36--Postal Equipment Lease for VISN 15 Questions & Answers in Reply to Vendors

1. Will the VA allow alternate proposals along with main submission? Yes, ensure it states on proposal as so… 2. Neopost USA would like to know if the VA's intention is to engage in a 48 month lease with the included GSA Termination clauses or if the VA's intention is to receive a 12 month payment program? 48 month lease with the included GSA Termination clauses 3. Page 7: Item 7 (a) Responsibilities of Contractor has a clause stating "Any and all parts used must be new or factory rebuilt for that model and type of device." Please clarify is new or factory rebuilt only for parts? What about the main unit? "Main unit can be included" 4. Page 7: Item 7 (c) Responsibilities of Contractor has a clause stating "Contractor shall include all hardware and software, updates, patches, and revisions, and licenses to already purchased devices and options at no additional charge to the VA Medical Center." Please explain what is meant by "already purchased devices." Does this mean that the awarded vendor is responsible for this requirement on competitive equipment as well? The following will be removed from RFQ "to already purchased devices and options at no additional charge" 5. Page 8: Price Schedule and Page 34 Section C.7 52.217-9 Option to extend the term of the contract (Mar 2000). The price schedule lists a Base Year, and Option Year One, Option Year Two, Option Year Three, for a total of 4 years, however under section C.7 it states "(c) The total duration of this contract, including the exercise of any options under this clause, shall not exceed 3 years." Please clarify if this is a 3 year contract or a 4 year contract. In addition, if it is a 3 year contract, please clarify if the lease period is a Base year with 2 option years of a base period with 3 option years. If it is a 4 year contract, is it the VA's intent to have a 12 month lease or a 48 month lease? It will be a 4 year contract, 12 month lease with 3 option years 6. Please advise as to the status of competitive equipment that is currently installed at certain VA VISN 15 that was either procured by the local VA or VISN 15 contracting. This is in reference to competitive equipment that has been installed within the last 36 months. What is going to happen to the competitive equipment or contract once this is fulfilled? Will be returned to incumbent if they are not awarded the contract….. 7. Page 37 - Section E.1 FSS Introductory Language states "The terms and conditions of the contractor's FSS contract (including any contract modifications) apply to all Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA) and task or delivery orders issued under the contract as a result of this RFQ. When a lower price has been established, or when the delivery terms, FOB terms, or ordering requirements have been modified by the BPA or task/delivery order, those modified terms will apply to all purchases made pursuant to it and take precedence over the FSS contract. Any unique terms and conditions of a BPA or order issued under the contract that are not a part of the applicable FSS contract will govern. In the event of an inconsistency between the terms and conditions of a BPA or task/delivery order and the Contractor's FSS terms, other than those identified above, the terms of the FSS contract will take precedence." As this is a BPA will all the location requirements be issued under one Purchase Order or will each location issue individual Purchase orders over some period of time. Purchase orders will be issued from individual stations. This will be a FSS contract 8. Page 4-States Ability to weigh letters and packages up to 60 pounds which cannot be fed through the machine. Change to "Ability to weigh letters and packages up to 30 pounds which cannot be fed through the machine".