Vendor Questions and Answers.docx

Vendor Questions & Answers

1) Is this solicitation only for Small Businesses (SBs) total set-aside? Or can anybody bid on it?

Answer: Yes, the solicitation is only for Small Businesses (SBs) to submit their offers. Unfortunately, if any vendors that are not Small Businesses registered in SAM.gov submit their offers, those offers would not be evaluated.

2) Who is the incumbent?

Answer: The incumbent is Dalyworks, LLC.

3) What was the previous/current contract# for this requirement?

Answer: In order to ensure this solicitation’s requirements are met, the previous service contract is not relevant since this is a new requirement with details listed in the RFQ, PWS and Price/Cost Schedule.

4) What is the budget/value for this requirement?

Answer: The VA does not disclose the funding/budgeted amount for the requirement since this is a simplified acquisition under FAR 12.6. Therefore, we highly recommend for vendors to provide their best offer that they believe is competitive.

5) Why and how are you going to enforce the Limitations of Sub-Contracting? Answer: As a responsible steward of taxpayer funds, the CO has to exercise the right of the limitations of sub-contracting under FAR 52.219-14 and the CO will use any other pertinent VAAR, VHA Policies, and FAR to ensure that Limitations of Sub-Contracting for set-asides are met.

6) What was the cost of the final full option year of the previous contract?

Answer: In order to ensure this solicitation’s requirements are met, the previous service contract is not relevant since this is a new requirement with details listed in the RFQ, PWS and Price/Cost Schedule.

7) How many drivers/vehicles are currently used to service the current contract?

Answer: In order to ensure this solicitation’s requirements are met, the previous service contract is not relevant since this is a new requirement with details listed in the RFQ, PWS and Price/Cost Schedule.

8) What is the vehicle size currently servicing this location?

Answer: The vehicle size of incumbent contractor is irrelevant. Please reference the B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS) paragraph 3.3.

9) What are the requested pickup and delivery times for each location?

Answer: Please review the B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS) paragraph 6. Schedule of Items/Locations table.

10) Do you accept CPARs evaluations as additional Past Performance information?

Answer: Yes, CPARS evaluations is acceptable for Past Performance as long as it meets the Special Standards of Responsibility requirement listed in sections E.1 and E.8 in the RFQ 36C25924Q0456 word document attachment.

11) Regarding specific employees information: It is common practice for small businesses that the drivers, cars and other equipment used for a contract are not sourced until after an award has been made, for cost effectiveness and to reduce loss. However, we will be forwarding our standard Training Certificates-Procedures for your reference, is this information acceptable?

Answer: Any pertinent information provided in a Small Business vendor’s offer will be reviewed and evaluated against the solicitation requirements.

12) It looks like the delivery location at the Cheyenne VA is right outside the base and is open 24*7. Can you confirm?

We ask b/c we deliver to the base quite often, and sometimes the wait time to get in (based on security clearance) can be up to two hours.

Answer: Please review the B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS) paragraph 6. Schedule of Items/Locations table. The Cheyenne VA Medical Center’s normal business hours are 8am – 4pm. There are no known delays getting on Cheyenne VA Medical Center’s campus. For facility access, please review the B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS) paragraph 4.7.

13) Can you also find out if a 4pm drop time at the Cheyenne VA is a hard delivery time, or if we can deliver later?

Answer: Please review the B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS) paragraph 6. Schedule of Items/Locations table.

14) For the Lab Specimens delivery, can you confirm the street address? Is it also 2360 E. Pershing Blvd?

Answer: Yes, inside hospital. Please review the B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS) paragraph 6. Schedule of Items/Locations table.

15) At the other pick-up locations (Loveland, Ft. Collins, Rawlins and Sidney) – any information on security clearance / wait times? (Besides just signing in w/VA security?)

Answer: There are no known wait times for the VA NOCO MSOC, VA Loveland CBOC. VA FT. Collins CBOC, VA Sidney CBOC, and VA Rawlins PTOC locations. For facility access, please review the B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS) paragraph 4.7.

16) Do you have pick up times? The timing of the pick up plays a major part in pricing Answer: Please review the B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS) paragraph 6. Schedule of Items/Locations table.

17) Are you aware of winter road closures? Does the VA still need samples picked up when winter road closures happen?

Answer: Please review the B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS) paragraph 3.1.4.

18) What do the "large items" entail?

Answer: The largest size of one (1) particular item would be 36” x 36” but it would likely be accompanied by multiple items.

19) In the PWS, #2 description of services, it states that “the contractor shall be responsible for tools & materials. In paragraph 2.2.1, it states that the “Transportation coolers” will be at the VA facilities for pick-up and that they will be sealed by VA Personnel. Will the contractor be responsible for providing said Transportation Coolers?

Answer: No, the VA shall provide the coolers. Please review the B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS) paragraph 2.2.1.

20) In paragraph 2.2.1 also states there may be transport of “Formalin”. Will the contractor be responsible for providing the Formalin containers?

Answer: No, the VA shall provide the formalin in containers. Please review the B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS) paragraph 2.2.1.

21) In paragraph 2.2.3 it states that the times are listed in the Schedule. Are there times available or will they be discussed later?

Answer: Please review the B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS) paragraph 6. Schedule of Items/Locations table.

22) In paragraph 3.1, it states that Prosthetics, Durable Medical Equipment, medical equipment, and small medical devices will be transported by the Contractor. What are these different items? Will it include anything like scooters or power wheelchairs or hospital beds?

Answer: No, will not be any scooters or power wheelchairs or hospital beds. Please review the B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS) paragraph 2.2 for the largest approximate size of any one particular item.

23) In paragraph 5.3 it states that the Contractor shall notify the Government of any delay or inability to perform the duties. Are there guidelines or SOP for inclement weather? I-25 & I-80 close during the winter.

Answer: Please review the B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS) paragraph 3.1.4.

24) Do locations have multiple pickup areas such as lab, supplies, RME and if so, can you please identify those locations and how many pickup areas for each?

Answer: Yes, please review the B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS) paragraph 6. last paragraph below the Schedule of Items/Locations.

25) What size vehicle will be required to ensure each route has adequate cargo space?

Answer: Please reference the B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS) paragraph 3.3.

26) Does the VA anticipate any location changes, i.e. closures or new clinic additions during the life of this contract?

Answer: The VA does not anticipate or foresee any location changes for the identified VA facilities/locations in B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS). However, if there are any changes to the VA Facilities/locations in the future, then only a contract modification awarded by the Contracting Officer (CO) shall approve any changes to the PWS.

27) How would you like your proposal submitted?

Answer: Please, review page 1, section 14 of the RFQ 36C25924Q0456. Also, please ensure your company’s quote is using the B.3 Price/Cost Schedule from RFQ 36C25924Q0456. In addition, please ensure page 1 of the SF1449 for RFQ 36C25924Q0456 are signed. Also, the providing documentation to meet the Special Standards of Responsibility requirement listed in sections E.1 and E.8 in the RFQ 36C25924Q0456 word document attachment.

28) For the Fort Collins, Sidney, and Rawlins stops, it shows the times for the morning and afternoon on Tuesday and Thursdays, are these once/day or twice?

Answer: To clear up any confusion, please review the B.2 Performance Work Statement (PWS) n which paragraph 6. And Schedule of Items/Locations answer the pick-up and delivery windows for the VA Fort Collins, VA Sidney, and VA Rawlins locations.