QandA.pdf

Questions and Answers

1) After reviewing the specifications for the zip ties with our manufacturer, the width and the tensile strength do not match up. The .19 inches width is for 50 lb. tensile strength. In order to get up to 120 lb., the width needs to be .30 inches. Please confirm what is required for the zip ties.

Answer: The stated requirement per the solicitation is “shall be a minimum of 120lbs tensile strength fasteners”, with no stated “requirement” relative to width.

2) What does the phrase "Shall include NIH bar-coding, refer to NIH Standard #6, latest in effect" mean on page 3 - 5 of the pricing schedule?

Answer: Product barcoding is required based on included stock number (8115-00-L04-0680), and must be printed on product.

3) What was the delivery schedule this past year?

Answer: Program does not keep a record as deliveries are made upon program request.

4) What was the quantity delivered at each delivery this past year?

Answer: The quantity delivered varies as well, but every delivery included a minimum of 320 bundles.

5) In Addendum to FAR 52.212-4, Article 3 it stated that the offeror's proposed delivery schedule is one calendar day after receipt of order. Is this what NIH Prefers?

Answer: Yes

6) Is the one calendar day what is currently being utilized by the current vendor for deliveries?

Answer: Yes

7) What is the current proposed delivery schedule with the current vendor?

Answer: Deliveries are scheduled upon (order) request.

8) Under the Invoicing/Payment instructions, number 9 states that the payment is to be made using a "three-way match". Can you explain what the "three way match" is?

Answer: The 3-way match is how invoices are reviewed and approved internally, by the federal government, and of no consequence to the contractor (assuming invoice is accurate and complete).

9) Can you provide us with an example email invoice?

Answer: No. invoice instructions are provided in the solicitation and an invoicing template could be provided for any contract awardee (upon request).

10) What is the minimum order quantity for this solicitation?

Answer: Please see “Article E.8 Order Limitations”

11) Is the unit price a per package price?

Answer: Offeror is responsible for proposing a unit price per package.

12) Have there been any issues with the current vendor or deliveries?

Answer: Not Applicable

13) Should we use our DUNS number if the Unique Identifier Number is not live yet?

Answer: Please see “invoice requirements” under Article E.4 Invoice Submission

14) What does Grade A Polyethylene, untreated mean for the liners? The current bags are reprocessed resin. This is industrial grade but not FDA grade. Please confirm which you are looking for.

Answer: Please see “Medical Pathological Waste Liner Specifications and Certification” requirements outlined in solicitation.

15) Do the bags need any markings on them besides the ASTM standards?

Answer: Please see “Medical Pathological Waste Liner Specifications and Certification” requirements outlined in solicitation.

16) Do the bags need a biohazard symbol on them?

Answer: Please see “Medical Pathological Waste Liner Specifications and Certification” requirements outlined in solicitation.

17) Can we schedule a tour when a delivery is being made? We do not need to go inside but we need to see the area our trucks will dock at for delivery and how they unload them.

Answer: Any potential “tour” can be coordinated with any contract awardee, but not prior to award.

18) Can we pay for a sample of one box, liner and zip tie?

Answer: No

19) Are these requirements for the boxes, liners, zip ties and packages/bundles different from what is currently being supplied?

Answer: Please refer to and/or respond to the “requirements” outlined in the solicitation.

20) On page 10 you ask us to fill in how many calendar days we promise to deliver an order. Page 35 it states 1 day for deliveries. Please confirm that on page 35 NIH is proposing a 1 day delivery turnaround.

What is the current vendor's delivery turnaround?

Answer: Please refer to and/or respond to the “requirements” outlined in the solicitation.

21) On Page 36, section b it states that deliveries might need to be made to multiple locations. Can you list the additional locations that might require deliveries?

Answer: Deliveries will be made to the Gaithersburg Distribution Center (16050 Industrial Drive, Gaithersburg MD 20877

22) Do pages 45-46 apply to this bid?

Answer: Yes

23) Page 59 - does this bid have the buy America Requirement?

Answer: Yes

24) For the sample of the box, liner and zip tie, please confirm if a sample box, bag and zip tie can be submitted without the printing on them? Specifically, the box will be blank but cut and meet the required specifications; however, the print plate will not be ordered until the solicitation is awarded.

Therefore the box will not have print on it but we can supply a diagram to display the markings that would be on the box.

Answer: Samples must be submitted with required printing specifications.

25) In the SF 1449, boxes 19-24; how do we fill out these boxes? Is it for only the initial term or should we fill out the quantities and price values for the optional renewal periods? Answer: The vendor is to put their price for the base year in box 24. This is for the base year. There is a pricing schedule that must include the initial Base Year, as well as the Option Year periods.

26) Article E.8 directly contradicts Article 7a. Specifically where it discusses minimal order requirements.

Please explain these differences. . Answer: This is standard boilerplate language. Article E.7a is the length of the contract and Article E.8 is discussing the minimum order amount.

27) What is NIH looking for in regards to "Term of any express warranty"?

Answer: NIH is not “looking for” anything relative to express warranty, particularly if it doesn’t apply to your product and/or organization.

28) During the covid the Federal Government waived the country of origin. Does this also apply to this bid as well?

Answer: The buy American Act is applicable to this requirement.

29.) This item would be manufactured in Malaysia. Please clarify how many bags are in each box?

Answer: Please see Section “C.3” for “Skid Packaging” requirements.

31) How many boxes in each case?

Answer: Please see Section “C.3” for “Skid Packaging” requirements.

32) What color is the bag?

Answer: Please see “Medical Pathological Waste Liner Specifications and Certification” requirements outlined in solicitation.

33) What print is on the bag?

Answer: Please see “Medical Pathological Waste Liner Specifications and Certification” requirements outlined in solicitation.