S205--VHA Minneapolis Health Care System Refuse & Recycling Removal Sources Sought

The Veterans Health Administration Minneapolis Health Care System require refuse and recycling removal services in accordance with the draft Statement of Work (SOW) below. This is a sources sought/proof of capability solicitation looking for vendors to perform the services per the SOW for market research purposes. No awards of a contract will be made from this announcement. Identify your organization's socio-economic category. - If you are a vendor that can complete the work described in the SOW with competitive pricing, please send your contact and organization information with a description of proof of capability to: contact@example.gov on or before January 12th, 2024. *If applicable, VAAR Provision, 852.219-75 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction, will apply to the potential solicitation if set-aside for Veteran Owned Small-Businesses. * *If applicable, FAR Provision 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting, will apply to the potential solicitation if set-aside for Small-Businesses. * STATEMENT OF WORK DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATIONS: The Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (MVAHCS) has a continued need for Refuse and Recycling Disposal. Recycling items include Glass/Plastic/Mixed Metal and cardboard bale service. Recycling Services located within the MVAHCS. All refuse will be transported and disposed of or recycled in compliance with State and Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines and in compliance with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) regulations. Refuse Disposal and Glass/Plastic Recycling Services consists of physically collecting and disposing/recycling of refuse on a regularly scheduled basis. All refuse must be disposed of at an agreed upon disposal center. Contractor will not make any change in where the refuse is disposed of without the prior written approval by the Contracting Officer. ESTIMATED QUANTITIES: Currently the MVAHCS generates approximately 2,500,000 pounds of refuse per year, approximately 260,500 pounds of recyclable glass & plastics, approximately 75,000 pounds of assorted metals, and approximately 375 bales of cardboard. Quantities indicated in the schedule of items are estimates only. The MVAHCS makes no commitment concerning the minimum or maximum poundage of non-regulated refuse or recyclables. All non-recyclable, non-compostable material will be required to be disposed of at HERC, Hennepin County Energy Recovery Center, by the vendor. The number of services requested from the vendor will be determined solely by the MVAHCS. Vendor rates are all inclusive of all containers, vehicle(s), services, set-up, maintenance of equipment or any other services called for by the contract. RECYCLE ITEMS: Recycle items to be accepted by contractor include: Aluminum Cans Paper Cardboard, Dairy and Juice containers Cardboard bales Tin and Steel cans Glass bottles and jars Plastic bottles and containers #1-7 Various scrap metals SPECIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS: The attached S02 Attachment B - Container, Location and Desired Service Schedule provides a breakdown, number and frequency of service for all containers and dumpsters required for this contract. The vendor shall include description or descriptive literature of all containers to be used for this contract with the technical proposal. Alternate container size and types may be accepted if deemed to be an or equal to existing container specifications and are approved by the Contracting Officer or Contracting Officer Representative (COR) prior to use or services rendered. Types of container collection includes: Ability to haul 20 and 30 yard containers daily to the Trash/Municipal waste: General trash to be disposed of at the HERC Recycling: Ability to haul 3 and 4 yard containers of recyclable items such as glass and plastics before disposing of remains. Scrap Metals 20 yard open top scrap metal container located outside at the loading dock of Building (Bldg) 70. This will be collected, weighed, and paid back to the Medical Center via current scrap metal pricing. All contractor-supplied storage containers and other necessary equipment will remain the contractor s property and will be removed on the contract termination date. Containers must be maintained and kept in good condition, free from holes, vermin or other foreign matter. CONTAINER LOCATIONS: See Attachment B - Container, Location and Desired Service Schedule for all container locations. SERVICE SCHEDULE: The preferred pickup schedule is before 7:00 a.m. at a regularly scheduled time(s) each day. This is to prevent interruption of warehouse shipments and deliveries. There shall be no pickup or relocation charges separate from line item charges. At minimum, five, 3 yard recycling containers will be picked up twice a week, along with minimum 3 times a week pick up of the 30 yard compactor and 20 yard open top container. Vendors shall submit a proposed service schedule using the following format for each Routine Service location noted in the attached S02 Attachment B-Container location-Service Schedule (not to include Bld s 223 and 217). CONTRACTOR'S PROPOSED PICKUP SCHEDULE: MONDAY ___________________ TUESDAY ___________________ WEDNESDAY ___________________ THURSDAY ___________________ FRIDAY ___________________ SATURDAY ___________________ Refuse and recyclables will be picked up and hauled in accordance with the vendors submitted and accepted service schedules. Scheduled pickups are subject to change if waste flow warrant. ON-DEMAND PICKUPS: Occasionally circumstances may require on-demand pickups. Calls for on-demand pickups will be placed prior to 11am for trash, prior to 9 am for metal, to receive same day service. This on demand schedule is only Monday Friday excluding Holidays. Pickup and return of containers will be completed within four hours of notification. The vendor shall provide the Contracting Officer with contact information on how these on-demand pickups may be called in by the Contracting Officer s Representative. INSPECTIONS: The Contractor will permit on-site visits by VA personnel to assess contracted services, i.e., capabilities, compliance with contract requirements, record keeping, etc. Inspection by the VA Inspection Team and/or Safety Engineer may be made of the vendor facilities, vehicles and equipment, and maintenance records of vehicles and equipment anytime during the term of the contract. Any infractions of local, state, or federal law or regulation identified during the inspection may be considered as non-confirming performance of services under this contract. COMPLIANCE: All portions of service including storage, transport and disposal/recycle of Non-Regulated Refuse must meet local, state and federal NFPA, EPA, MPCA, Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) rules/regulations/guidelines/standards. REMOVAL OF REFUSE AND RECYCLABLE ITEMS: It is recognized that benefits for the Contractor depend on the quantities to be picked up, and that the storage capacity in the Government facility limits the quantity of recyclables that may be stored. Therefore, an approximation of the minimum pickup quantity for each facility should be stated by the vendor. The Government is required to have available for pickup at least the minimum pickup quantities before calling the Contractor for removal; but the Contractor is not required to remove the recyclables upon call as specified herein if the amounts do not equal at least 80 percent of the minimum pickup quantity(s). However, the Contractor has the option of picking up smaller quantities of recyclables with the consent of the Government. The Contractor shall have twenty four (24) hours to remove recyclables after notice from the Government. Removal shall take place during normal operating hours of the buildings from which the waste is being removed, (Monday Friday from 6 am 4 pm) unless otherwise specified herein, except on Saturday, Sunday or legal Federal holidays. The Contractor shall accomplish removal and transportation for removal. All recyclables shall be secured in such a manner to prevent falling from the conveyance while being transported. The Contractor shall leave the area in as clean and orderly condition as possible and shall reimburse the Government for any damages to Government property caused by removal operations of the Contractor or his agents. DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTS: Documentation by the Contractor shall consist of individual weight slips for all waste materials hauled and monthly reports. Weight slips will be generated and maintained for all waste hauling episodes. Contractor will submit a monthly report by category to the COTR on poundage disposed of. The vendor shall provide a certifiable weighing system to enable proper billing for the Refuse poundage disposed. The contractor furnished weight form acceptable to the Government shall be completed in triplicate for each load of refuse picked up. Indicate the Contractor s name, contract number, date and weight. Upon receiving the Non-Regulated Refuse the Contractor will sign all copies of the weight slips and leave one (1) copy with the Government and keep copies two and three to be taken back to the weight scales. Copy # one Leave with the Government Custodian Copy # two To be returned with payments for Non-Regulated Refuse (or credit) Copy # three Contractor copy Contractor will also submit a monthly report by category to the COR on poundage disposed of. The monthly report shall consist of total poundage or ton of wastes disposed of by category. See below for category types: Metal Salvage: To collect items deemed worthy of a credit once sold off to local sellers Trash/Municipal waste: General trash to be disposed of at the HERC Recycling: Collection of recyclable items such as glass and plastics before disposing of remains Contractor will electronically submit all invoices through the Tungsten network for payment each month.