Solicitation Question.pdf

Solicitation Question/Answers

Q1

Section 4.3.1 Auto-validation, support delta checks, moving averages.

For the section listed above, does the Government require the vendor to provide only the software that is capable of performing these functions, or is it expected that the vendor provide consulting services to configure the software.

These consulting services would include auto verification and delta rules writing and moving averages configuration.

ANSWER: The vendor needs to provide its capability to meet that requirement.

Q2

Section 4.6 states that the vendor automation track system is to include an aliquotter. What is the intended use of the aliquotter? Is it desired to only prepare send-out tubes or is it a required component of the track system to minimize carryover? Some vendor systems require sample aliquots to minimize carryover issues with their analytics while other vendor systems do not require and aliquot and can sample directly from the primary tube without concern for carryover due to patented technologies employed in the analytics. Please clarify the requirement for the aliquotter as it may or may not be required as part of a vendor proposal depending upon intended use.

ANSWER: The vendor needs to provide its capability to meet the requirement.

Q3

Section 4.6 states that the vendor automation track system is to include a recapper. What is the intended use of the recapper? Is it to recap aliquot tubes? Or, is it to recap tubes prior to off-line storage post analytics? While all vendors would recap aliquot tubes, not all systems require a recapper to prepare sample tubes for off-line storage and may use a foil/heat resealer that can accommodate all tube types and sizes without needing specific caps and limiting tube types. If the government requires a method of preparing tubes for storage, please modify the requirement to allow for either a recapper or a resealer module.

ANSWER: There is a difference between a recapper and a sealer. If the sealer seals each individual tube that is preferred to one that seals the whole tray of sample together in order to reduce or eliminate cross contamination of samples. The vendor needs to provide its capability to meet the requirement.

Q4

Section 7.1.1 please confirm if this is to be required with the package submission of post award; we did not see the questionnaire included.

ANSWER: Yes, this is required post award.

Q5

It appears in the defined discriminators that brand name specifications/verbiage has been used to describe the government needs (Section 4.6: Sample Management Center, Barcode Sample Identification Unit, Reagent Management Unit, Incubator Unit, Mixing Units, Reading Unit are specific automation track system modules that are limited to one vendor source). In sub-factor 2 - equipment when documenting the salient characteristics match, are you asking for the responder to demonstrate how it meets the brand name equivalence as an equal to the discriminators as listed in section 4.6 vendor deliverables?

ANSWER: This is not vendor specific. Systems are configured differently. The vendor should provide how the requirement is met.

Q6

Respectfully requesting an updated LIS file, including a LIS workflow request (see attachment 1) in order to allow Vendors to better prepare an appropriate solution.

ANSWER: Workflow as included in the solicitation is accurate.

Q7:

Solicitation requires 2 chemistry and 2 immunoassay instruments. Would customer consider 2 integrated systems, containing chemistry and immunoassay in one analyzer?

ANSWER: The vendor should provide how the requirement is met.

Q8:

Vendor requests the supporting documentation referenced as ‘Appendix A’ in the solicitation for the Risk Management Framework requirements.

ANSWER: Accomplished post award

Q9:

Please confirm the customer’s requirements for an un-sanitized versus sanitized response for the technical proposal.

Does customer want only proprietary information (and price) redacted in the sanitized proposal or do they intend for any information removed that could lead to deducing whom the vendor respondent is?

ANSWER: Refer to instructions to offers

Q10

Can a diagram or CAD drawing be supplied as a part of the solicitation to confirm the location of the analyzers and automation track, including a scale?

ANSWER: It is attached as .dwg file.

Q11 Under Salient Characteristics, “stat, port” is listed. Please clarify if this should be listed as “stat port” instead.

ANSWER: Yes, STAT Port.

Q12

Respectfully requesting that installation and validations be completed 60 days after shipment and customer acceptance of analyzers.

ANSWER: Installation and validation is worked out post award.

Q13

Requesting clarification regarding requirement 5.10. Can customer clarity the 4-hour requirement? Namely, does the customer require vendors need to be on-site within 4 hours or working with the customer via telephone within 4 hours?

ANSWER: Yes, respond on site within 4 hours if one analyzer is down.