Questions_-_Answers_to_Solicitation_W91YTZ-18-T-0201.docx

Solicitation number W91YTZ-18-T-0201 questions/anwsers:

1. The solicitation does not provide the hours of operation for the four sites or the number of times that Quality Control is run per day. This is needed to calculate the amount of Quality Control material to include with the reagents. How many runs of QC are performed at each facility, and how many days a week is each lab operating?

Answer: 1. Main Lab testing 24/7; three 8 hour shifts per day; QC ran each shift. Other clinics testing one 8 hour shift per day; M-F; QC once daily

2. The Salient Characteristics list the requirement for a “high capacity analyzer to result at least 100 samples per hour”, however it does not specify if this is for the Main site or all sites. Assuming that the clinics are only open M-F, CLIN 0002 for the CTMC lab lists 6240 tests per year, so if running 5 days a week, the average volume is 24 tests per day. The other CLINS 0003 and 0004 both list 3600 tests per year, so at 5 days a week their daily average is 14 tests per day. Is the requirement for a “high capacity analyzer to result at least 100 tests per hour” necessary for these three sites? Since the daily average volume for each of the clinic sites is considerably less than 100 per hour, can an analyzer with throughput less than 100 per hour but meets all of the other salient characteristics and criteria of the SOW be proposed for these sites?

Answer: 2. Please respond with YOUR company analyzer that is MOST comparable to the analyzer requested in the solicitation brand name or equal.

3. The Salient Characteristics list the need for reticulocyte analysis, but it does not specify if this is a requirement for all the facilities or only the main lab. Only CLIN 0001 for the Main Lab shows a listing of reticulocyte volume under CLIN 0001AB. Do the other 3 facilities (CLINs 0002, 0003, 0004) require reticulocyte testing, and if so, what are those volumes.

Answer: 3. All analyzers should have the capabilities to provide the tests requested in paragraph 1.15 of Statement of Work for each site location.

4. Similarly, the Salient Characteristics require automated body fluid testing; however in this case there is no body fluid test volume listed for any CLIN. Which facilities need body fluid capability, and what would be the annual volume? Does the facility(s) doing body fluid testing require body fluid controls to be included in the proposal?

Answer: 4. No body fluid workload provided. Proposed analyzer should have capability to provide all testing listed in test menu in salient characteristics. Please respond with analyzer you provide that is most comparable to analyzer requested.

5. Section 1.15 of the Statement of Work also lists the requirement for retic and body fluid testing, but does not specify which site(s) this is a requirement for. What sites require retic and body fluids testing capability?

Answer: 5. All analyzers should have the capabilities to provide the tests requested in paragraph 1.15 of Statement of Work for each site location.

6. The Salient Characteristics list Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms as a requirement. DSP is a trademarked Beckman Coulter marketing term that is used to describe a methodology, but by no means the only or the best technology for cellular analysis. As a trademarked marketing term this requirement is exclusionary and subject to protest. This requirement should be removed from the solicitation.

Answer: 6. This is a brand name or equal solicitation. Provide your company alternate methodology or technology you are proposing uses for cellular analysis in your proposal.

7. The Salient Characteristics list Volume, Conductivity and Scatter (VCS) technology as a requirement. VCS is a trademarked Beckman Coulter marketing term that is used to describe a methodology and by no means the only or best technology for cellular differentiation. As a trademarked marketing term this requirement is exclusionary and subject to protest. This requirement should be removed from the solicitation.

Answer: 7. This is a brand name or equal solicitation. Provide your company alternate methodology or technology you are proposing uses for cellular differentiation in your proposal.

8. Is the Cost Per Reportable rate intended to be a single blended CPR that is the same for all sites, or should the CPR rate be site specific?

Answer: 8. The government does not determine the cost per test. Please respond with pricing using your normal business model or practice to determine the cost per test to include lease of analyzer, service, training, reagents and supplies.

9. Under the Requirements and Locations section on the first page there is a statement mentioning a slide maker stainer for the main lab at Martin ACH. What is the volume of slides made?

Answer: 9. Workload is 50-75 slides per day at the main lab.