The purpose of this amendment is to post answers to questions on solicitation 36C25920Q0096. 1. SOW Item 6: Are we to understand that if the veteran is admitted to the hospital, we are to remove the caregiver and/or spouse/significant other from the hotel or forced them to pay for the lodging while the veteran is in the hospital? Please clarify this. If a veteran extends their stay at the hotel outside of the voucher dates authorized by the VA, the VA shall not be responsible for the cost. The VA is not authorized to cover hotel stays for family members or care givers without the veteran patient being present. Families are notified of this in advance. The family does NOT have to leave or be removed, but the VA shall not be responsible for the cost. 2. SOW Item 7: If transportation or ADA transportation is included in the proposal pricing this will increase the lodging rate as this is a considerable expense given the hours of operation required IF transportation is included. While the request notes transportation is desired and recommended , any location including transportation will be penalized according to Section X, 52.212-2 Evaluation Item c. Section 7. Transportation/Parking is hereby changed to read: a. The VA nor the Veteran shall be responsible for parking fees. b. Shuttle service to and from the VA Medical Center and Airport is required. ADA compliant if possible. This change shall be reflected in the Attachment 1- List of Requirements 3. Are we permitted to offer apartment units in response to both above-referenced solicitations? No, this requirement is for short term stays, not long term. 4. How soon will the VA notify Contractor of the veteran's hospitalization or overnight stay at the VA's facility? Within 8 hours of the patient s status being updated in the hospital computer. 5. What is the protocol on handling the veterans' personal belongings if a veteran is admitted to the hospital and belongings are left in the unit (particularly when a veteran was not accompanied by a caregiver/companion or caregiver/companion leaves prior to the veteran's hospitalization or overnight stay at the VA's facility)? If it is during regular business hours it would be the lodging coordinators that would notify the hotel, and after hours it would be the Administrator on Duty (AOD). What we have done in the past with patient belongings is notify the hotel and the hotel managers arrange to have the property moved to an office and locked up until the patient is discharged and able to get their belongings. 6. Please clarify the Medical Center will arrange room reservations with the Hotel? Yes, with a CC d copy to the contractor. 7. Who do you view as the Lodging Coordinator? The veteran travel schedulers at the medical center. The Lodging Management Group is the contractor. 8. What is the Non-VA Temp Lodging Referral Voucher and Who does it apply too? It is a voucher provided to the veteran from the VA authorizing the hotel stay. 9. Who will pay for the Non-VA Temp Lodging Referral Voucher? The voucher is provided from the VA travel schedulers to the veterans 10. Shuttle/Transportation is recommended, but not required as part of the contract award? Reference question 2. 11. When is the correct starting date on this solicitation? The Blanket Purchase Agreement start date will be 04/01/2020. 12. Are they staying every week of each month or just one week of each month? 35 rooms per day are required to be reserved. Veterans may stay overnight or for days, this is unknown as it is based on patient needs. 13. how long will we have to make ready at the lodging facilities once we receive notice of an award? At least 30 days. 14. approximately how many veterans will need transportation from the airport? This information is unknown as it depends on individual veteran needs. And if possible, utilize the shuttle service to and from the VA? Service to and from the VA is a requirement listed in section 7. 15. Is the hotel required to accommodate all 35 rooms or will more than one hotel be used, and the lodging will be split? Reference section 2.a - Contractor shall provide hotel/lodging facilities to accommodate the number of rooms required in paragraph 3.