SOW Water Quality Testing 12-15-26.docx

?.## STATEMENT OF WORK

STATEMENT OF WORK

Water Quality Testing for Legionella Growth, Bacterial, Endotoxin and other Parameters

1. General Information

A. SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS OVERVIEW:

1. The Contractor shall provide all necessary sample containers, collection services and laboratory analysis at the Martinez VA Center for Rehabilitation and Extended Care, the Sacramento VA Medical Center, the Redding VA Medical Clinic, and the Stockton VA Medical Clinic. Collection shall include sampling for Legionella, Endotoxin and Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) at locations shown on the Sampling Points Inventory (Inventory).

2. Sampling includes designated points as indicated for Legionella detection, utility water and critical water points. These points include specific requirements to ST-108 and VHA Directive 1061 “Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Legionella Disease and Scald Injury from Potable Water Distribution Systems” identifying Sterile Processing Department, Water chillers and cooling tower sources. The Contractor shall provide observed parameters and analysis for pH, conductivity, alkalinity, hardness, water temperature, endotoxin, etc. for samples taken as indicated in this Statement of Work.

3. Laboratories that process the water samples must be certified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) or the Public Health England (PHE) Legionella External Quality Assessment (EQA) scheme as proficient at performing the culture of Legionella from environmental samples. Proof of laboratory certification is required by way of the Contractor providing a copy of the applicable laboratory certification document.

4. Contractor shall provide primary and backup technicians for the duration of the contract. Technicians shall be properly trained and certified by industry standards to perform tasks required in the SOW.

5. Prior to taking any samples, the Contractor shall provide a sampling protocol for each site. No sampling shall take place until each protocol has been approved by the COR.

B. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The period of performance for this service contract is 12 months plus four (4) option years.

Contract Period: 1/3/2026 – 1/2/2027 Option Year 1: 1/3/2027 – 1/2/2028 Option Year 2: 1/3/2028 – 1/2/2029 Option Year 3: 1/3/2029 – 1/2/2030 Option Year 4: 1/3/2030 – 1/2/2031

C. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS: The Contract will provide seven (7) separate Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs) under which contract activities will be managed.

1. CLIN 0001 Legionella Testing

2. CLIN 0002 Critical Water Testing

3. CLIN 0003 Utility Water Testing

5. CLIN 0005 Dialysis Machine Testing (Martinez, Annually) (12 samples)

6. CLIN 0006 Bacteria Analysis

7. CLIN 0007 Re-Test Requirements

2. Testing and Analysis Requirements

A. LEGIONELLA TESTING

1. Sampling

a. The Contractor shall collect samples for Legionella detection during each quarter of the Federal fiscal year and in accordance with VHA Directive 1061 “Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Legionella Disease and Scald Injury from Potable Water Distribution Systems”. Samples shall be collected from the point of use cold and hot water systems in each building during the first two weeks of each quarter for Legionella testing and at indicated locations for chiller and cooling tower each month as designated in the Inventory.

c. The Contractor shall submit a sampling schedule broken down for each quarter showing dates (month and day) for each required test for Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) approval.

d. Upon approval of the Contractor’s sampling schedule, the Contractor shall coordinate service activities with locations, dates, and times with the COR, consistent with the locations identified in the Inventory.

e. At the time that each sample is taken, the water temperature, pH, and level of residual biocide shall be recorded.

f. The Contractor shall collect and store samples and ship them to the analytical laboratory under a chain of custody and in accordance with the conditions specified by the analytical laboratory and VHA Directive 1061.

g. The laboratory must be able to determine if Legionella detected in environmental samples is the species Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 or within the species Legionella pneumophila serogroups 2-14 and designate that information on the lab report submissions.

2. Deliverables/Service Reports

a. The Contractor shall submit a report with the information required in this Statement of Work following each testing event and analysis.

b. The report shall include test methodologies, test results, and the parameters defined in this Statement of Work.

c. The Contractor shall submit the report to the COR within fourteen (14) days of when the quarterly samples were taken.

d. If measurements or visual inspections detect any existing or potential problems, the Contractor shall report these to the COR for discussion prior to departing the site.

B. CRITICAL WATER TESTING

1. Sampling

· POU #1: SPS Sink 1

· POU #2: SPS Sink 2

· POU #3: SPS HLP Room Sink

· POU #4: SPS Left Washer

· POU #5: SPS Right Washer

· POU #6: SPS Ultrasonic

· Monitoring Point #1: RO Post Water Treatment

· Monitoring Point #2: RO Return Line

c. The Contractor shall submit a sampling schedule broken down for each quarter showing dates (month and day) for each required test for COR approval. Sample frequencies are delineated in Tables 5 and 6 in the References section at the end of this Statement of Work.

d. Upon approval of the Contractor’s sampling schedule, the Contractor shall coordinate service activities with locations, dates, and times with the COR, consistent with the locations identified in the Inventory.

e. At the time that each sample is taken, the Contractor shall record the water temperature, pH, total alkalinity, conductivity, and total hardness.

f. The Contractor shall collect and store samples and ship them to the analytical laboratory under a chain of custody and in accordance with the conditions specified by the analytical laboratory and VHA Directive 1061. Samples must be immediately placed on ice once taken from the sampling source. The samples shall be shipped on ice to prevent bacterial growth in the sample.

2. Deliverables/Service Reports

C. UTILITY WATER TESTING

1. Sampling

a. The Contractor shall collect HPC samples as indicated in this Statement of Work. Utility Water testing shall be performed in conformance with the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) ST108 (2023). In accordance with ST108, endotoxin sampling of utility water is not necessary. AER water sources are technically utility water but require more frequent testing than other utility water sources. Periodicities for each sample point are indicated in parentheses in paragraph C.1.b below:

c. The Contractor shall submit a sampling schedule broken down for each quarter showing dates (month and day) for each required test for COR approval. Sample frequencies are delineated in Tables 5 and 6 in the References section at the end of this Statement of Work.

d. Upon approval of the Contractor’s sampling schedule, the Contractor shall coordinate service activities with locations, dates, and times with the COR, consistent with the locations identified in the Inventory.

e. At the time that each sample is taken, the Contractor shall record the water temperature and level of residual biocide. The Contractor shall report analysis for pH, total alkalinity, conductivity, and total hardness quarterly.

f. The Contractor shall collect and store samples and ship them to the analytical laboratory under a chain of custody and in accordance with the conditions specified by the analytical laboratory and VHA Directive 1061. Samples must be immediately placed on ice once taken from the sampling source. The samples shall be shipped on ice to prevent bacterial growth in the sample.

2. Deliverables/Service Reports

D. HPC TESTING at CHILLERS/COOLING TOWERS

1. Sampling

a. The contractor shall sample at all cooling tower locations for HPC Monthly. Sample shall be taken from the basin of each tower.

b. The report shall include test methodologies, test results, and the parameters defined in this Statement of Work.

c. The Contractor shall collect and store samples and ship them to the analytical laboratory under a chain of custody and in accordance with the conditions specified by the analytical laboratory and VHA Directive 1061. Samples must be immediately placed on ice once taken from the sampling source. The samples shall be shipped on ice to prevent bacterial growth in the sample.

2. Deliverables/Service Reports

a. The Contractor shall submit a report following each testing event and analysis within five (5) business days from when the sample was taken.

b. The report shall include test methodologies, test results, and the parameters defined in this Statement of Work.

c. If measurements or visual inspections detect any existing or potential problems, they shall be discussed with the COR before the Contractor leaves the site.

E. DIALYSIS MACHINE TESTING

1. Sampling

a. The contractor shall test six (6) dialysis machines at two (2) ports each. The units are located at Martinez CBOC Bldg. 20 and shall be tested for the following items and specific levels once annually:

ii. Endotoxin

iii. HPC Colony Count

b. The Contractor shall collect and store samples and ship them to the analytical laboratory under a chain of custody and in accordance with the conditions specified by the analytical laboratory and VHA Directive 1061. Samples must be immediately placed on ice once taken from the sampling source. The samples shall be shipped on ice to prevent bacterial growth in the sample.

2. Deliverables/Service Reports

a. The Contractor shall submit a report following each testing event and analysis within fourteen (14) business days from when the sample was taken.

b. The report shall include test methodologies, test results, and the parameters defined in this Statement of Work.

c. If measurements or visual inspections detect any existing or potential problems, they shall be discussed with the COR before the Contractor leaves the site.

F. BACTERIA ANALYSIS WITH TYPE AND STRAIN IDENTIFICATION

1. Sampling

a. The Contractor shall submit the samples to the Laboratory for further bacteria analysis.

b. The analysis shall identify the type and strain of bacteria sampled.

3. Deliverables/Service Reports

G. RE-TEST REQUIREMENTS

1. Sampling

a. At the request from the COR, the Contractor shall provide additional testing or re-testing of those component.

b. The Contractor shall include an amount not to exceed $8,000 for water sampling re-tests, only when requested by the VA, per performance year for this CLIN. This pricing should include travel to collect sample and shipping cost for lab analysis.

2. Deliverables/Service Reports

a. The Contractor shall submit a report following each testing event and analysis within five (5) business days from when the sample was taken.

b. The report shall include test methodologies, test results, and the parameters defined in this Statement of Work.

3. References

Table 5 – Frequency of Water Quality Monitoring at Water Generation System

Water Quality Measurement

Sampling Site Minimum Frequency of Testing*

Alkalinity test kit**

*NOTE 1 The recommendations for frequency of testing in this table are the recommended minimum frequency. If problems or issues arise with the water quality, it may be necessary to increase the frequency until they are resolved.

**NOTE 2 When using these tests, the user should carefully follow the manufacturer’s written IFU for accurate results. When measuring Critical Water levels, the water sample must be filled to the brim for these test kits, sealed and, if the sample is hot, allowed to cool to room temperature before testing. Testing within 15 minutes of sample collection prevents carbon dioxide absorption that can result in an inaccurate pH.

Table 6 - Frequency of Water Quality Monitoring at Point-of-Water-Use

Water Quality Measurement

Sampling Site Minimum Frequency of Testing*

Alkalinity test kit**

*NOTE 1 The recommendations for frequency of testing in this table are the recommended minimum frequency. If problems or issues arise with the water quality, it may be necessary to increase the frequency until they are resolved.

**NOTE 2 Test type needed to measure Critical Water and Steam levels, Steam condensate must be filled to the brim, sealed, and allowed to cool before testing to prevent carbon dioxide absorption.