36C24124B0047_2.docx

36C24124B0047

1. SOLICITATION NUMBER

2. TYPE OF SOLICITATION

3. DATE ISSUED

PAGE OF PAGES

4. CONTRACT NUMBER

5. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQUEST NUMBER

6. PROJECT NUMBER

7. ISSUED BY

CODE

8. ADDRESS OFFER TO

a. NAME

b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (Include area code) (NO COLLECT CALLS)

10. THE GOVERNMENT REQUIRES PERFORMANCE OF THE WORK DESCRIBED IN THESE DOCUMENTS (Title, identifying number, date) 12a. THE CONTRACTOR MUST FURNISH ANY REQUIRED PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BONDS?

(If "YES," indicate within how many calendar days after award in Item 12B.)

12b. CALENDAR DAYS

13. ADDITIONAL SOLICITATION REQUIREMENTS:

STANDARD FORM 1442 (REV. 8/2014)

STANDARD FORM 1442

Prescribed by GSA-FAR (48 CFR) 52.236-1(d)

SOLICITATION, OFFER,

AND AWARD

(Construction, Alteration, or Repair)

SOLICITATION

SOLICITATION

IMPORTANT - The "offer" section on the reverse must be fully completed by offeror.

9. FOR INFORMATION

CALL:

NOTE: In sealed bid solicitations "offer" and "offeror" mean "bid" and "bidder".

SEALED BID (IFB)

NEGOTIATED (RFP)

11. The Contractor shall begin performance within ____________ calendar days and complete it within calendar days after receiving award, notice to proceed. This performance period is mandatory negotiable. (See _____________________________).

YES

NO

a.

Sealed offers in original and ___________________copies to perform the work required are due at the place specified in Item 8 by _____________ (hour) local time _____________________ (date). If this is a sealed bid solicitation, offers must be publicly opened at that time. Sealed envelopes containing offers shall be marked to show the offeror's name and address, the solicitation number, the date and time offers are due.

b.

An offer guarantee is, is not required.

c.

All offers are subject to the (1) work requirements, and (2) other provisions and clauses incorporated in the solicitation in full text or by reference.

d.

Offers providing less than _______________________ calendar days for Government acceptance after the date offers are due will not be considered and will be rejected.

36C24124B0047 X 07-17-2024 689-24-0130 36C241 Department of Veterans Affairs VA Boston Healthcare System Contracting Officer (90C) 940 Belmont Street Brockton

MA

02301 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 1 VA Connecticut Healthcare Center 950 Campbell Ave.

West Haven, CT 06516

Cecilia Antwi

(774) 826-3970 The Connecticut VAMC Campus, located in West Haven, CT has a requirement for a Firm-Fixed contract replacing the Boiler Plant Pressure Reducing Stations #1 and #2 Replacement, project 689-24-130 as they are aged, in failed condition and a present safety hazard. The general scope of the requirement is for the contractor to fabricate all piping including steam traps assembly offsite, perform radiographic examination of 100 percent of the welds and pressure test before piping to the site for assembly. The contractor shall provide professional services to include all labor, transportation apparatus, tools, equipment and permits necessary to in accordance with the scope of work.

The magnitude of construction is between $500,000.00 and $1,000,000.00 and the contract is subject to Wage Rate Requirement (formerly Davis Bacon Act). The latest revised Wage Determination, CT20240023 is attached for reference.

See VAAR 852.219-10, Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Set-Aside of this solicitation for information in regard to requirements in order to be considered. Bidders must be VERIFIED by the SBA's VetCert Database at the time of submission of bid and at time of award. Failure to be both VERIFIED by VETCERT and VISIBLE in the database prior to contract award will result in the bidder being ineligible for award.

A public bid opening will be held on August 16, 2024 at 11:00AM EST.

Bids will be publicly read aloud on the date and time specified in this solicitation.

A site visit will be held on July 26, 2024 at 10AM EST. Participants shall meet in front of Building ,the Main Entrance at Connecticut VAMC in West Haven, CT. Please do not park in the spots designated for Patient Parking.

Requests for information of a technical nature must be provided in writing and shall be submitted by the prospective bidders only by email to Tamye Molinaro, tamye.molinaro@va.gov, and Cecilia Antwi, cecilia.antwi@va.gov.

Oral questions will not be accepted.

The subject line must read: 689-24-130 Boiler Plant Pressure Reducing Stations #1 and #2 Replacement - RFI's.

Questions shall be submitted by 4:00PM EST on August 5, 2024.

The guarantee period services included in this solicitation and contract are not/shall not be considered bid alternates.

All bidders are responsible for monitoring and downloading any amendments from Contract Opportunities on https://sam.gov/content/opportunities.

The statement in block 13a. on page 1 of the SF 1442 does not apply to this IFB. Offerors shall submit their bids via email to tamye.molinaro@va.gov and cecilia.antwi@va.gov by 11:00AM EST on August 16,2024.

Only electronic bids will be accepted.

x x 52.211-10 X

11AM

EDT

08-16-2024 X

14. NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR

15. TELEPHONE NUMBER

16. REMITTANCE ADDRESS

CODE

FACILITY CODE

17. The offeror agrees to perform the work required at the prices specified below in strict accordance with the terms of the solicitation, if this offer is accepted by the Government in writing within __________ calendar days after the date offers are due.

AMOUNTS

18. The offeror agrees to furnish any required performance and payment bonds.

19. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

AMENDMENT

NUMBER

DATE.

20a. NAME AND TITLE OF PERSON AUTHORIZED TO SIGN OFFER 20b. SIGNATURE 20c. OFFER DATE

21. ITEMS ACCEPTED:

22. AMOUNT

23. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA

24. SUBMIT INVOICES TO ADDRESS SHOWN IN

ITEM

25. OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION PURSUANT TO

10 U.S.C. 2304(c)( 41 U.S.C. 3304(a) (

26. ADMINISTERED BY

27. PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY

PHONE:

FAX:

28. NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT

29. AWARD

Your Contractor agrees offer on this solicitation is hereby accepted as to the items listed. This to furnish and deliver all items or perform all work requirements identified award consummates the contract, which consists of (a) the Government on this form and any continuation sheets for the consideration stated in solicitation and your offer, and (b) this contract award. No further cont-this contract. The rights and obligations of the parties to this contract ractual document is necessary.

shall be governed by (a) this contract award, (b) the solicitation, and (c) the clauses, representations, certifications, and specifications incorporated by reference in or attached to this contract.

30a. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTOR OR PERSON AUTHORIZED 31a. NAME OF CONTRACTING OFFICER

TO SIGN

30b. SIGNATURE 30c. DATE 31b. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 31c. AWARD DATE

BY

OFFER

AWARD

STANDARD FORM 1442 (REV. 8/2014) BACK

(Include ZIP Code) (Include area code) (Include only if different than Item 14.)

(Insert any number equal to or greater than the minimum requirement stated in Item 13d. Failure to insert any number means the offeror accepts the minimum in Item 13d.)

(The offeror acknowledges receipt of amendments to the solicitation -- give number and date of each) (Type or print) (4 copies unless otherwise specified) (Type or print) (Type or print) (Contractor is required to sign this document and return _______ copies to issuing office.)

(Contractor is not required to sign this document.)

(Must be fully completed by offeror) (To be completed by Government)

CONTRACTING OFFICER WILL COMPLETE ITEM 28 OR 29 AS APPLICABLE

See Price Schedule 36C241 Department of Veterans Affairs VA Boston Healthcare System Contracting Officer (90C) 940 Belmont Street Brockton

MA

02301 All invoices from the contractor shall be submitted electronically in accordance with VAAR Clause 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Request http://fsc/va/gov/einvoice.asp

78714- Tamye Molinaro Contracting Officer

Table of Contents

A.3 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

Boiler Plant Steam PRV Stations #1 and #2 Replacement. Contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, materials, equipment, tools, and services necessary to size, select pressure reducing values, shut off valves, strainers, safeties, steam traps, flow meter, and other associated steam and condensate components contained within the 2 steam pressure reducing stations located within the Boiler Plant in accordance with the Statement of Work and all attached contract documents.

PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 238220 - Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: Z2DA - Repair or Alteration of Hospitals and Infirmaries

Page 1 of Page 1 of

INFORMATION REGARDING BIDDING MATERIAL, BID GUARANTEE AND BONDS

BIDDING MATERIAL:

· Bidding materials consisting of drawings, specifications, and contract forms are included and /or attached as part of this Invitation for Bid. The VA will not provide printed copies of drawings or specifications. It is the responsibility of the bidder to obtain the bid materials in a time and manner sufficient to respond to this solicitation by the specified due date.

BID GUARANTEE:

· A Bid Guarantee, SF 24, is required. The amount shall be adequate to protect the Government from loss should the successful bidder fail to execute further contractual documents and bonds are required. The bid guarantee amount shall be at least 20 percent of the bid price but shall not exceed $3 million. Failure to furnish the required bid guarantee in the proper form and amount, by the time set opening of bids, may require rejection of the bid in all cases except those listed in FAR 28.101-4. Copies of the SF 24 may be obtained from http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/type/TOP.

PAYMENT & PERFORMANCE BONDS:

· The bidder to whom award is made will be required to furnish two bonds, a Payment Bond, SF 25A, and a Performance Bond, SF 25, each in the penal sum as noted in the General Conditions of the Solicitation. Copies of SFs 25 and 25A may be obtained from http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/tpe/TOP.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

· Refer to the Statement of Work, Specifications, and Drawings.

WAGE DETERMINATION:

· Wages for all contractors and subcontractors must comply with Wage Rate Requirement (formerly Davis Bacon Act). The current determination is General Decision CT 2024023 07052024. Be advised the determination that is current at the time of the contract award is the determination that will apply for the project. Current determinations are always available at: https://sam.gov/content/wage-determinations.

INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS TO BIDDERS/OFFERORS

INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS TO BIDDERS/OFFERORS

AVAILABILITY OF SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS:

· All solicitation related documents will be published to Contract Opportunities at https://sam.gov/content/opportunities.

INVITATION FOR BID:

· This solicitation is being issued as an Invitation for Bid (IFB) in accordance with FAR Part 14.

SDVOSB SET-ASIDE:

· This procurement is 100% set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business concerns. Bids received from other than Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business concerns will not be considered. All Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business must be listed as “verified” by the VA’s Center for Veterans Enterprises (CVE) (ht://www.vetbiz.va.gov). Bidders must be verified by CVE and visible in the Vendor Information Portal (VIP) database at TIME OF SUBMISSION OF BIDS AND TIME OF AWARD. Failure to be BOTH visible and verified at the time of bid submission will result in the bidder’s bid ineligible for award.

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS:

· Questions of a technical nature must be provided in writing and shall be submitted by the prospective bidders via email to Tamye Molinaro, tamye.molinaro@va.gov and Cecilia Antwi, cecilia.antwi@va.gov . The subject line must read: 689-24-130 Boiler Plant PRV Stations #1 and #2. Phase 2- Technical Questions. Oral questions of a technical nature are not acceptable due to the possibility of misunderstanding or misinterpretation. THE CUT-OFF DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF QUESTIONS is August 5, 2024, at 4:00PM EST.

AMENDMENTS:

· Amendments to this solicitation will be posted at https://sam.gov/content/opportunities. Paper copies of the amendments will NOT be individually mailed. No other notification of amendments will be provided. Potential bidders are advised that they are responsible for obtaining and acknowledging any amendments to the solicitation. Failure to acknowledge an amendment may result in your bid being considered non-responsive.

PRE-BID SITE VISIT:

· A formal site visit has been scheduled for this project. This will be the only opportunity for potential bidders to visit the site. See Clause 52.236-27 of this solicitation for further information.

· All potential bidders, subcontractors and suppliers are strongly encouraged to attend this site visit.

PREPARATION OF BIDS:

· The Government will not pay for any costs incurred in preparation and submission of bids.

BID SUBMISSION:

GENERAL:

· Bids are due by 11:00AM EST on 08/16/2024.

· Any bid, modification, or withdrawal of a bid received at the Government office designated in the IFB after the exact time specified for receipt is “late” and will not be considered unless it is received before award is made, the contracting officer determines that accepting the late bid would not unduly delay the acquisition; and-

· If it was transmitted through an electronic commerce method authorized by the IFB, it was received at the initial point of entry to the Government infrastructure not later than 5:00p.m. one day prior to the date specified for receipt of bids: or

· There is acceptable evidence to establish that it was received at the Government installation designated for receipt of bids and was under the Government’s control prior to the time set for receipt of bids.

· The statement in block 13a. on page 1 of the SF1442 does not apply to this IFB. Bidders shall submit their bids via email to: Tamye.molinaro@va.gov and Cecilia.Antwi@va.gov. Only electronic bids will be accepted.

No original or hard copies will be accepted.

· An in person bid opening will not be facilitated.

· Only one (1) electronic bid shall be submitted. Zero (0) copies shall be submitted.

· The bid bond shall be submitted as part of the electronic submission. An original bid bond will be requested by the VA, from the “apparent low bidder”, after the bid opening.

· Failure to provide electronic bids at the date and time set for bid opening will deem the bid non-Responsive.

BID PACKAGE CONTENTS:

· Standard Form (SF)1442 Solicitation, Offer and Award:

· The Bidder shall complete & sign the “OFFER” section of the SF 1442. The Bidder shall submit separate prices for all items (if Applicable) indicated in Block 17.

· Acknowledgement of All Amendments:

· The Bidder shall acknowledge all amendments by either 1.) Completing block 19 of the SF 1442, or 2.) Returning the signed amendment form(s) with the submission.

· Pricing Schedule:

· The Bidder shall complete & sign the “OFFER” section of the SF 1442. The Bidder shall submit separate prices for all items (if Applicable) indicated in Block.

· Bid Guarantee:

· The Bidder shall furnish a bid guarantee (FAR 52.228-1).

· Representations & Certifications:

· The Bidder provide their Representations and Certifications or their response to FAR 52.2-8(2)(i) or (ii). Annual Representations and Certifications.

· Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment:

· Bidder shall provide their response to FAR 52.204-24(d) Representation.

· Information Regarding Responsibility Matters:

· Bidder shall provide their response to FAR 52.209-7 (b) Information Regarding Responsibility Matters.

· Violation of Arms Controls Treaties or Agreements:

· Bidder shall provide response to FAR 52.209-13 (b)(1) or (2) Violation of Arms Controls Treaties or Agreements.

· Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements-Notice and Representation:

· Bidder shall provide their response to 52.229-11items (d) (1) and (d) (2).

· Experience Modification Rate:

· The Bidder shall include the Safety of Environmental Violations and Experience Modification Rating (EMR) Information, including filling out the PRE-AWARD CONTRACTOR EVALUATION FORM (see attachment S02 Pre-Award Contractor Evaluation form).

· Provide Bidder’s information pertaining to their past Safety and Environmental record. The information must contain a certification that the Bidder has no more than three (3) serious, or one (10 repeat or one (1) willful OSHA or any EPA violation(s) in the past three years. If such certification cannot be made, a Bidder shall explain why and submit as much information as possible regarding the circumstances of its past safety and environmental record, including the number of EPA violations and/or the number of serious, repeat, and/or willful OSHA violations, along with a detailed description of those violations.

· Provide Bidder’s information regarding their current EMR. This information shall be obtained from the Bidder’s insurance carrier and be furnished on the insurance carrier and be furnished on the insurance carrier’s letterhead. If a Bidder’s EMR is above 1.0, Bidder must submit a written explanation of the EMR from its insurance carrier furnished on the insurance carrier’s letterhead, describing the reasons for the elevated EMR and the anticipated date the EMR may be reduced to 1.0 or below.

· Self-insured contractors or other contractors that cannot provide their EMR rating on insurance letterhead must obtain a rating from the National Council on Compensation Insurance, Inc. (NCCI) by completing /submitting from ERM-6 and providing the rating on letterhead from NCCI. Note: Self-insured contractors or other contractors that cannot provide EMR rating on insurance letterhead from the states or territories of CA, DE, MI, ND, OH, PA, WA, WY, and PR shall obtain their EMR rating from their state-run worker’s compensation insurance rating bureau.

· If the NCCI cannot issue an EMR because the Bidder lacks insurance history, Bidder shall submit a letter indicating so from its insurance carrier furnished on the insurance carrier’s letterhead and include a letter from the NCCI indicating that it has assigned Bidder a Unity Rating of 1.0.

· The above information, along with other information obtained from Government systems, such as the OSHA and EPA online inspection history databases, will be used to make an initial Determination of Responsibility.

· This requirement is applicable to all subcontracting tiers, and prospective prime contractors are responsible for determining the responsibility of their prospective subcontractors.

· Failure to provide the above documentation, may result in a determination that a Bidder is nonresponsive and therefore ineligible for award.

· VAAR 852-219-77 VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING

· The Bidder shall complete the Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction located in the solicitation.

BID OPENING:

· Bids will be publicly read aloud. A conference line will be announced via an amendment to the solicitation approximately seven (7) calendar days prior to the receipt date for bids.

DETERMINATION OF NON-RESPONSIVE:

· Bids received pertaining to this solicitation will be reviewed for responsiveness. Failure to provide documentation as outlined in the Bid Submission section of the solicitation, at the date and time set for bid opening, may deem the bid non-Responsive.

DETERMINATION OF RESPONSIBILTY:

· A Determination of Responsibility will be conducted for the apparent “low bidder/awardee” prior to award of the project. The Representations and Certifications, along with other information obtained from Government systems, as well as any other information obtained from Government systems, as well as any other information IAW FAR 9.105-1will be used to make the Determination of Responsibility. NOTE: Any information received by the Government that would cause for a negative Determination of Responsibility may make the Bidder ineligible for award.

SUBCONTRACTOR RESPONSIBILITY:

· When it is in the Government’s interest to do so, the contracting officer may directly determine a prospective subcontractor’s responsibility. In this case, the same standards used to determine a prime contractor’s responsibility shall be used by the Government to determine subcontractor responsibility.

VETS 4212:

· Title 38, USC Section 4212(d) codified at 41 CFR Section 61-300, requires that federal contractors report, at least annually, the number and category of veterans who are within their workforce. Submission of the VETS-4212 reporting information can be done electronically at: http://www.dol.gov/vets/vets4212.htm. Award cannot be made unless the awardee has filed their VETS-4212 report. Therefore, all bidders are encouraged to file every year. The Contracting Officer may request a copy of the email confirmation of receipt notification, prior to awarding the project.

SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM):

· Federal Acquisition Regulations require that federal contractors register in the System for Award Management (SAM) database at http://www.sam.gov and enter all mandatory information into the system. Bidders are required to be registered in SAM at the time a bid is submitted in order to comply with the annual representations and certifications requirements.

CONTRACT AWARD:

· Award may only be made with the responsible bidder whose bid, conforming to the solicitation, will be most advantageous to the government, considering only price and the price-related factors announced in this solicitation (see FAR 52.214-19). The low price will be evaluated by the Contracting Officer prior to award to confirm that it is “a fair and reasonable price that offers the best value to the Government”.

REVIEW REQUIRED REGISTRATION WITH CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM (CPARS):

· As prescribed in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 42.1052€, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) evaluates contractor past performance on all construction contracts that exceed $750,000.00 and shares those evaluations with other Federal Government contract specialists and procurement officials. The FAR requires that the contractor be provided an opportunity to comment on past performance evaluations with other Federal Government contract specialists and procurement officials. The FAR requires that the contractor be provided an opportunity to comment on past performance evaluations prior to each report closing. To fulfill this requirement VA uses an online database, CPARS, which is maintained by the Naval Seal logistics Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, CPARS has connectivity with the Past Performance Retrieval System (PPIRS) database, which is available to all Federal agencies. PPIRS is the system used to collect and retrieve performance assessment reports used in source selection determinations and completed CPARS report cards transferred to PPIRS. CPARS also includes access to the federal awardee performance and integrity information system (FAPIIS). FAPIIS is a web enabled application accessed via CPARs for contractor responsibility determination information.

· Each contractor whose contract award is estimated to exceed $750,000.00 is required to register with CPARS database at the following web address: http://www.cpars.gov/.Help in registering can be obtained by contracting Customer Support Desk at 207-438-1690. Registration should occur no later than thirty days after contract award and must be kept current should there be any change to the contractor’s registered representative.

· For contracts with a period of one or less, the contracting officer will perform a single evaluation when the contract is complete. For contracts exceeding one year, the contracting officer will evaluate the contractor’s performance annually. Interim reports will be filed each year until the last year of the contract, when the final report will be completed. The report shall be assigned in CPARS to the contractor’s designated representative for comment. The contractor representative will have thirty days, to submit any comments and re-assign the report to the VA contracting officer.

· Failure to have a current registration in the CPARS database, or to re-assign the report to the VA contracting officer within those thirty days, will result in the Government’s evaluation being placed on file in the database with a statement that the contractor failed to respond.

VHA SUPPLEMENTAL CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS FOR COMBATTING COVID-19 UPDATED 12-14-2021.

· The VHA Supplemental Contract Requirements for Combatting COVID-19 Updated 12-14-2021 applies to all contractors and subcontractors (see attachment S02 VHA Supplemental Contract Requirements for Combatting COVID-19 Updated 12-14-2021).

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS AND SPECIAL AGREEMENT CHECKS:

· All contractor employees are subject to the same level of investigations as VA employees who have access to VA Sensitive Information. The level of background investigation commensurate with the level of access needed to perform the statement of work is: Low Risk. This requirement is applicable to all subcontractor personnel requiring the same access. As per VA Directive 0710, costs of background investigations will be borne by the contractor.

REFERENCES TO A VA ENGINEER, RESIDENT ENGINEER, OR PROJECT MANAGER:

· Any reference contained within the solicitation/ contract specifications and/or drawings to the “VA Engineer”, “Resident Engineer”, or “Project Manager” or their abbreviations shall be replaced with “Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).”

2.1 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

The Government contemplates award of a Firm-Fixed-Price contract resulting from this solicitation.

(End of Provision)

2.2 52.222-5 CONSTRUCTION WAGE RATE REQUIREMENTS—SECONDARY SITE OF THE WORK (MAY 2014) (a)(1) The offeror shall notify the Government if the offeror intends to perform work at any secondary site of the work, as defined in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of the FAR clause at 52.222-6, Construction Wage Rate Requirements, of this solicitation.

(2) If the offeror is unsure if a planned work site satisfies the criteria for a secondary site of the work, the offeror shall request a determination from the Contracting Officer.

(b)(1) If the wage determination provided by the Government for work at the primary site of the work is not applicable to the secondary site of the work, the offeror shall request a wage determination from the Contracting Officer.

(2) The due date for receipt of offers will not be extended as a result of an offeror's request for a wage determination for a secondary site of the work.

(End of Provision)

2.3 52.225-10 NOTICE OF BUY AMERICAN REQUIREMENT—CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS (MAY 2014)

(a) Definitions. "Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item," "construction material," "domestic construction material," and "foreign construction material," as used in this provision, are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled "Buy American—Construction Materials" (Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.225-9).

(b) Requests for determinations of inapplicability. An offeror requesting a determination regarding the inapplicability of the Buy American statute should submit the request to the Contracting Officer in time to allow a determination before submission of offers. The offeror shall include the information and applicable supporting data required by paragraphs (c) and (d) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9 in the request. If an offeror has not requested a determination regarding the inapplicability of the Buy American statute before submitting its offer, or has not received a response to a previous request, the offeror shall include the information and supporting data in the offer.

(c) Evaluation of offers.

(1) The Government will evaluate an offer requesting exception to the requirements of the Buy American statute, based on claimed unreasonable cost of domestic construction material, by adding to the offered price the appropriate percentage of the cost of such foreign construction material, as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9.

(2) If evaluation results in a tie between an offeror that requested the substitution of foreign construction material based on unreasonable cost and an offeror that did not request an exception, the Contracting Officer will award to the offeror that did not request an exception based on unreasonable cost.

(d) Alternate offers.

(1) When an offer includes foreign solicitation in paragraph (b)(2) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9, the offeror also may submit an alternate offer based on use of equivalent domestic construction material.

(2) If an alternate offer is submitted, the offeror shall submit a separate Standard Form 1442 for the alternate offer, and a separate price comparison table prepared in accordance with paragraphs (c) and (d) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9 for the offer that is based on the use of any foreign construction material for which the Government has not yet determined an exception applies.

(3) If the Government determines that a particular exception requested in accordance with paragraph (c) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9 does not apply, the Government will evaluate only those offers based on use of the equivalent domestic construction material, and the offeror shall be required to furnish such domestic construction material. An offer based on use of the foreign construction material for which an exception was requested—

(i) Will be rejected as nonresponsive if this acquisition is conducted by sealed bidding; or

(ii) May be accepted if revised during negotiations.

(End of Provision)

2.4 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

Protests, as defined in section 33.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any protests that are filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), shall be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from:

Tamye Molinaro

Hand-Carried Address:

Department of Veterans Affairs VA Connecticut Healthcare System Contracting Officer (90C) 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven CT 06516 Mailing Address:

Department of Veterans Affairs VA Connecticut Healthcare System Contracting Officer (90C) 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven CT 06516

(b) The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO.

(End of Provision)

2.5 52.236-27 SITE VISIT (CONSTRUCTION) (FEB 1995) ALTERNATE I (FEB 1995)

(a) The clauses at 52.236-2, Differing Site Conditions, and 52.236-3, Site Investigations and Conditions Affecting the Work, will be included in any contract awarded as a result of this solicitation. Accordingly, offerors or quoters are urged and expected to inspect the site where the work will be performed.

(b) An organized site visit has been scheduled for— July 26, 2024, at 10AM

(c) Participants will meet at— The front of Building 15, VAMC West Haven, CT (End of Provision)

2.6 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/

(End of Provision)

2.7 VAAR 852.233-70 PROTEST CONTENT/ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (OCT 2018)

(a) Any protest filed by an interested party shall—

(1) Include the name, address, fax number, email and telephone number of the protester;

(2) Identify the solicitation and/or contract number;

(3) Include an original signed by the protester or the protester’s representative and at least one copy;

(4) Set forth a detailed statement of the legal and factual grounds of the protest, including a description of resulting prejudice to the protester, and provide copies of relevant documents;

(5) Specifically request a ruling of the individual upon whom the protest is served;

(6) State the form of relief requested; and

(7) Provide all information establishing the timeliness of the protest.

(b) Failure to comply with the above may result in dismissal of the protest without further consideration.

(c) Bidders/offerors and Contracting Officers are encouraged to use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures to resolve protests at any stage in the protest process. If ADR is used, the Department of Veterans Affairs will not furnish any documentation in an ADR proceeding beyond what is allowed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(End of Provision)

2.8 VAAR 852.233-71 ALTERNATE PROTEST PROCEDURE (OCT 2018)

(a) As an alternative to filing a protest with the Contracting Officer, an interested party may file a protest by mail or electronically with: Executive Director, Office of Acquisition and Logistics, Risk Management and Compliance Service (003A2C), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420 or Email: EDProtests@va.gov.

(b) The protest will not be considered if the interested party has a protest on the same or similar issue(s) pending with the Contracting Officer.

(End of Provision)

REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

3.1 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (MAY 2024)

(a)(1) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 238220.

(2) The small business size standard is $19 Million.

(3) The small business size standard for a concern that submits an offer, other than on a construction or service acquisition, but proposes to furnish an end item that it did not itself manufacture, process, or produce is 500 employees, or 150 employees for information technology value-added resellers under NAICS code 541519, if the acquisition—

(i) Is set aside for small business and has a value above the simplified acquisition threshold;

(ii) Uses the HUBZone price evaluation preference regardless of dollar value, unless the offeror waives the price evaluation preference; or

(iii) Is an 8(a), HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, economically disadvantaged women-owned, or women-owned small business set-aside or sole-source award regardless of dollar value.

(b)(1) If the provision at 52.204-7, System for Award Management, is included in this solicitation, paragraph (d) of this provision applies.

(2) If the provision at 52.204-7, System for Award Management, is not included in this solicitation, and the Offeror has an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM), the Offeror may choose to use paragraph (d) of this provision instead of completing the corresponding individual representations and certifications in the solicitation. The Offeror shall indicate which option applies by checking one of the following boxes:

[ ] (i) Paragraph (d) applies.

[ ] (ii) Paragraph (d) does not apply and the offeror has completed the individual representations and certifications in the solicitation.

(c)(1) The following representations or certifications in SAM are applicable to this solicitation as indicated:

(i) 52.203-2, Certificate of Independent Price Determination. This provision applies to solicitations when a firm-fixed-price contract or fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment is contemplated, unless—

(A) The acquisition is to be made under the simplified acquisition procedures in Part 13;

(B) The solicitation is a request for technical proposals under two-step sealed bidding procedures; or

(C) The solicitation is for utility services for which rates are set by law or regulation.

(ii) 52.203-11, Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions. This provision applies to solicitations expected to exceed $150,000.

(iii) 52.203-18, Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements—Representation. This provision applies to all solicitations.

(iv) 52.204-3, Taxpayer Identification. This provision applies to solicitations that do not include the provision at 52.204-7, System for Award Management.

(v) 52.204-5, Women-Owned Business (Other Than Small Business). This provision applies to solicitations that—

(A) Are not set aside for small business concerns;

(B) Exceed the simplified acquisition threshold; and

(C) Are for contracts that will be performed in the United States or its outlying areas.

(vi) 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services—Representation. This provision applies to all solicitations.

(vii) 52.209-2, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations—Representation.

(viii) 52.209-5, Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters. This provision applies to solicitations where the contract value is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

(ix) 52.209-11, Representation by Corporations Regarding Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction under any Federal Law. This provision applies to all solicitations.

(x) 52.214-14, Place of Performance—Sealed Bidding. This provision applies to invitations for bids except those in which the place of performance is specified by the Government.

(xi) 52.215-6, Place of Performance. This provision applies to solicitations unless the place of performance is specified by the Government.

(xii) 52.219-1, Small Business Program Representations (Basic, Alternates I, and II). This provision applies to solicitations when the contract is for supplies to be delivered or services to be performed in the United States or its outlying areas, or when the contracting officer has applied part 19 in accordance with 19.000(b)(1)(ii).

(A) The basic provision applies when the solicitations are issued by other than DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard.

(B) The provision with its Alternate I applies to solicitations issued by DoD, NASA, or the Coast Guard.

(C) The provision with its Alternate II applies to solicitations that will result in a multiple-award contract with more than one NAICS code assigned.

(xiii) 52.219-2, Equal Low Bids. This provision applies to solicitations when contracting by sealed bidding and the contract is for supplies to be delivered or services to be performed in the United States or its outlying areas, or when the contracting officer has applied part 19 in accordance with 19.000(b)(1)(ii).

(xiv) 52.222-22, Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports. This provision applies to solicitations that include the clause at 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity.

(xv) 52.222-25, Affirmative Action Compliance. This provision applies to solicitations, other than those for construction, when the solicitation includes the clause at 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity.

(xvi) 52.222-38, Compliance with Veterans' Employment Reporting Requirements. This provision applies to solicitations when it is anticipated the contract award will exceed the simplified acquisition threshold and the contract is not for acquisition of commercial products or commercial services.

(xvii) 52.223-1, Biobased Product Certification. This provision applies to solicitations that require the delivery or specify the use of biobased products in USDA-designated product categories; or include the clause at 52.223-2, Reporting of Biobased Products Under Service and Construction Contracts.

(xviii) 52.223-4, Recovered Material Certification. This provision applies to solicitations that are for, or specify the use of, EPA-designated items.

(xix) 52.223-22, Public Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Reduction Goals—Representation. This provision applies to solicitations that include the clause at 52.204-7.

(xx) 52.225-2, Buy American Certificate. This provision applies to solicitations containing the clause at 52.225-1.

(xxi) 52.225-4, Buy American—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act Certificate. (Basic, Alternates II and III.) This provision applies to solicitations containing the clause at 52.225-3.

(A) If the acquisition value is less than $50,000, the basic provision applies.

(B) If the acquisition value is $50,000 or more but is less than $100,000, the provision with its Alternate II applies.

(C) If the acquisition value is $100,000 or more but is less than $102,280, the provision with its Alternate III applies.

(xxii) 52.225-6, Trade Agreements Certificate. This provision applies to solicitations containing the clause at 52.225-5.

(xxiii) 52.225-20, Prohibition on Conducting Restricted Business Operations in Sudan—Certification. This provision applies to all solicitations.

(xxiv) 52.225-25, Prohibition on Contracting with Entities Engaging in Certain Activities or Transactions Relating to Iran-Representation and Certifications. This provision applies to all solicitations.

(xxv) 52.226-2, Historically Black College or University and Minority Institution Representation. This provision applies to solicitations for research, studies, supplies, or services of the type normally acquired from higher educational institutions.

(A) Solicitations for research, studies, supplies, or services of the type normally acquired from higher educational institutions; and

(B) For DoD, NASA, and Coast Guard acquisitions, solicitations that contain the clause at 52.219-23, Notice of Price Evaluation Adjustment for Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns.

(2) The following representations or certifications are applicable as indicated by the Contracting Officer:

[X] (i) 52.204-17, Ownership or Control of Offeror.

[X] (ii) 52.204-20, Predecessor of Offeror.

[] (iii) 52.222-18, Certification Regarding Knowledge of Child Labor for Listed End Products.

[] (iv) 52.222-48, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Maintenance, Calibration, or Repair of Certain Equipment—Certification.

[] (v) 52.222-52, Exemption from Application of the Service Contract Labor Standards to Contracts for Certain Services—Certification.

[] (vi) 52.227-6, Royalty Information.

[] (A) Basic.

[] (B) Alternate I.

[] (vii) 52.227-15, Representation of Limited Rights Data and Restricted Computer Software.

(d) The Offeror has completed the annual representations and certifications electronically in SAM accessed through https://www.sam.gov. After reviewing the SAM information, the Offeror verifies by submission of the offer that the representations and certifications currently posted electronically that apply to this solicitation as indicated in paragraph (c) of this provision have been entered or updated within the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this solicitation (including the business size standard applicable to the NAICS code referenced for this solicitation), as of the date of this offer and are incorporated in this offer by reference (see FAR 4.1201); except for the changes identified below [offeror to insert changes, identifying change by clause number, title, date]. These amended representation(s) and/or certification(s) are also incorporated in this offer and are current, accurate, and complete as of the date of this offer.

Any changes provided by the offeror are applicable to this solicitation only, and do not result in an update to the representations and certifications posted on SAM.

(End of Provision)

3.2 52.204-24 REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021) The Offeror shall not complete the representation at paragraph (d)(1) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it ‘‘does not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services as a part of its offered products or services to the Government in the performance of any contract, subcontract, or other contractual instrument’’ in paragraph (c)(1) in the provision at 52.204–26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services—Representation, or in paragraph (v)(2)(i) of the provision at 52.212–3, Offeror Representations and Certifications–Commercial Products and Commercial Services. The Offeror shall not complete the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision if the Offeror has represented that it ‘‘does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services’’ in paragraph (c)(2) of the provision at 52.204–26, or in paragraph (v)(2)(ii) of the provision at 52.212–3.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision— Backhaul, covered telecommunications equipment or services, critical technology, interconnection arrangements, reasonable inquiry, roaming, and substantial or essential component have the meanings provided in the clause 52.204–25, Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

(b) Prohibition. (1) Section 889(a)(1)(A) of the John S.