Attachment VIII - Pre-Proposal Conference - Questions and Answers 10 Nov 2025.pdf

Pre-Proposal Conference Q&A

1. The file names posted on SAM.gov differ from those posted on DIBBS. Can the Government confirm which set of files are the correct set of files offerors should use?

Other than different file names, is the content of the files the same in both sets of files?

The files on both SAM and DIBBS are the same other than the file names. Uploading submission must be done through DIBBS, but you can use the attachment from either SAM or DIBBS. Below is a cross-reference table:

DIBBS File Name SAM File Name SPE2DV25R0001.LTC_PID0001.XLSX Attachment II - MSPV Gen VI Authorized Customers SPE2DV25R0001.LTC_PID0002.XLSX Attachment I - Gen VI Price Book SPE2DV25R0001.LTC_PID0003.XLSX Attachment IV D - PVWRM North Backup SPE2DV25R0001.LTC_PID0004.XLSX Attachment IV C - PVWRM South Primary SPE2DV25R0001.LTC_PID0005.XLSX Attachment IV B - PVWRM West Primary SPE2DV25R0001.LTC_PID0006.XLSX Attachment IV A - PVWRM North Primary SPE2DV25R0001.LTC_PID0013.PDF Attachment VII - MSPV GEN VI STATEMENT OF WORK SPE2DV25R0001.LTC_PID0008.PDF Attachment VI - Program Map SPE2DV25R0001.LTC_PID0009.DOCX Attachment V - Subcontracting Plan Guide SPE2DV25R0001.LTC_PID0010.XLSX Attachment IV F - PVWRM South Backup SPE2DV25R0001.LTC_PID0011.XLSX Attachment IV E - PVWRM West Backup SPE2DV25R0001.LTC_PID0012.PDF MSPV GEN VI - Solicitation SPE2DV-25-R-0001 SPE2DV25R0001.LTC_PID0007.PDF Attachment III - Definitions

2. There are two PDF files posted on the same day to the DIBBS site that contained an SF 1449 (SPE2DV25R0001.pdf = 11 pages and SPE2DV25R0001.LTC_PID0012.pdf = 89 pages). Can the Government confirm that SPE2DV25R0001.LTC_PID0012.pdf (i.e., the 89-page document) is the actual Solicitation? Is the SPE2DV25R0001.pdf (i.e., 11-page document) an Amendment to the solicitation? Do offerors need to acknowledge and sign the SF1449 in this SPE2DV25R0001.pdf file as part of its proposal submission?

REFERENCE: Solicitation SPE2DV-25-R-0001 (“Solicitation”). The Solicitation posted on DIBBS has file name SPE2DV25R0001.LTC_PID0012.PDF (see cross reference table above). This version contains SF1449 that offerors are required to submit. The 11-page file on DIBBS titled “SPE2DV25R0001.pdf” will be deleted via Amendment.

3. Box 10 on the SF1449 in SPE2DV25R0001.LTC_PID0012.pdf (i.e., the 89-page document) is blank; however, FAR 52.212-1 (pg. 40) states that the NAICS applicable to this solicitation is 541519. Can the Government confirm which NAICS applies to this Solicitation (i.e., 423450 or 541519)?

REFERENCE: Solicitation. The NAICS Code for this Solicitation is 423450. The Solicitation will be amended to include NAICS Code 423450 in Box 10.

4. [In reference to Attachment I - Gen VI Price Book] Line # 0001 – Global North is set at a dollar value not a % value. Line # 0003 – Global North (PV & BU) Values are set at a percentage not a dollar value. Also, the column width is not wide enough to view the value. Line # 0019 – Global South is set at a dollar value not a % value. Line # 0021– Global South (PV & BU) Values are set at a percentage not a dollar value. Also, the column width is not wide enough to view the value. I assume the same issue with the Global West price book. However, it seems that whole price book is protected. I cannot access the PV Offer column. On another note, can you please confirm the Weight Factors and/or provide the formulas used to compute the cost to the government?

The Pricebook has been updated to address the above formatting and weighted average issues. A new version will be included in Amendment.

5. The NAICS Code for the solicitation is 423450 – Medical, Dental, and Hospital Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers, does this exclude small business manufacturers from submitting a proposal?

As referenced in the Solicitation requirements, small businesses can submit proposals for any role and any region, Refer to Solicitation SF1449 Box 10.

6. Could you expand on the Small Business Subcontracting Plan, Section 8 - Equitable Opportunity? Is this opportunity open to Small Business Manufacturers?

As referenced on page 5 of the Solicitation, Attachment V – Subcontracting Plan Guide is a guide for large businesses to use when developing their subcontracting plan. It is a template only. There is no small business set aside for solicitation. Refer to Solicitation SF1449 Box 10.

7. Can a manufacturer submit a proposal as a Backup PV (Prime Vendor)? If so, does it have to be for a specific region or can it be for multiple regions?

In accordance with the solicitation, offerors may offer as both a Primary PV and a Back-up PV, however an offeror cannot be selected as both Primary and Back-up within the same global region.

8. Regarding the CLIN listings for the Backup Vendors, there are specific brand manufacturers listed, can a SB Manufacture propose their comparable product, i.e. BNOE (Brand Name or Equal)?

It is not clear what list is being referred to in this question. The Contracting Officer believes this question is referring to Attachment IV – PVWRM. In reference to the Solicitation and the workbooks in Attachment IV – PVWRM; the specific items are what will be required for the breadth and depth analysis. See SOW Section XIII. Readiness Support Initiatives for further requirements over PVWRM.

9. Are there specific salient characteristics for the listed CLINS?

In reference to the Solicitation and the workbooks included in Attachment IV – PVWRM, all CLINS are for medical surgical items.

10. As a Backup Vendor, are there specific requirements for the available quantities?

It is not clear what quantities being referred to in this question. The Contracting Officer believe this question is referring to Attachment IV – PVWRM. In reference to the Solicitation and the workbooks included in Attachment IV – PVWRM, the same breadth and depth analysis will be done for back up offers.

11. When VA utilizes MSPV GEN VI, will VA limit SDVOSB participation on MSPV to only one SDVOSB per product and/or product category? If so, how does VA reconcile this limitation with its obligation under 38 U.S.C. § 8127(a) to 'set goals that present the maximum practicable opportunity' for veteran-owned small business contracting?

This is the Defense Logistics Agency’s MedSurg Prime Vendor Program. The minimum requirements are outlined in the Solicitation. DLA is not in a position to respond on behalf of VA. In the future, any newly added customer can establish ordering policy procedures in accordance with their requirement(s), including any agency specific regulations.

12. Additionally, when MSPV orders are placed, who is responsible for conducting the Rule of Two determination — the VA contracting officer or the Prime Vendor?

This is the Defense Logistics Agency’s MedSurg Prime Vendor Program. The minimum requirements are outlined in the Solicitation. DLA is not in a position to respond on behalf of VA. In the future, any newly added customer can establish ordering policy

13. If VA contracting officers retain this responsibility, will they consider SDVOSB suppliers available through other VA vehicles—such as FSS, ECAT, or other multiple-award contracts—before concluding that the Rule of Two cannot be met?

This is the Defense Logistics Agency’s MedSurg Prime Vendor Program. The minimum requirements are outlined in the Solicitation. DLA is not in a position to respond on behalf of VA. In the future, any newly added customer can establish ordering policy

14. If Prime Vendors are expected to perform or facilitate this analysis, what systems or processes will VA require them to use to ensure compliance with 38 U.S.C. § 8127(d) and VAAR 808.004-70(a)?

This is the Defense Logistics Agency’s MedSurg Prime Vendor Program. The minimum requirements are outlined in the Solicitation. DLA is not in a position to respond on behalf of VA. In the future, any newly added customer can establish ordering policy

15. Will the Prime Vendor be required to include fields or flags in its catalog and ordering systems that clearly identify which items are supplied by verified SDVOSBs and VOSBs (as listed in the VIP database)?

This is not a requirement of this solicitation.

16. How will this information be maintained, validated, and updated over the life of the contract to ensure accuracy?

This is not a requirement of this solicitation.

17. What access or reporting mechanisms will be available to VA contracting officers so they can conduct and document Veterans First compliance determinations (including Rule of Two analyses) at the order level?

This is the Defense Logistics Agency’s MedSurg Prime Vendor Program. The minimum requirements are outlined in the Solicitation. DLA is not in a position to respond on behalf of VA. In the future, any newly added customer can establish ordering policy

18. Will the Prime Vendor be required to generate regular reports showing total spend attributed to SDVOSB and VOSB suppliers, including at the individual order level, to support VA’s obligations under 38 U.S.C. § 8127(a) and to demonstrate compliance with VA’s annual veteran-owned small business goals?

This is the Defense Logistics Agency’s MedSurg Prime Vendor Program. The minimum requirements are outlined in the Solicitation. DLA is not in a position to respond on behalf of VA. In the future, any newly added customer can establish ordering policy

19. What specific reporting mechanisms, data fields, and formats will the Prime Vendor be required to use so that VA contracting officers can track SDVOSB/VOSB participation across MSPV transactions and retain auditable documentation of Veterans First compliance?

This is the Defense Logistics Agency’s MedSurg Prime Vendor Program. The minimum requirements are outlined in the Solicitation. DLA is not in a position to respond on behalf of VA. In the future, any newly added customer can establish ordering policy

20. When VA uses MSPV GEN VI, how will Prime Vendors incorporate Veterans First evaluation preferences and best value considerations beyond lowest price when processing MSPV orders?

This is the Defense Logistics Agency’s MedSurg Prime Vendor Program. The minimum requirements are outlined in the Solicitation. DLA is not in a position to respond on behalf of VA. In the future, any newly added customer can establish ordering policy

21. When market research does not support a set-aside, how will SDVOSB/VOSB status remain a positive evaluation factor in order fulfillment decisions, particularly given pending federal legislative proposals to make best value the statutory standard for Multiple Award Schedule procurements?

This is the Defense Logistics Agency’s MedSurg Prime Vendor program. In accordance with the Solicitation, this is single award per Prime Vendor per region. The evaluation factors are outlined in FAR 52.212-2 as included on pages 48-64 of the Solicitation.

22. 38 U.S.C. § 8123 provides that “the Secretary may procure prosthetic appliances and necessary services required in the fitting, supplying, and training and use of prosthetic appliances by purchase, manufacture, contract, or in such other manner as the Secretary may determine to be proper, without regard to any other provision of law.” The MSPV GEN VI solicitation and Statement of Work do not reference § 8123 or otherwise indicate that VA intends to invoke this statutory exception. Can VA confirm whether it considers MSPV GEN VI purchases to fall under § 8123 authority, in whole or in part, and if so, whether VA believes that this authority supersedes the requirements of 38 U.S.C. §§ 8127–8128 and VAAR 819.70 (Veterans First Contracting Program), including the obligation to conduct a Rule of Two analysis prior to awarding contracts or placing orders?

This is the Defense Logistics Agency’s MedSurg Prime Vendor Program. The minimum requirements are outlined in the Solicitation. DLA is not in a position to respond on behalf of VA. In the future, any newly added customer can establish ordering policy

23. Regarding the Nonmanufacturer Rule, will Prime Vendors be required to verify and track compliance with FAR 52.219-33 and VAAR 852.219-76 for SDVOSB/VOSB suppliers?

The minimum requirements are outlined in the Solicitation. FAR 52.219-33 does not apply to the Solicitation. DLA is not in a position to respond on behalf of VA.

24. Specifically, when MSPV orders are placed with SDVOSBs under circumstances covered by FAR 52.219-33(b)(2)—including set-aside orders, sole-source awards, or orders under multiple-award contracts regardless of dollar value—how will Prime Vendors ensure that SDVOSB suppliers are providing products manufactured by domestic small businesses as required by VAAR 819.7011(c)?

This is the Defense Logistics Agency’s MedSurg Prime Vendor program. A selected prime vendor will comply with the terms and conditions of the subject delivery order.

25. Will VA require Prime Vendors to obtain and retain SDVOSB confirmation at the time of order placement, and what mechanism will contracting officers use to confirm compliance prior to fulfillment?

This is the Defense Logistics Agency’s MedSurg Prime Vendor Program. The minimum requirements are outlined in the Solicitation. DLA is not in a position to respond on behalf of VA. In the future, a newly added customer can establish ordering policy

26. Will Prime Vendors be required to verify Buy American Act and Trade Agreements Act compliance under 41 U.S.C. §§ 8301-8305 and 19 U.S.C. §§ 2501-2581 for MSPV purchases exceeding the micro-purchase threshold? This would include:

a. tracking domestic content percentages (60% for non-steel/iron products, 95% for steel/iron products);

b. determining when TAA exceptions apply (such as for commercial items, non-competitive orders, or acquisitions below applicable thresholds);

c. verifying TAA-designated country status and substantial transformation requirements; and

d. documenting component costs, country of origin, and COTS determinations.

How will Prime Vendors maintain the necessary documentation and reporting systems to ensure compliance with these domestic preference requirements?

Prime Vendors will be required to comply with the TAA DFARS Clause included in reference on page 85 of the Solicitation. Product compliance is determined at the item level, by DLA Troop Support, prior to being added to a Distribution and Pricing Agreement (DAPA) holder’s catalog to be made available for distribution under the program.

27. Will there be any set-aside for small businesses?

The solicitation is not set-aside for small business.

28. Do we submit a Small Business Plan for each Global Region or for the total value of the contract? In addition, the Small Business Plan Template provided at Attachment V is for a 5-year base and 5-year option period. Do we submit in this format, or do we submit with Base Period and 3 Option Periods? If so, can you please clarify if using Attachment V is mandatory as it does not allow modification?

The Small Business Subcontracting Plan should be for the total value of the contract. As referenced in the solicitation, Attachment V – Subcontracting Plan Guide, this is included as a guide, not as a required format.

29. Who will be the authoritative source for the harmonized code? Harmonized codes should come from the original manufacturer or from DLA? This should not be a Prime Vendor’s decision as it could lead to incorrect classification and/or different codes for the same product.

DLA intends to provide harmonized codes in future iterations of the Medical Master Catalog (MMC). We do not anticipate requiring our PVs to supply the harmonized code at an itemized level (consolidated shipments) however the vendors are required to put the code on the packing slip.

30. Can you please clarify? The MMESO was discontinued in July 2025. Who is or what function is now overseeing this requirement? Recommend you replace MMESO with the DHA Standardization office throughout the SOW.

QUESTION REFERENCE: Section 2, Paragraph K, Basic Support for Materiel Standardization of the Solicitation Statement of Work (SOW).

The method of determining what products to standardize may change. The general support provided by the PV will be the same. See Section 2, Paragraph K, Basic Support for Materiel Standardization of the SOW.

31. Please confirm whether to apply a CRR percentage to the product price for every drawdown from the PVWRM?

Refer to Solicitation, pages 8, 15 and 22, PVWRM Distribution Fee (see Pricing for Global North, South and West Regions): This fee (and the Cost Recovery Rate) shall be added to the product price for every drawdown from the PVWRM.

32. Reference SOW, Pg 87 Paragraph F., Subsection 1. “Reports of pricing discrepancies will be forwarded to the vendors by DLA Troop Support by the fifteenth (15th) of the month via the potential overcharge report.” Is this something that is going to be added to the next generation?

Yes, as referenced in the SOW, Pg 87 Paragraph F., Subsection 1. In the future, columns including EDI transaction 824 information (Real-Time Price Notification,) will be provided, and all parties will be able to track when the 824’s close out. In the event this automated process fails, the pricing discrepancy report referenced above will be used.

33. Reference SOW Pg 88 Section X: Paragraph A., Subsection 1. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). “These requirements apply to the Primary, the Back-up, and the PVWRM PVs unless otherwise indicated.” Will PV’s receive standard EDI sets for GEN VI PVWRM orders or will these remain as “otherwise indicated.”

Yes, as referenced in the SOW, Pg 89, Section X, Paragraph A, Subsection 2., PVWRM orders come through to the Prime Vendor via EDI via the Electronic Catalog (ECAT) ordering system.

34. Solicitation states the PV-Supplied Readiness Support Manager is included in Total Cost to Government, however, the “Evaluated Price” column indicated “N/A”. Can you confirm it is included in the Total Cost to the Government and/or add the value to the “Evaluated Price” column? valuated price.

QUESTION REFERENCE: Solicitation.

The PV-Supplied Readiness Support Manager fee is included in total evaluated price.

Refer to Solicitation pages 51-64 for how Total Evaluated Price is calculated.

35. Solicitation states, the offered Flat Rate “Excess” Emergency Order Expense is included in the Total Cost to the Government, however, the Weighted Values, Sales and Evaluated Price all show N/A. Can you please confirm or update the price book to include weighted values and sales to compute the Evaluated Price to be included.

QUESTION REFERENCE: Solicitation.

The Flat Rate “Excess” Emergency Order Expense fee is included in total evaluated price. Refer to Solicitation pages 51-64 for how Total Evaluated Price is calculated.

36. Please provide historical data regarding emergency orders identifying the number of items, quantity, and lines.

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section II. Basic Requirements, E. Emergency Orders, pages 20-21.

DLA has identified approximately 520 emergency orders that were processed in the past fiscal year. As DLA does not routinely track data for these emergency orders providing the number of items, quantity, and lines would be too burdensome at this time.

37. What is the percentage break-out in sales of War Readiness, DAPA, and open market item purchases through the Prime Vendors?

All items purchased through the MSPV program will be on a DAPA. See table below for prior government fiscal year PVWRM sales:

FY24 PVWRM Sales by region

Region BURDENED_SALES TOTAL_ORDERS North Primary $108,488.50 512 West Primary $23,898.03 123 South Backup $11,693.88 44 South Primary $66,588.63 149 North Backup $504,584.40 1854 West Backup $46,635.65 332

Please note that any historical data is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee or imply any indication of future demand or cost.

38. Please provide regional spend identifying annual contract spend for PWRM, DAPA, and open market purchases through the PV Program.

All items purchased through the MSPV program will be on a DAPA. See table “FY24 PVWRM Sales by region” above for PVWRM sales.

39. Please provide the average number of orders and average order size (i.e., dollar value) by major facility type (e.g., MTF, ROF, MOF, Quasi-MOF).

See table below for FY24:

FY24 Sales Data by contract type

Row Labels Sum of Dollar Value

Sum of Number of Orders

Sum of Number of Lines

MOF $29,191,029.74 10,412 32,185

ROF $568,288,916.03 425,475 980,018

Grand Total $597,479,945.77 435,887 1,012,203

40. What is the average line count per order by major facility type (e.g., MTF, ROF, MOF, Quasi-MOF)?

See table below for FY24.

FY24 Sales Data by contract type

Row Labels Sum of Dollar Value

Sum of Number of Orders

Sum of Number of Lines

MOF $29,191,029.74 10,412 32,185

ROF $568,288,916.03 425,475 980,018

Grand Total $597,479,945.77 435,887 1,012,203

41. For the EDI ANSI X12 transaction sets that will be tested as part of the initial proposal evaluation, can you clarify the expected direction and exchange of documents during testing? Specifically, how will the test files be transmitted, how will they flow to and from the offeror, and how will they be evaluated by the review team?

QUESTION REFERENCE: Solicitation, Caution Notice, 8. (page 5), SOW, Section X.

Electronic System Requirements, A. General Information, 1., page 88.

Offerors are required to undergo EDI testing during initial proposal evaluations to confirm ability to perform the EDI requirements laid in the Statement of Work. See SOW Section X. Electronic System Requirements.

42. Can the Government confirm that EDI testing conducted during initial proposal evaluations will be limited to the following EDI ANSI X12 transaction sets: 850, 855, 856, 810, 824, and 997?

QUESTION REFERENCE: Solicitation, Caution Notice, 8. (page 5), SOW, Section X.

Electronic System Requirements, A. General Information, 1., page 88.

As referenced on page 88 of the SOW, in Section X. Electronic Systems Requirements, EDI transactions sets will be limited to all transactions outlined in the Statement of Work.

The PV must be capable of and experienced with transmitting/accepting EDI ANSI X12 transaction sets 850, 855, 856, 810, 824 and 997 at time of proposal submission.

43. Can the Government clarify how an offeror would demonstrate “recent demonstrated performance” for purposes of waiving the requirement to verify EDI capability and experience? Is this waiver limited to offerors with prior experience working with DLA, or can offerors demonstrate recent EDI performance through other means?

QUESTION REFERENCE: Please refer to SOW, Section X. Electronic System Requirements, A. General Information, 1, page 88.

A revision to the requirements will be addressed via Amendment.

44. The Statement of Work specifies that vendors must be capable of transmitting and accepting EDI ANSI X12 transaction sets 850, 855, 856, 810, 824, and 997 at the time of proposal submission. Other transaction sets such as 838 (Trading Partner Profile, referenced on page 90) and 865 (Purchase Order Change Acknowledgment, referenced on page 128) are not listed as part of the initial proposal evaluation. Can you confirm that EDI testing during initial proposal evaluations will be limited to a demonstration of the ability to send and receive the listed transaction sets, without requiring vendors to receive, process, or otherwise act on the substantive content of transaction sets not listed?

For example, with respect to EDI 824, please confirm that testing during initial proposal evaluations will be limited to demonstrating the ability to send and receive EDI 824 transactions, without requiring vendors to receive or process information contained in transaction sets such as EDI 838 and EDI 865.

QUESTION REFERENCE: Please refer to Solicitation, Caution Notice, 8. (page 5) and SOW, Section X. Electronic System Requirements, A. General Information, 1., page 88.

During the initial EDI testing, transactions will be sent from offerors to the Government in an offline manner (e.g. email). The evaluation team will review them to help determine if an offeror will be able to successfully utilize the Electronic Data Interface transaction sets.

45. Will Prime Vendors be required to distribute Controlled Substances?

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section VI. Preservation, Packaging, Packing, Labeling, and Marking (PPPL&M), Wood Packaging Material (WMP) and Cold Chain Management, B.4.viii.

Refer to SOW Section I.C for scope of items.

46. In light of the ongoing federal government shutdown, does the Government anticipate any impact on the solicitation timelines, including the current proposal submission deadline of December 10, 2025?

QUESTION REFERENCE: Solicitation, 1. Block 8, page 3.

Currently, there are no changes to the acquisition timeline. Any changes to the submission deadline will be communicated via an Amendment.

47. Can the DLA confirm an estimated percentage of shipments, regardless of order type, for OCONUS "Ship To" locations? How many of those are shipped by the PV to the OCONUS "Ship To"?

QUESTION REFERENCE: Solicitation, Caution Notice, 3. Purpose Of The Solicitation, page 4.

For all OCONUS shipments, the PV will utilize a government supplied carrier to get material overseas.

48. What is the estimated value of the PVWRM inventory for each region?

QUESTION REFERENCE: Solicitation, PRICING FOR GLOBAL NORTH REGION 001 (this language repeats for each region pricing section), page 8.

The PVWRM inventories constantly change. Current values are approximately as follows:

North Primary - $600k

South Primary - $600k

West Primary - $100k

North Backup - $800k

South Backup - $130k

West Backup - $500k

Please note provided values are a point in time number for informational purposes only.

PVWRM Inventories are subject to change throughout the life of the contract, see Section XIII of the SOW.

49. How will ordering facilities indicate to Prime Vendors that an order is an emergency?

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section II. Basic Requirements, E. Emergency Orders for Usage and Non-usage Data Items, page 20

Per the Statement of Work, ordering facilities will contact the PV to designate an order as an emergency. The PV must provide a telephone number to allow ordering facilities to contact the PV 24 hours per day to communicate this.

50. Can the Government clarify how offerors’ responses to the WRM requirements will be evaluated for technical acceptability? Will non-government personnel and other evaluators consider additional WRM requirements outlined in the Statement of Work, or is the evaluation of WRM requirements limited to an offeror's capability to meet the breadth and depth readiness requirements identified in the PVWRM workbook?

QUESTION REFERENCE: Solicitation, Contract Clauses, page 31.

Both offerors need to certify that they take no exception to the PVWRM Statement of Work requirements and need to demonstrate capability to perform this requirement via the breadth and depth requirement. Refer to Solicitation page 49 Solicitation Requirements Evaluation Table.

51. Have the Prime Vendors historically supplied any covered articles that would fall under the scope of the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA)? Please provide a complete list of items currently available for order under the contract. This will assist prospective offerors in evaluating the resources necessary to ensure compliance with applicable supply chain requirements.

QUESTION REFERENCE: Solicitation 52.212-5 - CONTRACT TERMS AND

CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE

ORDERS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES, page 32.

The Medical Surgical Prime Vendor Program historically has not placed orders under the scope of the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act. See SOW Section I.C for scope of items covered.

52. Which specific covered articles will the Prime Vendor be expected to supply under the resulting contract? Given that the formulary is determined by the Government and sourced from DAPA holders, and the Prime Vendor does not control product selection, please confirm whether any covered articles subject to FASCSA are anticipated to be included in the formulary.

QUESTION REFERENCE: Solicitation 52.212-5 - CONTRACT TERMS AND

CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE

ORDERS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES, page 32.

The Medical Surgical Prime Vendor Program historically has not placed orders under the scope of the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act. See SOW Section I.C for scope of items covered.

53. Do offerors have the discretion to substitute a more relevant contract in place of one of their three largest contracts?

QUESTION REFERENCE: Solicitation, Volume 2. Volume Contents (page 46) and Evaluation Process (pages 48-50).

Offerors may submit any contract of their choosing for purposes of past performance if it complies with the terms and conditions of the solicitation, specifically the past performance requirements outlined in Solicitation, Volume 2. Volume Contents (page 46) and Evaluation Process (pages 48-50).

54. Please confirm whether the Prime Vendor is required to ship directly to the MPC locations in Yokosuka and Sasebo, Japan, or whether shipments to these locations are routed through a Government-supplied carrier or consolidation point. If direct shipment is required, please clarify the frequency and conditions under which such shipments are expected.

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section I. General Information, B. Authorized Customers, 6. Fleet, page 8.

Shipments to OCONUS locations will be routed through a government supplied carrier, as per the SOW.

55. Please confirm the timeframe within which the ET will email the Transportation Control Movement Document (TCMD) to the PV once an OCONUS order is placed, and who will the email be sent to?

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section V. Unified Commands

REFERENCE: SOW, Section V. Unified Commands, D. Delivery: EUCOM, CENTCOM, SOUTHCOM, AFRICOM, and INDOPACOM, excluding Hawaii: e., page

44. At this time, DLA cannot provide an exact timeframe. However, in accordance with Statement of Work Section e., page 44, ET will email the PV a Transportation Control Movement Document (TCMD) upon receipt of the shipping information from the PV.

56. The good faith estimates for Primary vs. Backup in the Statement of Work do not match the sales breakouts for Primary vs. backup in the Price Book. Please provide revised data or clarify why the estimates do not match.

QUESTION REFERENCE: Attachment I and SOW, pages 11-13.

Figures in the Price book are based off prior FY sales data whereas the estimates included in the SOW are a forward-looking projection by option period. Please note that any historical data is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee or imply any indications of future demand or cost.

57. What method will DLA Troop Support - Medical use to initiate the validation process (via email request, EDI transmission, etc.)? [Catalog Validation Process]

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section II. Basic Requirements

REFERENCE: SOW, Section II. Basic Requirements, I. Catalog Requirements, 3, page

30. This process will be covered in detail during the implementation phase after award.

DLA internally validates catalog info received from the vendor. Errors resulting from this validation process are communicated via an automated email.

58. To ensure adequate resourcing and staffing to meet the Government’s required 30-day timeline for establishing commercial agreements, please provide a current list of DAPA holders that PVs will be required to enter into agreements with.

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section II. Basic Requirements, J. DAPA Products, page 30.

A listing of DAPA holders will be provided via an attachment to Amendment.

59. Please clarify what RFID capabilities PVs are expected to have at the start of contract performance.

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section VI. Preservation, Packaging, Packing, Labeling, and Marking (PPPL&M), Wood Packaging Material (WMP) and Cold Chain Management, page 59.

Refer to Statement of Work for potential requirements regarding RFID.

60. Please provide historical data indicating when UID requirements have been specified by ordering facilities. This includes the number of orders where UID was required and examples of the specific requirements included in those orders. Additionally, please provide any known current UID requirements, such as applicable product categories or items, the percentage of orders affected, and order level specifications.

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section VI. Preservation, Packaging, Packing, Labeling, and Marking (PPPL&M), Wood Packaging Material (WMP) and Cold Chain Management, B., 1.h. v., page 59.

At this time, DLA is unaware of any orders placed under the current contract that requires a UID. Please refer to SOW, Section VI. Preservation, Packaging, Packing, Labeling, and Marking (PPPL&M), Wood Packaging Material (WMP) and Cold Chain Management, B., 1.h. v., page 59 and URLs to be provided, in an upcoming Amendment, for further guidance on UID.

61. Please provide the correct website for detailed UID information, the website listed in the document shows "404 Not Found" when selected.

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section VI. Preservation, Packaging, Packing, Labeling, and Marking (PPPL&M), Wood Packaging Material (WMP) and Cold Chain Management, B., 1.h. v. (2), page 59.

The link will be updated with the upcoming Amendment.

62. What are the specific data field requirements for the Proof Of Delivery (POD)? Will the PODs be transmitted and viewed via email or a separate system?

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section IX. Post-Shipment Procedures, A.

Shipment/Invoice Discrepancies, 4, page 84.

PODs are sent via email. Historically, PODs comprise mainly of carrier tracking and delivery sign offs, but they are not limited to those specifically.

63. Do the POD requirements for MAB shipments deviate from the requirements for drop shipments? If yes, how? Please confirm the expected timeline of "120 days" is in calendar days.

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section IX. Post-Shipment Procedures, H. Handling Damaged Products at Medical Air Bridge (MAB), page 88.

This only applies to material shipped through the MAB that the PV lost or damaged. The 120 days are calendar days.

64. How is the Prime Vendor required to provide real-time access to its inventory system (i.e., unique internal warehousing systems login access) [PVWRM]?

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section XII: Prime Vendor Offered Services, H. Real-time Access to PV's DC Inventory, page 131.

In prior generations, after award, vendors provided the DLA Troop Support-Medical Readiness Liaison with user access to their internal inventory systems. However, if the vendor complies with all requirements laid in the Solicitation and SOW, specifically Section 8.A.9 , the methodology is up to the vendor.

65. How are items that are being pulled from PVWRM inventory for War Readiness distribution identified at time of order? Can the DLA clarify how PVWRM orders are differentiated from standard orders in order to ensure proper billing?

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section XIII. Readiness Support Initiatives, A., 1, page 141.

PVWRM will have its own unique contract number. Any order received with that associated contract number will be for PVWRM.

66. Please clarify whether the contingency shipping protocols referenced here include direct shipment by the Prime Vendor to OCONUS locations, or whether such protocols are limited to coordination with CONUS locations, such as consolidation points. To the extent direct shipment to OCONUS locations is required, please provide historical data on the number of such shipments.

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section XIV. Implementation, G. Implementation Plan, 2, page 152.

As referenced on Page 152 of the SOW, Section G, Implementation Plan, 2, a critical piece of the MSPV program is to ensure that both CONUS and OCONUS customers are supported without interruption. As part of the implementation plan, the awardee must provide a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) to demonstrate their plan to support requirements in the event of a disruption at the servicing distribution center. If a servicing distribution center is disrupted for any reason (weather, pandemic, strike, etc.), the prime vendor must have a plan to fill orders with minimal disruption. For OCONUS support, the prime vendor may need to establish shipping protocols at multiple distribution centers within the region to ensure operations in the event of an unplanned contingency. There is no requirement in the Statement of Work for direct OCONUS shipping. The plan will be reviewed and approved by the Contracting Officer during the implementation phase. The COOP will be reviewed annually during the performance review to ensure it remains current.

67. Please confirm whether PVs will be required to ship directly to OCONUS facilities.

Shipments to OCONUS locations will be routed through a government-supplied carrier.

68. If PVs are required to ship directly to OCONUS facilities, will they be required to clear customs in the destination country?

QUESTION REFERENCE: Attachment III – Definitions, page 3.

Shipments to OCONUS locations will be routed through a government-supplied carrier and will have to clear customs, as per the SOW.

69. What is the historical and/or average number of full-time on-site Customer Service Representatives (Air Force)?

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section XII: Prime Vendor Offered Services, F. 1.

There are currently 2 Centralized On-Site reps under the MSPV program. Please note that this level of support is an election made by the customer and can change throughout the life of the contract. This is a point-in-time snapshot provided for informational purposes only, this is not an indication of how many reps might be required during performance of the contract.

70. What is the historical and/or average number of PV-Supplied Readiness Support Managers (RSM)?

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section XIII. Readiness Support Initiatives (RSIs), B.

PV-Supplied Readiness Support Manager (RSM).

There is currently one RSM for each Prime Vendor.

71. What are the specific duties of the PV-Supplied Readiness Support Manager (RSM) role?

Please provide list.

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section XIII. Readiness Support Initiatives (RSIs), B.

PV-Supplied Readiness Support Manager (RSM), page 149, paragraph 5.

The responsibilities are spelled out in paragraph 5.

72. Please confirm whether this acquisition is solely for Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) items.

QUESTION REFERENCE: Solicitation, 52.212-5 -- CONTRACT TERMS AND

CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE

ORDERS—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES.

See SOW Section I.C for scope of items.

73. Please clarify whether litigation support services will be required under the contract.

QUESTION REFERENCE: Solicitation, 52.212-5 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference.

Refer to DFARS 252.204-7014 & DFARS 252.204-7015 referenced in the solicitation for further guidance on litigation support services.

74. Please confirm whether this solicitation is for commercial products and commercial services, and therefore not a covered contract as defined under DFARS 252.225-7058.

QUESTION REFERENCE: Solicitation , FAR 52.212-5 & FAR 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference.

See SOW Section I.C for scope of items.

75. Please clarify whether these clauses are applicable. Although they are listed as required flow-downs on page 89, they are not checked for incorporation by reference on pages 87- 88 of the solicitation.

These clauses will be included by reference via an Amendment.

76. Can you please confirm when the 12 month implementation period will begin? Will it begin at time of award or at the effective date of Gen VI contract?

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW Section I.A, 2.

The implementation period will begin sometime after award and approximately 12 months prior to the go-live date for Gen VI. This will depend on timeline of the acquisition as it progresses but will be clearly communicated to the awardee(s).

77. Will there be an escalation process for removing items from USE when facilities are not meeting their contractual turns per month and have been unwilling to submit the 830 removal?

QUESTION REFRENCE: SOW Section I. 9.

Facilities will be responsible for determining what to add and remove from usage.

However, Statement of Work, Section II, paragraph C10 offers recourse when facilities are not meeting their minimum usage ordering.

78. Is it DLA's intent to require DAPA holders to provide harmonized codes so this data will be included on the DAPA file?

QUESTION REFERENCE: Section VI. f. v.

DLA intends to provide harmonized codes in future iterations of the Medical Master Catalog (MMC). We do not anticipate requiring our PVs to supply the harmonized code at an itemized level (consolidated shipments) however, the vendors are required to put the code on the packing slip. See page 53 of SOW paragraph f.v.

79. Does DLA intend to include a CMMC requirement in this solicitation? If so, at what CMMC level?

Refer to Statement of Work, Section XVI - Cybersecurity Requirements, for cybersecurity requirements during performance of this contract.

80. Will the awardee receive CUI in connection with this program? If so, please specify what information DLA considers to be CUI?

All information from DLA containing CUI will be appropriately marked.

81. Is the Cost Recovery Rate set rate by region, by overall program, or if it is negotiable?

The Cost Recovery Rate is set by DLA at the program level and is not negotiable.

82. Input cells are locked in Attachment I. Please provide offerors with a new Attachment I with the cells unlocked.

QUESTION REFERENCE: Attachment I, Column D, Rows 374 - 512.

A revised Price Book will be included in an upcoming Amendment.

83. Attachments C-F identify products and manufacturers for the PVWRM. Please confirm if the expectation is for the PV to purchase the products directly from the manufacturers.

If they are to be purchased through a reseller, please provide revised files to reflect those supplier names.

QUESTION REFERENCE: Attachment IV.

Items listed in the PVWRM inventory must be purchased through suppliers according to DAPA. This information will be provided during implementation. See SOW Section II.J.

84. Please confirm the expected performance period start date for contracts awarded under this Solicitation.

Ordering for Gen VI will begin no later than 6/7/2027. Regions will begin to transition in the weeks prior. During implementation a transition schedule will be finalized, see SOW Section XIV. Performance will begin during implementation after award which will change as the acquisition timeline changes.

85. Please provide a list of detailed expectations, if any, of the current PVs to facilitate transition to new awardees during the implementation period.

There will be no expectation of incumbent vendors to work with new awardees.

Implementation will be conducted between the Government and the new awardee(s).

86. Please clarify what role the government will have in facilitating the transition between incumbent and new Prime Vendors.

The Government will be the sole primary role.

87. Please clarify the full list of activities expected to occur during the implementation period, and the estimated timeline.

As referenced in the Statement of Work, successful awardees must submit an implementation plan within 15 days of award. Any process not spelled out in the SOW will be communicated to the PV by the contracting officer during the implementation period.

88. Are there peak times of the day in which a PV should expect orders to be transmitted?

It varies by ordering facility. Orders must be accepted in accordance with SOW Section

II.C.4.

89. What is the historical and/or average number of full-time on-site Customer Service Representatives (CONUS)?

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section XII: Prime Vendor Offered Services, E.1, page 136.

North – 11

South – 8

West – 10

Please note that this level of support is an election made by the customer and can change throughout the life of the contract. This is a point-in-time snapshot provided for informational purposes only, this is not an indication of how many reps might be required during performance of the contract.

90. What is the historical and/or average number of full-time on-site Customer Service Representatives (OCONUS)?

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW, Section XII: Prime Vendor Offered Services, E.1, page 136.

There are currently five OCONUS on site reps. Please note that this level of support is an election made by the customer and can change throughout the life of the contract. This is a point in time snapshot provided for informational purposes only, this is not an indication of how many reps might be required during performance of the contract.

91. The solicitation contains FAR 52.211-14 & FAR 52.211-15 by reference

(See RFP pg. 39 of 89). However, Box 13b on the SF1449 is blank. Also, the full text of FAR 52.211-14 contains a box that the KO is to check.

• Can the Government confirm if this is a rated contract?

• If so, is this a DX rated order or DO rated order?

QUESTION REFERENCE: Solicitation.

This is not a rated contract.

92. Can the Government confirm the term “Brand Name DAPAs” used in the Solicitation is consistent with the definition in RFP Attachment VII - SOW pg. 31? If so, should this definition also be included in RFP Attachment III - Definitions?

QUESTION REFERENCE: Solicitation.

Yes, they are the same term.

93. SOW pg. 31 states that DAPA holders may have two (2) different prices for the same item – one price for the Region(s) they are the MSPV and a second price for the Regions(s) in which they are not the MSPV. However, today DAPA holders do not have different prices for each region. Today, DAPA holders only have one DAPA price across all regions.

• How will the Government accommodate two different DAPA prices for the same item? Will separate DAPAs be established for each Global Region?

• Upon award, will the MSPV awardees be able to revise their already established DAPA prices? Will their existing DAPA’s be canceled and a new DAPA be established with new DAPA pricing for various regions?

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW.

Vendors who are also DAPA holders will have two DAPAs, one for their PV Branded DAPAs and one regular DAPA. DAPAs are not broken out by region. See SOW Section

II.J.6.

94. SOW pg. 31 states that DAPA holders may have two (2) different prices for the same item – one price for the Region(s) they are the MSPV and a second price for the Regions(s) in which they are not the MSPV. The price for the regions in which they are the MSPV, shall exclude all charges to distribute the items to authorized customers under the Med/Surg PV program. Further, SOW pg. 31 states that a Back-up PV cannot have a brand name DAPA. These statements appear to be contradictory.

• Can the Government clarify if the two DAPA price system applies only to the Primary MSPV only?

• If a PV is primary in one region but back-up in another region, can the Government clarify if they can charge a PV distribution fee on their own branded items in the region in which they are a back-up since back-up PV’s cannot have a brand name DAPA?

• If both primary and backup MSPV’s need to have a “Brand Name DAPA,” can the Government clarify how the DAPA’s will be structured? In other words, the DAPA’s wouldn’t be structured by region because the back-up MSPV’s product could be distributed by either the primary MSPV and the back-up MSPV in a global region.

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW.

Vendors who are exclusively a Back-up cannot have a Brand Name DAPA. If a vendor is a Back-up in one region and a Primary in another, they are eligible to have separate DAPAs.

95. The PV-Supplied Readiness Support Manager CLINs (i.e., CLINs 0003, 0021, and 0038) is asking for a fixed dollar amount but does not specify the period of time that should be proposed.

• Can the Government confirm offerors are to provide a 30-month price in the price book (RFP Attachment I) as opposed to a monthly price, annual price, or a 120-month price?

• If offerors are to provide a 30-month price, can the Government confirm that the PV WRM will be paid the full 30-month price upon election of this service (i.e., paid up-front)?

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW.

Per the SOW Section XIII.B, the effective period for the Readiness Support Manager is 30-month option period. Vendors will be paid for the RSM at the beginning of each 30-month period. Offers should reflect the 30-month period.

96. Can the Government provide the number of PV-Supplied Readiness Support Managers (i.e., CLINs 0003, 0021, and 0022 in this RFP), in currently in use by region under the current MSPV Gen V contract, today?

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW.

There is only one Readiness Support Manger per vendor currently for this program.

Please note that this level of support is an election made by the DLA Troop Support- Medical Readiness Liaison and can change throughout the life of the contract. This is a point in time snapshot provided for informational purposes only, this is not an indication of how many reps might be required during performance of the contract

97. The Quasi-MOF CLINs (i.e., CLINs 0005, 0023 and 0040) request a price for Kitting (previously known as DEPMEDS). Can the Government please explain what “Kitting” means? What are the MSPV delivery requirements for kitting needs? What tasks are MSPV’s required to perform to prepare a Kit?

QUESTION REFERENCE: SOW.

Vendors will not be required to perform kitting under this SOW. Kitting is treated as Quasi-MOF under this program. Refer to SOW Section II.O.2.

98. The RFP is requesting offerors to provide fixed prices for a 10-year period, which includes discounts for ROFs that meet certain Annual Purchase Commitment (APC) criteria. Can the Government provide the last GFY sales for each individual ROF OR the number of ROFs currently in each APC tier by region? This information is critical for offerors to make an informed decision and provide the best price possible.

The weighted factors within the Price Book represent the distribution of each customer in that…