Notice 2_RFI Responses_8Oct2024.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING SYSTEMS COMMAND FAR EAST

PSC 473 BOX 13

FPO AP 96349

N40084-24-R-0060

Notice No. 2 8 October 2024

RFP N40084-24-R-0060, ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING SERVICES CONTRACT AT VARIOUS U.S.

NAVY. MARINE CORPS, ARMY AND AIR BASES ON FACILITIES THROUGHOUT NAVFAC

FAR EAST AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

NOTE: The following schedule is provided for INFORMATION ONLY. The RFP remains unchanged unless it is amended in writing on a Standard Form 30.

Request for Information Questions and Responses

5. Ref PWS, Page 68, Section 4.5, 4.5.1, 4.5.2 Urgent Turn around Time, "Urgent Turnaround Time" does not have a description of the analysis items or quantity, and it seems that Government is allowed unlimited amount of orders. Is it possible to set some limitation on the quantities, items or price amount?

ANSWER: This response supersedes the previous response. Please refer the forthcoming Amendment.

6. Ref PWS, Page 71, Section 4.7 Expedited Service, "Expedited Service" also does not have a description of the analysis times, items or quantity. Is it possible to set some limitation on the quantities, times or price amount?

ANSWER: This response supersedes the previous response. Please refer the forthcoming Amendment.

7. Ref PWS, Page 50, Section 3.1.3.4, the current delivery of the report consists of a scanned PDF and two printed copies. However, considering the environmental impact, do you have any plans to reduce the number of printed copies?

ANSWER: Please refer the forthcoming Amendment.

8. Ref PWS, Page 19, Section 2.7.1.3, this project spans multiple regions, and it is impractical to have an SSHO stationed at every site. Similar to the QM, we propose that the SSHOs be "readily available at all times." We would like to suggest a system where SSHOs would rotate between multiple sites and be able to respond promptly when needed. Would this be acceptable?

If OSHA training that allows external participants is offerred on the base, we would like to actively participate. This would enable us to qualify more SSOH personnel for various sampling sites.

ANSWER: Yes, it is acceptable.

N62742-23-D-1100 Planned TO X016

9. Ref PWS, Page 58, Section 3.3(2), when conducting analysis at no additional cost for samples that exceed the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), can it be understood that this applies only if the contractor performed the sampling? This is because issues in the analysis results are generally likely to arise from problems with the samples or issues that occurred during the sampling process.

ANSWER: Initial re-sampling/analysis requirements apply when any quality control issues is indicated in sampling and analysis in any media and/or MCL exceedance is identified for drinking water sample(s). If the contractor can justify that the quality control issues and/or the causes of MCL exceedance occuring prior to them assuming the custody of samples (i.e., NOT during or after the sample collection/shipping performed by the contractor), then re-sampling/analysis requirements should not apply to those samples.

10. Ref PWS, Page 59, Section 3.3(6), is it correct to say that if instructed, upstream and downstream samples will be collected in addition to the original sample?

ANSWER: Contractor shall comply with the re-sampling/analysis procedure described in Section 3.3.(6) of the PWS for all positive Total Coliform sample(s). Contractor should not be needing any instruction or further guidance. Upstream and downstream samples are required and have to be collected.

11. Ref ELIN, 041, does the item "Miscellaneous Work will be negotiated by KO for each task order" mean that the work details and prices will be negotiated with KO for each individual task order?

ANSWER: Please refer the forthcoming Amendment.

12. Ref ELIN, 02518 and 02519, ELIN 05221 and ELIN 02526 each include methods EPA

537.1 and EPA 533 for PFAS. However, there are no methods listed for PFOS in ELIN 02518 and for PFOA in ELIN 02519. Given that the Japanese method does not mention PFOS or PFOA, can we consider this in line with Japanese regulations?

ANSWER: The heading where these ELINs fall is under 025 Drinking Water Test by EPA methods. Therefore, Elin 02518 and 02519 will be analyzed using EPA 533 IAW Attachment J- 1800000-07 page 118 of the PWS.

13. Ref ELIN, 02874, 02875, and 02876, The Estimate Quantity for Sediment and Soil under EPA Draft Method 1633 is set at 100 each. Compared to other items, this seems high and unbalanced. For wastewater, PFOS/PFOA is set at 50, and PFAS at 100. What is the reason behind determining these quantities?

ANSWER: As stated in the RFP, page 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, The price of the Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) is the Not-To-Exceed (NTE) amount of 900,000,000 Japanese Yen for the Base Period (Non-Recurring). The total of all line items on the Attachment A (Price Proposal Form) will be used for evaluation purpose only. The quantity on the Attachment A (Price Proposal Form) is estimated based on the anticipated service requests from our customers.

14. Ref ELIN, 02521 and 02526, on the other hand, drinking water only specifies PFAS (533.1-537.1). Is PFOA/PFOS not required?

ANSWER: Specified methods (EPA 533 and 537.1) include analyte list. For EPA 533, 25 PFAS compounds are included and EPA 537.1 lists 18 PFAS compounds. PFOA and PFOS are among those specified PFAS compounds listed, therefore, PFOA and PFOS are required to be analyzed when orders are placed with these two ELINs.

15. Ref ELIN, 02518, 02519, 02874, 02875, 02876, 03101, 03102, and 03103, is it acceptable to estimate that all PFAS in ELIN on the left will be implemented as field blanks in addition to samples?

ANSWER: Sampling and analysis of the listed ELINs shall be performed in accordance with the PWS and specified methods. Contractor is responsible for the determination of types/numbers of QC samples associated with each ELIN in order to satisfy the method requirements.

16. Ref PWS, Page 68, Sections 4.5, 4.5.1, and 4.5.2, in general, urgent turnaround time is calculated as a percentage increase on the cost of analysis. If we don't know the scale of the usual cost of analysis, it will be difficult to estimate. Is it okay to calculate urgent turnaround time as 1 set for every 500,000 yen of the usual cost of analysis?

ANSWER: The Government does not prescribe offerors' pricing methologies.

17. Ref PWS, Page 71, Section 4.7, in general, expedited service is calculated as a percentage increase on the cost of analysis. If we don't know the scale of the usual cost of analysis, it will be difficult to estimate. Is it okay to calculate expedited service as 1 set for every 500,000 yen of the usual cost of analysis?

ANSWER: The Government does not prescribe offerors' pricing methologies.

18. Ref ELIN, 02874, 02875, and 02876, If you refer to the other ITEM NOs, aren't the correct ITEM NOs 03301, 03302, and 03303?

ANSWER: Please refer the forthcoming Amendment.

19. Ref ELIN, 03267, Is it correct to write PFOA, not PFOSF?

ANSWER: The government intended to have PFOSF for ELIN 03267, since PFOSF is listed as "Class I Specified Chemical Substances’ in JEGS Table 16.6.

20. Ref PWS, Page 68, Sections 4.5, 4.5.1, and 4.5.2, Items that can be analyzed within 7 working days are generally limited to analyses that do not require international transport. Is it correct to assume that, as with Expedited Service, urgent turnaround times are basically limited to analyses that can be conducted in Japanese or applicable local method, or in-country?

ANSWER: Urgent Turnaround Time (Section 4.5, 4.5.1 and 4.5.2) requirements are different from the Expedite Services (specified throughout Spec Item 4.7). Only exclusions from Urgent Turnaround Time are 1) air samples testing including dioxins and 2) liquid testing for radionuclides. For Urgent Turnaround Time, sampling shall be completed within three days after issuance of request and summary results / official report shall be submitted within specified time period from the date of "sample receipt" regardless of the geographical locations of testing laboratories.

21. Ref Project data sheet, 5. Tasks performed, What should I enter in “Tasks Performed (Enter Section C task names)?” Please tell me together with the reference for Section C.

ANSWER: Please refer the forthcoming Amendment.

22. Ref ELIN, 00108, The fixed number of samples at CFA Okinawa is set at 100. I had understood that the tasks defined in this FFP would generally involve the same tasks being carried out every month, but 100 cannot be evenly divided by 12. Could you please let me know the number of samples to be analyzed per month?

ANSWER: Please refer the forthcoming Amendment.