FA3047-15-R-0011_Questions_and_Answers_(5-58_unanswered).doc

502 CONS JBKAAA

FA3047-15-R-0011

JBSA Lackland, TX

JBSA REFUSE

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (#5-58)

Question 5: Please confirm the anticipated start date is October 1, 2015.

Government Response:

Question 6: The current due date of this submittal is July 6, 2015. This is the Monday following a major holiday. To insure the submittal package is delivered in this time frame, contractors will need to ship the response by Thursday July 2, 2015. Given the breadth and scope of this project, submittal requirements and the volume of equipment that needs to be sourced and priced we respectfully request an extension to the due date of at least one week. Will the government grant the extension.

Government Response:

Question 7: The solicitation combines Transport and disposal of MSW with the Landfill Tipping Fees (Item No. 0106, etc.) (Pages 8/15/21/27/33 of 174). The CLIN narrative states “Transport and dispose of MSW including Landfill Tipping Fees”. Please consider separating Landfill Tipping Fees and making a pass through item as such Fees are unilaterally set by third parties beyond the Contractor’s control.

Government Response:

Question 8: As this procurement is 100% HUBZONE SB Set Aside, the solicitation incorporates by reference FAR 52.219-3 (Page 37 of 174). Such provision, subsection (d) governs a HUBZone’s performance or limitation upon subcontracting requirements. As such, FAR 52.219-14 is inconsistent and should not be included in the solicitation (Page 37 of 174). FAR 52.219-3(d) permits a HUBZone SB to subcontract to another HUBZone SB in meeting its performance obligations. FAR 52.219-14, which applies to small business or 8(a) set-asides, only counts the SB/8(a)’s personnel costs, i.e, it does not permit subcontracting to other SBCs or 8(a)s to count towards the self-performing requirements as applicable to the limitation on subcontracting provisions.

Government Response:

Question 9: The solicitation includes FAR 52.237-1, which is required by FAR 37.110, that urges offerors to conduct a site inspection. Due to restrictions on access to the base, however, such site visits may not be possible. We respectfully request that the Government conduct an organized, site visit, for all interested contractors, to permit such inspection.

Government Response:

Question 10: FAR 52.216-19, ORDER LIMITATIONS, contains a minimum order amount of $5,000.00 (Page 76 of 174). FAR 16.504(2) requires that for the contract to be binding, the minimum quantity must be more than a nominal quantity. The $5,000 is such a nominal amount and does not have a reasonable relationship to the amount that the Government is fairly certain to order. To ensure a binding contract, the agency should consider increasing the minimum quantity.

Government Response:

Question 11: 1.1.1.2 Food Waste Service, please confirm that daily service of food waste containers is to be provided 7 days per week, or whether 5 day per week service is acceptable.

Government Response:

Question 12: 1.1.1.3. Public/Common Use MSW Receptacles. Will the government please specify the size liners needed for this requirement?

Government Response:

Question 13: 1.1.1.4. Green waste. Will the government please add a CLIN for disposal cost separate from MSW disposal?

Government Response:

Question 14: 1.1.3.1. Unscheduled Pickup and Special Events. “The contactor will be responsible for providing the services IAW prices established on Appendix C.” Appendix C is referred to in this section as well as several others.

Will the government please provide Appendix C?

Additionally, will the government please provide a historical annual number of special events and the services required for each?

Government Response:

Question 15: Construction and Demolition Debris (C&D). “When requested by the COR, the contractor shall provide roll-off containers for collection of non-Military Construction (MILCON) generated C&D using the Container Price List. The contractor shall place containers at the designated site within one business day of notification by the CO or COR. The contractor shall recycle or dispose of all C&D at a permitted C&D landfill or recycling facility ensuring that 50% of all C&D material is recycled or reused respective to the C&D material being collected. The contactor will be responsible for providing the individual costs for solid waste disposal and recyclable collection when both services are required during a C&D collection and disposal. The contractor shall provide weight tickets from all roll-off containers to the COR.”

a) Reference is made to a container price list; please provide a copy of this pricing/document/ template/schedule.

b) Please clarify whether the government will reimburse the disposal of C&D material?

c) The CLIN currently available for roll off service does not include disposal costs. Are these costs to be reimbursed under CLIN x106?

d) Additionally, will the government please provide a historical annual number of services required for C&D roll offs?

Government Response:

Question 16: 1.1.3.6. Additional Pickups: In the event unusual conditions cause a container to require pickup before the scheduled time, the CO or COR may request in writing (email/ Fax sufficient) pickup within 4 hours and the contractor will be compensated based on the established pricing in Appendix C, Container Price List (CPL).

Section 4.4 Hours of Operation states “Solid Waste personnel operate 0600 - 1700 Monday through Sunday”

a) Please confirm that the 4 hour response time is limited to within the hours 0600-1700 Monday thru Sunday and that the contractor will not be required to provide unscheduled services outside of those hours?

b) Additionally, can the government please provide the referenced Appendix C. Container Price List.

Government Response:

Question 17: 1.1.3.7.1. The contractor shall be required to relocate or move container(s) within two (2) duty hours of verbal notification by authorized personnel.

Section 4.4 Hours of Operation states “Solid Waste personnel operate 0600 - 1700 Monday through Sunday”

a) Please confirm that the 2 duty hour response time is limited to within the hours 0600-1700 Monday thru Sunday and that the contractor will not be required to provide unscheduled services outside of those hours?

b) We respectfully request that the time allowance be increased to a minimum of 4 hours of notification within regular working hours. Based upon the broad geographic reach of this project the 2 hour response time is so short that it would require additional vehicles and personnel be kept on hand at all times, in order to meet the requirement as specified.

Government Response:

Question 18: 1.1.3.7.2 Relocation of containers for occurrences such as real world threats. Please provide a CLIN to compensate the contractor for the costs associated with these relocations or alternatively limit the number required so that the cost can be built into the current CLIN structure.

Government Response:

Question 19: 1.1.3.7.2.1 “This shall be considered the equivalent of an “Unscheduled” request. Please provide a CLIN to compensate the Contractor for “Unscheduled” requests.

Government Response:

Question 20: 1.1.3.7.2.2 States “At no time will any vehicles enter the installation with refuse collected from an off base location”, and 1.1.10 states “..to ensure no other waste is mixed with JBSA installation waste”. As there are several basses within the Joint Base Installation, please confirm that the contractor will be able to enter a Joint Base facility with a partial load of waste collected from another Joint Base facility. It is understood that Joint Base San Antonio refuse is not to be mixed with any other refuse.

Government Response:

Question 21: 1.1.8 and 1.4 Please confirm that the refuse containers currently in place on the incumbent’s contract will be acceptable for performance under the solicited contract and that they meet the approved color scheme.

Government Response:

Question 22: 1.1.9 states “the contractor shall provide appropriate means of ensuring the container remains securely closed during all weather conditions.”

a) Do the current containers as configured meet this requirement?

b) Is the government requesting “lid locks” that keep the top lids closed at all times (containers have to be loaded through side doors) or “lid stops” that prevent the lids from being flipped all the way open?

Government Response:

Question 23: 1.4.1 is there a prescribed container washing schedule for food waste or other waste containers?

Government Response:

Question 24: 1.5 Will it be acceptable to provide apportioned weight tickets for front load routes that service multiple installations (LAK, FSH, RAN etc)? Loads would be apportioned based upon container yards serviced.

Government Response:

Question 25: 1.6 How long will the Phase In/Phase Out period be?

Government Response:

Question 26: Tables A.3.1, A.3.2, A.3.3, A3.4 & A3.5 provide roll off service frequencies. Is it the Governments intent that the contractor establish a regular service schedule for each of the roll off containers at the prescribed service interval, 1x Wk, 1x Mo etc. and to service and charge for those services in accordance with the schedule, or are the containers to be serviced “on call”, i.e the customer/user or COR will contact the contractor when they are full and request service?

Government Response:

Question 27: It has been the experience of this contractor that requested services, particularly for roll off services, occasionally result in a “dry run.” In other words a truck is dispatched, as requested by the government, and upon arrival, the container is found to be empty.

Will the government provide payment to contractor for dry runs?

Government Response:

Question 28: The PWS and CLIN structure do not currently address the charges for deliveries, exchanges or container washes.

a) Will the government please add these services to the CLIN structure, to provide a mechanism for reimbursing the contractor for the cost associated with these services?

b) Please provide the annual historical volumes of each of the services.

Government Response:

Question 29: There is a typographical error in the electronic pricing schedule. The quantity for CLINs 0101, 0201, CLIN 0301, CLIN 0401, and CLIN 0501 is 96,476. The quantity cells for CLIN 0101 and CLIN 0401 on the electronic pricing schedule 96,496.

Government Response:

Question 30: Does the 8cy Containers, Roll-Offs & Compactors have to be brand new equipment.

Government Response:

Question 31: Does the Equipment have to be less than so many years old (i.e 3yrs. or 5 yrs.)?

Government Response:

Question 32: Would you allow the new company to purchase the incumbent’s equipment if a deal was made between the 2?

Government Response: that is of no business to the Government.

Question 33: It could be difficult to get an order from the manufacturer with the high volume of cans needed by the October 1st start date.

Government Response:

Question 34: Please reference PWS 1.1.3.1. Unscheduled Pick-up and Special Events and 1.1.3.6. Unscheduled Pick-ups. These paragraphs reference the “Container Price List”, Appendix C. Where is Appendix C located? Once made available, will this price list contain a pricing structure format for each different container type and size?

Government Response:

Question 35: Please reference PWS 1.1.3.7 relating to relocation of containers. How will the contractor be compensated for government requested container relocations? Will the referenced “Container Price List” include a pricing schedule for relocations?

Government Response:

Question 36: Please reference PWS Appendix “A” Tables. Do these Container and Frequency of Collection Schedule tables represent the same number of refuse containers and collection frequencies currently collected on this project by the incumbent?

Government Response:

Question 37: Please confirm that it is the government’s intent for the contractor to price line CLIN’s 0X02 (all years) at a flat rate for all Roll Off Container and type sizes. In other words, will the contractor will be compensated the same CLIN fee per each unit serviced, regardless of the equipment investment between the different types of containers? For example, a 20-cubic yard Open Top Roll Off service will be priced at the same fee as a 40-Cubic yard Compactor service. There is a huge difference in cost of these two different equipment applications.

Government Response:

Question 38: Will the contractor be compensated for disposal fees at line item 0X06, all years, based on the total tons of the weight tickets submitted times the CLIN unit price bid?

Government Response:

Question 39: Are there any requirements for any forms of Special Waste, requiring the need for a manifest, including sludge type waste, to be collected and disposed? If so, is there a requirement for any special watertight refuse containers for the services?

Government Response:

Question 40: Please reference CLIN 0X06 (all years). Does the government include any provision for Economic Adjustment for Landfill/Disposal fee changes?

Government Response:

Question 41: How will the contractor be compensated for a government request for the contractor to provide additional containers to new collection stations that may be added to the requirement?

Government Response:

Question 42: Will the government provide a government sponsored site visit?

Government Response:

Question 43: Does the government anticipate an extension of the due date?

Government Response:

Question 44: Can the government provide a site visit to review each of the work sites included in the solicitation? FA3047-15-R-0011 is a large requirement and bears substantial risk to a contractor with regard to the required amount of capital investment. Refusal of a site visit would favor the incumbent contractor, and result in less competitive bid results for the Government.

Government Response:

Question 45: Fulfillment of the requirements for solicitation FA3047-15-R-0011 will require procurement of a large amount of heavy equipment, including trucks, commercial dumpsters, large roll-off containers and compactors with custom paint finishes. The lead time for ordering this quantity of new equipment, and applying the required custom paint color will be approximately 150 days. Proposal Factor #2, Mobilization Plan requires offerors to submit a mobilization plan that details equipment procurement. Will a mobilization plan timeline of 150 days be accepted by the Government as Technically Acceptable for this Factor? Requirement of a shorter timeline would also favor the incumbent for competition of solicitation FA3047-15-R-0011.

Government Response:

Question 46: The solicitation states that the resulting contract will be an IDIQ contract. Is there any indication, or future plans by the government, to close any of the sites listed in solicitation FA3047-15-R-0011 within the period of performance for the Base plus 4 Option Periods? This information is important in determining pricing due to the significant capital investment required to fulfill the work requirements of Solicitation FA3047-15-R-0011.

Government Response:

Question 47: What is the estimated, average waiting time for security access to each site? Please provide security check point waiting time averages for both peak, and non-peak periods for each site included in solicitation FA3047-15-R-0011.

Government Response:

Question 48: Section 1.1.10 of the SOW states that all collection vehicles entering JBSA installations must be empty. This makes sense for all roll-off containers and collection vehicles, but eliminates enhanced sustainability initiatives and cost reduction potential for the government with regard to Front End Load (FEL) Collection Trucks used in emptying 8 yard sized containers and smaller. Fuel consumption, emissions, noise, driver time and asset use time are all reduced if FEL trucks are utilized on a route that maximizes the amount of material collected before transporting waste to an off-site, approved disposal facility. If disposal costs for 8 yard sized containers and smaller are included in CLIN series ending in 01 and 04, and accurate weights are reported for this material to the government for reporting purposes, can the contractor be allowed to commingle JBSA waste with off-base waste? If this operating procedure is allowed, it will not affect Government costs for Landfill fees in CLIN series ending in 06, while allowing accurate Government reporting of Municipal Solid Waste weights, reduction of costs to the the Government, and improve achievement of sustainability goals and carbon footprint.

Government Response:

Question 49: What type compactor (stationary or self-contained) is needed at each location requiring a compactor?

Government Response:

Question 50: Is all the Government Owned Equipment included in this solicitation designated in the SOW Tables by a “GE” following the description? If not, what other Government Owned Equipment is included in this solicitation?

Government Response:

Question 51: Section 1.1.3.1. Unscheduled Pickup and Special Events states pricing with be in accordance with prices established on Appendix C. However, the solicitation only includes Appendix A and Appendix B. Can the Government please furnish a copy of Appendix C, allowing per pick up pricing that is separate from the per pick up pricing for regular scheduled services in CLIN series ending in 01, 02, 03, and 04?

Government Response:

Question 52: What is the Government estimate for the contract resulting from Solicitation FA3047-15-R-0011 for the 12 month Base Period?

Government Response:

Question 53: For each location requiring a contractor supplied compactor, will the government provide the necessary electrical hook up and concrete pad for compactor installation?

Government Response:

Question 54: Will there be a staging area available to the awarded contractor at each location to assist with the phase in period to ensure that all containers are in phased in within a timely manner?

Government Response:

Question 55: Do any of the contractor furnished compactors require modifications accommodate a trash chute or from the building it is collecting waste from Government Response:

Question 56: If the government owned equipment is denoted by the letters "(GE)” on the tables provided in the PWS, then can the government please confirm if the compactor listed by the government in Table A-3-1 at Bldg 1068 is a self contained compactor or a stationary compactor. If it is a stationary compactor, does the government provide both the compactor and the receiver box or just the compactor unit.

Government Response:

Question 57: Do any of these locations require contractor to enroll into the Rapid Gate Program for access?

Government Response:

Question 58: We would like to formally request for an extension. In accordance with FAR 14.202-1, there should be an extension issued that, at a minimum, allows 30 calendar days from the time that the solicitation is issued to the due date. There should also be significant consideration given to the date when the award notification is made prior to start date of the contract. The amount of capital equipment that is needed for this contract is SIGNIFICANT. The leading manufacturer in the U.S for solid waste containers, such as the ones needed for this contract, has stated that a lead-time of 4-6 months is needed to produce that many containers. The government, in their due diligence, should absolutely investigate these realities as they ultimately preclude any realistic competition for this solicitation.

To further stress this point, there is no mention of a site visit for this significant mission essential requirement. With the way things are currently set up right now in the solicitation, the only realistic provider for this contract is the incumbent and only the incumbent. In an effort to avoid unduly restricting competition, please take the time to consider what has been mentioned and allow it to assist the government in ensuring that the burden of a good faith, effort, and the guidelines found in FAR 14.202 are met.

Government Response: