Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Cleaning and Janitorial Services

1. What is the total value of this contract and who is the incumbent? The current contract was awarded for $418,200.30 for six months, including all extensions. The contract number is 36C26124P1456 and ends 2/10/2025. The incumbent is Unique Cleaning Service, Inc. The previous contract was awarded for $3,580,200.00 for a base plus four option years. The contract number was 36C26123P0738.

2. Is the set aside for this, military disabled veterans small business owner? I see the original set aside is blank on the contract detail. Yes, this has been updated in the contract detail.

3. Page 42 of the PWSÂ (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates, Rates listed do not match DOL WD SCA provided as part of this solicitation, please clarify this requirement.

THIS RESPONSE HAS BEEN REVISED.

FAR Clause 52.222-42 has been removed from this solicitation. Please refer to the answer to Question #13.

4. Page 6 of the PWS, 2.1.a lists 11 Federal Holidays, however, the DOL WD SCA provided lists a different #, please clarify the # of Holidays required under this solicitation.

THIS RESPONSE HAS BEEN REVISED.

Please refer to the answer to Question #13.

5. Has the SOW changed from the current contract? If so, please clarify the major changes. There have not been any major changes to the PWS.

6. How many staffers are currently working under the current contract? There are 12 FTEs working on the current contract (36C26124P1456) and there was 12 FTEs working on the previous contract (36C26123P0738).

7. Can the VA please provide a detailed list of anticipated equipment that VA will be suppling under this solicitation? A detailed listing can be found on page 3 of the PWS. The total amount of equipment required cannot be determined due to the changing needs of the medical center. It is important to emphasize that the Contractor's performance will not be evaluated based on the timeliness of equipment cleaning. Instead, the assessment will focus on whether labor is provided as specified in the PWS and whether the equipment and other functions outlined in this requirement are completed satisfactorily.

8. In January of 2023, Solicitation # 36C26123Q0237 was Posted for S201--Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Cleaning and Janitorial Services for VA Palo Alto Campus and responses were due February 13, 2023.  No award was posted in SAM.GOV. Can the government please explain the reason that it was never awarded? This contract was awarded and later terminated. The contract number is 36C26123P0738 and is referenced in response to Question #1.

9. Page 11, Para 4.1. the solicitation states .until the Training officer/supervisor of VA EMS has provided initial orientation and training as outlined in 4.4.1 4.4.19A below and has imparted any special instruction from the COR to each Contractor Employee .

a. Would the government clarify where is 4.4.1 4.4.19A and how it corresponds to Para 4.4 on the following page? The PWS and sections 4.4.1 4.4.19A have been revised to state 4.4a 4.4.t.

b. Would the government clarify those courses required to be instructed by the contractor and those provided by the government? For example, 4.4.m, Emergency preparedness, or 4.4.i, Procedures for replenishing cleaning supplies and obtaining equipment repair, would seem to be government focused area of instruction, especially since those plans/processes are currently not provided to the contractor. This section has been revised to exclude 4.4.d and 4.4.g. of the original PWS. The new listing will read as 4.4.a. 4.4.t. All training courses will be provided by the VA EMS Training Officer.

10. Is the VA expecting bidders to include an additional staff person as Contract Shift Leader to be responsible for all shifts, much like a Project Manager, or is one of the 12 janitors expected to also be the Contract Shift Leader? Two of the 12 FTEs should be shift leaders: one for the AM shift and one for the PM shift.

11. How many hours are anticipated for the mandatory training to be done by the VA? The mandatory training will be for a total of 40 hours.

12. Will the VA provide work uniforms, scrubs for the contract janitors or is the contractor responsible for providing uniforms for their staff? No, the Contractor will be responsible for providing uniforms to their staff.

13. Therefore, I respectfully request that you clarify what wage rate, # of holidays, amount of vacation time, health and welfare rate and any other benefits bidders are to use in their price proposals

THIS RESPONSE HAS BEEN REVISED.

All details pertaining to wage rates, holidays, vacation time, health and welfare rates and other benefits are stated within Wage Determination 2015-5641, Rev 25, dated July 22, 2024 that is included in the solicitation. All vendors are required to follow the guidance within this wage determination. Contractors should only be referencing the WD 2015-5641 Rev 25 for these details.

14. Are the current staff members Union or Non-Union? The current staff members are Non-Union.

15. As for the FTE stated, is there allowance for any variation? There is no allowable variation. The Contractor is expected to adhere to the schedule as outlined in the PWS.

END OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - NOTE: FAR Clause 52.222-42 has been removed from this solicitation. There are no other changes to the terms and conditions as a result of this amendment.