75N99026R00003-0002 RFI Reponse 1.pdf

(x)

75N99026R00003 x x

1 copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted ; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BE

RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR

OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted , such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified.

x

Bethesda, MD 20892-5711

ORF

9000 Rockville Pike Building 13, Room 2E-47 OD - Office of Research Facilities National Institutes of Health

12/04/20250002

13. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO MODIFICATION OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS. IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14.

12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (If required) is not extended.is extended, Items 8 and 15, and returning

Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended , by one of the following methods: (a) By completing

The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers

11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS

FACILITY CODE CODE

10B. DATED (SEE ITEM 13)

10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NO.

9B. DATED (SEE ITEM 11)

9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NO.

CODE

8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR (No., street, county, State and ZIP Code)

7. ADMINISTERED BY (If other than Item 6)CODE 6. ISSUED BY

PAGE OF PAGES

4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NO.3. EFFECTIVE DATE2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NO. 5. PROJECT NO. (If applicable)

1. CONTRACT ID CODE

AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

11/18/2025

CHECK ONE A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT

B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES (such as changes in paying office, C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF:

D. OTHER (Specify type of modification and authority) appropriation data, etc.) SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b).

E. IMPORTANT: Contractor is not is required to sign this document and return __________________ copies to the issuing office.

ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A.

14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.)

The purpose for this amendment is to provide RFI response as described on Page 2 of this solicitation.

Contracting Officer: Michele Johnson

COR: Paul Poliachik

Period of Performance: 01/01/2026 to 12/31/2026

16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER (Type or print)15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER (Type or print)

15C. DATE SIGNED 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR 16C. DATE SIGNED

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer)

MICHELE D. JOHNSON

STANDARD FORM 30 (REV. 11/2016)

Prescribed by GSA FAR (48 CFR) 53.243

Previous edition unusable

Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9 A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect .

75N99026R00003-0002

The purpose of Amendment 0002 is to provide the Government response to RFI’s:

Q1. Please confirm all currently installed leak detectors include backup battery capability as required and provide the brand/model. Please also confirm whether replacements may be “like kind.”

A1. All DI units are equipped with the FloodStop FS1/2NPT, which includes battery backup.

Any replacements must use the current FloodStop model. Any alternative make or model will require approval from the COR.

Q2. The carbon tank description includes qualitative traits such as “high absorption,” “low ash,” “high surface area,” and “high abrasion resistance.” Are there quantitative thresholds or specifications defining these requirements?

A2. No specifications are listed.

Q3. The described carbon reprocessing steps appear vendor-specific. May offerors use equivalent validated carbon processing methods if final media quality meets required performance specifications?

A3. The process outlined in the SOW was determined to be the most stable method for achieving consistent and reliable outcomes.

Q4. Referencing “Five different-size service carbon tanks are used at the NIEHS.”

Please provide specific carbon tank sizes and any OEM/model identifiers used at

NIEHS.

A4. As long as the tanks meet all required performance and quality standards found in the Statement of Work (SOW), fit within the designated installation area, and are constructed of materials approved by the COR, the specific tank size will not be considered a determining factor.

Q5. Referencing “Four (4) different-size service mixed-bed deionization tanks are used at the NIEHS.” Please provide DI tank sizes and any OEM/model identifiers.

A5. As long as the tanks meet all required performance and quality standards found in the SOW, fit within the designated installation area, and are constructed of materials approved by the COR, the specific tank size will not be considered a determining factor.

Q6. The DI regeneration process appears vendor-specific. Please confirm whether equivalent DI regeneration methods are acceptable if performance specifications are met.

A6. The process outlined in the SOW was determined to be the most stable method for achieving consistent and reliable outcomes.

Q7. Will ISO-accredited third-party laboratory testing with cold-chain shipment be accepted for resistivity, TOC, TDS, and bacterial testing?

A7. Yes, an outside qualified laboratory may perform the water quality testing, provided it is approved by the COR and conducted in accordance with the requirements stated in the

SOW.

o TOC <35 ppb o Resistivity 18.3 megohm at 25 degrees Celsius o Conductivity 0.056 micromhos/cm at 25 degrees Celsius o pH 6.8-7.0 o Sodium <1ppb.

o Hardness 0 ppb

Q8. The solicitation’s resistivity requirement (18.3 ) exceeds the ASTM theoretical limit (18.2 MΩ·cm), and the stated conductivity value is mathematically inconsistent.

Please clarify the required purity standard and whether modifications will be issued to align with ASTM D1125.

A8. For clarification, the resistivity requirement should be stated as 18.2 MΩ·cm.

Q9. Please confirm whether the intended water purity requirement is ASTM Type I, CAP Type I, or another defined standard.

A9. CAP Type 1

Q10. To price emergency repair requirements, please provide historical emergency repair counts and descriptions, including the types of parts replaced.

A10. In the past, parts were typically replaced due to leaks, failed hoses and connectors, faucets, UV lights, and filter housings. The number of repairs required will depend on the quality of the installation, parts, and the preventive maintenance performed by the contractor.

Q11. Please define what constitutes “manufacturer-approved repair parts.” If OEM approval cannot be obtained, will equal-or-better compatible parts meeting all specifications be accepted?

A11. Equal or better will qualify as approved by the COR.

Q12. Please provide the complete list of OEM parts and consumables required for all systems.

A12. The contractor will install their own equipment, which will be leased by the Government. The contractor will be responsible for determining the appropriate OEM parts list and quantities.

Q13. Please confirm whether any currently installed systems retain active manufacturer warranties beyond the previous award period.

A13. The contractor will install their own equipment, which will be leased by the Government.

Q14. Please confirm whether rooms C-229, C-412, D-118, and D-234 each contain two independent DI systems or if this is a duplicate listing. If two exist, please clarify whether they operate redundantly, in parallel, or serve separate equipment loads.

A14. The rooms listed with two sets of equipment contain separate systems, each providing a different water quality output.

Q15. Room D-005 lists two RO systems with different PM intervals. Please confirm both schedules and clarify operational differences.

A15. D-005 has both an RO and DI unit. RO is monthly, while the DI system is every six months.

Q16. Please confirm whether the RO system in D-005 requires monthly PM or 6-month

PM.

A16. D-005 RO unit requires a monthly PM as stated in the SOW.

Q17. Please provide complete DI system definitions including tank sizes, worker/polisher configuration, prefilter type (10" or 20"; micron rating), pump station model, quality light type, and all OEM component numbers.

A17. The contractor will install their own equipment, which will be leased by the Government. The contractor is responsible for determining the components necessary to provide the water quality output required by the laboratory.

Q18. Please provide PP system definitions including flowpath, pump model/specifications, ultrafilter specifications, prefilter size and micron rating, tank sizing, and all OEM part numbers.

A18. The contractor will install their own equipment, which will be leased by the

Q19. Please confirm which PicoTech (PT) models are installed and provide UV lamp specifications and describe how each PT unit connects to upstream DI systems.

A19. The contractor will install their own equipment, which will be leased by the

Q20. The PS system is described as producing “ASTM and CAP Type 1 reagent-grade water,” but reagent-grade corresponds to Type II. Please confirm the intended water type and provide full PS system specifications (flowpath, UF/UV components, pump models, consumables).

A20. The contractor will install their own equipment, which will be leased by the Government. The contractor is responsible for determining the components necessary to provide the water quality output required by the laboratory. This is referring to Type II.

Q21. Please provide RO membrane models, recovery rates, pretreatment configuration, permeate flow, pressure requirements, and all consumable part numbers for each RO system.

A21. The contractor will install their own equipment, which will be leased by the

Q22. Are there any stair-only areas, narrow hallways, or elevator size limitations affecting DI tank and carbon tank movement?

A22. NIEHS has several methods for transporting equipment throughout the institute. The standard hallway dimensions are approximately five feet wide and nine feet tall. In addition, there are two elevators between each module, for a total of nine elevators.

Q23. Please confirm whether the contractor will be permitted to store DI tanks, carbon tanks, RO membranes, and emergency parts on site, and if so, where.

A23. The contractor may temporarily store parts or equipment as needed for upcoming installations. Temporary storage locations will be assigned and may change as necessary.

No permanent storage locations will be available.

Q24. Option Year 1 and Option Year 2 appear to overlap (January 2028). Please confirm the correct period-of-performance dates.

A24. The intended period of performance for the base year and all option years is January 1 through December 31 of each respective year.

Q25. To estimate relocation labor, please provide historical relocation counts and the types of systems relocated.

A25. Each year, we complete between 15 and 20 relocations.

Q26. Please confirm whether escorted or unescorted access is required for all laboratory areas covered under the contract.

A26. The contractor must ensure that all employees associated with this contract obtain the required badges. A Real ID is necessary to begin the badging process. Badge approval generally takes approximately 30 days and includes a thorough background check. Once the contractor’s employees are fully badged, they will be permitted to perform contract work without an escort.

Q27. Please provide OEM specifications and part numbers for UV lamps, UV chambers, ultrafilters, quartz sleeves, ballasts, and housing assemblies to ensure compliant OEM/like-kind sourcing.

A27. The contractor will install their own equipment, which will be leased by the

Q28. Will system schematics or layout drawings (DI, PP, PT, PS, RO) be provided to support accurate costing and maintenance planning?

A28. The contractor will install their own equipment, which will be leased by the

Q29. Will OEM operation and maintenance manuals be provided at award for all installed systems?

A29. The contractor will install their own equipment, which will be leased by the

Q30. Please clarify disposal requirements for regeneration brine, spent filters, or RO membranes if they are considered hazardous waste.

A30. The contractor will install their own equipment, which will be leased by the Government. The contractor is responsible for the disposal of all associated waste. As stated in the SOW, the contractor must supply all equipment and parts, including tanks.

Q31. The solicitation states 196 POU systems and 6 RO systems; Attachment I lists 168 DI, 65 PP, 7 PT, 21 PS, and only 5 RO. Please clarify the calculation method and location of any sixth RO system if applicable.

A31. The number of POU systems varies throughout the year. At this time, there are 182 DI units and 3 RO units.

Q32. Section IX states a 30-day PM Plan after award; Section III states 60-day PM after award. Which PM requirement governs contract performance?

A32. Under current federal guidance, a 30-day window is required for all contract deliverables unless the CO or COR determines that an extension is necessary.

Q33. Because Hydro is the OEM for many installed systems and may decline to sell parts to competitors, please confirm that all OEMs will make required parts and consumables available to the awarded contractor at standard commercial pricing without restriction. If any OEM restricts parts access, please confirm that like-kind equivalent parts meeting all technical specifications will be accepted.

A33. The contractor will install their own equipment, which will be leased by the