Amendment_11_Q As.rtf

Solicitation #W9124B-12-R-0005 Non-Sewer Portable Latrines, Handwash Stations, and Associated Services Amendment #10 Questions and Answers

1Q - I understand this requirement will be met using the MATOC system. Question: Using the MATOC system, what type of Contract form will the requirement be, for example, a Base and Two Option Years or a single three year period. (NOTE: Para 1.6.6 states that the Govt intends to award a "firm fixed price IDIQ contract & the Ordering Period is for one (1) three-year period from date of award)

1A – The intended contract award will result in multiple contracts with a single 3-year ordering period as stated in Paragraph 1.6.6.

2Q - MCS is, along with Vantex, the current provider of services under the existing BPA. We are both presently assigned a storage area on Post. Under Paragraph 4.4.1 Storage Area, it states that an "On site storage area will NOT (emphasis added) be provided by the Government. Off-site storage of equipment and materials is the responsibility of the contractor. Question: How long will MCS and Vantex be given to re-locate and remove all equipment from the present Storage Area assigned?

2A – There is no-onsite storage authorized during the performance of this MATOC. The onsite storage currently allocated under the existing contract will be phased out within 45 days after award of the MATOC.

3Q - The PWS at Para 4.4.4 states that a wall mounted seat cover holder will be provided, for Disposable Paper Seat Covers for toilet seats. Amendment 7, para 5.1.c, Basic Services, only mentions, and actually seems to refer only to the plastic seat cover where cleaning of the seat cover with bactericide is noted. Question: Has the requirement for a disposable Seat Cover Dispenser been removed?

3A – No. The requirement for disposable seat cover dispensers has not been removed.

4Q - Paragraph 4.4.4 states that latrines "shall be completely enclosed with screened roof ventilation window for release of odors and to prevent entry of insects". It also states the size of the mesh and that all joints shall be sealed.. Question: Are latrines with floors which are manufactured with large open spaces which allow for insects, spiders, and scorpions acceptable?

4A – No. No open spaces in the floors are acceptable.

5Q - Para 5.1, d states that all seats, doors, walls, handles, and floors shall be cleaned and sanitized and free of graffiti. Carving and permanent felt tip marking pens are common forms of graffiti found on a daily basis in toilets located in the training areas. Is covering graffiti by spray painting an acceptable form of graffiti removal?

5A – Painting is an acceptable form of removing graffiti as long as the paint compliments the existing latrine’s color esthetically.

6Q - What is the acceptable standard for toilets used on your contract?

a. New or Like New Units

b. Not New but completely serviceable unit and which are free of graffiti

c. Old (15 to 20 years since manufacture) marginally serviceable with permanently inscribed graffiti.

6A – Portable toilets are to be new or like new, and serviceable which is free from graffiti, and satisfies the specifications listed in Attachment #2.

7Q - Those of us who would like to submit pricing for the Latrines, Sinks & Pumping services opportunity are at a gross disadvantage if we are not provided with historical data for quantity of units and service for each CLIN as there is a huge difference in expense if a company receives a post award request for 2 toilets and a 1 sink way out in the box, versus 40 toilets & 20 sinks at the same FOB. Only the company that is currently providing or companies who have in the recent past provided, have any idea what the needs for each FOB would be typically during rotations. On that note, to make the field equally competitive, please consider the following:

7(a)Q - Request for historical data relating to quantity per CLIN / both on & off site.

7(a)A – In accordance with paragraph 1.4, the historical data is 700-1500. Historically, due to the unpredictability of future requirements, the Government anticipates awarding MATOCs. The quantities will be defined at the task order level and fair opportunity will be afforded to each awardee in accordance with FAR 16.505.

7(b)Q - Confirm 'Daily' computes to 7 Days Per Week.

7(b)A – “Daily” is equal to daily servicing of latrines once a day in a 24-hour period in accordance with Paragraph 1.4.

8Q - Amendment_7 calls for Sand colored toilets. This criteria limits bidders to only those companies who are: Disabled Vets with Sand Colored Toilets. And it eliminates Disabled Vet capable businesses who would like to bid but have only green or blue toilets to offer. That certainly will limit the number of 'offers' on this opportunity down to one, maybe two. And, the minimum guarantee of this award is only $5,000 so even those who are fortunate to be awarded a task order cannot justify purchasing Sand colored toilets. $5K might buy 3 toilets with shipping and assembly. Painting plastic portable toilets has been tried and tried and tried again. The plastic is treated and even when sanded or base coated, paint does not stick to portable toilets but for a very short time after which it peels and chips. It also scratches very easily and once scratched, peels off in large areas.

8A - The requirement for sand-colored toilets applies to those portable latrines that will be placed within the National Training Center's (NTC) training environment (commonly referred to as "the box"). The Government anticipates the preponderance of the portable latrine usage under this MATOC will be for placement "in the box".

Blue and/or green portable latrines are acceptable for placement at locations outside the training site. Blue and/or green portable latrines are NOT acceptable for placement within the NTC training sites. Sand-colored portable latrines are acceptable placement at any Fort Irwin location. The requirement for sand-colored portable latrines inside the training site stems from operational doctrine. Current doctrine demands that all measures be taken to eliminate distractions created by artificial man-made objects in the battle space/operational environment that will illicit or induce the wrong behaviors in training or provide Rotational Units navigational advantages and non-tactical points of reference that they otherwise would not have in a fast paced, rapidly changing training or combat environment. To that end, all efforts must be taken to ensure training environments are sanitized and replicate, as close as possible, the environment where the unit will operate by ensuring existing, man-made, or reinforced obstacles, including urban terrain/infrastructure, blend with overall natural terrain characteristics of the operational environment. This requirement includes portable latrines to the extent that the latrines must blend as much as possible with the natural terrain characteristics. Portable latrines with peeling painted surfaces will most likely not blend with overall natural terrain of the training environment, and will therefore not be acceptable for placement under this MATOC.

Regarding the minimum guarantee: the purpose of the minimum guarantee is not to provide an awardee with the financial resources necessary to procure materials necessary to perform under the contract. The purpose of the minimum guarantee is to provide potential offerors an incentive to compete for a possible award. The Government anticipates that those offerors selected for award will have the necessary resources to perform at the time the award selection is made.

9Q - Confirm a Decal on Unit Doors are equal to Stencil Paint?

9A – Yes. Any type of markings is acceptable as long as it complies with Paragraph 5.7, “Equipment Markings”.

10Q - The excel spreadsheet given for RTOR for sample pricing is unreadable when in used in the PWS format requirement of 8.5 x 11 with 1” margins top & bottom & ¾” side margins… I can include it in that format with a readable copy in 11 x 17 format. Is that acceptable…

10A – Yes. An 11 X 17 fold-out page will be counted as 2 pages within the 30-page limit IAW Paragraph 8.3, Factor 1: Technical Capability.