Questions_and_Answers_Version_3_05.01.26.pdf

Department of State Hospitals - Metropolitan

Q&A #2 (IFB #26-20019-000)

Metropolitan State Hospital

General Services Department 1401 South Bloomfield Ave., Norwalk, CA 90650

General Services: (562) 584-8228/FAX (562) 863-7332

Questions and Answers #2 (Version #3)

Notice to Prospective Bidders May 1, 2026

Medical Waste Disposal Services #26-20019-000

The following questions have been submitted for clarification:

Q1 Can fees / surcharges be added to the bid or do all expenses have to fit in the bidder’s rate sheet?

A1 Please also be reminded that per IFB#26-20019-000, III. BID REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION, C.

Submission of Bids: 3. General Contents: v. A bid shall be rejected if it is conditional or incomplete, or if it contains any alterations of form or other irregularities of any kind. DSH may reject any or all bids and may waive an immaterial deviation in a bid. DSH’s waiver of an immaterial defect shall in no way modify the IFB document or excuse the bidder from full compliance with all requirements if awarded the agreement.

Separate appendices for industry fees or surcharges are not permitted; all expenses need to fit into the bidder’s rate sheet.

Q2 Are the container sizes listed what is needed for transportation or are these the sizes that are placed in patient rooms?

A2 The container sizes are for collection and transportation. MSH generates the smaller containers quart size, 2 and/or 8 gallons. The waste is placed in the 44-gallon industry approved containers. We do not want containers larger than 44 gallons as our satellite collections areas are small.

Q3 Can please clarify if the 44-gallon containers are intended to be "overpack" transportation containers? If so, will the Department allow for the use of smaller, disposable OSHA-compliant sharps containers (e.g., 2-gallon or 8-gallon) to be nested inside the larger 44-gallon transport tubs?

A3 MSH is not opposed to 43-gallon containers, as long as they’re industry standard and color coded per the applicable waste.

Q4 Our standard inventory includes a 43-gallon reusable container. Will the Department accept this as a technically equivalent substitute for the requested 44-gallon container?

A4 MSH is not opposed to 43-gallon containers, as long as they’re industry standard and color coded per the applicable waste.

Q5 Do you have the historical data or an estimate of the actual number of containers typically picked up during each weekly service interval? Furthermore, should the "Container Quantity" listed in the scope be treated as the "Par Level" (buffer inventory) that the contractor must maintain on-site at all times?

A5 For the estimated number of containers, please refer to IFB#26-20019-000, Sample Agreement, Exhibit A.

Scope of Work, 7.Contractor Responsibilities, I. Types of Waste Generated. Yes, the scope should be treated as the "Par Level" (buffer inventory) that the contractor must maintain on-site at all times.

Q6 Are you open to contractors including a separate appendix for standard industry fees, such as stop fees or environmental recovery fees? If not, does the Department require that all such costs be "baked into" the per-pound or unit rates provided on the price sheet?

A6 Please also be reminded that per IFB#26-20019-000, III. BID REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION, C.Submission of Bids: 3. General Contents: v. A bid shall be rejected if it is conditional or incomplete, or if it contains any alterations of form or other irregularities of any kind. DSH may reject any or all bids and may waive an immaterial deviation in a bid. DSH’s waiver of an immaterial defect shall in no way modify the IFB document or excuse the bidder from full compliance with all requirements if awarded the agreement.

Separate appendices for industry fees or surcharges are not permitted; for any additional fees, please “bake into” the per pound rate/unit rate.

Q7 Please confirm if the estimated volumes provided in the IFB are accurate and reflective of recent historical generation rates for the Norwalk location.

A7 DSH confirms that the estimated volumes are reflective of recent generation; however, per IFB#26-20019-

000, Attachment 5 – Bidder’s Rate Sheet, 3., and likewise in Sample Agreement, Exhibit B. Budget Detail and Payment Provisions, 1. Invoicing and Payment, D.: DSH makes no guarantee, expressed or implied for actual number of services to be used.

Q8 s there any possibility of labpack wastes being generated? If so, how will it be presented and pricing determined?

A8 Labpack waste typically consists of virgin or unused (P-List) Sodium Azide. Per MSH policy, all expenses must be "baked into" the per-pound or unit rates on the bidder’s rate sheet; separate appendices for industry fees or surcharges are not permitted.

Q9 Typically virgin/unused (P-List) sodium azide wastes are presented in labpack quantities.

A9 See A10.

Q10 How is the sodium azide (P105) wastes generated and can it be kept separate from other wastes?

We require an evaluation form to be completed for sodium azide bearing wastes. If it is separate how should it be priced?

A10 This waste is generated in labpack quantities and must be kept separate from other waste streams. MSH confirms that an evaluation form is required for all Sodium Azide-bearing wastes to ensure RCRA compliance.

All handling and disposal costs for Sodium Azide and D002 Corrosives must be reflected within the standard rate sheet provided in the solicitation.

Q11 How is the D002 corrosive/Acetic acid waste being generated? Is it kept separate from the RCRA pharmaceutical wastes as it is a RCRA and DOT corrosive? If it is separate how should it be priced?

A11 This is generated as a RCRA and DOT corrosive. It must be handled and kept separate from RCRA pharmaceutical wastes in accordance with California Health and Safety Code and RCRA disposal standards.

All handling and disposal costs for Sodium Azide and D002 Corrosives must be reflected within the standard rate sheet provided in the solicitation.

Q12 Who is the current vendor / incumbent?

A12 As previously addressed and provided in Addendum 1-Version 2_04.28.26, our current contractor is

MediWaste Disposal, LLC.

Q13 Can we have the current contract copy??

A13 As previously addressed and provided in Addendum 1-Version 2_04.28.26, see attached.

Q14 What is the Annual spent / last 3 invoices ?

A14 As previously addressed and provided in Addendum 1-Version 2_04.28.26, the total dollar spent to date on the expiring contract is $27,237.30. See attached.