36C25927Q0001.docx

Sources Sought Notice Sources Sought Notice

GENERAL INFORMATION

SET-ASIDE

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

Fort Harrison, MT 59636 -1500

1766 Majestic Lane

Billings, Montana 59102-6759

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION

LABORATORY WATER TESTING SERVICES

Laboratory Water Testing Services Disclaimer:

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for market research information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation.

All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly.

Responses to this notice are NOT offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI.

Information Requested from Industry:

In response to the Sources Sought, interested Contractors shall submit the *following:

1. Capabilities/Qualifications Statement and information to include but not limited to an overview of proposed solution(s) and a description of the services your company can provide in accordance with (IAW) the Statement of Work (SOW) draft.

a. Do not provide more than 8 pages, including cover letter page.

2. Responses to the Market Research Table Questionnaire shall be submitted.

*If this information is not provided, then it will be assumed the entire requirement cannot be met.

Response Instructions:

1. Submit your response via email to: Christine.jarvis@va.gov

1. Submit your response NLT 10:00am (Mountain-DST) on July 8, 2026.

1. Mark your response as “Proprietary Information” if the information is considered business sensitive.

1. VA has identified the appropriate North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code as 541380 – Testing Laboratories and Services with a Small Business size of $19 Million. Please identify and explain any NAICS codes your company believes would better represent the predominant work included in the draft Statement of Work (SOW).

Description of Requirement:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Network Contracting Office 19 (NCO 19) is conducting a market survey and is seeking potential sources for Water Testing Services for the Veterans Administration (VA) Montana Health Care System (VA HCS). Contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, sample bottles, shipping containers, labels, transportation, certifications, insurance, and supervision necessary to perform laboratory testing services in accordance with (IAW) the draft SOW.

This Sources Sought Notice is issued for information and planning purposes only. This is not a solicitation or a request for proposal and shall not be construed as an obligation or commitment by the Government. An award will not be made on any offers submitted in response to this notice, and it shall not be implied the Government is committed to providing any solicitation or award following this notice. The Government will not pay for any information received in response to this request, nor will the Government compensate a respondent for any costs incurred in developing the information provided.

Place of performance:

Department of Labor (DOL) Wage Determinations 2015-5389, and 2015-6031 will apply.

Montana VA Health Care System facilities to be tested, include, but are limited to:

(436) Montana VA Health Care System 3687 Veterans Drive P.O. Box 1500 Fort Harrison, MT 59636 -1500

Benjamin Charles Steele VA Clinic 1766 Majestic Lane Billings, Montana 59102-6759 Yellowstone County

Requirement Services: Provide laboratory water testing services, including analysis, reporting, and verification of water safety. Contractor shall provide labor, materials, equipment, sample bottles, shipping containers, labels, transportation, certifications, insurance, and supervision necessary to perform laboratory services in accordance with this SOW.

SOW Requirements (-see-draft SOW)

The estimated Period of Performance 11/1/2026-10/31/2031.

Estimated Quantities for one service year Description of Analysis

In response to this announcement, please provide the *information requested below requested in this market research table questionnaire.

*If this information is not provided, then it will be assumed the entire requirement cannot be met:

Market Research Table Questionnaire NAICS Code:

Company Name:

Address:

UEI (Unique Entity ID) Number:

Contact Name:

Phone No.:

Email:

REQUIRED: MT DPHHS Laboratory Certification:

Business Size Information - Select all that applies:

· Small Business

· Emerging Small Business

· Small Disadvantaged Business

· Certified under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act

· HUBZone

· Woman Owned

· Certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small

· Veteran Owned Small Business

· Large Business

FSS/GSA Contract Number:

Effective Date/ Expiration Date:

Questions for Small Businesses ONLY:

Limitations on Subcontracting RFO 52.219-14

1. What percentage of the work would be subcontracted to another company? ________

2. What is the business size of the subcontractor?______

Per RFO 52.219-14 the following conditions must be met:

Services (except construction), it will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance 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 services and supplies, the 50 percent limitation shall apply only to the service portion of the contract;

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;

(End of Sources Sought) draft - Statement of Work Laboratory Water Testing Services

1.0 PURPOSE

The Montana VA Health Care System (MTVAHCS) located in Fort Harrison, MT, and Billings MT, with the option to add additional MT VA facilities as required, requires a qualified contractor to provide laboratory water testing services, including analysis, reporting, and verification of water safety. These services ensure compliance with VA environmental requirements and support the safety of Veterans, staff, and visitors.

The Contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, sample bottles, shipping containers, labels, transportation, certifications, insurance, and supervision necessary to perform services in accordance with this SOW. Services must be performed in a cost-effective, efficient, and compliant manner in support of the VA mission.

Contractor personnel are not considered Government employees for any purpose.

2.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

A 60-month (5 year) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract with a Base year plus four (4) 1-year ordering periods is anticipated.

Service dates and quantities will be identified on each funded Task Order.

3.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

• Montana VA Health Care System

• Fort Harrison and Billings MT locations

• Specific delivery instructions, shipping methods, and laboratory drop off locations will be provided by the COR.

4.0 QUALIFIED CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor must have and maintain the following throughout the life of the agreement:

• Relevant Experience: Demonstrated experience supporting water systems of similar size and complexity, including facilities with medical water distribution and treatment systems.

• Laboratory Certification: Certification as a Drinking Water Laboratory in Montana, issued by MT DPHHS Laboratory Certification Program(Attachment 1).

• EPA/MTDEQ Compliance: Maintain all required federal and state potable water testing certifications.

• Logistical Capability: Ability to receive and process samples within 24 hours of collection.

• Reliable Transportation: Must account for remote location challenges, weather delays, and mail/shipping unreliability.

Contractor and Subcontracted laboratories must meet all requirements 1–5 Contractor must submit all updated certifications to the CO and COR within 5 business days of any change.

5.0 TASKS AND REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall perform water sample analysis as required by EPA, MT DEQ, and the VA. Not all testing will occur every performance period.

5.1 Required Analyses and Estimated Quantities for one service year Description of Analysis

5.2 Sample Bottle Requirements

• EPA/DEQ approved sample bottles for each sampling method

• Return shipping labels and fees

• Labels, chain of custody forms, and shipping materials

5.3 Ordering Procedures

• Written funded Task Orders (TOs) will be issued for services.

• Contractor must provide signed Service Reports with each completed order.

5.4 GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY

A. COR or staff will collect samples per established method.

B. Samples shall follow all healthcare safety and infection control practices.

5.5 Sample Collection & Transportation

A. SAMPLE PREPARATION AND STORAGE FOR TESTING SAMPLES

• Contractor provides supplies.

• Includes insulated containers, labels, icepacks, prepaid shipping.

• VA collects samples and transports via cooler.

5.6 Compliance Requirements

• Federal & State Safe Drinking Water Acts

• Federal, State, and local water system testing regulations

• All MT DPHHS and EPA requirements for potable water testing

• All applicable VA Medical Center directives

6.0 DELIVERABLES

6.1 Contractor Point of Contact (POC)

• POC name, email, and phone number

• Copies of POC qualifications Submitted at award and within 2 business days of change.

6.2 Test Reports

• Reports emailed within #24hours of completion

• Signed PDF within 10 working days (<5 MB)

• Includes facility, tests, dates, results, lab info, sampler, COC form Each test report shall, at least, include the following information:

· Submitting facility name

· Test(s) ordered

· Date/time of sample collection (when available)

· Date/time laboratory receipt of samples

· Date/time of laboratory processing begins, for samples

· Date/time test completed

· Test result; to include if Legionella is detected.

· Flagged abnormal results

· Name and address of testing laboratory

· Name of sampler

· Contractor shall provide a copy of the Chain of Custody form with the sample results

7.0 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Acceptable Performance: The Government shall document positive or negative performance. Any report may become a part of the supporting documentation for any contractual action.

Unacceptable Performance: When unacceptable performance occurs, the COR shall work with the Contracting Officer (CO) inform the contractor. This will normally be in writing unless circumstances necessitate verbal communication. In any case, the COR shall document the discussion and place it in the COR file.

To ensure that the contractor receives impartial, fair, and equitable treatment under this contract, the COR will work with the contractor to increase performance to an acceptable level. When the COR and CO determines formal written communication is required, the COR and CO shall prepare a Notification (Letter or Concern (LOC), Cure Notice, Show Cause Notice) and present it to the Contractor.

· The contractor shall acknowledge receipt of the LOC Notice in writing.

· The LOC will specify if the contractor is required to prepare a corrective action plan (CAP) to document how the contractor shall correct the unacceptable performance and avoid a recurrence. The Notice will also state how long after receipt the contractor shall present this corrective action plan to the CO.

· The Government shall review the contractor's corrective action plan to determine acceptability.

Any Notice may become a part of the supporting documentation for any contractual action deemed necessary by the CO.

8.0 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA

The Government will accept work when:

· All deliverables meet EPA, MT DEQ, and VA requirements.

· Laboratory reports are complete, accurate, and delivered on time.

· All samples remain uncompromised and tested within required windows.

· Documentation is clear, professional, and compliant.

· Contractor achieves all Performance Standards listed in Section 7.0.

· Any required rework is completed within 5 business days at no cost to the Government.

Work accepted when deliverables meet EPA, MTDEQ, VA requirements; accurate, timely; samples uncompromised; performance met; rework within 5 days.

9.0 QUALITY AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

• EPA OSHA, and MTDEQ regulations while performing offsite services.

10.0 SECURITY, HOURS OF OPERATION

• Standard hours 8–4:30 M–F except holidays

• After hours require COR approval Federal holiday schedule: https://www.opm.gov/...

11.0 CONTRACT POINTS OF CONTACT.

· Contracting Officer (CO): Only the CO may change contract terms or obligate funds.

· Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

• Identified in writing after award

• May not change contract scope •Validates services and accepts deliverables

12.0 Abbreviations

· ANSI – American National Standards Institute.

· CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

· CO – Contracting Officer.

· COR – Contracting Officer’s Representative.

· EPA – Environmental Protection Agency.

· ISO – International Organization for Standardization.

· OEM – Original Equipment Manufacturer.

· OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

· SDS – Safety Data Sheet.

· VAMC – Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

· VA – Department of Veterans Affairs.

· VHA – Veterans Health Administration.

· MT DPHHS – Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

13.0 Attachments See attached document: Attachment 1 - Montana DEQ Drinking Water Regulations Summary.

Sources Sought Notice