R602--COURIER SERVICE

Active

Contract Opportunity

Establish a site visit:
SITE VISIT

Offerors are urged and expected to inspect the site where services are to be performed and to satisfy themselves regarding all general and local conditions that may affect the cost the contract performance, to the extent that the information is reasonably obtainable. In no event, shall failure to inspect the sites constitute grounds for a claim after contract award.
The site visit will be held at VAMC Richmond 1201 Broad Rock Blvd, Richmond VA 23249 on June 24, 2025, at 1:00 PM EST. If you intend to attend the site visit, please send an email to Elizabeth.Kelley2@va.gov and Audrey.wooten@va.gov by June 18, 2025
Response to Question
Will the VA labs provide dry ice for the lab specimen transport, or will the contractor be responsible for dry ice to maintain the temp during transportation?Â
Answer: The VA will supply the totes and coolers. but not dry ice.
Will drug testing be required for drivers? We have all drivers drug tested, and background checked before we hire drivers.
Answer:Â Â Drug testing is not required, simply maintain that they should not be using substances while on duty.
Will the contractor be required to have drivers on call 24/7 for callouts and emergency deliveries?
Answer: We do not require an on-call situation. Â
You stated that work must start 5 days after contract is awarded, would the VA consider offering site visits for contractors prior to start of contract or before award.
Answer: Yes, so the contractors get to know where they are reporting, etc.
Is there a minimum guaranteed quantity (e.g., 200 trips/year), or will payment be strictly on an as ordered basis with no floor?Â
Answer: There should be a fairly consistent 249-250 round trips (250 on leap years). 5 days a week x 52 weeks, minus 11 holidays.
If a single tote or package legitimately weighs over 50 lb (e.g., large wheelchairs), should we plan a separate rate or schedule for overweight loads? How should an offeror incorporate these into the CLIN pricing?
Answer: We haven t had any upcharge for overweight containers, and this would be a very infrequent occurrence.
Is the Government expecting daily temperature and humidity logs from each vehicle, or only spot checks? Should data logger printouts be submitted with every monthly invoice, or only upon request?Â
Answer: Daily temperature checks are not required nor are checks submitted with the invoice. If specimens were to be delivered outside of the temperature variance, they would write a report of contact to COR and it would be brought to the contractor.

If, on a given day, two separate delivery runs are late (e.g., Richmond Charlottesville and Richmond Henrico), does the 10 percent penalty apply to each CLIN separately, or is it capped per daily invoice?Â
Answer: The 10% would be per run.

Should an offeror attach sample Individual Courier Records and training transcripts as part of its Technical Proposal, or is it only required to describe its process for maintaining them, to be furnished post award?Â
Answer: These would only be required post-award.

Is there a page limit, font size, or margin requirement for Sections C (Technical) and D (Past Performance)? If none, is using 10 pt font and standard 1 margins acceptable, or does the VA prefer 12 pt?Â

Answer: The Technical Volume shall not exceed thirty (25) pages in length, minimum 12-point font.

Please confirm which specific DOL wage determination applies to each clinic route (Charlottesville, Emporia, Fredericksburg, Henrico). Is one wage determination applicable to all, or must we apply different WDs by county?

Answer: The wage submission is per county.

Should the same driver perform sequential deliveries to all five locations in one afternoon, or does the VA expect one driver per clinic? In other words, is it acceptable for one vehicle to hit Richmond Henrico Charlottesville Emporia Fredericksburg in a loop?Â

Answer: Generally, they have a minimum of 2 drivers completing the locations.
Is this the first time this solicitation has been issued? If not, could you please provide the current incumbent and the contract number the services have been under?
Answer: No: Previously awarded to Crosstown Courier Service; Contract#36C24622D0048
Have there been any issues or deviations to the previous contract that we should be aware of?
Answer: No
Can the pickup times start at 8:30 am and be completed by 2:30 pm? Â
Answer: No, unfortunately not, because of the times that labs are drawn from the CBOC locations. This would mean they would have to pick up by 12:30 from Charlottesville and 1:30 from Fredericksburg which just isn t feasible for our community-based patients.

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