Questions and Answers.pdf

Industrial Hygiene - Air Quality Testing and Report

HQ042326QE044

1. General Question: Is a vendor excluded from consideration if they did not attend the Mandatory Site Visit on Monday 27 April 26 or notify the KO by 22 April 26 on the wish to submit a quote?

Answer: Yes, the site visit conducted on Monday 27 April 2026, was a mandatory requirement for quote submission. Those who submit a quote, but did not attend the site visit, will not be evaluated for award.

2. Cost Proposal: Can the Government confirm whether the quote validity period is 60 days (Instructions to Offerors, p.3) or aligned with the 90-day performance requirement (Attachment 2) ?

Answer: The quote validity period is 60 days. Once the contract award is signed, the pricing is locked in for the entire period of performance, 90 days.

3. (RFQ Attachment 1, p.1) Can the government specify the air samples will be collected as general area versus personal breathing zone as the SOW states, “…assess building conditions and personnel exposures to harmful pollutants?

Answer: Employees personal breathing area samples will be collected

4. (RFQ p.2) Can the Certificate of Independent Technical Review be performed by an internal (to the company) team or is an external CITR required?

Answer: External CITR is required

5. (RFQ p.1) Does Bldg 21 or 21A have industrial operations such as an indoor firing range, welding areas, or a history of lead-based paint use?

Answer: Yes building 21A has industrial maintenance operations utilizing hazardous chemicals

6. (RFQ p.2) The SOW indicates the minimum number of mold samples to be collected ‘in’ each building. However, it is standard practice to collect outdoor background samples for comparison to inside results. Does the client have a preferred minimum number of background samples?

Answer: 1 per room, containment area, or every 1,000 sq. ft., and 1 Sample outdoor for comparison.

7. Can the survey be conducted during normal business hours (i.e., 7 a.m.–4 p.m.)?

Answer: Yes

8. What is required to be included in the 'Certificate of Independent Technical Review (CITR)'?

Answer: To be considered complete and compliant, the CITR must include specific statements of verification, signatures from both the preparers and independent reviewers, and a documented resolution of any technical concerns

1. Statement of Completion: A formal declaration stating that the firm or contractor has completed the specific study (in this case, the Industrial Hygiene survey) for the designated project name and location.

2. Notice of ITR Conduct: A statement asserting that an independent technical review was conducted. It must specify that the review was "appropriate to the level of risk and complexity inherent in the project, as defined in the Quality Control Plan."

3. Verification of Compliance & Methodology: A detailed certification stating that the survey complies with established policy principles and procedures.

For an Industrial Hygiene survey, this explicitly means the review verified:

• Assumptions made during the survey.

• Methods, procedures, and materials used in analyses (e.g., air sampling protocols, exposure monitoring). • Alternatives evaluated.

• Appropriateness and level of the data obtained. • Reasonableness of the results and whether it meets the customer's needs consistent with law and policy.

4. Signatures & Dates: Dual signature blocks are required to ensure accountability:

a. Signature(s) and Date of the Survey/Study Team Leader and Key Team Members.

b. Signature(s) and Date of the Independent Technical Review Team Leader and Review Team Members.

5. Significant Concerns & Resolutions: A dedicated section outlining the outcome of the review. It must include a description of any major technical concerns raised by the independent reviewers, the possible impact of those concerns, and a clear explanation of how they were resolved.

6. Final Statement of Consideration: A concluding statement affirming that "As noted above, all concerns resulting from the independent technical review of the project have been considered.

9. Does 'Lead Dust' refer to airborne or surface sampling?

Answer: Worker Exposure (Airborne)

10. Do 'Indoor Air Quality Screening' parameters need to be logged for a certain time (i.e., 24 hours), or are instantaneous readings acceptable?

Answer: 24 hours

11. Can any previous sampling reports be provided?

Answer: Yes. Reports can be provided to the awardee.

12. In the scope of work section 2 of the PWS. It is asked for Airborne Ambient Particulate Sampling (dust) Do you want a stationary data logging device to run for 8 hours? Or do they want a handheld direct read device. The direct read will capture a snapshot in time of the ambient airborne particulate.

Answer: Stationary data logging device to run for 8 hours

13. Two air quality monitors are referenced in the PWS for ambient particulate. Is the intent to report a result for both particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and PM 10?

14. Will DFAS be able to provide a copy of the latest IH Survey Report for this building (completed 5 years ago) ?

Answer: Yes…attached

15. Please confirm that the Industrial Hygiene Survey excludes mechanical rooms, as stated by POC on day of site visit.

Answer: No mechanical rooms except for the penthouse mechanical room that provides fresh air into the facility.

16. Please confirm that the lead sampling to be performed is airborne lead collected in accordance with the NIOSH Method 7082, and comparing results to OSHA Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) and the OSHA Action Level (AL).

Answer: Airborne

17. Historical Data & Known Issues

• Can DFAS provide the previous baseline IH survey reports for Buildings 21 and 21A?

Answer: Yes…attached

• Were any corrective actions implemented based on prior findings?

Answer: No

• Can DFAS provide any additional information regarding the reported sulfur odor complaints, including prior investigations or suspected sources?

18. Sampling Scope

• Should the sampling quantities identified in the PWS be considered minimum requirements only, or representative of full facility coverage?

Answer: Full facility coverage

• If additional sampling is warranted based on field conditions, should this be included within the firm fixed price or addressed separately?

Answer: Separately

• Is any follow-up sampling, re-testing, or return site visits anticipated as part of this scope?

19. Access & Facility Areas

• Can DFAS confirm areas included and excluded from sampling, including mechanical rooms, basement IT areas, and penthouses?

Answer: No mechanical rooms except for penthouse mechanical room that provides fresh air into the facility

• Are there any restricted areas or access limitations, even with escort?

20. Facility Information

• Can DFAS provide complete floor plans for all levels and pods (A/B/C)?

• Are HVAC system drawings or summaries available?

21. Chemicals & Materials

• Can DFAS provide a list of chemicals used onsite, including SDS sheets and storage locations?

Answer: List of chemicals attached used in building 21A

22. Scheduling

• Are there preferred or restricted hours for sampling activities?

Answer: Normal duty hours…073-1630

• Is after-hours or weekend work permitted, if needed?

Answer: If needed

23. Deliverables

• Does DFAS have a preferred report format or example deliverable?

• Should deliverables include sampling location maps and/or CAD figures?

ATTACHMENTS:

ATTACHMENT 1: IH REPORT FOR DFAS AJC AREAS 2018

ATTACHMENT 2: CHEMICAL LIST