6835--IDIQ Bulk Oxygen (VISN) (VA-21-00060341)

Q. PG. 5 OF 79 1.2.6 Identifies Central Iowa HCS as a bulk location however this location is not listed on PG 6-7 of 79. Will The GOV confirm if VA Central Iowa HCS is part of this solicitation? Central Iowa currently has a contract but if something should happen they are able to join this one in the future.

Q. Â PG. 6-7 OF 79 1.3.1 Confirm if there are two separate bulk systems at St. Cloud or is one of these Central Iowa (Des Moines), as it is missing off the list. -There is TWO BULK Systems in St. Cloud however they are not next to, nor connected to each other.

 Â

Q. PG. 8 OF 79 1.5 For VISN 23 VA Medical Centers Annual preventative maintenance shall be scheduled by the vendor on a 12-month rotation. At no time will a preventative maintenances extension be allowed. It will be the responsibility of the vendor to schedule the annual preventative maintenance inspection. Will the GOV clarify if the annual preventative maintenance inspection is for only the Contractor Owned Cylinders? It is for all VISN 23 sites. Yearly maintenance and annual inspection needs to be done per SOW.

Q. PG. 9 OF 79 3.1 GO bulk oxygen storage tanks and appurtenances will be maintained by the vendor in a manner that will ensure compliance with applicable regulations, standards and commercial practices. Will the GOV specify what maintenance the vendor is to provide on a Government Owned system? What is the rationale that the vendors must incur the cost of maintaining the GO bulk storage system tanks, to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, standard and commercial practices as this is highly nonstandard? Guidelines set forth by National Fire Protection Ass. (NFPA) and national guidelines in SOW. Â

Q. PG. 9 OF 79 3.3 The vendor shall be responsible for annual maintenance and testing of government owned property to ensure safety is in accordance with applicable regulations and standards. What is the GOV rationale for requiring the vendor incur the cost of being responsible for annual maintenance and testing of government-owned property to ensure safety is in accordance with applicable regulations? Will the GOV add a CLIN for the vendor the annual inspection of Government Owned Bulk Systems? It is in the SOW and CLIN structure.

Q. PG. 9 OF 79 4.1 The Contractor shall assist the VA Electricians with hooking up the facility-maintained alarm system, consistent with NFPA 55 & 99 that requires an uninterrupted electrical connection between the alarm panel(s) inside the facility and the gauges on the tanks.   Will the GOV delineate the responsibility that this hook-up assistance is only within the confines of the bulk system pad and not inside the facility as that is the VA electrician s responsibility? To include Bulk Oxygen Pad leading up to facility

Q. PG. 10 OF 79 4.2  The option for a facility to expand their capacity to ensure facility is meeting minimum needs for growth throughout the life of the contract will be assessed by the individual facility. Facility will identify additional Bulk Oxygen Tank System as needed on campuses.  Are there any facilities within VISN 23 interested in upgrading their current bulk tank systems? Yes- Minneapolis and Grand Island per SOW

- Each facility will have full H cylinders on hand to cover every inpatient bed that is currently hooked up to receive bulk oxygen from internal pipes. Isn t this part of the medical cylinder contract? The quantity would be unknown by the vendor until a facility identified that it had a requirement to upgrade the capacity on the current system. Request this language be removed. -This will not be removed since the bulk oxygen system goes down then the backup plan is for the current vendor to bring in H cylinders or surge tank until they get their system back up and running.

Q. Â PG. 11 OF 79 5.4 Â A copy of the state s pharmaceutical license, registration and permits shall be provided at time of contract award. Â Will the GOV confirm that this must be the Prime Contractor s license? Per statement in SOW A copy of the state s pharmaceutical license, registration and permits shall be provided at time of contract award.

Q. PG. 17 of 79 - Does not include the conversion factor for the Bulk Nitrogen. Will the GOV confirm the Bulk Nitrogen estimated twelve-month usage is 35,000.00/CCF? That is a rough estimate for Minneapolis. It could be less or more.

Q. Â PG. 18 OF 79 12.1 Â After deliveries are made, a legibly signed and dated proof of delivery (POD) document must be provided that identifies the tank system level prior to fill, the level after fill, and the quantity delivered in Cubic Feet (CF). The Invoice that is submitted shall match the POD documents quantity delivered and invoiced in CFs. Â Typically, quantity delivered reflects quantity invoiced, will the GOV amend this paragraph to read CCF which would then coincide with the Unit of Measure provided in CLIN 1001? We will stay with how it is worded in the SOW.

Q. Have there been any historical occurrences of tank systems icing (i.e., Vaporizers) due to increased usage in any of the locations? If so, which locations? Not that we are aware of in VISN 23.

Q. Will the GOV add a CLIN for monthly telemetry monitoring service?-  NO it is included in bulk tank rental

Q. What is the estimated daily usage in inches (by location)? We have provided an estimate per IGCE per facility in CCF.

Black Hills - Hot Springs Campus

Main (1500-gal)

Reserve (525-gal)

Black Hills Fort Meade Campus

Main (3000-gal)

Reserve (1500-gal)

Sioux Falls VA HCS

Main (3000-gal)

Reserve (250-gal)

Fargo VA HCS

Main (3000-gal)

Reserve (525-gal)

Grand Island VAMC

Main (800-gal)

Reserve (N/A HP CYL)

Omaha VAMC

Main (6000-gal)

Reserve (500-gal)

Iowa City VA HCs

Main (3000-gal)

Reserve (525-gal)

St Cloud VA HCS

Main (900-gal)

Reserve (N/A HP CYL)

St Cloud VA HCs

Main (1500-gal)

Reserve (500-gal)

Minneapolis VA HCS

Main (9000-gal)

Reserve (1500-gal)

Minneapolis VA HCS Liquid Nitrogen

Main (1500-gal)

Reserve (N/A No Reserve)

Q. What are the current tank set points for Main & Reserve (in inches) for FULL TRYCOCK, REORDER POINT, & LOW-LEVEL ALARM? That will be determined when contract is awarded with new vendor per facility standards.

Black Hills - Hot Springs Campus

Main

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Reserve

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Black Hills Fort Meade Campus

Main

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Reserve

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Sioux Falls VA HCS

Main

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Reserve

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Fargo VA HCS

Main

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Reserve

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Grand Island VAMC

Main

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Reserve (N/A HP CYL)

Omaha VAMC

Main

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Reserve

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Iowa City VA HCs

Main

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Reserve

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

St Cloud VA HCS

Main

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Reserve (N/A HP CYL)

St Cloud VA HCs

Main

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Reserve

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Minneapolis VA HCS

Main

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Reserve

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Minneapolis VA HCS LIQUID NITROGEN

Main

FULL TRYCOCK

REORDER POINT

LOW LEVEL ALARM

Reserve (N/A No Reserve)

Q. When was the most recent annual inspection conducted? This past FY 22 Fiscal Year.

Black Hills - Hot Springs Campus

Black Hills Fort Meade Campus

Sioux Falls VA HCS

Fargo VA HCS

Grand Island VAMC

Omaha VAMC

Iowa City VA HCs

St Cloud VA HCS

St Cloud VA HCs

Minneapolis VA HCS (Bulk Liquid Oxygen & Liquid Nitrogen)

Q. PG. 19-26 of 79 -CLIN 1001, 2001, 3001, 4001, 5001 Bulk Oxygen. This CLIN combines all locations under one bulk CCF; however, bulk pricing may be different in different locations based on ASU locations and suppliers. What is the rationale for having vendors provide (1) price for all locations, as this is not cost effective for the GOV? Will the GOV consider separating the locations based on their estimated annual usage in order to provide best pricing, best value to the GOV since the evaluation factor listed on PG. 61 of 79 is Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable ? Clin structure has been updated as of 8-17-2022.

Q. CLINs 1001 5001 only identifies for Bulk Oxygen, yet Minneapolis has a Bulk Nitrogen requirement as well. Clin structure has been updated as of 8-17-2022.

Is the Bulk Nitrogen estimated annual usage included in CLIN 1001 5001? Clin structure has been updated as of 8-17-2022.

If so, will the GOV add a separate CLIN removing the Liquid Nitrogen requirement from the Bulk Oxygen as the pricing may be different. Clin structure has been updated as of 8-17-2022.

Q. PG. 19-26 of 79 -CLIN 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009, 1010, 1011, (and subsequent years) Primary & Back Up Tank Rentals. Will the GOV provide the locations to each of the CLINs, or will the GOV consider separating the Rentals by locations (as well as fills) so that the Offerors can provide best pricing by location? Clin structure has been updated as of 8-17-2022.

Q. PG. 19-26 of 79 -CLIN 1012, (and subsequent years) Back Up HP Cylinder Monthly Rental. Will the GOV provide the locations to each of these CLINs, or would the GOV consider separating the Rentals by locations so that the Offerors can provide best pricing by location?  Clin structure has been updated as of 8-17-2022.

How many rentals does the GOV anticipate there being at each location? The CLIN only identifies the quantity and Unit of Measure as 12 Months.

How is the GOV going to account for the FILLs for these rentals as there is no CLIN assigned to the HP Cylinders for the FILLs ? Typically this requirement falls under the medical cylinder contract. This will not fall under medical cylinder gas since some sites have H Cylinders.

Q. PG. 61 of 79 Is Lowest Price Technically Acceptable the sole evaluation factor? Yes

Q. PG. 61 of 79 Technical and past performance, when combined are. This sentence is not complete. Will the GOV please clarify this?

Q. Is there a reason that the GOV did not include any insurance requirements specific to NAICS 325120? We will take this into consideration

How will the GOV validate that an offeror has the necessary Liability insurance when it is not included as part of the bid package? We will take this into consideration

Will the GOV confirm that the offeror must have and provide proof of Liability insurance specific to NAICS 325120 at time of bid submission? We will take this into consideration

Q. Are there any provisions for site visits to physically observe/evaluate each of these Bulk Tank Sites? Site visits were offered to vendors in June 2021.

Q. Is Lowest Price Technically Acceptable the sole evaluation factor? Yes

Q. Technical and past performance, when combine are This sentence is not complete. Only a Negative CPARS rating will get you removed from competition.

Q. Is there a reason that the GOV did not include any insurance requirements specific to NAICS 325120? See below:

[X] 852.228 71, Indemnification and Insurance.

 [] 852.228 72, Assisting Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses in Obtaining Bonds.

 [X] 852.232 72, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests.

 [X] 852.233 70, Protest Content/Alternative Dispute Resolution.

 [X] 852.233 71, Alternate Protest Procedure.

 [X] 852.237 70, Indemnification and Medical Liability Insurance

How will the GOV validate that an offeror has the necessarily Liability insurance when it is not included as part of the bid package: It is to be submitted with the proposal

Will the GOV confirm that the offeror must have and provide proof of Liability insurance specific to NAICS 325120 at time of bid submission? Proof must be submitted with the proposal.

29.Q. Are there any provisions for site visits to physically observe/evaluate each of these Bulk Tank sites? Site visits were offered to vendors in June 2021, no other site visits will be entertained.