S--Waste Removal Svcs

Page 1 of 23 The purpose of this amendment to Request for Quote: 36C25718Q9862_1 is to answer questions submitted by interested parties and to extend the quote submission date. Revised Updated Quote Submission Date: Quotes must be received no later than Tuesday, September 4, 2018, Noon CST. Email your quote to contact@example.gov. The subject line must specify 36C25718Q9862. There will be no automated email notification of receipt of quotes. All quotes received without requested documentation will not be considered. Previous Quote Submission Date: Quotes must be received no later than Tuesday, August 28, 2018, 8:00AM CST. Email your quote to contact@example.gov. The subject line must specify 36C25718Q9862. There will be no automated email notification of receipt of quotes. All quotes received without requested documentation will not be considered. Questions and Answers: How often do we anticipate pickups per week for the front load dumpster/containers? We are projecting 3X times a week. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only Solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number 36C25718Q9862 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular. SET-ASIDE: - This requirement is Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside. The NAICS is 562111. In accordance with VAAR 852.219-11, any SDVOSB submitting a quote for this action must be verified for ownership and control and is so listed in the vendor information pages database (http://www.vetbiz.gov) upon submission of quote. Only qualified offerors may submit bids. Introduction: A Firm Fixed Price award will be made to the lowest priced quote which conforms to the requirements within this solicitation and represents the best price to the Government. Description of Services: The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform solid waste disposal services as defined in this Performance Work Statement except for those items specified as Government furnished property and services. The Contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract. The following clauses and provisions apply to this solicitation: 52.209-5, Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders-Commercial Items 52.217-8, Option to Extend Services The Government may require continued performance of any services within the limits and at the rates specified in the contract. These rates may be adjusted only as a result of revisions to prevailing labor rates provided by the Secretary of Labor. The option provision may be exercised more than once, but the total extension of performance hereunder shall not exceed 6 months. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within 60 days. 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract a) The Government may extend the term of this contract by written notice to the Contractor within 60 days; provided that the Government gives the Contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend at least 60 days. The preliminary notice does not commit the Government to an extension. (b) If the Government exercises this option, the extended contract shall be considered to include this option clause. (c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed five years. 52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirements to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Right 52.203-99 Prohibition of Contracting with Entities That Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (OCT 2014) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3). 52.219-27 Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside 52.222-3, Convict Labor 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (MAY 2014) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (MAY 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67) 52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards Price Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (MAY 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67) 52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (DEC 2015) 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving 52.232-19, Availability of Funds for the Next Fiscal Year 52.228-5 Insurance-Work on a Government Installation (JAN 1997) 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management 52.237-3 Continuity of Services (JAN 1991) 52.232-39, Unenforceability of Unauthorized Obligations (In the FAR https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/52_232.html#wp1160005) 52.233-3, Protest after Award (In the FAR https://www.acquisition.gov/far/html/52_233_240.html) 852.203-70, Commercial Advertising 852.219-10 VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Set-Aside 852.232-72, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests 852.237-70, Contractor Responsibilities 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference: This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es). 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference: This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address (es). Full text can be obtained at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING-- MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE (JUN 2011) This solicitation includes FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, and VAAR 852.219-10, VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set- Aside. Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation will include this clause. The contractor is advised in performing contract administration functions, the CO may use the services of a support contractor(s) retained by VA to assist in assessing the contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirements specified in the clause. To that end, the support contractor(s) may require access to contractor's offices where the contractor's business records or other proprietary data are retained and to review such business records regarding the contractor's compliance with this requirement. All support contractors conducting this review on behalf of VA will be required to sign an Information Protection and Non-Disclosure and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Agreement to ensure the contractor's business records or other proprietary data reviewed or obtained in the course of assisting the CO in assessing the contractor for compliance are protected to ensure information or data is not improperly disclosed or other impropriety occurs. Furthermore, if VA determines any services the support contractor(s) will perform in assessing compliance are advisory and assistance services as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the support contractor(s) must also enter into an agreement with the contractor to protect proprietary information as required by FAR 9.505-4, obtaining access to proprietary information, paragraph (b). The contractor is required to cooperate fully and make available any records as may be required to enable the CO to assess the contractor's compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirement. Submission of Quote (FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items): The Offeror shall submit their quote on company letterhead and shall include unit price, overall total price, name, address, and telephone number of the offeror, firm's DUNS# and ORCA document in SAM at www.sam.gov. Complete copy of 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items, and ORCA document. The offeror shall provide sufficient evidence that they possess adequate resources, capability, experience, responsibility and integrity to meet the technical capabilities to comply with the requirements of the resulting contract. All quotes received without this documentation will not be considered. All questions must be emailed to contact@example.gov, no later than Tuesday, September 4, 2018 NOON CST. The subject line must specify 36C25718Q9862. All responses to questions will be incorporated into a written amendment posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website (www.fbo.gov). Offerors are encouraged to monitor the Federal Business Opportunities website with respect to this solicitation because any amendments to this Solicitation will be posted on the website (www.fbo.gov). There will be no automated email notification of amendments. Quotes must be received no later than Tuesday, September 4, 2018, NOON CST. Email your quote to contact@example.gov . The subject line must specify 36C25718Q9862. There will be no automated email notification of receipt of quotes. All quotes received without requested documentation will not be considered. Quote should be broken down as follows: ITEM NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE AMOUNT 0001 Waste Management Removal for VA North Texas Dallas Location Period: Base POP Begin: 10-01-2018 POP End: 09-30-2019 1.00 YR $ $ 0002 Waste Management Removal for VA North Texas Dallas Location Period: Option Year 1 POP Begin: 10-01-2019 POP End: 09-30-2020 1.00 YR $ $ 0003 Waste Management Removal for VA North Texas Dallas Location Period: Option Year 2 POP Begin: 10-01-2020 POP End: 09-30-2021 1.00 YR $ $ 0004 Waste Management Removal for VA North Texas Dallas Location Period: Option Year 3 POP Begin: 10-01-2021 POP End: 09-30-2022 1.00 YR $ $ 0005 Waste Management Removal for VA North Texas Dallas Location Period: Option Year 4 POP Begin: 10-01-2022 POP End: 09-30-2023 1.00 YR $ $ GRAND TOTAL $ ________________________________ The solicitation package will be posted on FedBizOpps, which can be accessed at www.fedbizopps.gov. The Government will not provide paper copies of the solicitation. Telephone, written, or facsimile, requests, for the solicitation package will not be honored. All interested parties MUST be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) Database and have completed On-Line Representation and Certifications Application (ORCA) in order to receive a contract award. If you are not registered with SAM, you may request an application via phone at +1 (555) 000-0000 or register on-line at https://www.sam.gov. To keep informed of changes: Check www.fedbizopps.gov frequently. DISCLAIMER AND IMPORTANT NOTES: The government is in no way obligated to do business with or enter into the award a contract to any firm or its affiliates or otherwise pay for the information provided in this synopsis. STATEMENT OF WORK Solid Waste Pickup and Disposal Environmental Management Service VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas Campus, Hertzog Center, Polk Street Annex Part 1 GENERAL General Information 1. GENERAL. This is a non-personnel services contract to provide solid waste pickup from the designated locations. The proposed containers shall minimize spills and the exposure of waste to the environment during collection. The goal is to improve cleanliness, improve aesthetics, reduce infestation and promote healthier surroundings. The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government. 1.1. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES/INTRODUCTION. The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform solid waste disposal services as defined in this Performance Work Statement except for those items specified as Government furnished property and services. The Contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract. 1.1.2. OBJECTIVES. The contractor shall collect and dispose of approximately 420,000 pounds monthly of wet solid waste (trash) compiled by historical values as an average. The VA shall not be held responsible to any particular quantity of waste that is actually generated during the contract period. 1.1.3. SCOPE. The contractor shall pickup and dispose of solid waste. Services include solid waste collection at Building 2 (back dock) (government owned Sani-Pak 40 yard compactor)(contractor provided open 30 yard container); Building 3 (Research & Lab) (contractor provided 20 yard compactor); Building 5 (EMS office) (8 yard closed container); Building 11 (carpentry shop)(8 yard closed container); Building 12 (laundry)(8 yard closed container); Building 43 (Research) (8 yard closed container); Building 44 (warehouse) (2 8 yard closed container)(30 yard open container); Building 60 (CLC) (contractor provided 20 yard compactor); Building 70 (Energy center) (8 yard closed container); Building 75 (community center)(8 yard closed container); Building 78 (Fisher house)(8 yard closed container); Hertzog building (2- 8 yard closed containers); Polk Street Annex (8 yard closed container). The collection locations shall have a front load dumpster/container(s) with a variety of volume/weights of solid waste per container generated per week. Four pickups per week are anticipated for front load dumpster/containers. The pickup areas shall remain clean, neat, and free of infestation as a result of solid waste disposal. Schedules shall be confirmed throughout the life of the contract and arrangements shall be made in the best interest of the VA. Open top containers will be emptied on an on-call basis as needed. Summary; 8 yard containers- 12 30 yard open containers- 2 Compactor units - 2 1.2. PERSONNEL 1.2.1. CONTRACT MANAGER. The contractor shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and alternate (s) who shall act for the contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the Contracting Officer. 1.2.1.1. AUTHORITY. The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. 1.2.1.2. AVAILABILITY. The contract manager or alternate shall be available within 3 hours to meet on the installation with government personnel designated by the Contracting Officer to discuss problem areas any time the work is performed at VA North Texas Health Care System, Dallas Campus, Hertzog Center, Polk Street Annex. 1.2.1.3. EMPLOYEES. Contractor personnel will present a neat appearance and be easily recognized. This may be accomplished by wearing distinctive clothing bearing the name of the company or by wearing appropriate badges which contain the company name and employee name. All employees and representatives of the Contractor must be fluent enough in the English language to read and understand chemical labels/signs and to converse intelligibly with the COR. 1.2.2. ACCESS LIMITATION. Only authorized Contractor employees are allowed inside the VA complexes. Contractor employees are not to be accompanied in the work area by acquaintances, family members, assistants, or any other person unless said person is an authorized Contractor employee. 1.3. QUALITY CONTROL 1.3.1. ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN. The contractor shall establish and maintain a complete Quality Control Plan to ensure the requirements of the contract are provided as specified. One copy of the contractor's Quality Control Plan shall be provided to the Contracting Officer with the contractor's proposal. An updated copy shall be provided to the Contracting Officer as changes occur. 1.3.2. CONTENT. The plan shall comply with the requirements of FAR 52.246.4, Inspection of Services Fixed Price, which is incorporated in section C-1 of the contract. The plan shall include the following: 1.3.2.1. INSPECTION SYSTEM. An inspection system covering all the services specified in this PWS; must specify the areas to be inspected on a scheduled or unscheduled basis, how often inspection will be accomplished, and the title of the individual (s) who will perform the inspections. 1.3.2.2. IDENTIFICATION AND PREVENTION. The methods for identifying and preventing defectives in the quality of service performed before performance becomes unacceptable. 1.3.2.3. RECORDS. On-site records of all inspections conducted by the contractor and necessary corrective action taken. This documentation shall be made available to the government during the term of the contract. 1.3.3. GOVERNMENT REVIEW. The government will review the Contractor Quality Control Plan (QCP) to determine if it is adequate. If the plan is adequate, the government will accept the plan. If the plan is not adequate as submitted, the deficiencies will be identified to the contractor in writing. The contractor shall correct all identified deficiencies and submit a corrected Contractor Quality Control Plan within ten working days or contract start date, whichever is sooner. The government will also periodically review the manner in which the contractor is conducting the quality control program by either reviewing the contractor's records, observing actual performance or both. 1.4. QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA). 1.4.1. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR), PROJECT INSPECTOR (PI). Government personnel, with titles such as shown above shall be appointed to monitor contractor performance and to inspect and accept or reject the services as required by the contract. The name and telephone number of each such person under the contract will be furnished to the contractor in writing by the Contracting Officer. 1.4.2. GOVERNMENT EVALUATION. The government will evaluate the contractor's performance under this contract using the method of surveillance deemed appropriate. If the government QA reveals that any contract provision has not been met, a Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR) shall be prepared. The contractor shall respond to CDRs by completing the appropriate blocks explaining: (1) why performance was unacceptable, (2) how performance will be returned to acceptable levels, and (3) how recurrence of the problem will be prevented in the future. 1.4.3. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION MEETINGS. The contract manager may be required to meet periodically with the COR and the Contracting Officer during the contract. Meetings shall be as often as necessary as determined by the Contracting Officer. However, if the contractor requests, a meeting will be held whenever a Contract Discrepancy Report is issued. The meetings shall focus on performance and actual or potential problems. A mutual good faith effort shall be made by all parties to resolve all issues. The written minutes of these meeting shall be signed by the contract manager, Contracting Officer, and COR. If the contractor does not concur with the minutes, notice of non-concurrence shall be provided to the Contracting Officer. This notice shall be in writing and provided within seven work days of receipt of the minutes. 1.5. HOURS OF OPERATION 1.5.1. DAILY WORK HOURS. All required pickups shall be accomplished on Mondays, Wednesday and Friday for the self-contained compactors and on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week for the front load dumpster/container. Services are expected to be performed between the hours of 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM, except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings. In the event the scheduled pick-up falls on a holiday the contractor coordinate with the COR to designate pickup for the next business day. All work schedules must be coordinated with the COR to include emergency pickups or unforeseen emergencies on the part of the contractor. 1.5.2. RECOGNIZED HOLIDAYS. The contractor is not required to provide service on the following Federal observed holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King's birthday, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed as a legal holiday by U.S. Government agencies. When a holiday falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is observed as a holiday by U.S. Government agencies. 1.6. PLACES OF PERFORMANCE 1.61. PLACES OF PERFORMANCE. Work under this contract shall be performed at the Dallas Veterans Hospital located at 4500 S. Lancaster Rd, Dallas, TX 75216, Hertzog Center located at 4900 S. Lancaster Rd, Dallas, TX 75216, 4243 S. Polk St, Dallas, TX 75224 1.6.2. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS. There are no specific security requirements for this contract. 1.6.3. PHYSICAL SECURITY. The Contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all Government equipment, information and property provided for Contractor use. At the close of each work period, Government facilities, equipment, and materials shall be secured . 1.6.4. CONFIDENTIALITY AND NONDISCLOSURE It is agreed that: The preliminary and final deliverables and all associated working papers, electronic files, course materials and reports, and other material deemed relevant by the Government which has been generated by the Contractor in the performance of this service are the exclusive property of the U.S. Government and shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer at the conclusion of the contract. The Contracting Officer will be the sole authorized official to release verbally or in writing, any data, the draft deliverables, the final deliverables, or any other written or printed materials pertaining to this service. There shall be no information released by the Contractor. Any request for information relating to this contract presented to the Contractor shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer for response. Press releases, marketing material or any other printed or electronic documentation related to this project, shall not be publicized without the written approval of the Contracting Officer. PART 2 2.1.9. QUALITY ASSURANCE Surveillance Plan (QASP): An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of Contractor performance. 2.1.10. QUALITY CONTROL: All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements. 2.1.11. SUBCONTRACTOR: One that enters into a contract with a prime Contractor. The Government does not have privy of contract with the subcontractor. 2.1.12. WORK DAY: The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract. 2.1.12. WORK WEEK: Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise. PART 3 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES 3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES 3.1 The government has ownership of a Sani-pak compactor machine located at the rear of building 2, contractor has no obligation other than provide emptying service. PART 4 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES 4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 4.1. GENERAL. The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 3 of this SOW. 4.2. EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS. The Contractor shall provide the appropriate containers and personnel to dispose of solid waste in accordance with the Performance Work Statement. The Contractor shall provide two (2) 20-yard compactors equipped with dead man switches, two (2) 30 cubic yard open containers, and twelve (12) 8 cubic yard closable containers. 4.3. FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL REPORTING. The contractor is responsible for supplying, completing and submitting all reports required or requested by Federal, State or local ordinances, which pertain to any duties contained in the contract. 4.4. CONSERVATION OF UTILITIES. The contractor shall instruct employees in utilities' conservation practices and be responsible for operating under conditions which preclude the waste of utilities, which shall include: 4.4.1. LIGHTING. n/a 4.4.2. MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT. n/a 4.4.3. WATER USAGE. Water faucets or valves shall be turned off after the required usage has been accomplished. 4.5. DOCUMENTATION AND RECORDS. All documentation, records and schedules as described in this PWS that is the responsibility of the contractor, are the property of the government and shall be turned over to the government upon completion or termination of the contract. All records are subject to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts and any requests for release of any records shall be handled accordingly. 4.6. BUSINESS ASSOCIATES AGREEMENT (BAA). In accordance with the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), this contract will require a Business Associate Agreement. The contractor will enter into a Business Associates Agreement (BAA) with the Department of Veterans Affairs, unless a previously executed BAA is on file. The BAA is an instrument that will hold the contractor liable for any release of confidential medical information by any of its employees. A copy of a BAA is provided in the Contract Documents, Exhibits, Or Attachments section. 4.7. POST AWARD CONFERENCE/PERIODIC PROGRESS MEETINGS. The Contractor shall attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The contracting officer, Contracting Officers Representative (COR), and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the Contractor to review the Contractor's performance. At these meetings the contracting officer will apprise the Contractor of how the Government views the Contractor's performance and the Contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the Government. 4.8. KEY PERSONNEL. The following personnel are considered key personnel by the Government: The Contractor Representative s name and telephone number must be provided by the contractor with the proposal. The Contractor shall provide a contract manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person and an alternate who shall act for the Contractor when the manager is absent shall be designated in writing to the contracting officer. The contract manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The contract manager or alternate shall be available between 7:00 a.m. to 3:30p.m., Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed for administrative reasons. Please submit a resume of related jobs performed for all key personnel. 4.9. IDENTIFICATION OF CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES. All contract personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones, and working in other situations where their Contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by Contractors are suitably marked as Contractor products or that Contractor participation is appropriately disclosed. Third parties must be able to identify that contractor personnel are employed by the contractor. PART 5 SPECIFIC TASKS 5. Specific Tasks: 5.1. BASIC SERVICES. The Contractor shall provide services for solid waste removal and furnish an adequate, covered containers (Dumpsters) in which the waste can be contained until carried away for disposal. The unit shall be designed to prevent leakage, minimizes odors, keep out insects, and other pests. The contractor will be responsible for the continued cleanliness of waste containers; there are no designated cleaning areas on the government complex. 5.2. PICKUP FREQUENCY. Solid Waste collection shall be performed as frequently as needed. Schedules shall be confirmed throughout the life of the contract and arrangements shall be made in the best interest of the VA. 5.2.1. SOLID WASTE PICKUP. Solid waste collection shall be performed 5 times per week, usually on Mondays through Fridays for compactors and three times per week for closed containers. The exception will be made for holidays and severe weather days. Schedules shall be confirmed throughout the life of the contract and arrangements shall be made in the best interest of the VA. 5.2.2 FAILURE TO RESPOND. If the Contractor fails to respond, within two (2) hours to an urgent request for pick-up services, or misses a scheduled pick-up; or fails to respond within two (2) hours to a request for repair of Contractor provided compactor equipment, a deduction of 1/30 of the rate that would be charged for the current month shall be taken for that day and for each twenty-four (24) hour period thereafter, that the requested service is not accomplished due to non-responsiveness. This penalty will be waived under unusual and extraordinary circumstances, those circumstances, those circumstances over which the Contractor has no control. Waiving of the penalty shall be at the discretion of the Contracting Officer with recommendation from the COR. 5.3. CONTAINER MAINTENANCE. Container should be steam cleaned, and disinfected before being place at the medical center. The facility shall not be without a no-spill self-contained container for more than fifteen (15) minutes. It shall be the Contractor s responsibility to ensure that all equipment/supplies and/or materials required during the performance of the work will comply with all Conformance Standards in the industry. All self-contained roll off compactors shall be designed for dock usage. The contractor also has the responsibility for maintaining/repairing the equipment/materials, supplies required at no cost to the VA. The containers shall be kept neat in appearance, repaired, painted when warranted (i.e. appearance of rust spots, stains, excessively chipped areas, etc.) and replaced immediately if broken or non-functional. Contractor must coordinate with the COR or his designated representative prior to performing any maintenance/repair work at this Facility and again upon completion of work prior to leaving the Facility. Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, State and local laws, Vetera...