RFI.docx

Request For Information Sources Sought Notice The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking product information and sources capable of providing the products described below. The purpose of this notice is to gather capabilities and market information pertinent for acquisition planning. Responses to this Sources Sought will contribute to determining the method of procurement and identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support this requirement.

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AT THIS TIME.

This Sources Sought does not constitute a Request for Quote or Request for Proposal, and no solicitation exists at this time. Submission of any information in response to this Sources Sought is purely voluntary. The Government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred in responding to this notice. This notice is for market research purposes only and does not obligate the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract.

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Information Technology, Infrastructure Operations (IO), Austin Information Technology Center (AITC), is contemplating issuing a solicitation for the high priority procurement of spare mission critical circuit breakers required to sustain Data Center Power System operations. Delivery of circuit breakers shall be considered standard delivery.

This procurement will support the Data Center's mission critical power systems, which require micro-controlled, automatically operating, shelf-racking, large-amperage circuit breakers. These circuit breakers are installed in computer-controlled Generator Paralleling Switchgear systems that must operate safely while switching between utility and generator power.

NAICS Code: 335313 – Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing

Small Business Size Standard: [Confirm current SBA size standard for NAICS 335313]

The Government is seeking to identify sources — including any equal products meeting the salient characteristics below — capable of providing this equipment. Brand name or equal products will be considered; vendors need not manufacture or supply the specific brand referenced in any prior draft documentation.

SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

Any proposed circuit breaker must meet or exceed the following performance characteristics. Respondents proposing an equal product should identify their model and note any characteristic their product does not meet or exceeds differently.

General

· Draw-out (removable) circuit breaker, 3-pole

· Compliant with ANSI C37 / UL 1066, and EN/IEC 60947-1 and 60947-2

· Frame rating: 5000 A

· Sensor plug rating: 5000 A (with 2500 A sensor option), UL Type A plug

· Rated operational voltage [Ue]: 690 V AC, 50/60 Hz

· Rated insulation voltage [Ui]: 1000 V AC, 50/60 Hz

· Rated impulse withstand voltage [Uimp]: 12 kV

· Suitable for isolation per EN/IEC 60947-2

· Category B selectivity Protection & Control

· Electronic trip unit with Zone Selective Interlocking (LSI protection)

· Residual ground fault protection with ground-fault-trip-only capability

· Overcurrent trip (SDE) contact, standard

· Integrated power metering

· Modbus communication capability

· Minimum 12 auxiliary contacts

· Push-button control, padlockable push-button cover

· Open-position padlock provision

· Automatic spring-discharged interlock Electrical Ratings

· Rated ultimate short-circuit breaking capacity [Icu]: 100 kA at 220/415, 440, 525, and 690 V AC (50/60 Hz)

· Rated service breaking capacity [Ics]: 100 kA at 220/415, 440, 525, and 690 V AC (50/60 Hz)

· Rated short-time withstand current [Icw]: 100 kA for 1 s and 3 s

· Rated short-circuit making capacity [Icm]: 220 kA at 220/415, 440, 525, and 690 V AC (50/60 Hz)

· Maximum breaking time: 25 ms

· Maximum closing response time: 80 ms

· Power dissipation: ≤ 950 W Mechanical / Physical

· Motor-operated spring charging mechanism, 440–480 V AC

· Shunt trip coil, 24–30 V AC

· Closing coil, 24–30 V AC

· Mounting: drawout type, backplate rail mounting

· Rear upside and downside connections

· Mechanical durability: minimum 10,000 cycles with maintenance / 5,000 cycles without maintenance

· Electrical durability: minimum 1,500 cycles at 440 V AC and 690 V AC without maintenance (AC-23A per EN/IEC 60947-3); minimum 6,000 cycles AC-3 at 440/690 V AC

· Note: Physical footprint/dimensional compatibility with existing switchgear compartments is under review by VA engineering. Respondents should identify their product's dimensions and weight; exact dimensional match to any specific existing enclosure is not confirmed as a requirement at this time.

Environmental

· IP degree of protection: IP30 minimum (per IEC 60529)

· Pollution degree: 4 (per IEC 60664-1)

· Operating ambient temperature range: -25°C to 70°C

· Storage temperature range: -40°C to 85°C

· Suitable for operating altitude up to 2,000 m without derating (with derating permitted 2,000–5,000 m); suitable for storage/use at altitudes up to 13,000 ft. (3,900 m)

· Vibration resistance meeting IEC 60068-2-6

· Tested to IEC 68-2-30 (damp heat) and IEC 68-2-52 Level 2 (salt mist)

· Materials shall not support growth of fungus or mold Certifications / Documentation

· CE, CCC, and EAC product certifications (or equivalent recognized certifications)

· Production Test Report provided with unit

· Minimum 18-month contractual warranty

· Ability to support single-unit NETA ATS/MTS certification testing at AITC Facility, 1615 Woodward Street, Austin, TX 78722 (no load banking or IR scanning required) General Conditions

· All equipment shall be new; no used, refurbished, or remanufactured equipment, "Gray Market Goods," or Counterfeit Electronic Parts will be accepted

· Equipment shall be accompanied by OEM warranty documentation

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Interested organizations capable of providing a product meeting (or exceeding) the salient characteristics above are invited to respond with the following:

1. Cover Sheet (1 page limit)

· Organization name, address, and web site

· SAM Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number

· Primary point of contact, including email address and phone number

· Company size status under NAICS 335313 (Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing); if listed as SDVOSB or VOSB in SAM, indicate whether verified in the Veterans Information Pages (VIP)

· If applicable, GSA contract number, schedule, and SIN category under which this product is available

2. Capabilities Statement and Market Information (3 page limit) Please address the following:

1. Identify the specific make/model of circuit breaker your organization proposes, and confirm whether it meets each of the salient characteristics listed above. Identify any characteristics not met, or exceeded/differing specifications.

2. Describe your organization's typical lead time for manufacturing and delivering this type of circuit breaker, including current supply chain or backorder considerations.

3. Describe your organization's experience providing similar mission-critical switchgear/circuit breaker equipment to government or large enterprise data center customers.

4. Describe your ability to support NETA ATS/MTS certification testing, including whether testing can be performed at the delivery site (AITC, Austin, TX) or requires factory/third-party testing.

5. Describe your organization's warranty terms and post-delivery technical support capabilities for this equipment.

6. Confirm your ability to provide Production Test Reports and OEM warranty documentation with delivered units, and to certify equipment as new (no Gray Market Goods or Counterfeit Electronic Parts).

7. Would your organization be interested in responding to a future solicitation for this requirement?

8. Would you recommend a different NAICS code for this requirement? If so, please specify and explain.

9. Please provide any other feedback, alternative approaches, or market information relevant to this requirement (e.g., typical contract vehicles used for this type of procurement, industry standard practices, or product alternatives).

RESPONSE DUE DATE

Submissions must be emailed to Raelynn White at raelynn.white@va.gov no later than 12:00 PM EST on August 10, 2026

DISCLAIMER

This notice is for informational and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. The Government will not pay for information received in response to this notice, nor will it compensate any respondent for costs incurred in developing a response. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future solicitation. All information received in response to this notice that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly.