T0115 Bid Amendment 6 QA Response 7 6 17~1.docx

State of New Jersey

July 6, 2017

To: All Interested Vendors {Bidders}

Re: Bid Solicitation {RFP} # 17DPP00064 T-0115 Scientific Equipment, Accessories, Maintenance & Supplies

Quote {Proposal} Submission Due Date: July 21, 2017 (2:00 p.m. ET)

REVISED Quote {Proposal} Submission Due Date: July 28, 2017 (2:00 p.m. ET)

Bid Amendment {Addendum} #6

The following constitutes Bid Amendment {Addendum} #6 to the above referenced Bid Solicitation {RFP}:

· This Bid Amendment {Addendum} includes answers to questions and;

· Please note that for all additions, deletions, clarifications and modifications to the Bid Solicitation {RFP} # 17DPP00064, please refer to the Revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} titled “Revised T0115 RFP 17DPP00064 Scientific Equipment”;

· Please note that for all additions, deletions, clarifications and modifications to the Price Sheet refer to the Revised Price Sheet titled “Revised T0115 17DPP00064 Price Sheet”;

· Appendix A and Appendix B have been added as attachments;

· Questions are not sorted numerically, rather they are arranged according to the Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section.

It is the sole responsibility of the Vendor {Bidder} to be knowledgeable of all of the additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications to the Bid Solicitation {RFP} and/or the New Jersey Standard Terms and Conditions relative to this Bid Solicitation {RFP} as set forth in all Bid Amendments {Addenda}.

All other instructions, terms, and conditions of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} shall remain the same.

Bid Solicitation {RFP} Number: 17DPP00064 T0115 - Scientific Equipment, Accessories, Maintenance & Supplies

Answers to Questions

Note: Some of the questions have been paraphrased in the interest of readability and clarity. Each question is referenced by the appropriate Bid Solicitation {RFP} page number(s) and section where applicable.

Questions are not sorted numerically. They are arranged according to the Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section.

This question does not require a response.

The State has disregarded this question.

Please see Bid Amendment {Addendum} #6. The Quote {Proposal} opening date has been revised to July 28, 2017 at 2:00 pm EST.

Please see Bid Amendment {Addendum} #6. The Quote {Proposal} opening date has been revised to July 28, 2017 at 2:00 pm EST.

Please download the Chapter 51 form from the Vendor Forms page:

http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/purchase/forms.shtml. If you are experiencing difficulty completing the form electronically, please download the form, complete the form in ink and upload the form through NJSTART.

No.

The manufacturer of the equipment/brand name that your company services would be entered into this column. The Vendors {Bidders} name is entered on the top of the Price Sheet in the row titled “Vendor {Bidder} Name:”

The Vendor {Bidder} can now insert a row(s) on the Price Sheet. Please refer to the revised Price Sheet titled “Revised T0115 17DPP00064 Price Sheet”.

The fields that are locked are the Categories and Headings and require no manipulation by the Vendor {Bidder}.

See the answer to question #5.

For Category 1, the Vendor {Bidder} must enter the percentage discount or markup on the Price Sheet for Price line 1. The Vendor {Bidder} must provide a price list for the brand bid which displays the equipment pricing that the discount or markup is to be applied to.

For Category 4, the Vendor {Bidder} must enter the percentage discount or markup on the Price Sheet for Price line 4. The Vendor {Bidder} must provide a price list for the brand bid which displays the supplies and reagents pricing, including reagent rental pricing, that the discount or markup is to be applied to.

Please refer to Sections 4.4.3.2 and 4.4.5.2.

As stated in Section 4.4.5.2.4, “A Vendor {Bidder} should copy or insert a row in the Price Sheet and complete it for each brand being offered.” As stated, in part, in Section 4.4.3.2.1, “The Vendor {Bidder} should submit with its Quote {Proposal} the manufacturer's latest preprinted price list or catalog with pricing as of the Quote {Proposal} opening date, for each brand bid on the price line

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Sections 4.4.3.2 and 4.4.5.2.4 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

Please see Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 4.4.5.2 for Price Sheet/Schedule Attachment instructions and Section 4.4.3.2 for Manufacturer’s/Distributor’s Catalog and Price List instructions.

2. Should my price list have a specific format? We will be submitting tens of thousands of line items, so I want to be sure that the format is correct.

Section 4.4.3.2.1 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} outlines a suggested format for the price list. Also refer to Appendix A: Sample Price List Submission.

See the answer to question #5.

The Vendor {Bidder} must enter the delivery days on the Price Sheet. Refer to Section 4.4.5.2, #8 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}. A Vendor {Bidder} must not enter the delivery days in the Quote tab in NJSTART.

The Vendor {Bidder} should enter the payment terms on the Price Sheet. Refer to Section 4.4.5.2, #9 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}. A Vendor {Bidder} must not enter the cash discount in the Quote tab in NJSTART.

As stated in Section 4.4.5.1 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}, “If the Vendor {Bidder} is submitting a NJSTART Quote {Proposal}, the Vendor {Bidder} must enter a Unit Cost of $1.00 for each price line item on the “Items” Tab in NJSTART. The Vendor {Bidder} is instructed to do so only as a mechanism to comply with Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 6.8 and prevent all pricing from being publicly displayed in NJSTART.”

A Vendor {Bidder} can also reference the Quick Reference Guides (QRGs) located on the NJSTART Vendor Support Page (http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/purchase/njstart/vendor.shtml).

Yes.

If so, how are other/future items from that brand that might not have been on the original price list handled? Does the vendor become the sole awardee for that brand regardless of the items on their list?

Refer to Section 5.2.2 (Product Addition) of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Please refer to Section 1.3.1.1 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

The purpose of Bid Solicitation {RFP} # 17DPP00064 is to solicit Quotes {Proposals} for scientific equipment, accessories, supplies, chemicals and reagents, instrument rental and maintenance. Vendors {Bidders} must offer pricing for products that fall under the categories listed in Section 3.0 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Refer to Section 1.1 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} which states, in part, “The intent of this Bid Solicitation {RFP} is to award Master Blanket Purchase Orders (Blanket P.O.s) {Contracts} to those responsible Vendors {Bidders} whose Quotes {Proposals}, conforming to this Bid Solicitation {RFP} are most advantageous to the State, price and other factors considered.”

State Agencies can utilize any Blanket P.O. {Contract} that covers the products that they need to purchase.

All Vendors {Bidders} must submit a Quote {Proposal} in response to this Bid Solicitation {RFP} to be considered for an award. Blanket P.O.s {Contracts} awarded as a result of this Bid Solicitation {RFP} are independent of GSA.

With the exception of the revision to Section 5.17 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}, the State will not alter any other areas of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} as it is written to define the word acceptance nor will the State consider a Vendor’s {Bidder’s} definition of the word “Acceptance”.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 5.17 for the definition of Acceptance with regards to Commercial Off the Shelf Software (COTS) only.

The Vendors {Bidders} company name and questions are visible in NJSTART. Vendor {Bidder} identities are not confidential.

For State Agencies, no separate Blanket P.O.s {Contracts} are permitted.

A list of New Jersey State Agencies is viewable at the following website: http://www.state.nj.us/nj/gov/deptserv/

There is no comprehensive listing of all of the Cooperative Purchasing Participants in the State. The New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Participants include quasi-State agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, volunteer fire departments, first aid squads, independent institutions of higher learning, County colleges and State colleges.

This Bid Amendment {Addendum} includes all questions posed during the electronic question and answer period and the corresponding answers to those questions.

Prices listed in the manufacturers/distributors catalog and price list must include installation charges. Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Sections 1.5, 3.4, and 4.4.3.2 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

3.1 Scientific Equipment and Supplies Categories

In reference to section 1.5, PRICE LIST, can we include part numbers that do not have a price, but are needed as part of the overall solution for the end-user?

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 4.4.3.2.9 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

No.

2. This will better enable distributors to respond to requirements of the RFP. For example, large distributors can only provide their price lists as they do not have manufacturer’s catalogs and price lists. Recognizing Supplier/Vendor as synonymous with Manufacturer/Brand would not require additional changes to the RFP document, and better enable large distributors to submit responsive offers.

As per Section 4.4.3.3, manufacturers submitting a Quote {Proposal} may supply a list of dealers/distributors that will service the Blanket P.O. {Contract} held by the manufacturer.

The State will not alter the definition of Firm Fixed Price as listed in Section 2.2 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Sections 1.5, 3.4, and 4.4.3.2 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

The State will not alter the definitions of Firm Fixed Price and Unit Cost as listed in Section 2.2 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Sections 1.5, 3.4, and 4.4.3.2 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

The categories/products/services listed under Section 3.0 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} are representative of the products and services requested by the State Agencies. No consideration will be given to other categories, such as validation services or bioinformatics, at this time. Vendors {Bidders} must offer products for the categories listed in Section 3.0 only.

Immunoassays are covered under Category 4.

The State will not alter the requirements listed in Section 3.1.5 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}. As stated in Section 3.1.5.1, “Maintenance agreements are for the equipment offered under this Bid Solicitation {RFP} only.” An Agency will purchase a Maintenance Agreement for equipment offered under Bid Solicitation {RFP} 16DPP00064 utilizing Price line 5.

The State will not alter the requirements listed in Section 3.1.5 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} to accommodate the above requested modification.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 3.1.5.4 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

The State will not add Section 3.1.5.8 to the Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

As stated in Section 3.1.5.2 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}, maintenance agreements shall include the repair cost, cost of parts/consumables and Vendor {Contractor} travel and transportation charges.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 3.1.5.4 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Sections 3.1.5.2 and 3.2 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

See revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Sections 3.1.5.2 and 3.1.5.4 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

As stated in Section 4.4.5.2.2 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}, Vendors {Bidders} shall bid a firm, fixed hourly rate in the “Hourly Rate” column on the Price Sheet in US dollars.

As stated in Section 3.1.7 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}, price line 7 is an agency use line, which allows an agency to purchase any parts and consumables involved in a repair that are not covered as part of the manufacturer’s warranty or maintenance agreements.

See also revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 3.16 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

See revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 3.16 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

Please refer to Section 3.1.7 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} for items covered under Price Line 7.

Nikon Instruments shall not permit any trade ins.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Sections 3.1.7 and 4.4.3.4 item #4 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

See the answer to Question #29.

No. Please refer to Bid Solicitation {RFP} Sections 3.1.5.2 and 3.2 for replacement parts involved in a repair.

The State will not alter the requirements listed in Section 3.3 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Please see response to Questions #2-4.

Section 5.17 applies specifically to performance warranties for off the shelf software and IT hardware. Section 3.3 applies to all other categories of this Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

The State will not modify the Bid Solicitation {RFP} as requested.

However, please see changes to Bid Solicitation {RFP} Sections 3.3, 3.7, and 5.17

Further, please see response to Question #28

Please see changes to Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 3.3.

Some guidance should be considered, please, in the situation where a distributor and/or manufacturer sells equipment like a bench top general centrifuge - which should not require a trained service person to accomplish -- installation/calibration, training, and special electrical/plumbing considerations-- versus, for instance, a Lyophilizer or Biosafety cabinet which probably will require most - if not all- of the above? We shall propose a possible answer after the second part of the question, which is -the wording regarding pricing states that the final price from the vendor should include inside delivery and set-up.

In many of the larger universities, medical centers there is a Bio-engineering department which prefers to do installation and movement inside the facility of the equipment. In the case of the general table top centrifuge (mentioned above as an example) it is usually a matter of unpacking the unit, adding the cups and rotors and plugging in the unit - not too high tech. But, since the rules state that the equipment should be delivered and installed by the vendor - how could this be handled where the vendor knows from experience that the facility has this capability (Bio-engineering) but the end users wants the vendor to do this function, anyway?

Possible suggestion to part one of the inquiry: The vendor would include in their response re category #1, a letter that states that technical or specialized major equipment would be provided with -- installation, training, calibration and a listing of electrical / plumbing requirements-- for a fee of $______ per day plus travel (overnight lodging if more than one day is necessary) for two people at the facility once the equipment is received and transported to the installation room/lab with uncrating completed. This would be to any location, anywhere in NJ and the time of this action would be coordinated between the vendor and the facility (or Buyer?). Clarification - the Technical Representative would NOT install electrical wiring or outlets nor any pipework, etc. - considered plumbing.

The way this specialized equipment is handled now is very troublesome because neither the vendor nor the customer has any guidance as to how the pricing should /will be determined, ie - does the vendor put in a price inclusive of a fee and travel, or does she/he put in the price without fee and travel and HOPE that the Bio-engineering department can accomplish the task?

It also matters if the end-user looks at the price of two competitors and finds that one vendor includes installation but not travel and the other vendor includes both.

A unified system that determines a pattern for everyone would be helpful.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Sections 1.5, 3.4, 4.4.3.2 and 4.4.5.2.2 regarding installation of equipment.

The Using Agencies do not require any training in addition to what is specified in Section 3.4 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

As per Section 3.4, the Vendor {Contractor} shall be responsible for all delivery, unloading, staging, and installation/set-up at no additional cost to the State

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 3.4 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

The State will not alter the requirements listed in Section 3.4 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} to accommodate the above requested modification/deletion.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 3.4 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

The Vendor {Contractor} must provide training at no additional cost to the State. Separate part numbers can be included as long as the Item Price is $0 or “No Charge”, as stated in Section 4.4.3.2.9 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 3.4 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

The State is not able to determine what training is customarily provided with the equipment, as training likely differs from one manufacturer to another.

An overview of the training required has been added to Section 3.4 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}. Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 3.4 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

The State will not modify Section 5.17 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} as requested.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 5.17 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

The State will not alter the requirements listed in Section 3.6 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} to accommodate the above requested modification.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 3.7 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 3.7 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

The State will not alter the requirements listed in Section 3.7 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} to accommodate the above requested modification.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 3.7 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

Please also see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 5.17.

The P/L Date means Price List Date.

Yes. Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 4.3.2 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

As stated on the NJSTART Procurement Program Checklist, the completed forms required with the Vendors {Bidders} Quote {Proposal} are the Offer and Acceptance Page, Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran form, and the Ownership Disclosure form. These forms are listed on the NJSTART Procurement Program Checklist (Vendor Checklist) and attached under the Attachments tab in NJSTART. The forms are also outlined in Section 4.4.1 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Item numbers and Item Descriptions must be part of the Price List submission. Do not add any columns to the Price Sheet.

Refer to Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 4.4.5.2 for instructions on completing the Price Sheet and Section 4.4.3.2. on completing the Price List.

Please refer to Appendix B: Sample Price Sheet Submission and Please refer to Appendix A: Sample Price List Submission.

Also, are the ONLY forms that need to be completed are the one’s listed as file attachments on the bid?

Please see the answer to question #18.

No. Please refer to Section 1.3.2 for instructions on the submission of Quotes {Proposals}.

If the NJSTART site is down, please contact the NJSTART Help Desk Support at njstart@treas.nj.gov or call (609) 341-3500. The NJSTART contact information is provided for emergency situations as described above and is not intended as a portal for additional questions specifically related to the Bid Solicitation {RFP}. Any such inquiries will not be considered.

If the Vendor {Bidder} is not utilizing subcontractors, then the Subcontractor Utilization Plan form is not required.

Yes. As stated in Section 4.3.1 of the bid Solicitation {RFP}, “If the Vendor {Bidder} submits both a NJSTART and a hard copy of the Vendor’s {Bidder’s} Quote {Proposal}, the NJSTART Quote {Proposal} will prevail in the event of a discrepancy between the electronic and paper versions.”

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 4.4.3 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP} for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

Yes, provided the part numbers and brands are easily discernible and comparable to the information contained in the manufacturer price list. Also refer to Section 4.4.3.2.4 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 4.4.3.2 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

As stated in Section 4.4.5 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}, the Vendor {Bidder} must submit its pricing using the State-supplied Price Sheet accompanying the subject Bid Solicitation {RFP} and located on the “Attachments” Tab.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 4.4.5.2 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications on submitting the price sheet.

Please refer to Appendix B for a sample Price Sheet submission.

The manufacturer’s/distributor’s catalog and price list, which contains product information and product pricing, must be submitted in accordance with Section 4.4.3.2 of the Bid Solicitation {RFP}.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 4.4.3.2 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications on submitting the price list.

Please refer to Appendix A: Sample Price List Submission.

The DNA Amplification Kits and DNA Quantification Kits have been removed from Category 1 and are currently listed in Category 3 only. Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Sections 3.1.1 and 3.1.3 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

2. Can we add DNA Extraction Kits to Category 3, if this is the correct category for reagents?

DNA Extraction Kits are part of Category 3. Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Sections 3.1.1 and 3.1.3 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications.

3. Would you please explain and give a sample of the pricing sheet filled out with examples? The pricing sheet attachment that is included with the other documents in this RFP, does not have the same headers as described in section 4.4.3.2.1 on page 33 and seems incomplete. For example, the enclosed excel sheet does not have headers for cat number nor product description.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 4.4.3.2 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications on submitting the price list.

Please refer to Appendix A: Sample Price List Submission.

Please see revised Bid Solicitation {RFP} Section 4.4.5.2 for additions, deletions, clarifications, and modifications on submitting the price sheet.

Please refer to Appendix B for a sample Price Sheet submission.

4. What do you mean by Price List Page Numbers Relevant to Bid Category?

The pages from the manufacturer’s/distributor’s catalog and/or price list that apply to the category bid by the Vendor {Bidder}.