Amendment_One.RFQ-10-19-025-REL.docx

AMENDMENT ONE – RFQ-10-19-025-REL

RFQ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

1. Please explain in detail how IHS will determine the price reasonableness of a bidder’s price proposal compared to that of another bidder’s price proposal as there are no estimated quantities. Should we assume a quantity of 1 (one) for all items? If so, will our yearly amounts (see page B-1 of the RFQ) be equal to our price for each item x 1?

ANSWER: The Indian Health Service intended to conduct a comparative price analysis of the unit prices but recognizes that method prevents prospective contractors from submitting yearly proposed amounts without estimated quantities for the different frame and lens types. An amendment is forthcoming that will incorporate a revised Attachment A, Eyeglass Price Schedule that adds estimated quantities.

1. The price schedule mentions many brand name items for lenses, upgrades, and coatings. Can “or equal” products be offered instead of the brand name items?

ANSWER: Yes, “or equal” products can be proposed. However, the amendment will include a revised price schedule that eliminates the brand names.

1. What is the unit of measure on the price schedule for lenses, digital, transitional upgrades, coatings, lens index, and other lens add-ons? Is it ea (each) which would be one lens or is it pr (pair) which would be two lenses?

ANSWER: The unit of measure is “each”’ but ideally the contractor should clarify if the proposed price is “each”’ or “pair”.

1. On the price schedule are DRX and Enhanced (under the Digital section) to be considered add-on’s to the Level 1 through Level 5 progressives?

ANSWER: A revised Attachment A, Eyeglass Price Schedule removes this requirement.

1. On the price schedule are Transitional Upgrades add-on’s to the Lenses?

ANSWER: The revised Attachment A, Eyeglass Price Schedule should clarify the Government’s requirement.

1. On the price schedule are Lens Index, Materials add-on items to the lenses?

ANSWER: The revised Attachment A, Eyeglass Price Schedule should clarify the Government’s requirement.

1. On the price schedule under Lens, Index, Materials 1.50 Plastic CR 39 is listed as an item. Why is this item necessary as there is already a section of the price list titled Lenses CR39/Clear Plastic? These two are the same.

ANSWER: The revised Attachment A, Eyeglass Price Schedule should clarify the Government’s requirement.

1. Section B.3.B.2. on the statement of work states that samples of work (frames and lenses) are required. Can IHS provide specific requirements for this such as frame category, lens material, lens type, prescription? By providing IHS would be comparing “apples to apples” as it relates to the different bidders.

ANSWER: The amendment will request the submission of frame catalogs and lens pricing. Actual samples will not be required.

1. Under section E.3. on the statement of work it states that warranty replacements will occur annually in the event a lens is scratched or a frame has a manufacturer defect. Is IHS requiring the contractor to remake glasses at no charge within a year’s time if they are scratched? If so, this is completely unfair and cost prohibitive as most scratches occur from misuse by the patient. Although all glasses will have a scratch-resistant coating that does not mean that they are scratch proof (regardless of what sales people will tell you). There are some retailers who offer this type of warranty but they are selling glasses for hundreds of dollars (if not thousands) and not at the prices afforded IHS under contract (normally at wholesale or less). Basically you would be asking a contractor to make every order twice for the same amount of money. Does IHS have any information on how many of this particular type of warranty were required in a calendar year?

ANSWER: The section will be modified to read, “Warranty replacements will occur within one year for defective frames or to replace lenses as a result of a manufacturer defect”.

1. Under section G of the statement of work, would online training be acceptable vs. onsite?

ANSWER: Prospective offerors may submit alternate proposals to satisfy the requirements of the solicitation as provided in Subsection E.1, paragraph (e).

1. “ . . . was wondering if you would be able to supply the approximate number of eyeglasses that would be purchased per year?”

ANSWER: Statement of Need: The purpose of this acquisition is to provide eye glass services to reservation beneficiaries at Crow Service Unit, Fort Belknap Service Unit, Blackfeet Service Unit, Lame Deer Service Unit, Wind River Service Unit, Fort Peck Service Unit and any tribal programs who wish to participate. Anticipated need is approximately 6,000 eyeglasses fabricated across the Billings Area on an annual basis (varies by service unit), with the majority of the orders coming from the largest reservations at Blackfeet and Crow Service Units. Average monthly orders expected at 500. Frame selection must cover a large range of ages from infants to elders (0-65+) for males, females, unisex and children. Contractor expected to have a quick turnaround time (preference is within 1 week), on-site evaluations, be able to handle large surge periods and offer reasonable pricing for high cylinder or higher power lenses.

1. You mention in the evaluation criteria that you need samples of the contractors work but did not disclose what type or how many?

ANSWER: An amendment is being issued today to request the submission of frame catalogs and lens pricing. Actual samples will not be required.

1. You also did not mention if the samples need to be at your facilities by the bid due date?

ANSWER: See response to Item 12.

1. In the evaluation criteria you also mention that we would be evaluated on contract schedule. Can you explain further what that means?

ANSWER: A price analysis will be conducted of all the proposals submitted to determine price reasonableness and best value.

1. For “transitions” lenses, are you looking for the “Transitions” brand of photochromic lenses or we can offer private brand photochromic lenses, including Polarized Transitions products?

Answer: All brand names were removed from the revised price list. Please indicate pricing for the “Transitions” and include the product brand.

1. For “Crizal” coatings, are they Crizal brand specific or AR coatings similar to Crizal coatings acceptable?

Answer: All brand names were removed from the revised price list. Please indicate pricing for the coating and include the product brand.

1. Current solicitation calls for spectacle frames that have Country of Origin (COO) that comply with the Trade Agreement. The frame prices reflected in current pricing don’t seems to be the case. Please confirm if you are looking for spectacle frames that are COO compliant?

Answer: Yes, the Indian Health Service is requesting frame pricing in accordance with the Trade Agreements Act (TAA), which requires the Government to acquire only U.S.-made or designated country end products. The Act restricts the purchase of products from non-designated countries and prohibits contractors from providing non-compliant products. Moreover, the Act requires contractors to certify that each end product meets the applicable requirements. The TAA differs from the Buy American Act in that applicability is based on the dollar value of the acquisition.