36C25926Q0831 0001.docx

Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation

Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation

GENERAL INFORMATION

Network Contracting Office

NCO 19

6162 South Willow Drive, Suite 300 Greenwood Village CO 80111

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contract Specialist Christine Jarvis christine.jarvis@va.gov 303-712-5784

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

1898 Fort Road

Sheridan, WY 82801.

POSTAL CODE

COUNTRY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

WINDOW SHADES AND INSTALLATION

AMENDMENT SUMMARY:

· Questions and Answers are included in this Amendment

· SOW is revised to reflect/include/align with the answers in the QA

· Attachment A - SOW_rv1 is attached.

· Attachment 3 - VAAR 852.219-78 is replaced with VAAR 852.219-76 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting—Certificate of Compliance for Supplies and Products

· VAAR 852.219-75 is removed and will not be included in the award document.

· Section XIII is updated to reflect three (3) evaluation factors. (Attachment B)

· Offeror submittal requirements has been edited to six (6) [I-VI] VOLUME requirements.

· Offeror submittal instructions have been updated to reflect a revised DUE DATE of October 16, 2026 10:00am.

· FAR 52.228-5 (insurance) is added.

· Clauses and references for ‘services’ are removed from the solicitation

· Attachment 1 - DOL 2015-5411 WY Sheridan rv28 5.12

OFFER SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS:

Offeror shall:

1. Submit offers OFFERS DUE: October 16, 2026 @ 10:00AM Mountain Time to the attention of Christine Jarvis via email to: christine.jarvis@va.gov.

1. Acknowledge all amendment acknowledgements as part of the offer/quote

1. Submit VOLUME I Capability - Provide clear documentation of the capability and quality of the proposed solution as described in the PWS/SOW.

2. Capability shall include specifications of the proposed solutions, workmanship/installation warranty duration, staffing, lead install qualifications, insurance and the ability to meet timeline.

1. Submit VOLUME II: – Price Offer

1. Submit VOLUME III: Offerors shall include past performance information.

1. Submit VOLUME IV: Offeror shall complete and submit the Buy American Certificate Attachment 2

1. Submit VOLUME V: Offeror shall complete and submit the LOS Attachment 3 - VAAR 852.219-76

1. Submit VOLUME VI: Offeror shall submit a certificate of insurance Offers received that do not comply with the terms and conditions of the solicitation and/or have missing documentation may be considered non-compliant and eliminated from evaluation.

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or acknowledge the amendment in their submission.

FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPTOF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY 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 telegram or letter, provided each telegram or letter makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified

No additional questions will be accepted.

Questions and Answers Question 1: How do I submit a bid for the window shades at Building 86 of the Sheridan VA Health Care Center?

Government Response: The solicitation and attachments can be found on SAM.gov and provide details how and required documentation to submit with offers.

Question 2: Are you only accepting bids from SDVOSB businesses?

Government Response: Correct. This acquisition is 100% Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 337920 Blind and Shade Manufacturing with a small business size of 1000 employees.

Question 3: Regarding Appendix A. Some of the shade measurements include top width, middle width, and bottom width. For example, 126A cafe dining shades, three (3) specific widths are noted. Please explain the relevance/relationship of each of these provided measurements.

Government Response: Due to the age of the building (1946) some of the windows may not be square. Three (3) width measurements reveal potential out-of-square windows. Vendors should use the top measurement as the basis for ball-park pricing.

Question 4: If the VA does not receive adequate responsive and responsible SDVOSB competition for this requirement, does NCO 19 anticipate potentially revisiting the acquisition strategy, including a subsequent VOSB, other small-business, or unrestricted solicitation if appropriate?

Government Response: In the event that a capable, responsible and reasonable offer is not determined from a SDVOSB set-aside solicitation, the requirement ‘may’ be re-solicited as a Small Business set-aside.

Question 5: Schedule: Section III indicates 90 days after receipt of order, while the SOW describes a start within 90 days and 90 days to complete. What is the required completion deadline? Please also confirm whether the daily work window ends at 4:00 or 4:30 p.m.

Government Response: There is not a specified completion deadline.

The statement of work is edited to read: Contractor shall place the order with the manufacturer within 30 days after receipt of completed contract ARO. Installation shall commence within 90 days of completion of manufacturing and shipment of the shades. Installation shall be completed within 90 days of notification of shipment date. Exceptions to these expectations should be noted in the proposal.

The statement of work is edited to read: The Contractor shall perform all work during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm) unless otherwise stipulated by the COR. The Contractor shall coordinate installation with the COR, in collaboration with Unit Managers. Some rooms may not be accessible during scheduled installation times due to patient care requirements. The Contractor shall allow for some flexibility in completing installation. Government recognized US holidays are New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If the holiday falls on Sunday, it is observed on Monday.

Question 6: Technical compatibility: Please confirm the specified fabrics must meet the 135°C steam-cleaning, 99.9% antimicrobial and 10% bleach provisions, and identify acceptable supporting evidence or any revised requirement.

Government Response: No. The 10% bleach provision is mandatory. The site uses Diversey Virex Plus as the disinfectant. Window shade fabric manufacturers do not test their fabrics with every known disinfectant on the market. However, we have found that materials that hold up to cleaning with a 10% bleach solution can generally handle Virex Plus with no problem. Vendors may do their own testing with Virex on the proposed solution and submit photographic evidence that the use of Virex and leaving the appearance of the shade material unchanged.

Question 7: Applicable certification: Please confirm whether the services or supplies limitations-on-subcontracting certification applies; the solicitation references VAAR 852.219-75 and includes 852.219-78.

Government Response: VAAR 852.219-76 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting—Certificate of Compliance for Supplies and Products applies and is included in this amendment. VAAR 852.219-75 and VAAR 852.219-78 will not be required.

Question 8: Scope: Please confirm the final quantity is 224 dual-layer and 2 single-layer shades, excluding Appendix A rooms 152–196B (26 windows), and provide any current amendments or revised schedules.

Government Response: The correct quantities are 224 dual-layer shades and 2 single-layer shades.

Question 9: Project location: Sheridan VA Health Care Center, Building 86, 1898 Fort Road, Sheridan, WY 82801-8320.

Government Response: Confirmed.

Question 10: The solicitation identifies the requirement as 224 dual-layer roller shades and 2 single-layer roller shades, for 226 total shades/openings.

· Appendix A contains approximately 94 schedule lines, with numerous rooms/measurements struck through. Could you please clarify:

· Does the “Window” column represent the quantity of individual windows/openings for each listed room, and should offerors exclude all struck-through rooms/measurements when calculating the 226-shade requirement?

Government Response: Yes; and yes.

Question 11: If there is an updated/final window schedule distributed during the September 24 site visit, could you also please provide or post that schedule for use in preparing our quotation?

Government Response: No; the window schedule has not changed since the package was developed.

Question 12: The SOW names Draper dual FlexShades with Phifer SW2000 and SW7500 fabrics, and separately lists zero-porosity/seamless surfaces, steam tolerance to 135 C° and at least 99.9% pathogen reduction. Must the “named basis-of-design fabrics” satisfy every one of those additional criteria, and what manufacturer test documentation will establish acceptability? If the specified fabrics do not meet the listed criteria, please identify the controlling requirement.

Government Response: No. Not every-one of the additional criteria are mandatory. The 10% bleach provision is mandatory. The site uses Diversey Virex Plus as the disinfectant. Window shade fabric manufacturers do not test their fabrics with every known disinfectant on the market. However, we have found that materials that hold up to cleaning with a 10% bleach solution can generally handle Virex Plus with no problem. Vendors may do their own testing with Virex on the proposed solution and submit photographic evidence that the use of Virex and leaving the appearance of the shade material unchanged.

Question 13: Is there an applicable SBA nonmanufacturer-rule waiver for this procurement? If so, please identify it. We are obtaining manufacturer size and country-of-manufacture evidence.

Government Response: The SBA waiver list is available at: https://legacy.sba.gov/document/support-non-manufacturer-rule-class-waiver-list.

Waivers are listed by NAICS code. This solicitation uses NAICS:337920 blind and Shade Manufacturing and there are no waivers listed.

Question 14: May accurately attributed healthcare-installation experience of the proposed lead installer be supported in the past-performance evaluation, or must the past efforts have been performed by the vendor/offeror?

Government Response: VOLUME I. VOLUMNE I shall include a capability statement demonstrating how the proposed solution meets the requirements of the SOW and salient characteristics of the solicitation. Capability shall include specifications of the proposed solutions, workmanship/installation warranty duration, staffing, lead install qualifications, insurance and the ability to meet timeline.

· Contractor must have a Project Manager/Lead Installer with a minimum of two (2) years of experience installing window coverings in healthcare facilities and meeting the infection control standards of medical facilities and nursing homes.

· A Project Manager/Lead Installer may be employed by a subcontractor.

· Project Manager/Lead Installer experience may be demonstrated by, but are not limited to: professional experience, resume, training, certification, schooling, accreditation, references and detailed project lists providing the type, size and responsibilities of a project.

Question 15: Will “side channels” be required for any of the window shades?

Government Response: No; side channels will not be required.

Question 16: Can you provide an answer to my question please?

Government Response: Per the solicitation: All questions/inquiries must be submitted to the contract specialist via electronic mail (e-mail) not later than September 29, 2026 @ 10:00AM Mountain Time. Questions will be answered via posted Amendment after the date listed in the solicitation.

Question 17: Period of performance. The solicitation states "Period of performance is 90 days after receipt of order (ARO)." SOW section 5 states "installation shall commence within 90 days of the issuance of the contract and be completed within 90 additional days. Exceptions to these expectations should be noted in the proposal." Which governs: completion within 90 days after receipt of order, or installation starting within 90 days and finishing within 180? If an offeror's manufacturing lead time falls outside the governing period, will noting the exception in the quote make the quote unacceptable?

Government Response: There is not a governing completion deadline.

The statement of work is edited to read: Contractor shall place the order with the manufacturer within 30 days after receipt of completed contract ARO. Installation shall commence within 90 days of completion of manufacturing and shipment of the shades. Installation shall be completed within 90 days of notification of shipment date. Exceptions to these expectations shall be noted in the proposal. Proposed solutions with a schedule that falls outside these expectations shall provide an accompanying justification for the extended lead time.

Question 18: Price schedule. The price schedule lists "224 dual window shades and 2 single layer window shades, average window size 40x80" as one job, while the solicitation also states "Firm fixed unit pricing shall include all labor, travel, shipment, overhead, profit, materials" and "The Contractor shall price for Services as detailed in the SOW." Should the quote give one lump-sum price for the job, or also a breakdown (unit prices by shade type or size, with product and installation shown separately)? Is "average window size 40x80" descriptive only, with pricing based on the Appendix A sizes? On Attachment 2 (Buy American Certificate), which line item number should offerors cite?

Government Response: Offerors shall provide one (1) lump sum for the requirement listed in the SOW. Manufacturer orders should be based on measurements confirmed by the vendor.

See Paragraph 1 of the Statement of work:

“This requirement is for a contractor to provide all labor, tools, materials, equipment, transportation and supervision to fabricate and install 224 dual layer and 2 single layer manually operated roller shades in Building 86 at Sheridan VA Health Care Center, 1898 Fort Road, Sheridan, WY 82801”.

Is "average window size 40x80" descriptive only, with pricing based on the Appendix A sizes? Pricing may be based on Appendix A sizes. Average window size is no longer a factor.

On Attachment 2 (Buy American Certificate), which line-item number should offerors cite? Line Item No. _1__; There is only one (1) line item for this solicitation.

Question 19: Past performance. The solicitation allows "a maximum of three (3) recent and relevant past efforts," also states "The quote shall include three (3) relevant past performances references," states that an offeror with no record of relevant past performance will "not be rated favorably or unfavorably," and its award steps turn on Past Performance that is "Satisfactory."

(1)Is three references a maximum or a required number? (2)Does a neutral rating meet the "Satisfactory" condition? (3)May references include work performed by a proposed subcontractor, by key personnel such as the lead installer, or commercial (non-government) projects, and how is each weighed? (4)Is there a minimum project size for an effort to be considered relevant?

Government Response:

(1)A maximum of three(3) relevant past performance references are requested. Should a vendor have no record of past performance it will not impact the vendor’s rating for past performance.

(2)Yes; if a contractor has a ‘neutral’ rating, with no (0) performance elements that indicate “less-than-satisfactory” performance, the ‘neutral’ past performance would be considered satisfactory. The Government reserves the right to obtain past performance information from any available source and may contact customers other than those identified by the Offeror when evaluating past performance. If an offeror has no record of relevant past performance record or if information is not available, they will not be rated favorably or unfavorably.

Definition of Satisfactory: “Performance meets contractual requirements. The contractual performance of the element or sub-element contains some minor problems for which corrective actions taken by the Contractor appear, or were, satisfactory.”

(3)Yes; references and recent past performance history may include work performed by a proposed subcontractor, by key personnel and commercial (non-government) projects.

(4)Review the EVALUATION APPROACH in the solicitation:

5. If the Capability will meet the need of the government and the Past Performance is “Satisfactory” the responsible offeror who submitted the lowest-priced quote will be identified as the “successful offeror.”

· To be ‘relevant’, the effort must be similar in nature of work, size, magnitude, complexity, and scope of this procurement.

· ‘Recent’ past performance is defined as not more than five (5) years from the RFQ release date of this solicitation.

Question 20: Basis of award. The solicitation describes award to the quote "most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered" using "a two (2) factor evaluation," then lists three factors (Capability, Price, Past Performance) and an award process in which "The lowest-priced quote will be identified" and checked in turn. (1)Which method governs award? (2)Is Capability rated as meets or does not meet, or for the degree it exceeds the requirement ("meet and/or exceed")? (3)The process tests the lowest price against "the amount of funding available"; will VA state that amount or an estimate?

Government Response: Section XIII has been updated to reflect three (3) evaluation factors: Price, Capability and Past Performance.

The evaluation approach will be as follows:

Quotes will be evaluated in the following manner:

1. The lowest-priced quote will be identified and evaluated to determine if the quoted price exceeds the amount of funding available for the procurement.

2. If the quoted price does not exceed the amount of funding available for the procurement, the quoted price will be evaluated to determine if it is reasonable.

3. The contracting officer will then determine if the successful offeror is responsible in compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations RFO 9.105-2.

4. If the quoted price is found to be reasonable and the offer is determined to be responsible, the non-price factor Capability and Past Performance will be evaluated.

5. If the Capability will meet the need of the government and the Past Performance is “Satisfactory” the responsible offeror who submitted the lowest-priced quote will be identified as the “successful offeror.”

6. If contract award cannot be made to the successful offeror, the contracting officer will evaluate the next lowest-priced quote following the procedures described above.

7. This process will continue until a contract award can be made, or the contracting officer determines that no contract award can be made.

*The contracting officer may find all quotes not acceptable and cancel the solicitation if the lowest-priced quote exceeds the amount of funding available for the procurement. The contracting officer may likewise find a quote under evaluation, as well as all remaining quotes, not acceptable and cancel the solicitation if the quote currently under evaluation exceeds the amount of funding available for the procurement. The Government intends to evaluate quotes and award a contract without discussions with offerors. However, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions at any time if determined by the contracting officer to be in the Government’s interest.

(1) The evaluation method steps 1-7 will be utilized for evaluation and to govern award.

(2) See Evaluation Method 5. Above.

(3) The VA does not state the government estimate. Contractor’s are encouraged to submit best pricing with their offer. Also review Evaluation methods 1 & 7*. Above.

Question 21: Which subcontracting certificate to sign. The solicitation asks offerors to "complete and submit the LOS Attachment 3," which is VAAR 852.219-78 "(SEP 2021) (DEVIATION)"; the VAAR clause list marks 852.219-75, "Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction (JAN 2023) (DEVIATION)"; and the SF 1449, section C.11, prints 852.219-76, "Certificate of Compliance for Supplies and Products (JAN 2023) (DEVIATION)," with its own signature block. Attachment 3 also refers to VIP-listed SDVOSBs "as set forth in 852.219-10." Which certificate or certificates must be completed, signed and returned with the quote? If one, does it replace the others for award and performance?

Government Response:

· VAAR 852.219-76 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting—Certificate of Compliance for Supplies and Products applies, replaces VAAR 852.219-78, is included in this amendment and must be returned as VOLUME V.

· Attachment 4 – 1449 draft does not need to be completed nor submitted with an offer.

· VAAR 852.219-78 and VAAR 852.219-75 will not be required nor included in the award.

Question 22: Which portion the subcontracting limitation applies? The FAR clause list marks 52.219-14, and 852.219-73 in the SF 1449 (section C.10) states in paragraph (d)(1) "When a contract includes both services and supplies, the 50 percent limitation shall apply only to the service portion of the contract," in (d)(2)(i) "When a contract includes both supply and services, the 50 percent limitation shall apply only to the supply portion of the contract," and in (d)(5) that it "shall apply only to the portion of the contract with the preponderance of the expenditure upon which the assigned NAICS is based." The solicitation assigns NAICS 337920 (Blind and Shade Manufacturing) to a requirement that includes on-site installation. For this order, which limitation applies, and to which portion of the price: the supply limitation, with the cost of materials excluded, to the whole order under 337920; or the 50 percent services limitation to the installation portion?

Government Response: This solicitation is 100% SDVSOB set-aside, and both FAR 52.219-14 and VAAR 852.219-76 Limitations of Subcontracting apply.

· The Product Service Code (PSC) is 7230 Draperies, Awnings and Shades (a supply).

· NAICS:337920 Blind and Shade Manufacturing (supply)

· VAAR 852.219-73 SDVOSB set-aside applies

· RFO 52.219-14 Limitation in Subcontracting applies

· VAAR 852.219-76 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting applies and is included in this amendment as Attachment 3 and shall be completed and submitted with the offer.

· VAAR 852.219-75 and VAAR 852.219-78 will not be required.

52.219-14

(2) Supplies (other than procurement from a nonmanufacturer of such supplies), it will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, *excluding the cost of materials, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count towards the prime contractor's 50 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. When a contract includes both supplies and services, the 50 percent limitation shall apply only to the supply portion of the contract;

VAAR 852.219-76 VA Limitations on Subcontracting There are two distinct compliance options, choose the once that fits your company.

1(i) [ ] In the case of a contract for supplies or products (other than from a non-manufacturer of such supplies), it will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not certified SDVOSBs listed in the SBA certification database as set forth in 852.219-73 or certified VOSBs listed in the SBA certification database as set forth in 852.219-74. Any work that a similarly situated certified SDBOSB/VOSB subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 50% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Cost of materials are excluded and not considered to be subcontracted.

1 (ii) [ ] In the case of a contract for supplies from a nonmanufacturer, it will supply the product of a domestic small business manufacturer or processor, unless a waiver as described in 13 CFR 121.406(b)(5) is granted. The offeror understands that, as provided in 13 CFR 121.406(b)(7), such a waiver has no effect on requirements external to the Small Business Act, such as the Buy American Act or the Trade Agreements Act.

*Complete the rest of the form. 2[i], [ii] or [iii] For this order, which limitation applies, and to which portion of the price: the supply limitation, with the cost of materials excluded, to the whole order under 337920; or the 50 percent services limitation to the installation portion?

· 52.219-14 the 50 percent limitation shall apply only to the *supply portion of the contract.

· VAAR 852.219-76 the limitation is based on the selection of (i) or (ii).

Question 23: Nonmanufacturer rule. The FAR clause list marks 52.219-33. Attachment 3, paragraph (a)(2)(iii), still carries the drafting note "[Contracting Officer fill-in or removal (see 13 CFR 121.1205)" along with both the single-item and the multiple-item statements. Is this a single-end-item or a multiple-item acquisition, and which statement in (a)(2)(iii) applies? Has SBA issued a class waiver, or has VA requested or received an individual waiver, of the nonmanufacturer rule for NAICS 337920 or for this acquisition?

Government Response:

· This is a single end item (1) line item solicitation.

· Attachment 3 – VAAR 852.219-78 has been replaced with VAAR 852.219-76

· (iii) [ ] The offeror certifies that it will supply the end item of a small business manufacturer, processor, or producer made in the United States.

The SBA waiver list is available at: https://legacy.sba.gov/document/support-non-manufacturer-rule-class-waiver-list. Waivers are listed by NAICS code. This solicitation uses NAICS:337920 blind and Shade Manufacturing and there are no waivers listed.

Question 24: Wage determination. The FAR clause list marks 52.222-41, "Service Contract Labor Standards," and the solicitation attaches "DOL 2015-5411 WY Sheridan rv28." The wage determination lists no occupation named for window-covering installation. Does VA intend the Service Contract Labor Standards to cover the on-site installation labor? If so, which occupations in WD 2015-5411 Revision 28 should offerors use for installers and helpers (for example 23130 Carpenter, Maintenance; 23370 General Maintenance Worker; 23580 Maintenance Trades Helper; 23470 Laborer), or will the conformance process apply? Must the quote list the classifications and rates used?

Government Response: All clauses and references to ‘services’ will be removed from the solicitation and draft award document.

· 52.222-41

· DOL 2015-5411 WY Sheridan rv28.

Question 25: Third-floor mental health unit. SOW section 2 states the third floor houses "an inpatient mental health unit" and "It is anticipated that third floor will be unoccupied at the time of installation," and section 4 specifies "Control loop: stainless steel bead chain." Do any ligature-resistance requirements (for example VA's Mental Health Environment of Care Checklist) apply to the 76 dual and 1 single shades on the third floor, including their chains, chain tension devices, brackets and hem bars? If so, which features are required, and do they replace the bead-chain requirement on that floor?

Government Response: No; this unit is not required to meet “ligature resistant” requirements.

Question 26: Repairs and warranty. The solicitation calls for "initial response time for repairs within 72 hours, and replacement shades within 60 days"; SOW section 13 states "The warranty of an item goes into effect on the date of the acceptance"; and the performance standards call for "Vendor responds within 4 hours to critical issues." What warranty period applies to workmanship and to hardware? Do the 72-hour repair response and 60-day replacement apply only during the warranty period? Does "initial response" within 72 hours mean on site, or a reply? Is the 4-hour standard a reply by phone or email?

Government Response:

· Warranties will vary according to the Manufacturer.

· Warranty services: The Contractor shall coordinate, provide and install products under warranty without cost to the Government for all replacement of parts and material found to be defective during the warranty period. Contractor shall be responsible for all travel, services, personnel, shipping costs, parts, tools, and items needed to complete warranty work for the duration of all warranties.

· Workmanship/Installation warranty: Contractor shall warrant installation workmanship a minimum 90-days after installation to include hardware mount installation, and installation of the products in compliance with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) installation instructions. *Workmanship/Installation warranty duration shall be included in the offerors proposed solution.

· Sheridan is located in a rural area. Contractor shall be capable of providing an initial response to requests for warranty work/service within 72 hours. Contractor shall coordinate with the COR on delivery date for manufacturer warranted products and the scheduling of warranty services not to exceed the manufacturer’s standard production time.

· Contractor shall respond to COR notification of warranty issues via email or telephone within the COR 72 hours

· Is the 4-hour standard a reply by phone or email?-this section has been revised. •Contractor shall respond to COR notification of warranty issues via email or telephone within the COR 72 hours Question 27: Healthcare setting requirements and the named fabric. The SOW calls for "Non-porous, seamless surfaces (e.g., PVC, PETG, vinyl)," "Zero-porosity materials and bonded seams only," "Antimicrobial coatings (≥99.9% pathogen reduction)," resistance to "10% bleach and quaternary ammonium cleaners," and "Steam-cleaning tolerance up to 135°C," while the basis-of-design face fabric, SW2000, has an "Openness factor: 5%." Are the healthcare setting requirements mandatory for every component, or goals? Does VA consider the SW2000 fabric, at 5% openness, to meet "non-porous" and "zero-porosity"? What evidence will VA accept for the antimicrobial, bleach, quaternary ammonium, steam and daily sporicidal requirements: a manufacturer's cleaning guide, or third-party test reports?

Government Response:

The 10% bleach provision is mandatory. The site uses Diversey Virex Plus as the disinfectant. Window shade fabric manufacturers do not test their fabrics with every known disinfectant on the market. However, we have found that materials that hold up to cleaning with a 10% bleach solution can generally handle Virex Plus with no problem. Vendors may do their own testing (or 3rd party testing) with Virex on the proposed solution and submit photographic evidence that the use of Virex and leaving the appearance of the shade material unchanged.

Does VA consider the SW2000 fabric, at 5% openness, to meet "non-porous" and "zero-porosity"? Yes.

What evidence will VA accept for the antimicrobial, bleach, quaternary ammonium, steam and daily sporicidal requirements: a manufacturer's cleaning guide, or third-party test reports? The VA will not accept a manufacturer's cleaning guide. The VA requires that materials that can be sprayed with Diversey Virex Plus disinfectant without leaving stains or water marks. Virex has a “dwell time” that requires the surface to be saturated for a specific amount of time before being rinsed and dried. Generally, a material that can be cleaned with a 10% bleach solution will hold up to repeated cleaning with Virex. Contractors, and/or Third party test reports testing Virex on the proposed solution and showing/submitting photographic evidence that the use of Virex is leaving the appearance of the shade material unchanged.

Question 28: Accessible controls. The SOW lists "ADA-compliant controls for patients and visitors: wall switches at 36–44" height, large easy-grip wands, or voice control for mobility-limited residents" and also states "Shade shall operate by a bead chain mechanism." Is the accessible-controls item met by a bead chain reachable from a wheelchair, or are wall switches, wands or voice control required at any window? If any, which rooms?

Government Response: ADA compliant controls are required in all feasible locations to enable Veterans in wheelchairs to control their window shades without requiring staff assistance.

Electrified/wired or voice controls are not required in any location.

The VA recognizes that there are locations where the window opening is too high to allow the controls to be reached from a seated position. These should be rare exceptions, and an alternative would be acceptable; for example in Physical Therapy and in the corridor opposite the canteen store.

Question 29: Measurements and the fixed price. SOW section 3 calls for the contractor to "conduct an onsite review of areas and verification of measurements and quantities" and states "The VA provides this information as a courtesy only. The Contractor is responsible for confirming all measurements prior to manufacturing," while the order is firm-fixed-price on an "All or Nothing" basis. Should quotes be priced on Appendix A's quantities (224 dual, 2 single) and sizes as given? If verification after award finds a different number of windows needing shades, or openings materially different in size, will VA adjust the price by modification, or does the fixed price cover any difference?

Government Response: This package includes a specific number of windows only. If it is determined at a later date that additional windows require window shades, that will be a subsequent separate procurement. The number of windows requiring shades is not subject to change at this time.

Question 30: Openings about 80 inches wide. Appendix A lists 22 openings from 79.875 to 80.75 inches wide (Rooms 226 and 230 on floor 2; Rooms 309 and 345 on floor 3), and the SOW describes an "Optional spring-assist bead chain clutch" that is "required on shades with an estimated torque higher than 15 lb-in." For these 22 openings, is one shade per opening required, or are two shades side by side acceptable? Should offerors include spring assist only where the manufacturer's torque estimate exceeds 15 lb-in, and must those estimates come with the quote?

Government Response: For those 22-openings, a 1-shade solution is not required and a 2-shade solution may meet the government need. The VA will consider contractor proposed solutions for these 22-openings.

· The VA requires window shades that fit the inside dimensions of the existing windows. Window shades shall completely fill existing openings from head to sill and jamb to jamb. Shade cloth shall hang flat without buckling or distortion. Controls should be placed adjacent to window mullions, and the gap between the shades shall be as small as possible.

· Offerors may include in the offer -spring assist only where the manufacturer's torque estimate exceeds 15 lb-in. If a spring-assist mechanism is the proposed solution for wider windows, that does not obligate the contractor to provide that mechanism on narrower windows.

· The goal is to give residents the greatest possible control over the window coverings in the environment.

Question 31: Headboxes, side channels and cable guides. SOW section 4 describes a "Surface Headbox," a "Pocket Headbox," "Light gap reduction hardware" and an "Interior cable guide kit," while the list headed "Hardware finishes and options for this specific procurement" selects "End caps with fascia: standard" and "Hardware finish: clear anodized (standard)" and no headbox, side channel or cable guide. Are only the items in that list required, or are a headbox, light-gap side channels or cable guides required at any windows? Must the fascia cover both rollers of each dual shade?

Government Response: Side channels are not required. Window shade fascia is required and shall cover the roller(s) so that roller(s) are not visible from the inside of the room. Our specifications are generic enough to allow for reasonable competition and proposed solutions. For example, a contractor has the flexibility to provide 2-shades with two separate mechanisms, or 2-shades with a combined mechanism.

Question 32: Lead installer. The SOW states "Project manager/lead installer must have a minimum of two years of experience in performing installation services in healthcare facilities" and calls for "staff are trained and certified for installing the required product in a way that maintains the validity of the manufacturer's warranty." May the project manager or lead installer be employed by a subcontractor?

Government Response:

Contractor must have a Project Manager/Lead Installer with a minimum of two (2) years of experience installing window coverings in healthcare facilities and meeting the infection control standards of medical facilities and nursing homes.

Question 33: Insurance. SOW section 9 states "Contractor must provide Proof of Insurance," and the Capability volume is to include insurance, but no coverage types or amounts appear. What coverage types and minimum amounts are required (general liability, automobile, workers' compensation)? Must VA be named as additional insured? Is proof due with the quote or before work starts?

Government Response: Commercial General Liability, Workers’ Compensation, and Employer’s Liability insurance: minimums of $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate for liability, plus state‑mandated workers’ comp coverage.

· FAR 52.228-5 is added to the draft award.

· The VA does not need to be named as an additional insured.

· Provide a current insurance certificate with your offer.

Question 34: What manufacture are you wanting us to use is there 1?

Government Response: The Statement of Work is drafted to allow for competition and vendor proposed solutions that will meet the salient characteristics required for window shades in a health care setting.

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.

See attached document: Attachment A - SOW_rv1.

See attached document: Attachment B - XIII Evaluation Factors.

See attached document: Attachment 3 - LOS 852.219-76.

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Amendment to a Previous Combined Solicitation