RFQ Shuttle Services for VA Central California Health Care System

VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF · VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF · 261-NETWORK CONTRACT OFFICE 21 (36C261) is soliciting V222--RFQ Shuttle Services for VA Central California Health Care System. Solicitation number 36C26127Q0051. Classified under NAICS 485410 — School and Employee Bus Transportation. Product/service code V222 — TRANSPORTATION/TRAVEL/RELOCATION- TRAVEL/LODGING/RECRUITMENT: PASSENGER MOTOR CHARTER. Responses are due by 19 November 2026 23:00 UTC. Posted on SAM.gov, the US federal contract opportunities system; registration is required to bid.

Question and Answer

Section B.2 prices each CLIN per day for a defined number of buses and hours. PWS

Section 3 states the Government may increase or decrease shuttle bus counts and "shall only pay for services provided," and the PWS requires invoices to list each vehicle and its hours of operation. If the Government orders fewer or more buses or hours than a CLIN describes, how will the day rate be adjusted? Should offerors assume a proportional per-bus-hour adjustment derived from the CLIN unit price? VA response Yes, a proportional per-bus-hour adjustment will be made. CLINs 0001 and 0002 state that at least one of the seven buses must be ADA compliant to supplement Route C during peak hours. Please confirm that this supplemental bus is one of the seven buses in CLINs 0001/0002, and not an additional bus beyond the eight the Government estimates in PWS Section 3 VA response - Confirmed. The additional ADA-compliant shuttle that supplements Route C during peak hours is one of the seven peak-period buses under CLINs 0001 and 0002. Together with the one dedicated ADA-compliant Route C shuttle operating from 5:00 am to 5:30 pm, the Government estimates a total requirement of eight shuttles. PWS Section 4 shows the Route C peak supplement running 3:00 pm 5:30 pm, while CLIN 0002 runs 3:00 pm 6:00 pm. Please confirm the afternoon service window for the supplemental ADA bus. VA response Confirmed. The afternoon service window for the additional ADA-compliant shuttle supplementing Route C is 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm as this specific lot will close at 5:30pm. The Target Lot and Masonic Temple are available until 6:00 pm. Will the Government issue a single task order at award covering all of Ordering Period 1, or periodic task orders? Please also state the anticipated award date VA response One task order will be issued for Ordering Period 1. We would like to award the contract within 30 days of the solicitation response due date is possible. Will the Government consider an economic price adjustment for fuel (FAR 52.216-4) given current fuel price volatility? If not, please confirm fuel risk remains with the contractor under the firm-fixed-price terms? VA response Economic Price Adjustment will not be included as part of this contract. Please confirm that FAR 52.222-43 applies at the start of each ordering period, so that wage determination revisions incorporated at each anniversary will be addressed by contract modification. VA response The latest revision of the wage determination will be incorporated into the contract for each ordering period. Clause 52.222-42 identifies 31290 Shuttle Bus Driver, and Attachment 2 (WD 2015-5609, Rev. 31) lists both 31290 Shuttle Bus Driver and 31030 Bus Driver. PWS Sections 5 and 9.2 require a Class B license with passenger endorsement. Please confirm that 31290 Shuttle Bus Driver is the applicable classification for drivers under this contract. VA response Confirmed. 31290 Shuttle Bus Driver is the applicable classification for drivers under this contract as it relates to drivers operating shuttle services that move passengers between designated locations (i.e. parking facilities, campuses, airports, hospitals, or similar installations). Is there a current or recent incumbent providing this level of effort (LOE)? If so, can you please provide the incumbent name, contract award number and contract award value? What changes have been made from the old contract to the new contract? Can the provide an IGCE range or historical pricing? VA response Only questions pertaining to this solicitation will be answered. Please provide available ridership data by route and time period (for example, average and peak boardings per hour at each pickup location), and the number of buses currently in service on each route. VA response - The PWS statement that approximately 1,200 or more employees are anticipated during the weekday morning and afternoon peak periods is confirmed. With a consistent average that 20 employees are transported per trip, approximately 6-8 trips are made by each shuttle bus for each morning and peak hour timeframe. The specific number of routes completed for each lot varies from day-to-day based on employee utilization of each parking lot. Morning Peak Hours: 5:00 am 9:00 am and Afternoon Peak Hours: 3:00 pm 6:00 pm, are confirmed and this spans across all pickup locations. There will be an observable drop in routes run after 8:00 am as most employees begin their tours at 8:00 am. Similar for afternoon, there will be an observable increase in route run after 4:30m pm, as this is when most employees end their tours. Currently, there are 7 buses that collectively service Route A and Route B. With 1 ADA bus dedicated to Route C that covers the time period between 5:00 am 5:30 pm. For Route C, additional ADA compliant shuttles that are primarily dedicated to Route A and Route B can support non-routine circumstances to remain under 15 minute wait times when there is an influx of ADA passengers that need transport. Please provide any current route maps for Routes A, B and C, including the designated pick-up and drop-off zones at each off-site location and at VACCHCS Bldg. 1 referenced in PWS Section 6.1, and any required ingress / egress points or travel restrictions on the VACCHCS campus. VA response Current route maps provided (Route Maps). Routes represented in dark blue would be the directions for the shuttle coming from the offsite parking lots to the VA medical center. Route map will list parking lots as Lot 2, 3, 4. Lot 2 = Route C Lot 3 = Route B Lot 4 = Route A The pick-up/drop-off zone at the medical center is located at the back of the medical center and is approached from Fresno Ave. and making the turn to go eastbound on Harvard Ave. Designated signs will be placed on wall next to loading zone that runs along Harvard Ave. Medical center shuttle zone is located on Harvard Ave. and will require no use of ingress/egress points. Alternate routes will be taken when departing back of medical center to offsite parking lots as buses will be continuing their path going eastbound on Harvard Ave. Lot 2 = Route C: Will have one point of entry and exit. No defined pick-up/drop-off zone. Buses will enter parking area and stop in place to safely pick-up/drop-off employee while not impeding flow of vehicles entering/exiting parking lot. Lot 3 = Route B: Entry point will be located on right-side of Masonic Temple infrastructure. Exit will be on opposite site (left-side of building). No defined pick-up/drop-off zone, but buses will look to part toward the middle, left-side of the parking lot to not impede flow of vehicles entering/exiting parking lot. Lot 4 = Route A: Multiple entry ways as buses navigate through large parking lot shared by Target and surrounding businesses. Lot 4 will be located directly behind the Golden Dynasty restaurant. Buses will not enter this parking lot area that is fenced off from main parking lot. Buses will park alongside fence as designated pick-up/drop-off zone. Route C bus operates continuously from 5:00 am to 5:30 pm. Is there an approved location on the VACCHCS campus or at the Route C pickup point where this vehicle may lay over briefly between trips and during driver relief? VA response Route C bus may continue to use the pick-up/drop-off zone at the back of the medical center throughout the day and is approached from Fresno Ave. and making the turn to go eastbound on Harvard Ave. This area is designated with shuttle signs and zone will be restricted to shuttle buses only. Please identify the background investigation and PIV / identification card requirements for drivers and the on-site supervisor under clause 852.204-72, and the typical processing time, so offerors can account for it in the mobilization plan. VA response Non US Citizens, VHA Personnel Security Intake will be 30-90 days for completion (Active Passport, Birth Certificate, Valid ID, and Green Card). US Citizens do not complete this requirement. Flash Badges will be established rather than PIV Badges. Backgrounds checks will be completed in 2-3 weeks upon submission of appropriate forms to WMC Personnel Security. USAccess profile is established, fingerprints are taken, and results of successful adjudication is complete within 30 days. Badge will be available for pickup and contractor/driver will coordinate pickup with PIV office as a walk-in. For badge pickup, two forms of ID (real ID, valid passport, SSN card). If background checks come back as favorable from Personnel Security, driver may being right away as USAccess process is completed for badge creation/retrieval. Please confirm the Government's method for measuring the 95% wait-time compliance standard in PWS Section 16.2. Will contractor-provided GPS or trip records serve as the basis of measurement? VA response - The COR will review response-time records monthly to determine compliance with the requirement to maintain at least a 95% rate of wait times under 15 minutes. The contractor will maintain daily trip records and monthly dispatch response-time records. COR will complete routine observation of buses presenting to the various drop off location for wait time compliance. The PWS does not require GPS as the exclusive measurement method, but this may be used; contractor records must be sufficient for the COR s monthly review. Section E.2 requests evidence of owned or leased shuttles, or evidence of capability to purchase. Will a signed lease agreement or lessor commitment satisfy this requirement for vehicles to be placed in service by the contract start date? VA response Yes, a signed lease agreement or lessor commitment is acceptable. P WS Section 13.1 requests an original and one copy of the Quality Control Program with the quote. Please confirm that including the QCP within Volume 1 Technical Submission satisfies this requirement and state any page limits for each volume. VA response Confirmed. Including the QCP within Volume 1 Technical Submission satisfies this requirement and no limits to pages for each volume. Can you provide any documents actually listing scope of service, what is being offered, etc. VA response Refer to Section B.3 Performance Work Statement of the Solicitation. Is this RFQ restricted to SBA-certified SDVOSBs, or may a small business that is not SDVOSB-certified submit a quote as prime contractor? VA response As listed in block 10 of the 1449, this is a 100% SDVOSB set-aside. Are there any specific eligibility, relevant past-performance, or fleet-availability requirements that must be satisfied at the time of quotation rather than before contract performance? VA response Review the solicitation in its entirety. What vehicle capacity, fleet size, and service coverage would be required to successfully fulfill this contract? VA response Refer to Section B.3 Performance Work Statement in the Solicitation. Are there any additional vendor registrations, certifications, or documents we should complete to be considered? VA Response - Refer to Section B.3 Performance Work Statement in the Solicitation. How many buses currently run on each route (A, B, and C) at peak, and what size are they? VA Response 7 buses will collectively service Route A and Route B. Buses can be assigned to specific routes, but it may be best to establish flexibility as use of lots vary from day-to-day based on employee preference to where they park each day. 1 bus will be dedicated to Route C, with any additional ADA compliant buses out of the other 7 providing Route C support if/when needed. This will be to cover the complete Morning and Afternoon Peak hours listed in Performance Work Statement Section Shuttle Schedule and Addresses. Bus sizes accommodate 18-24 passengers. Can the Government provide ridership counts by route and by half hour for the morning and afternoon peaks? VA Response We are unable to provide counts by route and by half hour. Refer to question 9 for ridership data. Is any on-campus space available for a driver break area or for vehicle staging between peaks? VA Response No Government-provided on-campus break or staging area is available, expect for Route C bus. The contractor is responsible for securing and maintaining authorized parking and staging locations, and the Government will not provide shuttle parking, storage, or staging areas. Route C bus may continue to use the pick-up/drop-off zone located at the back of the medical center throughout the day and is approached from Fresno Ave. and making the turn to go eastbound on Harvard Ave. This area is designated with shuttle signs and zone will be restricted to shuttle buses only. Can the Government provide the federal holiday schedule for the contract, and are any new parking lots or stops expected before February 1, 2027? VA Response See PWS Section 6.3 for Federal Holidays. No new parking lots or stops expected before February 1, 2027. Do the two peak-only ADA shuttles on Route C need to be lift-equipped, or are low-floor vehicles with ramps acceptable? VA Response No restrictions or Government preferences to which type of ADA shuttle is used. Vehicle needs to be ADA compliant. Is there a space on site that would be available for overnight storing of shuttles? VA Response No. The Government will not provide overnight parking, storage, or staging space. The contractor is responsible for securing and maintaining authorized locations for all shuttle vehicles after daily operations. Please confirm that the applicable Service Contract Act occupation for the drivers on this contract is 31290 Shuttle Bus Driver rather than 31030 Bus Driver, given the vehicle size of 20+ passengers under the PWS. VA Response See response to Question 7. Can the on-site supervisor also serve as dispatcher and as a backup driver? VA Response - Yes Will the VA accept leased vehicles for performance of this contract, and what vehicle model-year or mileage limits (if any) apply? VA Response Yes, VA will accept leased vehicles. No vehicle model-year or mileage limits apply.