IDIQ for Industrial Hygiene services at Smithsonian Institution

11/15/10 Second Response to Vendor Questions on F11SOL10002 Question: On a FFP contract requiring 4 hour emergency response, how does the Smithsonian Institution plan to handle this. Will each task order include a specific maximum number of emergency response calls? Answer: At this time, the Smithsonian Institution cannot determine the number of emergency needs that will be associated with this solicitation. Most task orders may not have any need for an emergency response. Contractors need to be able to provide emergency response if required. Question: Is either qualitative or quantitative Respirator Fit Testing acceptable? Answer: Depending on the respirator's fit factor, either method is acceptable for tight-fitting respirators. Qualitative fit testing, however, may only be used to fit test negative pressure air-purifying respirators that must achieve a fit factor of 100 or less. Quantitative fit testing is required for respirators with a fit factor that exceeds 100. Question: What types or respirators need to be fit? Is the Fit Testing Equipment provided by the government or will the contractor supply Fit Testing equipment? Answer: All negative or positive pressure tight-fitting respirators require fit-testing. The Contractor is responsible for providing all materials/equipment needed to conduct fit-testing for their staff. Question: The cost proposal for this solicitation is organized in a rate schedule format indicating a Time and Materials approach; however it is a Firm Fixed Price Solicitation. Can you clarify the intended response? Answer: This solicitation has been issued to generate an IDIQ contract. The rates will be used to calculate work orders. The IDIQ is not a firm fixed contract