Inactive

-Questions received 12/5 to present- Can you clarify the frequency of the service for the (10) 65 gallon containers, 180 slim jims, and 1 console at the West Haven facility? Does the VA staff empty th... -Questions received 12/5 to present- Can you clarify the frequency of the service for the (10) 65 gallon containers, 180 slim jims, and 1 console at the West Haven facility? Does the VA staff empty those into the 96's that are serviced three times a week or do we go around to each? If so, do you own those containers or would we need to provide them as well. VACT owns the Small slim bins, VACT staff empty the Slim bins into the larger ones for collection. The 65 gallons containers are as needed basis but normally done monthly. The Newington Campus lists (28) 65 gallon bins every two weeks and (36) 65 gallon bins without a frequency if you can clarify that one as well please. The other bins are as needed bases, it s a mixed frequency depending. Some are monthly some are every other month. We would service the entire account ourselves but wondering what the policy is on subcontractors for this bid. Can it be completely subcontracted to a company by a third party? Please reference the Limitations on subcontracting within the solicitation. The short answer is yes, subcontracting is allowed. Do all destruction services need to be done on site? No, shredding can be done off-site. Are the Monday, Wednesday, Friday pickups for full containers only or will partially filled containers also be emptied? Full/nearly full containers shall be picked up and emptied. Just confirming - does the vendor need to provide all containers required for each location as stated in the solicitation? All Containers need to be provided, except the Slim Bins. Those are owned by the VA hospital. SDVOSBs must be registered and certified in the Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database (http://www.VetBiz.gov). Are we still able to bid? This is set-aside for Small businesses, so anyone under that category, including SDVOSBs can submit a quote. The bid docs have a start date of this past September which doesn't seem to make sense since this won't start until after the New Year. I can bid as if that is part of the first year but I assume the dates will be different on the contract? The period of performance for this will be 2/28/2025 2/27/2026. Page 8 j Number of days for remediation is blank 30 Days Page 19 Section 9 references App C&D but then says C & A does not apply can you clarify? Is there anything we need to do for this section? No Page 25 What is line item 0001AM and how should we be quoting? This is a line item used prior, this is not required to be filled out. This will be deleted. Page 56 & 57 Since this quote is not designated as SDVOSB does this certification need to be included in our response? No Page 69 b-8 and page 75 1-c Do we need to include our Reps & Certs? I am not getting an option on SAMS to download them. Please see page 78 1. Price, C. Page 76 E.5 Can you please clarify what needs to be completed? In reading through this if we are up to date in SAMS do we need to complete Section c (page 80 82)? I don t believe 508 applies here, it is required in all solicitations, that Is why it is there. Yes, that must be completed, as it states. Page 83 85, 87 Since these do not apply can we ignore or do we need to state they do not apply in the response? Fill out, mark is or is not on applicable sections. Leave blank if it does not ask for is or is not if it does not apply. Page 86 & 89 Should this be included? This should not apply, there are no end products, this is a service. Page 88 Can you clarify is shredding being included as a service under FAR 22.1003 4(d)(1)? Infoshred can certify k2 if shredding is included. We want to clarify if this section was included as a standard part of the request but does not actually apply. This contract is subject to the Service Contract Labor Standards. Page 89 - 93 Should we include what is applicable in these sections and can we exclude what is not applicable (such as page 92 t Greenhouse gas) Fill out anything that applies. If it does not apply, then leave blank. Do we need to also include cost information on Form 1449?  If so how should the pricing be recorded there? Each year listed with it s total? Please advise. No, please put your numbers in the price/cost schedule. I was just told by a subcontractor that this is linked to a Virginia location as well? Based on what I have read all locations under this contract are in Ct. All I can think is that she thinks VA stands for Virginia for some reason but please confirm that you have received my questions. I am also assuming you will answer them after tomorrow based on the December 10th deadline for questions. Thanks for your help. VA stands for Veterans Affairs, there is no work being done in Virginia. Is there a loading dock or area the truck needs to park to perform the services at all locations?- Yes, but the containers need to be moved from the storage area to the loading dock Will badging be required? If so, are you using USAccess, e-Quip, or another system for badging? Pages 19-20 of solicitation talks about If ID cards are given, they need to be retuned are they issued IDs? USA Access and e-Quip are used. If needed, badging can take from 14 to 30+ days to process. Will you allow our employees to work during the processing period or will you provide an escort? Will have to provide an escort. Can the frequency be changed to every four weeks as opposed to monthly? Keeping the quantity at 12 units of issue monthly invoicing. Every 4 weeks equals to 13 times a year. Will need to be kept to monthly for invoicing. Please confirm that the Main campus frequency for all 96, 65, Slims, and Executive Consoles will be serviced 3 times a week M-W-F, Yes M,W and Friday Newington- biweekly anywhere from 10 to 25 bins. Please confirm the types of non-paper media that will be placed in non-paper media containers. floppy drives, CD/DVD ROMs, VHS Tapes, plasticize film from thermal transfer printers and fax machines, and other media that contents sensitive data. What is the number of bins that will be shredded for every service at the Newington Campus and Main Campus(M-W-F)? 10-25 bins bi-weekly. Will the main campus and Newington campus bins be brought out for shredding or do the bins need to be collected? Yes you need to collect the bins and move to your shredding location And will there be a limited accessible storage area/cage for housing collection bins?- Yes, stored in a limited access areas at both Newington and West haven. CBOCs will be in the clinic. Can the Orange Annex be changed from monthly to every four weeks, due to the truck routing schedule?- NO use the schedule provided in PWS. Please confirm the Main Campus 58-96gal, 10-65gal, 180 slims, and 1 EC will used only for paper documents. Slims and 96 gal bins are for documents. Other bins may be for other media. Please confirm the frequency of all 65-gallon bins at the Newington campus. (28) 65 Gallon Containers Every 2 Weeks At any point in the contract term will there be any hard drive destruction requests? There may be. The pick-up schedule states that 1-35gal media is picked up every 4 weeks, 2-65gal media is on call, and 9-35gal media is on call, which is missing from the price/cost schedule. 1-35 gal media every 4 weeks is missing a CLIN, 9-35 gal media on call is missing a CLIN 2-65 gal media on call has 2 CLINs (0007 and 0008), which is the same description. Is this an error? Please see amended Price/cost schedule and pick up schedule. VACT Healthcare System Annex 200 Edison Road Orange, CT does not have a container type. They use the 96 Gal. Believe its 5 currently. Orange Annex is listed on the pick-up schedule as a monthly service - can this be modified to every 4 weeks (13 visits) due to the routing schedule, which is on an every 1, 2, and 4-week frequency? Must keep monthly. The pick-up schedule states (28) 65gals every 2 weeks (26 visits) and (36) 65gal with no frequency. Is CLIN 0001ab meant to represent all (64) 65gal bins with a frequency of every 2 weeks? No some will be on call. Will the containers used for these special pick-ups be from the on-site container, will we need to purchase additional containers labeled special picks, or will they need to be dropped off before the requested service? Yes, Current containers are not VHA supplied, new contractor will have to supply. The only containers we purchase are the slim under/next to desk ones. Are the Monday, Wednesday, Friday pickups for full containers only or will partially filled containers also be emptied? full/nearly full containers to be picked up and emptied When does the current contract end? The day before this contract will start. What are the last contract award number and total award amount? All public information about the current contract can be found under the contract number on SAM.gov, 36C24119F0294. What site or contract-specific training do you require and will you provide the platform? Please see B.2 section 9. Training.

Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

Page 2 of 2 This solicitation is being issued as a Small Business set-aside. The limitations of subcontracting, as described in VAAR 852.219-75, will apply to any potential contract. If award cannot b... Page 2 of 2 This solicitation is being issued as a Small Business set-aside. The limitations of subcontracting, as described in VAAR 852.219-75, will apply to any potential contract. If award cannot be made, the solicitation will be cancelled, and the requirement resolicited. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, intends to solicit quotes from contractors to provide Shredding services for the West Haven VAMC in West Haven, CT and its associated CBOCS and leased buildings. NAICS Code is 561990 with a Small Business Size Standard of $14.5M. The product/service code is R614. Prospective Offerors are encouraged to register their interest in the solicitation on the Contracting Opportunities website (beta.sam.gov) so that they are notified of the issuance of the solicitation and any amendments. This is a pre-solicitation notice synopsizing an upcoming RFQ solicitation to satisfy the requirements of FAR 5.201 and 5.203. All interested parties should register via FEDBIZOPPS interested vendors list. It is the responsibility of the offeror to monitor and download amendments from FebBizOpps which may be issued to this solicitation. In accordance with FAR 52.204-7, FAR 2.101, and VAAR 802.101, prospective firms must be registered in SAM (www.sam.gov), and in VetBiz (www.vetbiz.gov) databases prior to award. (Note: all vendors claiming Small Business status in accordance with the Veteran's First Contracting Program must be VERIFIED by the Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization's Center for Veteran's Enterprise (CVE) prior to receiving an award under the program).

Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

Page 2 of 6 THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as quo... Page 2 of 6 THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as quotes, nor will any award be made as a result of this Sources Sought. Any information provided by businesses to the Government is strictly voluntary. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by interested businesses responding to this Sources Sought. The purpose of this notice is to conduct market research only. Description of Requirement: DOCUMENT DESTRUCTION-SHREDDING SERVICES SUMMARY This contract is for on-site shredding and disposal of paper materials. This contract shall be effective from February 28, 2025 through February 27, 2026. This agreement may be extended for 4 option years at the request of the Government. SCOPE OF WORK The US Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Connecticut Healthcare System intends to use the services of a contractor to provide document destruction for documents containing classified, sensitive and medical information. GENERAL REQUIRMENTS a. The items for the disposal of shredding shall include and not be limited to records, Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Cards, records containing carbon, binders, folders, types and colors of paper as well as staples and fasteners, other non-paper materials to include sensitive and non-sensitive information. Throughout the life of the award various items for shredding may be added and removed accordingly and shall be within scope. b. The contractor shall provide all labor and equipment to include collection bins and shall be responsible for disposing of shredded materials throughout medical center campuses and Clinic s. Shredding may be witnessed by a VA employee authorized to witness destruction of sensitive material. All collection bins shall be securely locked configured to not allow user access paper through opening. c. Contractor is responsible for maintaining liability insurance for the duration of the award, and for following all pertinent federal and state regulations with regards to destruction of medical documentation. d. While on VA property for both on-site and off-site locations, contractor employees will wear a company uniform and a visible identification badge which contains a photograph of the employee. All contractor vehicles and collection bins will be clearly identified with the company's name. e. The contractor will provide the service identified in this award between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. f. The contractor will provide for inspection, upon request by a VA representative, of the contractor's facilities where the records are processed, and final destruction takes place. g. The contractor must use shredded paper for recycling purposes, but not sell it as packaging material. Transferring contents of collection containers is not authorized. h. Contractor will ensure an acceptable alternative method of destruction for facility records when shredders are not operational. Alternative methods for destruction should be described in the request for quote. i. Contractor must describe how material that is not shredded to VA specifications is to be recycled (e.g. pulverized, bleached, pulped) and how it will be protected until such time that the final recycle process in completed to protect the material until it is no longer readable and not re¬ constructible. j. Contractor vehicle(s) used in the performance of this award will be licensed, registered and insured. The VA reserves the right to inspect the Contractor's equipment and vehicles. k. Business Associate Agreement shall be completed by contractor at time of award. l. Contractor shall shred documents in accordance with shredding specifications outlined in most recent VA Directive 6371 guidelines. Page 3 of 6 Prior Government contract work is not required to submit a response under this Sources Sought synopsis. The intent of the project is to award a firm fixed price purchase order agreement for one base year and four possible option years. The limitations of subcontracting will apply to any potential contract. The NAICS Code is 561990 and the size standard is $14.5 million. This notice is published to conduct market research to determine if there are any small businesses that can perform this requirement to warrant a solicitation set-aside. Registration for any SD/VOSB s interested may be accomplished at https://www.vip.vetbiz.va.gov/. All SD/VOSB interested firms must be registered in VETBIZ.GOV and Verified by VA CVE and registered in SAM to be eligible for award of Government contracts. Interested parties responding to this Sources Sought shall submit the following information at a minimum: (1) company name and address, point of contact with phone number, and DUNS number; (2) documentation relating to technical capability of performance for requirements to include references with current point of contact and phone number); (3) companies seeking preference based on being a veteran owned business concern must provide proof of registration in the VA Vet Biz. The response date to this notice is 10/24/2024 at 4:00 PM EST. This market research is for informational and planning purposes only. This is not a solicitation and does not obligate the Government to issue a solicitation. Please be advised the Government will not pay any costs for responses and information submitted. Electronic submissions are acceptable via Ian.Herrick@va.gov. RESULTS INFORMATION: Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. Firms responding to this notice who fail to provide ALL of the required information requested, will not be used to help the Government make the acquisition decision, which is the intent of this notice.