Government Answers to Questions Received on W911S7-24-B-0003 (IDIQ).pdf

W911S7-24-B-0003 Fort Leonard Wood Laundry & Dry Cleaning (IDIQ) Questions

Contractor Question 1: I wanted to inquire about the number of commercial laundry carts required in the above solicitation.

Government Answer 1: There is no requirement for carts in this PWS. The Contractor can determine whether they will provide and utilize carts on this contract. All items must be provided by the contractor and ensure the cleanliness is in accordance with the PWS. Please refer to PWS para 1.3 and 4.3.

Contractor Question 2: Could the Government please verify that the CLIN information is correct? There appears to be 3 identical CLINS all covering 54 Months for the same items.

Government Answer 2: As shown on the solicitation, the three CLINs (0002-0004) cover different types of laundry/dry-cleaning service. CLIN 0002 is for linen items, CLIN 0003 is for sleeping systems/COSIS, and CLIN 0004 is for dry-cleaning.

Contractor Question 3: PARA 2.2.2 Period of Performance (PoP). States: This is a five (5) year contract with one (1) Base (12 months) ordering period and four (4) optional 12 month ordering periods. This does not match the PoP listed on the solicitation in question 1. Can the Government please confirm the PoP?

Government Answer 3: The base year will be a 6-month period of performance and each of the optional ordering periods will be 12-month periods of performance for a total of 54 months if all optional ordering periods were utilized. The PWS has been adjusted to reflect this information.

Contractor Question 4: This is a five (5) year contract with one (1) Base (12 months) ordering period and four (4) optional 12 month ordering periods.

Government Answer 4: The base year will be a 6-month period of performance and each of the optional ordering periods will be 12-month periods of performance for a total of 54 months if all optional ordering periods were utilized. The PWS has been adjusted to reflect this information.

Contractor Question 5: The solicitation states that Electronic submissions of bids will NOT be accepted. It does not state that a technical proposal or Past performance is required. Does the government only want the Price pages and SF1449/Amendments mailed to the contracting office?

Government Answer 5: The solicitation has been amended to reflect additional instructions to offerors and state documentation required to be submitted by each offeror. Please refer to FAR 52.212-1, Addendum Instructions to Offerors.

Contractor Question 6: Can the Government Provide historical quantities by specific for the last 2 years?

Government Answer 6: Attachment 5 is an average estimated quantity that reflects the current workload.

Contractor Question 7: 2.1.1 The Contractor shall operate and manage the Laundry Distribution and Collection Point(s) for the issue, receipt, requisition, exchange, warehousing, and turn-in of linens. Question(s): Where are the Laundry and Distribution Points Located? What are the hours of Operation?

Government Answer 7: Hours of Operation are addressed in PWS para 2.3.

Attachment 15 - Customer Locations and Attachment 16 – Installation Map have been added and address the locations of anticipated customers. Attachment 16 is a digital file that allows zooming to properly identify each building number.

Contractor Question 8: PARA 2.3 Place of Performance and Business Hours. States; The Contractor shall pick-up/return items IAW customer appointments (Technical Exhibit - B - Delivery Schedule). During normal business hours of 0730-1600 Monday through Friday except for Federal holiday or when Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies. Question – TE – B that was provided is blank. Can the Government please provide the current delivery schedule.

Government Answer 8: TE-B is used as a form for the contractor to submit not as an informational document. Attachments 15 and 16 address the locations of anticipated customers.

Contractor Question 9: Wage Determination – There is no Service Contract Labor Standards wage determination attached to the solicitation. Can the Government please provide the applicable Executive orders and SCA Wage Determination for this contract.

Government Answer 9: The solicitation has been amended to add the wage determinations for Pulaski, Phelps, and Boone counties. Additional counties may be added after award, if necessary, to reflect the location(s) where work is performed.

Contractor Question 10: Is there a Union or Collective Bargaining Agreement that is associated with this contract?

Government Answer 10: Yes, there is a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with this contract. The CBA is R14-150 with the National Association of Government Employees.

Contractor Question 11: 3.2 Reductions 3.2.1 Reduction in payment will occur when Contractor performance threshold has been exceeded for any task listed in the PRS. A 1% reduction (not to exceed 10%) is applied to the total monthly invoice for each item that exceeds the performance threshold. PRS Items 6, 10, 11, 21, 22, 23, 24 have a 0.0 performance threshold and 100% inspection requirement. Example: If the monthly performance threshold is 2 valid discrepancies per inspection period, and 4 valid discrepancies were identified during an inspection period, then a 2% reduction is applied to the total monthly invoice ($100,000 total monthly Invoice – 2% reduction = $98,000 adjusted total monthly invoice). This becomes the new monthly invoiced value. Question:

The inspection period is not Clear in this PARA or attachment 1. Can the Government please specify what the inspection period is (ie weekly, Monthly, daily)?

Government Answer 11: Inspections shall be conducted monthly. The reduction paragraph (PWS para 3.2) has been removed from the updated PWS.

Contractor Question 12: Will a concurrent count of soiled linen collected and clean linen issued be required at each Pick up and delivery with a contractor and government representative for accountability?

Government Answer 12: Yes, all items must be accounted for during each pickup and delivery. The Contractor and customer will sign documentation based on the concurrent counts.

Contractor Question 13: PWS PARA 2.1.10 All finished linen shall be folded and bundled (ten (10) each sheet, ten (10) each pillowcases, five (5) each mattress covers/pads, five (5) each bedspreads, and five (5) each blankets). The contractor shall ensure linens are dry with no signs of wetness, damage to the cleaned items or deep creases. Question:

Typically pillowcases are bundled, or rolled in bundles of 25. Is the requirement of 10 firm, or would 25 be acceptable?

Government Answer 13: The numbers within PWS para 2.1.10 are the accepted established standards.

Contractor Question 14: PWS PARA 2.1.16 OCIE Items shall be folded and bundled by size and like-items to provide ease of count and in a manner to preserve the sanitary condition of the finished work during all phases of handling and transit. Question: Does this requirement apply to the “Sleeping Bag Systems” (SBS)? Typically, SBS’s are not folded or bundled, nor are the other items of TA 50. These are normally a return in bulk specification.

Government Answer 14: Yes, sleep systems are part of OCIE. Items shall be treated and returned in bulk with sanitary conditions maintained.

Contractor Question 15: PWS PARA 4.5.1.2 The Contractor’s proposed QCP shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer (KO) through the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for review at time of award. PWS PARA 4.5.1.3 The KO may notify the Contractor of required modifications to the plan during the period of performance. The Contractor then shall coordinate suggested modifications and obtain acceptance of the plan by the KO. Any modifications to the program during the period of performance shall be provided to the KO for review NLT ten (10) business days prior to the effective date of the change. Question:

Submitting a QCP by all offerors along with their other Proposal documents could be a key tool for the Government’s use in determining whether a offeror is Technically acceptable.

To submit it at time of Award allows no time for the Government to disapprove the QCP until a satisfactory QCP document is agreed upon. There very well could be costs associated with additional requirements. Would the government consider making QCP a required submission along with the initial Proposal documents (Bid), along with the other requisite submission(s) required to determine who the Technically acceptable offeror is – along with Price?

Government Answer 15: A Quality Control Plan shall be submitted with the bid in accordance with solicitation deadlines. Please refer to FAR 52.212-1, Addendum Instructions to Offerors.

Contractor Question 16: Pg. 3 of PWS states: 2.1.9 All linens (sheets, pillows, pillowcases, mattress covers/pads, bedspreads, and blankets) shall be clean and serviceable and laundered IAW Manufacturer care label/instructions. Retardant.

Question: At the end of 2.1.9 the word “Retardant” appears. Is that related to a finishing requirement? Can the government provide details on what type of retardant is to be used and what items the retardant is to be used on?

Government Answer 16: The PWS has been updated to remove the word “retardant.” The sentence should read: “All linens (sheets, pillows, pillowcases, mattress covers/pads, bedspreads, and blankets) shall be clean and serviceable and laundered IAW Manufacturer care label/instructions.”

Contractor Question 17: Pg. 13 of PWS, Para 2.7.4 states: The Contractor shall maintain the pick-up and delivery schedule (Technical Exhibit-B) within 30 minutes before or after the weekly delivery schedule. The COR and customer shall be notified within 10 minutes by the Contractor for any deviation from the weekly delivery schedule. Pg. 6 of the PWS, Para

2.3 States: Place of Performance and Business Hours. The Contractor shall pick-up/return items IAW customer appointments (Technical Exhibit - B - Delivery Schedule). During normal business hours of 0730-1600 Monday through Friday except for Federal holiday or when Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies. Question: The schedule shown in Technical Exhibit - B is blank. The two paragraphs above seem to say there are two different requirements for pick up and deliveries. Are customers supposed to call contractor and schedule each pick up and delivery, or should there be a set schedule for the contractor to provide services for that should be in Tech Exhibit B and its just missing?

Government Answer 17: TE-B is used as a form/deliverable for the Contractor to submit on not as an informational document. The Contractor will manage the schedule, but the customer will set appointments. PWS para 2.5.3.5 discusses the Contractor’s correspondence with the customer.

Contractor Question 18: Question: Will the Government allow the comingling of soiled items with clean laundered articles within the laundry production facility, or is a clean/soiled barrier wall with pass thru equipment required in the contractor’s laundry facility?

Government Answer 18: IAW the CDC guidance “A laundry facility is usually partitioned into two separate areas – a “dirty” area for receiving and handling and a “clean” area for processing the washed items.”

Contractor Question 19: Page 5. Para 2.1.20 states: The Contractor at their expense shall repair (minor snags, holes, open seams, replacement of buttons, and repair or replacement of broken zippers) or replace items damaged during the laundering process.

Any existing damages discovered at the time of turn in shall be so noted on the laundry or dry-cleaning ticket. The replacement linen shall be IAW Attachment 3 - Linen Specifications. Question: Will the contractor be able to reject items with existing damages as laundry processing involves chemistry and mechanical action that could result in further damage of items deeming them non usable?

Government Answer 19: No, the contractor cannot reject any items damaged.

Damages must be documented on the ticket.

Contractor Question 20: Page 5. Para 2.1.23 states: All cleaned laundry and dry-cleaning items shall be transported separately from items to be cleaned and dry cleaned. Question:

Will the contractor be required to operate and staff two trucks (one Clean and one Soiled) simultaneously to accomplish this requirement? Can the contractor pick up the soiled laundry, unload at receiving facility, sanitize truck and then deliver clean back the same day at a later time?

Government Answer 20: The Government will not decide how the Contractor will keep the dirty items from the clean items.

Contractor Question 21: Page. 6 para 2.5.3.2 states: The Contractor's PM and Alternate shall each possess three (3) years specialized experience in supervising, administering and managing a L&DC operation. Question: Is there any requirement for the Program Manager or Alternate to possess any formal laundry training or certifications such as Certified Laundry Linen Manager CLLM certification from the Association of Linen Management as this requirement has been in previous solicitations for contracts at this level?

Government Answer 21: There is no certification requirement in the PWS.

Contractor Question 22: I was wondering is there a previous contract and dollar amount available.

Government Answer 22: The previous contract was W911S0-18-P-0021 with a value of $7,580,643.01.

Contractor Question 23: Attachment 5 Estimated Workload Data states:

Sleeping Bag, Cover, Bivey, Patrol, Bag, Stuff Sack (short term) 68,465 Question: Does the quantity of 68,365 account for all items listed in total? Or is the estimate for 68,465 sleeping bags, 68,465 bivey covers, 68,465 patrol bags, and 68,465 stuff sacks each?

Government Answer 23: The estimate includes all 4 items.

Contractor Question 24: Attachment 5 Estimated Workload Data states:

Ceremonial Uniforms 10,035 Question: Are Ceremonial Uniforms a 1 piece item? Or does the uniform consist 10,035 jackets, 10,035 trousers, 10,035 shirts? Are there any other items that belong to the uniform that have to be cleaned?

Government Answer 24: Uniforms can come in multiple pieces all of which make up the total estimated quantity of 10,035.

Contractor Question 25: Attachment 5 Estimated Workload Data states:

Other (Flags, Draperies, Bunting, Streamers, etc.) 87

Question: Is the quantity of 87 for each item or the total for the various items listed?

Government Answer 25: The estimate includes all 4 items.

Contractor Question 26: Attachment 5 Estimated Workload Data states:

OCIE of Deceased Soldiers 500 Question: Are OCIE of Deceased Uniforms a 1 piece item? Or does the uniform consist 500 jackets, 500 trousers, 500 shirts? Are there any other items that belong to the uniform that have to be cleaned?

Government Answer 26: Uniforms can come in multiple pieces all of which make up the total estimated quantity of 500.

Contractor Question 27: Attachment 5 Estimated Workload Data states:

OCIE COSIS 100

Question: OCIE COSIS consist of many different items. Can the government provide a detailed description and quantity of what OCIE items will be turned in for this line?

Question: Can the government provide the appropriate finishing requirements for each different OCIE COSIS pieces?

Government Answer 27: OCIE can be a large variety of items held within the Central Issuing Facility (CIF), Care of Supplies in Storage (COSIS) can be any items in the CIF that is damaged due to a natural disaster or improper storage. Items shall be cleaned IAW manufacturer care instructions.

Contractor Question 28: TE-B Weekly Route Schedule is blank. Question: Will the scheduled provided by the contractor be the final schedule used or does the government have to get with each customer/unit to gain their acceptance of schedule dates and times prior to finalization? If the schedule has to be changed due to a customer not accepting the quoted day and time, the contractor could have additional transportation and labor costs that will not be calculated in their price due to having to conform to customer need.

Government Answer 28: TE-B is used as a form for the Contractor to submit not as an informational document. The Contractor will manage the schedule, but the customer will set appointments. PWS para 2.5.3.5 discusses the Contractor’s correspondence with the customer.

Contractor Question 29: During the site visit it was noted that some locations have docks some do not. Some entrances were closer to the road and some were further away.

Question: Will the customer provide help for getting linens to and from the transportation vehicles or does the contractor need to account for the labor to make several trips per customer to and from the customer building locations? Question: Will the government provide a list of customers that have dock location and a list of customers that do not as this could have an impact on labor costs?

Government Answer 29: Attachment 15 and 16 address the locations of anticipated customers and availability of loading docks at each location. The contractor shall pick up from the buildings and deliver to the buildings.

Contractor Question 30: Page 5. Para 2.1.20 states: The Contractor at their expense shall repair (minor snags, holes, open seams, replacement of buttons, and repair or replacement of broken zippers) or replace items damaged during the laundering process.

Any existing damages discovered at the time of turn in shall be so noted on the laundry or dry-cleaning ticket. The replacement linen shall be IAW Attachment 3 - Linen Specifications. Question: Will the contractor be able to turn in items that have met their life expectancy due to fair wear and tear for new replacement items to maintain their inventory of government furnished linens?

Government Answer 30: PWS para 4.3.5 discusses the unserviceable linen and the proper procedures to start the exchange process.

Contractor Question 31: Para 2.1.17 states: All laundered and dry-cleaned items (except linen) turned in for cleaning shall be completed within three (3) business days. All Military Funeral uniforms and clothing of deceased military personnel shall be completed as a same day service. Question: Is there a cut off time for same day service to be processed?

Example in by 9am delivered by 4pm? Or can these items be turned in at 2pm and expected to be returned by 4pm the same day? Question: Will the same day service be required to be picked up and delivered by the contractor? Without knowing when this will occur if the contractor is required to pick up and deliver these items same day this could cause other scheduled customers pick up and deliveries to be delayed. Will the government provide more detail of what the service expectation is for this service?

Government Answer 31: Same day service is defined as a 24-hour period. The Contractor shall pick up and deliver the items within a single 24-hour timeframe.

Contractor Question 32: New amendments and responses to questions may generate new questions. Will the Government allow for additional questions after the current round of responses and amendment is posted?

Government Answer 32: The question-and-answer period has expired. No further questions shall be submitted, and no further answers will be provided.

Contractor Question 33: Is the contractor required to provide any kind of laundry carts for service, storage of GFP, or transportation? If so are there certain specifications and/or quantities required?

Government Answer 33: There is no requirement for carts in this PWS. The Contractor can determine whether they will provide and utilize carts on this contract. Clean and dirty items must NOT comingle.

Contractor Question 34: Are contractor transportation vehicles required to be dock height? Or are they required to have a tailgate lift or lift of some sort for locations without docks?

Government Answer 34: There is not a dock height vehicle requirement. See Attachments 15 and 16 for the locations of anticipated customers and availability of loading docks at each location.

Contractor Question 35: Is the contractor required to provide laundry tickets? If so are there certain specifications required for the laundry ticket (Dimensions; Carbon Copy 2,3,or 4 part; different colors for each part)? Can the government provide an estimated annual quantity of tickets required?

Government Answer 35: Attachment 2 para 2.1.8 discusses the ticket requirements. Estimate 2,000.

Contractor Question 36: Technical Exhibit J Laundry ticket: Question: Is this the ticket that should be used for Dry Cleaning as well? If not will the Government provide an example of the dry cleaning ticket with specifications and annual quantities required?

Government Answer 36: Yes, TE-J is the ticket that should be used for dry-cleaning.

Contractor Question 37: When the Contractor arrives at the unit how will linens be prepared for turn in? Will they still be on beds with Contractor required to remove? Will they be in a pile with Contractor required to lay out and sort by like item? Will they already be laid out and sorted by like item for so that the Contract and Unit personnel can easily distinguish and concurrently count items being turned in?

Government Answer 37: Linen will be separated prior to Contractor(s) arrival.

Pillowcases, blankets, and sheets will be held in a designated indoor room prior to pick up. This includes sleeping systems. Sleeping systems shall be unzipped, separated, and laid out in designated indoor room prior to arrival.