Questions and Answers for HSFEHQ-11-R-0017_11-10-2011.docx

QUESTION 1: How are these services currently performed (in house, contractor)? If by a contractor,

a) What is the Contractor Name?

b) What is the Contract Number?

c) When was the contract awarded?

d) When does the contract expire?

e) What are the contract Period of Performance terms? (i.e. base and 4 one-year options, etc.)

f) What type of Contract was awarded (Firm Fixed Price, ID/IQ, etc.)

g) How was the contract awarded (Full & Open, HubZone set-aside, Small Business Set-aside, Sole Source, etc.)

h) What is the current contract value or ceiling?

ANSWER 1: These services are currently being performed by a contractor.

a) The current contractor’s Name is American Medical Response Inc.

b) The current contract number is HSFEHQ-07-D-0589.

c) Contract HSFEHQ-07-D-0589 was awarded on 08/01/2007.

d) The current period of performance (including all Options) for Zones 3&4 under HSFEHQ-07-D-0589 expires 04/30/2012.

e) The overall IDIQ contract HSFEHQ-07-D-0589 is one Base Year and 4 Option Years.

f) HSFEHQ-07-D-0589 is a Hybrid FFP/Cost Reimbursable IDIQ contract.

g) HSFEHQ-07-D-0589 was a full and open competition.

h) The ceiling of HSFEHQ-07-D-0589 is $500,000,000.00.

QUESTION 2: Can you List of Items, Schedule of Requirements, Scope of Work, Terms of Reference, Bill of Materials required?

ANSWER 2: Please see the attached documents posted on FedBizOpps (fbo.gov) under solicitation number HSFEHQ-11-R-0017.

QUESTION 3: Can you provide a Soft Copy of the Tender Document through email?

ANSWER 3: All Documents are available through FedBizOpps (fbo.gov) under solicitation number HSFEHQ-11-R-0017.

QUESTION 4: Names of countries that will be eligible to participate in this tender.

ANSWER 4: Vendors must be registered in CCR and must eligible in accordance with the terms and conditions in the solicitation in order to be considered for award.

QUESTION 5: Can you provide Information about the Tendering Procedure and Guidelines?

ANSWER 5: All Documents are available through FedBizOpps (fbo.gov) under solicitation number HSFEHQ-11-R-0017.

QUESTION 6: What is the Estimated Budget for this Purchase.

ANSWER 6: The maximum funding limitation of all task orders is $49,750,000.00 per zone per period. The not-to-exceed ceiling amount of the IDIQ including the base period and all option periods is $248,750,000.00 per zone. Since this is an ID/IQ contract, the value of the Task Orders to be awarded is unknown at this time.

QUESTION 7: Are there any Extension of Bidding Deadline?

ANSWER 7: The Government currently does not intend to extend the proposal due date of solicitation HSFEHQ-11-R-0017.

QUESTION 8: Are there any Addendum or Pre Bid meeting Minutes?

ANSWER 8: All Documents, including amendment are available through FedBizOpps (fbo.gov) under solicitation number HSFEHQ-11-R-0017.

QUESTION 9: EMTs and paramedics primarily work in medical transportation services. Section C.2 also calls for “licensed and certified medical personnel for augmentation beyond medical transportation.” While EMTs and paramedics do function in non-transport roles, they usually do so in association with Registered Nurses and EMS Physicians. Do you want to add the personnel categories of EMS Registered Nurse and EMS Physician to augment disaster deployment where fixed location medical support may be needed? If so, the following changes are recommended:

1) EMS Registered Nurse and EMS Physician should be added to Section C.3.2: Medical Personnel

2) The forth Bullet in Section C.6.1, which currently states “150 medical support personnel (combination of EMTs and paramedics)” should be changed to “150 medical support personnel (combination of EMTs, paramedics, EMS Registered Nurses, and EMS Physicians)”

3) All CLINs for zones 3 and 4 should be modified to add the following to the “Miscellaneous” section:

· EMS Registered Nurse – Fixed Location Support

· EMS Physician – Fixed Location Support

4) Add the following to Section C.7.3:

The primary function of an EMS Registered Nurse is to provide direct care of critical and emergent patients who access the EMS scene or inter-facility health care system. The Registered Nurse possesses the education and experience in areas of disaster patient care commensurate with the care mission, and will serve as a functional member of the medical team, providing assessment, triage, treatment, and transport if patient needs exceed the capabilities of a paramedic. The guidelines for recommended training, experience and licensing for EMS Registered Nurses shall be comparable to “Air Medical Transport Registered Nurse” found in NIMS National Emergency Responder Credentialing, EMS Job Titles (FEMA 509-3).

The primary purpose of the EMS Physician is to ensure quality patient care and provide medical oversight of EMS resources within an established command and control system during an incident response. The recommended training, experience and licensing for EMS Physicians shall be comparable to “EMS Physician” found in the NIMS National Emergency Responder Credentialing, EMS Job Titles (FEMA 509-3).

The EMS Physician:

5) Section C.8.3.2 should be changed to read :

8.3.2. Medical Personnel Services

The Contractor shall have the capability of providing a minimum of 150 medical positions (EMT, paramedic, EMS Registered Nurse, and EMS Physician) per zone to perform all requirements specified in Task Orders awarded under this IDIQ contract. All personnel assigned to the EMT and paramedic positions shall possess the appropriate certifications and licenses outlined in Section 7.3 and meet the minimum requirements referenced in section 14.3. The recommended training and licensing for EMS Registered Nurses shall be comparable that of “Air Medical Transport Registered Nurse” referenced in Section 14.2 (Table 7-1, NIMS Credentialing – EMS Job Titles, FEMA 509-3, March 2008). The recommended training and licensing for EMS Physician shall be comparable to that of “EMS Physician” referenced in Section 14.2 (Table 14-1, NIMS Credentialing – EMS Job Titles, FEMA 509-3, March 2008).

6) Section C.8.3.7 should be changed to read :

8.3.7. Fixed Location Medical Support

The Contractor shall supply paramedics, EMTs, EMS Registered Nurses and EMS Physicians with the required certification to be stationed within shelters, airheads, triage centers, or other fixed locations. Contractor personnel at fixed locations shall be equipped with the same provisions and supplies required in the ALS ambulances.

ANSWER 9: The Government will not add EMS Registered Nurse and EMS Physicians into the SOW. The intent of the contract is met within the capabilities of the noted medical disciplines requested. The contract is not intended to take the place of and/or augment ESF#8 responsibilities but to support the transportation of the medically and mobility challenged/dependant survivors, and to provide ad-hoc medical support to facilities associated with the movement and temporary support of displaced and/or transient populations.

QUESTION 10: Some of the “provisions and supplies required in the ALS ambulance” (referenced in Section C.8.3.7) are perhaps inappropriate or impossible to have at fixed locations, e.g. fixed suction apparatus, fixed oxygen equipment, immobilization devices that are designed to be used on ambulance stretchers, wheeled cot, folding stretcher, stair chair, restraints for patient/crew/family, child safety seat, traffic signaling devices, etc. Should the wording perhaps be as follows?

“Contractor personnel at fixed locations shall be equipped with certain equipment which is comparable to that stocked on ALS ambulances (see Attachment 1). This equipment shall include the following sections from Attachment 1:”

ANSWER 10: The government’s expectation is that the capabilities included within the ALS ambulance capabilities (as outlined within the solicitation) be provided at fix facility locations. The intent of the requirement is the realization that displaced and medically dependant survivors are “medically fragile” populations and are likely candidates to need the capabilities as outlined in a rapid manner. The further intent is not to support survivors needing hospital care within transient facilities, but the capability to provide life saving and life sustaining transient care is a critical component of the solicitation. It should be noted that non-medical equipment often found on an ALS ambulance such as “jaws of life”, hand tools and extrication equipment would not be expected to be staged at fixed based facilities.

QUESTION 11: In reference to Section C.8.4.1, we would suggest that there are not 6 but rather 8 types of paratransit vehicles common to the paratransit industry. Could the Para-Transit Vehicles in Sectin C.8.4.1 be changed as follows?

· Type 1 – Minivan (3-10 regular seats)

· Type 2 – Minivan, ADA accessible (3-9 seats with wheelchair lift)

· Type 3 - Full-size passenger van, non-ADA (8-15 regular seats)

· Type 4 - Full-size passenger van, ADA accessible (2-15 seats with wheelchair lift)

· Type 5 - Midibus, minibus, or shuttle bus, non ADA (14-35 seats)

· Type 6 - Midibus, minibus or shuttle bus, ADA accessible (10-30 seats with wheelchair lift)

· Type 7 – Coach/Transit Bus, non-ADA (>26 regular seats)

· Type 8 – Coach/Transit bus, full-size, ADA accessible (>30 seats with wheelchair lift)

8 Paratransit Vehicle Types

ADA Accessible Vehicle – as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, a vehicle that includes a lift (side or rear mounted) for getting passengers who cannot climb steps onto a vehicle, specific locations for securing the wheelchair to prevent it from sliding, and other features to ease travel for passengers with disabilities.

Vehicle Type/Name

Description Seating capacity

Photo

Type 1 – Minivan (non-ADA accessible)

15-18 ft. long, 2 axles

3-10 regular seats

Type 4a – Minivan (ADA accessible)

15-18 ft. long, 2 axles

1 wheelchair 1-5 regular seats

Type 2a – Full-size Passenger van (non-ADA accessible)

18-20 ft. long, 2 axles

8-15 regular seats

Type 4b – Full-size Passenger van (ADA accessible)

18-20 ft. long, 2 axles

1-2 wheelchairs 2-15 regular seats

Type 2b – Midibus, Minibus or Shuttle Bus (non-ADA accessible)

26-36 ft. long, 2 axles

14-35 regular seats

Type 5 – Midibus, Minibus or Shuttle Bus (ADA accessible)

26-36 ft. long, 2 axles

1-3 wheelchairs 8-30 regular seats

Type 3 – Coach bus, Full-size bus, Transit bus (non-ADA accessible)

Greater than 36 ft. long, 2-4 axles

44-75 regular seats

Type 6 – Coach bus, Full-size bus, Transit bus (ADA accessible)

Greater than 36 ft. long, 2-4 axles

1-3 wheelchairs 35-70 regular seats

ANSWER 11: The intent of the solicitation is to provide medically dependant and mobility challenged population transportation. It is not intended to incorporate “general population” transportation as that capability is incorporated within other emergency transportation contracts. While there is an acknowledgement that “para-transit” must incorporate and provide the ability to include “care givers” within the types of transportation assets (and thus includes several non-ADA compliant vehicles) it is further accepted that a person who does not need any specialized or unique medical transportation support can and should be transported within the general population matrix. Therefore, vehicles without any unique or specialized medical transpiration capabilities should be available, but in extremely limited numbers. The government believes it has appropriately outlined the correct transportation assets needed and therefore does not accept the modification.

QUESTION 12: We cannot find which section of the Technical Proposal Instructions (Section L.10.B.) asks for “references”. Please advise.

ANSWER 12: The second bullet under Section L.10.B states the following:

Include Past Performance information on all relevant (meaning similar in services and scope) contracts or subcontracts performed in the last 5 years (may be on-going). At a minimum, the contract number, period of performance, value, client, client point(s) of contact and current contact information to include email address, and brief description of duties or tasks performed under the contract must be provided. The list must note if a contract was terminated or de-scoped for more than $100,000, and a brief explanation for this action. If termination occurred, the type (default, convenience, or no cost settlement) must be provided;

The “the contract number, period of performance, value, client, client point(s) of contact and current contact information to include email address, and brief description of duties or tasks performed under the contract must be provided” is the references the Government is requiring under Section M.2.B – Past Performance Evaluation.

QUESTION 13: In Section C.8.3.1, why can vehicles equipped with wheel chair lifts not exceed 25%? As long as the 3500 seat requirement is obtained, why would limiting the % of units with wheel chair lift capability be a factor?

ANSWER 13: This percentage has been developed based on historical needs. It should be noted that “care giver” transportation represents a much larger percentage of the transported populations. Further, in critical situations, most wheelchair dependant populations’ needs can be overcome without the need for “wheelchair lift” vehicles.

QUESTION 14: In Section C.8.3.6, will the Multi-Modal personnel need to be supplied equipment as well like the Fixed Location Support Personnel?

ANSWER 14: For purposes of the solicitation the bidder should assume the “multi-modal” equipment requirement needs to be very portable and would be restricted to “hand carried equipment” inclusive of a defibrillator and medical gear found on an ALS based ambulance unit.

QUESTION 15: In Section C.8.3.7, how many of these (Fixed Medical Support Locations) will need to be planned for? If there needs to be ALS equipment, will you not require at least 2 Paramedics at each site for 24 hour coverage?

ANSWER 15: Under the current HSFEHQ-07-D-0589 with America Medical Response, the number of fixed locations per incident has ranged from 0 to 10. Paramedics will be ordered and reimbursed on a per paramedic basis.

QUESTION 16: In Section C.8.4.1 – Are you requiring Med-Evac Buses with 24 Pt. capacity to be provided by the contractor or enough Med-Evac Buses to move 24 Pt.s?

ANSWER 16: The solicitation requirement for para-transit transportation is based on the number of seats, not on the number of vehicles.

QUESTION 17: Medical Airlift Access to Federal Airspace, Page C-10 – If FAA does not allow our aircraft in the restricted air space will we, the contractor, not be held in breach of contract for this part of the response?

ANSWER 17: The needs outlined within this solicitation does not preclude or circumvent the absolute authority FAA has in managing the US airspace. To that end, while each circumstance is unique, the contractor cannot be held in breach due to FAA’s restrictions.

QUESTION 18: In Attachment 1, Page 4 – H.-21. CBRNE PPE what level of respirator barrier is desired?

ANSWER 18: As directed by HHS and/or the medical authority involved. The government does not see this as a major cost or limiting factor in preparation of a bid response.

QUESTION 19: In Attachment 1, Page 6 - #5. IO needles but no IO applicator listed.

ANSWER 19: Given the co-dependency of the 2 items, the term needles would be inclusive of the intraosseous applicator.

QUESTION 20: In Attachment 1, Page 6 – C-2. What is a transcutaneous pacemaker?

ANSWER 20: Transcutaneous external cardiac pacing (TEPs) uses external pacemakers as a temporizing measure in patients with symptomatic bradycardia

QUESTION 21: In Attachment 3, Cell Phones – How many will be deployed?

ANSWER 21: Cell Phones will be provided at time of task order award in support of an evacuation event. The number of Cell Phones will be determined at the time of Task Order award. This is not a cost factor relative to submitting a proposal.

QUESTION 22: In Attachment 8, Objectives 12 – 20 how will they be measured/established; Functional Exercise or full scale exercise?

ANSWER 22: Planning and Exercise Performance Standards are measured in Attachment 8, Objectives 27 through 30. Planning and exercise scope, effort and deliverables shall be determined on a task order basis. The program does not envision this as an independent exercise but one that is incorporated within larger scale State and National exercise efforts.

QUESTION 23: In Attachment 8, Objectives 21&22, How will this be verified?

ANSWER 23: Visually

QUESTION 24: In Attachment 8, Objective 27 How many proposed meetings and where? Are these the meetings referred to in section 9.1?

ANSWER 24: Yes

QUESTION 25: In Attachment 8, Objectives 28&29 How many exercises

ANSWER 25: No less than one per year

QUESTION 26: In Attachment 8, Objective 30 Who would be completing the “Customer Satisfaction” survey?

ANSWER 26: It is within the discretion of the program office to determine who will complete the customer satisfaction survey.

image5.jpeg image6.jpeg image7.jpeg image8.jpeg image1.jpeg image2.jpeg image3.jpeg image4.jpeg