V225--636-26-2-2096-0001 - Service - CBOC Ground Ambulance Transport - NWI (VA-26-00002538)

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to technical questions submitted by potential bidders regarding Solicitation 36C26326Q0311 for CBOC Ground Ambulance Transport services at the NWI VA Medical Center.

• Price Evaluation: Quotes will be evaluated based on total cost, not individual option years. The government acknowledges that quotes may account for mandatory annual wage revisions and labor cost increases.
• Mileage Estimates: The estimated 18,000 ground miles includes long-distance regional transfers to facilities such as Omaha or Des Moines, as the Lincoln and Grand Island CBOCs often require transports to the Omaha VAMC.
• Capacity Requirements: The minimum requirement for four (4) simultaneous requests for ambulance capacity can be reduced to two (2) units for the CBOC contract.
• Set-Aside Status: The Grand Island requirement will not be designated as a Small Business set-aside due to market research indicating insufficient capable small businesses in the rural area.
• Clinical Interventions: Requirements are based on the providers requesting transport, but all units must be capable of handling emergencies during transit.
• Monitoring Specifications: The requirement for "2 temperature monitoring" refers to dual-channel simultaneous monitoring capability, meaning the equipment must monitor two temperature sources.
• Investigative Requirements: Fingerprints from the Nebraska State Patrol for EMS licensing are not accepted; all fingerprints must be completed by the VA.
• Response Time: The 45-minute response time means the ambulance must arrive on scene within 45 minutes of being contacted, not just dispatched.

These clarifications address bidder inquiries regarding pricing, operational scope, capacity, and compliance requirements. No changes to the response date or submission deadline were indicated.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is a Request for Quote (RFQ) for Non-Emergent ambulance transportation services. The services are required for the Grand Island VA Medical Center & Lincoln CBOC, their associated Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), and Community Living Center (CLC). The contractor will provide vehicles, personnel, management, supplies, and equipment for Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ALS), and Specialty Care/Critical Care Transport (SCT/CCT) stretcher transport services on an as-needed basis, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Provide Non-Emergent ambulance transportation services (BLS, ALS, SCT/CCT Tiers 1, 2, and 3).

• Transport patients, luggage, medical records, and comfort items.

• Ensure contractor personnel are courteous, professional, and meet specific qualifications (EMTs, Paramedics, CCTPs, Ambulance Drivers).

• Maintain ambulances that meet all applicable federal, state, and local regulations and specifications.

• Utilize the VetRide Vendor Portal or VA-approved transportation software for all patient transports.

• Adhere to specific response times for scheduled and unscheduled transports.

• Follow procedures for patient welfare, incident reporting, and invoicing.

• Comply with COVID-19 and other infectious disease transport protocols, including PPE usage and vehicle cleaning.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price.

• Period of Performance: Date of Award through 02/28/2031, with five ordering periods.

• Place of Performance: Variable, within Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.

• Quotes must be emailed to amanda.patterson-elliott@va.gov by 02/20/2026, 5:00pm CST.

• All questions are due by 02/06/2026, 5:00pm CST.

• Quotes will be evaluated based on technical submission, past performance, SDVOSB/VOSB status, and price.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• The acquisition is set aside for UNRESTRICTED or SMALL BUSINESS.

• NAICS Code: 621910 (Ambulance Services) with a size standard of $22.5 Million.

• The solicitation includes FAR provisions 52.212-1 and 52.212-2, and their addendums.

• Attachment A: Specialty Care / Critical Care Transport (SCT/CCT) Capabilities Confirmation.

• Attachment B: VTS Patient Transport PPE and Vehicle Cleaning/Disinfection SOP.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, prepared in accordance with FAR Subpart 12.6 and conducted using FAR Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Network Contracting Office 23 is requesting quotes for ground ambulance transport services for the NWI VA Health Care System located in Omaha, Nebraska. This announcement is the only solicitation, and quotes are being requested.

The solicitation details contract line items, quantities, and units of measure within the attached documentation. The VA anticipates awarding one firm-fixed-price contract.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price

• Period of Performance: Not explicitly stated, but implied to cover the period of service required.

• Estimated Value: Not stated.

• Submission Instructions: Quotes are required to be emailed to amanda.patterson-elliott@va.gov by the response date and time. Offerors are responsible for ensuring their quote is received in its entirety before the closing.

• Evaluation Criteria: FAR provisions 52.212-1, 52.212-2, and 52.212-3 apply and are detailed within the attached solicitation document.

• Key Deadlines:

  • Technical questions due: February 6, 2026, 5:00 PM CST
  • Quotes due: February 20, 2026, 5:00 PM CST

• Procurement: Unrestricted.

• NAICS Code: 621910 (Ambulance Services) with a size standard of $22.5 million.

• Registration: Prospective offerors must be registered and current in the System for Award Management (SAM) database at the time of offer.

• Responsibility: Quotes will only be accepted from responsible contractors.

• The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are effective through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2025-26 (10/01/2025).

• The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) does not apply.

• Several Wage Determinations (2015-5771, 2015-5005, 2015-5351) are attached.

• Contact Amanda Patterson-Elliott (amanda.patterson-elliott@va.gov) for questions and information.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-5351, Revision No. 29) for the Service Contract Act. It lists the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations in Nebraska County of Lancaster.

• Occupational codes and titles
• Corresponding minimum hourly wage rates
• Required fringe benefits (Health & Welfare: $5.55/hour or $222.00/week; EO 13706 Health & Welfare: $5.09/hour or $203.60/week)
• Notes on Executive Orders 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and 13658 (Minimum Wage) and their applicability to contractors.
• Information on vacation and holiday entitlements.
• Guidance on the conformance process for unlisted classifications.

This document is critical for bidders to understand the minimum labor costs associated with performing the contract. It dictates the baseline wages and benefits that must be paid to employees working on the contract, directly impacting proposal pricing and overall cost management. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these requirements.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-5005, Revision No. 27) that outlines minimum wage rates and fringe benefits for various occupations in Iowa (Counties of Harrison, Mills, Pottawattamie) and Nebraska (Counties of Cass, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders, Washington). It lists specific hourly rates for a wide range of job classifications, from administrative support and clerical roles to health occupations, technical roles, and service occupations.

This wage determination is crucial for any contractor bidding on or performing federal service contracts within the specified geographic areas. It establishes the minimum hourly wage rates and required fringe benefits that must be paid to employees working on such contracts. Bidders must consult this document to accurately calculate labor costs for their proposals and ensure compliance with federal labor laws, including the Service Contract Act and Executive Orders related to paid sick leave and minimum wage for federal contractors.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor "REGISTER OF WAGE DETERMINATIONS UNDER THE SERVICE CONTRACT ACT." It provides a list of occupational codes, titles, and corresponding minimum wage rates and fringe benefits applicable to federal service contracts in Nebraska, specifically for the counties of Hall, Howard, and Merrick. It includes general wage and fringe benefit information, as well as specific notes regarding Executive Orders 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and 13658 (Minimum Wage), and details on vacation and holiday policies.

This document is crucial for bidders responding to Service Contract Act solicitations in the specified geographic area. It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits that must be paid to service employees working on the contract. Bidders must use these rates when calculating their labor costs and preparing their proposals to ensure compliance with federal regulations. The document also outlines specific requirements for paid sick leave, vacation, and holidays, which impact overall compensation and benefits packages.