36C25726Q0426 0001.docx

Technical Questions – 36C25726Q0426 Sterile Processing (SPS) Water Testing Service Technical Questions – 36C25726Q0426 Sterile Processing (SPS) Water Testing Service

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)

05-26-2026

519-26-4-644-0037

36C257 Department Of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 17 5441 Babcock Road Ste. 302 San Antonio, TX 78240

To all Offerors/Bidders

36C25726Q0426 04-23-2026

X

** HOUR & DATE for Receipt of Offers is EXTENDED to: 06-05-2026 16:00 CDT

The purpose of this amendment is to:

1. Provide the answers to the technical questions received.

2. Extend the offeror due date to 6/5/2026, 4PM CST.

3. All previous terms and conditions remain unchanged.

CONTINUATION PAGE

On-Site vs. Laboratory Testing Page 10 of 36

1. Can the Government clarify which parameters are required to be performed on-site versus laboratory analysis?

Answer: The contractor must follow the latest version of ANSI/AAMI ST108. The contractor will have to determine what test can be performed on site and what test must be sent to a lab. If the contactor has the equipment test like Ph, Conductivity, Alkalinity and hardness might can be performed on site. Bacteria and other test will have to go to a lab. It is not the VA’s place to determine where the test shall be completed.

2. For Onsite Chemistry, can the Government confirm the specific parameters expected (e.g., pH, conductivity, hardness, alkalinity, temperature)?

Answer: The contractor must follow the latest version of ANSI/AAMI ST108. The parameters are listed in the standard. It is the contractor’s responsibility to know and understand the requirements of latest version of ANSI/AAMI ST108.

3. Are field measurements acceptable for compliance, or must confirmatory testing be performed by an accredited laboratory?

Answer: The SOW states that any lab used must be accredited and list those accreditations. Everything must follow the latest version of ANSI/AAMI ST108.

4. For parameters such as total hardness, alkalinity, and conductivity, does the VA require field measurements or certified laboratory analysis?

Answer: Parameters and testing have been answered in the above questions. It is the contractor’s responsibility to know and understand the requirements of latest version of ANSI/AAMI ST108.

5. Are temperature and pH readings at the time of collection considered sufficient, or must they be included in formal laboratory reporting?

Answer: The contractor must follow the latest version of ANSI/AAMI ST108. All information collected must be submitted in the formal laboratory report.

Sampling Time & Scheduling Page 13 of 36

6. The SOW indicates sampling should occur between 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Can the Government confirm whether this applies to all sampling events, including emergency re-testing, or if flexibility is allowed?

Answer: The SOW states that all service/repairs will be performed during the hours of 0800 to 1100 unless requested or approved by the COR or designee. The contractor can submit a request for another time to be considered but it must be approved.

7. If monthly and quarterly sampling requirements overlap, can they be consolidated into a single site visit?

Answer: The contractor can schedule a single site visit to collect monthly and quarterly samples if the contractor follows the requirements of the latest version of ANSI/AAMI ST108.

8. Should pricing assume multiple mobilizations per month, or is there an expected limit on the number of site visits?

Answer: The contractor’s bid must include everything they need to meet the requirements of the SOW and ANSI/AAMI ST108.

Water Management Program (WMP) Page 4 of 36

9. Can the Government confirm whether the Water Management Program (WMP) should be priced:

· As part of the existing CLINs (e.g., 0001/0002), or

· As a separate CLIN or cost element?

Answer: The WMP has been considered as part of the existing CLIN’s.

10. Can the Government provide a detailed overview of the expected WMP services, including:

· Frequency of meetings, can they all be done virtually?

· Required deliverables (plans, SOPs, risk assessments)

· Level of involvement in corrective actions Answer: The ANSI/AAMI ST108 outlines roles and has a link to help set up the committee. This is to be a multidisciplinary team that the contractor has a role in. The committee will set the frequency of meeting, usually they are monthly. Contractor must provide reports and risk assessments. They are to serve as consultants for resolving any issues.

11. Does the WMP provider have decision-making authority, or is the role strictly advisory/consultative?

Answer: The contractor role is strictly advisory/consultative.

12. Is the contractor responsible for ongoing updates and maintenance of the WMP, or only initial development?

Answer: The contractor as part of the multidisciplinary team will be responsible for updates/reports and continue to serve in an advisory/consultative role for the life of the contract.

Scope of Responsibility & Corrective Actions

13. Can the Government clarify whether the contractor is responsible for:

· Implementation of corrective actions, or

· Providing recommendations only?

Answer: The contractor is just advisory/consultative role. The VA is responsible for implementing corrective actions.

14. In cases of repeated non-conforming results, does the scope include:

· Root cause analysis

· System troubleshooting

· Coordination with third-party vendors (if applicable)?

Answer: If there are repeated non-conforming results the contractor is to make recommendations to help the VA troubleshoot and find the root cause. The contractor can recommend vendors that specialize if this work.

Emergency Re-Testing

15. The SOW references up to 16 emergency re-tests per non-conforming site. Can the Government confirm whether this applies:

· Per sampling location

· Per system

· Or per contract year?

Answer: If there is a non-conforming result then the contactor must re-test the location in the system that failed twice. This is per non-conforming result.

16. Should emergency re-testing include:

· Sampling only

· Sampling and laboratory analysis

· Full repeat of all required parameters (HPC, LAL, Chemistry)?

Answer: Full repeat of all required parameters.

17. Is there a required turnaround time for emergency sampling and reporting?

Answer: If there is a non-conforming result then the contactor must re-test twice within 7 business days.

Sampling Logistics & Shipping

18. Is the contractor expected to perform all sampling, or should the contractor also provide training for VA personnel to collect emergency samples?

Answer: The contractor will perform all testing.

19. For samples collected by VA personnel, who is responsible for packaging and shipping compliance?

Answer: N/A see questions 18.

20. Can the Government confirm whether overnight shipping is required for all microbiological samples (e.g., HPC, LAL)?

Answer: The ANSI/AAMI ST108 states: Sample analysis should be initiated as soon as possible after collection to minimize changes in the bacterial population. The recommended maximum elapsed time between collection and analysis is 8-hours (maximum transit time 6-hours, maximum processing time 2-hours). When analysis cannot begin within 8-hours, maintain sample at a temperature below 4 °C but do not freeze. Maximum elapsed time between collection and analysis should not exceed 24-hours.

Laboratory Requirements

21. Can the Government confirm whether subcontracted laboratories meeting applicable accreditations (e.g., EMLAP, NELAP) are acceptable?

Answer: The requirement is the lab be accredited and within the time constraints.

Reporting Requirements

22. Can the Government provide a sample report format for monthly, quarterly, and WMP reporting?

Answer: Not all lab reports or formatted the same as not all WMP reports are the same. Because of this the VA will not provide someone else’s format.

23. Is there a required standardized format (e.g., VA template, AAMI format)?

Answer: No.

24. Should reports present:

· Analytical results with reference limits, or

· Pass/fail determinations?

Answer: Report must have reference limits and actual count along with pass or fail.

CLIN Structure & Pricing

25. Should pricing for steam testing and ionics testing be included within existing CLINs, or handled separately?

Answer: Included in existing CLIN’s.

26. Should WMP-related services be included within CLIN 0001 (monthly), or priced independently?

Answer: Included in existing CLIN’s.

Equipment & Field Instruments

27. Does the Government require specific calibration standards or equipment types for field testing instruments?

Answer: If the equipment requires a calibration, then it must be calibrated. All tests must follow latest version of ANSI/AAMI ST108.

28. Are calibration records required to be submitted with reports?

Answer: Yes.

Program Intent Clarification

29. Given the expanded requirements under AAMI ST108:2023, can the Government confirm whether the intent of this contract is primarily:

· Routine compliance monitoring, or

· A fully managed water quality program including ongoing optimization and oversight?

Answer: The contractor as part of the multidisciplinary team will be responsible for updates/reports and continue to serve in an advisory/consultative role for the life of the contract. This is for testing and compliance with the standard.

30. Is this a brand-new contract or is there an incumbent performing these services?

Answer: This is a new contract that will be replacing one that is expiring.

31. If not brand new, please provide the current/previous contract number?

Answer: 36C25721C0084.

End Document