VA247-17-R-0004-A00004000.docx

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE

7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER

3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE

OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO.

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE

CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office.

is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

BY

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30

PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243 (Type or print) (Type or print) (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (If other than Item 6) (Specify type of modification and authority) (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer) A00004 07-21-2017 508-17-3-2721-0029

NONE

Department of Veterans Affairs VISN 7 Network Contracting Office LaVista Business Park - Bldg A 2008 Weems Road Tucker

GA

30084 Department of Veterans Affairs VISN 7 Network Contracting Office LaVista Business Park - Bldg A 2008 Weems Road Tucker

GA

30084 To all Offerors/Bidders

VA247-17-R-0004

06-07-2017

X X X ** HOUR & DATE for Receipt of Offers is EXTENDED to:

2:00 PM Eastern, on July 28, 2017.

X This amendment is being issued for solicitation# VA247-17-R-0004, for the following questions and answers.

Note: Please see the continuation page for details.

Maurice Ross Contracting Officer Continuation page Question# 1:

Good afternoon Mrs. Chase, I have a quick question for you: How many veterans will need to be transported to the Atlanta VAMC each day?

Please let me know at your convenience.

Thanks again for all your help.

Answer:

Good Afternoon Mr. Brown, That # would be based off the price schedule that has been provided.

The estimated quantities are for Short trips, long trips, etc…..

For example………….wheelchair van quantity on the Price Schedule for short trips is 1,300 per month, you would then calculate what that would be for the week and then per day.

I hope this explanation helps.

Question# 2:

In the PWS…………….

1. Section 2, Definitions and Acronyms, 2.1 Definition of “Mileage Threshold”: A thirty mile radius is difficult to calculate using any map program;. The Ground Transportation Industry Standard to measure distance is “driven miles”. When you refer to “30 mile radius”, do you mean “within 30 Driven Miles”?

It’s 30 miles from the medical center, which is the origin starting point; anything within the 30 miles of the Atlanta Medical Center.

Question# 3:

In the PWS……………..

1. Section 5, Specific Tasks, 5.8 “Oxygen Tanks”: As a doctor prescribed commodity, medical grade oxygen (provided by bottled gas distributors) is only available to purchasers with a signed doctor’s prescription. Will the VA provide that prescription to the winning contractor?

No, that is the contractors responsibility, not the VA- The Contractor shall provide oxygen tanks when transporting patients requiring it.

Question# 4:

Would it be possible for you to provide the current contractors name and the current contract number that they are operation under?

The VA Hospital does have a current wheelchair contract because of the vital need of these services for our Veterans.

This is a new solicitation requirement that will be needed by the Government.

Any specific vendor/contractor information (contract# etc.) can be obtained via a FOIA request in the above attachment provided.

Question# 5

I need to get some clarification of what rules apply to limitation of subcontracting.

If CFR 125.6 says that the Prime Contractor, "Will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not similarly situated" I'm reading this as the total cost toward the total contract. However, the FAR and VAAR state that the Prime Contractor is responsible to for at least 50 percent of the cost of personnel for contract performance will be spent for employees of the concern. The confusion is CFR is speaking about the cost of contract vs. FAR and VAAR speaking about cost of personnel, and all of these are referring to service contracts. They seem to contradict themselves so I'm just looking for clarification.

The FAR is a regulation, codified in Title 48, Chapter 1 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The VA is mandated to comply with the FAR and the VAAR supplements.

The following applies to subcontracting:

52.219-14 -- Limitations on Subcontracting.

As prescribed in 19.508(e) or 19.811-3(e), insert the following clause:

Limitations on Subcontracting (Jan 2017)

(a) This clause does not apply to the unrestricted portion of a partial set-aside.

(b) Applicability. This clause applies only to--

(1) Contracts that have been set aside or reserved for small business concerns or 8(a) participants;

(2) Part or parts of a multiple-award contract that have been set aside for small business concerns or 8(a) participants; and

(3) Orders set aside for small business or 8(a) participants under multiple-award contracts as described in 8.405-5 and 16.505(b)(2)(i)(F).

(c) By submission of an offer and execution of a contract, the Offeror/Contractor agrees that in performance of the contract in the case of a contract for --

(1) Services (except construction). At least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the concern.

(2) Supplies (other than procurement from a nonmanufacturer of such supplies). The concern shall perform work for at least 50 percent of the cost of manufacturing the supplies, not including the cost of materials.

(3) General construction. The concern will perform at least 15 percent of the cost of the contract, not including the cost of materials, with its own employees.

(4) Construction by special trade contractors. The concern will perform at least 25 percent of the cost of the contract, not including the cost of materials, with its own employees.

Reminder: Please see the following websites:

SDVOSB's must be verified in VetBizOpps: http://www.vetbiz.gov/

Contractors must be registered in SAM: http://www.sam.gov/

Seeking Federal Business Opportunities: www.fedbizopps.gov/

VA Forecast of Contracting Opportunities: https://www.vendorportal.ecms.va.gov/eVP/fco/FCO.aspx/

If you are a Service Disables Veteran-Owned Small Business - you must be registered with VETBIZ and obtain a Seal...............their # is on the website.

Sam is needed for doing business with the Government and FBO/Vendor Portal is where you look for business opportunities.

Question: 5a Thank you so much for getting back to me. So if it's the cost of the contract, does this means materials, employees, 1099 independent contractors and other expenses that come up with the contract. Correct?

Anthony, In this case since it states personnel and at least 50% of the cost of the contract performance that would include employees, materials for services.

Simply put, 1099s and W-2s are two separate tax forms for two different types of workers. If you’re an independent contractor, you get a 1099 form. If you’re an employee, you receive a W-2.

When it comes to who should be classified as an employee and who should be considered an independent contractor, is “control.” In other words, it’s all about who controls the work they do.

Independent:

1. Set your own schedule.

1. Use your own personal method for finishing assignments.

1. Accept tasks on a case-by-case basis—and can turn down offers of work.

1. Supply your own tools.

1. Have more than one client.

If you’re an employee, you likely:

1. Have assigned hours or a set schedule.

1. Get trained by the company in a certain method.

1. Complete any and all work assigned to you by a manager.

1. Are provided the tools and materials necessary to finish your work.

I hope I have answered all your questions.

Darlene Chase Question# 6

Darlene, is this opportunity a small business set aside (SBE, DVBE, MBE etc.)?

Answer:

Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business.

Question# 7

Hello Darlene, I notice that the Atlanta Wheelchair contract was re-posted on July 10th but it doesn't indicate if it is set aside for a Disable Vet, small business or etc. Forgive me if I am overlooking something. I was wondering who this contract is set aside for ?

Answer:

If you go back to FBO, you will see all the amendments to the right…………………………………….this solicitation is set-a- side for Service Disable Veteran Owned Small Business and closes on July 28th 2017.

Please let me know immediately if you do not see the several amendments to this wheelchair solicitation.

Question# 8

Our firm is interested in the RFP mentioned above. Could you send us the RFP?

I can be reached at 8502910215.

Many thanks, Answer:

Thank you for your interest.

The standard procedure is to log onto www.fbo.gov and follow the instructions.

Question# 9

Darlene Chase, My name is Arthur Willis and I am inquiring about Solicitation Number VA24717R0004 the Atlanta Wheelchair contract. Is this contract set aside for a small business? Also, I have been a Vendor for several VA Hospitals for the last 8 years within Oklahoma and Texas. Do I have to reside in Georgia to be eligible to bid for this contract? I do have the capabilities to expand my business, staff and equipment to the state of Georgia. I look forward to hearing from you.

Answer:

Mr. Willis, Solicitation# VA247-17-R-0004 is set-a-side for 100% Service Disabled Veteran Own Small Business as indicated in the amendment.

There is no restriction on where your business resides to bid on this requirement, as long as you are able to fully meet the capabilities of the requirement.

Please direct any further question to Gail.Bargainee2@va.gov

Thank you, Darlene Chase

Question# 9a

Hello Darlene, I notice that the Atlanta Wheelchair contract was re-posted on July 10th but it doesn't indicate if it is set aside for a Disable Vet, small business or etc. Forgive me if I am overlooking something. I was wondering who this contract is set aside for ?

Answer:

If you go back to FBO, you will see all the amendments to the right…………………………………….this solicitation is set-a- side for Service Disable Veteran Owned Small Business and closes on July 28th 2017.

Please let me know immediately if you do not see the several amendments to this wheelchair solicitation.

Question# 9b

Thank you for your response. For some reason, after I click on the links it doesn't open. I've tried on my cell phone, home and business computer.

My business partner is a 100% Disable Vet. We are in SAMS but our application is still pending in VETBIZ. We were told that it would take up to 45 days. Do we have to be verifiable in VETBIZ before we can bid for the contract? Or do we need to be verifiable before the award date?

Answer:

I have no heard from anyone else that they are having any issues:

Please contact: The FBO help desk at: 1-866-606-8220 for assistance.

Also, you can move forward with your Proposal, but you absolutely must be VIP certified before contract award.

Question# 10

Good morning Ms. Chase I just received the notification from FBO on the 3rd amendment for this solicitation, Is this Solicitation still under protest or is it open for bidding? I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Answer:

Please check FBO continuously for updates………………..The solicitation is open and closed July 28th 2017.

Question# 10a

Thanks for the speedy response, not sure why I didn’t get an update from FBO. Just curios has the deadline for information changed?

Yes, Aubrey…………….July 28th 2017 2pm EST.