RFQ IHS1525524 – Questions and Answers

1. Is there any incumbent/recompete or this is a brand-new project?

This is a new project

2. Limitations on Subcontracting The solicitation is identified as a Total Small Business Set-Aside and includes FAR 52.219-6. However, FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, does not appear among the clauses in Attachment C. Please confirm whether the anticipated contract value, including options, is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold and whether FAR 52.219-14 applies. If applicable, will the clause be incorporated by amendment, including the required designation of whether compliance will be measured at the contract or order level?

FAR 52.219-14 is not applicable to this requirement.

3. Similarly Situated Entity. If FAR 52.219-14 applies, please confirm that a first-tier potable-water delivery subcontractor that is a small business and is small under NAICS 221310 - assuming that NAICS 221310 is assigned by the prime contractor to the subcontract - would qualify as a similarly situated entity for purposes of compliance with the limitations on subcontracting.

Not applicable.

4. Emergency Response Time: After WRSU contacts the contractor for an emergency water delivery, what is the required maximum response time for the contractor to arrive and begin delivery?

Two hours per the performance requirements in the SOW.

5. Tanker Requirements: Is there a minimum tanker/truck capacity required, and is there a minimum number of water trucks that the contractor must have available?

There is no minimum tanker/truck capacity required. Vendor must make a determination on what truck size to use to supply potable water to the existing water tank.

6. Daily Emergency Volume: During a water outage, what approximate number of gallons per day should the contractor be prepared to deliver? Is there a maximum expected daily delivery requirement?

It all depends on the need for the emergency at hand.

Current records estimated water usage per day as 98,000 to 150,000 gallons per day depending on the season.

7. Minimum Delivery Quantity: Is there a minimum number of gallons that may be ordered for an individual delivery/call-out, or can WRSU request any quantity based on its needs?

WRSU can request any quantity based on its needs.

8. Multiple-Day Outage: If a water outage continues for several consecutive days, what delivery schedule should the contractor anticipate (for example, number of deliveries per day or gallons per day)?

day depending on the season and need. Contractor and onsite facility manager will need to monitor based on water needs during the emergency.

9. Water Source: May the contractor obtain potable water from an existing municipal or commercial potable-water source, provided the water meets all applicable EPA, FDA, Arizona, tribal, and other required standards?

Arrangements are up to the vendor to obtain potable water from other municipalities and other organizations. The water must meet minimum EPA safe drinking water standards.

10. Water Quality Testing/Documentation: What specific water-quality testing, certification, laboratory reports, or certificates are required? Will a current water-quality report from the approved potable-water source satisfy the requirement, and how frequently must testing/documentation be provided?

Current water quality reports from the approved potable-water source with satisfy per delivery schedule. Free chlorine will be tested by staff prior to offloading for 0.2-

1.0 mg/l free chlorine using test strips.

11.

Tribal Fees and Access Requirements: Are there any specific White Mountain Apache Tribe permits, access requirements, fees, or other tribal charges that the contractor should anticipate? If so, can IHS provide the applicable fee schedule or requirements?

No Tribal access fees.

12. Emergency/Mobilization Charges: Must all emergency call-out, mobilization, fuel, standby, waiting time, and other costs be incorporated into the per-gallon unit price, or may a separate emergency/mobilization charge be proposed?

No. Include it the price.

13. Payment/Standby: Because the requirement is stated as "as needed," will the contractor be paid solely for gallons actually ordered and delivered, or is there any separate compensation for maintaining 24/7 emergency availability or standby capacity?

Payment is for services rendered based upon gallons delivered.

14. May we respectfully request a Site Visit in order to better understand the Scope of Work and provide the most accurate quote possible.

Yes. Schedule I am available next Monday, 8:00 AM AZ Time at the Whiteriver Hospital.

15. Quantity per Emergency Call-Out

Attachment D establishes a minimum of one gallon and a maximum of 560,000 gallons for each contract year. For operational and pricing purposes, what minimum, typical, or estimated quantity should the contractor anticipate for an individual emergency call-out?

day depending on the season and need. It all depends on being out of water for one day to 7 days to one month. The indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity is difficult to determine of emergencies.

16. Maximum Daily Requirement What maximum number of gallons per 24-hour period should the contractor be prepared to deliver during an extended outage? If no firm maximum is established, please provide the facility's estimated average and peak daily water consumption during an outage.

day depending on the season and need. 150,000 gallons/days is the high end of water usage.

17. Emergency Response Time Factor 2 requires each offeror to propose its anticipated response time from Government notification to commencement of delivery. Does the Government have a maximum allowable response time that an offeror must meet to be technically acceptable, or will proposed response time be evaluated solely as a comparative best-value factor?

Respond to an emergency request within one hour of the request and be onsite to supply bulk water within two hours is a performance factor. There is no maximum allowed response time. The minimum 1 hour for response to call for water and be onsite within two hours to deliver water for technically acceptable.

18. 15. Tank Connection and Transfer Requirements

The solicitation requires the contractor to furnish all hoses, fittings, equipment, and related items and to inspect the delivery site before the first delivery. To permit offerors to determine equipment compatibility and prepare accurate pricing before quotation submission, please identify the existing tank fill-point connection type and size and any required hose, fitting, adapter, pumping-capacity, transfer-pressure, or backflow-prevention requirements. The reference to 6-inch water mains does not appear to identify the actual tanker connection point.

Existing tank fill point: Access hatch that is 24+feet on top of tank. See picture in

SOW.

Pressure will be zero due to filling from top access hatch.

No backflow requirements due to filling from top access hatch.

19. Two Delivery Schedules

The SOW states that bulk potable water "may have two different delivery schedules," but the two schedules are not further defined. Please describe each anticipated schedule, including expected delivery frequency, approximate gallons per delivery, operating hours, and whether continuous or recurring deliveries may be required during a 24-hour period.

The contractor shall be available and on call to provide bulk potable water services during 24/7 hours during the period of performance of the contract. This is in regard to multiple water truck loads needing to be delivered onsite to keep potable water services online.

20. Is an existing contract in place?

No.

21. If no prior contract exists, how many times has an Emergency purchase agreement been made?

None.

22. If no prior contract exists, by what means has emergency water been delivered?

None.

23. Has a water source been identified?

This is not part of the contract. Vendor is responsible for identifying potable water source and delivering it.

24. Has an alternate water source location been identified?

Vendor is responsible for identifying potable water source and delivering it.

25. If no source has been identified, is off-reservation water acceptable?

Vendor is responsible for identifying potable water source and delivering it. Vendor has to provide the water quality report per EPA standards prior to off loading.

26. Is there a water source accessible on the Reservation?

Vendor is responsible for identifying potable water source and delivering it. Vendor has to provide the water quality report per EPA standards prior to off loading.

27. At what water level would we receive a notice that services are needed?

Vendor would be called by Facility point of contact. This is a contract for emergency call out.

The water level could be zero to 25% full.

28. Can we put our own monitor on the tank?

No. This is not part of the contract. The SOW is for emergency call out for potable water.

29. What is the point of connection?

The access hatch on top of the tank. 24+ feet high. See attached photos in SOW.

30. Based on the photos provided, can we have connections installed on the tank to be able to offload into the tank. E.G. 3 in cam-lock fitting.

The access hatch on top of the tank. 24+ feet high. See attached photos in SOW.

31. Is the water needed only at the 125,000-gallon storage tank? Or are there other locations that we would be delivering to?

Only the 125k water tank.

32. What is the rate of use at each of the locations listed in the SOW? E.G. gallons per month and gallons per year.

Current records estimated water usage per day as 98,000 to 150,000 gallons per day depending on the season and need. It all depends on being out of water for one day to 7 days to one month. The indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity is difficult to determine of emergencies.

33. Do you have readings for average gallons per minute consumption?

depending on the season and need. It all depends on being out of water for one day

34. How many gallons does the current well produce daily?

I do not operate the water treatment and supply. The Tribe Utility department supplies the water.

35. How many gallons are consumed daily from the current supply?

depending on the season and need. It all depends on being out of water for one day

36. What is the current overall usage from the Water supply tank?

depending on the season and need. It all depends on being out of water for one day

37. Will a rationing order be put into effect in the event of an emergency?

Yes. The hospital will activate its incident response team. This contract is part of the response if an emergency happens.

38. What is the expected time of Arrival after notice to proceed?

Two hours per the performance standard on the SOW.

39. What are the system's common failures that would warrant this type of contract?

Limited supply provided by Whiteriver Utility Authority due to Stage 3-4 water restrictions in place for wildfires and primary water main supply break in the Tribal water distribution system.

40. Why is this contract being solicited?

Per the SOW. To provide back-up potable water in case of emergencies for the sole critical care hospital provide healthcare for the Fort Apache Reservation.

Emergency services on standby and available to provide back-up potable water available. Current contracting processes to receive services for emergencies range from 6-8 months to process.

41. Are we able to conduct a site visit? When can we schedule a site visit?

Yes. Schedule I am available next 08/24/2026 Monday, 8:00 AM AZ Time-4:30 PM AZ time at the Whiteriver Hospital. Vendors will be expected to sign in.

42. Based on the answers to these questions, can the contract submission deadline be extended?

This is the contracting officer's decision. It would be in the best interest for all prospective bidders with the information provided.

43. Is there a minimum quantity of water that must be kept in the tank at all times? E.G.

for fire suppression.

Yes. The water level has to be above 10-feet for sustained water pressure.

44. Are we able to include a fuel surcharge due to the volatility of fuel pricing?

Bidders should exercise discernment on prices according to ability and the current market.

45. Can we give you tiered pricing based on the availability and location of a water source?

Bidders should exercise discernment on prices according to ability and the current market.

46. Can I get details on this project as to the reason they will be needing emergency potable water. White Mountain Apache Tribal Water Utility who handles the water infrastructure for Whiteriver Hospital is unaware of any issues and is reluctant to provide any support. Without specific proof of an emergency, they are directing contractors to pull water from the river, which will not work for our water needs.

The White Mountain Apache Tribal Water Utility is restricting water supply for firefighting ability. We are currently in stage 1 water restrictions. The hospital needs emergency back-up water to support its health care mission.