Solicitation Z1DA--NRM - 640-23-102 | Microbiology Lab Renovation

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration is seeking proposals for a Firm-Fixed-Price contract to renovate the Microbiology Lab in Building 100 at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System located at 3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto, California. The scope of work encompasses general construction, interior finishes, alterations, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection systems, and utility systems modifications to reconfigure approximately 1,700–1,900 square feet of laboratory space on the fourth floor. The renovation will include demolition of existing equipment, installation of new Labconco brand biosafety cabinets with direct exhaust ductwork, replacement of laboratory casework with epoxy resin countertops, and modifications to electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and telecommunications infrastructure to comply with Biosafety Level 3 lab standards. The solicitation will be evaluated using FAR Part 15 procedures, with evaluation criteria including technical approach, specialized experience, key personnel qualifications, and past performance. The Request for Proposal was originally anticipated for December 15, 2025, with questions due by January 27, 2026, at 2:00 PM PST, and a mandatory site visit scheduled for January 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM; Amendment 0001 extended the proposal deadline to February 20, 2026, and Amendment 0002 further extended it to March 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM PDT.

This solicitation is designated as a total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside, meaning only verified SDVOSB concerns are eligible to submit proposals, and all other offers will not be considered. The contract is classified under NAICS code 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction) with a $45 million size standard. The estimated contract value ranges between $2,000,000 and $5,000,000, and the period of performance is approximately 365 calendar days from the issuance of the Notice to Proceed, with project completion anticipated in early 2027. Phased construction is required to minimize operational disruption to the microbiology laboratory, with the contractor responsible for equipment relocation, temporary swing space coordination, and maintaining infection control measures during all construction activities. Additionally, payment and performance bonds are required, the applicable wage determination is CA20250018, and contractors must meet safety and environmental compliance standards including no more than three serious OSHA/EPA violations within the past three years and an Experience Modification Rate of 1.0 or less. As a general construction project, SDVOSB contractors are limited to subcontracting no more than 85 percent of the contract amount to non-certified firms per VAAR 852.219-75.