P07 36C26225Q0980-Source Sought.docx

SUBJECT*

BOILER PLANT WATER TREATMENT

GENERAL INFORMATION

Department of Veterans Affairs NCO 22 - Network Contracting 650 East Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ 85012-1839

POINT OF CONTACT*

Contracting Officer Felicia Simpson felicia.simpson@va.gov

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

3350 La Jolla Village Dr.

San Diego CA

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AGENCY’S URL

URL DESCRIPTION

AGENCY CONTACT’S EMAIL ADDRESS

EMAIL DESCRIPTION

DESCRIPTION

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. It is neither a solicitation announcement nor a request for proposals or quotes and does not obligate the Government to award a contract. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. Responses to this source sought must be in writing. The purpose of this sources sought announcement is for market research to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of potential qualified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses, Veteran Owned Small Businesses, 8(a), HubZone and other Small Businesses interested and capable of providing the services described below. Documentation of technical expertise must be presented in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition. Responses to this notice shall include the following: (a) company name (b) address (c) point of contact (d) phone, fax, and email (e) DUNS number (f) Cage Code (g) Tax ID Number (h) Type of small business, e.g. Services Disabled Veteran Owned small Business, Veteran-owned small business, 8(a), HUBZone, Women Owned Small Business, Small disadvantaged business, or Small Business HUBZone business and (i) must provide a capability statement that addresses the organizations qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor for the work described below.

The Department of Veteran Affairs, San Diego VA Health Care System located at 3350 La Jolla Village Dr, San Diego, CA 92161 to provide preventative maintenance for the water chemical treatment and cleaning cooling towers at the boiler plant to ensure the safety, reliability, and longevity of the boilers, cooling towers, and protection of the steam, condensate systems, and chill water system

Important information: The Government is not obligated to, nor will it pay for or reimburse any costs associated with responding to this source sought synopsis request. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued. The VA is mandated by Public Law 109-461 to consider a total set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business set aside. However, if response by Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business firms proves inadequate, an alternate set-aside or full and open competition may be determined. No sub-contracting opportunity is anticipated. The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 238220 ($19.0 Million dollars).

Notice to potential offerors: All offerors who provide goods or services to the United States Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov and complete Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). Additionally, all Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses or Veteran Owned Businesses who respond to a solicitation on this project must be registered with the SBA-Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) Registry located at https://dsbs.sba.gov. All interested Offerors should submit information by e-mail to felicia.simpson@va.gov All information submissions to be marked Attn: Felicia Simpson, Contract Specialist and should be received no later than 1:00 pm MST on June 11, 2025.

Sources Sought Notice Sources Sought Notice

Sources Sought Notice

STATEMENT OF WORK

1. CONTRACT TITLE:

Boiler Plant Water Treatment & Cleaning PM Service

2. PLACE OF PERFORMANCES:

San Diego VA Medical Center 3350 La Jolla Village Dr.

San Diego, CA 92161 Phone: (858) 552-8585 Hours: Primary Care (Mon, Thurs, Fri: 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.*; Tues, Wed: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.*) Mental Health (Mon, Wed - Fri: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Tues: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.*)

3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

Base Year + 4 Option Years

4. CONTRACT TYPE:

Firm Fixed Price

5. BACKGROUND:

This contract is for preventative maintenance to provide water chemical treatment and cleaning cooling towers at the boiler plant to ensure the safety, reliability, and longevity of the boilers, cooling towers, and protection of the steam, condensate systems, and chill water system throughout VA La Jolla Hospital.

6. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

VA San Diego is seeking a contractor to provide required supplies, services and technical expertise to ensure the maximum benefit to prolong the life of the boilers and protection of the steam, condensate systems, cooling towers and chilled water system. The goals of this contract are to ensure the safety, reliability and longevity of the following:

· The steam and condensate piping and equipment in the boiler plant, in the steam distribution system and in the various buildings of the VA facility.

· Chilled water system piping and equipment in the central plant and the hospital.

· Condensing water system piping and equipment in the central plant.

· Closed loop systems for hospital heating and central plant equipment cooling.

· Cooling towers, associated piping and equipment

Work shall include, but is not limited to the following:

· Provide all required testing, supplies, and technical advisory services for chemical treatment of the boiler plant water and steam, chilled water distribution system (closed loop), chiller condenser water system, and cooling towers to achieve the specified results contain in this document as well as all applicable all applicable city, county, state, federal regulations, as well as all VA regulations/guidance.

· Cooling Tower (CT) Offline Cleaning & Disinfection Service.

· VASD MC central plant employees will be responsible for continuous feeding of chemicals and performing daily water tests with oversight by the contractor.

· The contractor shall regularly verify the proper operation of non-chemical water treatment systems which serve the central plant. This verification shall occur at least monthly for the first six months after notice to proceed, then quarterly thereafter, and will include:

- feedwater deaerator

- water softeners

- reverse osmosis system

- deionized water system

- continuous blowdown The contractor must provide all supplies and technical advisory services for proper chemical treatment of 4 cooling towers including:

· Quarterly testing of all 4 cooling towers for Legionella with analysis performed by independent lab at contractor’s expense. Analysis results shall be sent to VA Central CORs and the Plant Operator/Supervisor.

· Monthly testing for mold, yeast, and total bacteria growth e.g. tolytriazole dip slides and sulfur reducing bacteria tests. When total colony counts exceed 105 the VA may require legionella testing to be performed at the contractor’s expense.

· Follow-up testing due to a positive test result.

· Performance Requirements:

· Boiler Plant Water Chemistry:

· Total hardness in feedwater must be less than one part per million (ppm). Advise VA personnel on proper softener monitoring and operation.

· Dissolved oxygen in the feedwater must be 7 parts per billion (ppb) maximum with oxygen scavenger treatment temporarily suspended. If it exceeds 12 ppb, provide recommendation to boiler Plant Operator/Supervisor that deaerator must be inspected and repaired.

· Prevent embrittlement of boiler pressure vessels.

· Condition the boiler sludge to obtain effective bottom blow-off.

· Boiler Residual of sodium sulfite, 30-60 ppm.

· Boiler phosphate residual, 20-40 ppm.

· Total dissolved solids (TDS) in boilers as high as possible, but not to exceed 4000 ppm.

· Total alkalinity in boilers 400-800 ppm maximum (1/5 x solids TDS).

· Maximum suspended solids in boilers 350 ppm, maximum silica 250 ppm.

· Boiler polymer dispersant residual as recommended by supplier.

· There must be no “pitting” corrosion.

· There must be no scale and deposit formation in the boilers.

· Moisture content of the steam must not exceed one percent. Perform condensate conductivity tests at a steam trap near the boiler steam outlet (at a point with no amines) to evaluate the moisture content of the steam. If necessary, utilize an antifoam agent to limit solids carryover in the steam from the boilers and to control boiler priming, foaming and misting.

· Control boiler water chemistry to minimize blowdown and thus improve efficiency.

· Provide steam amine treatment to provide condensate pH of 8.0-8.5 at each condensate receiver throughout the facility and in the condensate storage tank in the boiler plant.

· Feed the amines into the boilers instead of the steam header in order to achieve even dispersal throughout the distribution system.

· Control corrosion rates. Steel corrosion rates must be less than 2.0 mils per year. Copper corrosion rates must be less than 0.2 mils per year.

· Establish a layer of magnetic iron oxide (black or dark gray in color) on all steel surfaces as a corrosion barrier.

· Cooling Towers (open circulating loop) Chemistry:

· pH control: 7-9

· Total hardness: TBD

· Ca hardness: 0-600

· Total alkalinity: 0-500

· Conductivity: 2000-3500

· Biocide concentration: TBD

· MoO4: 0.5-0.75

· Closed Chilled Water Loop Chemistry:

· pH control: TBD

· Conductivity: TBD

· Nitrites (No2): 600-800 On-Site Services:

· As a minimum, perform the following test monthly, provide complete written reports with all test results and recommendations, and review reports with Plant Operator/Supervisor:

· Condensate return systems: pH, total hardness, dissolved iron and copper, total dissolved solids, and conductivity, amine, condensate conductivity at a steam trap near the boiler steam outlet.

· Test the condensate for pH at representative samples of condensate receivers throughout the facility at least twice per year. Vary the sample sites ever year.

· Make-up water including both city supply and soft water: pH, conductivity, total alkalinity, total hardness, Ca hardness, total dissolved solids, suspended solids and silica.

· Boiler feedwater: Dissolved oxygen, pH alkalinity, hardness, total dissolved solids, suspended solids, and silica. Feedwater dissolved oxygen must be tested twice per year with oxygen scavenger chemical treatment temporarily suspended so that feedwater deaerator performance can be evaluated.

· Boiler water: Total dissolved solids, suspended solids, sulfite, phosphate, alkalinity (P, T, and OH) and conductivity.

· Continuous blowdown systems: Check calibration and settings monthly.

· Chemical feed systems: Advise Plant Operator/Supervisor on adjustments to maintain proper chemical dosage and feed rates and blowdown rates.

· Cooling towers: pH, Alkalinity, hardness, conductivity, and inhibitor. Quarterly testing for Legionella. Legionella samples must be analyzed by an independent lab.

· Closed chilled water loop: pH, conductivity, and nitrite concentration.

· Visit the plant weekly during the first three months of a new contract. After three months, visit the plant monthly, perform tests listed above and review daily logs of tests performed by boiler plant personnel. Discuss the results with the Plant Operator/Supervisor. Provide recommendations on treatment methods and consult on boiler plant and steam and condensate distribution systems problems as requested. Send water samples to the laboratory as necessary to resolve problems and questions. Make additional visits at the request of the Plant Operator/Supervisor to resolve issues.

· Conduct waterside inspection of boilers, feedwater, deaerator and condensate storage tank at least once per year. Through the Plant Operator/Supervisor, coordinate the boiler and feedwater deaerator inspection coincide with the inspection by the Qualified Professional Inspector (boiler inspector). VA personnel will prepare equipment for inspection.

· Provide recommendations on wet and dry boiler lay-up procedures, including monitoring, of boilers not in service.

· Provide recommendations on proper operation of the continuous boiler blowdown systems and boiler bottom blow-off procedures.

· Test corrosion coupons from condensate lines once per year and provide report. VA personnel will install, remove, and deliver the coupons to the water treatment specialist.

· Any deficiencies of problems noted with VA Test results or with the water treatment specialist’s test results are to be reported immediately, chemicals as necessary provided, and tests performed as necessary to confirm that desired results are achieved.

· Provide complete written instructions, supplemented by oral instructions and demonstrations, to boiler plant personnel for their performance of routine water tests for feeding the chemicals into the systems. The instructions must cover all aspects of safe chemical handling and safe and accurate testing, and proper chemical feed quantities and methods to suit the plant operating parameters and water treatment performance requirements.

Provide the following training:

· A two-hour training session covering all aspects of safe chemical handling and safe and accurate testing, and proper chemical feed quantities and methods to suit the plant operating parameters and water treatment performance requirements

· Two additional two-hour training sessions within the first two months of the start of the contract.

· One two-hour training session every six months thereafter.

Administrative Requirements:

· All on site work is to be coordinated with the boiler operator/Plant Supervisor at least seven (7) days prior to performance of services.

· All work must be performed during the normal daytime working hours (0800-1600), Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays unless agreed upon in advance.

· Situations requiring more frequent analysis and/or special testing other than the specified requirements may arise. Do not perform any extra cost work without written authorization from the Plant Supervisor/COR. A separate purchase order will be issued to cover the costs associated with these extra tests upon request and justification from the contractor.

· Provide information on the normal time delivery for chemicals. Provide method for emergency chemical deliveries.

· A laboratory certified by the State must perform laboratory work.

· A written report of each analysis and inspection must be submitted immediately upon competition of each analysis and/or inspection to include a summary report of treatment recommendations based on the analysis report. Each report will be submitted in duplicate to the central plant supervisor and to the COR.

· Provide emergency response, including a site visit if requested, within 4 hours of request, 24 hours a day, and 365 days per year. Maintain a toll-free (800) telephone number and email and pager system for 24-hour access. Contract shall cover one emergency visit per year.

· Respond to routine communications within 24 hours of contact. If a site visit is necessary, a technician must be on site within 48 hours from initial contact. Contract shall cover two unscheduled site visits per year.

· Any changes to key personnel identified in the vendor offer shall be reported to the COR/Plant SUPV prior to the change. Key personnel are defined as the Contractor POC, Water Treatment Specialist(s) and Lab Chemist.

Chemicals and Testing Supplies:

· Contractor must provide all chemicals, test kits, test reagents, corrosion coupons and

· instructional materials as necessary to comply with all contract requirements. Deliver to the boiler Plant SUPV or boiler operator on duty.

· Chelant-based chemicals are not permitted.

· All chemicals utilized must conform to FDA guidelines: CFR 21, 173.310, boiler water additives permitted in plants is where steam contacts food. In addition, the chemicals must conform to all local, state, and federal government regulations on water pollution and have appropriate EPA registration. The VAMC utilizes boiler steam for food preparation and for humidification.

· Contractor shall provide onsite chemical storage containers with secondary containment. Provide bulk delivery service which delivers the chemicals directly into the on-site storage containers with no assistance necessary from VA employees other than to provide access.

· All biocides must be non-corrosive and non-reactive with the water treatment polymers.

· All existing chemicals, which are suitable for contract program, will be utilized prior to the use of any new chemicals.

· Submit SDS sheets for all chemicals utilized during the performance of services under this contract. The SDS sheets will accompany delivery of the chemicals.

Contractor must provide all chemicals necessary for the central plant (Bldg. 2) for the entire period of performance. This shall include:

· Boilers

· compound(s) for control of alkalinity.

· A phosphate(s) compound

· Boiler polymer/dispersants

· A sulfite compound (catalyzed) for control of dissolved oxygen

· A neutralizing amine compound for condensate treatment

· Cooling Towers (open recirculation)

· Compound(s) to inhibit scaling deposits. Must be resistant to degradation from oxidizing

· biocide treatment.

· Compound(s) to inhibit metal corrosion. Must be resistant to degradation from oxidizing

· biocide treatment.

· Compound(s) containing two biocides (oxidizing & non-oxidizing) for microbiological control and prevention of biologic fouling.

· Compound(s) for pH control.

· Closed Chilled Water Loop

· Compound to maintain proper pH control.

· Compound containing an oxygen scavenger.

· Compound contains a Film-forming, corrosion inhibitor.

· Compound to maintain proper nitrite concentrations.

· Any other recommended treatment chemicals

· All chemical containers must be labeled with complete information on contents and must be returnable. Containers with missing labels must be removed from the site. All containers remain the property of the contractor and must be immediately removed from the site when they are no longer needed at the site.

· Contractor must maintain a minimum of 30 gallons of each boiler/system treatment chemical in the contractor provided chemical storage/injection tanks (with secondary containment) to ensure an uninterrupted chemical supply.

Contractor Qualifications:

· Potential contractors must have been in business at least five years providing chemical treatment of industrial boiler plants, steam distribution systems, and chilled water systems with cooling towers that are similar in design, size and scope to that of this VA facility. Contractor must provide a list of at least five customers similar in size and scope to that of this VA facility who have utilized the services for boiler chemical treatment for at least three years.

· The contractor must operate (or continuously maintain a contract with) a state of California certified laboratory to perform complete scientific analyses of water chemistry, deposits, metallic materials affected by corrosion and provide recommendations for correction of problems related to chemical and mechanical water treatment program. A Professional Chemist must supervise the laboratory. All testing shall be included in contract price.

· The contractor must have at least one water treatment specialist who has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or the physical sciences from an accredited college or university assigned to this contract. The water treatment specialist must have at least five years successful experience with boiler water treatment programs and must furnish references from at least three customers who utilize boiler and chilled water treatment programs.

7. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS & OTHER RESPONSIBLITES:

Contractor shall obtain all necessary licenses required to perform this work. Contractor shall take all precautions necessary to protect persons and property from injury or damage during the performance of this contract. Contractor shall be responsible for any injury to himself/herself, his/her employees, or others, as well as for any damage to personal or public property that occurs during the performance of this contract that is caused by him/her or his/her employees’ fault or negligence. Contractor shall maintain personal liability and property damage insurance prescribed by the laws of the Federal Government.

The Government reserves the right to accept or reject Contractor’s employee for the rendering of services. Complaints concerning Contract Personnel’s performance or conduct will be dealt with by the Contractor and COR with the final decision being made by the Contracting Officer.

8. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:

8.1. All personnel employed by the Contractor in the performance of this contract, or any representative of the Contractor entering on VASDHS shall comply with applicable Federal, State, and VA safety and fire regulations and codes, which are in effect during the performance period of the contract.

8.2. Contractor shall perform work in strict accordance with existing relevant, accredited standards and codes to minimize the possibility of injury to personnel, or damage to Government equipment. Every effort shall be made to safeguard human life and property.

8.3. Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local requirements regarding workers’ health and safety. The requirements include, but are not limited to, those found in Federal and State Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) statutes and regulations, such as applicable provisions of Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 1910 and 1926, NFPA 70E, Article 130.7 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(iii), 29CFR1910.137

8.4. Contractor shall provide all necessary tools, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to perform the work safely, effectively, and timely.

8.5. The VAMC San Diego building 1, main building, contains asbestos. Any worker entering these asbestos containing areas must have an asbestos certification of no less than 16 hours and a valid fit test certification. Certifications must be presented to the VA project manager before any work in an asbestos area may begin.

9. CHANGES:

The awarded Contractor is advised that only the Contracting Officer, acting within the scope of the contract has the authority to make changes which affect the contract in terms of quality, quantity, price or delivery.

In the event the Contractor effects any such change at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change shall be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustment shall be made in the contract price to cover any increase in costs incurred as a result thereof.

10. VA POLICY:

Possession of weapons is prohibited. Enclosed containers, including tool kits, are subject to search. Violations of VA regulations may result in citations answerable in the United States (Federal) District Court.

11. PARKING POLICY:

It is the responsibility of Contractor personnel to park only in designated parking areas. Parking information is available from the VA Police. The VA shall not validate or make reimbursement for parking violations of the Contractor’s personnel under any circumstances.

12. IDENTIFICATION BADGES:

All Contractor personnel are required to wear identification (I.D.) badges during the entire time they are on the VA Healthcare System grounds. I.D. badges must have an identification picture and shall state the name of the individual and the company represented.

13. SMOKING POLICY:

Smoking is not permitted within the VA Healthcare System facilities campus.

14. NORMAL WORKING HOURS:

Normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Pacific time. All work is expected to be performed generally during normal hours of coverage unless requested or approved by the COR or his/her designee.

Before commencement of work, the Contractor shall confer with the VA COR and Contracting Office to agree on a sequence of procedures; means of access to premises and building. All work performed, to include delivery of materials and equipment, shall be made with minimal interference to Government operations and personnel.

Work performed outside the normal hours of coverage must be approved by the COR or his/her designee.

15. OVERTIME AND NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:

Any overtime or holiday pay that may be entitled to the Contractor’s employees shall be the sole responsibility of the Contractor and shall not be billed to nor reimbursed by the Government.

The Contractor is not required to provide service on the following U.S. Government holidays nor shall the Contractor be paid for these days:

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