Z1JZ-- 667-24-4-501-0361, TRI-annual switchgear testing (VA-25-00000261) (VA-24-00065050) 36C256-24-AP-2658

AMENDEMENT NOTICE - Switchgear Testing

Questions and Answers to solicitation provided:

Question #1:

Scope of Work:Â It is the intent of these tests to assure that all electrical equipment is operational within industry and manufacturer's tolerances. Work items, definitions, and references shall comply with the latest edition of the NETA - Maintenance Testing Specifications. Upon completion of the tests, a label shall be attached to all service devices. These labels shall indicate date of service and the service company responsible. The tests shall determine suitability for continued operation. The testing company shall thoroughly clean all equipment tested and serviced. Such cleaning shall include removal of all dust, dirt, debris, oil film, etc. Cleaning is subject to Contracting Officer's Representative inspection and acceptance. Ground testing verification that resistance between your grounding system and earth meets the specifications of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and other pertinent guidelines. Any item/equipment that fails the initial test shall be retested in the presence of the COTR. Testing and inspecting must be done while the Electrical Power Distribution System is energized; contractor must ensure all appropriate safety precautions are taken before, during and after scanning the system. An infra-red scanning camera will be used to detect hot spots; loose, broken, or corroded connections within the Electrical Power Distribution System. Problem connections shall be replaced with new connectors, and/or tightened with torque wrench to meet the equipment manufacturers' specifications.

Based on the SOW, can you please answer below?

"Could you clarify the scope of work?

Are you requesting only an IR scan with the system energized, or do you need every device listed to be cleaned and tested per NETA standards?

If the equipment cannot be taken offline, we can only perform an IR scan."

ANSWER TO QUESTION #1:

The intent is to ensure the equipment is still operational within the manufacturer s specifications and still comply with the latest Maintenance Testing Specifications.

No, it is not only an IR scan.

Yes the facility does need or power distribution system tested, inspected and cleaned per NETA Standards.

It will be expected for the VA electricians to deenergize (take offline) the system for the work to be accomplished.

Question #2:

. bring up an issue with the above referenced {36C25624Q1008} solicitation for the Switchgear Testing at the VA Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. Page 7 outlines Contractor Qualifications stating the following:

 Contractor Qualifications:

"Contractor shall be certified by the InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA) as NETA Certified Technician, and completed the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) approved 10-hour construction safety training."Â

There are a couple of issues with this limited qualification statement:

 The requirement does not does not recognize equivalent experience or higher qualifications such as those possessed by an electrical engineer or registered Professional Engineer.

Other testing certification organizations exist such as the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) and test equipment manufacturers such as Megger through their AVO Training Institute.

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This restrictive language has been successfully protested as far back as 1992 from our records. Both the VA Central Office and GAO have confirmed this is unduly restrictive and expressed the need to recognize equivalent certifications, higher qualifications (i.e., engineering degree), equivalent experience, etc.

Answer to Question #2:

Solicitation 36C25624Q1008 Qualifications, Experience and Instructions to Offerors will be changed to the following requirements:

See the new instructions to Offerors AND THE NEW EVALUATION FACTORS AND CHANGES TO WHAT SHALL BE SUBMITTED AS DOCUMENTATIONS.

NEW REVISED INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS:

Prospective bidders refer to the Statement of Work (SOW) and the Facility drawings.

Prospective bidders may visit the job site to verify quantities and locations. Failure to do so will not relieve the contractor of the responsibility to conduct all tests required by specifications within locations identified within the SOW.

To schedule any site visits please contact:

Jason Kirkland, Electrician Supervisor

Overton Brooks VA Hospital

510 E Stoner Ave

Shreveport, LA 71101

Office phone 318-990-5460

Jason.Kirkland@va.gov

Deadline for scheduling site visit shall be made in advance, the day before the visit, and the cut-off for as scheduled site visit is 13 June 2024, and must conclude by 3:00pm CST.

*Please submit quotes to Dena Young, Contracting Officer via email at: Dena.Young@va.gov

And reference in the email subject line, Swithgear Testing Shreveport VA .

All questions shall be emailed to Dena.Young@va.gov with statement in subject line Swithgear Testing Shreveport VA , no later June 11th at 4:00pm CST

Vendors must provide:

Quote/price

The Lead Service Field Engineer/Technician copy of their current certification by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) OR a current certification for the National Electrical Testing Association (NETA) OR Equivalent to the certificate (i.e. Professional BS degree in Engineering and/or references (submit documents as stated for submission in #4 and/or #5.)

Provide a resume/CV for the Lead Service Field Engineer/Technician to demonstrate contractor specific experience in healthcare facilities in the last five years.

CV should reflect capability of: a) testing assessing, evaluation, servicing, and reconditioning components, b) assuring that the equipment on which work has been performed is safe, reliable and acceptable for its intended purpose, and c) identifying defective equipment, and potential safety problems, environmental hazards, or code violations.

Persons who, by their education, training, and specialized experience can qualify for certification but who have not yet applied or taken the certification exams.

These people must submit three (3) references on projects of similar size and complexity and demonstrate that they have the required specialized knowledge and five (5) years experienced in electrical switchgear and power distribution systems testing; or

Persons with higher qualifications, such as a BS degree in Engineering, provided that they submit three (3) references on projects of similar size and complexity and demonstrate that they have the acquired specialized knowledge and five (5) years experience in electrical switchgear and power distribution systems testing

Basis of Award:

A Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable procurement is being conducted. As such, award will be made on the basis of the lowest evaluated price of proposals meeting or exceeding the acceptability standards for the non-cost factor. Past Performance history will be considered for responsibility determination purposes only (FAR 9.104-1(c). The evaluation factors are as follows:

Factor 1-Technical

Factor 2-Price

Under the technical factor, each offeror s responses will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis or acceptable/unacceptable basis. This determination will be based on the offeror demonstrating in its proposal a technical solution that minimally meets the technical requirements specified in the Solicitation s Statement of Work.

Price will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness.

Factor 1 TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES: Offerors must submit relevant information demonstrating technical capability to satisfactorily perform the following requirement as expressed in the Statement of Work in the Solicitation

Field service work shall be performed directly by field service engineers who have successfully demonstrated their knowledge and experience in the field of Electrical Power Distribution Systems Testing. The field service engineer shall be capable of: a) testing assessing, evaluation, servicing, and reconditioning components, b) assuring that the equipment on which work has been performed is safe, reliable and acceptable for its intended purpose, and c) identifying defective equipment, and potential safety problems, environmental hazards, or code violations.

Lead Technician/Engineer meets the certification requirements for the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) OR a current certification for the National Electrical Testing Association (NETA) OR has obtained an equivalent certifications, or higher qualifications such as an engineering degree OR equivalent experience.

Lead Technician/Engineer/Company meets a requirement that they have relevant and recent, within the past 5 years, experience working similar electrical testing requirements in specific healthcare facility experience.

Persons who, by their education, training, and specialized experience can qualify for certification but who have not yet applied or taken the certification exams. These people must submit three (3) references on projects of similar size and complexity and demonstrate that they have the required specialized knowledge and five (5) years experienced in electrical switchgear and power distribution systems testing; or

Persons with higher qualifications, such as a BS degree in Engineering, provided that they submit three (3) references on projects of similar size and complexity and demonstrate that they have the acquired specialized knowledge and five (5) years experience in electrical switchgear and power distribution systems testing

Factor 2 PRICE: Prices will be evaluated on the basis of price fairness and reasonableness.