36C24223Q0494.docx

SUBJECT*

Annual Boiler Inspection

GENERAL INFORMATION

SET-ASIDE

Network Contracting Office 2 James J. Peters VA Medical Center 130 West Kingsbridge Road Bronx NY 10468-3904

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Tiffany Vazquez-Simon tiffany.vazquez-simon@va.gov 914-737-4400 x202198 natalie.acevedo@va.gov

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

151 Knollcroft Road

Lyons New Jersey

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

Sources Sought Notice Sources Sought Notice Sources Sought

Sources Sought Notice

1. This is a Sources Sought Notice

(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this Sources Sought or to otherwise pay for the information solicited.

(b) Although "proposal," "offeror," contractor, and "offeror" may be used in this sources sought notice, any response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. The Government is seeking information for market research purposes only.

(c) Any information received from a contractor in response to this Sources Sought may be used in creating a solicitation. Any information received which is marked with a statement, such as "proprietary" or "confidential," intended to restrict distribution will not be distributed outside of the Government, except as required by law.

(d) This Sources Sought is issued by VISN 2 Contracting Office in Network Contracting Office 2 for the purpose of collecting information about VA NJ HCS, Annual Boiler Inspection, Lyons VAMC 151 Knollcroft Road Lyons, NJ 07939 AND East Orange VAMC 385 Tremont Avenue East Orange, NJ 07018. The VA is seeking to provide for this requirement as of 05/01/2023 to establish a new service. The NAICS code identified for this requirement is 541350 Building Inspection Services. The requirement is detailed in the Statement of Work section of this document.

(e) Cursory market research has identified small businesses that may be able to provide for this requirement. Contractors that are able to meet the requirements in the attachment and possess an interest in performing these service, are encouraged to email a capability statement and full information to CO, Natalie Acevedo at natalie.acevedo@va.gov and CS, Tiffany Vazquez-Simon at tiffany.vazquez-simon@va.gov.

- Part of the purpose of this sources sought is to determine the viability of set aside to a specific socio-economic category(service-disabled veteran owned small business, veteran owned small business, women owned small business, HUB Zone, 8(a), small business). Interested parties MUST provide company/individual name, a capability statement, examples of same or similar work performed at other facilities, DUNS number and address, point of contact and social-economic.

If contractor is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), or any other special category of contractors, then contractor is responsible for providing documentation in support of this. This information will be used to determine the viability of a set aside for this requirement. If any of the requested information is not supplied with the response, this may result in the contractor not being considered in the Government’s Procurement Strategy.

The following information is required for determining procurement strategy and viability of sources:

Set aside requirements have limitations on subcontracting. This service is located in Lyons, NJ AND East Orange, NJ. Provide your site location and supporting documentation. Given your location and proximity to the service site, how do you plan to accomplish self-performance of this work?

If your intention is to subcontract work, what tasks will be performed by you as the prime contractor? What tasks will require a subcontractor due to your inability to perform them within your company?

How many years’ experience does your company have in performing tasks of this nature, of this scope and this complexity? How many years of service do your proposed technicians have performing tasks of this nature, this scope, and this complexity? How many years does your proposed subcontractor have in performing tasks of this nature, this scope, and this complexity?

How many jobs of this of this nature, of this scope and this complexity have you performed in the past five years?

How many certified/licensed technicians does your company currently employ?

- Contractors shall also identify any Federal Supply Schedules that may carry the desired services.

- Contractors shall identify pertinent point of contact for company, contractor DUNS number for size standard and socioeconomic verification in SAM and VIP, as well as for any intended subcontractors.

- Contractor shall provide 2 to 3 instances of past experience which demonstrate that they are a firm regularly engaged in this type of work, to include subcontractors for those jobs.

- Contractor shall provide a listing of any teaming agreements they intend to employ in the performance of this requirement if awarded.

- Contractor shall supply proof of any applicable certification or training required to meet the regulatory requirements, if applicable.

- Contractors shall include any relevant comments about the Attachment(s) if applicable.

Below is the Limitation on Subcontracting – Certificate of Compliance Clause. Please complete this as part of your response.

852.219-77 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting—Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction.

As prescribed in 819.7009(c) insert the following clause:

VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING—CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION (SEP 2021) (DEVIATION)

(a) Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127(k)(2), the offeror certifies that—

(1) If awarded a contract (see FAR 2.101 definition), it will comply with the limitations on subcontracting requirement as provided in the solicitation and the resultant contract, as follows: [Contracting Officer check the appropriate box below based on the predominant NAICS code assigned to the instant acquisition as set forth in FAR 19.102.]

(i) [X] Services. In the case of a contract for services (except construction), the contractor will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219-10 or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219-11. Any work that a similarly situated VIP-listed subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 50% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Other direct costs may be excluded to the extent they are not the principal purpose of the acquisition and small business concerns do not provide the service as set forth in 13 CFR 125.6.

(ii) [ ] General construction. In the case of a contract for general construction, the contractor will not pay more than 85% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219-10 or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219-11. Any work that a similarly situated VIP-listed subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 85% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Cost of materials are excluded and not considered to be subcontracted.

(iii) □ Special trade construction contractors. In the case of a contract for special trade contractors, the contractor will not pay more than 75% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219-10 or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219-11. Any work that a similarly situated subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 75% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Cost of materials are excluded and not considered to be subcontracted.

(2) The offeror acknowledges that this certification concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of an Agency of the United States. The offeror further acknowledges that this certification is subject to Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, and, as such, a false, fictitious, or fraudulent certification may render the offeror subject to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties, including prosecution.

(3) If VA determines that an SDVOSB/VOSB awarded a contract pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127 did not act in good faith, such SDVOSB/VOSB shall be subject to any or all of the following:

(i) Referral to the VA Suspension and Debarment Committee;

(ii) A fine under section 16(g)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 645(g)(1)); and

(iii) Prosecution for violating section 1001 of title 18.

(b) The offeror represents and understands that by submission of its offer and award of a contract it may be required to provide copies of documents or records to VA that VA may review to determine whether the offeror complied with the limitations on subcontracting requirement specified in the contract. The Contracting Officer may, at their discretion, require the Contractor to demonstrate its compliance with the limitations on subcontracting at any time during performance and upon completion of a contract if the information regarding such compliance is not already available to the Contracting Officer. Evidence of compliance includes, but is not limited to, invoices, copies of subcontracts, or a list of the value of tasks performed.

(c) The offeror further agrees to cooperate fully and make available any documents or records as may be required to enable VA to determine compliance with the limitations on subcontracting requirement. The offeror understands that failure to provide documents as requested by VA may result in remedial action as the Government deems appropriate.

(d) Offeror completed certification/fill-in required. The formal certification must be completed, signed, and returned with the offeror’s bid, quotation, or proposal. The Government will not consider offers for award from offerors that do not provide the certification, and all such responses will be deemed ineligible for evaluation and award.

Certification:

I hereby certify that if awarded the contract, [insert name of offeror] will comply with the limitations on subcontracting specified in this clause and in the resultant contract. I further certify that I am authorized to execute this certification on behalf of [insert name of offeror].

Printed Name of Signee: _________________________________ Printed Title of Signee: ________________________________ Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: ___________________________________________________ Company Name and Address: _______________________________ (End of clause) Sources Sought Notice

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STATEMENT OF WORK

BOILER INSPECTIONS AT LYONS & EAST ORANGE VAMC

General Scope of Work: The VA Medical Center East Orange/Lyons Campus is requesting a National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Certified Boiler Inspector to conduct required yearly inspections of five (5) Cleaver Brooks 700 HP Fire Tube Boilers and Pressure Vessel (DA Tank) & (Storage Tank) as required at the VA Medical Center Lyons, NJ after C&I's have been completed. (Lyons Campus), and four (4) Cleaver Brooks 600 HP Fire Tube Boilers and Pressure Vessel (DA Tank), (Condensate receiver Tank), air compressor storage tanks and fire sprinkler storage tank as required at the VA Medical Center East Orange, NJ after C&I's have been completed. (East Orange Campus).The inspector shall also supply Inspection Certificate's for the Boilers and Pressure Vessels.

1. Inspection requirements for Boilers shall include:

· Assess the external parts of the boilers and boiler accessories and piping and valves for safety, accessibility, proper maintenance and operation, cleanliness, and compliance with ASME codes.

· Inspect for evidence of leakage of combustion gases or fluids, externally and internally, including all gaskets.

· Inspect foundations for signs of stress such as cracking or movement.

· Inspect boilers externally and internally for defects including bulges, blisters, cracks, wasted or eroded material, warping, general corrosion, grooving and pitting, and damaged insulation.

· Inspect all accessible internal surfaces for waterside and fireside deposits, including scaling, sediment, debris, and carbon deposits.

· Examine all stays and stayed plates.

· Inspect gas side baffles.

· Inspect internal drum surfaces and steam separating internals.

· Inspect tubes, tube ends and tube alignment. Check for sagging tubes.

· Inspect seating surfaces of manways and hand-holes.

· Check for missing items such as bolts and nuts.

· Examine all valve and pipe connections to the pressure vessel.

· Inspect refractory including burner throat, expansion joint, bull ring, furnace seals, furnace walls and floor.

· Verify proper alignment of burner assembly.

· Inspect furnace for evidence of flame impingement.

· Test operation of water level gage glass.

· Perform mechanical and electrical inspection of disassembled low water cutouts. After reinstallation test operation. Test low water cutouts on hot boilers by lowering water level gradually.

· Verify that Boiler steam pressure gage is properly calibrated.

· Test operation of Boiler high steam pressure cutouts on hot boilers by raising steam pressure.

· Inspect safety valve installations and verify that the valves have proper capacity and set pressure, and valves, drains, and vents are properly installed. Verify that valve locking seals are not broken. On boilers that are hot, perform an operation test under pressure to confirm operation at proper set pressures. Operate boiler with burner at high fire to verify adequate steam flow capacity of the safety valves ("accumulation test").

· Inspect piping to the water column, low water cutoffs and alarms, and gage glass. Verify that interior of piping is clear of obstructions.

· Verify that all nozzles of internal piping such as feed water admission and bottom blowoff collection are clear with no obstructions.

· Inspect valves on Boilers, Feed water, Blowdown, Drains and Steam Systems.

2. Technician Qualifications:

Qualified Professional Inspector (QPI).

A. QPI is any one or combination of the following:

1 . A boiler inspector who has a valid and current certificate from the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors.

2. A boiler inspector who has qualified for licensure by passing a written examination under the laws, rules, and regulations of a jurisdiction of the State and holds a current State license.

3. A boiler inspector who is currently employed as a boiler inspector/testing by a jurisdiction that has adopted and administers one or more sections of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code as a legal requirement, and has a representative serving as a member of the ASME Conference Committee; or

4. A boiler inspector who is currently employed by an insurance company that has been licensed or registered by the appropriate authority of a State to write boiler and pressure vessel insurance.

B. Technicians shall demonstrate familiarity with and ready access to the current versions of the following references:

1. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, latest edition.

2. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 85 Boiler and Combustion Systems Hazards Code, latest edition.

3. VHA Boiler Plant Safety Device Testing Manual, latest edition; and

4. NFPA 70E Standard for electrical safety in the workplace, latest edition.

C. Technicians shall be equipped with portable electronic flue gas analyzers and other test instruments necessary for the required tests.

3. Inspection Requirements:

A. Technicians shall provide all tools and labor necessary to perform inspection for all specified equipment under this Statement of Work.

B. Contractor shall provide at least two days' notice to the designated VA COR prior to performing the Inspections. Only one boiler at a time can be out of service for the inspection, and testing.

4. Reports:

Contractor shall provide a complete written report of the inspection fully describing all tests performed, all findings, and recommendations. The report shall have two sections the first section will be in a table form with four columns:

l . The first column labeled "FUNCTION" did the device pass or fail.

2. The second column labeled "Device" list the device number and description in accordance with the VI-IA Boiler Plant Safety Devices Testing Manual, 2017.

3. The third labeled "Deficiencies-Recommendations"

4. The fourth column labeled "corrective actions" list any corrective actions taken or recommended because of the inspection.

The next section shall be in paragraph/bulleted form and list each device individual in accordance with the VHA Boiler Plant Safety Devices Testing Manual, 2017, plus the section must reference the correct Master Specification and Standard Detail for that device. See sample below.

Condensate Storage Tank High Water Alarm Purpose: High water level may be an indication of condensate transfer pump failure that could lead to low water condition in the feed water deaerator and in the boilers. There may be a failure of make-up water controls.

Recommended set point: 4 inches below overflow level and 2/3 of tank height.

Potential hazards due to failure of high-water alarm: Feed water deaerator running dry and, consequently, boiler feed pumps running dry will cause overheating and damage to pumps and potential for plant shut down. Failure of make-up water controls (in open position) could lead to significant cost from waste of water and condensate from the tank overflow i f this occurs over a long period.

Recommended type of device: Conductivity probe type switch. Float type switches have high failure rate in this application where they are exposed to flash steam that causes seals to harden and prevent float movement.

VA Master Specification section: 23 50 1 1 (old 15625).

https://www.cfin.va.gov/til/spec.asp#23 VA Standard Detail: SD2321 1 1-05.pdfhttps:/Avww.cfm.va.gov/til/sDetail.asp Failure rate of float types: 48% (BEI study of VA boiler plants).

Make and Model: Mercoid Float Did it function properly: No Category & Action Time Limit: Upon Failure or Within 5 Years Comments: Float type switches are not allowed for high water alarms. The VA recommended switch type is a conductivity probe type switch. Install the VA recommended switch and set to alarm at 2/3 of the tank height. There are valves that can isolate this alarm. These valves must be made lockable only in the operating position.

5.Performance Monitoring:

Performance monitoring shall be conducted by the designated VA POC in accordance with all described inspections steps by this Statement of Work, all applicable regulations, and the guidance indicated by VHA Directive 1810 Appendix B (Inspection and Testing for Boiler Plant Operations). No invoices shall be pay until final acceptance in accordance with procedures listed above occurs.

6.Period of Performance:

Annual boiler inspections starting May 1st, 2023, with 4 option years.

Vendor shall commence work within 15 days from notice to proceed by each individual facility.

Place of Performance:

VA Medical Center Lyons Campus Lyons, New Jersey 07035 VA Medical Center East Orange Campus East Orange, New Jersey 07018 Page 1 of