HIV Risk Reduction QA Response 1 4.19.23.docx

HIV Risk Reduction IFB Bid # B-34969 Vendor Question Response 1

Questions:

1. Regarding BidBuy 23-482DPH-HLTHP-B-34969 for DPH, it looks like the contract is a 3-year term. That is a long time to hold pricing. Is there any room for economic adjustment during the contract period?

· IDPH Response: No, the pricing for the initial three-year term must be valid for the entire term.

2. What is the online submission date for the HIV/STD Risk Reduction Products IFB?

· IDPH Response: Online submissions are due 4/26/2023 no later than 11:00 a.m. CST.

3. Are just samples required by 4/6/23 and all the rest of the paperwork due within 14 days (4/19/23)?

· IDPH Response: Samples and quotes must be received by 4/26/2023 no later than 11:00 a.m. CST.

Quotes must be submitted electronically in BidBuy, www.bidbuy.illinois.gov .

Samples should be sent to Illinois Department of Public Health, “Sealed Bid SAMPLES – Do Not Open”, HIV-STD Risk Reduction Products IFB, BB# 23-48DPH-HLTHP-B-34969, Attn: Tyneshia McClanahan, 525 West Jefferson Street, 2nd Floor, Springfield, IL 62761.

4. I would like the opportunity to introduce our BEP pharmaceutical wholesale business, to those prime vendors who might be seeking to work with a BEP. Can you provide me their contact information?

· IDPH Response: BEP vendor contact information is provided to the primary vendors on BidBuy. We do not know which primary vendors will choose to respond to the bid, therefore BEP vendor information is listed to enable primary vendors to contact BEP vendors.

5. The specification for the small condom size length (maximum 6.5 inches or 165mm) is significantly smaller than the snug condoms most readily available (minimum 180 mm). Is this intentional?

· IDPH Response: For a small condom, 165mm is preferred, however, a maximum length of 180 mm is an acceptable substitution.

6. The non-latex condom is specified to be made of polyurethane. Most non-latex condoms are made of polyisoprene. Was the choice of polyurethane intentional? Is a substitute acceptable here?

· IDPH Response: Polyisoprene condoms are an acceptable substitution for non-latex condoms.

7. Could you please provide additional information regarding anticipated ordering frequency and typical order size per ship-to destination on average (i.e., 2 cases each to 100 locations on a weekly basis vs. 200 cases to a single location on a quarterly basis)?

· IDPH Response: Ordering frequency is expected to be quarterly to one location, i.e., the IDPH warehouse in Springfield, IL. Shipping volumes will vary with product type and with demand from grantees.

8. Would a larger quantity of a smaller-size lubricant sachet that comprises a comparable total lubricant amount be an acceptable substitute item for potential consideration (for example, as a substitute for a 10ml sachet, bidding a larger quantity of smaller-size sachets that is comparable to the total amount of lubricant)?

· IDPH Response: Lubricant sachets in smaller than specified volumes are not an acceptable substitution.

9. Could you please clarify what is expected as a response to Item #8 (with the following description: "7, optional, renewal years. Enter price as a total of the 7 optional renewal periods using the same rates listed on the previous lines”)?

· IDPH Response: The annual amount for the renewal of all items is the expected answer for item tab row #8. The quantity for each item in rows 1 -7 is the total quantity needed for the three-year initial term. The renewal pricing response should be based on the annual quantity for each item on the price sheet. Therefore, the quantities listed in rows 1-7 should be divided by 3 to get the annual quantity needed for a single year renewal period. Then the unit price for each item should be multiplied by the annual quantity and the renewal entry on row 8 should reflect all items and unit prices for the renewal year.

Please see annual quantities by items tab row # Item #1 yearly quantity is 140,000 Item #2 yearly quantity is 820,000 Item #3 yearly quantity is 450,000 Item #4 yearly quantity is 16,250 Item #5 yearly quantity is 170,000 Item #6 yearly quantity is 270,000 Item #7 yearly quantity is 56,667

10. Sizing listed (small, large, XL) do not represent a typical range of condom size options (snug, standard, large/XL). Is this intentional?

· IDPH Response: The condom sizes listed in the IFB are the sizes requested by IDPH. For a small condom, 165mm is preferred, however, a maximum length of 180 mm is an acceptable substitution.

11. What were the specification errors that required the prior version of this RFP (Bid # 22-482DPH-HLTHP-B-28158, HIV Risk Reductions Supplies - IFB) to be canceled and re-released? We are asking in case there is an impact to how we will need to prepare our bid re-submission this time around, such as a need to adjust pricing or other details of our response.

· IDPH Response: The requirements for the Female Condoms were inadvertently mismarked. All requirements for female condoms are corrected on this IFB. Please review the published IFB 23-482DPH-LHTHP-B-34969 HIV Risk Reduction Products for current requirements.

12. Is the BEP Amendment identifying those small, diverse businesses who are bidding or is this Addendum a potential list of small, diverse partners vendors may utilize?

· IDPH Response: The BEP Addendum provides a list of potential BEP certified vendors that primary vendors can consider for subcontracting.

13. I want to make sure in the event our business is able to identify other small, diverse business enterprises that are not on Addendum 1 but it is a certified BEP on the state’s diversity site, it is acceptable to utilize that business. Can you confirm?

· IDPH Response: If the certified BEP vendor is listed in the appropriate NIGP code for the desired services, then the primary vendor may choose to utilize that business.