S207--FY21: Integrated Pest Management Services VACHS Clinics TIERED EVALUATION

Solicitation 36C24821Q0999 Integrated Pest Management at VACHS Clinics TIERED EVALUATION

Amendment No. 2

This amendment is hereby issued to provide response to questions and request for information submitted by vendors.

RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION

1. What was the previous awarded Solicitation Number, Date awarded and awarded value?

Part of this information is publicly available on Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) at www.fpds.gov and/or US Spending at www.USASpending.gov

Current contractor information may be requested and disclosed under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in accordance with 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1.553(b). The VA accepts FOIA requests submitted by email. Email must be sent to SAJFOIA@va.gov. For additional information about FOIA regulations and procedures, please visit www.foia.va.gov

2. What is the amount of hours each month the previous contractor spent on site at each location to provide the pest services to all areas outlined within the scope of service? Does the government consider this service adequate?

This is a performance-based requirement, contractor shall present their best solution and quote using the information provided within the solicitation based on their expertise.

3. How many afterhours service requests at each site have then been in the past 12 months?

In the past twelve months no afterhours services request has been made. However, this type of situations may arise at any time during the term of the contract and considering that the last year has not been a typical year Contractor shall plan for this contingency based on their expertise.

4. What are the regular service days for each site?

Facilities operate receiving in person customers on a normal business hours schedule (Monday Friday, excluding federal holidays). As per PWS section 4- Schedule of services is to be coordinated with COR or designated POC. Being a performance-based requirement, the proposed schedule shall be presented by the Quoter/Offeror.

5. What is the number of bed bug service requests at each site over the past 12 months?

In the past twelve months no bed bug services request has been made. However, this type of situations may arise at any time during the term of the contract and considering that the last year has not been a typical year Contractor shall plan for this contingency based on their expertise.

6. Has any of the scope of service changed from this Solicitation compared to that of the last awarded contract?

No major changes have been identified.

7. The government outlines within the SOW (Page 12-13) under Item 6 AUTHORITY OF APPLICATOR(S), sub category 6.3, that states "Both SDVOSB and subcontractor (if appointed) shall have current certification on pest control categories issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture. Will the government consider IPM Pest Control Past Experience, VA Past Experience, National Certification Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) and verified other state pest licensing from the Prime Contractor (SDVOSB) and that the subcontractor hold all the certifications as required by Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture to perform pest control services and pesticide applications to satisfy this requirement as otherwise this requirement as written could be considered too restrictive for qualified, experienced and capable SDVOSB or VOSB pest control core contractors.

This industry and type of services are strictly regulated by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Government does not have control over those requirements. For Pest Control Services the company and applicators performing the work needs to be licensed. As long as the Prime Contractor complies with the Limitation on Subcontracting, the Government will not evaluate unfavorably. The requirement to have Prime and Subcontractor be licensed and certified is to ensure compliance with Management and Control requirement established by PL 109-461.

8. Could you please tell me if the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation posted as solicitation number 36C24821Q0999 will be a follow-on requirement to any work performed currently or in the past, or will this be a new requirement?

Yes, this is a follow-on requirement to a recurrent need which has been procured under contract in the past.

9. If possible, can you please provide the most recent contract or task order number?

This information is publicly available on Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) at www.fpds.gov and/or US Spending at www.USASpending.gov

All other areas of the solicitation remain unchanged.

Offers/Quotes Submission: Submission of Offers/Quotes shall be received no later than 10:00 AM AST on Thursday June 24, 2021. All offers/quotes are to be submitted electronically to Aurea.Gonzalez@va.gov