IFB 561-20-101 Upgrade Heating Distribution System

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration is seeking to procure a comprehensive upgrade of the heating distribution system at the East Orange VA Medical Center in New Jersey through Invitation for Bid (IFB) 36C24225B0003-1. The project involves completely replacing the existing "collapsing" steam/condensate heating distribution system and devices throughout multiple floors of Building 1, including removal of existing steam radiators, installation of new steam and condensate piping, heat exchangers, hydronic pumps, and associated mechanical, electrical, and architectural modifications. Contractors must coordinate work during typical duty hours of 8 AM to 4:30 PM eastern time and comply with complex Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) procedures across multiple patient care levels, including asbestos abatement of approximately 2,275 square feet of heat shield insulation. The solicitation requires bidders to be registered in SAM with a Unique Entity Identifier and includes mandatory pre-bid site visits, with the final bid submission deadline extended to June 11, 2025, at 10:45 AM EDT, followed by a public bid opening at 11:00 AM EDT.

This procurement is designated as a 100% Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside under NAICS code 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors) with a business size standard of $45 million. The project magnitude is estimated between $5 million and $10 million, with a total performance period of 760 calendar days for completion. Work will be performed at the VA Medical Center located at 385 Tremont Avenue, East Orange, NJ 07018, specifically targeting Building 1's heating infrastructure across basement through penthouse levels including Wings B and C. Multiple companies attended pre-bid site visits, including J&T Mechanical, Imperial Cool + Electric, Harwood Inc., and Truenger Inc., among others, indicating significant contractor interest in this substantial healthcare facility modernization project. The project includes three primary bid items covering general construction, mechanical work, and electrical work, with three alternate bid options providing potential scope reductions.