36C10D24Q0188 0002.docx

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 __________ 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)

VA

00101 Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration Acquisition Directorate 1800 G Street NW Washington

DC

20006 00101 Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Benefits Administration Acquisition Directorate 1800 G Street NW Washington

DC

20006 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C10D24Q0188 06-11-2024

X X X

8 AM MT, 7/1/2024

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1 - Answer submitted questions to date.

2 - Extend the due date from 6/25/2024 to 7/1/2024.

All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

Tamara Feist-Hatfield Contracting Officer

VA-VBA-2017-A44F6B8D

Questions: Boise VA Solicitation: 36C10D24Q0188

1. How many employees (VA and contractor) employees work at this facility?

1. On average, occupancy is approximately 100 people per day

1. How many contract employees are there currently at this facility?

1. There are no full-time contract employees, only maintenance and janitorial staff

1. Will the government provide the current PM schedule?

1. IAW 1.1.14, the contractor is responsible for developing the preventive maintenance schedule in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations for the HVAC and all other mechanical systems, providing a copy of the schedule to the onsite Government POC

1. Roughly how many repair work orders are opened on a quarterly basis?

1. There is not a formal work order system in place. Minor repairs covered by the contract are generally communicated verbally, and average about 3-5 per month. Larger repairs requiring quoted work are much less frequent, approximately one per month.

1. Does the contractor have to pay for ceiling tiles, paint, and/or carpeting/flooring materials? Is the contractor responsible for replacing or repairing ceiling tiles, walls, and floors?

1. Per 4.4, the contractor will provide any materials less than $20. The government provides materials such as ceiling tiles, carpet tiles, or large quantities of paint.

1. The contractor is responsible for repairs as defined in 1.1.7. Repairs exceeding this scope are quoted at an additional cost by the contractor.

1. Per 1.1.15: Is the contractor only supposed to be on site for 4 hours a day or only the HVAC tech? Is the HVAC tech allowed to be onsite during core working hours or during normal business hours?

· 1.1.15 defines the 4-hour minimum requirement and specifies that it is an HVAC technician. Additional personnel may be on site at the discretion of the contractor. Historically the assigned HVAC technician has been able to also perform minor repairs outside of HVAC requirements.

1. Per 1.1.16-1.1.25 are the frequencies and preventative maintenance checks provided per system the expected frequencies for the contract?

· Please see Appendix A

1. Is the contractor responsible for any potable water testing?

· No

1. Is the contractor responsible for any HVAC water testing?

· There is no water testing requirement unless the contractor deems it necessary for maintenance purposes.

1. What type of geothermal system is currently in place?

· Geothermal is a city utility for heat.

1. Who monitors the chemical treatment for the HVAC systems?

· This is a municipal water source with no additional treatment requirement.

1. Who from the contract is required to complete the Quality Control checks at the facility?

· Quality control is the contractor responsibility.

1. Outside of the HVAC technician are there any other key personnel required or expected on this contract?

· None for on-site. A management contact should be provided in the event of issues or problems that need to be reported above the technician level.

1. Is the contractor able to remotely monitor the HVAC and mechanical systems?

· No

1. How many BI are currently associated directly with this contract?

· Three employees

1. How many potential employees have been processed on an annual basis for this contract?

· 3-5 employees

1. Will BIs through other agencies be acceptable in leu of the VA BI? Will these other agency BIs be required to be processed via reciprocals?

· Current, active BIs from within the federal government should be considered acceptable. An application for reciprocity is required. Ultimately this is up to the security personnel office.

1. What is the turnaround time between initial submittal for a BI to full clearance?

· Too many variables to answer this. After fingerprints are submitted and the BI is initiated, the contractor may be issued a PIV card and given access to the systems. This part of the process takes approximately 1-2 weeks.

19. [REF: Section 1.1.1.4, p.6] – Question: This section makes reference to operation, maintenance and preventive maintenance scheduling for the geothermal system equipment. Are the geothermal unit(s) water sourced or air-sourced? Would the government please cite the manufacturer and models of the units existing at the facility? How many geothermal units are in the entire system?

· The geothermal is water-sourced and is a City of Boise utility. It is on a Niagara meter. There is one unit (see photo.)

20. [REF: Section 1.1.1.7, p.7] HVAC Water Chemical treatment Levels; and [Section 1.1.27] Preventive Maintenance of drinking water systems – Question: These subsections discuss inspection and maintenance of chemicals for system water treatment levels and potable water supply systems. Is the contractor responsible for the engaging of a subcontractor for water treatment systems, filters and chemical resources, as well – or is that a Government responsibility?

· The Government provides the filters and the Contractor installs them on the prescribed replacement schedule. See 1.1.26. No chemical resources are needed or used. There is no water treatment system as we are supplied by Veolia Water which is potable directly from the source.

21. [REF: Section 1.1.1.2] Resolve System Alarms; and [Section 1.1.6] Inspect Mechanical systems and prepare status reports – Question: While there are several references to the DDC usage, employee competency and LAN access to the same, there does not appear to be a description of any Building Automation System (BAS) operating in conjunction with the DDC, in the pages of the solicitation documents. Does this facility currently have a BAS working in conjunction with the DDC or is the DDC system the extent of the building automated controls system?

· No BAS is used in conjunction with the DDC controls. See photo.

22. [REF: Section 1.1.1.2] Resolve System Alarms; and [Section 1.1.6] Inspect Mechanical systems and prepare status reports – Question: These sections presume the existence of good recordkeeping and historical recall. We could not find any reference to the presence of use of a CMMS within the pages of the solicitation document. Is any kind of CMMS currently installed at the VA facility and if so, is it open to use by the contractor?

· No CMMS is in use or provided by the Government. Records are maintained on a local share drive by the Contractor.

23. [REF: C.6, (d)] - Supplemental Insurance Requirements – Question: This § states that – “The successful bidder must present to the Contracting Officer, prior to award, evidence of general liability insurance without any exclusionary clauses for asbestos that would void the general liability coverage.” To the government’s knowledge is there any asbestos built into any parts, sections, joints, floors or interstitial spaces of this facility?

· No. This facility was constructed in 2008 and commissioned in 2009.

24. [REF: General] – Incumbent Contractor – Question: Will the Government please identify the incumbent contractor providing service at this VA facility?

· Total System Services, Inc.

25. [REF: C.2 52.212-5; (c)] – Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders, etc., § (c); and Addendum to 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors, §,6. Quote Preparation Instructions, Part III, item #1. Question: The two contract clauses cited above are essentially in conflict with one another. In 2021 President Biden issued Executive Order (EO) #14055 ensuring the service workers employed under Federal contracts cannot be displaced from their jobs due to a change in contractor engagement and must be retained in employment by a succeeding contractor unless they are unqualified or fail to meet the specification of the contracting agency or other division of the Federal Government. This EO was made into a Federal regulation of the DOL and promulgated in December of 2023. Accordingly, any offeror winning contract award will need to extend the offer of employment to incumbent employees under a new contract. The only way that a new contractor could propose a new employee be introduced to the worksite is if – A) the incumbent employees are no longer available or do not want to continue working at the VA location, or B) do not meet the job qualification requirements or other specifications established by the VA. However, Part III of the Quote Preparation Instruction requires that offerors “…submit documentation that show the key employee(s) are trained and have the experience to operate, troubleshoot and maintain HVAC and Direct Digital Controls (DDC) systems.” The only firm that is able to accurately respond to this requirement and fulfill the demands of the new DOL (Wage & Hour) regulation - is the incumbent contractor.

Will the government please: A) Release all valid and detailed information relating to the training, licenses, certifications, experience and education of the existing, incumbent employees, or B) Confirm that the incumbent employees, currently working at the VA site are either unqualified or will no longer be available for employment at the VA site under the new contract?

· Interested parties may email the Contracting Officer at tamara.feist-hatfield@va.gov to request a list of current employees and the contact information so vendors may directly communicate.

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