R602--Courier Service

A.1 TECHNICAL QUESTIONS: Courier Service Durham VAMC 36C24626Q0536
Q1) CLN: 0004 states a 5:00 pm Pick Up Monday-Friday Round Trip (page 14), however Work Hours on page 10 state, "Normal working hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. What is the correct time? Lab pick up times are, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM and 4:00PM Since the work hours end at 4:30 p.m., is the vendor picking up and storing specimens overnight and delivering them the following morning? Or is there a Drop box for pickup and delivery? No this will be same day delivery. What locations from Section 3. Locations (page 7) are you referring to when it states, " Please note that laboratory will need three pickups daily at times 11:00 am, 2pm, and 4 pm EST." on (page 5)? Lab pickup on Section B.3 Price/Cost Schedule for the following CLNs 0001,0002,0003, and 0004 Monday -Friday Round Trip are outside the scheduled three pickups daily at times 11:00 am, 2pm, and 4 pm EST on (page 5). What is the correct time? I need clarification. A1) These times are correct Q2) 1. Hazardous Material License Requirement Section B.2 references a "hazardous material license number." Would the Government please clarify the specific license, permit, certification, or regulatory authority being referenced by this requirement? Motor Carrier Permit Requirement Section B.2 references a Motor Carrier Permit. Would the Government please clarify whether this refers to a specific North Carolina operating authority, a federal motor carrier authority, or another permit requirement applicable to this contract? Bonding Requirement The Performance Work Statement states that couriers transporting specimens must be bonded. Would the Government please clarify the specific type of bond required and whether a minimum coverage amount is expected? Route Consolidation The pricing schedule contains several routes that appear to operate within close geographic proximity and overlapping timeframes. For operational planning purposes, may the contractor consolidate multiple pickups and deliveries into a single vehicle route provided all required pickup times, delivery times, specimen handling requirements, and performance standards are maintained, or does the Government intend for each CLIN to be performed as a separate route? Pickup Time Requirements Several CLINs identify specific pickup times throughout the day. Are these intended to be exact appointment times, or does the Government allow a reasonable pickup window provided all service requirements are satisfied and specimen integrity is maintained? To maintain the integrity of the specimen pick up times are as stated. Historical Usage of Non-Scheduled Services For planning and pricing purposes, can the Government provide historical usage information, if available, for the emergency, on-call, STAT, and other non-scheduled CLINs identified in the solicitation? Emergencies, on-call and STAT are as needed. Staffing Expectations Is the determination of staffing levels left to the contractor provided all performance requirements are met, or does the Government anticipate that multiple drivers be available simultaneously during normal operating hours to support contract performance? A2) We cannot tell you your staffing needs. We expect deliveries to be picked up and delivered as the contract states Q3) I noticed that the price schedule is only showing services for 1 year. Is this contract for only one year? A3) Yes Q4) The quantity in the price schedule doesn t appear to match up with the Performance Work Statement. Please explain the quantity of 125. New solicitations traditionally have a base year followed by 4 option years. Please confirm this is only for a 12-month period and if possible, explain why? A4) The quantity in the price schedule is correct. Q5) While reviewing the Lab Courier Services contract for Durham VA Health Care System (RFQ 36C24626Q0536), I noticed the solicitation includes an occasional specimen transport requirement to Richmond, Virginia. I serve the Richmond, Virginia region and wanted to introduce our company and inquire whether there may be an opportunity to discuss that portion of the requirement. A5) N/A not a question Q6) I am writing to see if job 36C24626Q0536 is still available and to find out how I can apply for it. A6) Submit Quote to Solicitation 36C24626Q0536 by 2:30 PM on 6/5/2026 Q7) Is subcontracting permitted under this solicitation, and if so, are there any limitations on the use of subcontractors for courier operations? Is prior medical courier experience specifically required for consideration, or will the Government accept relevant past performance from comparable logistics, transportation, or time-sensitive delivery contracts? For past performance evaluation purposes, are equivalent logistics support contracts, transportation coordination services, or government logistics operations considered acceptable demonstrations of capability? Can newly established Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) or Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) be considered for award if they can demonstrate qualified personnel, available vehicles, operational procedures, and the ability to meet all performance requirements? A7) Please see Instructions to Offerors Section of Solicitation 36C24626Q0536 Q8) I noticed that several pickups are scheduled for 10:45 AM, including: 1824 Hillandale Road, Durham, NC 1830 Hillandale Road, Durham, NC 3114 Croasdaile Drive, Durham, NC While the two Hillandale locations are adjacent to one another, the Croasdaile location is a separate stop. As written, the schedule appears to require all pickups to occur at exactly 10:45 AM. This is correct I also noticed the following afternoon pickup locations: 2700 Benson Road, Garner, NC 11618 US Highway 70 Business West, Clayton, NC These locations are approximately 12 miles apart, with an estimated travel time of approximately 19 minutes under normal traffic conditions. Both routes ultimately deliver to the Durham VAMC at 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC. Whether the listed pickup times are exact requirements or target times with an allowable pickup window could significantly impact route planning and pricing. Could you please clarify whether the pickup times listed in the solicitation are: Exact pickup times that must be met precisely; or Target pickup times with an acceptable pickup window or range? A8) Listed times are exact Q9) Several CLINs identify specific pickup times and are described as round-trip services. While the solicitation clearly defines the pickup schedules, I was unable to locate any specific specimen delivery deadlines or maximum transit-time requirements between pickup and delivery. Could you please clarify whether there are any required delivery windows, maximum specimen hold times, or other timing requirements that contractors should consider when planning route schedules? Listed pick up times are exact For example, if multiple pickups are scheduled throughout the day and all ultimately deliver to the Durham VAMC laboratory, should contractors assume specimens must be delivered immediately after each pickup, or is there an allowable consolidation window provided all specimen handling and temperature requirements are maintained? Delivery is expected immediately after pick up. A9) Yes Q10) I wanted to reach out regarding the contract solicitation you have posted, for CLIN 0001, CLIN 0002, CLIN 0003 and CLIN 0004 they are all listed as Monday-Friday but only have a quantity of 125. I wanted to verify that they listed quantities are correct and should not read 252? A10) Yes 252 Q11) While reviewing the SAM.gov postings associated with this notice, we observed what appears to be conflicting response dates between the solicitation and presolicitation notices tied to the same Notice ID. Would you please clarify: Which notice is currently active The official proposal due date and time Whether the solicitation has been amended, reposted, or superseded A11) Submit Quote to Solicitation 36C24626Q0536 by 2:30 PM on 6/5/2026 Q12) Will this solicitation be unrestricted or issued as a small business set-aside? Are subcontracting or teaming arrangements permitted? Is there an incumbent contractor currently performing these services? Will route schedules and estimated delivery volumes be included in the final solicitation package? Has the official proposal due date been finalized? A12) Service-Disabled Veteran Small Owned Business Set-Aside (SDVOSB) Q13) Can you please confirm the correct proposal due date for this solicitation? The SAM posting appears to show conflicting dates. Is this requirement unrestricted, or is it being issued as a specific small business set-aside? Are subcontractors or teaming arrangements permitted under this requirement? Is there an incumbent contractor currently performing these services? Are route schedules and delivery frequency details available within the solicitation package or through an amendment? A13) Submit Quote to Solicitation 36C24626Q0536 by 2:30 PM on 6/5/2026 Q14) Are the following areas open for solicitation? VA, MD, DE, NC, PA, NJ A14) This posting is for Durham VAMC and surrounding Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC`s) Q15) Is there any incumbent/recompete or this is a brand-new project? If yes, could you please provide us with their award number or even if the customer bought similar services in the past. A15) Yes Contract # 36C24626P0035 with Crosstown Carrier Service Inc.