636-17-1-5046-0001 Organic Food Waste Recycling
This is a sources sought notice only and it is not a solicitation announcement. The purpose of this sources sought notice is to gain knowledge of qualified potential contractors and their socio-economic size classification in accordance with NAICS code 562219. Responses will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions.
After a review of the responses to this sources sought notice, a solicitation announcement may be posted to Federal Business Opportunity website (www.FBO.gov). A response to this sources sought notice is not an adequate reply to the forthcoming solicitation.
Sources Sought Notice
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Company Name: _____________________________________________________________
Company Address: ___________________________________________________________
DUNS Number: _____________________________________________________________
Point of Contact: ____________________________________________________________
Phone Number: _____________________________________________________________
Email Address: _____________________________________________________________
Socio-economic Classification in Accordance with NAICS Code 811310: (check all that apply)
Small Business
Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
Verified SDVOSB by www.vip.vetbiz.gov
Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB)
Verified VOSB by www.vip.vetbiz.gov
Small Disadvantage Business
Women-owned Small Business
Economically Disadvantaged Small Business
HUBZone
8(a) Certified
Company s Capability Statement for Emergency Generator and Transfer Switch Maintenance: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)
For
Organic Waste Composting Service
A. GENERAL INFORMATION
PROJECT TITLE: Organic Waste Composting Service for Veterans Affairs Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System (VA NWIHCS).
BACKGROUND: The requirement for organic waste composting service is needed in order to reduce the amount of food scraps and other compostable, non-hazardous waste, within VA NWIHCS from entering the standard waste stream and out of landfills. The objective of VA NWIHCS is to comply with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the VA CIHCS Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) goals of recycling food discards and other compostable items into composting and/or energy generation. The service is one of several components that strive toward continued improvement in environmental programs that operate using sustainable practices to eliminate, minimize, or mitigate adverse environmental impacts while adhering to good stewardship to the environment.
APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS: The references below support the requirement for Organic Waste Composting Service at VA NWIHCS:
USDA Release No. 0112.13:
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2013/06/0112.xml&navid=NEWS_RELEASE&navtype=RT&parentnav=LATEST_RELEASES&edeployment_action=retrievecontent
US EPA Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) Policy:
https://www.fedcenter.gov/Documents/index.cfm?id=5874&pge_prg_id=8588&pge_id=1863
US EPA Wastes, Resource Conservation: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/composting/index.htm
The Federal Green Challenge: http://www.epa.gov/federalgreenchallenge/
SCOPE: The vendor shall develop and provide the Government with a turn-key organic waste composting service at the VA NWIHCS campus located at 4101 Woolworth Avenue, Omaha, NE 68105. The vendor shall provide within two weeks of award; all required training to implement collection, indoor and outdoor waste collection containers, outdoor waste container cleaning, and scheduled weekly waste removal. Focus will be in the food service area for collection, with estimated output of less than two tons per week. After the first month of performance, the vendor will begin providing a monthly report of waste collected from VA NWIHCS. Organic waste is defined as waste to include: food waste, produce, bakery goods, dairy and deli, frozen foods, paper, waxed cardboard, clean wood waste, yard waste, and compostable products (cups, plates, and cutlery).
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES: Implement a cost effective organic waste composting service that reduces the overall solid waste output from the Omaha, NE Veterans Administration.
DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE:
Description
Requirements
Delivery Date
Task 1: VA NWIHCS Employee Organic Composting Training
Training: The vendor shall provide initial training to the Government staff to educate the use of the vendor collection system and proper sorting of organic waste at the point of generation, with sufficient time allowed for full comprehension of the collection process. The vendor shall provide any references, posters, or manuals required to comply with the vendor collection procedures. Provide sustainment and refresher training as required.
Within eight weeks of award.
Task 2: Provide the required indoor and outdoor waste collection containers
Indoor Collection Containers: The vendor shall provide indoor collection containers to support a minimum of eight locations (8) at the point of generation within the kitchen and serving areas. The indoor collection containers must have a lid and be able to be safely handled by one person when full.
Outdoor Collection Containers: The vendor shall provide adequate outdoor collection container(s) to collect one week s worth of organic waste generated and collected within the facility in the indoor waste collection containers. The container shall have an easily accessible door, lid, or hatch to allow for the safe transfer of waste from an indoor waste collection container by one person. The container shall be lockable, designed to control odor and spillage, and designated specifically for composting materials. The vendor shall provide a minimum of one outside collection container, with the spotting for location made at the Governments discretion. The Government will ensure access to the containers for the vendor according to the agreed upon schedule.
Within eight weeks of award.
Task 3: Scheduled weekly organic waste collection.
Weekly Collection: The vendor shall pick up collected composted material once a week at a minimum on a consistent and agreed upon weekday by both the vendor and Government. If the scheduled day falls on a holiday or unforeseen emergency, the vendor shall pick up on the following day, or a day coordinated with Government.
Within eight weeks of started service.
Task 4: Container maintenance, repair, and cleaning.
Maintenance, repair, and cleaning: The vendor shall clean and de-odorize outdoor collection containers with every collection. Government staff shall be responsible for the cleaning and sanitizing of all indoor waste collection containers and notifying vendor of any needed repairs or replacements. The vendor shall be responsible for the repair and replacement of both indoor and outdoor collection containers as required by the Government.
Within eight weeks of started service.
Task 5: Monthly Reporting
Monthly reporting: The vendor shall track the weight of organic waste collected from VA NWIHCS for each week and provide a report on a monthly basis to the Government. Reports shall be received by the Government not later than (NLT) five business days from the end of the previous month s weekly pick-ups.
Within five business days from the end of the first month of performance.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Twelve months base year, plus four possible option years. Desired base year period 01 June 2017 through 31 May 2018, or a period of 12 months from the award of the contract. The exercise of the options for continuation of contract performance will be at Government discretion.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: The vendor shall conduct training and start service within two weeks of a signed contract of award.
KEY PERSONNEL: The contractors Manager and main point of contact are considered key personnel as defined in this section. The Government will be notified within five business days of any changes in key personnel that may impact contract performance.
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Veterans Affairs Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System, 4101 Woolworth Avenue, Omaha, NE 68105.
HOURS OF WORK: Normal operating hours at VA NWIHCS are 0800 to 1630 central standard time.
C. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
The contractor shall develop a Deliverable schedule that identifies in writing, all tasks, associated costs, and associated delivery dates. All deliverables shall be prepared in language that a layperson can understand. Technical information is allowed with an accompanying glossary of terms.
The Government shall complete a review of draft deliverables provided by the vendor and provide feedback if a revision and final deliverable schedule is required.
D. SPECIFIC MANDATORY TASKS AND DELIVERABLES
Task One (1): Training. The vendor shall provide initial training to the Government staff to educate the use of the vendor organic waste collection system and proper sorting of organic waste at the point of generation, with sufficient time allowed for full comprehension of the process of composting collection. The process shall begin with a general training session to familiarize participating staff with the collection process. During this session, food service employees and staff will learn the basics of organic waste diversion and why it is significant. Sufficient time will be spent with the staff to warrant a clear comprehension of what is and what is not to be diverted into the organic waste composting service. The vendor shall provide any references or manuals required to comply with the vendor collection procedures. The vendor will provide posters or wall charts that define approved organic wastes that are accepted by the vendor. The vendor shall provide sustainment and refresher training as required.
Task Two (2): Containers. The vendor will provide all indoor and outdoor containers required for collection of all Organic Waste Compost.
Indoor Collection Containers: The vendor shall provide indoor collection containers to support a minimum of eight locations (8) at the point of generation within the kitchen and serving areas. The indoor collection containers must have a lid and be able to be safely handled by one person when full.
Outdoor Collection Containers: The vendor shall provide adequate outdoor collection containers to collect one week s worth of organic waste generated and collected within the facility in the indoor waste collection containers. The container shall have an easily accessible door, lid, or hatch to allow for the safe transfer of waste from an indoor waste collection container by one person. The container shall be lockable, designed to control odor and spillage, and designated specifically for composting materials. The vendor shall provide a minimum of one outside collection container, with the spotting for location made at the Governments discretion. The Government will ensure access to the containers for the vendor according to the agreed upon schedule.
Task Three (3): Weekly Collection. The vendor shall pick up collected composted material once a week at a minimum on a consistent and agreed upon weekday by both the vendor and Government. If the scheduled day falls on a holiday or unforeseen emergency, the vendor shall pick up on the following day, or a day coordinated with Government.
Task Four (4): Container maintenance, repair, and cleaning. The vendor shall clean and de-odorize outdoor collection containers with every collection. Government staff shall be responsible for the cleaning and sanitizing of all indoor waste collection containers and notifying vendor of any needed repairs or replacements. The vendor shall be responsible for the repair and replacement of both indoor and outdoor collection containers as required by the Government.
Task Five (5): Monthly reporting. The vendor shall track the weight of organic waste collected from VA NWIHCS for each week and provide a report on a monthly basis to the Government. Reports shall be received by the Government not later than (NLT) five business days from the end of the previous month s weekly pick-ups.
G. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The Government shall provide a training location and personnel identified to sort and handle organic waste compost for required vendor training. The Government will provide vendor access to collection containers from the hours of 0800 to 1630 central standard time.
DISCLAIMER
This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.
Scott Morrison, Contract Specialist
email: scott.morrison2@va.gov
scott.morrison2@va.gov
