Questions_and_Answers2.pdf

IItem #1 - Reference Synopsis dated “Mar 12, 2019, 6:02pm”.

Question #1: First paragraph, the synopsis states, “This announcement constitutes the only solicitation;…” Could you please provide the date a Sources Sought Notice was posted for market research purposes to determine whether the criteria in FAR Part 19 were met?

Question #2: The Solicitation Number is W912L7-19-Q-110, which identifies the solicitation as a Request for Quote and the synopsis states, “…quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued” along with “This Request for Quote (RFQ) Medical Laboratory Testing and Analysis Services is unrestricted to all businesses.” The term “quote” is referenced throughout the synopsis which would indicate the agency is following FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. However, the synopsis also states in FAR Provision Addendum 52.212- 2, “Within the continuum, the Government will employ a “Lowest Price Technically Acceptable FAR 15.101-2” analysis of cost price and non-cost factors in evaluating the proposals submitted.” The referenced FAR Subpart 15.101-2 is a source selection process used for comprehensive evaluation of proposals, which contradicts the use of “quotes” under FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Is it the Government’s intent to use FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures for this RFQ or FAR Part 15, Contracting by Negotiation?

It is the Government's intent to use FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures

Question #3: Second paragraph, the synopsis states, “The Government intends to award a Firm- Fixed Price Multiple Award Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.” Is it the Government’s intent to award a Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) or a Single Award Task Order Contract?

The Government intends to award a firm-fixed price IDIQ contract. If it's advantageous, multiple firms may be used to fill requirement

Question #4: Third paragraph, the synopsis states, “The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and quality control necessary to provide Medical Laboratory Testing and Analysis Services…” Is it the Government’s intent to include a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) with performance standards for an offeror’s proper preparation of quality control for this requirement?

The Government will include a QASP with performance standards

Question #5: The FAR Clause “52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting” is included in the solicitation; however, this clause is not applicable to full and open, unrestricted acquisitions. Will the Government consider removal of the clause due to non-applicability?

clause has been removed

Question #6: In the Clauses Incorporated by Reference, the following FAR clauses were included in the solicitation for commercial laboratory services in addition to FAR 52.212-4, which is included in the solicitation. Will the Government consider removing the below clauses due to either non-applicability or covered under FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items? highlighted clauses removed

• FAR 52.244-6, Subcontracts for Commercial Items (not applicable, see FAR Subpart 44.204(a)(1).)

• FAR 52.246-4, Inspection of Service Fixed Price (non-commercial)

• FAR 52.247-25, Government Furnished Equipment with or without operators (non-commercial and non-applicable)

• FAR 52.247-34, FOB Destination (non-commercial)

• DFARS 252.239-7001, IA for Contractors OPSEC Antiterrorism (not applicable)

• DFARS 252.239-7017, Notice of Supply Chain Risk (not applicable)

• DFARS 252.244-7000, Subcontracts for Commercial Items (not applicable)

• DFARS 252.249-7002, Notification of Proposed Contract Termination or Reduction

Question #7: In the Clauses Incorporated by Full Text, FAR 52.212-1 Addendum, Paragraph (n)(3), the synopsis states, “quotes must include picture and DETAILED description of each item offered to be evaluated for technical purposes…” Could Government clarify if the referenced sentence is applicable for Medical Laboratory Testing and Analysis Services? If so, please provide additional information on how contractor is to provide “picture” of medical laboratory testing and analysis?

No, a picture would not be applicable for the requested service

Question #8: In the Clauses Incorporated by Full Text, FAR 52.212-1 Addendum, Paragraph (n)(4), the synopsis states, “Please include the customization process in proposal that will be made available to the TN ARNG…” Could Government provide definition and clarification of “customization process” as it applies to medical laboratory testing and analysis services?

Question #10: In the Clauses (i.e. website) the process to provide the use of online web access to view results by person

Question #9: In the Clauses Incorporated by Full Text, FAR 52.212-1 Addendum, there are no factors or subfactors identified; however, FAR 52.212-2 – Evaluation – Commercial Items, identifies Factor 1 and Subfactors 1 – 5 (missing factors for past performance and price). Is it the Government’s intent to use FAR 15.101-2, LPTA source selection process? If so, please accurately identify the factors in with FAR 52.212-1 (instructions to offerors) to be consistent with FAR 52.212-2.

The Government intent is to use FAR Part 13 and has provided an evaluation assessment for past performance and price in the solicitation

Question #10: In the Clauses Incorporated by Full Text, FAR 52.212-2 – Evaluation – Commercial Items, Paragraph (a), the synopsis states, “Technical and past performance, when combined, are equal, when compared to price.” However, when using the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (FAR 15.101-2) source selection process, tradeoffs are not permitted in accordance with FAR 15.101-2(b)(2). Is it the Government’s intent to use LPTA source selection procedures or Tradeoff procedures?

The Government intent is to use FAR Part 13

Question #12: In the Clauses Incorporated by Full Text, FAR 52.212-2 – Evaluation – Commercial Items, Paragraph (a), Factor 1 – Pickup/Deliver and Documentation, Sub-Factor 5, the synopsis states, “Quantiferon gold (TB blood test) shall be picked up and incubation period completed by contractor. If contractor is provided a pickup time, Labs shall be picked up at the front gate or the medical clinic with .5 hour.” However, Performance Work Statement (PWS), Page 5 of 5, Paragraph 5.0 Requirements states this requirement differently. In the PWS 5.1.1 states, “If contractor is provided a pickup time, Labs shall be picked up at the front gate or the medical clinic within .5 hour” and is separate from PWS 5.1, Number 5. Will Government please clarify PWS 5.1.1 and Sub-factor 5 stated in synopsis?

The Government is not requesting anything different for this particular requirement from what is stated in sub-factor 5 of the synopsis verses what is listed under Requirements in the PWS. The Government requires, If contractor is provided a pick up time, Labs shall be picked up at the front gate or the medical clinic within .5 hour.

Question #13: In the Clauses Incorporated by Full Text, FAR 52.212-2 – Evaluation – Commercial Items, Paragraph (a), Factor 1 and Subfactors 1 – 5 are identified; there are no additional factors but past performance and price are included in the Addendum FAR 52.212-2. Are past performance and price considered Factor 2 and 3, respectively?

Yes

Question #14: In the Clauses Incorporated by Full Text, FAR 52.212-2 – Evaluation – Commercial Items, Paragraph (a), Price, the synopsis states, “The purpose of the price evaluation is to determine whether a quoter’s proposed prices for the service are realistic, complete, and reflect an understanding of solicitation requirements.” Is it the Government’s intent to evaluate price realism and not use adequate competition to establish price reasonableness? Price realism is used to determine if the prices are too low versus price reasonableness which would be used to determine if the prices are too high.

The Government intent is to use adequate competition to establish price reasonableness

Question #15: FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes Or Executive Orders – Commercial Items, please confirm this acquisition is an unrestricted, full and open acquisition as the contracting officer has checked 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside, 52.219-3, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders, and 52.219-4, Limitations of Subcontracting as applicable to this acquisition.

The acquisition is unrestricted, full and open

Question #16: FAR 52.216-18, Ordering; FAR 216-19, Order Limitations; FAR 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services; FAR 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract; FAR 52.232-19, Availability of Funds for Next Fiscal Year are missing information. Additionally, FAR 217-22, Indefinite Quantity is missing from synopsis.

The information for the specific clauses will be filled in at time of award

Item #2 – Performance Work Statement.

Question #17: Page 1 of 5, the PWS 1.4 states, “…shall be a base period and four (4) option period of 12 months each. Will Government please provide performance start date? If this is a new requirement and the start date is date of contract award, will Government please provide anticipated start date?

The start date for POP will be the date of contract award once we complete the evaluations

Question # 18: Is this a new requirement or is there an incumbent? If there is an incumbent, please provide the name and current contract number.

This is a new requirement