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This is a Sources Sought notice for the Billings Indian Health Service/Blackfeet Service Unit. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. Pursuant to 48 CFR Part 326, Subpart 326.603-3 and IHM 5.5-6, Indian Health Service must use the negotiation authority of the Buy Indian Act, 25 U.S.C. 47, to give preference to Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE) whenever the use of that authority is authorized and practicable.

The Government is seeking to identify Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs), Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE), and any other category of vendor capable of performing the below Indian Health Services (IHS) requirement. Any vendor responding to this notice should submit their capability statement as well as the Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form (attached).

Consistent with the revised Buy Indian Act, HHS/IHS adopted the definition of an Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) set forth in 48 CFR 1480.201. This definition includes the following requirement, amongst others: “the Indians or Indian Tribes must, together, receive at least a majority of the earnings from the contract.”.

Instructions for submission are outlined further below.

DEFINITIONS

INDIAN ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE (IEE):

Any business activity owned by one or more Indians, Federally Recognized Indian Tribes, or Alaska Native Corporations provided that:

• The combined Indian, Federally Recognized Indian Tribe or Alaska Native Corporation ownership of the enterprise constitutes not less than 51%;


• The Indian, Federal Recognized Indian Tribes, or Alaska Native Corporations must, together, receive at least 51% of the earnings from the contract; and


• The management and daily business operations must be controlled by one or more individuals who are Indians.

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT

NAICS:

562112 – Hazardous Waste Collection

Size Standard: $47.0 million

Duration:

One (1) Year with Four (4) Option Years

Work Schedule:

The contractor shall pick up all stored Biohazard waste during the weekdays, Monday thru Friday: 8 am – 5 pm. .

1.1 The Contractor shall be responsible for the removal and disposal of all regulated medical waste generated by the BFSU during the contract period of performance. The pick-up schedule will be on a bi-weekly basis, with 26 pick-ups each contract year.

The Contractor shall provide services covered by this contract as defined herein. The Contractor shall not be required, except in case of emergency, to furnish such services on a federal holiday or during off duty as described below. The following terms have the following meaning: (a) Normal Work Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The contractor shall collect the regulated medical waste at precisely 2-week intervals on the same day of the week. (i.e. if the pickup day is Monday, then every pick up thereafter shall be on a Monday).

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

Date of service for the purchase order will be 11/01/2023 to 10/31/2024, with four (4) option years.

If the Government exercises the options pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (MAR 2000) the period of performance shall be extended in accordance with the following schedule:

Year Option Period

Option Year One (1) 11/1/2024 – 10/31/2025

Option Year Two (2) 11/1/2025 – 10/31/2026

Option Year Three (3) 11/1/2026 – 10/31/2027

Option Year Four (4) 11/1/2027 – 10/31/2028

SCOPE OF WORK:

The contractor shall be responsible for removal and disposal of all regulated medical waste generated by the Blackfeet Service Unit (BFSU) and Heart Butte Clinic (HBC) during the contract period of performance. The contractor shall provide adequate transportation and storage containers and packaging materials (tubs and red bags) for use in collecting regulated medical waste by staff.

Contractor shall use methods that meet all State and Federal regulations including but not limited to Montana Infectious Waste Management Act (MCA 75-10-1001to 75-10-1007), Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM 17.50.150to 17.50.1508) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), US P800, Guidelines for Compounding Hazardous Drugs, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements.

TASKS:

Vendor shall be responsible for the removal and disposal of an estimate of sixty-five (65) - 28 gallons containers totes containing biohazard medical waste; pickup amount will depend on the amount of biohazard waste that has been accumulated by the Blackfeet Service Unit (BFSU) and Heart Butte Clinic (HBC)

The regulated medical waste is stored at the following address(s):

BLACKFEET COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, BROWNING, MONTANA

Pickups will be scheduled on a bi-weekly basis. Estimated weight of medical waste removed from the service location is 3000 lbs. per year. Average number of totes removed for a typical pickup is Sixty (60) totes.

1. Blackfeet Service Unit

760 Hospital Circle

Browning, MT 59417

HEART BUTTE CLINIC, HEART BUTTE, MONTANA

Pickups will be scheduled on a bi-weekly basis. Estimated weight of medical waste removed from the service location is 500 lbs. per year. Average number of totes removed for a typical pickup is Five (5) totes.

2. Heart Butte Clinic

80 Disney Rd

Heart Butte, MT

1.2 The Contractor shall provide an adequate supply of all necessary storage and transportation containers and packaging materials (tubs/bins/totes, red bags), required to fulfill the requirements of the resultant contract, for use in collecting the regulated medical waste by the BFSU staff.

1.4 Each container will be removed and replaced at time of pick-up. The Housekeeping Supervisor or his/her designee will visually verify all quantities collected and sign the pick-up manifest. Contractor shall use methods that meet all state and federal regulations, including, but not limited to Montana Infectious Waste Management Rules and Laws and OSHA, and any authority having jurisdiction for states where the waste may be transported to, treated in, or disposed in. The contractor shall also be responsible for manifests and reports necessary to remove and dispose of infectious waste in accordance with all local, state, and federal regulations.

INSTRUCTIONS TO INDUSTRY

ISBEEs are highly encouraged to respond to this notice. However, firms must also understand that generic capability statements are not sufficient for effective evaluation of their capacity and capability to perform the work required. To be considered a capable source, responses must directly demonstrate the company’s capability, experience, and ability to provide services as shown below.

1.1 The Contractor shall be responsible for the removal and disposal of all regulated medical waste generated by the BFSU during the contract period of performance. The pick-up schedule will be on a bi-weekly basis, with 26 pick-ups each contract year.

1.2 The Contractor shall provide an adequate supply of all necessary storage and transportation containers and packaging materials (tubs/bins/totes, red bags), required to fulfill the requirements of the resultant contract, for use in collecting the regulated medical waste by the BFSU staff.

1.3 Quantity will vary of containers collected at each location. Historically, the contractor has provided 28-gallon tote containers with lids and liners at each location; typically Sixty (60) at the Blackfeet Community Hospital and typically Five (5) at the Heart Butte Clinic.

1.4 Each container will be removed and replaced at time of pick-up. The Housekeeping Supervisor or his/her designee will visually verify all quantities collected and sign the pick-up manifest. Contractor shall use methods that meet all state and federal regulations, including, but not limited to Montana Infectious Waste Management Rules and Laws and OSHA, and any authority having jurisdiction for states where the waste may be transported to, treated in, or disposed in. The contractor shall also be responsible for manifests and reports necessary to remove and dispose of infectious waste in accordance with all local, state, and federal regulations.

MAJOR DUTIES

The Contractor shall provide complete pick-up, transportation off-site, destruction and disposal, and manifest documentation of services for regulated medical waste generated at the, BFSU locations.

2.1 REQUIRED METHOD OF DISPOSAL: Regulated medical waste disposed of at the IHS facilities will contain certain amounts of anatomical remains. All regulated medical waste disposed of under the terms of this contract shall be accomplished in accordance with current The Joint Commission (TJC) Infectious Waste Management Regulations.

2.2 COMPLIANCE WITH ESTABLISHED REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS: The Contractor shall be subject to quality assurance standards that must meet or exceed current recognized national standards as established by the TJC. The Contractor shall perform services in accordance with principles and ethics established by TJC, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, and the policies, procedures, and regulations of the IHS or any other regulation required for off-site disposal of regulated medical waste. The Contractor shall also perform in strict accordance with State regulations governing the handling, storage, transportation, destruction, and disposal and documentation of regulated medical waste. Additionally, the successful offeror shall fully comply with all United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) federal regulations. No regulated medical waste treated or untreated, resulting from this contract may leave the United States in any form or fashion. The Contractor is liable for any and all expenses related to non-compliance issues. The Contractor shall also be responsible for full compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, (42 CFR Parts 160 and 164). The Contractor shall handle all regulated medical waste in such a manner that guards the privacy of the patients of the IHS and guarantees all containers are locked to prevent spillage of contents and shall not be opened until destruction. The Contractor shall confirm that all employees have been trained and certified in the protection of privacy of any information contained on/in the items submitted for destruction under the terms and conditions of the resulting contract.

2.3 TYPES OF WASTE COVERED: The following listing specifies the most common types of medical waste, including regulated medical waste, which may be disposed of under the terms of this contract. The Government reserves the right to identify other types of waste to be disposed of under the terms of this contract. (i) Blood and Blood Products; (ii) Human Tissues; (iii) Biologicals and Pharmaceuticals; (iv) Laboratory Specimens; (v) Needles, Syringes, and other Sharps; (vi) Pathology Samples; (vii) Isolation Waste; (viii) Cultures and Slides; (ix) Intravenous bags, and associated tubing; (x) Packaging Materials, Gloves and Gowns Associated with Waste Collection; and (xi) Body Fluids and Excretions.

2.4 HANDLING AND LOADING OF VEHICLE: Currently, all medical waste is brought to a central collection point. Handling and loading of vehicle shall be in strict compliance with current practices and regulations. Offerors may propose methods, which shall be subject to the Government's approval. The method proposed shall address the logistics and any additional costs to the Government that may be incurred to facilitate such. From the time that waste is received from the Blackfeet Service Unit, IHS and any spills, damage to containers, or environmental contamination or damage caused by regulated medical waste collected shall be cleaned, repaired or corrected at the expense of the contractor.

SUBMISSION

Interested parties capable of performing the required services may submit a response via email to: shannon.connelly@ihs.gov no later than 15 days from the date of the sources sought announcement.

Interested parties shall submit their capability response as instructed above and include a copy of the Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form. It is recommended to include the sources sought ID in the subject line.

Sources Sought ID: SS-BFSU-23-013. Responses received to this notice will assist in determining the acquisition strategy of the requirement.

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