S05_Questions and Clarifications_R0007.docx

Questions and Clarifications for RFP 36C77026R0007:

Questions and Clarifications from site visit 7-7-26

1. Puck statistics into the loops and going to totes, puck packing and number of orders that are 4 and below going to puck packing.

a. CMOP requires the new puck sorting/tote de‑pucking area to support a minimum throughput of 700 pucks per hour and the puck packing area to support a minimum throughput of 500 pucks per hour.

2. Bottle and cap dimensions. Drawings of Vials, vial labels, pucks and totes.

a. Bottle dimensions- please see attachment E: BOT2000.

b. Cap dimensions - please see attachment F: CAP1185CL-foil-lined CAP1190CL-foam-lined.

c. Vial label drawings – Samples will be given to successful awardees.

d. Puck drawings – Samples will be given to successful awardees.

e. Tote drawings –

3. Four hour snapshot of all orders per NDC and filter out the most common that would be seen at the medium mover TCA.

a. Since PII information is in the mix CMOP can only provide a sanitized version of this data. CMOP would be able to give a high level picture if needed; however, CMOP will need specific information to make sure the correct information is given.

4. CAD layout of the area.

a. Lancaster CMOP will provide AutoCAD drawing of the facility upon request. Because SAM.gov does not accept .dwg files and the drawing exceeds the allowable file size for posting and email transmission, we will distribute this file via Microsoft Teams. A PDF version Attachment K: L034.00113-510A, has also been attached. If you wish to receive the AutoCAD drawing, please send an email to kelley.cunningham@va.gov, William.Byrd1@va.gov, and Joseph.Comingore@va.gov with your Microsoft Teams channel or folder location for file upload, or provide instructions for how we should share the file with your organization in Teams. Once your Teams location is provided, we will upload the .dwg file there for your access.

b. It is the contractors responsibility to verify all measurements are accurate.

5. Sorting flexibility and POS-directed routing.

a. Has been added to an updated PWS dated 7.8.26. (page 11 red font for new information).

6. Is the Lancaster CMOP open to remote pharmacist verification?

a. Not at this time.

7. What defines “low” and “medium” movers?

a. Any tablet/capsule product that we are currently filling out of our Manual fill areas and products that would be filled out of our manual area if they were not currently being filled by other CMOPs for us. 99% of these products have an Average daily Rx volume of less than 100 Rxs per day. There are two Excel sheets provided to better understand the workload. One shows the product codes and NDCs that are filled in our manual areas in Dallas. The other shows product codes and NDCs that are filled for us by another CMOP that we would bring back to place in this new automation. Throughput has been established Please use these numbers for design criteria.

See attachment G: Dallas Manual Dispensing for New TCA See attachment H: Dallas TCA Products 07132026

8. What is the spare electrical capacity at the distribution panel(s) the contractor is expected to tie into for the new TCA and loop sortation area?

a. We have two 120/208 three phase panels in the area as well as one 250amp HV 5 Breaker 480V 3 phase circuit in the ceiling above the panels. One of the 120/208 30 circuit panels has no circuits currently on it. The other is a 42-circuit panel with approximately 10 free circuits. There is also another 480V three phase circuit already supplying the sorting area that can be re-used. It will be the responsibility of the contractor to use existing power to connect all equipment for this project including any panels, breakers conduit and wiring.

9. Can the VA provide current electrical diagrams and panel schedules for the tie-in points?

a. Not available.

10. If existing capacity is insufficient, please confirm whether adding service capacity (feeders, panels, transformers, or utility coordination) is contractor scope?

a. Not in scope

11. Could the VA confirm that any architecture meeting the throughput, reject-rate, and interface requirements is welcome?

a. VA will consider all submissions that meet or exceed requirements.

12. Is the contractor or the VA responsible for demolishing and removal of the existing equipment?

a. Contractor is responsible for demolition of old equipment as specified in PWS.

13. Since the new system coordinates closely with the existing high-volume TCA equipment, can the VA share how offerors should obtain the current interface and controls documentation for that equipment?

a. The Knapp equipment is proprietary in nature and VA does not have access to their PLC nor operation software. We do have physical layouts and electrical prints for maintenance needs. Any interaction with Knapp for integration needs would need to be handled by the awardee.

14. The PWS calls for “consideration for increased throughput for future needs.” What growth factor or headroom percentage should offerors design the loop sortation and TCA to accommodate?

a. 2% per year

15. What is the compressed air capacity available at the tie-in point(s) the contractor is expected to connect to for the new TCA and loop sortation area?

a. There is a main airline currently by the sorting table that can be used for this area. There is a main airline in the TCA area by the ceiling. Cutoff valves are in place and can be accessed for this project. We have two Keaser Compressors, each producing 355 cfm at 125 psi.

16. Can the VA provide current pneumatic system diagrams and specifications (pressure, flow/CFM, and available connection points)?

a. Not available.

17. If existing capacity is insufficient, please confirm whether adding capacity (compressors, dryers, piping, or receiver tanks) is contractor scope.

a. No. Any new Air compressors or equipment would not be part of this scope.

18. Can the VA provide the current puck specification and RFID protocol?

a. Sample pucks will be given to successful awardee. CMOP does not have any specs sheets. CMOP is changing to new vials which are smaller in diameter. Current pucks will be modified in house to receive the new vial. For RFID protocols please see attachment L: CHIP Programming job aid 1, and attachment M: CHIP Program Deleting job aid 2.

19. What is the maximum allowable production-impacting outage windows for tie-in, cutover, and stress testing, and is off-shift or weekend access available?

a. Off shift and weekend work is available if needed. After hour work is required with utility outages that may impact production and operations.

20. Can the VA please provide any and all detailed requirements and specifications for work stations?

a. The “Attachment 1 for Dallas CMOP TCA Low to Medium Volume” document has procedures for cannister refills. We can get procedures for Pharmacy verification stations and exception stations if needed. As far as equipment specifications, that would be the responsibility of the contractor and what is dictated by the PWS.

21. Does the system need to run all 3 types of vial caps on demand (per-vial basis) or can they be run in batches?

a. CMOP runs all orders in a First In First Out fashion. Oldest work first so singles would mix with multi orders with no batching.

22. What is the rate of vials in pucks arriving from high volume TCA that the new system must handle?

a. The High Volume TCA has a max puck conveyor delivery capacity of 3,600 pucks per hour or 1 puck every second down the elevated conveyor heading towards the autopackers, sorting loops and puck packing loops. There are times throughout the day when we get close the 3,600 rate so the areas receiving this workload (autopackers, sorting loops and puck packing loops) mut be able to accommodate this offload rate. The average rate is about 1600 vials per hour.

23. What % or overall rate of vials from the high-volume area will need to be collated with vials from the new med/low volume TCA?

a. CMOP estimates with current settings there will be about 100 vials/hr Manual vials combining with High Volume area TCA with our current settings. However, we can change our production settings to increase the number of med/low volume TCA that will combine with the high volume TCA so it should be sized to accommodate a potential of about 300 vials/hr combining with existing high volume TCA.

b. The combined sorting area for any TCA combos that need to go to a tote depucker will have a current rate of about 300 vials/hr but needs to be sized to at least 700 vials/hr to accommodate different production settings.

24. Scope of equipment shown below is correct/incorrect.

a. Mostly correct. In CMOP’s current setup items go to the puck packing stations bypass the sorting loop and head directly to those stations. There is a secondary soring loop at the puck packing stations where orders can recirculate if all the partner vials are not present before dropping into the packing station lanes. Any pucks that go into the main sorting loop will head to the depucker and be dropped into blue totes that get routed through the facility on conveyor.

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