales of cardboard stacked outside the recycling center that had either split open or would be deemed as unacceptable by a recycling center, would these be the responsibility of the awardee to dispose of?

53. Is there a required color of Front End Load (8yd containers/dumpster) for this new contract?

Other AFB all have a published standard color. Will this base have the same requirement? If so, please provide the required color code for the Front End Load containers.

A: Please use brown for trash. No specific color required for recycling.

54. Is there a required color of Rolloff containers for this new contract? Other AFB all have a published standard color. Will this base have the same requirement? If so, please provide the required color code for the Rolloff containers.

55. On page 21 of the Performance Work Statement the government notes an off-site recycling processing facility that is located 13 miles away from the AFB. What is the name of the recycling facility government is referencing? Does the government have a specific account at the facility that is to be utilized by the awarded contractor?

A: This facility is now closed.

56. On page 21 of the Performance Work Statement the government notes a disposal facility that is located 10 miles away from the AFB. What is the name of the disposal facility government is referencing? Does the government have a specific account at the facility that is to be utilized by the awarded contractor?

A: Gulf Disposal Landfill, LLC; Contractor is not required to use this facility.

57. What is the date that the government anticipates notifying the apparent awardee and the unsuccessful offerors of the results?

A: The proposal deadline is extended to 2 September 2025. The apparent successful awardee and unsuccessful offerors will be notified 1-2 weeks after the proposal deadline.

58. What amount of Phase-In/ Phase-out time is the government going to provide the awarded contract? There is significant time (45 days) required for most, if not all, container equipment manufacturers to provide the number of containers required by this contract after notification of award. If the government is not going to allow a phase in period, and adequate time for the purchasing, manufacturing, and transport of containers, then this solicitation’s unrealistic performance timeline can only be met by the incumbent contractor, making this a sole-source award shielded by a solicitation process.

A: The contract must start on 1 October 2025 as the current contract ends on 30 September 2025; however, the logistics of mobilization can be discussed with the COR upon award. The Government will be as flexible as possible in light of the quick turnaround.

59. Page 3 of 43 of the PWS section 1.2.5 notes that C&D containers need to be provided when requested by the COR. Is the maximum number of calls expected from the COR for C&D Rolloff containers 24 as noted in Appendix A item 7?

A: This is an estimated quantity, not a maximum.

60. Appendix A Item 8 notes a total tonnage of the C&D containers of 2,000 tons. If only 24 C&D containers are to be ordered per year (as noted in Item 7), that would make the average weight of each Rolloff container over 83 tons. Can the government please review this estimate and provide the average weight of the last 12 C&D container hauls requested and serviced on the current contract and update the 2,000 ton estimated quantity to an estimate based on readily available historical information?

A: The tonnages in Appendix A have been updated based on data from the last 12 months. 24 C&D containers is an estimate, not a maximum.

61. What specific items/containers/ dumpsters would need to be weighed to be accounted for in CLIN 0014 – Disposal Landfill Fee Medical?

A: CLINs labeled “Medical” would encompass any work associated with the medical facilities.

They will have a separate COR and are funding their own CLINs. So they will be invoiced separately.

62. What specific items/containers/ dumpsters would make up the costs for CLIN 0011? No special solid food/ waste collection equipment was seen at the medical center as part of the site visit?

Is this the same as the service costs associated with CLIN 0001? Does the government want costs associated with services at the medical center to be reflected on this CLIN and not on CLIN 0001? This ambiguity needs to be clarified.

A: See answer to question 63.

63. What specific items/containers/ dumpsters would make up the costs for CLIN 0012? No special recyclable collection equipment was seen at the medical center as part of the site visit. Is this the same as the service costs associated with CLIN 0002? Does the government want costs associated with services at the medical center to be reflected on this CLIN and not on CLIN 0002?

A: See answer to question 63.