36C25624Q1008 0001.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 NUMBERE

D 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 amendmen t, 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) 667-24-4-501-0361 Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Network Contracting Office 16 2575 Keystone Crossing Fayetteville AR 72703 Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks Network Contracting Office 16 2575 Keystone Crossing Fayetteville AR 72703 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C25624Q1008 06-11-2024

X

See CONTINUATION Page x The purpose of this solicitation amendment is to:

1. Change the NAICs code from 541330 to the correct NAICs code 238210 Electrical Contractors & Other Wiring Contractors

2. Post the Questions and Answers received for this solicitation

3. Change the Instructions to Offerors:

4. Provide a cut-off date for scheduling site visit

5. Change the contractors' Evaluation Factors & Qualifications

6. Change the required documents to submit for

RFQ

7. Extended the RFQ due date and time.

Dena Young Contracting Officer

CONTINUATION PAGE

AMENDEMENT NOTICE - Switchgear Testing Change NAICs code from 541330 to correct NAICs 238210.

Posting Q&A’s:

Questions and Answers to solicitation provided:

Question #1:

Scope of Work: It is the intent of these tests to assure that all electrical equipment is operational within industry and manufacturer's tolerances. Work items, definitions, and references shall comply with the latest edition of the NETA - Maintenance Testing Specifications. Upon completion of the tests, a label shall be attached to all service devices. These labels shall indicate date of service and the service company responsible. The tests shall determine suitability for continued operation. The testing company shall thoroughly clean all equipment tested and serviced. Such cleaning shall include removal of all dust, dirt, debris, oil film, etc. Cleaning is subject to Contracting Officer's Representative inspection and acceptance. Ground testing verification that resistance between your grounding system and earth meets the specifications of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and other pertinent guidelines. Any item/equipment that fails the initial test shall be retested in the presence of the COTR. Testing and inspecting must be done while the Electrical Power Distribution System is energized; contractor must ensure all appropriate safety precautions are taken before, during and after scanning the system. An infra-red scanning camera will be used to detect hot spots; loose, broken, or corroded connections within the Electrical Power Distribution System. Problem connections shall be replaced with new connectors, and/or tightened with torque wrench to meet the equipment manufacturers' specifications.

Based on the SOW, can you please answer below?

"Could you clarify the scope of work?

Are you requesting only an IR scan with the system energized, or do you need every device listed to be cleaned and tested per NETA standards?

If the equipment cannot be taken offline, we can only perform an IR scan."

ANSWER TO QUESTION #1:

1. The intent is to ensure the equipment is still operational within the manufacturer’s specifications and still comply with the latest Maintenance Testing Specifications.

1. No, it is not only an IR scan.

1. Yes the facility does need or power distribution system tested, inspected and cleaned per NETA Standards.

1. It will be expected for the VA electricians to deenergize (take offline) the system for the work to be accomplished.

Question #2:

“…. bring up an issue with the above referenced {36C25624Q1008} solicitation for the Switchgear Testing at the VA Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. Page 7 outlines Contractor Qualifications stating the following:

Contractor Qualifications:

"Contractor shall be certified by the InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA) as NETA Certified Technician, and completed the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) approved 10-hour construction safety training."

There are a couple of issues with this limited qualification statement:

The requirement does not does not recognize equivalent experience or higher qualifications such as those possessed by an electrical engineer or registered Professional Engineer.

1. Other testing certification organizations exist such as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) and test equipment manufacturers such as Megger through their AVO Training Institute.

This restrictive language has been successfully protested as far back as 1992 from our records. Both the VA Central Office and GAO have confirmed this is unduly restrictive and expressed the need to recognize equivalent certifications, higher qualifications (i.e., engineering degree), equivalent experience, etc.

Answer to Question #2:

Solicitation 36C25624Q1008 Qualifications, Experience and Instructions to Offerors will be changed to the following requirements:

See the new instructions to Offerors AND THE NEW EVALUATION FACTORS AND CHANGES TO WHAT SHALL BE SUBMITTED AS DOCUMENTATIONS.

NEW REVISED INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS:

Prospective bidders refer to the Statement of Work (SOW) and the Facility drawings.

Prospective bidders may visit the job site to verify quantities and locations. Failure to do so will not relieve the contractor of the responsibility to conduct all tests required by specifications within locations identified within the SOW.

To schedule any site visits please contact:

Jason Kirkland, Electrician Supervisor Overton Brooks VA Hospital 510 E Stoner Ave Shreveport, LA 71101 Office phone 318-990-5460 Jason.Kirkland@va.gov

Deadline for scheduling site visit shall be made in advance, the day before the visit, and the cut-off for as scheduled site visit is 13 June 2024, and must conclude by 3:00pm CST.

*Please submit quotes to Dena Young, Contracting Officer via email at: Dena.Young@va.gov And reference in the email subject line, “Swithgear Testing Shreveport VA”.

All questions shall be emailed to Dena.Young@va.gov with statement in subject line “Swithgear Testing Shreveport VA”, no later June 11th at 4:00pm CST

Vendors must provide:

1. Quote/price

2. The Lead Service Field Engineer/Technician copy of their current certification by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) OR a current certification for the National Electrical Testing Association (NETA) OR Equivalent to the certificate (i.e. Professional BS degree in Engineering and/or references (submit documents as stated for submission in #4 and/or #5.)

3. Provide a resume/CV for the Lead Service Field Engineer/Technician to demonstrate contractor specific experience in healthcare facilities in the last five years.

a. CV should reflect capability of: a) testing assessing, evaluation, servicing, and reconditioning components, b) assuring that the equipment on which work has been performed is safe, reliable and acceptable for its intended purpose, and c) identifying defective equipment, and potential safety problems, environmental hazards, or code violations.

4. Persons who, by their education, training, and specialized experience can qualify for certification but who have not yet applied or taken the certification exams.

a. These people must submit three (3) references on projects of similar size and complexity and demonstrate that they have the required specialized knowledge and five (5) years experienced in electrical switchgear and power distribution systems testing; or

5. Persons with higher qualifications, such as a BS degree in Engineering, provided that they submit three (3) references on projects of similar size and complexity and demonstrate that they have the acquired specialized knowledge and five (5) years experience in electrical switchgear and power distribution systems testing

Basis of Award:

A Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable procurement is being conducted. As such, award will be made on the basis of the lowest evaluated price of proposals meeting or exceeding the acceptability standards for the non-cost factor. Past Performance history will be considered for responsibility determination purposes only (FAR 9.104-1(c). The evaluation factors are as follows:

Factor 1-Technical Factor 2-Price

Under the ‘technical factor,’ each offeror’s responses will be evaluated on a ‘pass/fail’ basis or ‘acceptable/unacceptable’ basis. This determination will be based on the offeror demonstrating in its proposal a technical solution that minimally meets the technical requirements specified in the Solicitation’s Statement of Work.

Price will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness.

Factor 1 – TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES: Offerors must submit relevant information demonstrating technical capability to satisfactorily perform the following requirement as expressed in the Statement of Work in the Solicitation

1. Field service work shall be performed directly by field service engineers who have successfully demonstrated their knowledge and experience in the field of Electrical Power Distribution Systems Testing. The field service engineer shall be capable of: a) testing assessing, evaluation, servicing, and reconditioning components, b) assuring that the equipment on which work has been performed is safe, reliable and acceptable for its intended purpose, and c) identifying defective equipment, and potential safety problems, environmental hazards, or code violations.

2. Lead Technician/Engineer meets the certification requirements for the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) OR a current certification for the National Electrical Testing Association (NETA) OR has obtained an equivalent certifications, or higher qualifications such as an engineering degree OR equivalent experience.

3. Lead Technician/Engineer/Company meets a requirement that they have relevant and recent, within the past 5 years, experience working similar electrical testing requirements in specific healthcare facility experience.

a. Persons who, by their education, training, and specialized experience can qualify for certification but who have not yet applied or taken the certification exams. These people must submit three (3) references on projects of similar size and complexity and demonstrate that they have the required specialized knowledge and five (5) years experienced in electrical switchgear and power distribution systems testing; or

b. Persons with higher qualifications, such as a BS degree in Engineering, provided that they submit three (3) references on projects of similar size and complexity and demonstrate that they have the acquired specialized knowledge and five (5) years experience in electrical switchgear and power distribution systems testing Factor 2 – PRICE: Prices will be evaluated on the basis of price fairness and reasonableness.