S06 36C10B26Q0557 Amendment 0004.pdf

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable)

CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY

2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER

CODE

6. ISSUED BY

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER

9B. DATED

PAGE OF PAGES

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER

10B. DATED

BPA NO. 1. CONTRACT ID CODE

FACILITY CODE CODE

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods:

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

E. IMPORTANT:

is extended,

(a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning ___1______ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

(REV. 11/2016)

is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office. is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

15C. DATE SIGNED

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER

Contractor

16C. DATE SIGNED

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION

16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect.

15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR

STANDARD FORM 30 PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE

Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

(Type or print) (Type or print)

(Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

(Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code)

(If other than Item 6)

(Specify type of modification and authority)

(such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.)

(If required)

(SEE ITEM 11)

(SEE ITEM 13)

(X)

CHECK

ONE

13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS,

IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

1 11

08-20-2026

Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Procurement, Acquisition, and Logistics Technology Acquisition Center 23 Christopher Way Eatontown, NJ 07724

X

Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Procurement, Acquisition, and Logistics Technology Acquisition Center 23 Christopher Way Eatontown, NJ 07724

To All Offerors/Bidders

4TBM6

36C10B26Q0557

07/26/2026

X

X X

** HOUR & DATE for Receipt of Offers is EXTENDED to: 08-26-2026 3:00pm EDT

The purpose of this amendment is to provide answers to questions submitted in response to the solicitation; amend the solicitation to incorporate Veterans health Administration Directive 7715(1) as Amended September 2023, and include the definition of middleware; and to extend the hour and date for Receipt of Offers to now be 3:00pm EDT on August 26, 2026, and.

See Continuation Pages.

August 20, 2026

Request for Quotation 36C10B26Q0557

Amendment 0004

CONTINUATION PAGES

A. The solicitation is amended to extend the hour and date for Receipt of Offers from

3:00pm EDT on August 21, 2026, to now be 3:00pm EDT on August 26, 2026, and to provide answers to questions submitted in response to the solicitation. This Amendment does extend the due date for questions pertaining to the solicitation.

B. As a result of Paragraph A, the following changes are made to the solicitation:

a. The Offer Due Date/Local Time is changed from 3:00pm EDT on August 21, 2026, to now be 3:00pm EDT on August 26, 2026.

b. The following are answers provided to questions submitted in response to the solicitation:

Question – Clarification of RTLS Requirements Section B.2 Performance Work Statement, Paragraph 1.1 Salient Characteristics, requires the nurse call system dashboard to display, among other items:

Rounding reminders that automatically reset based on caregiver presence.

Caregiver presence displayed on the Status Board and associated visual indications.

Our understanding is that these functions typically require integration with a Real-Time Location System (RTLS) to detect and verify caregiver presence. The installation of an RTLS would represent a significant scope and cost increase beyond the nurse call system itself. Please clarify the Government's intent regarding these requirements:

1. Is the Contractor required to furnish and install an RTLS as part of this project to support the caregiver presence and rounding reminder functions identified in Paragraph 1.1?

2. If an RTLS is not required under this project, is the intent that the proposed nurse call system merely possess the native capability to support these functions through future integration with an RTLS that may be provided separately by another project?

3. If RTLS functionality is required, please identify the minimum RTLS scope and any required hardware, software, licensing, or integration requirements to be included in the Contractor's quotation.

Answer: RTLS is not a requirement and it is not currently contemplated for the brand name or equal Hill-Rom Voalte nurse call system.

Question – Backbone Topology The solicitation identifies unit-level POE switches, fiber optic interface converters, and core switching equipment; however, the required backbone topology between the nursing unit POE switches and the core switch is not defined. Please clarify whether offerors are to:

a. Utilize existing backbone fiber infrastructure;

b. Provide new fiber backbone cabling between each nursing unit and the core switch;

c. Utilize existing VA network infrastructure and IDF/MDF connectivity; or

d. Provide an alternate backbone architecture.

Answer: Offerors shall provide new fiber backbone cabling between each nursing unit and the core switch.

Question – Emergency Power Requirements It is our understanding that the facility is served by 100% standby generation and that the Nurse Call System includes UPS devices as part of the required equipment. Please clarify whether any Nurse Call System equipment is required to be connected to the facility's emergency power system. If so, please identify the specific system components required to be served by emergency power and indicate whether the associated branch circuiting and electrical infrastructure are to be provided under this contract.

Alternatively, may the required UPS devices be connected to existing normal power receptacles within the designated IT closets, server rooms, and electrical rooms, with standby generator backup serving as the secondary source of power?

Answer: The brand name or equal Hill-Rom Voalte nurse call system, including the UPS devices, an Offeror proposes shall be connected to emergency power.

Question – Storage/Staging Area Requirements A secure storage/staging area is required to pre-stage, configure, and program nurse call system components prior to installation. Before devices can be installed in patient rooms, most nurse call systems require:

Device labeling and asset tracking Software loading and firmware updates Room database creation Programming of room assignments Testing of stations, dome lights, pull cords, and room control boards Network configuration and validation Pre-assembly of equipment sets by nursing unit

To support the installation schedule and minimize impacts to patient care, it is anticipated that equipment for two to three nursing units will be pre-staged in advance, allowing a minimum of four to five patient rooms to be converted and returned to service within the same day while minimizing impacts to patient care. Please clarify whether the Government will provide a secure on-site staging area with network connectivity for this purpose.

Answer: Existing, lockable space in the Biomed/HTM shop on the ground floor can be made available to pre-stage, configure, and program the proposed brand name or equal Hill-Rom Voalte nurse call system components.

Question – Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) Requirements

From the Contractor's experience with nurse call replacement projects of similar size and complexity in occupied healthcare facilities, Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) measures are typically required for work performed within active patient care areas. For projects of this nature, ICRA Class I and Class II containment measures are generally sufficient for low-impact device replacement and cabling activities.

The solicitation does not identify any specific ICRA requirements, containment classifications, infection control permits, negative air requirements, Interim Life Safety Measures (ILSM), or other infection control procedures. Please clarify the Government's infection control requirements for this project. If requirements beyond typical ICRA Class I or Class II measures are anticipated, please identify the applicable containment classifications, barrier requirements, work area restrictions, cleaning protocols, and any associated phasing or scheduling constraints that should be included in the Contractor's quotation.

Answer: In accordance with VHA Directive 7715(1) as amended September 2023, after this requirement is awarded, the Awardee will complete a Pre Infection Control Risk Assessment (PICRA) form provided by VHA. Answers on that form will be used to determine the ICRA class and necessary containment measures.

Question – Hazardous Materials During the site visit, the Contractor observed areas containing plaster wall construction that may require installation of new nurse call devices and associated raceways, cabling, or backboxes. The solicitation does not identify the presence or absence of hazardous materials within the project areas, nor does it address responsibility for hazardous material testing, abatement, or remediation.

Please clarify whether hazardous materials surveys have been performed in the areas affected by the work and whether asbestos-containing materials, lead-based paint, or other hazardous materials are known to be present within the existing wall, ceiling, or building construction. If hazardous materials are encountered during installation activities, please clarify whether testing, abatement, and remediation will be performed by the Government under a separate contract or are to be included within the Contractor's scope of work.

Answer: Hazardous materials surveys have not been performed in the areas affected by the work and it is unknown whether asbestos-containing materials, lead-based paint, or other hazardous materials are present within the existing walls, ceilings, or building. If hazardous materials are encountered during installation activities, testing, abatement, and remediation will be performed by the Government under a separate contract.

Question – Nurse Call Equipment Co-Location in IT Closets In the Contractor's experience, Nurse Call System equipment is routinely co-located within existing VA IT closets and telecommunications rooms containing Information

Technology equipment. However, during the site visit, there was discussion regarding the acceptability of locating Nurse Call System equipment within existing IT closets.

The solicitation includes distributed Nurse Call System communications equipment, including POE switches, fiber optic interface devices, UPS units, and associated network equipment, but does not identify whether these components may be installed within existing VA IT closets and telecommunications rooms.

Please clarify whether Nurse Call System equipment, including but not limited to POE switches, fiber interface devices, UPS units, and other associated network equipment, may be co-located within existing IT closets and telecommunications rooms that contain VA IT infrastructure.

Answer: The proposed brand name or equal Hill-Rom Voalte nurse call system equipment, including but not limited to POE switches, fiber interface devices, UPS units, and other associated network equipment, may be co-located within existing IT closets and telecommunications rooms that contain VA IT infrastructure.

Question:

Regarding the Government RFI response within Amendment 0002, Bullet B., Question: the Government response stated that Government's market research concluded that multiple vendors use middleware to retrieve the required data from the existing Hill-Rom beds. If that is the case, we respectfully request clarification as to why the solicitation prohibits middleware. As written, the solicitation appears to preclude the very interoperability approach that the Government's market research identified as being used by multiple vendors.

• Does the Government intend to amend the solicitation to permit middleware consistent with its market research?

• If not, what technical distinction exists between the middleware referenced in the Q&A and the middleware prohibited by the solicitation?

• How does the Government expect an "equal" product to comply if middleware remains prohibited?

Answer: Per Amendment 0001, “the term ‘Middleware’ is defined as a separate, third-party integration platform supplied by a vendor other than the nurse call system manufacturer.”

The solicitation permits the use of an integration platform from the same manufacturer as the proposed brand name or equal Hill-Rom Voalte nurse call system.

Question:

Regarding the Government RFI response within Amendment 0002, Bullet B., Question: – The Government stated that it “concluded that multiple vendors have attested that they use their own brand of middleware and connect to the beds to retrieve the required data”. However, the solicitation specifically excluded this criteria from the solicitation. The solicitation specifically states:

The brand name or equal Hill-Rom Voalte nurse call system shall not use middleware to interface bed data.

The nurse call system with code blue communication system shall provide an interface between the nurse call system and the 107 Hill-Rom beds currently in use at the BVAMC without the use of middleware to collect the bed data and relay it to the nurse stations.

In these two separate citations, the Government SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITS the use of middleware. It makes no differentiation between manufacturer middleware, vendor middleware, whether it’s a vendor’s own brand, etc. This has created a “brand name only” requirement.

We specifically request that the Government remove the middleware prohibition from this solicitation. Further, we request an extension to the current proposal submittal deadline of 30 days from the date upon which the Government removes this criteria.

Answer: Agree. For clarity, Amendment 0002, paragraph B, should read as follows:

Question: The requirement appears to limit the universe of potential offerors. If direct communication with proprietary Hill-Rom bed interfaces is required while the use of middleware is prohibited, it is unclear how any manufacturer other than Hill-Rom could reasonably submit a technically compliant solution.

Answer: In the Government’s market research, multiple vendors attested that they use an integration platform from the same manufacturer as the offered brand name or equal Hill-Rom Voalte nurse call system to connect to the beds to retrieve the required data.

Question - Authoritative Room-by-Room Device Quantities Field basis: During the walkthrough, facility personnel indicated that the historical ASCOM device-count spreadsheet originated with the 2014 installation and that several later-added areas may not be represented in that legacy count, including Ambulatory Surgery/ASF, ED overflow additions, oncology/specialty-care additions, and other later renovations.

Request for clarification: Please provide or confirm the current authoritative room-by-room nurse-call device count for this procurement, including all later-added or renovated areas. If a Government room/device schedule or life-safety drawing set is controlling, please identify the controlling document and revision.

Answer: Drawings have been shared via Amendment 0003.

Question - Operating Room Scope Field basis: The walkthrough indicated that Operating Room nurse-call quantities were historically zeroed/excluded based on prior configuration decisions.

Request for clarification: Please confirm whether the current solicitation requires any nurse-call equipment, interfaces, demolition, cabling, or related work in the

Operating Room areas. If excluded, please confirm that no work is required in those areas under this solicitation.

Answer: The solicitation does not require the proposed brand name or equal Hill- Rom Voalte nurse call system in the Operating Suite.

Question - 107 Hill-Rom Bed Integration Field basis: The solicitation requires integration with 107 Hill-Rom beds.

Amendment 0002 states that multiple vendors have represented that they use their own brand of middleware and connect to the beds to retrieve the required data.

Request for clarification: Please identify the Hill-Rom bed model(s) and interface type(s) included in the 107-bed requirement and identify the required bed data/functions to be exchanged with the nurse-call system. Please also confirm that manufacturer/offeror-provided middleware that is part of the proposed nurse-call solution is acceptable, provided no third-party middleware is required.

Answer: Refer to Section 1.1 Salient Characteristics in the PD for bed functions to be exchanged with the proposed brand name or equal Hill-Rom Voalte nurse call system. Birmingham VA Medical Center has Hill-Rom Centrella Smart+ beds.

Question - Main Server Room / Tier-One Equipment Location Field basis: The walkthrough identified a main server/tier-one environment and existing nurse-call infrastructure, but exact replacement rack positions were not established.

Request for clarification: Please identify the Government-assigned rack/cabinet and rack-unit allocation for the replacement nurse-call core/tier-one switch, servers, UPS equipment, interfaces, and any required patching. Please also identify the Government point of contact responsible for rack-space and power assignments.

Answer: The requirement is for the Offeror to install software on Government provided virtual servers. As such, the exact rack positions in the server room is not required. Once the contractor is ready to develop an installation plan, the rack/cabinet and rack-unit allocation for the proposed brand name or equal Hill- Rom Voalte nurse call system core/tier-one switch, UPS equipment, interfaces, and any required patching can be established. The point of contact will be the Government COR.

Question - Field Equipment Closet Location Requirements Field basis: Facility personnel stated during the walkthrough that existing nurse-call equipment is generally located in electrical/communications closets and is not co-located with internal hospital IT equipment.

Request for clarification: Please confirm the required location rules for replacement nurse-call field switches/gateways. Specifically, confirm whether replacement equipment must remain in existing electrical/communications closets and whether any nurse-call equipment may be installed in shared OI&T/data spaces.

Answer: The proposed brand name or equal Hill-Rom Voalte nurse call system equipment shall be installed in the exact same locations as the existing nurse call system equipment; unless otherwise agreed upon between the Government COR and the awarded Contractor.

Question - Reuse of Existing Cabling and Fiber Field basis: Existing ASCOM infrastructure includes extensive purple copper station cabling, patching, and fiber/network pathways. The walkthrough did not establish which existing media may be reused.

Request for clarification: Please confirm the Government policy for reuse of existing nurse-call copper and fiber cabling. Identify the required copper cable category, fiber type, certification/testing requirements, and whether existing purple Cat 5e or other installed cabling may be reused for any portion of the replacement system if it passes required testing.

Answer: Existing infrastructure shall not be used.

Question - Reuse or Replacement of Cabinets, UPS, and Power Equipment Field basis: Existing distributed nurse-call cabinets contain ASCOM gateways, power switches, patch panels, and UPS equipment. Some cabinets have available space while others are congested.

Request for clarification: Please confirm whether existing rack cabinets, UPS units, power distribution, patch panels, or related supporting equipment are Government-furnished assets to be reused, or whether the contractor shall remove and replace them. If reuse is permitted, please identify the acceptance criteria for reused equipment.

Answer: Existing infrastructure shall not be used. The contractor shall remove and replace associated existing rack cabinets, UPS units, power distribution, patch panels, or related supporting equipment.

Question - Long Cable Runs / PET CT and Other Extended Distances Field basis: During the walkthrough, facility personnel identified nurse-call runs that exceed normal Ethernet distance limitations, with PET CT specifically discussed as approaching or exceeding approximately 500 feet.

Request for clarification: Please provide or confirm the required route lengths for locations exceeding 300 feet, especially PET CT and any BRC/tower crossings.

Please confirm the Government-acceptable architecture for these locations, such as intermediate switching, fiber transport, or another manufacturer-approved method.

Answer: Long cable runs or crossing extended distances will be accomplished in accordance with OEM installation requirements for the specific brand name or equal Hill-Rom Voalte nurse call system that is being installed.

Question - Backbox, Adapter Plate, and Headwall Requirements

Field basis: The walkthrough indicated that many legacy room locations use four-gang backboxes with adapter plates, while some newer build-outs use three-gang boxes. Several patient areas use integrated architectural/medical headwalls.

Request for clarification: Please confirm whether the contractor is expected to reuse existing backboxes/openings wherever practical. Please identify required adapter-plate standards and clarify responsibility for wall/headwall cutting, patching, finish repair, and restoration when the replacement device footprint does not match the existing opening.

Answer: The Contractor may reuse existing backboxes/openings wherever practical. Responsibility for wall/headwall cutting, patching, finish repair, and restoration when the replacement device footprint does not match the existing opening belongs to the Contractor.

Question - BRC Tower Pathway / Distribution Field basis: The walkthrough identified the BRC tower on floors 4 through 6 as a special pathway condition requiring services to cross into the tower before distribution to upper floors.

Request for clarification: Please confirm the intended nurse-call pathway and serving closet architecture for the BRC tower. Please identify any existing sleeves, risers, fiber paths, or cross-building pathways that the contractor is authorized to use.

Answer: The Contractor shall use the same pathway as the existing nurse call

Question - Vocera Integration Field basis: Facility personnel identified Vocera mobile call routing as a required integration consideration, including assignment/routing of nurse-call events to caregiver devices.

Request for clarification: Please confirm the required Vocera integration scope, including the specific Vocera platform/version, required event types, routing/assignment workflow, interface method, and whether any Government-furnished licenses or middleware are available.

Answer: Vocera integration is not part of this requirement.

Question - ADT / HL7 and VA Network-Security Interfaces Field basis: The walkthrough identified ADT/HL7 connectivity and VA network/software approval as major implementation requirements.

Request for clarification: Please identify the required ADT/HL7 interface(s), message types/data elements, interface engine or endpoint, and Government technical point of contact. Please also confirm the required VA cybersecurity/ATO or approved-product documentation that must be in place before connection to the VA network.

Answer: Refer to ADDENDUM B – VA INFORMATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM SECURITY/ PRIVACY LANGUAGE in the PD for VA Cyber Security information. ADT / HL7 interfacing shall include admission and discharge data information.

Question - Code Blue Interface to PBX / Overhead Paging Field basis: The walkthrough identified existing PBX annunciators used by operators to receive Code Blue events and support overhead announcement workflow. The overhead paging system itself is separate from nurse call.

Request for clarification: Please confirm the required replacement-system interface to the PBX Code Blue annunciators, including interface location, signaling method, quantity of annunciators/interfaces, and the required testing and acceptance procedure for Code Blue notification and overhead paging workflow.

Answer: The overhead paging system is separate from the nurse call system and not part of this requirement.

Question - Behavioral Health / Anti-Ligature Field basis: Two ED behavioral-health rooms were identified as requiring secure/external device placement, and one later-added location was described as using an anti-ligature/breakaway pull-cord arrangement.

Request for clarification: Please confirm the required nurse-call device mounting method, anti-ligature/breakaway pull-cord requirements, tamper-resistant hardware, and any behavioral-health-specific product or installation standards applicable to these rooms.

Answer: Reference PD Section 1.1 Salient Characteristics for the requirements for behavioral-health rooms.

Question - Legacy System Decommissioning and Data Preservation Field basis: The walkthrough identified an existing nurse-call administration/bridge computer and distributed ASCOM Telligence gateways that will remain operational during transition.

Request for clarification: Please confirm any required configuration backup, database/data export, historical-event preservation, or Government turnover requirements before decommissioning the existing ASCOM system and associated administration computer. Please also clarify disposition requirements for removed legacy equipment.

Answer: There are no Government turnover requirements before removing the existing ASCOM system and associated administration computer. The VA will retain possession of any hard drives and the computer associated with the

Question - Cutover, Shutdown, Infection-Control, and After-Hours Requirements Field basis: The replacement will occur in active clinical environments and will require phased migration while maintaining patient-care communications.

Request for clarification: Please provide the required outage/cutover constraints by department, including maximum allowable nurse-call outage, advance notice requirements, required temporary coverage, after-hours/weekend restrictions, infection-control/ICRA requirements, escort/access restrictions, and Government witnessing requirements for unit acceptance.

Answer: Reference PD sections 1.2, Project Coordination, and 1.3, Installation and Configuration. This cannot be determined until after award.

C. Section B.3, Acknowledgement of Amendments, is removed and replaced with the following:

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS: The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the Solicitation numbered and dated as follows:

AMENDMENT NO DATE

0001 July 31, 2026 0002 August 3, 2026 0003 August 13, 2026 0004 August 20, 2026

D. See Amended Solicitation, attached.