Northeast Area Pre-Bid and Visitor COVID 19 Procedures 25JUN21.pdf

Northeast Area COVID 19 Procedures

Pre-Bid Site Visit and Visitor Guidance

June 25, 2021

All prospective offerors and visitors to a USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Location/facility in the Northeast Area (NEA) shall comply with the more stringent standards whether enacted by the Department, Agency, CDC Guidelines or a local government. Access is only granted for “Mission Critical” purposes or in connection with an open solicitation site visit.

Offerors who fail to pre-register or answer positive to one of the “Wellness” question requirements may be denied or provided delayed access pending an interview of the circumstances. will be interviewed prior to admittance to determine the reason for the failure to pre-register or response to a “Wellness” question.

Terms:

• Fully Vaccinated Person – An individual who is at least 2 weeks (14 days) past their 2nd dose in a 2-dose series such as Moderna or Pfizer, 2 weeks past a single dose vaccine such as the Johnson & Johnson Jansen vaccine.

• Visitor – Any non-ARS employee seeking access to an ARS, NEA facility.

Criteria for participating in a Pre-Bid or Site Visit

All Pre-Bid or General Visitors:

☐ Must pre-register or have approval in advance of the Visit. Substitutions of any prospective offerors for the Pre-Bid Site Visit must be made in advance.

☐ All individuals will follow the enhanced hygiene practices while on site.

☐ Numbers or groups of Pre-Bid Offerors or Visitors will be limited to 2 individuals per company. Exceptions to the number per company or visit may be requested if the bid process or Visit warrants the necessity of extra support or input.

☐ Wellness Questions - All prospective offerors or Visitors must complete the supplied “Wellness” questions and submit upon arrival and prior to accessing the facility. Additionally, any individual who responds “Yes” to any of the questions, will require a more in-depth interview. Any individual who access an ARS, NEA facility will agree to notifying the ARS POC for the visit if any of their representatives become COVID19+ within 72 hours after departing the facility.

Vaccinated Individuals (Fully)

☐ Any individual seeking access to a ARS, NEA facility who meets the CDC criteria for fully vaccinated is not required to wear a face cover, or socially distance while on ARS property or in an ARS Building. However, they are expected to comply with all other Federal, State or Local guidelines and requirements in place for activities such as travel or Close contact exposure.

Un-Vaccinated Individuals (Anyone who does not meet the Fully Vaccinated Criteria)

☐ Any individual seeking access to an ARS, NEA facility who does not meet the CDC criteria for “Fully Vaccinated”, must continue to wear a face cover properly

– minimum 2 layers, be snug fitting and cover the mouth and nose at all times.

☐ Will maintain and follow the “Social Distancing” requirements 96’ of separation)

☐ Offerors coming from out of state will follow all CDC Guidelines and may be required to provide additional information such as a negative COVID19 test results from a sample collected no more than 72 hours prior to the departure.

Post Bid Expectations for Successful Bidders

Currently any successful Bidder will be expected to submit a Full COVID19/Pandemic Plan that covers all contractors and sub-contractors who will be involved with the project as part of their Site Safety Plan submittal. No work will begin until the plan is approved.

*** All persons should be aware that COVID19 operational status changes are subject to change with potentially minimum notice.