FA487722B0001 - Questions and Answers (3 Feb).pdf

Questions and Answers:

Answers in red text were posted on 3 Feb 2022.

1) In reviewing the RFP for FA487722B0001 (Clinical Healthcare Services), Page 44. “Evaluation Factors for Award” appears blank. Can you please advise?

Answer: Amendment 1 added verbiage to this section clarifying why it was blank.

2) Does the government plan to release proposal/submission instructions and evaluation criteria for the subject solicitation? Both appear to be cut off in the solicitation documents.

Answer: See amendment 1 clarifying the evaluation criteria. See amendment 2 clarifying the submission instructions.

3) I’m looking for the evaluation factors for award in this solicitation package and all I can find is where it says Evaluation Factors for Award on page 44 of the solicitation, but there is no content after that. Was this document cut off somehow, or have I missed the corresponding section? Please advise.

Answer: Evaluation Criteria appears to be cut off - See amendment 1 clarifying the evaluation criteria.

4) Is there any negotiation with meeting the 90‐day fill rate for HC providers when credentialing can take 60‐90 days? (This tight deadline leads us to believe there maybe incumbent personnel.)

Answer: PWS 1.2.14 requirement is for 90 days.

5) Is there any flexibility with the expectation for credentialed healthcare providers to start work within 90 days of the task order award? (It will be challenging for vendors to meet that timeline upon receipt of a task order award, due to the length of time to recruit, credential, complete background screening, and have the employee ready to start.)

Answer: PWS 1.2.14 requirement is for 90 days.

6) Are the rates we submit in our proposal the rates we must fill positions for the duration of the five‐year contract period or is there a clause for wage adjustments and inflation?

Answer: IAW FAR Clause 52.222-41 and 52.222-43, Service Contract Labor Standard positions will have an updated wage determination uploaded yearly and may be eligible for a wage rate increase. Any position that is not covered under a wage determination will be adjusted to the pricing on Attachment 5 – Position Description Pricing Worksheet for the ordering period for which the order is being placed.

Adjustments in pricing may be considered if the selected contractor can prove that market factors that were unpredictable at the time of bid submission caused the price to adjust to a point that the contractor cannot fill positions without taking a loss on the contract as a whole. This does not excuse the contractor intentionally underpricing positions in order to receive the contract. The contractor must prove the market as a whole has had unexpected increases in wage rates.

7) In regard to SCA employees, will the government provide an equitable adjustment if SCA wages increase or is the company expected to fully burden our wages to reflect a potential SCA wage increase?

Answer: IAW FAR Clause 52.222-41 and 52.222-43, Service Contract Labor Standard positions will have an updated wage determination uploaded yearly and may be eligible for a wage rate increase.

Additionally, the rate submitted with the bid is expected to be the fully burdened labor rate. No adjustments other than those required by the Service Contract Labor Standards will be allowed for covered positions.

8) Do we have to respond to every Task Order issued?

Answer: Yes, this will be a single award IDIQ so all task orders must be filled by the selected contractor.

9) Will we bid on TOs or will the Government issue these based on our pricing model?

Answer: No bids on TOs. Pricing in Attachment 5 pricing worksheet will be utilized for a task order issued as pricing submitted will be incorporated into the contract award.

10) Is the onsite contract manager actually a program manager? Are there minimum education and work experience requirements?

Answer: No position description/labor category is assigned to the onsite contract manager by the government. Education/work experience requirements of this employee are determined by the contract company.

11) On Page 8 of the solicitation there is reference to short term employees. Is there any clarification when short term positions are utilized and how often and is it the Government’s intention that vendors will credential and perform background investigations on short term employees (less 6 months)?

Answer: Historically short term credential positions are utilized when mutually agreed to by government and contractor. For example, a credentialed provider already in the position and the government request an additional 6 months of services. Non-credential positions could be awarded for 6 months if required.

Historically this rarely occurs.

12) Is the Government awarding this contract based on lowest price, technically acceptable submissions, or best value award?

Answer: This solicitation is not competed under FAR Part 15, Contracting by Negotiation, instead we are utilizing the procedures under FAR Part 14, Sealed Bidding. As such the best value continuum does not apply.

13) Can we submit definitive responsibility criteria letters from our subcontractors who meet the criteria in addition to those we submit as the Prime Contractor?

Answer: No, letters for subcontractors are not allowed, only letters from teaming partners. See amendment 2 for clarifying language in the definitive responsibility criteria.

14) Can you clarify what a “Bid Opening Date” is?

a. Are proposals due no later than February 16, 2022? If not, what is the closing date for this solicitation and/or when are proposals due?

Answer: See Solicitation Page 1 Block 8 – YES; Bids are due not later than 16 February 22; 2:00pm local time (Tucson AZ is currently MST).

15) What will be discussed at the “bid opening” teleconference? When is the “bid opening teleconference” if RSVP is due no later than 14 February 2022?

Answer: No discussion will occur. All bids will be opened and logged with the apparent successful offeror announced. As required the teleconference will begin at the bid closing date and time.

16) Page 44 is blank. What is the proposal Evaluation Criteria?

Answer: See amendment 1 clarifying the evaluation criteria.

17) Can you please confirm that the following items are the only things being requested for proposals?

--a. 1) Signed SF1449 and all Amendments (pricing not included on SF1449) 2) Position Description Pricing Worksheet (See Attachment 5) 3) Baseline Task Order Pricing Sheet (See Attachment 6) 4) Teaming Arrangement (if utilizing Teaming Partner) 5) On‐Site Contract Manager Confirmation (See Attachment 8) 6) Appropriate Number of Responsibility Letter In Accordance With the Definitive Contractor Responsibility Section of the Solicitation.

Answer: Please refer to the Instructions, Conditions, & Notices to Offerors or Quoters section of the SF 1449 for submission requirements.

18) In regards to the “Instructions, Conditions, & Notices to Offerors or Quoters” are we to submit all 6 items listed on page 41 of the Solicitation (and listed above) as 1 cohesive volume?

Answer: See amendment 2 for clarifying verbiage regarding volumes of submission.

19) As per #6 of the “Instructions, Conditions, & Notices to Offerors or Quoters” the offeror should submit “Appropriate Number of Responsibility Letter In Accordance With the Definitive Contractor Responsibility Section of the Solicitation.”

a. How many Letters are we to submit?

b. Is there a minimum number of letters or a maximum number of Letters that can be submitted?

c. How many need to come from the Prime Offeror and how many can be submitted by proposed teaming partners/Subcontractors?

d. If a bidder has two proposed subcontractors should each partner submit a Responsibility Letter?

e. Will Prime Offeror past performance/Responsibility Letters be weighted more heavily or of more importance than proposed Teaming Partners/Subcontractors?

Answer: See amendment 2 for clarifying information on the number of letters necessary to be submitted to satisfy the definitive responsibility criteria.

20) Page 10 of the Solicitation ‐ Definitive Responsibility Criteria (DRC): It says “To satisfy the DRC, the bidder shall submit a signed letter from each organization for whom it performed the contracts meeting the DRC.”

a. Who shall the responding organization send the signed letter to? Should they send this to Roxanne Elfering and/or Jeremy Dedmon or should they send it back to the offeror to include it in our proposal?

Answer: The signed letters shall be submitted with the bid and not individually to the government.

21) Page 10 of the Solicitation ‐ Definitive Responsibility Criteria (DRC): It says “For purposes of the DRC, a contract will be considered to have been completed within the last 5 years if: (a) the contract is currently being performed and the period of performance is at least 50% complete on the bid opening date;”

a. What is considered 50% if a contract has option years? Will the base year need to have been completed?

Answer: See amendment 1 for definitive responsibility criteria updated verbiage.

b. What if we are currently in option year 2 of a Base Year +4 Option Year contract, would we have met the criteria?

Answer: See amendment 1 for definitive responsibility criteria updated verbiage.

c. What if the full contract was for only 6 months, would completion of 3 months meet the criteria?

Answer: See amendment 1 for definitive responsibility criteria updated verbiage.

22) Are we to return the Attachment 7 - Business Associate Agreement with the proposal or will that be completed after award?

Answer: Completed after award.

23) Please confirm FAR 52.214-5 provides the complete the requirements of packaging and marking (page 5 of solicitation), as well as Packaging and Acceptance which is page 6 of the solicitation. If not please clarify

Answer: Correct. Address for bid submission is included in both block 8 of the SF 1449 and the Requirements (Page 4) if the SF1449.

24) The Requirements are that all bids must be received at the bid location . Can the Government provide the acceptable options are for delivery (electronic (email or web site) or package and mailed)?

Answer: Packaged and mailed. This is clarified in amendment 2.

25) When will the Government be providing any Packaging and Marking instructions?

Answer: See amendment 2 for packing and marking clarifications.

26) When will the Government be providing any Inspection and Acceptance instructions?

Answer: Inspection and acceptance terms will be per task order.

27) In the Deliveries or Performance section you identify 1 March 2022 as the expected start date, does that include all the time required to have a timely transition of incumbents personnel?

Answer: Anticipated award date for the IDIQ is for 1 March 2022. Award of any task order will be dependent on IDIQ award date. Contractor will be given appropriate time as required PWS paragraph

1.2.2 to transition incumbent employees or recruit new employees. However, it is the government’s intent to allow for a period of time to transition incumbent employees prior to task order start.

28) Can the Government please clarify if there are any of the Certs/Clauses such as 252.204-7017, that need to be completed and returned with our proposals. If so, can you also provide where we should put them in the proposal?

Answer: Please see amendment 2 updating submission criteria for contractors that are required to submit reps and certs. For this clause specifically, the contractor does not need to submit unless it marks in paragraph C of provision 252.204-7016 that is does provide covered defense telecommunications equipment or services. This provision is included in the annual reps and certs completed in SAM.

29) Can the Government please clarify if the teaming partner can be a large or do they have to be a small business and/or 8(a)?

Answer: Prime (including Joint Venture) is required to be an active SBA approved 8(a) company.

Teaming partners and subcontractors may be of any size standard as long as the requirements of the 8(a) program are maintained.

30) As many of the Government’s solicitation have done in the past, can you provide your definition of what you are considering as a contract? (IDIQ, Task order, combined Task orders, standalone contract, etc.).

Answer: This requirement is for a SINGLE IDIQ contract from which Task orders will be awarded. If the question is asking in regards to the definitive responsibility criteria a contract is a single award, whether that be a task order or a standalone contract, that meets the criteria. Combining multiple awards will not be allowed to meet the definitive responsibility criteria. Amendment 2 provides this definition in the solicitation.

31) Would the Government accept a task order (that meets the DRC criteria) under an IDIQ contract for completing the required Responsibility letter?

Answer: Yes, as long as it is a single task order.

32) Can the Government please clarify if the indicia of satisfactory performance for the contract should be for one year of performance or for the total contract duration?

Answer: Contractor may choose to use performance of longer than one year or only one year of the PoP.

However, contractors will not get more consideration for having a longer contract.

33) Can multiple Task order under an IDIQ be combined to meet the DRC requirements?

Answer: No.

34) To calculate the DRC percentage calculation (example: at least an 85% fill rate for more than 75% of the period of performance), would the period of performance be the last completed year of contract or task order and not from the start of the contract/IDIQ until the last completed option year, and not the current performance year?

Answer: Contractor may choose to use performance of longer than one year or only one year of the PoP.

However, contractors will not get more consideration for having a longer contract.

35) For the DRC calculation for “hired 90% of non-credentialed employees within 30 days of position vacancy and 90% of credentialed employees within 60 days of position vacancy”, would the period of performance be the last completed year of contract or task order and not from the start of the contract/IDIQ until the last completed option year, and not the current performance year?

Answer: Contractor may choose to use performance of longer than one year or only one year of the PoP.

However, contractors will not get more consideration for having a longer contract.

36) For the DRC requirement #3 "All employees hired by the bidder to perform the contract had all education, certifications, and experience required by the contract for the position in which they were employed.", if the Government has issued a waiver for a requirements of the position(s) then that would satisfy this requirement, correct? Could this be re-worded to "All employees hired by the bidder to perform the contract had all education, certifications, and experience required by the contract, unless waived by the Government, for the position in which they were employed."

Answer: This will not be re-worded but yes if a requirement was waived that will still meet the intent of the definitive responsibility criteria.

37) Does the Government have a format for the signed letter or can that be in the contractor format covering all the items?

Answer: Letter can be in any format as long as it addresses all criteria in the definitive responsibility criteria.

38) Can you please clarify? “Submission Requirements: If submitting a bid as an 8(a) or Joint Venture with no teaming partner submit two signed letters.” Please confirm that you are classifying the Joint Venture (which is normally comprised of 2 companies) as the offeror/bidder and that the Joint Venture would not have any additional teaming partners, correct? Would you expect one from each JV member or just 2 from the collective Joint Venture?

Answer: As a joint venture is recognized as one company the bidder would need to submit two letters total from the collective joint venture. However, if a joint venture were to team with any other entity that entity would also need to submit a letter.

39) Can you please clarify your definition of medical disciplines? Does it mean any of the labor categories within the PWS?

Answer: See amendment 2 for clarification.

40) Can you please clarify what documentation you will be using to validate that for an “bidder to be determined responsible, the bidder must satisfy: (a) The criteria listed in FAR 9.104-1”? What if anything should we provide with the proposal submission?

Answer: No additional documentation will be required. The government will use internal government systems such as CPARS, FAPIIS, and SAM to validate responsibility as outlined at FAR 9.104-1.

Additionally, the government may reach out to the SBA to validate financial resources or ability to comply with the performance required by the solicitation. The government also reserves the right to utilize outside sources if necessary to ensure the selected contractor is responsible.

41) For this DRC calculation, for standardization, can the Government provide the calculation methodology that should be used with an example for the “the bidder maintained at least an 85% fill rate for more than 75% of the period of performance."?

Answer: No. This is up to the individual that is writing the letter. To clarify, the government is not looking for specific numbers of positions and positions filled but a response verifying the bidder maintained its fill rates during the period of performance.

42) For this DRC calculation, for standardization, can the Government provide the calculation methodology that should be used with an example for the “bidder hired 90% of non-credentialed employees within 30 days of position vacancy and 90% of credentialed employees within 60 days of position vacancy”?

Answer: No. This is up to the individual that is writing the letter. To clarify, the government is not looking for specific timelines met but a response verifying that bidder maintained adequate hiring timelines during the period of performance.

43) For the DRC calculation, based on the Government turn time for credentialing, security, and approvals, should this be "submitted for approval" verse "hired"?

Answer: No. However, the individual writing the letter should use their judgement if the hiring process was delayed by the government.

44) Can you please clarify if per, “52.219-18 Notification of Competition Limited to Eligible 8(a) Participants”, that all member of a Joint Venture and/ or Prime Subcontracting arrangement must be 8(a)?

Answer: Not all members of a joint venture need to be 8(a) participants if the joint venture is registered as an 8(a). For teaming partners or subcontractors only the prime contractor is required to be an 8(a).

However, the prime contractor must maintain the requirements of the 8(a) program.

45) Can the Government please provide the details for the proposal structure (i.e., volumes, fonts, page count, word, PDF, Excel, etc.?

Answer: Please see amendment 2.

46) Will the Government be providing a signed 1449?

Answer: No. SF1449 solicitations are not signed by the government. Upon award the successful bidder will receive a signed SF1449 award.

47) Do we include the Supplies or Services & Prices or Costs page (Blank) with the SF 1449?

Answer: Yes, that section will be blank. Pricing is only required for Attachment 5 – Position Description Pricing Worksheet and Attachment 6 – Baseline Task Order Pricing Sheet.

48) Is the Government going to provide an updated copy of the Baseline Task Order Pricing List, with formulas included and the calculated total evaluated price (TEP), if it is going to be used during the Bid opening to determine the TEP or is the offeror expected to update?

Answer: The bidder is expected to calculate or enter formulas as necessary. During review after the bid opening to government will validate the pricing worksheets. The government will use their calculations if any errors exist. Errors could include rounding, misplaced decimals, etc.

49) During the bid opening will the Government be announcing each of the offerors submitting bid and their TEP only or will the Government also we reviewing the Responsibility Letter and other factors?

Answer: The government will announce that all required documents have been submitted and the TEP of all bids received.

50) To be to be considered responsive to this invitation for bid, page 41 Instructions, Conditions, & Notices to Offerors or Quoter bullet number 4) “Teaming Arrangements, (if utilizing Teaming Partner)”, are you considering the formation of a Joint Venture as having a teaming partner that would require a Joint Venture CTA or is documentation only required if you have a Prime (Joint Venture or single Prime) and subcontractor arrangement?

Answer: A joint venture is a single entity already approved by the SBA and no furtherdocumentation will be required for a joint venture. However, a teaming arrangement will need to be submitted if a bidder, whether a single prime or a joint venture, teams with another entity.

51) When will the Government be providing the 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items Factors?

Answer: See amendment 1 clarifying the evaluation criteria.

52) Are there going to be multiple awardees for this contract?

Answer: No, this is a single award IDIQ.

53) Did the government complete furnished real time research for the various labor categories hourly/salary rates?

Answer: In accordance with FAR 14.408-2 the government will review pricing to ensure that the successful bidder price is reasonable. If this question is referring to the statement of equivalent hires, those rates are only for informational purposes and are by no means a wage determination. The bidders must still complete their own internal research when pricing.

54) What is the evaluation criteria for this requirement?

Answer: See amendment 1 clarifying the evaluation criteria.

55) Do the proposals still need to be mailed?

a. If so, what are the requirements to do so?

i. How many copies?

ii. Does the government want it to match the previous submission proposal guidelines?

Answer: See amendment 2 which has updated the instructions to better clarify the submission. This requirement is its own standalone solicitation.

56) Is this a best value contract?

Answer: This solicitation is in accordance with FAR Part 14 not FAR Part 15. As such the best value continuum is not applicable.

57) Do offerors not need to submit the following volumes?

a. Executive Summary

b. Past Performance

c. Price

d. Contract Documentation Answer: Submit the required documents outlined in the current solicitation.

58) Do offers need to provide an original and redacted versions of proposals?

Answer: No.

59) Who is the current incumbent?

Answer: Avosys Technology Inc.

60) Is the award exclusively predicated on price?

Answer: No. Please see Special Contract Requirements section of the SF1449 for additional responsibility requirements. Additionally, please see FAR 14.408 for sealed bidding award procedures.

61) Attachment 2 Positions + Descriptions: Can the government provide how many vacant positions they currently show?

Answer: No.

62) Can the government share the existing contract transition out process?

Answer: The government intends to give the successful bidder time necessary to contact incumbents and negotiate employment.

63) Does the government want the submission to include separate volumes I. Executive Summary and II Price volume or is ONE volume with all associated documents what is needed?

Answer: Please see amendment 2.

64) If there will be different volumes does the government have a page limit associated with each volume?

Answer: Please see amendment 2

65) Is there a font and font size limitation for each submission i.e., Letters required?

Answer: Amendment 2

66) Does the government require the completion of reps and certs?

Answer: Any reps and certs that are not complete in the annual SAM registration will need to be submitted with the bid. Amendment 2 clarifies where to place these reps and certs.

67) The government indicated that we should submit the following Signed 1449 and associated amendments SF 30’s, Can the govt please clarify.

Answer: All bidders shall submit a signed SF1449 as well as all amendments (SF 30’s) that have been posted to SAM. These documents will only include the bidder’s signature.

68) Does the government want us to include this in as part of an Executive Summary concluding this volume with the DRC letters? (See VI below)

Answer: See amendment 2 for additional submission instructions.

69) The government indicated in instructions (pg 41 of 44, that we should not include pricing, are we correct in assuming that we will NOT fill out page 3 of 44 of the solicitation and include it with the 1449 as well? (Supplies or Services & Prices or Costs Additional Information/Notes).

Answer: Correct. The pricing in the SF1449 shall not be completed. The bidder shall include pricing only in Attachment 5 – Position Description Pricing Worksheet and Attachment 6 – Baseline Task Order Pricing Sheet.

70) Does the government wish us to include Attachment 5 in a separate Pricing volume) if utilizing separate volumes?

Answer: See amendment 2 for additional submission instructions.

71) See above question, should Attachment 6 – Baseline Task Order Pricing Sheet also be included in a “separate” Pricing Volume?

Answer: See amendment 2 for additional submission instructions.

72) Would you like to see us include a Joint Venture letter?

Answer: No, a joint venture is recognized as one entity by the SBA. The government wishes to see only teaming arrangements by partners who choose to team with each other.

73) Does the government want us to include this in a separate volume for example an Executive Summary volume along with all other signed documents and letters? Including Attachment 8?

74) Would the government want to see Attachment 8 - On-site Contract Manager Confirmation in an Executive Summary Volume?

Answer: No. See amendment 2 for additional submission instructions.

75) Would the government want to see DRC Letters also in an Executive Summary Volume or included in one volume? Once again, does the government want 2 (two) volumes OR should the 1449, all letters/attachments, DRC and pricing be submitted in 1 volume? See below the assumed order of submission below if in ONE (1) volume

Answer: See amendment 2 for additional submission instructions.

76) Can the government please confirm this is the order in which to submit our response to this solicitation, if in one volume?

Signed SF1449 and all Amendments (pricing not included on SF1449) Position Description Pricing Worksheet (See Attachment 5) Baseline Task Order Pricing Sheet (See Attachment 6) Teaming Arrangement (if utilizing Teaming Partner) On-Site Contract Manager Confirmation (See Attachment 8) Appropriate Number of Responsibility Letters, IAW the Definitive Contractor Responsibility

77) If one volume is needed can the government also confirm any font size and number of page restrictions (if any)?

Answer: See amendment 2 for additional submission instructions.

78) Will winners be announced “live” at the bid opening?

Answer: Yes the apparent awardee will be announced. However, the government will still validate responsibility and pricing prior to making a final decision.

79) As per the DRC criteria in the SF 30 Amendment, We believe the Government’s additional request under the Definitive Contractor Responsibility (DRC) extends beyond the requirement of FAR 9.104-1.

Specifically, the below section of Definitive Responsibility Criteria requested:

“To satisfy the DRC, the bidder shall submit a signed letter from each organization for whom it performed the contracts meeting the DRC. Our team is a joint venture, and we understand as such we need to provide (2) letters, 1 from each team.

Each letter shall:

(a) Identify the dollar value of the contract.

(b) Identify the medical positions the bidder was responsible for filling; and

(c) Provide sufficient information to demonstrate the bidder met the following indicia of satisfactory performance for the contract:

1. The bidder maintained at least an 85% fill rate for more than 75% of the period of performance. 2. The bidder hired 90% of non-credentialed employees within 30 days of position vacancy and 90% of credentialed employees within 60 days of position vacancy.

3. All employees hired by the bidder to perform the contract had all education, certifications, and experience required by the contract for the position in which they were employed.

4. The bidder consistently responded to customer communications within two business days”

For informational purposes, has the Government utilized this FAR 9.104-1 with these additional required conditions on any prior solicitations of this magnitude?

If not, what is the basis and rationale for including it on this Solicitation?

What evaluation mechanisms does the Government have in place and intend to use in evaluating this

Definitive Contractor Responsibility letter in a standardized and equitable way among all offerors since the content requested in the additional DRC letter are subjective in nature?

Would the government provide the reasons why it believes the additional requirement in the DRC letter is a better evaluation than the standard CPARS and Past Performance Questionnaire?

Would the government consider providing a sample letter containing all the field requested to ensure uniformity of information that is subject to evaluation among offerors?

FAR 52.212-4 (Pub.L.No. 103-355, §8002(b)(3). precludes agencies from unnecessarily including various unique government contract clauses in commercial item contracts. The Act provides that “to the maximum extent practicable, only the contract clauses (mandated by law and executive order, or consistent with commercial practice) may be use in a contract for the acquisition of commercial items.” Would the Government remove this agency specific additional requirement under the DRC letter for this solicitation?

Answer: Definitive responsibility criteria ares in accordance with FAR 9.104-2. The DRC will be evaluated to determine if the requisite number of letters are provided and if the letters include the required representations. The DRC will not be removed from the solicitation.

80) In addition to the current criteria for the DRC letters provided, Does the government also want us to include the contact information for the contract information we will identify in the DRC to include?

Contract number Agency/Address Name of Contracting Officer, COR, Contract Specialist, Program Manager Title of CO, COR… email address & phone number

Answer: See amendment two which updated the verbiage of the definitive responsibility criteria.

81) This solicitation is a recompete of solicitation FA487721R001 - Clinical Healthcare Services awarded to Chenega Reliable Services, LLC. Can the government, please provide the contract number of the award made to Chenega Reliable Services, LLC?

Answer: FA487721D0006

82) What is the name of the incumbent contractor prior to the award to Chenega Reliable Services, LLC?

Answer: Avosys Technology, Inc.

83) What is the contract number of the contract prior to the award to Chenega Reliable Services, LLC?

Answer: FA487715DB001

84) What is the contract value (Base, option & all extensions) of the contract prior to being awarded to Chenega Reliable Services, LLC?

Answer: $48M Cap

85) What is the Period of Performance on the contract prior to being awarded to Chenega Reliable Services?

Answer: 9 July 2015 – 8 July 2020 with 6 month extension. Additionally, the government awarded a bridge contract, FA487722C0001, with a PoP of 1 Oct 2021 through 31 Mar 2022.

86) Is this solicitation being competed to comply with the requirements of a protest?

Answer: This request is not relevant to an offeror’s ability to bid on this solicitation and will not be addressed.

87) What are the reasons that the government is re-competing this contract after the award made in 2021.

Answer: This request is not relevant to an offeror’s ability to bid on this solicitation and will not be addressed.

88. (PWS 1.2.1) Will office space and furnishings be provided to the CM? Will telephone/internet/copier/fax be available?

Answer: Government will provide a desk, chair, and local phone capabilities. If the contractor requires anything above this they will need to provide it to the contract manager.

89) Must the Alternate CM be onsite?

Answer: No. The alternate CM may be a person at any other location but will need to be available to government inquiries if the primary CM is unavailable.

90) (PWS 1.2.2.3) What is the Government’s response time to accept a candidate resume?

Answer: Historically – 5 days or shorter.

91) (PWS 1.2.7) Will any additional training be provided for MEB duties? If so, will this training be considered billable hours?

Answer: There is a mandatory online training that they will be required to complete, as well as On Job Training and additional assistance from the Disability Evaluation System Program Specialist (Lead Peblo) as needed. This training should be on the job and therefore would be billable. If the employee chooses to do the online training after hours that will not be billable.

92) (PWS 1.2.9.2) Will physical inspection records be kept on site? If so, will the Government provide secure location?

Answer: No, the government cannot provide secure storage for contractor driven inspections.

93) (PWS 1.2.14) How long is the credentialing process? Will incumbents need to be re-credentialed?

Answer: Once a complete, accurate credentials package is received, it will typically take about a week to go through the review and approval process. Incumbents will not need to be re-credentialed and will stay on the same privileging cycle.

94) (PWS 1.2.16.3) Will the Government require COVID-19 vaccinations? What will the grace period be? Will the Government provide COVID-19 vaccinations to the healthcare workers?

Answer: Contractors are not currently required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, all contractors that are not vaccinated against COVID-19 must be regularly tested. If tested on the installation, testing is at the government’s cost and is conducted weekly at a time and in a location selected by the government. If tested off the installation, testing costs may not be billed to the government and verified negative test results dated within the prior three calendar days must be continuously available for presentation upon request.

95) (PWS 1.3.1.5) How long will adjudication take?

Answer: Historically 30 days but may be dependent on the situation

96) Will the health care worker be able to work while pending adjudication without a CAC?

Answer: Yes with limited scope of duties, as will not have computer access without CAC.

97) Will the healthcare worker be issued a CAC which will be surrendered if background is unfavorable?

Answer: CAC will not be issued without a favorable finding.

98) (PWS 5.25) Please clarify. If a patient codes moments before the end of the healthcare worker’s shift and the healthcare worker participates in the resuscitation effort (45 minutes), that time will not be billable OR the time will not be billable as overtime?

Answer is stated in the PWS 5.25

99) (PWS 5.29.1) Please describe the MDG’s policy on COVID exposure to include: May a contractor bill for MDG directed COVID quarantine healthcare workers? What are the MDG’s exposure policy to include length of quarantine for exposure or positive test?

Answer: As COVID-19 is an ever evolving pandemic the policies on exposure and quarantine do periodically change. Payment for exposure and a subsequent test are handled based on guidance that is current at the time of exposure. However, I would anticipate when COVID-19 moves into an endemic the government will not reimburse for COVID related absences.

100) (PWS 1.2.5) Will all contractor orientation be conducted during regularly scheduled working hours and be billable? If the orientation is not billable how many hours of orientation will there be?

Answer: Orientation is during work hours and is billable.

101) (Amendment 0001) Is there a maximum of DRC letters that can be submitted?

Answer: See amendment two clarifying the number of letters to submit.

102) If an offeror meets DRC #1 using credentialed disciplines they have then met DRC#2. Must an offeror or team meet both DRC #1 AND DRC #2?

Answer: Yes, the bidder must provide two contracts that separately meet the definitive responsibility criteria. Each letter may meet both of the criteria or can meet each criteria separately.

103) (Amendment 0001) #4 Teaming Arrangement. How will the Government evaluate the Teaming Arrangement requirement? What factors must be present?

Answer: The government will utilize the teaming arrangement to verify the work balance required of the 8(a) program will be met. See FAR 19.809-2 for more information.

104) What is the current incumbent contract number?

Answer: FA487715DB001

105) Are all of the positions currently filled?

Answer: Information will not be provided at this time.

106) If not all filled how many vacancies exist?

Answer: Information will not be provided at this time.

107) Reference: Definitive Responsibility Criteria (DRC). Question: To show Definitive Responsibility Criteria, will the contract of a parent or subsidiary companies be evaluated for a bidder as Prime if the proposal shows that a bidder’s sister company is lending its contract experience for the Definitive Responsibility Criteria has made a firm commitment to a bidder to have a meaningful involvement in contract performance?

Answer: No must be the prime contractor’s direct responsibility.

108) Reference: Definitive Responsibility Criteria (DRC). Question: Are there any additional requirements that a bidder must address in its proposal for the Definitive Responsibility Criteria in order to utilize parent or subsidiary company’s contract as a Prime if the proposal shows that a sister company lending its experience has made a firm commitment to have a meaningful involvement in contract performance?

Answer: No. Only the direct experience of the prime or a subcontractor may be utilized.

109) Reference: Definitive Responsibility Criteria (DRC). Question: If an 8(a) has a teaming partner, can all referenced bidder contract submission come from contracts for the teaming partner(s) or must the 8(a) present at least 1 contract meets the Definitive Responsibility Criteria?

Answer: Per the Special Contract Requirements section in the instance of a teaming arrangement the 8(a) must provide one letter meeting the definitive responsibility criteria.

110) Reference: “(b) The following DRC” Question: Can one contract satisfy the requirements for 2 DRCs listed if it meets all the criteria for both DRCs?

Answer: No, two separate contracts must be utilized.

111) Reference: Reps and Certs. P.22-40 Question: Does the Government Expect Bidders to fill out the blank clauses in the Reps and Certs and provide with the response?

Answer: No. Bidders with a SAM registration do not need to fill out the reps and certs that are completed during and upload in SAM.

112) Reference: Evaluation Factors for Award Question: Since this effort is “Invitation to Bid”, is the expectation that the effort will be awarded to the Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA) Bidder or could effort be award to a bidder other than LPTA?

Answer: This requirement is a FAR Part 14 requirement not FAR Part 15. As a result the best value continuum does not apply to this requirement.

113) Reference: RFP Attachments 4, 5, and 6 Question: The Position Description Health Information System Technician listed in Attachment 4 does not correspond to any of the positions in Attachment 5 and Attachment 6.

Answer: Health Information System Technician position does not exist for this requirement and therefore is not on Attachment 5 or 6 nor will it need to be priced.

114) Reference: RFP Attachment 4, 5, and 6 Question: The Position Description Licensed Practical Nurse-RMC that is included in both Attachment 5 and Attachment 6, does not correspond to any of the positions in Attachment 4.

Answer: The Position Description Licensed Practical Nurse-RMC is the same GS equivalent as the Licensed Practical Nurse GS-05 $17.08.

115) Solicitation document, page 4. An address is providing for a Bid Opening and Delivery Location.

There are no instructions that indicate how the proposal is to be delivered.

a. What form/type of delivery requirement is expected – hard copy paper, CD, DVD?

b. How many copies are required?

c. Are there separate volumes required, or only a single binder with tabs for all data?

Answer: See amendment two which adds additional submission instructions.

116) Are there incumbents in all of the positions, or are some positions vacant?

Answer: Some positions are vacant. Exact numbers will not be provided at this time.

117) If positions are vacant, please provide a list of the vacancies?

Answer: This information will not be provided at this time. Bidders should assume they may be required to recruit all positions at any time throughout the period of performance. The government may place an order for any position or combination of positions included on the IDIQ.

118) Does the Supplies or Services & Prices or Costs section of the solicitation need to be completed as well as the two other excel pricing documents?

Answer: No. Only the excel spreadsheets that are attached will need to be filled out.

119) Will a CLIN line be provided for the on‐site contract manager, as there is not one identified yet?

Answer: No, this cost should be rolled into the overhead applied to the labor rates.

120) Are Reps and Certs required?

Answer: Reps and certs are required if they are not part of the bidder’s SAM registration.

121) Are completed FAR clauses required?

Answer: If any clause or provision that needs to be filled out is not part of the SAM registration they must be submitted with the bid.

122) If our reps & certs are updated in SAM, is there a requirement to submit a copy with the proposal?

Answer: No.

123) What is the format for the proposal submittal?

124) What is an appropriate number for Responsibility letters (how many do we submit)?

Answer: See amendment 2 for updated on verbiage for the definitive responsibility criteria.

125) Is the submittal electronic or hardcopy?

Answer: Hardcopy and CD. This is clarified in amendment 2.

126) What are the submittal instructions?

Answer: Please see amendment 2 for additional submission criteria.

127) This page is blank. Please provide the Evaluation Factors for Award

Answer: See amendment 1 which clarified the blank page.

128) Is this Best Value or LPTA?

Answer: This solicitation is in accordance with FAR Part 14 and not FAR Part 15. As such the best value continuum does not apply.

129) What is the expected Period of Performance start date?

Answer: 1 Mar 2022. However, the start date may be delayed due to internal government processes to complete the award. Additionally, the first task order will just be the pre-performance conference.

Actual positions would not be anticipated to start until 1 Apr 2022 at the earliest.

130) Are all positions currently filled? If not, how many are vacant?

Answer: No, there are some vacancies. However, the exact number will not be provided at this time.

131) Are there any news positions at onset of award that will need to be filled?

Answer: This is unknown at this time as positions are based on the needs of the local clinic. The contractor will be allotted the time frames in the PWS to recruit and place any new positions.

132) Is there a transition period, and if so, how long?

Answer: The government will give the contractor the most time possible to transition employees from the incumbent. However, the contractor will be allotted the time as required in PWS paragraph 1.2.2. to hire employees.

133) Given the recent rise in COVID‐19 cases across the nation, will the Government consider electronic submissions to ensure the health and safety of the evaluation team?

Answer: No, bids must be mailed in.

134) How should bidders demonstrate their compliance with FAR 9.104‐1?

Answer: No submission is required for compliance with FAR 9.104-1.

135) Does the Government have a specific format for how bidders should present their response to the DRC under Paragraph (b)?

Answer: No, the signed letters only need to address the criteria outlined in the Definitive Responsibility Criteria. Any additional information will not be considered in selection of contractor.

136) Will the Government accept commercial past performance that meets the DRC requirements?

Answer: Yes.

137)

a. The instructions state, “1. Within the last 5 years, the bidder performed satisfactorily (as defined below) a contract valued at $1,000,000 or more that required the bidder to fill at least three of the medical disciplines (either credentialed or noncredentialed) included in the PWS.”

b. Most 8(a) companies have direct awards for contracts providing one (1) labor category. This requirement prevents those 8(a) bidders with extensive past performance providing the requested services through direct awards of this nature to bid to this solicitation.

c. Will the Government consider amending this requirement to allow bidders to provide more than one past performance reference showing evidence of filling at least one (1) of the medical disciplines included in the Performance Work Statement (PWS)?

Answer: No.

138) Does the Government require bidders’ subcontractors to also be Small Businesses?

Answer: No, but the work balance requirements of the 8(a) program must be met.

139) To ensure fair 8(a) competition, we recommend the Government require all subcontractors and the members of Joint Ventures (JV) to also be Small Businesses.

Answer: No. 8(a) rules are set by the SBA.

140) Please clarify if Representations and Certifications (FARS/DFARS) are to be included in the proposal response.

Answer: If reps and certs are completed in the bidders SAM registration then they do not need to be submitted with the proposal.

141) Due to recent COVID‐19 surge, it might be reluctant for offerors to submit their proposals via hard copy. Please advise if offerors can submit their proposals electronically.

Answer: No, all bids must be sent as a hardcopy.

142) Will the Government please clarify if an Alaska Native Corporation’s use of prior experience and/or past performance from an affiliated company will or will not be allowed?

PLEASE NOTE: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) permits Alaska Native Corporations to claim all the experience and work history of its affiliated corporations for the purposes of establishing performance capability in the context of a competitive acquisition. Reference: Ecompex, Inc., B- 292865.4, B-292865.5, B-292865.6, June 18, 2004 (see page 5). Serco, Inc., B 406683, B-406683.2, Aug.

3, 2012. AMI-ACEPEX, Joint Venture, B-401560, Sept. 30, 2009. Specifically, GAO has ruled that an ANC bidding on a government contract may rely on the past performance of an affiliated company when the proposal makes it clear that the resources associated with the affiliated company will have meaningful involvement in the execution of the present contract.

Answer: At this time the government will not allow the use of parent or affiliated companies experience to determine responsibility. However, the cases provided are under review. If changes are made to this position an update will be posted on SAM.gov.

143) The Special Contract Requirements section of the solicitation document provides a requirement for the bidder to submit a signed letter from each organization for whom it performed the contracts meeting the Definitive Responsibility Criteria (DRC).

Attachment 9 Section 7.3.3 provides a requirement for the bidder to submit Past Performance Questionnaires.

Are the terms ‘signed letter’ and ‘past performance questionnaire’ used interchangeably? Or is the government requesting both signed letters and past performance questionnaires?

Answer: This solicitation does not have an attachment 9. Additionally, this solicitation does not have past performance questionnaires. Please ensure you are reviewing and submitting information in accordance with solicitation FA487722B0001.

144) The list of solicitation attachments includes Attachment #8: Past Performance Questionnaire.

However, the Attachment 8 provided is titled Confirmation of On-site Contract Manager. Would the Government please make Attachment #8: Past Performance Questionnaire available to bidders?

Answer: Attachment #8 is for Confirmation of the On-Site Contract Manager only there is no Past Performance Questionnaire. Please ensure you are reviewing and submitting information in accordance with solicitation FA487722B0001.

145) This section states that typed data shall not be less than 12 points using Microsoft Word, Times New Roman font. Would the Government please consider allowing a lesser type size for text in graphics, tables, headers, and footers in order to aide in document readability.

Answer: Please ensure you are reviewing and submitting based on the requirements in solicitation FA487722B0001. There is no font size requirements. Additionally, with the required submittals the government does not see a need for graphics or tables.

146) PWS 1.2.5 Please confirm orientation will be during normal business hours and will be billable to the Government.

Answer: Yes orientation will occur during normal clinic hours.

147) Will the Government please provide a Microsoft Word version of the solicitation file?

Answer: No.

148) Does the government require hard copies of the offeror’s proposal submission to the address listed on Page 4 of the RFP or is an email submission required? If hard copy, how many copies are required?

Answer: Please see amendment 2 for additional submission requirements.

149) Is there a prescribed format or form for the Special Contract Requirements document that the offeror needs the customer to sign to meet the requirements on page 10?

Answer: No. The letters just need to address the criteria outlined.

150) Can the…