S06 36C25727Q0021 0001 Amendment NTX Quality Water Testing.pdf

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)

1 5

0001 10-06-2026

36C257

Department Of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 17

5441 Babcock Road Ste. 302 San Antonio, TX 78240

To all Offerors/Bidders

36C25727Q0021

09-17-2026

X

X X

** HOUR & DATE for Receipt of Offers is EXTENDED to: 10-12-2026 3:00pm CDT

See CONTINUATION Page

X 1

The purpose of this amendment is to:

a. Answer all the questions that were submitted by September 30, 2026 by 3:00pm CDT.

b. Extend the due date to submit quotes from October 7, 2026 to October 12, 2026 by 3:00pm CDT.

/// SEE CONTINUATION PAGES ///

Shawn R. Reinhart Contracting Officer

36C25727Q0021-0001 CONTINUATION PAGES

SPS Water Testing – Questions – 36C25727Q0021 QUESTION 1. Regarding the SOW and pricing schedule, the SOW identifies certain services as being performed monthly and quarterly; however, the pricing sheet lists a quantity of only one (1) occurrence for these services. Could you please clarify how you would like offerors to price these services? Should the proposed unit price account for all required monthly/quarterly occurrences during the applicable performance period, or will the pricing sheet be updated to reflect the required frequency and quantity at each location?

ANSWER 1: See SOW table 1 and 2

QUESTION 2. Contractor Responsibility for Disinfection under Section 5.6 Section 5.6 states that when microbial quality levels exceed specification, “the Contractor shall perform a repetition of the disinfection and sampling at the location to confirm the results.” Please clarify whether the term “disinfection” refers only to disinfection of the sampling point as part of the sampling procedure, or whether the Contractor is required to perform chemical disinfection/remediation of the water system or associated equipment.

ANSWER 2: They will disinfect the port site where the sample is taken. Clean catch is required per AMMI:ST108. Please view AMMI:ST108 guidelines.

QUESTON 3. Contractor Responsibility for System Disinfection under Section 5.6.1. Section 5.6.1 states that the distribution loop shall be disinfected and describes flushing automated instrument re-processors with a 1,000 ppm chlorine-releasing agent or other compatible disinfectant following persistent unacceptable microbial results. Please confirm whether the awarded Contractor is responsible for furnishing the disinfectant chemicals and physically performing the distribution-loop and equipment disinfection/flushing, or whether this corrective treatment will be performed by VA personnel or another water-treatment/equipment-maintenance contractor, with the awarded Contractor responsible only for follow-up sampling and testing.

ANSWER 3: Yes, contractor is responsible for disinfectants to ensure a clean catch is taken. We can provide sterile tubing for flushing if needed.

QUESTION 4. Separate CLIN for Disinfection/Remediation. If the Contractor is responsible for performing the chemical disinfection/remediation required by Sections 5.6 and 5.6.1, please provide a separate CLIN for disinfection/remediation services, as this work is materially different from routine water sampling and laboratory testing and is not separately identified in the current pricing schedule.

ANSWER 4: Separate line items are not needed for disinfection. This is basic requirement for taking samples. Reference AMMI:ST108 for guidelines.

QUESTION 5. Separate CLIN for Retesting. The current Dallas and Fort Worth testing CLINs state that they include retests. Because retesting is contingent upon an exceedance and may require additional sampling visits and laboratory analyses, would the Government please establish a separate retesting CLIN, priced on a per-retest basis, rather than including contingent retesting within the fixed-price routine testing CLINs?

ANSWER 5: Set number of tests and retests are included in the SOW.

QUESTION 6. Number of Tests Required to Clear an Exceedance. Section 5.6.1 states that microbial levels shall be monitored weekly by repeat testing until two successive counts show that baseline levels have been achieved. Please clarify how many sampling/testing events the Government considers to constitute one “retest” for pricing purposes when two successive acceptable results are required to clear an exceedance.

ANSWER 6: 1 retest per elevated occurrence within 2 weeks.

QUESTION 7. Retest Quantities. Please confirm whether the stated retest quantities represent the maximum number of individual samples/tests the Contractor is required to provide during each contract period, or the number of retesting events, each of which may require multiple samples or follow-up tests.

ANSWER 7: That will be the Maximum number of tests and retests. Pre-approval is required before additional testing is conducted.

QUESTION 8. Can the VA identify the specific tests required at each testing location?

ANSWER 8: Each test is listed in the SOW for each point of generation and point of use.

QUESTION 9. SOW sampling tables: is the sample count one sample per fixture listed (for example, 10 sinks plus 5 washers = 15 monthly critical samples), or one composite sample per table row?

ANSWER 9: 15 monthly critical samples.

QUESTION 10. SOW 5.6 and 5.6.1: are the loop disinfection and chlorine flushing part of the firm-fixed price, or is the contractor's duty limited to notification and retesting?

ANSWER 10: Notification and retesting

QUESTION 11. SOW 3.20: what credential satisfies "Certified Water Treatment Specialist"?

ANSWER 11: Knowledgeable in AMMI:ST108 sampling and testing procedures.

QUESTION 12. Due date: Block 8 and E.2 say 10/7, while Block 20 says Wednesday, October 5. Please confirm which governs.

ANSWER 12: Quote due date is Wednesday, October 7, 2026 by 3:00pm CDT. However, in the amendment quote will be extended out. This amendment extends the due date.

QUESTION 13. Proposal Due Date. There appears to be a discrepancy regarding the proposal due date.

The continuation information on page 1 states October 5, 2026 at 3:00 PM CDT, while Block 8 and the proposal-submission instructions identify October 7, 2026 at 3:00 PM CDT. The Instructions to Offerors specifically state October 7, 2026. S02 36C25727Q0021 NTX Water Tes… Please confirm the controlling proposal submission deadline.

ANSWER 13: Quote due date is Wednesday, October 7, 2026 by 3:00pm cdt. However, in the amendment quote will be extended out.

QUESTION 14. Bacteria Sample Holding and Analysis Time. PWS 5.1.2 sets an 8-hour recommendation and a 24-hour limit for bacteria. Our partner lab is located in Tucson, and they can meet the 24 hours requirements. Could you please confirm it's acceptable?

ANSWER 14: Yes, within 24 hours with proper packaging.

QUESTION 15. Annual ST108 Full Characterization / Performance Qualification Testing. The SOW requires testing in accordance with the applicable ST108 tables but does not clearly state whether an annual full water-quality characterization/performance qualification panel is required in addition to the routine monthly and quarterly monitoring. Please confirm whether the contract requires an annual full characterization/performance qualification testing event at the Critical Water and/or Utility Water points of generation. If so, please identify the required locations, parameters, and frequency.

ANSWER 15: No full water-quality characterization/performance qualification panel is required.

QUESTION 16. Number of Sampling Points per Event. Could you please provide us with the sampling point counts, since the "No. of Sample" column is blank.

ANSWER 16: See table 1 and 2 in SOW all sampling counts are listed.

QUESTION 17. Laboratory Accreditation Requirements. Section 3.1.2 requires the Contractor to provide a fully qualified laboratory capable of meeting ST108 requirements and to provide laboratory certificates, credentials, and capabilities to the COR. Please clarify whether the Government requires

ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for laboratory testing under this contract. If ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation is required, please identify which specific analyses must appear within the laboratory's accredited scope.

ANSWER 17: Yes, Government requires ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation

QUESTION 18. Required Analyses and Testing Frequencies by Water Type. The SOW identifies Critical Water, Utility Water, and Steam Condensate sampling locations and directs the Contractor to perform testing according to the applicable ST108 tables; however, it does not provide a contract-specific list of required analytical parameters for each water type. To ensure all offerors price the same analytical scope, would the Government please confirm the required tests/parameters and frequency for each water type? Please also confirm whether pH is required to be measured in the field at the time of sample collection or reported through laboratory analysis.

ANSWER 18: Reference ST108 table 2.

QUESTION 19. Incumbent Contract Information. If available, would the Government please provide the contract number for the current/incumbent Sterile Processing Services water-testing contract supporting the Dallas VA Medical Center and Fort Worth VA Clinic?

ANSWER: Not available for those specific locations.

QUESTION 20. The Contractor shall verify all existing utility installations and take appropriate action prior to working in the vicinity of utility services (electrical, plumbing, HVAC equipment). This requirement is vague and needs to be clarified on exactly what type of “verification” is needed and define “appropriate action”. Also not sure why HVAC equipment is included in this contract because it has nothing to do with taking water samples in the SPS.

ANSWER 20: Before and during sampling activities, the Contractor shall visually inspect and remain alert for existing utility installations and equipment in and around each sampling location, including electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. The Contractor shall perform the work in a manner that protects the utilities, Government personnel, Contractor personnel, and equipment from damage or injury. The Contractor shall not disturb, disconnect, penetrate, or interfere with any utility or equipment. If an unidentified, damaged, unsafe, or conflicting utility or condition is encountered, the Contractor shall immediately stop the affected work, secure and protect the area, and notify the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) before proceeding.

QUESTION 21. The Contractor shall include Certified Water Treatment Specialist for supporting integration, qualification and validation of water treatment equipment and testing. Please define this requirement and add a CLIN with the number of hours expected so that we know how to price this out. Is this a full-time position, part-time, etc? We need the number of hours expected and number of site visits.

ANSWER 21: Monthly or quarterly site visits as required to take samples and send out for testing.

(END OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS)

(END OF AMENDMENT)