Questions and Answers for Amendment.docx

Questions and Answers

Question 1: Does this bid only want P/A tests only and positive samples being analyzed for a enumeration (CFU/mL)? Or enumeration only?

Government Response: Positive samples will be analyzed using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) standards. Positive tests will identify the type of legionella found and the CFU/mL. Negative results do not require further testing.

Question 2: Would SG1 vs SG2-15 satisfy their requirements when serogrouping? Or do they need it more granular?

Government Response: Yes; when serogrouping, SG1 and SG2-15 will satisfy the requirement.

Question 3: May I send a quote directly to you for legionella testing?

Government Response: This acquisition is 100% Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVSOB) set-aside. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 541380, *Testing Laboratories and Services with a small business size of $19 Million.

*Testing laboratories must be CDC ELITE certified

OFFERS DUE: March 11, 2026 @ 10:00AM Mountain Time

0. Submit offers or any questions to the attention of Christine Jarvis via email to: christine.jarvis@va.gov.

0. All questions/inquiries must be submitted to the contract specialist via electronic mail (e-mail) not later than February 27, 2026 @ 10:00AM Mountain Time.

0. Inquiries submitted via telephone calls will be re-directed to an e-mail submission.

Question 4: Has the VA already developed a Legionella water management plan that lists which locations are to be collected, which testing methodology to be used at each quarter (swab vs water sample).

Government Response: The VA has developed a legionella water management plan and the locations are random throughout the campus to get a bigger picture of testing. Per the Statement of Work (SOW) the VA collects the samples. Per the VHA Directive 1061 with routine water testing, collection of swab samples is not required.

Question 5: Are there boilerplate forms for the data and results?

Government Response: Boiler plate forms are not provided. The results report must include the information identified in the Statement of Work. The VA currently receives a copy of the test results in pdf.

Question 6: Are water temperatures measured or anything along the lines of assessment of risk to occupants?

Government Response: Water temperatures, pH, and level of biocide are recorded when samples are collected. Per VHA Directive 1061, at least two (2) samples of the 20 samples must be collected from ice machines (cold water sample), at least two samples of the 20 samples are from hot water sources.

Question 7: In attachment B+ section C-4 c. Optional Use of Legionella PCR to Screen Water Samples (“PCR Negative screen”). It is indicated that "VA medical facilities may opt to use Legionella PCR testing to first determine if water samples are negative". Is Legionella PCR screen technique acceptable?

Government Response: VHA Directive 1061 (Attachment B) Section C, indicates that Legionella PCR testing may be utilized to screen water samples. A negative Legionella PCR result is acceptable as a negative result. However, positive samples must be analyzed using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) standards.

Question 8: Does the customer collect actual ice for testing and require a larger collection bottle to ensure full volume for testing?

Government Response: No; ice samples are not collected. Water samples are taken from hot and cold-water sources.

Question 9: What month of the quarter does the customer typically collect routine samples?

Government Response: Typically, samples are collected in December, March, June, September.

Question 10: Is the customer able to only ship samples Mondays to Wednesdays?

Government Response: Samples are typically collected on Mondays or Tuesdays and shipped within 24 hours of collection. However, the VA may be flexible and work with the Contractor on prospective collection days, provided time allows for the lab to start processing before the weekends/holidays.

Question 11: Is it acceptable to use FedEx as the shipping courier for incoming supplies and samples shipped to the laboratory?

Government Response: Yes. FedEx is an acceptable shipping courier.

No additional questions are being accepted for this Combined Synopsis Solicitation.

Note: All aspects of ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS—COMMERCIAL ITEMS shall be met to be considered for award. Offers received that do not comply with the terms and conditions of the solicitation and/or have missing documentation may be considered con-compliant and eliminated from evaluation.