648-23-100 CON Fire Alarm to Voice

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network 20 is procuring construction services to upgrade the existing Edwards EST-3 Fire Alarm system to an EST-4 or equivalent system with voice notification capabilities at the Portland VA Vancouver Campus. The project scope encompasses site investigation, installation of new Fire Alarm Control Panels (FACPs), implementation of voice-based emergency notification systems, completion of a campus fiber optic loop, and comprehensive testing and commissioning across nearly all campus buildings. Key requirements include compliance with NFPA 72-2022 standards, Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates, Buy American construction materials provisions, and specialized infection control protocols for patient care areas. The contractor must demonstrate technical experience with EST-3 or EST-4 fire alarm systems or equivalent through submission of two to five relevant projects with minimum contract values of $2,000,000 and at least 50% completion within the last five years. Evaluation will be based on technical experience (significantly more important factor), past performance using CPARS data or completed Past Performance Questionnaires, and price. The proposal deadline is March 6, 2026, at 4:00 PM PST, with questions having been due by February 10, 2026, at 4:00 PM PST, answered via amendments including a site visit Q&A document with 31 industry responses issued on March 6, 2026.

This solicitation is a 100% set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) with subcontracting limitations of 75% for special trade construction contractors and 85% for general construction contractors, excluding material costs. The estimated contract value ranges from $6,000,000 to $8,000,000, with a 365-day period of performance following a 10-day notice to proceed. The contractor must furnish performance and payment bonds in the full amount of the original contract price and provide a bid guarantee of at least 20% of the bid price, not to exceed $3,000,000. Work is located at the Portland VA Medical Center Vancouver Campus at 1601 E. Fourth Plain Boulevard, Vancouver, Washington 98661, with the primary control equipment installation occurring at Building 3 boiler plant and fire alarm upgrades distributed across 27 campus buildings. The NAICS classification is 238210 (Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors), and the project must prioritize early transitioning of fire alarm notification to the new EST-4 system while maintaining a functioning fire alarm system throughout construction, with mandatory fire watch procedures and eight weeks' advance notice required for healthcare occupancies when systems are out of service.