Questions_and_Answers.pdf

Solicitation No. HHS-NIH-NIDA-SSSA-CSS-16-008 Questions & Answers (Q&A)

November 10, 2015

1) Can we identify the current contractor?

Yes, the current contractor is Roberts Oxygen Company, Inc.

2) Can we identify the current contract term?

Yes, the term of the current contract is 06/06/2014 through 12/05/2015, inclusive of exercised options.

3) Can we identify the current contract value of that term?

Yes, the value of the current contract is $171,048.97.

4) Most solicitation requirements for bulk gases that we see are in units of either standard cubic feet or liquid gallons. When you convert the cubic centimeter figures in this solicitation to cubic feet, the volume requirements appear to be extremely low. Would you please confirm the volume requirements?

The Government confirms that the unit of measure is hundred-cubic-feet (CCF). The solicitation volume requirements have been revised to reflect this unit of measure as appropriate.

5) Who is the current incumbent on this contract?

The current incumbent contractor is Roberts Oxygen Company, Inc.

6) How long has the incumbent had this contract?

The incumbent has held this contract since 06/06/2014 and the award shall expire on 12/05/2015.

7) Can you share with us the contract award amount, quantity, and duration?

The current contract award amount is $171,048.97 and the period of performance is 06/06/2014 through 12/05/2015. Quantity information is not available.

8) Is there a provision and/or allowance for “site visit” before the bid response date of November 16, 2015 10:00 AM Eastern?

No, there is no provision or allowance for a site visit. Please propose based on the solicitation information and specifications.

9) The solicitation provides percentage requirements for each of the three types of gases. These percentages include the required percentage of the main gas as well as “less than” percentages for the remaining percent volume. Our company can only guarantee the percentage of the main gases (i.e., Carbon Dioxide >99.5%). Would this be acceptable for this requirement? Please confirm whether or not the “less than” percentages are necessary/must be documented.

Yes, gases meeting the main gas percentage requirements shall be acceptable without guarantee of the “less than” quantities noted in the solicitation.

10) What is the current delivery schedule with the present vendor?

The current delivery schedule with the incumbent contractor is four deliveries per month for liquid nitrogen and three deliveries per month for the other gases.

11) What is the approximate usage volume in CCF (hundred standard cubic feet per hour)?

The solicitation volume requirements have been revised to reflect hundred standard cubic feet (CCF) as appropriate.

12) What is the correct volume (UOM) Unit Of Measure, CCF or Gallons? We suspect the RFQ may be incorrect by citing cubic centimeters. We recommend either hundred-cubic-feet CCF or gallons as a standard industry practice to prevent the potential for erroneous calculations and pricing.

The correct volume (UOM) unit of measure is CCF (hundred-cubic-feet).

The solicitation volume requirements have been revised to reflect this as appropriate.

13) Do the existing bulk systems meet all NFPA 99 requirements?

Yes, the existing system meets all NFPA requirements.

14) How often are deliveries made on both the main/reserve and the redundant reserve? We would like to understand if both are just filled once a month or more frequently?

The current delivery schedule with the incumbent contractor is four deliveries per month for liquid nitrogen and three deliveries per month for the other gases.

15) Please confirm whether these government-owned tanks.

The Government confirms that the tanks are Government-owned.

16) Does the authority having jurisdiction at the site approve, in writing, the location of the fuel tanks in proximity to the location of the LOX Tanks?

The existing installation has been reviewed, inspected and approved by the NIH Fire Marshall, the NIH Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

17) Will the units have telemetry or will the customer place orders by phone?

The units have telemetry systems; however should an emergency arise the Government intends to place emergency orders by telephone.

18) Additionally, will the Government allow a line item for hot fills?

The Government will not allow a line item for hot fills.

19) We assume pricing only applies to tank fills. Any tank repairs will be negotiated at the time of need and be covered by a separate PO. Please confirm whether this is correct.

Pricing applies only to the requirements of the Request for Quotation. Per Section 3, Customer Support, of the Project Requirements:

“Should repairs be required, the Contractor shall provide a budgetary quote and description of the diagnosed problem for consideration.”

Accordingly, repairs will be negotiated at time of need and covered by a separate purchase order if ordered; however the requirements included in the Request for Quotation, such as the requirement under Customer Support regarding ice balls, must be included in pricing.