36C25726R0040_1.docx

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.

36C25726R0040 X

TBD

TBD

671-18-106 36C257 Department Of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 17 5441 Babcock Road Ste. 302 San Antonio TX 78240 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 17 5441 Babcock Road Ste. 302 San Antonio TX 78240 Stephanie Ingersoll 210-240-6838

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) for 671-18-106 - Replace Water Softener System

The contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, materials, and equipment to complete all required project work in accordance with the Statement of Work.

NAICS: 238220 Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Contractors PSC: Z2DA Repair or Alterations of Hospitals and Infirmaries Construction Magnitude: Between $2,000,000 and $5,000,000 IAW FAR 36.204(f).

This solicitation is 100% Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business SDVOSB set-aside.

Performance and payment bonds are required.

Place of Performance: Audie Murphy Memorial Veterans' Hospital, 7400 Merton Minter Blvd, San Antonio, Texas 78229

Site Visit: March 10, 2026, at 8:00 AM CST at Main Hospital Entrance, at the Audie Murphy Memorial Veterans' Hospital POC Maria Hernandez (210)984-0503 Email: maria.hernandez2@va.gov; Please see Attachment 9 for Site visit map

RFIs Due: 16 March 2026, by 10:00 AM CST, email to rhonda.richardson5@va.gov and stephanie.ingersoll@va.gov Proposals Due: 2 April 2026 @ 10:00 AM, email to rhonda.richardson5@va.gov and stephanie.ingersoll@va.gov

NOTE: Please follow all instructions to offerors on the following pages or your proposal could be deemed nonresponsive.

Awardees will be required to provide a Superintendent at all times work is being performed on the project in accordance with FAR Clause 52.236-6. The Superintendent is considered a key position and SHALL NOT be subcontracted and must work directly for the prime contractor.

X X X

10:00AM

04-02-2026 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

36C257 Department Of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 17 5441 Babcock Road Ste. 302 San Antonio TX 78240 This is accomplished through the Tungsten Network located at:

http://www.fsc.va.gov/einvoice.asp This is mandatory and the sole method for submitting invoices.

(877) 353-9791

(512) 460-5540 Rhonda Richardson Contracting Officer

Table of Contents

A.3 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

The contractor shall provide all supervision, labor, equipment, and materials needed to complete work for Project 671-18-106 Replace Water Softener System per the provided drawings, specifications, and statement of work.

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

Performance and Payment Bonds PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 238220 - Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors Z2DA – Repair or Alteration of Hospitals and Infirmaries

Page 1 of Page 1 of

CONSTRUCTION STATEMENT OF WORK

VA PROJECT NO. 671-18-106 REPLACE WATER SOFTENER SYSTEM

Audie L. Murphy Hospital | South Texas Veterans Healthcare System | San Antonio, TX

Instructions: Participants shall meet at the front entrance of the main hospital to be escorted into the worksite. Area of work includes interstitial floors, attendees shall review and comply with VA Policy 007-15-04 before entering the interstitials. No photography of the VA premises will be allowed without permission from the Contracting Officer. Reference the solicitation posting for site visit time/date and POC information.

Provide all labor, material, equipment, supervision, and services required by the plans and specifications, to include building alterations, structural repairs, temporary utilities, selective demolition, site supervision, safety and quality control, surveys, inspections, exterior site work, testing and balancing, certification, closeout, and certain other items to replace the Water Softener System of Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital. Replacement includes inspection and decommissioning of the underground brine tank and pump system, removal of the existing solar water storage system and med gas equipment, temporary water softener system, new water softeners system, water softener room structural repairs and improvements, new pier and pad foundations, new med gas equipment and pump room construction.

Project includes but is not limited to the following general outline of the project phasing and shall be worked with all plans and specifications included with the contract documents:

1. The facility soft water system operates year-round for domestic water and supports drinking water, medical equipment sterilization, and domestic water heating. With exception of preconstruction activities and work for the new medical vacuum plant, the construction phasing for this project will require a temporary water softening system. The contractor shall plan and coordinate all required utility shutdowns with VA Engineering and M&O Forman. Domestic water shutdowns are limited to two (2) hours maximum, during off peak hours, unless approved by the medical administration. The contractor shall also develop a construction phasing plan utilizing the phasing steps shown withing the contract documents and Sheet G-004. The contractor's phasing plan is subject to final approval by the VA. Final approved phasing plan shall not be grounds for a change order.

2. Provide staging plan, pollution prevention plan, dust containment/control plan, flood prevention plan, and temporary bracing plan, prior to construction. Capture concrete cleanout area and erosion control; all curb inlets, pits, and catch basins within the two primary areas of work shall be protected and regularly maintained throughout the construction period of performance. Capture temporary barriers, dust control, temporary piping and isolation valves, include lockout tagout and make safe procedures for electrical, fire protection, plumbing, HVAC, and communications systems. Field verify existing electrical and provide voltage testing prior to product submittals.

3.

3. The existing medical gas equipment located within the water softener plant is in poor condition for storage or reuse and requires replacement. The existing medical gas equipment shall remain fully operational with exception of tie-in connections for the relocated new equipment. The objective is to relocate the proposed medical gas equipment to an adjacent area within the tunnel currently housing an abandoned solar water storage system. Drain and remove the abandoned solar water tank system, remove all piping, pumps, equipment, insulation, enclosure, and other accessories up to the tunnel roof, protect and repair any damage to the existing equipment pad. Once the required space and clearances are cleared an acoustic enclosure shall be erected to house the proposed med gas equipment: Provide new triplex oil-less claw medical vacuum system, ready for a fourth pump, skid mounted on existing equipment pad, and include new lighting, exhaust, fixtures, alarms, controls, signage, sensors, supports, piping, etc., and connect to the existing utility systems. New triplex medvac plant shall be operational, tested, and certified prior to demo of the existing plant.

4. Contractor shall employ a qualified fire protection engineer to provide design modifications of the existing fire alarm and sprinkler system to accommodate the new construction. Delegated designs shall be submitted for review and approval, allow up to a 30-day review period.

5. Contractor shall prepare site and provide temporary trailer mounted water softener plant to service the hospital during replacement and up to commissioning of the new water softener plant. The proposed temporary connection points should be inspected by the contractor prior to tie-in. Provide temporary connections, supports, and appurtenances required to maintain continuity of service.

6. The contractor shall take precautions during selective demolition in effort to protect existing utilities and equipment within the two primary areas of work: Water Softener Room AB 20a housing the existing water softeners and medvac equipment is located in the basement level utility tunnel of the Main Hospital Building 1. Building 2 contains the existing underground brine storage and equipment and is located approximately 300 feet south of the Water Softener Room AB 20a. Prior to work, the contractor shall provide pressure and flow testing of the existing buried brine piping between Bldg.2 and Mechanical Equipment Room AB20 to determine conditions for reuse or replacement.

7. Water Softener Room AB 20a - Drain and remove the existing soft water and medvac systems, equipment pads, supports, and other room contents. Replace the exterior reinforced masonry wall, the two masonry partition walls, and the reinforced concrete slab. Repair defective reinforcement and concrete for the western retaining wall. Provide new room fixtures, finishes, doors, ventilation units, detection and notification devices, alarms, and signage. Provide new triple water softener tank assembly and brine day tank, soft water tanks shall be skid mounted on individual equipment pads, install new connections, supports, and appurtenances. The proposed layout may be altered as needed to facilitate future maintenance and service.

8. Underground Brine Building 2 - Purge and dispose of residual brine and backfill both brine storage basins. Once backfill is complete, demolish surface equipment and structures. GPRS or equivalent shall provide below grade utility verification prior to earthwork or exterior improvements for the proposed brine structure and equipment: Provide new foundations and brinemaker with alternating transfer pumps, install new connections, supports, and appurtenances.

9. Exposed foundations, trenches, and subgrade shall be inspected by the VA Structural Engineer prior to soil compaction, rebar placement, moisture barrier installation, or concrete pour.

10. Provide a minimum of nine (9) water hardness test kits to the COR for VA Safety Service to perform testing during the construction period of performance.

11. Provide cages and protect in place the existing fire sprinklers within the tunnel during construction. For the renovated water softener room and new pump room, seal fire penetrations, provide and install smoke/fire detectors and dampers integrated into the existing fire alarm system.

12. All work shall be performed by qualified and experienced personnel for the disciplines involved. Credentials shall be valid for the location of this project, and equipment shall be regularly calibrated.

13. Work shall be performed from Monday to Friday between 8:00AM and 4:30PM. Contractor access will be provided during this time, except special federal holidays unless discussed and approved by the CO ahead of time.

14. Points of Acceptance:

a. The Contracting Officer will be the sole authorized official to release verbally or in writing, any data, the draft deliverables, the final deliverables, or any other written or printed materials pertaining to this contract. No information shall be released by the contractor. Any request for information relating to this contract presented to the contractor shall be submitted to the CO for response.

The Contracting Officer Representative (COR) is responsible for the inspection, technical supervision, and acceptance of the work called for in the contract schedule, including related specifications and contract terms regarding onsite work requirements. Pursuant to the Delegation of Authority (by separate memo), he or she does not have the authority to make changes to the contract in quantity, dollar amount, or time.

Coordinate with VA COR before the start of this service. See information below:

i. Observed Federal Holidays:

ii. In addition to the days designated as holidays, the Government observes the following days:

I. Any other day designated by Federal Statute II. Any other day designated by Executive Order III. Any other day designated by the President’s Proclamation

iii. Submit the proper documentation and reports to receive payment on this service.

See information below:

Invoices and Payment:

I. The Constractor shall submit a schedule of values (SoV) after kick-off meeting. The SoV shall at a minimum itemize each report/phase of submission, construction period of services (CPS), and construction site visits to reflect the total cost proposal agreed upon at the time of award. The construction site visits shall reflect the quantity of visits and the cost per visit as depicted on the cost proposals.

II. The Contractor shall be required to invoice through the Tungsten System at http://www.tungsten-network.com/us/en/veterans-affairs/. Additional information regarding Tungsten shall be provided upon award.

III. The Contractor shall have current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) for this solicitation; URL: www.sam.gov.

IV. The Contractor shall submit invoice to the COR for review and signature. The Contractor shall submit the signed copy of the invoice to Tungsten. The invoice shall include the following information. Any information listed below, and not provided on an invoice, will render that invoice incomplete and the invoice will be returned for immediate correction:

· Time period being invoiced for

· Description of services performed

· Unit Cost billed

· Extended amount due

· Invoice number, date

· Contract and obligation numbers

15. The utility tunnel housing the water softener room shall remain occupied and operational throughout the construction period of performance of this contract. Total estimated construction period of performance is 548 calendar days.

16. Protection against dust, fumes, odors, noise, etc. shall be required as to not disturb/disrupt nearby VA Staff or operations. Adjacent areas to the work areas must remain accessible for the duration of the project. Limit access to and from the site by using the rear service gate, when possible. Adjacent areas to the work site include:

a. Utility Tunnel - Accessed by M&O Staff and forklift, Mon-Fri, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

b. Loading Dock- Accessed by Logistics deliveries, Mon-Fri, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

c. Storage Containers - Accessed by Safety Service, Mon-Fri, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

d. Steam Plant - Accessed by M&O Staff and forklift, Mon-Fri, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

e. Control Center - Occupied by M&O Staff at all times.

f. Site - Serviced by M&O and Grounds Services, Mon-Fri, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

17. All incidental work associated with the general outline shall be included in the base bid. This general outline is not to be considered all inclusive, therefore the Contractor shall exercise due diligence to ensure that all requirements of the plans and specifications are addressed.

Expectation: The Contractor shall follow the submittal process for all applicable specification sections. Create a master submittal register to track all required submittal items and update the submittal register weekly until the submittal process is completed. All submittals shall include appropriate project information, CQ/PM signature, adequate descriptive literature, catalog cuts, shop drawings and other data necessary for the Government to ascertain that the proposed equipment and materials comply with the requirements. Product data shall be legible, submit document with the latest revision date, clearly identify equipment being proposed (i.e. highlight, cloud, etc.) and the intended use. It is the Contractor’s responsibility to provide submittals that meet all applicable Federal, State and Local code requirements for acceptance. Failure to comply with the submittal process is the responsibility of the Contractor and does not justify a request for time extension. Non-compliant material shall be removed and replaced at the Contractor’s expense.

18. The VA Master Construction Specifications contain work procedures, submittals, and material requirements designed to meet the minimum regulatory compliance requirements. The VA Master Construction Specification Sections to be used for this construction contract include:

DIVISION 01 - GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (**Preconstruction Submittals**) 01 00 00 General Requirements ** 01 32 16.15 Project Schedules ** 01 33 23 Shop Drawings, Product Data, and Samples ** 01 35 26 Safety Requirements ** 01 42 19 Reference Standards 01 45 00 Quality Control ** 01 45 29 Testing Laboratory Services 01 57 19 Temporary Environmental Controls ** 01 58 16 Temporary Interior Signage 01 74 19 Construction Waste Management ** 01 81 13 Sustainable Construction Requirements 01 91 00 General Commissioning Requirements

DIVISION 02 – EXISTING CONDITIONS

02 41 00 Demolition 02 65 00 Underground Storage Tank Removal

DIVISION 03 – CONCRETE

03 30 53 Cast-in-Place Concrete

DIVISION 04 – MASONRY

04 05 13 Masonry Mortaring 04 05 16 Masonry Grouting 04 20 00 Unit Masonry

DIVISION 05 – METALS

05 12 00 Structural Steel Framing 05 40 00 Cold-Formed Metal Framing 05 50 00 Metal Fabrications

DIVISION 07 – THERMAL AND MOISTURE PROTECTION

07 11 13 Bituminous Dampproofing 07 21 13 Thermal Insulation 07 27 27 Fluid Applied Membrane Air Barriers, Vapor retarding 07 92 00 Joint Sealants

DIVISION 08 – OPENINGS

08 11 13 Hollow Metal Doors and Frames 08 33 00 Cooling Doors and Grilles 08 71 00 Door Hardware 08 90 00 Louvers and Vents

DIVISION 09 – FINISHES

09 05 16 Subsurface Preparation for Floor Finishes 09 29 00 Gypsum Board 09 67 23.20 Resinous Flooring (RES-2) 09 91 00 Painting 09 96 59 Resinous Specialty Glazed Coating for Walls, Ceilings, Wallboard, and Block CMU

DIVISION 21 – FIRE SUPPRESSION

21 13 13 Wet-Pipe Sprinkler System

DIVISION 22 – PLUMBING

22 05 11 Common Work Results for Plumbing * 22 05 12 General Motor Requirements for Plumbing 22 05 19 Meters and Gages for Plumbing Piping 22 05 23 General-Duty Valves for Plumbing Piping 22 05 33 Heat Tracing for Plumbing Piping 22 07 11 Plumbing Insulation 22 08 00 Commissioning of Plumbing Systems 22 11 00 Facility Water Distribution 22 11 23 Brine Pumps 22 12 17 Brine Tank 22 31 11 Water Softeners

DIVISION 23 – HEATING, VENTILATING, AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC)

23 05 11 Common Work Results for HVAC * 23 09 23 Direct-Digital Control System for HVAC

DIVISION 26 – ELECTRICAL

26 05 11 Requirements for Electrical Installations * 26 05 19 Low-Voltage Electrical Power Conductors and Cables 26 05 26 Grounding and Bonding for Electrical Systems 26 05 33 Raceway and Boxes for Electrical Systems 26 24 16 Panelboards 26 29 21 Enclosed Switches and Circuit Breakers

19. Infection Control & Prevention: All contract employees must complete the annual Infection Control & Prevention Safety Training Session. Training is available every Tuesday at 10:30 AM on the ground floor of Audie L. Murphy Memorial Hospital in room E-002. Each year, participants shall attend the Infection Prevention and Safety Training and provide proof of tuberculin screening. Provide proof of Influenza Shot (required from October 1st to the end of March annually); Federal Contractors will be expected to provide confirmation of Influenza compliance on all employees working in or around VA facilities. VHA Directive 1192.01 establishes policy and provides guidance for the prevention of seasonal influenza, through the vaccination of health care personnel.

20. Access Badge: After award, all personnel requiring access to the site must work with the COR to complete contractor enrollment. The contractor shall be responsible for badge delays resulting from document errors, missed appointments, or invalid identification documents submitted. All access badges must be returned to the CO prior to substantial completion regardless of the card expiration.

21. General Contractor: The Contractor shall maintain the personnel, organization, and administrative control necessary to ensure that the work delivered meets the contract requirements. The work history of each contract employee should contain recent healthcare construction experience directly related to the task and functions he/she is intended to perform under this contract. Personnel assigned to, or utilized by, the Contractor in performance of work shall be fully capable of performing the contractual requirements in an efficient, reliable, and professional manner.

The Government reserves the right, during the life of the resulting contract, to request work history on any Contractor employee for the purpose of verifying compliance with the above requirements; additionally, the Government reserves the right to review resumes and qualifications of Contractor personnel. Upon request, resume shall be provided, for review and acceptance by the CO. The intent is verification purpose and not for the Government to become the hiring authority.

Contractor and subcontractor personnel shall present a professional appearance commensurate with standards delineated for Government civilian personnel acting in similar capacities. Smoking and/or vaping is strictly prohibited at all times while on the VA property.

Contractor employees and subcontractors shall have valid driver licenses, insurance, and obey all traffic laws when driving a vehicle on VA property. Personnel may be subject to inspection of their personal effects by VA Police and Physical Security Services when entering and leaving the site.

Contractor personnel are not authorized to carry or possess personal weapons to include, but not limited to, firearms and knives with a blade length in excess of three inches, while on site.

Contractors are not allowed to park in any VA patient, visitor, or employee parking lots.

Site Superintendent shall maintain a log for contract personnel to sign in and out each time they enter or leave the project site. The sign in/out log should remain at the site at all times.

Contractor and subcontractor personnel shall conduct themselves in a professional manner (i.e., timeliness, communication; spoken and written etc.). The CO may require the Contractor to remove from the job site any contractor employee working under this contract for reasons of suspected misconduct, a suspected security breach, or suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other incapacitating agent. Contractor employees shall be subject to dismissal from the premises upon determination by the CO that such action is necessary in the interests of the Government. The VA Hospital Medical Director or designated representative has the authority to bar individuals from the Government facility. The removal or dismissal from the premises shall not relieve the Contractor of the requirement to provide sufficient personnel to perform the services as required by this statement of work. The Government shall not reimburse the Contractor for travel and other expenses associated with the removal of personnel.

23. Construction Safety: The Contractor shall furnish & post a board as instructed by the COR and VA Safety that includes, but is not limited to, a copy of ILSM/ICRA/PCRA/GEMS/Patient Safety signed determinations, Site Specific Emergency Contact information, Construction site fire response procedures & evacuation plan, post the number of accident-free days, emergency force contact information with nearest hospital including directions, etc.

The Contractor’s Superintendent shall conduct safety inspections of their construction operations. Each work week shall begin with a toolbox meeting, and the weekly topic shall be documented on the daily field reports. Daily field reports shall be handwritten and made available to the COR after each workday. A daily field report shall be provided for all construction activities including deliveries.

The worksite will be inspected weekly by VA Construction Safety Committee. Construction safety discrepancies will be noted and reported to the Contractor for immediate action. Repeated discrepancies will be reported to the CO.

VA Safety and COR shall have full authority to see that the Contractor obeys all safety rules and regulations relative to the fulfillment of this contract.

The necessary number and appropriate types of portable fire extinguishers are required per National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 10 and NFPA 241. Contractors shall keep certification on site at all times of extinguisher inspections.

Applicable ICRA and PCRA control measures must be followed at all times.

Construction safety compliance will be a factor assessed in the Government’s evaluation of the Contractor performance. Failure to correct repeated safety discrepancies may result in contract termination for default.

24. Working in Interstitial Spaces: Comply with STXVA Policy Memorandum 007-15-04.

All work in the interstitial space will be performed within the confines of the catwalk or a properly secured platform and appropriate fall protection when working outside the confines of the catwalk. When a work platform cannot be secured, or is impractical, a risk assessment must be conducted to determine the appropriate fall protection plan for the task. Platform and/or fall protection must be inspected by a competent person before each use, for strength and reliability.

Contractors must obtain interstitial permits for daily entry 24 hours in advance. Only the Chief, Safety Service, and/or his designee may grant exceptions to this timeframe based on the recurring task being performed.

All construction helpers, apprentices, and laborers will be under direct supervision of a competent person and/or supervisor while working in the interstitial space. Training will be conducted by the competent person/supervisor on a weekly basis.

All personnel working in the interstitial space will practice the buddy system to the greatest extent possible.

Outside the boundary of the catwalk, metal containers will not be used to hold tools. Plastic containers or canvas buckets should be used. All power/cordless tools and other material greater than 2lbs will be secured by tie off ropes. All tanks, (i.e. Acetylene) will remain on the catwalk.

All fall protection must be in good operating condition and must be inspected prior to use. If equipment is found to be unsafe, it must be taken out of service and properly tagged.

25. Environmental Protection: The Contractor shall instruct each of his employees in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to this work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.

The Contractor shall maintain hazardous material inventories and material safety data sheets (MSDS) for all hazardous materials (as defined in CFR 1910.120, 40 CFR's 355, 370, & 372) to be stored and used on site. Hazardous materials must be inventoried when received and at the project's completion. The amounts used shall be maintained and reported for each calendar year.

Hazardous waste generated during the construction period of performance must be handled, transported, and disposed of, in accordance with all deferrals, state, and local hazardous waste regulations.

In order to provide for abatement and control of any environmentally hazardous materials arising from demolition and/or construction activities, the Contractor shall comply with all applicable environmentally hazardous material control, erosion controls, storm water pollution and prevention, and other Division 01 General Requirements of the VA Master Construction Specification.

Contractor is responsible for daily housekeeping of all areas affected by construction. Construction areas shall be returned to condition in which they were initially found. VA Housekeeping Service shall not be dispatched for cleaning associated with construction. Contractor shall take every precaution in preserving flooring, finishes, equipment, and furniture in areas of construction.

26. Information Security: Contractor and subcontractor personnel shall be subject to the Federal laws, regulations, standards, and VA Directives and Handbooks regarding information and information system security as delineated in standard acquisition guidelines. Per the VA handbook 6500.6, no VA sensitive information will be transferred, shared, or stored with said vendor. As such, no additional mechanisms will be needed to ensure the protection of information.

Contractors will not have access to VA Desktop computers, nor will they have access to online resources belonging to the government while conducting services. If removal of equipment from the VA is required, any memory storage devices, such as hard drives, solid state drives and non- volatile memory units will remain in VA control and will not be removed from VA custody.

The Contractor will not have access to any proprietary business, technical, or financial information belonging to the Government or other companies associated with the VA.

There will be no federal records created, maintained, used, or dispositioned with this contract; regardless of format ((paper, electronic, etc.) or mode of transmission (e-mail, fax, etc.).

The Contractor will not have access to Patient Health Information (PHI), nor will they have the capability of accessing patient information during the services provided to the VA and if removal of equipment from the VA is required, any memory storage devices, such as hard drives, solid state drives and non-volatile memory units will remain in VA control and will not be removed from VA custody. All research data available for Contractor analyses is de-identified.

All information generated in performance of this contract becomes property of the Government and must be surrendered upon request and/or completion of the contract. The Contractor must protect against the destruction and/or misplacement of all information produced under this contract, unless directed under local policy to destroy. This includes both hard and soft copies of data.

The Contractor shall not release any information (including photographs, files, public announcements, statements, denials, or confirmations) on any part of the subject matter of this contract or any phase of any program hereunder without the prior written approval of the CO.

The Contractor shall treat all deliverables under the contract as the property of the U.S. Government for which the Government Agency shall have unlimited rights to use, dispose of, or disclose such data contained therein as it determines to be in the public interest.

The Contractor must comply with Federal and Agency records management policies, including policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974. These policies include the preservation of all records created or received regardless of format [paper, electronic, etc.], mode of transmission [e-mail, fax, etc.], or state of completion [draft, final, etc.].

The Contractor is required to obtain the Contracting Officer's approval prior to engaging in any contractual relationship (subcontractor) in support of this contract requiring the disclosure of information, documentary material and/or records generated under, or relating to, this contract. The Contractor (and any subcontractor) is required to abide by Government and Agency guidance for protecting sensitive and proprietary information.

27. Government Property: The Contractor is liable for all damages to Government equipment, property; utilities, etc., located at the site (e.g., sprinkler heads, ceiling tiles, manholes, fire hydrants, vehicles, windows, etc.) caused by the Contractor, its employees or its subcontractors.

The Contractor shall immediately report all damages to the COR and provide a written report, within 24 hrs. The report shall describe what occurred, who was involved, when it occurred (time/date), where it occurred, how it occurred, and the proposed means to repair or replace the damaged area or item. A formal incident report shall be submitted in accordance with Division 01 General Requirements of the VA Master Construction Specification.

Contractors shall repair or replace any damages incurred during construction at their own expense and immediate provide corrective actions.

The Contractor shall perform the work in a manner consistent with the area security and life safety regulations with regard to building & site access.

Work shall not compromise security, communication or fire safety for occupants.

Contractor is to maintain free and unobstructed access to facility emergency services and for fire, police, and other emergency response forces in accordance with NFPA 241.

The Contractor shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and ensure performance is secure while protecting material, equipment, and supplies from damage and loss.

Contractor shall assume the responsibility to guard against causing of fires and/or explosions and to protect Government Property.

VA Police and Security Service shall have the express right to inspect for security violations at any time during the term of the contract.

INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS TO BIDDERS/OFFERORS

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Introduction: These instructions prescribe the format of proposals along with the development and presentation of the proposal data. These instructions are designed to ensure the proper submission of information necessary to provide for comprehensive evaluation of proposals. Offerors shall carefully review this section prior to commencing proposal preparation and take the necessary measures to ensure that the information submitted is factual, accurate, and complete.

2. Notice: For a proposal to be considered, offerors must strictly comply with all instructions outlined in this solicitation. Furthermore, all solicitation amendments (if any) must be acknowledged in accordance with FAR Clause 52.215-1- Instructions to Offerors. Failure to furnish proposals that comply with all instructions and include complete copies of required documents, at the predetermined due date for submission, shall result in elimination from consideration for the award.

3. Submission instructions: Offers must be submitted by email to the Contracting Officer, Rhonda Richardson, by email at Rhonda.richardson5@va.gov and Contract Specialist, Stephanie Ingersoll, by email at stephanie.ingersoll@va.gov. Proposals may not be submitted by fax. Offers must be submitted on or before the due date and time listed on page one, block thirteen.

Proposals must be submitted in four volumes:

a. Technical Acceptability-Vol. I

b. Past Performance-Vol. II

c. Price-Vol. III

d. Solicitation, Offer, & Award Documents-Vol. IV

Offerors may submit their proposals in one to four emails. Volumes I through IV must be submitted as separate, searchable PDFs. Each volume must be submitted as attachments to their submission email(s). Proposals submitted by any other method, including hyperlinks or drop boxes, will not be considered. The subject of each email shall be in the following format, specifying which volume(s) are included: “36C25726R0040 – CON CTX Replace Water Softener” – Company Name, Volume I”. Each email must clearly indicate how many total emails the Offeror will be sending.

4. Format Instructions: Proposals must be clearly indexed and logically assembled. Each volume must have a clear title at the top of the first page. All pages of each volume shall be appropriately numbered and identified by the complete company name, date, and solicitation number in the header and/or footer.

Proposal page limitations are applicable to this procurement. The table below indicates the maximum page count for each volume:

1- sanitized copy

If the Offeror submits annexes, documentation, attachments, or the like, such will count against the Offeror’s page limitations unless otherwise indicated in this solicitation. The page count will be determined by counting the pages in the order they come up in the print layout view. Pages in violation of these instructions, including those that exceed the total page limit for a particular volume, will not be evaluated. Proposals must be in at least 12-point font and have at least 1” margins.

If an offeror includes a table of contents or a glossary of terms or abbreviations, those pages will not be included in the page count of that volume. However, substantive information included in the table of contents or glossary pages will not be considered.

1. Content Instructions: Information must be confined to the appropriate volume. The Offeror shall confine submissions to essential matters sufficient to define the proposal and provide an adequate basis for evaluation. Offerors are responsible for including sufficient details, in a concise manner, to permit a complete and accurate evaluation of each proposal. All proprietary information shall be clearly and properly marked.

2. Volume Specific Submittal Instructions:

a. Volume I – Technical Acceptability: Provide proof of EMR. Each Offeror shall provide their current EMR, or verifiable equivalent, from their insurance company or from their state, based on the offeror’s state of incorporation’s EMR requirements. The Government will consider the most recent timeframe corresponding to the Offeror’s insurance coverage period. If an offeror submits an EMR older than 12 months, using a three-year average at the time of proposal submittal, that offer shall be deemed unacceptable and cause the offeror to be removed from competition. An EMR less than or equal to 1.00 will be considered technically acceptable. If the NCCI cannot issue an EMR because the Offeror lacks insurance history, the Offeror 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 Offeror a Unity Rating of 1.0

b. Volume II – Past Performance (also provide a sanitized copy)

i. Past Performance Project History

1. Offerors are encouraged to submit information relating to up to three projects it has completed or is in the process of completing within the last three (3) years of at least $2 million. If submitting such information, offerors must provide a detailed summary of these projects, including:

a. Owner Government Agency/Company who awarded contract

b. Location (physical address)

c. Project Name

d. Project Description (Details of construction renovation requirements, challenges, and solutions)

e. Project Cost and Cost Control Measures (original and final contract costs, contract mods, cost containment measures, value engineering, etc.)

f. Project Performance Period (Initial/Actual, schedule impacts and efficiencies)

g. Owner POC (Name, Title, Telephone Number, Email)

h. Subcontractors (Roles, Responsibilities, Percent of work)

i. A narrative description of the project that includes whether the project involved work on a healthcare installation. The narrative must also address the complexity and magnitude of the project, any challenges faced and how the offeror responded to those challenges, whether the project stayed on schedule, whether any unforeseen site conditions were encountered, any other unusual factors, and the degree of success obtained. Offerors are encouraged to include supporting documents such as photographs that support the narrative.

c. Volume III – Price: Complete Price/Cost Schedule

(1) Complete the price offer schedule in section A.3

(2) Price shall be addressed using the attached price breakdown worksheet, which is included in Attachment 4.

(3) Provide supporting documentation showing quotes/price breakdowns for both prime and subcontractors.

NOTE: Price breakdown shall be indicative of showing at least 15 percent of the cost of the contract performance incurred for personnel will be spent on the concern's employees or the employees of other eligible service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns in accordance with VAAR 852.219-73(d)(3).

d. Volume IV - Solicitation, Offer, & Award Documents-Vol. IV

i. Certifications and Representations. An authorized official of the offeror shall sign the SF 1442 and all certifications requiring original signature. Volume IV must contain the following:

1. Solicitation Section A – Standard Form SF 1442 and Acknowledgement of Amendments, if any.

2. Any proposed exceptions to solicitation terms and conditions. Any Offeror-imposed terms and conditions which deviate from the Government’s material terms and conditions established by the Solicitation, may render the Offeror’s proposal Unacceptable and thus ineligible for award.

3. Completed and signed 852.219-75, VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting—Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction.

4. Any offeror submitting a proposal as a joint venture must provide a certification from each SDVOSB joint partner, signed by an authorized official of each partner to the joint venture, stating that the parties to the joint venture:

a. have entered into a joint venture agreement that fully complies with paragraph (c) of 13 CFR § 128.402; and

b. will perform the contract in compliance with the joint venture agreement. Failure to submit the certification with the offeror’s proposal will render the offeror ineligible for award.

5. Self-Performed Work Calculation Worksheet

6. Bid bond - The Offeror must furnish a bid guarantee (see FAR 52.228-1). The bid guarantee must be provided on SF 24. The offeror shall ensure all bonding comes from the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (BFS), Surety Bonds, List of Certified Companies found at: https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/surety-bonds/list-certified-companies.html. In addition, at time of award the offeror shall provide performance and payment bonds IAW FAR 28.102-1(a) for the proposed amount of the project.

SDVOSB Certification: Offerors are required to be SDVOSB certified with the Small Business Administration (SBA).