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H Q1.WithintheproposalpreparationguidelinesProvisionL.7.,SectionA.Proposal  d Content,thereisareferencethattherespondentshouldcomplywiththe_SOO_Ԁoutlinedinthe  J _RFP_.Theseobjectives(_SOO_)arenotclearlydelineatedassuch.Idounderstandfrom  0 readingthe_RFP_Ԁwhatisrequiredasobjectivesandtasks(suchassection_Section_ԀIII.    ObjectivesandSectionIV.Scope).Ifyoumeantocreateaspecificlistunderthe_SOO_,    theseshouldbenotedassuchinaheadingorfromtheproposalpreparationinstructions,note   thespecificsectionnumbercontainingthe_SOOs_. x  A1.Theresultingcontractforthisrequirementwillbeconsideredperformancebased.By D  definition,aperformancebasedcontactdescribestheminimumobjectivesthatthe *z  Governmentneedsthecontractingcommunitytofulfill.Inotherwords,aStatementof ` Objectives.Thecontractingcommunityisrequiredtoproposethemostefficientapproach, F alternatives,methodologies,andoptionsavailableformeetingthoseobjectives.Underthe , methodofperformancebasedcontracting,wenolongerdelineatetocontractorsexactlyhow  theworkistobeaccomplished.Contractorswhospecializeintheeffortshouldproposethe  bestmethodologiesformeetingtheGovernmentsneedsandobjectives.  Forthisproposal,companiesshouldclearlydescribehowtheyplantomeetthe Z Governmentsobjectives.Theevaluationcriteriaforsourceselectionareclearlydelineated: @ technicalcapabilityandapproach;managementapproach;subcontractorganizationand &v tasking;addressingasampletaskorder;keypersonnel;corporateexperience;andpast  \ performance.Withinyourtechnicalapproach,Icanonlyrecommendthatyouaddresshow B youwouldmeetourobjectives,asoutlinedinthe_SOO_.Inordertoreduceconfusion,we ( havechangedtheword complywith meetinthethirdparagraphofSectionA.  Compliancewillbeaddressedwhentaskordersareissuedforspecificrequirements.  Q2.InthePricingSchedulethatyouarerequestingbyequipmenttype,yourequestaprice V"! forquantitiesotherthanoneeach(25,100,250,etc.).Arewetoassumethatthisisa <#" quantityforonelocationorforonetaskorder?Pendingananswer,Iamassumingthatthis "$r# isaquantitydiscountforonelocation.Thepricetoprocess25monitorsinonelocation,is %X $ quitedifferentfromprocessing5monitorsfrom5differentlocations,foravarietyof %>!% reasons. &$"& A2.Thepricingscheduleestablishesestimatedpricingfortheactualrecyclingofelectronic (#( itemsdescribedinSectionB.AsstatedintherevisionstoClauseB.1,logisticalcosts )$) associatedwithretrievingmultipleitemsfrommultiplelocationswillbeaddressedonatask l*%* orderbytaskorderbasis.Onceacustomeragencyidentifiestheirrequirement,multiple R+&+ READcontractorswillbeaskedtosubmitaproposalonthatspecifiedrequirement.Within 8,', theproposalforthespecifictaskorder,thecontractorshouldpriceoutthelogisticalcosts  associatedwithpickingup,delivery,transportation,and/orrelocationforthatparticular  requirement.ThisissueisfurtherdiscussedinA3below. | Therefore,theitemizedpricinginSectionBshouldassumeitemsareinonelocation.In H addition,theproposalpricinginstructionsprovidestheestimatednumberofunitsandthe . ~ estimateddimensionsandweightofthedifferenttypesofequipmentdescribedinB.1.This  d informationshouldbeusedforpricingpurposessothatcontractorscanbeevaluatedonan  J applestoapplesbasis.TheproposedrateswillbeincludedinSectionBofthecontract.  0 Q3.WerecommendthattheratestructureinSectionBbemodifiedasasinglepricethat   includesanyadditionalpickup,transportation,anddeliverycosts[logisticalcosts]sothat x  therecyclingcostperitemisthesamewhethertheitemsarelocatedthroughoutthe ^  continentalU.S.,orarelocatedinonecentralwarehouse. D  A3.GiventhefactthatthiscontractisanewFederalinitiativewithoutanyhistorical ` information,andassumingthepotentialmagnitudeofthiscontractgiventhesizeofthe F FederalGovernment,wehavedecidedthatwecannotrequirecontractorstoincludepotential , logisticalcostsinthepricingstructureatthistime.Thedifferenceinlogisticalcostsbetween  asinglewarehouseinWashington,DC,with20,000electronicitems,and20,000items  locatedin40citiesthroughoutthecountryissignificant.Wehaveaddedlanguagetoclause  B.1whichstipulatesthatthelogisticalcostsassociatedwitharequirementwillbepricedout t duringthecompetitionforthatparticularrequirement.Forpricingpurposes,SectionBrates Z shouldincludethecostofcompletelyrecyclinganitemthathasbeendeliveredtothe @ _recycler_sfacility,i.e.thecompleterecyclingcost.Logisticalcostswillbeaddressedatthe &v taskordercompetitionlevel.Someagenciesmaydeliveritemstotheselectedrecycling  \ facilitywhilesomeagenciesmayrequiremultiplepickups.Thesedetailswillbespelledout B duringthetaskordercompetitionprocess. ( ̀  Q4.UnderClauseB.2,youhaveidentifiedminimumandmaximumamountsof$10,000.00   and$2,000,000.00,respectively.Giventhefactthatthiswillbeamultipleawardcontract, p!  withseveralcontractorsbiddingforeachrequirement,howwilltheminimumsbemet.In V"! addition,howmanycontractswillyouawardfromthis_RFP_?Willthecontractrecipientsbe <#" geographicallydispersedorwilltheyberequiredtoprovidenationwidecoverage? "$r# A4.AfterdiscussingtheissuewithinEPA,wehavedecidedtoawardsixcontracts(i.e,ifsix %>!% qualifiedproposalsarereceived)andpotentiallyasmanyasnineseparatecontractstofulfill &$"& theserequirements.Wearereservingtherighttoawardfewerthanninecontracts,ifwe ' #' determinethatlesscontractswilladequatelyfulfillourobjectives. (#( Sincethisisatotalsmallbusinesssetaside,andmostinterestedcontractorscannotprovide l*%* nationwidecoverage,wehavedecidedtosplittheninepotentialcontractsasfollows: R+&+  8,', 0 4 GroupAEPAwillawarduptothreenationwidecontracts,wherebyselected  contractorsmayberequiredtoproviderecyclingservicestoGovernmentagencies  anddepartmentsthathaveofficeslocatedwithinandthroughoutthe48continental | states;b4(#4(# 0 4 GroupBEPAwillawarduptothreeeasternU.S.contracts,wherebytheselected . ~ contractorswillcompeteforserviceswhichonlyrequirerecyclingservicesto  d agenciesanddepartmentsthearelocatedeastoftheMississippiriver(i.e.,some  J requirementsmayonlybeinDC,orNY,andsomemaybeforofficeslocatedin  0 severalcitiesintheeasterncontinentalU.S.;and  4(#4(# 0 4 GroupCEPAwillawarduptothreewesternU.S.contracts,wherebytheselected   contractorswillcompeteforserviceswhichonlyrequirerecyclingservicesto x  agenciesanddepartmentsthearelocatedwestoftheMississippiriver.^ 4(#4(# ThedecisiononwhethertheGroupAREADcontractorsbidonacertainrequirementor *z  GroupBorGroupCREADcontractorsbidoncertainrequirementswillbemadeafter ` contractaward,butbeforethetaskorderplacementprocess.Initially,wewillallowGroupA F nationwidecontractholderstocompetewithGroupBandCcontractholdersformost , requirements.  Inaddition,ifacontractorisselectedforservicesinonegroup,theycannotreceivea  contractwithinanothergroup.Withintheproposal,contractorsmustspecifytheirorderof t preferencewithregardtobeingselectedforGroupsA,B,orC. Z Withregardtothecontractminimumandmaximumquestion,sinceEPAisnotsurehow &v manyagenciesanddepartmentswillactuallyusetheseservicessinceitisnotrequiredby  \ ExecutiveOrderoranyotherstatute,wehavereducedtheminimumfrom$10,000.00to B $2,500.00andraisedthemaximumfrom$2,000,000.00to$5,000,000.00.Weanticipatethat ( afterthefirstyearofperformance,numerousagencieswillbeginutilizingtheservices.  However,governmentwideusageisdifficulttopredictgiventheeconomicsofFederalfiscal  budgeting.   Ѐ p!  ЀQ5.InthelistofequipmentinL.7,itlistsSGVAMONITORS.IbelieveyoumeanSVGA. <#" A5.Correct,thecitationischangedtoreadSVGA. %X $ Q6.WithintheStatementofObjectivesunderSectionC,itappearsthatlogisticalassistance ' #' isonlyprovidedforthosecomputersthataretobedonatedorredeployed.Pleaseclarifyif (#( thisiscorrect. )$) A6.Logisticalassistancewillbenecessarywhethertheitemswillbedonatedredeployed, R+&+ resold,orrecycled,etc.Wehavemodifiedthelanguageinthe_SOO_Ԁtobeclearthatlogistical 8,', assistanceisnotnecessarilytiedtoonlydonatedorredeployeditems.  Q7.TheREAD_SOO_Ԁmakesthespecificassumptionthatequipmentwillbe"centrally b located"priortotesting,auditingandtracking(paragraphDonPageC5).Wewould H requestthatthisclausedeletethereferenceto centrallylocatedandreadasfollows,"Once . ~ theequipmenthasbeenreceivedforprocessing,thecontractorwillperformtesting....  d A7.Wehavechangedthelanguagesothattestingisnot requiredatacentrallylocated  0 facility.However,theapproachfortestingtheequipmentshouldbeproposedanddiscussed    inthecontractorstechnicalapproach.    Q8.ShouldadditionalREADcontractorofferings,suchascreativeservicesnotenvisioned ^  aspartofthecorerequirements,besubmittedunder SuggestionsforAlternativeTermsand D  Conditionsbythe_Offeror_?Theseofferingswouldbeservicesofferedaboveandbeyond *z  thebasicrequirementsoftheRFPservices.Intheexplanationofthissection,itdiscourages ` exceptionsbutdoesnotstatewhereadditionalservicesmightbeproposed.Sincethe F contractisallaboutcreativesolutionsthatmaynothavebeenanticipated,contractors , respondingtotheRFPshouldreceiveguidancewheretolistandproposesuchadditional  services(assumingtheymeetcorerequirements).Finally,wheredoesthissectionbelongin  theProposalresponse,asEXCEPTIONS(Section3onL11)appliestotermsand  conditions,notnecessarilyadditionalcapabilitiesofdeliverablethatareoffered. t A8.IfyouhaveinnovativemethodologiesforaddressingandmeetingEPAsexpected @ requirements,thoseapproachesshouldbedescribedinthetechnicalproposal,yourtechnical &v approach,andpossiblyunderthesampletaskorder.Itisyourdecisiontomake.Our  \ technicalevaluationtakesintoconsiderationapproachesthatareinnovativeandgoabove B andbeyondtheminimumneeds.Thereferencetoalternativetermsandconditionsisfor ( _offerors_ԀwhocannotcomplywiththestandardFARclausesorEPArequirements,andwould  liketoproposealternativetermsandconditions.The SuggestionsforAlternativeTerms  andConditionsbythe_Offeror_isforalternatecontracttermsandconditions,nottechnical   approachesormethodologiesrelatedtomeetingtheStatementofObjectives. p!  Q9.OrderLimitationssectionI.3hasconfusing,almostcontradictory,languagein "$r# paragraph(d).Thewordingprovidesanexceptiontoanexception(b)and(c)thatmakesit %X $ unclearhowacontractoristorespondtoanorderthatisoverthelimit.Pleaserewordthisto %>!% makeitclearwhatyourintentionandacontractor'sresponseshouldbe. &$"& A9.TheorderinglimitationclauseisastandardFederalAcquisitionRegulation(FAR) (#( clausethatisdesignedtoprotectthecontractorsinterestandnotrequireacontractorto )$) fulfillarequirementthatthecontractorcannotandshouldnotbeexpectedtomeet. l*%* Paragraph(d)requirescompaniestohonoranorderunlesswearenotifiedthatyoucannot R+&+ honortheorder,thenwewillgotoanalternatesource.Therefore,theGovernmentprovides 8,', thecontractoranopportunitytoperformthework,ifitcan,butdoesnotrequireitdosoifit  cannot.WecannotchangethisclausewithoutgettingapprovalfromtheFARcouncilwhich  isundertheOfficeofFederalProcurementPolicy(_OFPP_),notEPA. | Q10.OnpageB6,thedraftRFPstatesthattheproposedratesforeachpieceofequipment . ~ "coversallexpenses,includingreportpreparation,salaries,overhead,generaland  d administrativeexpenses,andprofit."OnPageG3,underpriceproposalsfortaskorders,the  J proposalshouldincludedetailedcost/priceamountsfor"allresourcesrequiredtoaccomplish  0 theperformanceobjectives(i.e.manhours,equipment,travel,transportation,etc.).Itis    unclearwhetherfixedpricesperitemshouldincluderecyclingcostsincurredforprocessing    recycledwaste(plastic_regrinds_,metalscraps,etc.)Itmaybemorepriceadvantageousto   thegovernmenttorecyclewastenearthesourceoftheequipment(asitnegatestheneedto x  shipwastetotheREADcontractor'sfacility).However,sincetravelcostsarepaidforas ^  partofthetaskorderreimbursement,aREADcontractormayelecttohaveitemsshippedto D  his/herfacilityforprocessinginsteadofincurringrecyclecostsnearthegovernmentsource *z  facility.SimilarlyiftheGovernmentdoesnotpayforrecyclecostsforwaste,thereisan ` incentivetoplacerecycledwaste(suchasplasticgrinds)inlandfillsratherthanshipping F themorpayingtohavethemrecycled. , Ifthegovernmentisnotgoingtopayforafacilitytoacceptwaste(assumingthattheREAD  contractorincursthesecostsaspartofhisfixedpriceperelectronicitem),theREAD  contractorwillneedtofactorintheadditionrecycle/disposalcostsaspartofeachfixedprice t lineitem.Pleaseclarifyindetail,exactlywhatcostsarecoveredinthefixedpriceschedule Z inSectionBaspartoftheREADcontractor'sfixedcostperitem.Anycostnotlistedcan @ thenbeassumedasareimbursableexpenseunderthetaskorderpriceproposaladdressedon &v PageG3ofthedraft_RFP_.  \ A10.UnderclauseG.3, TaskOrderFairOpportunityProcess,weprovidedirection ( regardinghowtaskorderswillbecompetedaftercontractsareissued.Thepriceproposals  forindividualtaskordersmustincludepricinginformationthatcoversALLcostsassociated  withcompletelyrecyclingtheequipment,creatinganaudittrailontheitemsdestination,and   reportingthatinformationtothecustomer.Asdescribedinthebackgroundsectionofthe p!  _SOO_,thiscontactanticipatesprovidingallaspectsofelectronicrecycling,andcontractors V"! shouldpricetheirproposalsassuch.Thepricingshouldincludetheobjectivesdescribedin <#" the_SOO_,including processingrecycledwaste.Wedonotforesee_recyclers_Ԁdumping "$r# electronicsinalandfillorsellingitemstobrokerstohelpreducecostsunderthiscontract. %X $ Inaddition,aftercompetedtaskordersarecompleted,eachREADcontractorwillbegiven &$"& performancescoresbasedontheirabilitytocontrolcosts,satisfycustomerrequirements, ' #' etc.,sothattheGovernmentcanassesspastperformanceforfuturetaskordersdecisions.If (#( acontractorconsistentlyoverrunscostsbecausetheydidnotunderstandtherequirements,or )$) requestsincreasesinfundingtotheirtaskorderbecausetheirproposedapproachdidnot l*%* considereverythingrequiredforrecycling,thenpastperformancewillbedocumented R+&+ accordingly.Therefore,thepricinginSectionBandSectionG3shouldincludeALLcosts 8,', associatedwithALLaspectsofproperrecycling,assetdisposition,trackingandreporting.  ThelogisticsissuesisaddressedinQ&A#2and#3above.  Q11.Some_offerors_Ԁwillhavenopastperformanceinformation.Willthismeanthatvendors H withdocumentedpositivepastperformancewillhavea10%edgeintheearlyperiodofthe . ~ solicitation?  d A11.AsdescribedinProvisionL.6,PastPerformanceInformation,paragraph(_i_),_offerors_  0 withnorelevantpastperformancehistory,orforwhominformationonpastperformanceis    notavailable,willbeevaluatedneitherfavorablynorunfavorablyonpastperformance.0 !   !(#!(# Q12.WithregardtoClausesH.7,EPAElectronicRecyclingandAssetDisposition ^  Certification,willsuccessfulvendorsbecertifiedpriortoreceiptofelectronicmaterial? D  A12.EPAintendstoperformthecertificationauditattheselectedcontractorsfacilityprior ` totheselectedcontractorreceivingelectronicmaterialsfromcustomeragencies.However, F EPAwillnotperformtheH.7auditprocesspriortoawardofthecontractsinresponsetothis , solicitation.  Q13.Whowilldetermineifproposedpricedarerealisticallyhighorlow?Ifacompany t maintainstheexperience,technology,equipment,facilitiesandtrainedstafftoperformthis Z workthentheircostswillbesignificantlylowerthanavendorwhomustforma @  consortiumofcontractorstomeettherequirementsofthesolicitation.Thismayresultin &v significantdifferencesinproposedcoststhatcouldbedefinedasunrealistic.  \ A13.EPAwillevaluatecostreasonablenessandcostrealism,asdescribedinSectionMof ( thesolicitation.However,theinterpretationthata consortiumofcontractorsismore  expensivethanavendorwhoprovidesalltheservicesrequiredforthissolicitationisonly  speculation.Acostrealismandcostreasonableanalysisevaluateswhetherornotan_offeror_   candelivertheservicesatthepricesproposed.Thebusinesspracticesassociatedwith p!  meetingtherequirementsisadecisionthatthecontractormustmakewithoutFederal V"! influence. <#" ̀ %X $ TX$XXX$  (#(  jE14 <DL!XE#X$XXTX$+[#