Q_&_A.docx

FA301617R0079

MEDICAL WASTE DISPOSAL

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Question 1: In section 2.2.1: the contractor is to provide impermeable plastic liners, a maximum of 6 mil thickness.

0. The standard for regulated medical waste is to meet the US DOT requirements for impact and tear as prescribed by ASTM D standards 1709 and 1922. This complies with HAZMAT regulations.

0. Will liners meeting these standards be acceptable?

Response: Yes

Question 2: Section 2.2.4 requires weighing the containers at the facility prior to leaving. The containers are bar-coded and weighed at the treatment facility. We record the number of containers, size, and total cu ft. or total gallons as opposed to pounds. The pounds are captured at the treatment facility. As long as the containers are bar-coded and weighed at the treatment facility will that fulfill the requirement for capturing the weights?

Response: Requirement is to meet PWS, weighing will be accomplished at facility prior to leaving.

Question 3: Section 2.2.4 requires the manifests to be submitted electronically and mailed. Manifests are done electronically now and not mailed. They are compiled in a batch for each month sequentially for each location. This PDF is then emailed to the COR. Would that be acceptable?

Response: The contractor shall provide a “yellow” copy and the “disposal” white copy to the government representative. Contractor is required to meet PWS time frame.

Question 4: Section 2.2.4 requires the manifests to be submitted within 30 days form disposal. It typically takes 45 -60 days to download all shipping papers for a given month of service. Would that be acceptable?

Response: The manifesto must be submitted within 30 days from disposal as required in the PWS

Question 5: Section 2.2.7 requires on-site US DOT training. We can provide this class on-site. We can provide a larger coverage if your sites utilize our web based training. It meets the requirements for US DOT. Each employee is issued a certificate and a US DOT HAZMAT training record. Would this be acceptable as opposed to on-site?

A. We find it to be far more effective and able to be completed at any time.

Response: Government requires on-site US DOT training per the PWS.

Question 6: Section 2.4.10 refers to a letter of liability. According to the US DOT the generator is always the responsible party for a hazardous material form the cradle to the grave. We are certainly willing to provide one and more importantly ensure the waste is properly managed. We just want to make sure that the government is aware that the liability always remains with the generator of the waste.

A. We would in return want the government to sign a waste acceptance protocol. Ensuring that the facilities will only be shipping regulated medical waste and no other materials such as RCRA listed waste nor incompatibles.

Response: The letter of liability refers to the proper management of waste and responsibility of the contractor for any spills, leaks due to contractor’s own activities. The letter is to ensure that the contractor assumes the liability and responsibility of clean up.

Question 7: For the solicitation you have annual pricing. Can you please specify the quantities in either the Request for Proposal or the Bid Form so that we can annualize our per container pricing.

A. For example:

1. 750 boxes per month autoclave

1. 250 boxes per month incinerate

1. 100 boxes annual for emergencies

This would allow us to give a total amount annually in our submission.

Response: See below historical information:

Monthly RMW “autoclave” WHASC:

Jan: 433 containers; 10818.5lbs Feb: 426 containers; 10,204.0 lbs.

Mar: 450 containers; 10,374.9lbs Apr: 620 containers; 15,058.9lbs May: 311 containers; 7,305.0lbs Jun: 439 containers; 10645.5lbs Jul: 499 containers; 11,922.4lbs Aug: 388 containers; 9,638.5lbs Totals RMW “autoclave” WHASC: Jan-Aug 2017 3566 containers; 85,968 lbs.

Monthly RMW “autoclave” Randolph:

Jun: 12 containers; 236.2lbs Jul: 18 containers; 376.8lbs Aug: 16 containers; 362.1lbs Totals RMW “autoclave” Randolph Jun-Aug 2017 46 containers; 975 lbs.

Monthly Path/Chemo “incinerate” WHASC:

Jan: 152 containers; 7,378.0lbs Feb: 104 containers; 4,906.8lbs Mar: 227 containers; 11,753.0lbs Apr: 184 containers; 8,917.0lbs May: 65 containers; 3,294.0lbs Jun: 68 containers; 3,423.6lbs Jul: 188 containers; 9,284.0lbs Aug: 82 containers; 3,860.5lbs Totals Path/Chemo “incinerate” WHASC 1070 containers; 52,817 lbs.

Question 8: According to Deltek, the previous contract was BPA. Can you please provide:

a. the contractor name,

b. BPA total value, and

c. the period of performance (start and end)?

Response: This was not a prior BPA contract. This was a firm fixed price contract. The contractor was Stericycle and it was for NTE $90K for 1 April -30 Sep 2017.

Question 9: How many boxes were required during the performance of the previous contract?

Response: This information is unknown, please refer to the historical information and response to question 7 to determine boxes.

Question 10: What type and size vehicle does the current contractor use for waste transportation?

Response: This information is unknown, contractor may provide their own vehicle based on the requirement.

Question 11: Will there be a dedicated phase-in period for this contract?

Response: There will be no phase-in period as it is not required.

Question 12: Will Air Force clinical employees place the boxes in pick-up areas/loading zones, or will contractors be required to swap at designated stations then carry out for transport?

Response: Yes. As shown during the site visit; each facility will have a storage area where all waste is kept. Contractor will pick up from that specific those location.

Question 13: If a Quoter chooses to subcontract, will the Prime also be required to carry the licenses and certifications for medical waste transport and incineration?

Response: When setting aside to small business concerns, 13 C.F.R. § 125.6- Prime contractor performance requirements (limitations on subcontracting) applies. In the case of a contract for services, the concern will perform at least 50 percent of the cost of the contract incurred for personnel with its own employees. Since the Prime is/must performing 50%, they must carry the licenses and certifications of the service they will perform in accordance with local, state and federal regulations.

Question 14: Re: Instructions to Offerors, 2.2: Complete the necessary representations and certifications in provisions.

IAW FAR 52-212-3 (Jan 2017), if a company has completed all certifications on line in SAM.gov, other than paragraph (b)(2) what further representations and certifications are required for this proposal?

Response: Please state on proposal that Reps & Certs are completed in SAM.gov. SAM will be checked to confirm.

Question 15: RE: PWS 2.2.7: The Contractor shall provide an annual 1-hour training into their services as it relates to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and medical waste requirements. The training shall be accomplished at a government site and scheduled by the government as required, for new government employees or as a refresher for up to 10 government employees chosen by the COR.

Is this class “cost of doing business” or will the contractor receive any compensation from the Government for this training?

Response: This should be part of the contract proposal. Not any additional compensation.