Answers.docx

Question 1: There appears to be a page number discrepancy (Page 1 of 14) in the document titled USUAFRRI_Animal_Husbandry_RFP. Is the correct total page count 8 instead of 14?

That is a typo. The correct total page count is 8.

Question 2: On page 1 of the Requests for Proposal (RFP), Statement of Work (SOW), nonhuman primates are listed as a species of animal.

· Are the nonhuman primates New World or Old World?

AFRRI: OLD World (Rhesus Macaques)

· Please provide a daily population estimate for the nonhuman primates.

AFRRI: 75 but likely will increase.

Question 3, Page 1, RFP SOW: Does the AFRRI VSD and LAM AHD share the same animal husbandry facilities, or are they completely separate facilities? No, separate facilities.

Question 4, Page 1, RFP SOW: Please provide an average daily census by species if available?

Pigs – 12 Rabbits - 7

Question 5, Page 2, RFP SOW: Will USUHS/AFFRI assigned contractor personnel be expected to perform animal husbandry duties solely on their respective animal populations, or will the contractor personnel be expected to animal husbandry duties regardless of USUHS vs. AFRRI assigned populations.

USUHS LAM: The contractor will be required to perform species-specific husbandry duties at USUHS based on the animal population, but may also be required to perform general cleaning duties in common areas such as hallways and storage areas.

AFRRI: AFRRI assigned contractor personnel will be expected to perform animal husbandry duties solely on their respective population.

Question 6, Page 2, First Full Paragraph, RFP SOW “services are required seven days a week to include weekend and holidays”: Will the animal husbandry personnel be solely performing the animal husbandry tasks or will other USUHS/AFRRI personnel also perform the tasks?

USUHS LAM: Other USUHS staff will be performing duties on weekends and holidays in conjunction with the contractor. Contractors will be included into the rotating weekend/holiday schedule for LAM husbandry staff, therefore an individual contractor will not work every weekend or holiday.

AFRRI: Other AFRRI staff will be performing duties on weekends and holidays in conjunction with the contractor. Contractors will be included into the rotating weekend/holiday schedule for VSD husbandry staff, therefore an individual contractor will not work every weekend or holiday.

Question 7, Page 2, Second Paragraph, RFP SOW “Animal caretakers that work at USUHS will perform a variety of duties required for the care and maintenance…:” Does the USUHS/AFRRI vivarium utilize facility management software similar in scope as the Edstrom Watchdog system or the eSirius electronic monitoring system? If so, what type?

USUHS LAM: USUHS LAM does not use facility management software.

AFRRI: Currently no software that husbandry needs to be concerned with at AFRRI. Facilities maintain environmental software. However, these will likely change in the future with incorporation of RFIP (electronic bar coded cage card system) and animal medical record software.

Question 8, Page 6, RFP SOW, Section II, Technical, sub paragraph d):

· Many AAALAC vivarium and research facilities have a unique list of requirements specific to that organization. This may include required vaccinations, immunizations and Special Immunizations for some biological agents such as anthrax, small pox, dengue fever, etc., and other special requirements.

o Please provide a list of immunizations that will be required of the contractor animal husbandry personnel.

USUHS LAM: The following immunizations: tetanus, hepatitis B, rabies

AFRRI: Only vaccines pertain any to working with NHPs-I.e. MMR (Measles), tetanus, and Rabies Vaccination. Also, a current TB test (within 6 months).

**It’s up to the contractor to determine which immunizations will be required for their employees working in the facilities. This will be included and submitted in the Occupational Health and Safety Plan which will be part of the evaluation.

o If required, will the cost of immunizations be paid by the contractor or by USUHS/AFRRI USUHS LAM: Not required. Contractor is responsible for all immunizations.

AFRRI: Contractor is responsible for all immunizations.

o If required, are all of the immunizations readily available on the open market through the Occupational Health Care Provider network?

USUHS LAM: Not required. Yes.

AFRRI: Yes.

· Do any of the requirements of this contract require access to BSL3/4 facilities? If so will all on-site contractor personnel be required to be cleared for access or only designated personnel?

USUHS LAM: No

AFRRI: Possible in the future but not currently. All would have to be cleared but not applicable now.

· Will contract employees utilize government provided personal protective equipment (PPE) including bite and scratch resistant gloves, and arm shields for Low, Moderate and High Risk activities?

USUHS LAM: Yes

AFRRI: Governmental provided PPE will be available.

· Will work uniforms (scrubs, overalls, etc.) be provided and maintained by the government?

USUHS LAM: We will provide footwear, scrubs and other PPE (i.e. protective face shields) – we do not provide the prescription glasses and they need to provide those themselves.

AFRRI: We will provide footwear, scrubs and other PPE (i.e. protective face shields) – we do not provide the prescription glasses and they need to provide those themselves.

What type of facilities training/orientation will new employees receive or be expected to attend?

USUHS LAM: Personal training with the Chief, Animal Husbandry for hands-on experience with procedures and equipment for required duties. It is recommended that the contractor provide general lab safety and HAZCOM training as the University does not provide this training to contractors.

AFRRI: Radiation Safety, Occ Health, NHP exposure, and AALAS Learning Library.

Question 9, Page 1, RFP, “This is a new requirement and there is no incumbent.”

As this is a new contract requirement, historically, how many full and part time employees have performed the work called for the RFP?

USUHS LAM: LAM has 11 animal caretaker positions. Currently only 9 are filled.

AFRRI: 12 Fulltime Employees

Question 10, Page 1, RFP

“USUHS requires the services of part-time and full-time contractor employees for the purpose of filling gapped positions and to help with temporary increases in need.”

o Will services be required as on-call services?

USUHS LAM: On-call services are not required. Contracted employees would be considered essential personnel and would be required to perform duties on weekend, holidays, and during University closure.

AFRRI: Possibly depending on weather and WG worker availability o How many full-time and how many part-time contractors will be needed per year?

USUHS LAM: It is anticipated that two full-time contractors will be needed for 2014 with an additional full-time contractor needed in 2015 to cover an expected departure.

AFRRI: It is anticipated that 2 Full Time for AFRRI currently. May increase or decrease in the future

Question 11, Page 2, RFP

“The animal caretaker services are required seven days a week to include weekend and holidays to meet regulatory requirements and ensure animal welfare.”

Will the government authorize overtime pay for employees to meet the seven days week requirement?

USUHS LAM: No. Employee schedules will be staggered to provide coverage 7 days/week without requiring overtime.

AFRRI: AFRRI will not require excess overtime by the individual and will be scheduled to 5 days. If OT is required the task order will be modified to include OT hours, prior to the OT being worked.

Question 12, Page 3, RFP

I(a)(1) – “Task orders will not exceed a one (1) year period.”

What is the minimum length of performance for a Task Order?

The minimum length of a Task Order will be for $5,000.00 worth of hours.

Question 13, Page 3, RFP “A secret facility clearance is required prior to award for contractors working at AFRRI. Contractors will be required to provide a copy each employee’s certificate with the proposal.”

0. What certificate will an employee need? Since the secret facility clearance is for the company, can the government please clarify?

AFRRI: A secret facility clearance, means that each contractor needing access to AFRRI, as part of the contract, need to have a secret clearance.

“Contractors working at USUHS only need a criminal background check. If a recommended employee does not possess a secret facility clearance, they must apply prior to submitting their offer. “

0. The company has a secret facility clearance not the employee. Since the contractors working at USUHS only need a criminal background check can the government please clarify if employees also need Secret clearance in addition to the company having a Secret Facility Clearance?

The individuals working at USUHS do not have a need for a Secret Clearance, but they do require a Favorable Determination of a NACI.

Question 14, Page 4, RFP III. Background Investigation, ID Cards, Government Furnished Property, Other Considerations:

III(a). General Security Requirements: Background investigations will be required of contractor personnel. The contractor will conduct or arrange background investigations. This process involves the following steps:

· A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint check - USUHS security department will provide fingerprinting services

· A National Agency Check with Written Inquiries (NACI) check It is our understanding that as Contractor, we are not authorized to conduct the NACI and that the NACI is arranged/conducted by the government’s security manager.

Can the government please clarify the contractor’s responsibility for this section?

The individuals working at USUHS do not have a need for a Secret Clearance, but they do require a Favorable Determination of a NACI.

Question 15, Page 6, RFP

1. “Contract is required to submit resumes of the employees expected…..”

How many resumes does the government require to be submitted with proposal?

One resume for each individual that will be working at USUHS and AFRRI.

Question 16, Page 7, RFP Contract and pricing is subject to SCA – Can the government provide the DOL Wage Determinations?

DOL Wage Determination 2005-2103 Rev-13