Wheelchair Van Service

Added: Jun 10, 2008 2:40 pm Modified: Jul 08, 2008 11:28 amTrack Changes The following are vendor questions and the Government's responses:1. QUESTION: Is the deadline for proposals still at 4:30 today (July 8th)?

ANSWER: Yes.

Added: Jun 10, 2008 2:40 pm Modified: Jul 07, 2008 1:04 pmTrack Changes The following are vendor questions and the Government's responses:

1. QUESTION: Under Tab B additional information for the proposal, is the Price/Cost question to be addressed by inserting the Schedule of Items/Costs form?



ANSWER: Yes.

Added: Jun 10, 2008 2:40 pm Modified: Jul 07, 2008 1:04 pmTrack Changes ##FileName: 75647/QU6.DOC

Added: Jun 10, 2008 2:40 pm Modified: Jul 01, 2008 9:19 amTrack Changes The following are vendor questions and the Government's responses:

1. QUESTION: How often is the wheelchair transportation contract renewed or open for bids



ANSWER: The contract resulting from this solicitation will be for a 1-year base term with one (1) 1-year option. The contract can be re-competed after that point.



2. Are exceptions ever made regarding the requirement of 12 vehicles for a company wishing to submit a bid for wheelchair transportation for the VAMC?



ANSWER: No, a minimum of 12 vehicles is needed for performance on this contract.



3. In reviewing the RFP page 41 (Past Performance Information), can you please advise as to how many Past Performance Information forms are required.



ANSWER: Please submit three (3) past performance surveys.



4. I am requesting the current pricing information on this project as to ascertain if we can put together some numbers for this project.



ANSWER: Rate Per Trip: $49.62

Rate Per Mile: $2.35

Waiting Time: $66.15 per hour



5. Can you please clarify on B.2 Schedule of Items/Costs, is the Rate Per Trip to disclosed for transporting patients one way or round trip?



ANSWER: The Rate Per Trip is "one way." An amendment will be issued clarifying this point.



6. Also, are we to include a cost for Vehicle For Hire to cover those patients not in need of wheel chair transport?



ANSWER: No.

Added: Jun 10, 2008 2:40 pm Modified: Jun 20, 2008 3:03 pmTrack Changes The following are vendor questions and the Government's responses:

1. QUESTION: The information which you have failed to supply about the potential trips gives and ENORMOUS advantage to the incumbent, and creates a HUGE disadvantage for any company that does not have a trip history. While the incumbent knows how many trips they are able to put together (multi-load), as well as how many trips on average are inside the 15-mile radius, the outside company has no way of knowing how many or how often these types of trips occur. This level of disadvantage appears to be very biased toward the incumbent, although I am sure that this is not intended. I hope that you will reconsider your answer to #9 and allow some type of trip history. Otherwise, we will not be able to respond fairly and will assume, and allege, a government bias toward the incumbent.



ANSWER: We do not have this information. We have provided a 12-month estimate of what the Government anticipates its needs are. If more information becomes available, it will be posted on Fedbizopps.



2. QUESTION: Is this solicitation set aside 100% Small Business or will you accept a bid from a system that is not considered a Small Business Concern.



ANSWER: This solicitation is setaside for 100% Small Business; no bids will be accepted any vendor who is not a Small Business.

Added: Jun 10, 2008 2:40 pm Modified: Jun 19, 2008 9:33 amTrack Changes The following are vendor questions and the Government's responses:

1. QUESTION: How do I bid on the project



ANSWER: Please download the "RFP" and follow the "Offerors provide the following sections of the solicitation" found on page 4. Also, please see Instructions to Offerors found on page 51.



2. QUESTION: What is the eligibility criteria



ANSWER: Please see E.3 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items (Jan 1999) found on page 53.



3. QUESTION: What is the contract obligation



ANSWER: The Government cannot divulge its cost estimate for this procurement .





4. QUESTION: The information which you have failed to supply about the potential trips gives and ENORMOUS advantage to the incumbent, and creates a HUGE disadvantage for any company that does not have a trip history. While the incumbent knows how many trips they are able to put together (multi-load), as well as how many trips on average are inside the 15-mile radius, the outside company has no way of knowing how many or how often these types of trips occur. This level of disadvantage appears to be very biased toward the incumbent, although I am sure that this is not intended. I hope that you will reconsider your answer to #9 and allow some type of trip history. Otherwise, we will not be able to respond fairly and will assume, and allege, a government bias toward the incumbent. I will be happy to speak with you about this issue.



ANSWER:

Added: Jun 10, 2008 2:40 pm Modified: Jun 17, 2008 3:36 pmTrack Changes The following are vendor questions and the Government's responses:

1. QUESTION: Section B.3 (I) paragraph (e) states that only 2 two wheelchair vans are required to service this contract. . . . Why does the contract state 2 two wheelchair vans?



ANSWER: This is an error. An amendment will be issued correcting the total number of wheelchairs required to "twelve (12)."



2. Is there a pre-bid conference?



ANSWER: No, but there will be a post-award conference.



3. If so, when is it, and is it required?



ANSWER: N/A.



4. Will the government consider extending the due date by 7-14 days to allow for a more responsive and competitive proposal?



ANSWER: No, not at this pint.



5. When is the START date of the contract (what is the first day the successful bidder will need to transport clients?)



ANSWER: September 1, 2008.



6. What are the current trip, mileage, no-show, and wait-charge rates that are being charged to the government for this service?



ANSWER: Trip - $49.62 per trip

Mileage - $2.35 per mile

No Show - Not in contract

Wait Charge - $80.00 per hour



7. How long has the current provider been providing this service to this specific hospital in Durham?



ANSWER: Six years.



8. How many vehicles are being used by the current provider to service this contract?



ANSWER: This is proprietary. The Government is requiring twelve (12) wheelchair vans; please see the Answer to Question 1 above.



9. How many vehicles is the government requiring to service the new contract?



ANSWER: Twelve (12); please see the Answer to Question 1 above.



10. Will the government supply 90 days of trips, in a HIPAA approved format (with no names, but with addresses, mileages, and multi-load information) or some type of trip history so that a prospective bidder may have the opportunity to submit a competitive price proposal?



ANSWER: No. The Schedule of Items/Costs on pages 8 and 9 are the Government's best estimate of the services that will be required.

Added: Jun 10, 2008 2:40 pm Modified: Jun 13, 2008 2:29 pmTrack Changes The following are vendor questions and the Government's responses:

1. QUESTION: Is the above mentioned solicitation for newly contracted service, or is someone already under contract? If already contracted, may we inquire as to the current contractor(s)?



ANSWER: The current vendor's information is below:



Bostick Transport Services, Inc.

2495-B Hemby Lane

Greenville, NC 27834

Added: Jun 10, 2008 2:40 pm The Department of Veterans Affairs intends to solicit for Wheelchair Van Services for beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the Durham, NC catchment area. The Contractor shall furnish all personnel and equipment to provide Wheelchair Van Service 7 days per week, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. The NAICS code is 485991; Size Standard: $6.5M. The anticipated solicitation release date is: June 11, 2008.

The proposed contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit as 100% Small Business setaside. Offers will be accepted Small Businesses only. This requirement is subject to the availability of FY08 funds.



The contract period of performance will be 1 year from the date of award, with one (1) 1-year option to renew at the Governments choosing.



Solicitation documents may be downloaded from Fedbizopps. No solicitation documents will be mailed or sent electronically. No electronic offers will be accepted. Offers received electronically, altered, or not containing all required information will be rejected. Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted via email to: Marsha.Harrington-Evans@va.gov. Answers to questions will be posted on Fedbizopps. No questions will be answered telephonically or via email.