36C26119B0019-0006001.pdf

AMENDMENT NO. 0006

Solicitation 36C26119B0019 Project: 640-19-913 Building #7, Chiller #2, Air Cooled Water Chiller Replacement

General

The following changes, additions or deletions shall be made to the following Contract Documents.

All other conditions shall remain the same.

1. SPECIFICATIONS

a. N/A

2. DRAWINGS

a. N/A

3. OFFEROR QUESTION AND CLARIFICATION

a. Question: In reviewing the requirements for bidding this project we are required to submit our EMR and Safety Violations. If our EMR is greater than 1, does this eliminate us from the competition. This requirement is very onerous and I sure not many SDVOSB can meet it unless they have been in business for a very short time.

My question is, can we still submit knowing that we cannot meet the first statement in the solicitation, but can meet the incidents requirements. Not sure why this is the only solicitation with this requirement, as others we bid in northern California did not have this severe requirement that basically blackballs all contractors with a large work force and small that perform most work in house.

This does not appear in spirit of competition but instills severe limits on contractors for years, if not ever.

Please confirm if this requirement was rescinded recently and if a contractor will be eliminated from competition if its not met?

b. Response: The EMR information comes from VHA Directive 7715. As for submitting a bid, that is a contractor’s decision to make.

c. Question: The York Chiller is manufactured in Mexico, the existing chillers York chillers and appear to in a redundancy capacity with the other two existing York Chillers. Is York then an approved manufacturer for this project?

d. Response: This solicitation/project falls under the Buy American Act (See solicitation: FAR 52.225-9, 52.225-10, 52.225-13, and VAAR 852.236-89). The requirement for the Water Chillers is located in specification 23 64 00 (See: 23 64 00, Part 2, 2.1. A). Any proposed water chiller must meet the minimum requirements of Executive Order (EO) 13693, FAR 52.223-15, and ASHRAE 90.1- 2013. After review with the COR, this specification section, 23 64 00, has been updated, and the makes and models listed in 23 64 00, Part 2, 2.1 A, are examples ONLY (See the attached update with this amendment: 23 64 00 Packaged Water Chillers UPDATED).

See FAR 52.225-9(c) for contractors requesting use of foreign construction materials, for further guidance.

e. Question: In response to Question C and response D located on amendment 0003, Q&A regarding the need for a back-up Chiller; is there a requirement for a back -up chiller if the change out can be accomplished over a single weekend period?

f. Response: With the type of patients housed in Bldg.7, (Poly Trauma and Spinal Cord Injury patients), and the fact that the warmer season is approaching, our mission is to uphold the comfort and care of the patients in the facility is primary to us. It’s best to stick to the SOW.

g. Question: Given that all amendments have to be acknowledged; what are the procedures for offeror’s to correct or resend a proposal if we sent it in before the bid date extension? Will the government accept a Bid Bond with the original bid due date? What is the physical address for offeror’s to mail the Original Bid Bond?

h. Response: A bid, once submitted, may be modified at any time before bid opening: “Bids may be modified or withdrawn by any method authorized by the solicitation, if notice is received in the office designated in the solicitation not later than the exact time set for opening of bids.” (FAR 14.303(a)). Please refer to the solicitation for further guidance.

Bid Bonds must be in compliance with the solicitation.

Mailing address is listed in block 7 and block 26 of the solicitation.

-END OF AMENDMENT NO. 0006-