Questions and Answers Prepared Delivered Meals.docx

SUBJECT: ADDRESSING QUESTIONS SUBMITTED TOWARD SOLICITATIONS W912LQ-26-Q-A006 (PREPARD DELIVERED MEALS, BLACKSTONE VA), W912LQ-26-Q-A007 (PREPARED DELIVERED MEALS, BOWLING GREEN VA), AND W912LQ-26-Q-A011 (PREPARED DELIVERED MEALS, FAIRFAX COUNTY VA)

Questions and Answers

Q1: Are electric chafers an option for the delivery locations?

A1: Electric chafers are not required for this acquisition. Hot food must arrive at the location per order in accordance with statement of work (SOW) section 5.1.

Q2: Would you be able to provide me with the delivery locations for the solicitations?

A2: Deliveries will occur in the city/county listed in the SOW. Specific delivery locations will be identified on individual call orders.

Q3: We are looking to submit a bid for the solicitation. Do you have the bid tabulation from the last solicitation?

A3: No. This is a new acquisition for a blanket purchase agreement(s).

Q4: Are there any specific requirements or steps that we should be aware of to ensure timely payment?

A4: The contractor will submit an invoice for the delivered supplies through Wide Area Workflow (WAWF), then immediately notify the WAWF acceptor that the document is ready for review.

Q5: Can the Government provide historical call order data (number of meals per call, frequency of call orders, seasonal fluctuations)?

A5: No. This is a new acquisition for a blanket purchase agreement(s).

Q6: Approximately how many meals per year were ordered under the previous BPA(s)?

A6: This is a new acquisition for a blanket purchase agreement(s).

Q7: Can you provide the average number of Soldiers served per drill weekend by location?

A7: Exact quantities are unknown and will be indicated on individual call orders.

Q8: Who were the previous BPA holders for these requirements?

A8: This is a new acquisition for a blanket purchase agreement(s).

Q9: Are other performance references available for review?

A9: No. This is a new acquisition for a blanket purchase agreement(s).

Q10: Were there any menu complaints or compliance issues under prior performance?

A10: This is a new acquisition for a blanket purchase agreement(s).

Q11: Are there any base access prerequisites for delivery staff (e.g., pre-submission vetting)?

A11: Yes. Please see SOW section 1.4.5.

Q12: Is there a requirement to use Government-designated entrance gates for each location?

A12: The Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) will coordinate delivery instructions with the contractor per order. Specific delivery time windows will be provided to the contractor from the Government per meal, per order.

Q13: Are daily gated delivery windows standard (e.g., blackout times during morning traffic)?

A13: CORs will schedule deliveries with the contractor in accordance with any specific installation concerns such as the one mentioned.

Q14: Will a standard 5-day menu be acceptable for evaluation for all three locations?

A14: A contractor may submit the same 5-day menu for solicitations W912LQ26QA006, W912LQ26QA007, and W912LQ26QA011.

Q15: Can holiday meals be served using menu options that differ from the standard 5-day cycle?

A15: Yes. See section 5.5 of the SOW and the requirement under the Addendum to 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services, paragraph 1. (e). to provide at least one menu for a holiday meal.

Q16: Are pricing evaluations conducted on a meal-by-meal basis or based on total evaluated price of all CLINs?

A16: Evaluation of price will be performed using one or more of the price analysis techniques in FAR 13.106-3. Through these techniques the Government will determine whether prices are reasonable, complete, and are not unbalanced. The Government will evaluate the price reasonableness of the offerors' proposed prices to ensure that in its nature and amount, it does not exceed what would be incurred by a prudent person in the conduct of competitive business. Interested vendors should note that pricing will be carefully reviewed to detect whether quotes are unbalanced between line items (meals). Unbalanced pricing exists when, despite an acceptable total evaluated price, the price of one or more line-items is significantly over or understated as indicated by the application of price analysis techniques. Unbalanced pricing may be determined unacceptable.

Q17: Does the Government anticipate regular use of decentralized micro-purchase call orders (<$15,000)?

A17: While decentralized micro-purchase call orders are allowed after appointment of Ordering Officers, initially all orders will be placed using centralized call orders procedures regardless of dollar value.

Q18: Will multiple CLINs (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner same day) be ordered under single call orders?

A18: Multiple CLINs for the same date can be on individual call orders.

Q19: May offerors use commercial national-brand food vendors (such as Boston Market) as subcontractors for fulfillment?

A19: Subcontractors may be utilized. Contractors are reminded to follow applicable terms and conditions for applicable reporting requirements.

Q20: Is a signed subcontractor Letter of Commitment required at time of submission?

A20: No.

Q21: Will all three BPAs be evaluated and awarded independently?

A21: Responses to the solicitation will be evaluated against the terms of the specific solicitation.

Q22: How many BPA holders does the Government intend to select per location?

A22: The Contracting Officer will determine the actual number of BPAs to be issued based on the number of responses received and what is deemed most advantageous to the Virginia National Guard.

Q23: Does the receiving location have equipment available to store hot meals and keep them at proper holding temperatures upon delivery?

If not, would it be acceptable for us to deliver meals cold—with all required components prepared—so long as the facility has the ability to safely reheat the items prior to distribution?

A23: No. Hot food must arrive at the location per order in accordance with statement of work (SOW) section 5.1.