S222--Northport VAMC Hazardous Materials Disposal Services

Please find below our list of questions regarding the solicitation:

Can the VA please provide copies of the waste profiles encompassed for this bid for better clarity on the waste composition? Please submit Freedom of Information Act request for this information

Can the VA please provide manifest copies for 2024 to better assess size, quantity, and frequency of shipments. Please submit Freedom of Information Act request for this information

It is stated that bulking takes place, can you identify which waste streams are bulked and how that is currently performed in terms of personnel, equipment, and location (i.e. fume hood, outside, etc.)? Bulk compressed gas cylinders for removal, bulk containers of expired chemicals (flammable hand sanitizer, hospital cleaning supplies, engineering shop chemicals, expired hazardous drugs), located THROUGHOUT THE HOSPITAL CAMPUS.

Is anything larger than a 5-gallon container poured/pumped into a larger container? yes

What is the typical size of the larger container? 55 gallons

Is the trace methadone is not disposed of as a controlled substance? Controlled substances are managed by our Pharmacy department. We have non-hazardous waste drug cylinders from a disposal unit called a Cactus made by a company called Stryker. The medications disposed into these units can not be retrieved or reused and are considered non-hazardous once contained.

Are the 1-gallon Loose Pack DEA Controlled Substance (RCRA Hazardous waste) contained in any system that renders them non-retrievable and denatured or handled as controlled substances? Yes, Stryker, Cactus.

What sort of material does the mixed biological waste represent? Laboratory specimen waste mixed with chemicals for analysis.

It is noted to include the cost of container and packing supplies. Are there any containers that the VA provides themselves? This will ensure the vendor does not overcost the individual lines. No

Are any specific supplies required to be provided in advance to collect these waste streams? No

Can the VA please confirm whether the quantity noted for the batteries corresponds to shipping containers, individual batteries, or weight? Containers, individual batteries and/or weight is accurate depending on the needs of the moment.

Can the VA please confirm the dimensions for the cylinder sizes? This lettering system is not an industry standard. Compressed gas cylinders of the following diameter can be found in need of disposal from this facility: 9.25 , 9.0 , 7.37 , 7.0 , 5.25

Who is the current contract holder? Please submit Freedom of Information Act request for this information

How long does the biweekly service take in terms of hours? 3-4 hour approximately, depending on the circumstances

The bid sheet does not have a number of units for the "pickups". Are the biweekly service visits considered a pickup? Not necessarily a pick up for disposal from the facility bi-weekly. The contractor needs to transport waste from the main hospital areas to the hazmat storage area biweekly. We are a 90 day Generator Site so waste can not be held in the hazardous material storage area more than 90 days. This must be managed closely by the contractor.

Are you able to provide manifests from the past 4 shipments? Not sure if this is acceptable for the contracting process. This has never been requested historically. All of our Hazardous waste disposal activity can be found in the EPA/DEC public website with witch the contractor should be familiar.

"Lab Pack Trace Methadone"

How is the waste steam being processed by the current contract holder? Incineration

Is this waste being handled as a DEA schedule II narcotic? No, it is denatured and rendered unusable.

What materials/items comprises the waste stream? Laboratory waste, engineering shop(s) waste, pharmaceutical waste, typical hospital waste streams.

What RCRA codes are being applied to the waste stream? Examples of waste codes include but are not limited to D006, D005, Foo3, D001, U058, U035, U010, U238, U188, P204, P168, P075, P001, etc.

"Bulk Chemotherapy Waste"

What is the U-list code being applied to the waste stream? U035, P012, U058 are some examples of codes used for our chemotherapy drug waste.

"Loose Pack DEA Controlled"

How is this currently being managed? Containment system

What are the waste codes on the waste stream? D005

Are you utilizing a container that renders the DEA drugs inert/inactive (i.e. drug placed in a container with carbon & a diversion liquid? Yes, Stryker, Cactus units.

"Mixed Biological Waste"

What container size is this waste shipped in? 5 gallon containers

Is this being managed as regulated medical waste? No. This is waste from laboratory specimen processing.

What comprises the contents of "mixed biological waste"? Lab chemicals from diagnostic processors which contain cyanided and body fluid(s) from patient blood, body fluid specimens.

What are the silver nitrate filers comprised of that makes them recyclable? Silver

"Gas Cylinders"

Is there a list of the gases that are in the gas cylinders? MEDICAL GASSES for calibration, Oxygen, possibly Argon cylinders (from Engineering welding activity).