Sources Sought Notice.pdf

This is a sources sought/market research synopsis. The Alexandria VA Health Care System (AVAHCS), Pineville, LA contracting office is performing market research to ascertain whether there are potential sources and their business size classification: HUB-Zone, 8(a), Small Business, Small Disadvantage Business, Women Owned Business, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOSB), or Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB). Preferably SDVOSB/small businesses. The NAICS Code is 238290, Other Building Equipment Contractors. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Southeast Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System (SLVHCS), New Orleans, Louisiana is seeking professional services to perform maintenance and repair service of the Medical Center’s LIGHTNING PROECTION AND GROUNDING SYSTEM at the New Orleans Hospital and two clinics in Hammond, LA and Reserve, LA. Contractor shall provide all management, tools, equipment, supplies, and labor necessary to ensure that semi-annual maintenance/inspections and corrective maintenance service are performed on Lightning Protective and Grounding System. All Preventative Maintenance (PM) and services must conform to the manufacturer’s specifications and must not void any warranties. The following description is provided:

1. DESCRIPTION OF LIGHTNING PROTECTION AND GROUNDING SYSTEM and

SPECIFICATIONS

1.1. The lightning and grounding protection in place is aluminum due to the materials present on the roofs. There is a variety of copper and aluminum components that make up the system. Conductor installed are Class I and Class II and inclusive of air terminals.

Existing systems were designed in 2013 to meet UL 96, UL 96A. Installation complied with LP Code 175, and NFPA 780. Existing systems were inspected by certified Lighting Protection Institute certified installer/inspector for the main campus. The St. John and Hammond facilities were installed 2007. No maintenance or inspection services have been conducted on these systems since their installation.

2. LOCATION OF LIGHTNING PROTECTION AND GROUNDING SYSTEM

2.1. 2400 Canal St. New Orleans, LA 70119

2.2. 247 Veterans Blvd, Reserve, LA 70084

2.3. 1131 South Morrison Blvd, Hammond, LA 70403

3. SCOPE

3.1. The Contractor under this Performance Work Statement (PWS) will be responsible for labor, tools, and materials required to carry out all preventive maintenance, inspections and certifications as outlined in this PWS.

3.2. The contractor will provide:

3.2.1. Lightning and Grounding System Initial Inspection and Certification

3.2.1.1. Inspection and certification shall include a site survey of the existing lightning and grounding protection systems located at the New Orleans VA Medical Center, St. John Clinic and Hammond Clinic. The contractor shall conduct an initial assessment of the systems as these locations including a thorough review of all parapets, roofing, slab, etc. associated, connected or bonded as part of the systems. The contractor shall review all utility systems, piping, security cameras, antennas, and handrails associated. Inspections shall include:

3.2.1.1.1. Visual Inspection (to be conducted twice a year as part of semi-annual inspection). Shall check the following:

3.2.1.1.1.1. The system is in good repair

3.2.1.1.1.2. There are no loose connections that might result in high-resistance joints

3.2.1.1.1.3. No part of the system has been weakened by corrosion or vibration

3.2.1.1.1.4. All down conductors and grounding electrodes are intact

(non-severed)

3.2.1.1.1.5. All conductors and system components are fastened securely to their mounting surfaces as required (protected against accidental mechanical displacement)

3.2.1.1.1.6. No additions or alterations have been made to the protected structure which would require additional protection

3.2.1.1.1.7. No visual indication of damage to surge suppression (overvoltage) devices

3.2.1.1.1.8. Review of evidence of corrosion or vibration

3.2.1.1.1.9. The system complies in all respects with the current edition of NFPA 780

3.2.1.1.2. System Testing (annual testing)

3.2.1.1.3. Grounding Testing (earth resistance measurements, annual testing)

3.2.1.1.4. Physical modifications (semi-annually)

3.2.1.1.4.1. Tightening of all clamps and splicers

3.2.1.1.4.2. Refastening and tightening of components and conductors

3.2.1.1.5. Electrical continuity (annual testing)

3.2.1.1.5.1. Continuity in concealed elements

3.2.1.1.5.2. Confirmation of equipotential bonding

3.2.1.1.6. Testing requirements:

3.2.1.1.6.1. The contractor shall perform resistance and continuity tests as required for each of the lightning protection systems.

3.2.1.1.6.2. The contractor’s electrical testing equipment shall be able to measure 10 ohms +/-10 percent for ground resistance tests, and 1 ohm +/-10 percent for continuity testing.

3.2.1.1.6.3. The contractor shall use only instruments designed specifically for earth-ground systems that are intended for ground resistance testing.

3.2.1.1.6.4. If the resistance measured during continuity tests is greater than 1 ohm, check for deficiencies and document.

3.2.1.1.6.5. The contractor shall measure the resistance of grounding electrodes using the fall-of-potential ground resistance test method.

3.2.1.1.6.6. The contractor shall use the procedure recommended by the test equipment manufacturer or the auxiliary probe location shown in figure 1.1 below.

3.2.1.1.6.7. Where possible, conduct this test at the corner of the building opposite the electrical service entrance. Exercise caution:

underground metallic piping may influence readings. Position probes as far as possible from the grounding system under test. Connect the appropriate lead of a fall-of-potential meter to the ground rod at the test site. Place the potential reference probe at a distance greater than one- half the diagonal of the building under test, but not less than 7.6 meters (25 feet). Place the current reference probe 90 degrees from the potential reference probe (in a direction away from the facility under test) and the ground rod under test, and at a distance greater than one half of the building diagonal, but not less than 7.6 meters from the potential reference probe. Note that the distances between probes are equal.

3.2.1.1.6.8. For buildings without a ground loop conductor, perform this test at each ground rod. The contractor shall document the test performed and the values obtained at each test location.

This notice is to assist the VA in determining sources only. This is not a solicitation for proposals or quotes. A solicitation will be issued later. All information submitted in response to this source sought notice is considered voluntary. Interested and capable respondents are requested to provide company name, address, point of contact, phone number, DUNS number, geographical location, business size and number of employees. Responses to this notice shall be e-mailed to Lonest Bonton, Contracting Officer at e-mail address:

lonest.bonton@va.gov. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Reponses must be received by no later than COB (4:30pm CST), May 17, 2022.

mailto:lonest.bonton@va.gov