SF30 Amendment of Solicitation - Response to Questions and Extending Deadline for Quotations - Amendment 001.doc

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

PAGE OF PAGES

amendment of solicitation/modification of contract

8601 Adelphi Road – Rm. 3340

College Park, MD 20740

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

May 12, 2023

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

CODE

FACILITY CODE

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

[ X ]The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers Error! Reference source not found. [ X ] is extended, [ ] Error! Reference source not found.is not extended.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __1__ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or telegram which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required)

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

a. this change order is issued pursuant to: (Specify authority) the changes set forth in item 14 are made in the contract order no. in item 10a.

b. the above numbered contract/order is modified to reflect the administrative changes (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) set forth in item 14, pursuant to the authority of far 43.103(b).

c. this supplemental agreement is entered into pursuant to authority of:

d. other (Specify type of modification and authority)

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor [ ] Error! Reference source not found.is not, Error! Reference source not found. [ ] is required to sign this document and return copies to the issuing office.

14. description of amendment/modification (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

Solicitation NARA-883103-23-Q-00053 for biodegradable nitrile gloves is hereby amended as follows: See Page 2 Quotation due date has been extended from May 26, 2023 to 12:00 p.m. eastern time on May 31, 2023.

Ms. Santo E. Plater

Contracting Officer

(Signature of person authorized to sign)

(Signature of Contracting Officer)

NSN 7540-01-152-8070

PREVIOUS EDITION UNUSABLE

30-105

STANDARD FORM 30 (Rev. 10-83)

Prescribed by GSA

FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Question 1: Nitrile is a fossil-based polymer and therefore is not biodegradable. Many manufacturers claim that additives to their gloves cause accelerated biodegradation – but there is no scientific evidence to support that an additive can change the molecular structure of nitrile. Is the desire to purchase a biodegradable nitrile glove linked to a broader set of goals or requirements related to environmentally sustainable purchasing standards? If so, what are those goals or requirements?

Answer: We are improving the agency's energy usage and diminishing its environmental impact from the disposal of single use gloves. We implemented this policy to improve our practice and sustainability as well as trying to avoid unsubstantiated products.

Change to RFQ: None

Question 2: What glove are you using for this function now?

Answer: Showa 6110PF Biodegradable Nitrile Gloves.

Change to RFQ: None

Question 3: The bid specification lists boxes as the unit of measurement for ordering, but boxes have the potential to introduce particulate or lint into the work environment. Would nitrile gloves packaged in polybags be acceptable?

Answer: Polybags are not acceptable. The box is required to be compatible with our glove dispensers.

Change to RFQ: None

Question 4: On Attachment 1 – Schedule of Prices, the numbers in the “MIN QTY” and “MAX QTY”, are those numbers of cases or numbers of boxes? One case would be 10 boxes packaged in a case and one box would be 100 gloves packaged in a box. Again, I just want to know if the numbers in “MIN QTY” and “MAX QTY” on Attachment 1 – Schedule of Prices are in cases or boxes?

Answer: Attachment 1, Schedule of Prices has been revised to remove the amounts listed in the MIN QTY column. The numbers in the MAX QTY column are the number of boxes.

Change to RFQ: Attachment 1, Schedule of Prices, has been revised to remove the amounts listed in the MIN QTY column. The revised Schedule of Prices is attached.

Question 5: Can you clarify the pricing structure. In my quote am I covering Y1 fixed pricing quantities ranging from the minimum qty of 5 through 500? Also does the quote cover Y1 through the proposed additional four years.

Answer: The Schedule of Prices covers a base year and four option years. For each year of the contract and for each CLIN, multiply the number in the MAX QTY column by your firm fixed unit price to get your total firm fixed price.

Change to RFQ: None

Question 6: Is 82% biodegradable acceptable?

Answer: Gloves must be at least 80% biodegradable.

Change to RFQ: Attachment 2, Specifications, has been revised to change 100% biodegradable to at least 80% biodegradable. The revised specifications are attached.

Question 7: Our gloves are available in Small, Medium, Large and Extra-Large. Is this acceptable?

Answer: The requirement includes size extra small.

Change to RFQ: None

Question 8: Can you elaborate on this requirement? No residue deposition or transfer is present when rubbing a copper and silver coupon vigorously with a new glove. This residue could be harmful to holdings over time.

Answer: In Attachment 2, Specifications, section II, number 9 states: No residue deposition or transfer is present when rubbing a copper and silver coupon vigorously with a new glove. This residue could be harmful to holdings over time. This is a test that NARA will do to ensure gloves will not transfer residues onto records during handling. All that is required is to use metal coupons as stand in for records. The test parameters are, while wearing a glove, each coupon will be rubbed for ten seconds and then checked for visual evidence of residue by eye.

Change to RFQ: None

Question 9: The verification of biodegradable is performed by a third party, not the manufacturer. Is that verification required?

Answer: Yes, verification is required. NARA will accept either a 3rd party certification or data from the manufacturer testing.

Change to RFQ: Attachment 2, Specifications, has been revised to add the requirement of third party certification or data from the manufacturer testing. The revised specifications are attached.

Question 10: Is this solicitation required to comply with the Make PPE in America Act?

Answer: No.

Change to RFQ: None

Question 11: Is TAA compliance a requirement, in other words, does the glove have to be manufactured in a TAA compliant country?

Answer: No. The gloves do not have to be TAA compliant.

Change to RFQ: None

ATTACHMENT 1 - REVISED

SCHEDULE OF PRICES

Base Year – Months 1 - 12

QTY

MAX

QTY

UNIT

PRICE

TOTAL FIRM FIXED PRICE

Size Extra Small

Not to Exceed Price

Size Small

Not to Exceed Price

Size Medium

Not to Exceed Price

Size Large

Not to Exceed Price

Size Extra-Large

Not to Exceed Price

OPTION YEAR I – Months 13-24

QTY

MAX

QTY

UNIT

TOTAL FIRM FIXED PRICE

Size Extra Small

Not to Exceed Price

Size Small

Not to Exceed Price

Size Medium

Not to Exceed Price

Size Large

Not to Exceed Price

Size Extra-Large

Not to Exceed Price

OPTION YEAR II– Months 25-36

QTY

MAX

QTY

UNIT

TOTAL FIRM FIXED PRICE

Size Extra Small

Not to Exceed Price

Size Small

Not to Exceed Price

Size Medium

Not to Exceed Price

Size Large

Not to Exceed Price

Size Extra-Large

Not to Exceed Price

OPTION YEAR III – Months 37-48

QTY

MAX

QTY

UNIT

TOTAL FIRM FIXED PRICE

Size Extra Small

Not to Exceed Price

Size Small

Not to Exceed Price

Size Medium

Not to Exceed Price

Size Large

Not to Exceed Price

Size Extra-Large

Not to Exceed Price

OPTION YEAR IV – Months 49-60

QTY

MAX

QTY

UNIT

TOTAL FIRM FIXED PRICE

Size Extra Small

Not to Exceed Price

Size Small

Not to Exceed Price

Size Medium

Not to Exceed Price

Size Large

Not to Exceed Price

Size Extra-Large

Not to Exceed Price

Note: NARA will evaluate submitted pricing in accordance with FAR 52.217-5.

ATTACHMENT 2 - REVISED

SPECIFICATIONS

FOR

BIODEGRADABLE NITRILE GLOVES

I. SCOPE

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) requires Nitrile Gloves that are at least 80% biodegradable for handling sensitive records. The gloves will be used by the public in the Research Rooms and by the staff processing these records. NARA requires gloves in five sizes to ensure proper fit and proper handling of the records.

II. REQUIREMENTS

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) requires Biodegradable Nitrile Gloves in five sizes for handling sensitive records.

1. 100% nitrile gloves

2. At least 80% biodegradable

3. Available in the following sizes:

a. Extra-Small

b. Small

c. Medium

d. Large

e. Extra-Large

4. Gloves must be between 3 and 5-mil thick

5. No rubber latex proteins are permitted

6. Powder-Free

7. Rolled Cuff

8. Gloves must be in boxes with dispenser holes on the top. Boxes of gloves must be no larger than 5.5"W x 10"H x 3.75"D

9. No residue deposition or transfer is present when rubbing a copper and silver coupon vigorously with a new glove. This residue could be harmful to holdings over time.

10. No more than 1 in 10 gloves may rip, tear, or split when put on.

11. Third party certification or data from the manufacturer testing is required.

III. RESPONSIBILITY FOR TESTS

The Contractor is responsible for quality control to ensure the specifications of this contract are met. NARA reserves the right to perform quality assurance at any time during the contract where such tests are deemed necessary to assure that supplies and services conform to the specifications. Therefore, one sample of at least 10 gloves in each glove size purchased shall be sent to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) within 14 calendar days from contract effective date.

IV. PACKAGING AND IDENTIFICATION

Packaging. The gloves must be packed in boxes for easy dispensing with a dispenser hole in the top of the box. The boxes must be shipped in a protective container and arrive uncrushed and free from tears or rips.

Marking. The outside of each packing container must be legibly marked with the following information: the delivery order number and the number of boxes of gloves of each size packed in the container. The boxes of gloves must indicate the number of gloves in the box. The boxes of gloves must indicate the size of gloves in each box. Any expiration date on the boxes of gloves must be at least one year away from the date of shipping.

V. DELIVERY

Delivery must be undertaken during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Delivery of specified quantities will be made to specified destinations defined in each delivery order. Deliveries may be made to the shipping destinations listed on Attachment 3. Addresses are subject to change or new locations may be added.