Sources Sought Notice.docx

This is a Sources Sought notice only. This is not a request for quotes and no contract will be awarded from this announcement. The Government will not provide any reimbursement for responses submitted in response to this Source Sought notice. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.

If a solicitation is issued it shall be announced later, and all interest parties must response to that solicitation announcement separately. Responses to this notice are not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation.

The purpose of this announcement is to perform market research to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 238220, (Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Contractors). The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office 1 (NCO 1) is seeking to identify any vendor capable of installing boiler plant safety devices at the Manchester NH VAMC per the Statement of Work (SOW).

This Sources Sought notice provides an opportunity for respondents to submit their capability and availability to provide the requirement described below. Vendors are encouraged to submit information relative to their capabilities to fulfill this requirement, in the form of a statement that addresses the specific requirement identified in this Sources Sought. Information received from this Sources Sought shall be utilized to facilitate the Contracting Officer’s review of the market base, for acquisition planning, size determination, and procurement strategy.

Submission Instructions: Interested parties who consider themselves qualified to perform the services are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by December 11, 2024 3:00 PM EST. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice must be emailed to david.valenzuela2@va.gov with RFQ #36C24125Q0127 in the subject line. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions.

Interested parties should complete the attached Sources Sought Worksheet. Parties may submit additional information related to their capabilities, provided it contains all the requirements contained in the Sources Sought Worksheet. Responses to this Sources Sought shall not exceed 8 pages. In addition, all submissions should be provided electronically in a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

Attachment 1 Sources Sought Worksheet

QUALIFICATION INFORMATION:

Company / Institute Name: _______________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________ Phone Number: ________________________________________________________________ Point of Contact: _______________________________________________________________ E-mail Address: ________________________________________________________________ Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) #: ___________________________________________________ CAGE Code: __________________________________________________________________ SAM Registered: (Y / N) Other available contract vehicles applicable to this sources sought (GSA/FSS/NASA SEWP/ETC): __________________________________________________________________

SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS:

VIP Verified SDVOSB: (Y / N) VIP Verified VOSB: (Y / N) 8(a): (Y / N) HUBZone: (Y / N) Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business: (Y / N) Women-Owned Small Business: (Y / N) Small Business: (Y / N) NOTE: Respondent claiming SDVOSB and VOSB status shall be registered and Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) verified in VetBiz Registry www.vetbiz.gov.

BASED ON THE RESPONSES TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE/MARKET RESEARCH, THIS REQUIREMENT MAY BE SET-ASIDE FOR SDVOSB, VOSB, SMALL BUSINESSES OR PROCURED THROUGH FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION.

CAPABILITY STATEMENT:

Provide a brief capability and interest in providing the service as listed in Attachment 2 SOW with enough information to determine if your company can meet the requirement. The capabilities statement for this Sources Sought is not a Request for Quotation, Request for Proposal, or Invitation for Bid, nor does it restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition approach, but rather the Government is requesting a short statement regarding the company’s ability to provide the services outlined in the SOW. Any commercial brochures or currently existing marketing material may also be submitted with the capabilities statement. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The Government will not pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.

Attachment 2 VA New England Healthcare System Manchester VA Medical Center 718 Smyth Road Manchester, NH 03104

STATEMENT OF WORK

Boiler and Boiler Plant Safety Devices

1. Introduction/Background:

A. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC) has an existing Boiler Plant containing (3) boilers to provide steam for heating and air conditioning, domestic hot water, kitchens, and sterilization. Each boiler must be tested, tuned, serviced, and certified. After these requirements are completed, a follow-on third party inspection and certification must follow per VA Directive 1810. The following SOW details the current plant has several safety devices that are not installed to meet with the new testing manual procedures. The following modifications will ensure compliance with the testing manual and allow the operators to safely test the devices in accordance with the testing manual procedures.

B. Boiler plant safety, reliability, efficiency, and equipment longevity are paramount concerns of VAMC management. Malfunctioning burners or controls can cause catastrophic events resulting in injuries and death and massive property damage. Inaccurate or inadequate data management and monitoring systems can fail to warn of unsafe or inefficient performance. Regular inspections, testing and calibration by expert technicians are an essential part of a program to address these concerns.

C. This “Statement of Work” describes the requirements for the current plant has several safety devices that are not installed to meet with the new testing manual procedures. The following modifications will ensure compliance with the testing manual and allow the operators to safely test the devices in accordance with the testing manual procedures by qualified technicians.

D. Appendix A lists the facilities where the work will be required, lists the boilers at each facility, and provides a schedule for the work. Appendix A also provides general information for the contractor regarding submittals required prior to the start of work on site.

E. Appendix B lists the modifications.

2. Scope & Technician Qualifications:

A. Contractor shall test all modifications to steam plant safety devices to provide a third-party review per VA Directive 1810 and provide written report of findings.

B. Any changes to this SOW shall be authorized and approved only through written correspondence from Contracting Officer in coordination with Contracting Officer Representative. Costs incurred by the contractor through actions of parties other than the Contracting Officer shall be borne by the contractor.

C. The Contractor shall perform no additional work without the prior written authorization of the Contracting Officer. Any additional work, which may be performed by the Contractor without this approval, will be performed by the Contractor at no additional cost to the government.

D. Technicians shall have completed at least a one-year trade school and have five years successful experience in this field. The experience shall be largely with institutional and industrial boiler plants similar in design to the VAMC plant. The VAMC facility manager/engineer may define and accept equivalent qualifications.

E. Technicians shall demonstrate familiarity with and ready access to the current versions of the following references:

NFPA 85, Boiler and Combustion Systems Hazards Code, Latest Edition.

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Latest Edition.

VHA Boiler Plant Safety Device Testing Manual, 8th Edition, February 2024.

VHA Boiler and Boiler Plant Directive 1810, January 4, 2023.

NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, Latest Edition.

F. Technicians shall be equipped with portable electronic flue gas analyzers and other test instruments necessary for the required tests and calibrations, all calibrated within one month of the site visits. At facilities with programmable digital controls, the technicians must be capable of programming the controls and have the appropriate hardware and software for this.

3. Inspection, Testing and Calibration Requirements:

A. Technicians shall perform after modifications inspection, tuning, testing, calibrating, and adjustments of burners and boiler and boiler plant controls as specified below.

B. Provide at least two weeks’ notice to the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) prior to performing the work. Work cannot be scheduled during heavy steam load periods. Only one boiler at a time can be out of service for the inspection, testing and calibration procedures. Work must be conducted when the COR or his/her designate is available on site to monitor the work.

C. VAMC will have the boilers that are to be serviced prepared for the technicians upon their scheduled arrival.

D. VAMC will comply with any other requirements of the test personnel that are considered reasonable by VAMC and have been presented in writing at least two weeks prior to the scheduled testing.

E. The inspections, testing and calibrations shall comply with:

1) The recommendations and requirements of VHA Boiler Plant Safety Devices Testing Manual, 8th Edition.

2) The written recommendations of the equipment manufacturers.

3) The requirements and recommendations of NFPA 85 Boiler and Combustion Systems Hazards Code including applicable appendices.

F. A summary of the work is as follows:

1) Review records that show combustion performance (flue gas oxygen and carbon monoxide).

2) Perform overall visual inspection of systems. Verify that systems comply with referenced codes and VAMC requirements stated in this contract.

3) Test and record the operation and set points of all burner/boiler safety interlock devices. Refer to list below. Verify that the set points and operating points are within approximately 20% of normal operating parameters. Adjust as necessary and record the new settings. The operation of a device must result in burner shutdown and/or proper alarm operation.

4) Operate burner(s) on each fuel from low fire to high fire and back to low fire in at least six increments and record combustion performance (flue gas oxygen, carbon monoxide, NOx where applicable), fuel train pressures, atomizing train pressures, burner pressures, stack temperatures, boiler steam output.

5) Compare the combustion performance data with VAMC requirements (see below) and previous readings. If necessary, adjust the fuel flow and combustion air controllers, control valves and dampers to obtain the required performance. Record the new performance data.

6) Verify accuracy of instrumentation listed below. Verify that all devices are properly selected for the application in terms of type, size, set point range, performance, code approval. Calibrate all instruments that are not within manufacturer’s specifications for accuracy.

7) Immediately inform COR of any recommended repairs or modifications.

G. List of interlocks and safety devices to be inspected and tested on each boiler/burner (modifications done need to be test and functioning properly per current safety device manual):

1) High Water Alarm Condensate Tank

2) Low Water Alarm Condensate Tank

3) High Water Alarm Deaerator Tank

4) Low Water Alarm Deaerator Tank

5) Deaerator Overflow Drain System

6) Deaerator Safety Valve

7) Steam Safety Valve Following PRV – Deaerator

8) Liquid Relief Valve Oil Pump Set

9) Liquid Relief Valve Economizer

10) Propane Pilot Backup System

11) Carbon Monoxide and Combustible Gas Alarm

12) Emergency Stop/Panic Buttons

13) High Fuel Gas Pressure Alarm Main Gas Line

14) Low water cutoff and shunt switch.

15) Auxiliary low water cutoff and shunt switch.

16) High water alarm.

17) Low water alarm.

18) High operating steam pressure switch – recycle.

19) High operating steam pressure switch – non-recycle.

20) Steam Safety Valves

21) High and low main fuel pressure switches (gas/oil).

22) Fuel Gas Shutoff Valves and Solenoid Vent Valve Seat Leakage

23) Pilot Fuel Gas Shutoff Valve and Solenoid Vent Valve Seat Leakage

24) Low pilot gas (igniter) pressure switch.

25) Low fuel oil atomizing media (oil/compressed air) pressure switches.

26) Low differential pressure switch, atomizing media/fuel oil (if provided by burner manufacturer).

27) Proof of Closure Automatic Fuel Shutoff Valves – Natural Gas

28) Flame Scanner for Main Flame Out

29) Flame Scanner Not Sensing Ignitor Spark

30) Ignitor Timing

31) Main Flame Ignition Timing

32) Pre-Purge and Post-Purge Timing

33) Low-Fire Proving Switch

34) Force Draft Damper Wide-Open Pre-Purge Proving Switch

35) Combustion Air Pressure Switch

36) Purge Airflow Proving Switch

37) Forced Draft Motor Interlock Switches

38) Furnace Pressure Interlock

39) Low Pilot Fuel Gas Pressure Cutoff Switch

40) Flue Gas Recirculation Damper Interlock

41) Low Flue Gas Oxygen Level Interlock

42) Low Fuel Oil Pressure Cutoff Switch

43) High Fuel Oil Pressure Cutoff Switch

44) Low Atomizing Media Pressure Switch

45) Automatic Fuel Oil Shutoff Valves Seat Leakage

46) Proof of Closure Automatic Fuel Oil Shutoff Valves

47) Oil Burner Position Switch

H. Required burner performance (natural gas and fuel oil):

1) Turndown (ratio of maximum and minimum firing rates): 10/1 8/1 5/1 4/1 (Refer to original burner specification).

2) Achieve, but do not exceed, boiler maximum steam flow output rating. Measure fuel input at minimum and maximum firing rates.

3) Maximum carbon monoxide: 200 parts per million (ppm)

4) Maximum NOx: _____ (Refer to original burner specification).

5) Flue gas oxygen: 2.5 – 4.2% (Up to 5.2% at loads below 40% of maximum steam output; no upper limit at minimum firing rate; oxygen can be one percentage point higher on oil firing on single-point positioning systems).

6) Flue gas oxygen (low excess air burners): 1.0 – 2.0% (Up to 2.5% at loads below 40% of maximum steam output; no upper limit at minimum firing rate; oxygen can be one percentage point higher on oil firing on single point positioning systems).

7) No visible smoke, except on heavy oil fuel maximum opacity is 20%. Comply with local emissions regulations.

8) Need a copy of the plant permit and references for the plant.

9) Flames shall be stable with no pulsations, shall be retained near burner, no blowoff or flashbacks, no constant flame impingement on refractory or waterwalls.

4. Report Requirements:

A. Provide complete written report of the inspection fully describing all tests performed, all findings, and recommendations.

B. Furnish report within one week of each facility inspection in “Microsoft Word” format by email to the COR and to the VA Headquarters office designated. Provide hard copies of data sheets and flue gas analyzer “strip” printouts to the COR within one week of visit.

C. All safety-related deficiencies shall be immediately reported to the COR during the inspection visit.

5. Service Hours and Federal Holidays:

A. Normal hours of coverage are Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, excluding holidays. All work shall be performed during normal hours of coverage unless otherwise requested or approved by the COR or their designee.

B. All contract work shall be on a date and time mutually agreed upon between the Contractor and the COR.

C. Federal Holidays observed by the VAMC are:

APPENDIX A

Work is to be performed at VAMC Manchester, NH, 718 Smyth Road, Manchester, NH 03104, Building 7.

Equipment List The following boilers are to be inspected: Please note that the boiler plant and equipment are under construction. This list represents the current equipment inventory in service and is subject to change.

(HRSG)

NB 1970

Other Considerations for Proposal

1. Bidders must submit a copy of the following as part of their bid:

· Safety Plan.

· Respiratory Protection Program (or, if a subcontractor is removing the existing insulation containing mold, the subcontractor’s Respiratory Protection Program).

2. Additionally, the following must be submitted and approved by the VA before the contractor begins work on site:

· Safety Plan.

· Respiratory Protection Program, if respirators are to be used in the performance of the work of this contract.

· Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA). A blank AHA form is available at http://www.swf.usace.army.mil/pubdata/safety/PDF/blank_AHA_Form.pdf.

· Schedule.

· Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for chemicals to be brought on site.

3. The provisions of all applicable NFPA, OSHA, EPA, and VA codes, Federal, State, and local regulations shall be followed throughout the course of this project. Applicable VA publications and design manuals are available to the successful bidder at www.va.gov/facmgt.

APPENDIX B

1) Boiler Gas Regulators:

The existing Maxitrol series 210 does not meet with the VA Master Specification section 23 52 39 (see below):

Section 23 52 39, Firetube Boilers

2.3 BURNER AND FUEL TRAINS

E. Natural Gas Main Fuel Train:

c. Performance: Maximum outlet pressure droop 5 percent of the set pressure over the burner firing range. Maximum lock-up pressure 1.5 times regulated pressure. Speed of response to opening of automatic safety shut off valves shall be sufficient to allow set pressure of low pressure switch to be within 20 percent of the normal operating pressure with no nuisance burner trips.

The VA requires that the main gas regulator maintain a maximum of a 5% droop of gas pressure between low fire and high fire. With the existing outlet gas pressure at low fire at 33 “wc, and a maximum droop of 5% gas pressure, that would equate to a maximum pressure drop of 1.65 “wc over the firing range or a pressure reading of 31.35 “wc at high fire. Currently the Maxitrol regulator operates at 33 “wc at low fire and 26 “wc at high fire, an approximate 21% droop.

The VA’s 3rd party boiler safety testing group (BEI) recommends using a quick reacting, high capacity / high turndown regulator such as the Fisher 1098EGR with duel pilots. To provide faster response, two pilots are mounted in parallel sense the downstream pressure. The Type 6352 pilot is the primary controlling pilot and the Type Y600AM or 627M auxiliary pilot stands by until it senses a negative pressure shock condition. The auxiliary pilot opens, allowing additional flow into the actuator, increasing the stroking speed and providing faster response (as illustrated below).

Contractor to supply a new Fisher 1098EGR with Type 6352 and Y600AM duel pilots on all three boilers to give the facility a safe, reliable, and repeatable fuel supply to the combustion curve. This regulator will provide rapid response to prevent regulator dip/zero shock (which causes the low gas pressure switch to trip during the light off stage) and will meet with the requirements of the master VA TIL Section 23 52 39, Firetube Boilers. It will maintain less than a 5% droop of gas pressure throughout the firing range, allowing for the correct setting of the low gas pressure switch to meet with the VHA Boiler Safety Device Testing Manual requiring a setpoint 20% below regulated pressure. This ensures the gas pressure switch does not trip at high fire.

2) Propane Safety Shutoff Valve:

To meet with the requirements of VA Directive 1810D, VHA Testing Manual (8th edition, Feb 2024) and VA Drawing SD235239-03 (Natural Gas & LP Gas, Burner & Ignitor Fuel - Standard Piping); Contractor to supply a new Maxon Model 100SMM11AA11BA-1A0, Manual Reset Safety Shutoff Valve on the propane line.

The valve will be tied into the same emergency stop circuit as the existing Manual Reset Safety Shutoff Valve located on the natural gas valve and oil pump disconnect circuits.

3) DA PRV Bypass Line:

The PRV on the DA is 2” with an 1-½” bypass line. The bypass does not meet with the VHA Testing Manual which requires the bypass to be the full line size of the PRV.

Contractor to provide materials and install a new 2” DA PRV bypass line complete with double block and bleed isolation for Lock Out / Tag Out requirements.

4) Electrical Test Points:

VA Directive 1810 requires that boiler plant personnel perform one of the two mandatory Boiler and Plant Safety Device Test and a qualified 3rd party perform the second test.

The 8th edition of the VHA Boiler Safety device Testing Manual has several test where the procedure is to remove, jump or install a temporary test toggle switch across the electrical connections. Electrical safety is always a priority for the VA and most of these existing switches and/or electrical terminals are not located in an easily testable location to allow for safe access and testing.

Contractor to mount a single test panel with all electrical test and jumper points for the required safety devices into one “Test Point” terminal strip. This terminal strip will have all wires properly marked and be configured to eliminate electrical risk while performing each of the test required by the VHA Testing Manual.

5) Mechanical Test Points:

VA Directive 1810 requires that boiler plant personnel perform one of the two mandatory Boiler and Plant Safety Device Test and a qualified 3rd party perform the second test.

Similar to the potential electrical hazards listed above, plant operators may be equally exposed to risk by trying to perform the boiler safety device testing on devices that have been installed by the boiler manufacturer with space saving and consolidation in mind, rather than testability. Most of the installed safety devices are currently tucked behind electrical panels, hot piping, or near rotating equipment which put the tester in awkward positions while collecting pressure readings or make adjustments as may be required for compliance.

Contractor to remote mount the safety devices into accessible test manifolds. These manifolds will reduce manhours required for testing while at the same time eliminating risk exposure and improve operator safety. All safety devices will be installed to 100% compliant with the latest VHA Boiler Safety Device Testing Manual (8th edition, Feb 2024).

6) Replace Pressure Controls:

In addition to the proposed relocation of the safety devices we recommend replacing the existing Steam, Gas and Oil pressure switches. The existing Honeywell P7810 Steam pressure switches are obsolete. The existing Ashcroft Gas and Oil pressure switches are a very temperamental switch that is easily knocked out of adjustment and is hard to adjust to meet with the testing manual.

a) Contractor to replace the obsolete Honeywell P7810 with the industry standard Honeywell L404 and L4079 series pressure switches.

b) We also propose replacing the Ashcroft B series gas pressure switches with the industry standard Antunes H and L series pressure switches.

c) The Ashcroft B series oil pressure switches would be replaced with the United Electric H100-703 series switch.

Each of these replacements offers superior testing and adjusting capabilities without compromising on reliable functionality.

7) The VHA Boiler Safety Device Testing Manual (8th edition, Feb 2024) requires the ability to test the blower motor Current Sensors. The existing sensors are not rated for the duty cycle without the use of an external slave relay. This configuration has been found to have a high failure rate and produces a single point failure point device.

Contractor to replace the existing Current Sensors and Slave Relay configuration to single AcuAMP split core AC Current Sensors that are rated for the duty and service application on each boiler.

8) VA Design Alert 151 (Cast Iron Fittings) requires that all Boiler, DA and/or PRV on steam systems rated for 15 psi or more and have brass or cast-iron safety relief valves MUST be replaced with compliant steel or cast steel valves.

Contractor to replace all brass or cast iron safety relief valves with compliant Kunkle Model 921 or 300 Series steel or cast steel valves as applicable.

9) The DA and Condensate Tanks have antiquated Pneumatic Control Valves that do not have the means to meet with the VHA testing manual and do not facilitate testing. Contractor to remove and replace the following five Pneumatic Control Valve Actuators with Electric Actuated Control Valve Actuators.

a) DA Overflow Valve

b) DA Tank City H2O Makeup Valve

c) Condensate Tank Treated Makeup Valve

d) Condensate Tank Soft H2O Makeup Valve

e) Condensate Tank City H2O Makeup Valve

10) New Dangerous Gas Monitors (CO & LEL) that are testable in accordance with the testing manual without having to remove them from the installed location at high points against the roof of the boiler room.

***END OF THIS SCOPE OF WORK***

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