Amendment 1 - QA FINAL.pdf

Amendment One (1) RFQ: IHS‐22‐03B Open Market Pharmaceuticals Blanket Purchase Agreement

The combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, RFQ IHS‐22‐03B, Open Market Pharmaceuticals Blanket Purchase Agreement, is amended to respond to the following questions:

1. Question: We understand that are hundreds of locations, however can IHS provide clarify around when the referenced location listing will be posted in Sam.gov

Answer: Attachment is provided with this amendment.

2. Question: Our company has approved commercial subcontracting plan that covers all of our domestic operations, included those that would be used to perform this contract. Can IHS confirm that an approved commercial plan satisfies the requirement to submit a Subcontracting Plan? (Attachment 2)?

Answer: Attachment 2 must be filled out and submitted with a proposal. Other formats or plans will not be accepted in lieu of the attached form.

3. Question: Can IHS confirm that the 40 page limit for the technical proposal does not include exhibits, attachments or the Section K Representations?

Answer: The 40‐page limit applies only to the technical proposal. Attachments and Representations or Certifications are not included in this page limit.

4. Question: As the manufacturer is responsible for the delivery of the product, and submitting all invoices after the product has been delivered, can IHS confirm that the requirement is for the SPV to bill within 7 days of receiving the invoice from the manufacturer?

Answer: Bulk weekly invoicing is permissible. Payment is made in accordance with the terms and conditions of section G.3 of the solicitation.

5. Question: The ability to meet fill rate requirements is partially dependent upon the customer providing anticipated usage data. Please confirm that IHS provide will such information, including notice of changes, to ensure proper inventory is available to meet the needs.

Answer: Upon award, IHS will provide usage data.

6. Question: This is the same requirement stated in the VA PPV RFP. The VA confirmed that the intent of this obligation would not require anything more stringent than the USP 800 regulations. Please confirm that IHS has the same understanding of the requirement.

Answer: Yes, IHS has the same understanding of the requirement.

7. Question: As this PO is not the same as what will be utilized on the orders submitted through the SPV, will there be a modification either on the IPP or the SPV PO requirement?

Answer: No Purchase Order (PO) number is utilized to submit orders, only an order number.

The only Purchase Order (PO) number that will be utilized will be the one that is provided by acquisitions for the purpose of invoicing and processing payments.

8. Question: Can IHS commit to utilizing an electronic invoice entry process created to support automated invoice uploads matched to the appropriate government purchase order? Can IHS consider a different invoicing system that allows for quicker payment? As this is a new government requirement, will IHS consider extending the current payment methods until such time when IHS, IPP and the vendor can develop a process that is automatic for all parties?

Answer: The IPP electronic invoicing process is a requirement for all agencies under the Department of Health and Human Services. It is a new process that has many benefits such as allowing for better visibility and quicker processing of invoices. The requirement cannot be waived. The implementation timeframe can be used to better understand and familiarize themselves with the process. IHS can commit to working with the contractor to finding solutions to issues however utilization of a system or process outside of IPP will not be acceptable.

9. Question: Please provide utilization data by account and items included under the solicitation.

Answer: Utilization data and items included are not available for this solicitation. Due to the frequent changes in market, availability, and facility need, there is no way for the government to provide reasonable and accurate data.

10. Question: Please consider an extension of the May 18, 2022 due date as the utilization data is required to put together a pricing proposal and was not included with the solicitation.

Answer: An extension has been granted. The new due date is May 20, 2022 NLT 4:00 PM CST.

11. Question: Please confirm what response sections are included in the 40 page response limit.

Are the certification attachments, FARS and technical response all included, or does this page limit pertain only toe the Technical response, sections C.1 – C.21?

Answer: Please see answer to question # 3.

12. Question: Are the additional contracts that IHS will be leveraging beyond the publically available Federal Supply Schedule contracts posted on VA NAC site? If yes, how should items that do not fall on a federal supply schedule contract be priced?

Answer: This contract is for open market pharmaceuticals. No other contracts or supply schedules are utilized to make these purchases.

13. Question: When do you anticipate notifying the selected vendor upon contract award of business from this solicitation.

Answer: Awarded vendor will be contacted prior to award. Tentative date would be June 6, 2022.

14. Question: Is the start date of 6/15/2022 flexible when considering the onboarding requirements for a customer of this size and complexity to be accomplished in less than 30 days?

Answer: See page 3 Section C.2.b. Phase‐in services are 60 days from contract implementation/award.

15. Question: Are all accounts expecting to be eligible to receive daily deliveries? Would you explore consolidating orders if it resulted in a better financial offering?

Answer: All accounts are expected to be eligible to receive daily deliveries. IHS will not explore options for consolidating.

16. Question: Are the diversity requirements between the prime vendor and the supplemental vendor?

Answer: This question is unclear, and an answer cannot be provided.

17. Question: Will any of the ordering take place via EDI? Or data shared back with IHS via EDI?

Answer: At this time no order will be placed via EDI.

18. Question: Please provide a list of locations with addresses for delivery?

Answer: Please see the answer to question #1.

19. Question: Would you consider alternative pricing proposal other than Attachment #1?

Answer: Attachment #1 is a proposal requirement. No other pricing proposal will be accepted.

20. Question: Does this mean items that are never available under the VA Pharmacy Prime Vendor agreement, or does it also include when the prime vendor is out of stock of an item?

Answer: This contract is to be used for items not available on the VA Pharmaceutical Prime Vendor.

21. Question: Please clarify which sites are included and if a virtual meeting is acceptable rather than physical onsite meetings.

Answer: The customer service requirements are applicable to all facilities sites under this contract. Sites will determine in which manner meetings will take place and have the option to opt‐out of onsite meetings. Whatever meeting format the sites decide on (physical, virtual, or opt‐out) that format will be the required format of the meetings.

22. Question: Is the lot and expiration and tracking information required in order to meet requirements under DSCSA or is this a requirement outside of DSCSA requirements?

Answer: All information required meets the DSCSA requirements.

23. Question: Would it be acceptable to provide the lot expiration and tracking information in the emailed invoice only (rather than in both electronic and printed versions)?

Answer: See answer to question #22.

24. Question: Please clarify, is this for EDI 832 Catalog file?

Answer: This refers to the online ordering system pharmaceutical catalog.

25. Question: Will placing orders for shelf labels through an online ordering platform for next day delivery from the DC satisfy this ask? Are color‐coded labels required?

Answer: Placing an order for next‐day delivery will not be acceptable. Shelf label requests should be performed onsite and could be incorporated into a monthly site visit.

26. Question: Please define “Pass‐Through Shipment.” Is it a dropship?

Answer: Pass‐through shipments are orders placed with the wholesaler, but the shipment comes directly from the manufacturer, by passing the wholesaler warehouse. They may not always be drop shipments directly to a facility.

27. Question: “SPV Distribution Center releasing requested product.” Please clarify how this is defined/what is being requested.

Answer: This refers to which, out of the multiple distribution centers, released the product.

28. Question: Please clarify what information will be released publicly.

Answer: It is unlikely that any information will be publically displayed; however, examples may be (but not limited to) cost savings generated from the contract vehicle or procurement costs associated with a particular facility.

29. Question: Please clarify, is this referencing the customer PO number?

Answer: This is referencing the auto‐generated order number. See answer to question #7 on the PO number.

30. Question: Please clarify what you are requesting here. Would you be leveraging a rated order in this circumstance?

Answer: This includes, but is not limited to, rated orders. In some instances, the SPV shall be required to first fill government orders before filling its commercial‐based customers’ orders.

In such situations, the Government will present the SPV with a written agreement from the product supplier to release the product to the SPV customer first.

31. Question: What is the vehicle that you are looking for status to be shared as manufacturer status is provided via the ordering platform?

Answer: Online notification within the electronic ordering system is sufficient.

32. Question: Is an estimated maximum value available for this requirement?

Answer: No maximum value is available for this requirement due to the frequent changes in the market prices, availability, and need of the facilities.

At this time, any information pertaining to current contractor/contracts is not available. This information can be sought by filing a request under the Freedom of Information Act. Information on the Freedom of Information Act can be found at www.foia.gov.

The due date is hereby changed to May 20, 2022 NLT 4PM CST. All other terms and conditions remain the same.