CRSU Medical, Biohazardous, and Pharmaceutical Waste Pick-Up & Disposal Services

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the "CRSU Medical, Biohazardous, and Pharmaceutical Waste Pick-Up & Disposal Services" opportunity (Notice ID: IHS1522954).

• Pickup Schedule: IHS requires weekly pickup as indicated in the SOW, not bi-weekly.
• Pharmaceutical Waste: Pharmaceutical waste may include both hazardous and non-hazardous materials.
• Sharps Containers: IHS will provide its own plastic sharps containers.
• Pricing: IHS is seeking Firm Fixed Pricing; a pricing amendment due to gas prices is not sufficient.
• Additional Container Cost: The "One additional container cost" on the pricing sheet refers to Regulated Medical Waste (RMW).

This Q&A document clarifies specific requirements related to pickup frequency, waste types, container provision, and pricing structure. Bidders should ensure their proposals align with these clarifications, particularly regarding the weekly pickup schedule and firm fixed pricing.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To obtain safe, compliant, and timely collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of regulated medical waste (RMW) and pharmaceutical waste generated by the Colorado River Service Unit (CRSU) at Parker Indian Hospital.

• Scheduled pick-up, transportation, treatment, and disposal of regulated medical and pharmaceutical waste.

• Supply compliant waste containers and replace damaged ones.

• Transport waste to an authorized treatment and disposal facility.

• Provide manifests, certificates of destruction, and required regulatory documents.

• Provide annual DOT/HazMat training to CRSU staff.

• Maintain compliance with all applicable regulations.

• Disposal services cannot be subcontracted without Contracting Officer approval.

• Timely pickups: Per weekly schedule (100% AQL)

• Manifest accuracy: Fully compliant (100% AQL)

• Proper disposal: Valid certificates of destruction (100% AQL)

• Training delivery: Annual, 20 staff minimum (100% AQL)

• Safety & compliance: Zero regulatory violations (100% AQL)

• Base Year: 12 months

• Option Years: Up to four (4) one-year option periods.

• Location: Parker Indian Hospital, Parker, Arizona

• Applicable Regulations: 49 CFR Parts 171-180 (DOT), 29 CFR 1910.1030 (OSHA), 40 CFR Parts 260–273 (EPA RCRA), Arizona Administrative Code (Biohazardous Medical Waste), California Health & Safety Code (Medical Waste Management Act, if applicable), IHS Environmental Health & Safety Guidelines, CRSU Waste Management Requirements.

• Training: Annual DOT and hazardous materials training for CRSU personnel (minimum 20 staff).

• Invoicing: Submit invoices through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

• Security: Personnel must follow CRSU access procedures, wear identification badges, adhere to safety requirements, and report incidents within 24 hours.

• Point of Contact: Carol Becker, Director, Infection Prevention, Parker Indian Hospital.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-5479, Revision 29) for the Service Contract Act, applicable to Arizona County of La Paz. It lists various occupational codes, titles, and their corresponding minimum hourly wage rates and fringe benefits required for federal contracts in that region.

This document is crucial for potential bidders on federal contracts in Arizona County of La Paz. It establishes the minimum wage and fringe benefit rates that must be paid to service employees working on covered contracts. Bidders must consult this document to accurately calculate labor costs and ensure compliance with federal regulations when preparing their proposals. It details rates for a wide range of occupations, from administrative support to technical and health occupations, and includes information on paid sick leave, vacation, holidays, and hazardous pay differentials.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation (RFQ) issued by the Phoenix Area Indian Health Service for commercial products and services. The acquisition is set aside 100% for Small Business. The NAICS code is 562211 with a size standard of $47.0 Million.

• The specific services or products to be procured are detailed in an attached "Statement of Work" and "Price Schedule".

• The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses by reference, including those related to commercial products and services, options to extend services/contract term, small business set-asides, labor standards, and payment procedures.

• The contract type is not explicitly stated but implied to be a fixed-price contract based on the RFQ format and "Price Schedule" attachment.

• Options to extend services and the contract term are included (FAR 52.217-8 and FAR 52.217-9).

• The total duration of the contract, including options, shall not exceed 1 Year 6 Months.

• Offer Due Date: April 17, 2026, at 4:30 PM MST.

• Offers will be evaluated on a "Lowest Price Technically Acceptable" basis.

• Evaluation factors include Technical Acceptability (demonstrating compliance with all requirements) and Price (evaluated for reasonableness).

• Instructions to Offerors are provided via FAR 52.212-1.

• This acquisition is a 100% Small Business set-aside.

• The solicitation includes numerous FAR and HHSAR clauses incorporated by reference, covering various aspects of contract performance, payment, and compliance.

• Payment requests are to be submitted electronically via the Department of Treasury Invoice Processing Platform (IPP), unless alternate procedures are authorized in writing.

• A site visit is mentioned (FAR 52.237-1), but details are not provided in this excerpt.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a detailed price schedule for the Biomedical Hazardous Waste contract. It outlines the pricing structure for various services across a base period and four option years.

• Project Title: Biomedical Hazardous Waste
• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price (FFP)
• Services: Pickup and disposal of regulated medical waste, pharmaceutical waste mail back, and additional container fees.
• Pricing Structure: The schedule includes columns for Quantity, Unit, Unit Price, and Total Price for each service line item, broken down by Base Period and Option Years One through Four.
• Current Pricing: All listed unit prices and total prices are currently $0.00 for all service items across all contract periods.

This pricing sheet provides the structure for how costs should be presented for the Biomedical Hazardous Waste services. Bidders should use this template to input their proposed pricing for each service line item and contract period. The current $0.00 values indicate that specific pricing details are either to be filled in by the bidder or will be addressed in subsequent documentation or negotiations. Bidders must carefully review and complete this schedule as part of their proposal submission.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the Indian Health Service (IHS) Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form. It serves as a self-certification for offerors to confirm they meet the definition of an "Indian Economic Enterprise" as required by the Buy Indian Act. This form is to be submitted in response to a Sources Sought Notice, Request for Information (RFI), or Solicitation.

• Eligibility Criteria: The enterprise must meet the definition of "Indian Economic Enterprise" at the time of offer, contract award, and throughout the contract performance period.
• Notification Requirement: Contractors must immediately notify the Contracting Officer in writing if they no longer meet eligibility requirements.
• Documentation: Contracting Officers may request eligibility documentation before awarding set-aside or sole source contracts under the Buy Indian Act.
• Registration: Successful offerors must be registered with the System of Award Management (SAM).
• Penalties: False or misleading information is punishable under federal law.
• Representation Section: Offerors must indicate whether they do or do not meet the definition of an "Indian Economic Enterprise" with "Indian Ownership."
• Required Fields: Name of Federally Recognized Tribal Entity, Name of the 51% owner of IEE Firm, Business Name, DUNS Number, Certifying Signature, and Print Name.

This form is critical for any bidder seeking to participate in opportunities designated under the Buy Indian Act. Bidders must accurately complete this self-certification to demonstrate their eligibility. Failure to meet the criteria or provide accurate information can lead to disqualification or penalties. It also highlights the potential need for supporting documentation and SAM registration.

Sources Sought Notice

This notice is a Sources Sought, serving as market research to determine compliance with the Buy Indian Act and to inform a potential set-aside decision. It is not a Request for Quote.

The Indian Health Service (IHS), Colorado River Service Unit (CRSU), requires contractor support for:

• Safe, compliant, and timely collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of regulated medical waste and hazardous pharmaceutical waste.

• Provision of compliant biohazardous and pharmaceutical waste containers.

• Weekly medical waste pickups.

• Annual pharmaceutical waste mail-back disposal.

• Manifesting and documentation, including certificates of destruction.

• Adherence to all applicable federal, state, tribal, and IHS regulations.

• Annual DOT and hazardous materials training for CRSU personnel.

• Furnishing all labor, equipment, permits, and supervision.

• Ensuring disposal at properly permitted facilities.

• NAICS Code: 562112 – Hazardous Waste Collection

• Place of Performance: Colorado River Service Unit, 12033 Agency Road, Parker, AZ 85344

• Interested firms must respond in writing.

• Response Date/Time: 1/19/2025 1:00 PM EST.

• The government will use responses to make an acquisition decision.

• The IHS Contracting Officer will give priority for purchases to Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs) through set-aside to the maximum extent possible.

• Definitions for Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) and ISBEE are provided.

• Vendors must indicate their business category (IEE or ISBEE).

• Vendors must provide a capability statement addressing their qualifications.

• Documentation from the manufacturer is required if the firm is an authorized distributor.

• To support the Buy Indian Act, vendors must provide an IHS Indian Economic Enterprise Representation form and identify the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Corporation upon which they rely for IEE status.

• Prospective contractors must be registered in SAM and complete electronic annual representations and certifications.

• Attachment 1: IHS Indian Economic Enterprise Representation form

• Attachment 2: Statement of Work

Statement of Work (SOW)

To obtain safe, compliant, and timely collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of regulated medical waste (RMW) and pharmaceutical waste generated by the Colorado River Service Unit (CRSU) at Parker Indian Hospital.

• Scheduled pick-up, transportation, treatment, and disposal of RMW and pharmaceutical waste.

• Services include supplying compliant waste containers, removing filled containers, transporting waste to an authorized facility, providing manifests and certificates of destruction, and providing annual DOT/HazMat training to CRSU staff.

• Disposal services cannot be subcontracted without Contracting Officer approval.

• Timely pickups: Per weekly schedule (100% AQL)

• Manifest accuracy: Fully compliant (100% AQL)

• Proper disposal: Valid certificates of destruction (100% AQL)

• Training delivery: Annual, 20 staff minimum (100% AQL)

• Safety & compliance: Zero regulatory violations (100% AQL)

• Base Year: 12 months

• Option Years: Up to four (4) one-year option periods.

• Location: Parker Indian Hospital, Parker, Arizona.

• Applicable Regulations: Must comply with DOT, OSHA, EPA, Arizona Administrative Code, California Health & Safety Code (if applicable), IHS guidelines, and CRSU Waste Management Requirements.

• Training: Provide annual DOT and hazardous materials training for CRSU personnel (minimum 20 staff).

• Invoicing: Submit invoices through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

• Security: Contractor personnel must follow CRSU access procedures, wear identification badges, adhere to safety requirements, and report incidents within 24 hours.

• Containers: Provide all necessary biohazard and pharmaceutical waste containers, ensuring they meet DOT, OSHA, EPA, and state standards. Replace damaged containers at no cost and return clean, empty containers.

• Manifesting: Provide compliant manifests for each pickup and certificates of destruction after final disposal. Retain records for at least three years and provide electronic copies to CRSU.

• Waste Types: Medical Waste (weekly pickup, 5-6 containers avg. 44-45 gallons) and Flammable/Toxic Hazardous Pharmaceutical Waste (annual mail-back disposal, four 5-gallon containers per quarter).

• Government TPOC: Carol Becker, Director, Infection Prevention, Parker Indian Hospital. (928) 669-3361, carol.becker@ihs.gov