7.Q_and_A_from_Vendors.docx

Non-DW Q&A Period Questions #1 - #15 as of 30 January 2018 Questions #16 - #29 as of 2 February 2018

1. When is the estimated start date for the initial sampling event?

APHC RESPONSE for #1 - It could be on day 1 of the PoP. It is continual.

2. Can you provide a list of sample collection locations?

APHC RESPONSE for #2 - It could be from any location across the globe.

a. Due to short hold times for Total Coliform, Fecal Coliform and E.Coli analyses, can you specify which specific site locations will be collected for these tests?

APHC RESPONSE to #2a - it is unknown. We are aware of the holding time implications for these tests.

3. Question 1 - Is DoD ELAP the only required certification?

APHC RESPONSE for #3 (Question 1) - According to PWS Section 3.2.2:

Laboratory Certifications and Qualifications for Sample Analyses The contract and sub-contract laboratory(ies) shall be accredited to the ISO 17025 standard through a third party accrediting body. DOD Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (DOD ELAP) accreditation is required of the contractor and sub-contract laboratories. All methods and compounds in this PWS are to be on their ISO17025 accreditation scope. Methods required to be on the lab’s DOD ELAP scope of accreditation are identified in Attachment 1. If any method in this PWS is not on the ISO17025 scope of accreditation, and/or if any method identified (Attachment 1) to be on the DoD ELAP scope of accreditation is not on the DoD ELAP scope of accreditation, those methods must be clearly identified in the bid package. APHC shall be notified, in writing, within 10 days of any loss of any certification.

Contractor shall submit a copy of the most recent DoD ELAP audit report (to include findings), and corrective action responses (CARs).

Question 2 - Can a vendor submit a quote if not currently DoD ELAP certified but are pursuing certification?

APHC RESPONSE for #3 (Question 2) – No, the Contractor must already be DoD-ELAP accredited at the time of the proposal submission and provide the Scope of Accreditation for the Government to review.

APHC RESPONSE for #4a – It depends on the location of the Contract Lab’s facility in relation to the APHC laboratory. If the location is within approximately 50 miles, the Contractor would be expected to courier the samples. If the Contractor facility is > 50 miles, the APHC laboratory would ship the samples to the Contract lab.

b. If pick ups are required, what is the address for pickup location?

APHC RESPONSE for #4b – U.S. Army Public Health Center, Building E2100, Bush River Road, Edgewood, MD 21010

5. Will the metals analyte with the same number of samples as listed on the pricing sheet be requested as a group list/bundle or as individual per sample? It is cost effective if samples are priced as a group/bundle.

APHC RESPONSE for #5 – It is handled on a sample by sample basis. It is unknown what project specific requirements will be experienced throughout this Period of Performance and must therefore be considered individually.

6. Are vendors allowed to offer method substitution based on our laboratory capability and certifications?

APHC RESPONSE for #6 – In the cases where we will accept a substitution, the Government has already noted the method “or equivalent” in the description.

Regarding TO-15

7. What is anticipated event duration for collection of the 100 to 200 samples?

APHC RESPONSE for #7 – The sampling events are unscheduled and unknown at this time. We could get as few as a batch of 1 to a batch of 10. It varies.

8. Will these be ambient/indoor air or soil gas type air samples?

APHC RESPONSE for #8 – It is used to collect for a variety of applications to include not only these situations as well as dirtier samples from military situations.

9. Does APHC require batch or individually certified summa canisters?

APHC RESPONSE for #9 - We can mostly accept batch certification but there could be an instance of individual certifications if a DoD ELAP project requires it. This is not usually the case.

10. Will APHC require 6 liter summa canisters or 1 liter canisters?

APHC RESPONSE for #10 – We routinely require 6 Liter samples.

11. Does APHC need flow controllers for timed sampling?

APHC RESPONSE for #11 – It is not normally required, but could be possible in a unique situation.

Regarding Aquatic Toxicity, EPA 2002 and 2000

12. What is the test duration needed? Options are: 24, 48, or 96 hours APHC RESPONSE for #12 – Known projects are 48 hours, but the NPDES permits involved have options for 24 and 96 hours as well. New projects with varying requirements are also possible.

13. What is the sample renewal design needed? Options are: static non-renewal, static renewal (every 48 hours), static renewal (every 24 hours) APHC RESPONSE for #13 - Known projects are 48 hour static renewal designs, but the NPDES permits involved have an option for a static non-renewal design.

14. How many sample concentrations are needed? Any number can be accommodated, but common options are: single concentration “screening” test, 5 concentration “definitive” test.

APHC RESPONSE for #14 - For all known projects, a 5 concentration definitive test (plus a control).

15. Are receiving waters also needing testing (“upstream samples”, etc.) or are the samples to be tested only vs. laboratory controls?

APHC RESPONSE for #15 - Receiving waters are an option in the permits for known projects but have not been used. New projects could include requirements for receiving waters. The dilution water used is moderately hard synthetic freshwater.

16. If subcontracting analysis (e.g. PFAS), does the prime laboratory still need to have the instrumentation associated with that method of analysis (e.g. LCMS) or will the sub-labs instrumentation count towards the minimum instrumentation quantity requirements?

APHC RESPONSE for #16 – The laboratory performing the analysis must have the instrumentation required for that analysis. It must be clear which lab is performing which analysis so that the Government can determine if the correct instrumentation is located at the performing lab.

17. If the prime lab uses a different instrument technology (e.g. HPLC) instead of the technology mentioned in the RFP (Liquid Chromatograph (LC) UV detector) does this preclude the laboratory from bidding?

APHC RESPONSE for # 17 – LC-UV is the same as HPLC. If there are however differences in instrument technology, please feel free to propose the change/substitution that will be evaluated by the government.

18. If the prime lab falls just short of the minimum instrumentation requirements (one ICP-MS instead of two) does this preclude the lab from bidding?

APHC RESPONSE for #18 – If the lab has a sub-contractor identified in their bid proposal that could take surge capacity for the analysis required to be performed on that ‘single instrument’, and that subcontractor is evaluated by the Government during the proposal process and meets all PWS requirements, that would be acceptable.

19. We anticipate that we can handle the quantity amounts listed in the pricing sheet, however we would like to develop a contingency plan for very large task orders in which case overflow samples would be subcontracted to meet the TAT requirements if necessary. Will the U.S. Army Public Health Center accept a contingency plan for this purpose?

APHC RESPONSE for #19 - If the lab has a sub-contractor identified in their bid proposal that could take surge capacity for the analysis required to be performed, and that subcontractor is evaluated by the Government during the proposal process and meets all PWS requirements, that would be acceptable.

20. Will the “Urgent”, “Top Priority”, and “High Priority” samples require a Level IV data package within the respective turn around times, or will “results only” reports be required for expedited turn around times with Level IV data packages due within 15 business days?

APHC RESPONSE for #20 – The turn around times for all priorities requires a full Level IV package every time. The preliminary due dates are for results only which is the day before the final full package is due.

21. If the lab is not accredited for a specific compound in a method group (e.g. 2-2oxybis 1-chloropropoane) but holds accreditation for all others, will this preclude the lab from bidding on and performing the analysis for that method?

APHC RESPONSE for #21 – As long as the Contractor currently has the method/technology currently on their scope of accreditation, and will request the compound addition to their scope upon contract award, the Government will consider that acceptable for the bid process.

22. Are method substitutions allowed (e.g. 8321 instead of 8151)?

APHC RESPONSE for #22 – See Question #6 response - In the cases where we will accept a substitution, the Government has already noted the method “or equivalent” in the description.

23. If the labs MDL cannot meet the required LOQ for certain compounds will this preclude the lab from bidding on and performing the analysis?

APHC RESPONSE for #23 – Yes. The contractor must be able to meet the LOQ values required in the PWS.

24 Attachment 2 states that all in-house statistical QC windows are to be provided. Do you want this for every method? Most of the QC windows used for data reporting are those stipulated in the QSM. Please confirm you want the lab to provide in-house stat windows for everything.

APHC RESPONSE for #24a – Yes, Please provide limits for all methods (statistically derived or from the QSM).

If yes, can this information be combined on the same reports that will list the lab’s reporting limits? We are assuming this is also outside of the 30 page minimum for the proposal.

APHC RESPONSE for #24b – Yes, you can combine this information. If you need more pages, please request that formally from the Contracting Officer.

25. In the Synopsis section of the Solicitation, page 2 item #3 refers to Drinking Water. Should the CLIN reference be Non-Drinking Water, Soil, Sludge and Sediment Analysis Services?

APHC RESPONSE for #25. Yes, the reference to Drinking Water is a typo, please see revised solicitation document for correct language.

26. Please clarify how the SURGE CLIN is applied. Is the SURGE CLIN used to add additional funds to the contract when 25% of the total of the original CLIN for the year has been realized? Please confirm that the individual unit rates in the lab’s contract will still apply under this SURGE CLIN portion of the contract.

APHC RESPONSE for #26. The SURGE CLIN is an option CLIN that can be exercised at the Government’s discretion if additional services beyond the maximum quantities covered in the periods of performance is required. The prices for SURGE CLINs will be calculated by the Government to equal 25% of the price of the period of performance CLIN (Ex. CLIN 0001 Price X 0.25=SURGE CLIN Price). The rates for the individual tests in the SURGE CLINs will be identical to the test prices quotes in each period of performance. Therefore, offerors shall not provide additional pricing for SURGE CLINs.

27. Should we provide copies of our DOD ELAP and ISO 17025 certifications? Submitting the accreditations would add ~ 100 pages to the submittal, alternatively we could provide a statement that notes that we are certified and provides the lab’s certification numbers along with a listing of any missing certifications if that would be acceptable.

APHC RESPONSE for #27 – Yes, please provide copies of the DoD ELAP and ISO 17025 certifications. If you require more pages for the submittal, please request it formally.

28 Penalties listed in the Provisions and Clauses document differ slightly from those listed in the PWS (Section 5). Please clarify which will be included in the final contract.

APHC RESPONSE for #28 – The Liquidated Damages Language is accurate

· Up to 3 calendar days late = 5% of analysis price for the affected samples

· Thereafter, 10% per day late to a maximum of 100%

29 The Subcontracting Plan template lists 3 types of small business plans. Under the last contract we submitted an individual type of plan. Which small business plan format is required for this contract?

APHC RESPONSE for #29. Offeror shall choose the type of small business plan format they intend to submit and follow the directions accordingly.