36C26025R0053.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.

36C26025R0053 X 04-28-2025 663A4-22-202 36C260 NCO 20 Network Contracting Office

ATTN: V4CONT

1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd Bldg.17, Suite B428 Vancouver WA 98661 NCO 20 Network Contracting Office

ATTN: V4CONT

1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd Bldg.17, Suite B428 Vancouver WA 98661 Stephen Slaby stephen.slaby@va.gov Project Title: Install Sprinkler and Water Main Connection to Bldg 16 Project Number: 663A4-22-202 Project Location : American Lake VA Medical Center, 9600 Veterans Drive Southwest, Tacoma, WA 98493

NAICS is 237110 Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction, Size Standard is $45M Services Code: Y1DA Construction of Hospitals and Infirmaries.

This is a 100% Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Set-Aside.

The magnitude of construction is between $500,000 and $1,000,000.

Project Description: The Contractor shall provide all labor, material, and equipment for demolition, removal, and new construction in the vicinity of Building 16 to provide a wet fire suppression system for the occupied floors of the structure (Covered Patio, 1st and 2nd) and a dry fire suppression system for the unoccupied areas of the facility excluding crawl space. The new system shall provide an adequate back-flow prevention devices, position indicator valve, associated fittings, the addition of a two-inch isolation valve to the buildings main potable water service line, Fire Department Connection (FDC) point, work including asbestos abatement and lead based paint abatement, and associated support as provided in the attached drawings and specifications.

A formal site visit will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 8:00am PDT, meet outside Bldg 18 per the attached map.

Proposals must be submitted by email to the Contracting Officer no later than 12:00 PM (PDT), May 28, 2025.

Proposals submitted by any other means will not be accepted.

Request for Infomation (RFIs) are to be submitted by email to the Contracting Officer no later than 12:00 PM (PDT), May 10, 2025. No other RFIs will be considered unless determined by the Contracting Officer.

Contracting Officer (CO): Stephen Slaby, stephen.slaby@va.gov Note: Any and all FAR or VAAR clauses listed in supporting documentation, e.g. specifications, are strictly for reference only and do not supersede, replace, or enhance those clauses or provisions, in full or reference, included in the solicitation or contract. FAR and VAAR clauses or provisions found in the solicitation or contract prevail.

The current Davis-Bacon Act Wage Determination for Pierce County, Washington, for "Building" applies at all times to this requirement, and is available on SAM.gov. A courtesy copy is included in this solicitation. Any subsequent updates by the Department of Labor supersedes the included courtesy copy, effective the date update is published to SAM.gov. The most recent version at time of award will be applied to the contract.

X X 52.211-10 X 12:00

PDT

05-28-2025 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

All Items (Lump Sum) __________________________ 36C260 NCO 20 Network Contracting Office

ATTN: V4CONT

1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd Bldg.17, Suite B428 Vancouver WA 98661 Department of Veterans Affairs

FMS-VA-2(101)

Financial Services Center PO Box 149971 Austin TX 78714-9971 Stephen Slaby

Table of Contents

A.3 PRICE/COST SCHEDULE

ITEM INFORMATION

663A4-22-202 Sprinkler and Water Main Connection to Building 16 Contract Period: Base POP Begin:

POP End:

PRINCIPAL NAICS CODE: 237110 - Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction PRODUCT/SERVICE CODE: Y1DA - Construction of Hospitals and Infirmaries

GRAND TOTAL

INFORMATION REGARDING SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS, BID GUARANTEE AND BONDS

The following items are required to be submitted with the proposal for the proposal to be determined acceptable. It is the responsibility of each offeror to ensure that its proposal reaches the designated point of submission in a timely manner. Proposals received that do not provide all requirements of the solicitation may be deemed unacceptable and removed from further consideration at the discretion of the Government.

1. SF1442, completed and signed. Note: Contractor’s signature shall be in accordance with FAR Part 4.102 (e.g., proper signature and format of person who is able to bind an individual, partnership, corporation, etc.).

2. Amendment(s). All solicitation amendments must be acknowledged in accordance FAR Clause 52.215-1(b). Acknowledgement of Amendments: In the event amendment(s) are issued, amendments shall be acknowledged by the offeror in one of the three ways listed on the amendment.

3. A Bid Guarantee, SF 24, is required. The amount shall be adequate to protect the Government from loss should the successful bidder fail to execute further contractual documents and bonds as required. The bid guarantee amount shall be at least 20 percent of the bid price but shall not exceed $3 million. Failure to furnish the required bid guarantee in the proper form and amount, by the time set for opening of bids, may require rejection of the bid in all cases except those listed in FAR 28.101-4. The SF 24 may be obtained from http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/type/TOP.

Note: The bidder to whom award is made will be required to furnish two bonds, a Payment Bond, SF 25A, and a Performance Bond, SF 25, each in the penal sum of 100 percent of the original contract price. The SFs 25 and 25A may be obtained from http://www.gsa.gov/portal/forms/type/TOP.

4. Complete Technical Proposal Volume 1. A complete volume 1 technical proposal needs to be submitted per the submission requirements.

- Factor 1 Technical Expertise. Offeror shall submit all requested information for Specialized Experience.

- Factor 2 Past Performance. CPARS printouts or Past Performance Reference Form, (Exhibit B) for all projects listed under factor 1 Specialized Experience. Other past performance information may also be provided.

5. Complete Price Proposal Volume 2 A complete volume 2 price proposal shall be submitted per the submission requirements.

- Offerors shall submit a completed and signed SF 1442.

- Offerors are recommended to submit other pricing information that assists the Government in evaluation.

- Provide a completed VAAR 852.219-75 VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING—CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION (NOV 2022).

6. Completed Representations and Certifications. Provisions or clauses incorporated by full text and/or reference in this solicitation requiring completion by the offeror must be completed and submitted with the offer.

1. OVERVIEW

1.1 Intent: The intent of this solicitation (please note that the words solicitation and request for proposal (RFP) may be used synonymously throughout the solicitation documents) is to select one contractor to provide professional construction services for Project Number 663A4-22-202, Sprinkler and Water Main Connection to Building 16, in accordance with the attached documents. The period of performance is 249 calendar days from issuance of the Notice to Proceed.

1.2 Method of Award: The Government intends to use the “Best Value” tradeoff process source selection approach in accordance with FAR 15.101-1. A firm fixed price award will be made to the responsible offeror whose offer/proposal is determined to be the best value to the Government based on all factors outlined in this Solicitation (36C26025R0053). The Government reserves the right to accept other than the lowest priced offer or to reject all offers. Setting aside for Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) firms that comply with regulations to meet our goals will fulfill the VA’s mission to meet socioeconomic goals.

1.3 Discussions: Government intends to make award to a responsible Small Business without discussions; however, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions with one or more Offeror(s) if deemed to be in the best interest of the Government. Therefore, prospective Offerors are strongly encouraged to make their best initial offer. In accordance with FAR 15.306(a) (2), if award will be made without conducting discussions, offerors may be given the opportunity to clarify certain aspects of their proposals, e.g., the relevance of an offeror's Past Performance information and adverse Past Performance information to which the offeror has not previously had an opportunity to respond, or to resolve minor clerical errors.

1.4 Unacceptable Proposal: Offerors must comply with all detailed instructions in this Solicitation for format and data content of the proposal. Proposals that do not comply with the detailed instructions for the format and data content of the proposal may be considered unacceptable and may render the Offeror ineligible for award.

1.5 Offers and Pricing: Offers and pricing must be valid for a time period of ninety (90) calendar days from proposal submission date. Offers that provide less than the ninety (90) calendar day time period will be deemed unacceptable and not considered for Government acceptance.

2. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION

These instructions prescribe the format and other essential information for preparation/ development and presentation of proposal data to ensure the submission of necessary information for the understanding and comprehensive evaluation of proposals. Carefully review this section prior to commencing proposal preparation. In order for proposals to receive full consideration for award, offerors should ensure that the information furnished in support of the proposal is factual, accurate, and complete.

Proposal shall be submitted in two (2) separate Volumes: Volume I – Technical Proposal and Volume II – Price/Cost Proposal with strict adherence to the format, data, and other requirements of this Solicitation.

Written proposals shall be prepared on standard 8.5 x 11-inch paper (charts may be landscaped but must be on 8.5 x 11-inch paper), text lines shall be single-spaced, and shall have a font size no smaller than Microsoft Word Times New Roman 11-point font. All pages of each proposal shall be appropriately numbered. For ease of reviews, consecutive page numbering is required.

Offerors responding to this Solicitation with a proposal/offer to provide the Work set forth in the Solicitation documents should limit submissions to data essential for evaluation of proposals, so that a minimum of time and monies will have been expended in preparing information required herein. However, failure to include all information requested may adversely affect the evaluation. A proposal that merely reiterates or promises to accomplish the requirements of the RFP may be considered unacceptable.

Offerors are reminded of their responsibility to submit a proposal that is orderly and sufficiently documented that will enable the Government to easily understand and perform a thorough and fair evaluation. All commitments made in the proposal may become a part of the resultant contract. The data submitted with each proposal should be complete and concise, but not overly elaborate. Excessive reliance on promotional brochures is discouraged. In order to be effectively and equitably evaluated, the proposals must include information sufficiently detailed to clearly address all of the evaluation criteria factors described in the Solicitation.

**ALL PROPOSALS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY; NO HARD COPY OR FACSIMILE PROPOSALS WILL BE ACCEPTED**

3. PROPOSAL EVALUATION AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

A firm fixed price award will be made to the highest technically rated qualified construction contractor at a fair and reasonable price whose offer conforms to the solicitation, and which results in the best value to the Government, all factors considered.

To arrive at a Best Value decision, the Source Selection Authority, using the SSEB documentation will integrate the evaluation of Technical Expertise, Past Performance, and Price.

Technical is significantly more important than Past Performance and, when combined, they are significantly more important than cost/price.

3.1.1 VOLUME I - Factor 1, Technical Expertise. The Government will evaluate the offeror’s experience required for this project with relation to wet and dry fire suppression system installation projects that are at a minimum similar in complexity and comparable size to the requirements of this project. Submit a minimum of three (3) and up to four (4) projects utilizing the attached Specialized Experience Project form with descriptions that best demonstrates your expertise on projects that are similar in scope, magnitude, and complexity to the RFP. The Government will evaluate the offeror’s projects related to their expertise on projects similar in scope, magnitude, and complexity.

Projects submitted shall be completed within the past five (5) years of the date of issuance of this RFP. A project is defined as either under a single task order or individual contract. Higher ratings will be given to firms showing demonstrated successful experience in fire suppression installation projects that had asbestos and lead paint abatement, on projects equivalent in complexity and comparable size to this project.

3.1.2 VOLUME I - Factor 2, Past Performance

Past performance is one indicator of an offeror’s ability to perform the contract successfully. The currency and relevance of the information, source of the information, context of the data, and general trends in contractor’s performance shall be considered. Offeror shall provide past performance by using the following manners:

· The list of projects provided under Factor 1, Technical, will have past performance reviewed.

· Offeror shall complete in entirety the attached form titled “Past Performance Reference Form” to provide past performance reference information for all projects listed under Factor 1. Incomplete forms may result in the Past Performance Reference Form not being considered for evaluation.

· While evaluating past performance, the Government evaluation team will not be limited to reviewing the past performance information provided in this proposal and reserves the right to review other available past performance information to assess past performance. Please note, technical evaluators and the Contracting Officer can use their personal knowledge of the contractor’s prior VA contracts to assist with past performance evaluations. If an offeror does not have any past performance, a neutral rating will be given for this evaluation factor.

Past performance evaluation results in an assessment of the offeror’s probability of meeting the solicitation requirements. It considers each offeror’s demonstrated recent and relevant record of performance in supplying products and services that met the contract requirements. One performance confidence assessment rating is assigned for each offeror after evaluating the offeror's recent past performance, focusing on performance that is relevant to the contract requirements. (See FAR 15.305). There are two aspects to the past performance evaluation. Relevancy of contractual work performed; and how well the contractual work was performed as a confidence assessment.

3.1.2.1 Relevancy Rating: The offeror’s past performance will be evaluated to determine how relevant a recent effort accomplished by the offeror is to the effort to be acquired through the source selection. To be considered relevant, the work performed must be completed within the last 5-years. Relevancy rating will assess past performance effort involving similar scope and magnitude of effort and complexities that this solicitation requires.

3.2.2.2 Performance Confidence Rating. The offeror’s past performance evaluation will evaluate contractors to determine how well the contractor performed on the past performance contracts and the expectation that the offeror will be able to successfully perform the required effort for this project by rating a performance confidence assessment.

3.2 VOLUME II – PRICE Proposal: Price is not the only factor for this requirement. Price will be evaluated on the basis of its fair and reasonableness to the Government. “Best Value” means the expected outcome of an acquisition that, in the Government’s estimation, provides the greatest overall benefit in response to the requirement. A firm fixed price award will be made to a qualified construction contractor at a fair and reasonable price whose offer conforms to the solicitation, and which results in the best value to the Government, all factors considered.

3.2.1 Volume II Price Information Submission Requirements

3.2.1.1 Offerors shall complete in its entirety the “Offeror” portion of the Standard Form (SF) 1442. An official having the authority to contractually bind your company must sign the SF 1442 in accordance with FAR 4.102. One copy of the SF 1442 is required to have an original signature. Valid electronic signatures are acceptable.

3.2.1.2 Offerors may be requested during the evaluation process to provide sufficient price information that will enable the Government to perform an accurate evaluation.

3.2.2 The Government will evaluate the total price. The intent is to award CLIN 0001, Item I (Project 663A4-22-202 Sprinkler and Water Main Connection to Building 16).

3.2.3 Prices will be evaluated for reasonableness utilizing one or more of the price analysis techniques set forth in FAR 15.305 (a) (1) and (a) (4) and the following criteria:

· Total Price: The total evaluated price will be the sum of all Contract Line-Items.

· Balance of Proposal: The proposal is balanced if the price is properly distributed through any provided Price Breakout.

· Reasonableness: A price is reasonable if, in its nature or amount, it does not exceed what would be incurred by an ordinarily prudent person in the conduct of normal competitive business.

3.2.4 Prompt payment discounts will not be considered in the evaluation of offers.

3.2.5 If no Offerors are within the available funding limitation, the VA reserves the right to enter into discussions with those Offerors who are determined to be within the competitive range, if a competitive range is determined in the interest of the VA, otherwise discussions will be with all Offerors.

3.2.6 If following the initial Non-Price and Price evaluations and/or receipt of Final Proposal Revisions, an offeror’s total evaluated price still exceeds the VA's funding limitation, the VA will no longer consider the offeror to be eligible for award.

INSTRUCTIONS, CONDITIONS AND OTHER STATEMENTS TO BIDDERS/OFFERORS

2.1 SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM UPDATES

(SAM) may continue to require entities to complete representations based on provisions that are not included in agency solicitations. Examples include 52.222-25, Affirmative Action Compliance, and paragraph (d) of 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications—Commercial Products and Commercial Services. Contracting officers will not consider these representations when making award decisions or enforce requirements. Entities are not required to, nor are they able to, update their entity registration to remove these representations in SAM.

2.2 52.201-1 ACQUISITION 360: VOLUNTARY SURVEY (SEP 2023)

(a) All actual and potential offerors are encouraged to provide feedback on the preaward and debriefing processes, as applicable. Feedback may be provided to agencies up to 45 days after award. The feedback is anonymous, unless the participant self-identifies in the survey. Actual and potential offerors can participate in the survey by selecting the following link: https:// www.acquisition.gov/360.

(b) The Contracting Officer will not review the information provided until after contract award and will not consider it in the award decision. The survey is voluntary and does not convey any protections, rights, or grounds for protest. It creates a way for actual and potential offerors to provide the Government constructive feedback about the preaward and debriefing processes, as applicable, used for a specific acquisition.

(End of Clause)

2.3 52.216-1 TYPE OF CONTRACT (APR 1984)

The Government contemplates award of a Firm-Fixed-Price contract resulting from this solicitation.

(End of Provision)

2.4 52.222-5 CONSTRUCTION WAGE RATE REQUIREMENTS—SECONDARY SITE OF THE WORK (MAY 2014) (a)(1) The offeror shall notify the Government if the offeror intends to perform work at any secondary site of the work, as defined in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of the FAR clause at 52.222-6, Construction Wage Rate Requirements, of this solicitation.

(2) If the offeror is unsure if a planned work site satisfies the criteria for a secondary site of the work, the offeror shall request a determination from the Contracting Officer.

(b)(1) If the wage determination provided by the Government for work at the primary site of the work is not applicable to the secondary site of the work, the offeror shall request a wage determination from the Contracting Officer.

(2) The due date for receipt of offers will not be extended as a result of an offeror's request for a wage determination for a secondary site of the work.

(End of Provision)

2.5 52.225-10 NOTICE OF BUY AMERICAN REQUIREMENT—CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS (MAY 2014)

(a) Definitions. "Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item," "construction material," "domestic construction material," and "foreign construction material," as used in this provision, are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled "Buy American—Construction Materials" (Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.225-9).

(b) Requests for determinations of inapplicability. An offeror requesting a determination regarding the inapplicability of the Buy American statute should submit the request to the Contracting Officer in time to allow a determination before submission of offers. The offeror shall include the information and applicable supporting data required by paragraphs (c) and (d) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9 in the request. If an offeror has not requested a determination regarding the inapplicability of the Buy American statute before submitting its offer, or has not received a response to a previous request, the offeror shall include the information and supporting data in the offer.

(c) Evaluation of offers.

(1) The Government will evaluate an offer requesting exception to the requirements of the Buy American statute, based on claimed unreasonable cost of domestic construction material, by adding to the offered price the appropriate percentage of the cost of such foreign construction material, as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9.

(2) If evaluation results in a tie between an offeror that requested the substitution of foreign construction material based on unreasonable cost and an offeror that did not request an exception, the Contracting Officer will award to the offeror that did not request an exception based on unreasonable cost.

(d) Alternate offers.

(1) When an offer includes foreign solicitation in paragraph (b)(2) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9, the offeror also may submit an alternate offer based on use of equivalent domestic construction material.

(2) If an alternate offer is submitted, the offeror shall submit a separate Standard Form 1442 for the alternate offer, and a separate price comparison table prepared in accordance with paragraphs (c) and (d) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9 for the offer that is based on the use of any foreign construction material for which the Government has not yet determined an exception applies.

(3) If the Government determines that a particular exception requested in accordance with paragraph (c) of the clause at FAR 52.225-9 does not apply, the Government will evaluate only those offers based on use of the equivalent domestic construction material, and the offeror shall be required to furnish such domestic construction material. An offer based on use of the foreign construction material for which an exception was requested—

(i) Will be rejected as nonresponsive if this acquisition is conducted by sealed bidding; or

(ii) May be accepted if revised during negotiations.

(End of Provision)

2.6 52.228-1 BID GUARANTEE (SEP 1996)

(a) Failure to furnish a bid guarantee in the proper form and amount, by the time set for opening of bids, may be cause for rejection of the bid.

(b) The bidder shall furnish a bid guarantee in the form of a firm commitment, e.g., bid bond supported by good and sufficient surety or sureties acceptable to the Government, postal money order, certified check, cashier's check, irrevocable letter of credit, or, under Treasury Department regulations, certain bonds or notes of the United States. The Contracting Officer will return bid guarantees, other than bid bonds—

(1) To unsuccessful bidders as soon as practicable after the opening of bids; and

(2) To the successful bidder upon execution of contractual documents and bonds (including any necessary coinsurance or reinsurance agreements), as required by the bid as accepted.

(c) The amount of the bid guarantee shall be percent of the bid price or , whichever is less.

(d) If the successful bidder, upon acceptance of its bid by the Government within the period specified for acceptance, fails to execute all contractual documents or furnish executed bond(s) within 10 days after receipt of the forms by the bidder, the Contracting Officer may terminate the contract for default.

(e) In the event the contract is terminated for default, the bidder is liable for any cost of acquiring the work that exceeds the amount of its bid, and the bid guarantee is available to offset the difference.

(End of Provision)

2.7 52.233-2 SERVICE OF PROTEST (SEP 2006)

Protests, as defined in section 33.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, that are filed directly with an agency, and copies of any protests that are filed with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), shall be served on the Contracting Officer (addressed as follows) by obtaining written and dated acknowledgment of receipt from:

Stephen Slaby Contracting Officer Hand-Carried Address:

NCO 20 Network Contracting Office

ATTN: V4CONT

1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd Bldg.17, Suite B428 Vancouver WA 98661

Mailing Address:

NCO 20 Network Contracting Office

ATTN: V4CONT

1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd Bldg.17, Suite B428 Vancouver WA 98661

(b) The copy of any protest shall be received in the office designated above within one day of filing a protest with the GAO.

(End of Provision)

2.8 52.236-27 SITE VISIT (CONSTRUCTION) (FEB 1995) ALTERNATE I (FEB 1995)

(a) The clauses at 52.236-2, Differing Site Conditions, and 52.236-3, Site Investigations and Conditions Affecting the Work, will be included in any contract awarded as a result of this solicitation. Accordingly, offerors or quoters are urged and expected to inspect the site where the work will be performed.

(b) An organized site visit has been scheduled for— Monday, May 5, 2025 8:00AM PDT

(c) Participants will meet at— Building 18 See attached map.

(End of Provision)

2.9 VAAR 852.209-70 ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (OCT 2020)

(a) It is in the best interest of the Government to avoid situations which might create an organizational conflict of interest or where the Offeror’s performance of work under the contract may provide the Contractor with an unfair competitive advantage. The term ‘‘organizational conflict of interest’’ means that because of other activities or relationships with other persons, a person is unable to render impartial assistance or advice to the Government, or the person’s objectivity in performing the contract work is or might be otherwise impaired, or the person has an unfair competitive advantage.

(b) The Offeror shall provide a statement with its offer which describes, in a concise manner, all relevant facts concerning any past, present, or currently planned interest (financial, contractual, organizational, or otherwise) or actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest relating to the services to be provided under this solicitation. The Offeror shall also provide statements with its offer containing the same information for any consultants and subcontractors identified in its proposal and which will provide services under the solicitation. The Offeror may also provide relevant facts that show how its organizational and/or management system or other actions would avoid or mitigate any actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest.

(c) Based on this information and any other information solicited or obtained by the Contracting Officer, the Contracting Officer may determine that an organizational conflict of interest exists which would warrant disqualifying the Contractor for award of the contract unless the organizational conflict of interest can be mitigated to the Contracting Officer’s satisfaction by negotiating terms and conditions of the contract to that effect. If the conflict of interest cannot be mitigated and if the Contracting Officer finds that it is in the best interest of the United States to award the contract, the Contracting Officer shall request a waiver in accordance with FAR 9.503.

(d) Nondisclosure or misrepresentation of actual or potential organizational conflicts of interest at the time of the offer or arising as a result of a modification to the contract, may result in the termination of the contract at no expense to the Government.

(End of Provision)

2.10 VAAR 852.228-72 ASSISTING SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED AND VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES IN OBTAINING BONDS (DEC 2009) Prime contractors are encouraged to assist service-disabled veteran-owned and veteran-owned small business potential subcontractors in obtaining bonding, when required. Mentor firms are encouraged to assist protégé firms under VA's Mentor-Protégé Program in obtaining acceptable bid, payment, and performance bonds, when required, as a prime contractor under a solicitation or contract and in obtaining any required bonds under subcontracts.

(End of Clause)

2.11 VAAR 852.233-70 PROTEST CONTENT/ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION (OCT 2018)

(a) Any protest filed by an interested party shall—

(1) Include the name, address, fax number, email and telephone number of the protester;

(2) Identify the solicitation and/or contract number;

(3) Include an original signed by the protester or the protester’s representative and at least one copy;

(4) Set forth a detailed statement of the legal and factual grounds of the protest, including a description of resulting prejudice to the protester, and provide copies of relevant documents;

(5) Specifically request a ruling of the individual upon whom the protest is served;

(6) State the form of relief requested; and

(7) Provide all information establishing the timeliness of the protest.

(b) Failure to comply with the above may result in dismissal of the protest without further consideration.

(c) Bidders/offerors and Contracting Officers are encouraged to use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures to resolve protests at any stage in the protest process. If ADR is used, the Department of Veterans Affairs will not furnish any documentation in an ADR proceeding beyond what is allowed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(End of Provision)

2.12 VAAR 852.233-71 ALTERNATE PROTEST PROCEDURE (OCT 2018)

(a) As an alternative to filing a protest with the Contracting Officer, an interested party may file a protest by mail or electronically with: Executive Director, Office of Acquisition and Logistics, Risk Management and Compliance Service (003A2C), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420 or Email: EDProtests@va.gov.

(b) The protest will not be considered if the interested party has a protest on the same or similar issue(s) pending with the Contracting Officer.

(End of Provision) PLEASE NOTE: The correct mailing information for filing alternate protests is as follows:

Or for solicitations issued by the Office of Construction and Facilities Management:

2.13 52.252-1 SOLICITATION PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es):

https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.va.gov/oal/library/vaar/

(End of Provision)

REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

3.1 52.204-8 ANNUAL REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS (MAY 2024) (DEVIATION FEB 2025) (a)(1) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes and corresponding size standards for this acquisition are as follows; the categories or portions these NAICS codes are assigned to are specified elsewhere in the solicitation:

(2) The small business size standard for a concern that submits an offer, other than on a construction or service acquisition, but proposes to furnish an end item that it did not itself manufacture, process, or produce, (i.e., nonmanufacturer), is 500 employees, or 150 employees for information technology value-added resellers under NAICS code 541519, if the acquisition—

(i) Is set aside for small business and has a value above the simplified acquisition threshold;

(ii) Uses the HUBZone price evaluation preference regardless of dollar value, unless the offeror waives the price evaluation preference; or

(iii) Is an 8(a), HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, economically disadvantaged women-owned, or women-owned small business set-aside or sole-source award regardless of dollar value.

(b)(1) If the provision at 52.204-7, System for Award Management, is included in this solicitation, paragraph (d) of this provision applies.

(2) If the provision at 52.204–7, System for Award Management, is not included in this solicitation, and the Offeror has an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM), the Offeror may choose to use paragraph (d) of this provision instead of completing the corresponding individual representations and certifications in the solicitation. The Offeror shall indicate which option applies by checking one of the following boxes:

[ ] (i) Paragraph (d) applies.

[ ] (ii) Paragraph (d) does not apply and the offeror has completed the individual representations and certifications in the solicitation.

(c)(1) The following representations or certifications in SAM are applicable to this solicitation as indicated:

(i) 52.203-2, Certificate of Independent Price Determination. This provision applies to solicitations when a firm-fixed-price contract or fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment is contemplated, unless—

(A) The acquisition is to be made under the simplified acquisition procedures in Part 13;

(B) The solicitation is a request for technical proposals under two-step sealed bidding procedures; or

(C) The solicitation is for utility services for which rates are set by law or regulation.

(ii) 52.203-11, Certification and Disclosure Regarding Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions. This provision applies to solicitations expected to exceed $150,000.

(iii) 52.203-18, Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements—Representation. This provision applies to all solicitations.

(iv) 52.204-3, Taxpayer Identification. This provision applies to solicitations that do not include the provision at 52.204-7, System for Award Management.

(v) 52.204-5, Women-Owned Business (Other Than Small Business). This provision applies to solicitations that-

(A) Are not set aside for small business concerns;

(B) Exceed the simplified acquisition threshold; and

(C) Are for contracts that will be performed in the United States or its outlying areas.

(vi) 52.204-26, Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services—Representation. This provision applies to all solicitations.

(vii) 52.209-2, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations—Representation.

(viii) 52.209-5, Certification Regarding Responsibility Matters. This provision applies to solicitations where the contract value is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.

(ix) 52.209-11, Representation by Corporations Regarding Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction under any Federal Law. This provision applies to all solicitations.

(x) 52.214-14, Place of Performance—Sealed Bidding. This provision applies to invitations for bids except those in which the place of performance is specified by the Government.

(xi) 52.215-6, Place of Performance. This provision applies to solicitations unless the place of performance is specified by the Government.

(xii) 52.219-1, Small Business Program Representations (Basic, Alternates I, and II). This provision applies to solicitations when the contract is for supplies to be delivered or services to be performed in the United States or its outlying areas, or when the contracting officer has applied part 19 in accordance with 19.000(b)(1)(ii).

(A) The basic provision applies when the solicitations are issued by other than DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard.

(B) The provision with its Alternate I applies to solicitations issued by DoD, NASA, or the Coast Guard.

(C) The provision with its Alternate II applies to solicitations that will result in a multiple-award contract with more than one NAICS code assigned.

(xiii) 52.219-2, Equal Low Bids. This provision applies to solicitations when contracting by sealed bidding and the contract is for supplies to be delivered or services to be performed in the United States or its outlying areas, or when the contracting officer has applied part 19 in accordance with 19.000(b)(1)(ii).

(xiv) 52.222-22, Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports. This provision applies to solicitations that include the clause at 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity.

(xv) 52.222-25, Affirmative Action Compliance. This provision applies to solicitations, other than those for construction, when the solicitation includes the clause at 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity.

(xvi) 52.222-38, Compliance with Veterans' Employment Reporting Requirements. This provision applies to solicitations when it is anticipated the contract award will exceed the simplified acquisition threshold and the contract is not for acquisition of commercial products or commercial services.

(xvii) 52.223-1, Biobased Product Certification. This provision applies to solicitations that require the delivery or specify the use of biobased products in USDA-designated product categories; or include the clause at 52.223-2, Reporting of Biobased Products Under Service and Construction Contracts.

(xviii) 52.223-4, Recovered Material Certification. This provision applies to solicitations that are for, or specify the use of, EPA-designated items.

(xix) 52.223-22, Public Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Reduction Goals—Representation. This provision applies to solicitations that include the provision at 52.204-7.

(xx) 52.225-2, Buy American Certificate. This provision applies to solicitations containing the clause at 52.225-1.

(xxi) 52.225-4, Buy American—Free Trade Agreements—Israeli Trade Act Certificate. (Basic, Alternates II and III.) This provision applies to solicitations containing the clause at 52.225-3.

(A) If the…