Sol_140P5426R0013_Amend__0003_Attach__0006-Q_A_7-22-26_0003.pdf

ATTACHMENT 0005

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Amendment No. 0003

Solicitation No. 140P5426R0013

Attachment 0006 – Updated Statement of Work (SOW), dated July 22, 2026, is hereby incorporated into the solicitation and replaces Attachment 0003 – Updated Statement of Work in its entirety. Offerors shall base their quotations on the requirements contained in Attachment 0006.

In consideration of the revisions made to the Statement of Work and the issuance of this amendment, the Government has extended the solicitation due date. Offerors shall refer to this amendment for the revised milestone dates and shall submit quotations in accordance with the updated schedule.

Question 1

Section 6 – Equipment Requirements of the Statement of Work requires that all HVAC equipment be manufactured in the United States. Industry review indicates that Trane is the only manufacturer meeting this requirement; however, the highest efficiency available for the required equipment configuration is approximately 19 SEER, which does not meet the specified minimum efficiency requirement of 22 SEER. Please clarify whether the Government will revise either the U.S. manufacturing requirement or the minimum SEER requirement.

Government Response:

The solicitation incorporates FAR 52.225-9, Buy American—Construction Materials, which establishes the domestic preference requirements applicable to this construction project. Under this clause, contractors are generally required to provide domestic construction materials unless an applicable exception applies under the clause and FAR Part 25. The clause does not require the Government to include a separate specification that all HVAC equipment be manufactured in the United States.

The requirement in Section 6 of the Statement of Work that HVAC equipment be manufactured in the United States was a project-specific technical specification that exceeded the requirements of the Buy American clause. Based on industry feedback indicating that this specification unnecessarily restricted competition and limited the availability of equipment capable of meeting the minimum efficiency requirements, the

Government has revised the Statement of Work through this amendment to remove the project-specific U.S. manufacturing requirement.

Offerors shall comply with the domestic preference requirements of FAR 52.225-9 as incorporated into the solicitation. The Buy American clause remains unchanged and continues to govern the applicability of domestic construction material requirements for this procurement.

Question 2

The Statement of Work specifies a minimum equipment efficiency of 22 SEER.

Industry feedback indicates that achieving this efficiency generally requires the use of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems, which are manufactured outside the United States. Will the Government permit the use of non-U.S.-manufactured equipment that is fully compliant with applicable Federal requirements in order to meet the specified efficiency requirement?

Government Response:

Yes. The Government has revised the Statement of Work through this amendment to remove the project-specific requirement that HVAC equipment be manufactured in the United States. This revision was made based on industry feedback indicating that the specification unnecessarily restricted competition and limited the availability of equipment capable of meeting the specified minimum efficiency requirement.

The Statement of Work has also been revised to require a minimum 18 SEER high-efficiency air conditioning system utilizing a variable-speed or two-stage compressor, in lieu of the previous 22 SEER requirement.

Offerors shall continue to comply with FAR 52.225-9, Buy American—Construction Materials, as incorporated into the solicitation. The Buy American clause remains unchanged and continues to govern the applicability of domestic construction material requirements for this procurement.

Question 3

Industry feedback indicates that VRF systems capable of achieving the specified efficiency require 208V, three-phase electrical service. Existing electrical distribution panels at the project site may not provide this service. Will the Government provide the necessary electrical infrastructure, or should offerors base their quotations on the existing electrical service?

Government Response:

The Statement of Work has been revised to require a 5-ton, minimum 18 SEER high-efficiency split-system air conditioning unit utilizing a variable-speed or two-stage compressor. Offerors shall base their quotations on the existing electrical infrastructure.

No modifications to the Government's existing electrical service are anticipated under this solicitation unless otherwise directed by the Contracting Officer through contract modification.

Question 4

If the Government elects to retain the U.S.-manufactured equipment requirement and existing electrical service, will the Government accept equipment with a maximum efficiency of approximately 19 SEER where higher efficiency equipment is not commercially available from U.S. manufacturers?

Government Response:

The question is no longer applicable. Through this amendment, the Government has removed the project-specific U.S. manufacturing requirement and revised the minimum efficiency requirement in the Statement of Work. Offerors shall submit equipment that complies with the revised specifications and all applicable solicitation requirements.

Question 5

Can Indoor Unit No. 5 be substituted from a floor-mounted console unit to a ceiling-mounted horizontal air handler?

Government Response:

No. Indoor Unit No. 5 shall remain a floor-mounted console unit as specified in the Statement of Work. Due to the unit's location within the stairwell shaft, a ceiling-mounted horizontal air handler would not provide adequate access for routine inspection, maintenance, and future servicing. Offerors shall base their quotations on the equipment configuration identified in the revised Statement of Work.

Question 6

May the outdoor condensing units be relocated from their existing locations?

Government Response:

No. The outdoor condensing units shall remain in their existing locations. Offerors shall base their quotations on the existing equipment locations identified in the Statement of Work unless otherwise directed by the Contracting Officer through a written contract modification.

Question 7

Please specify the required corrosion-resistant coating for the outdoor condensing units.

Government Response:

The Statement of Work requires the outdoor condensing units to be provided with a factory-applied or manufacturer-approved corrosion-resistant coating suitable for installation in a coastal marine environment subject to salt-air exposure. The coating system shall provide long-term corrosion protection without adversely affecting equipment performance or the manufacturer's warranty.

Offerors may propose any commercially available coating system that meets these performance requirements. Product data and manufacturer documentation demonstrating compliance with the Statement of Work shall be submitted as part of the required equipment submittals.