Modernize Damen (Bldg. 1) Elevators Construction

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Great Lakes Acquisition Center is soliciting sealed bids for modernization of nine elevators (Elevators 1–8 and the Morgue elevator) in the Damen Building at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, with bids due September 21, 2026 by 11:00 a.m. CDT and a mandatory site visit on August 31, 2026. This is a 100% set-aside for SBA-verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) firms under 38 U.S.C. 8127, with a small business size standard of $22 million under NAICS code 238290.

The scope encompasses replacement of existing elevator machinery, controls, cars, hoist-way-door equipment, and related systems to comply with the National Elevator Safety Code (ASME A17.1), International Building Code (IBC), and Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. The contractor must provide all tools, materials, components, labor, and supervision.

Performance spans 542 calendar days after receipt of Notice to Proceed, with specific milestones: pre-construction submittals and approvals within 94 days, mobilization and work execution spanning 365 days, and closeout submittals and acceptance within the 542-day total. Work hours are restricted to 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekdays with limited weekend work. The contractor must comply with VHA Directive 1192.01 requiring annual seasonal influenza vaccination or exemptions for all personnel, OSHA 30-hour training, licensed electrician qualifications, and infection control protocols.

The projected contract magnitude is $10 million to $20 million. Bid guarantees must be at least 20 percent of bid price but not exceed $3 million. The successful bidder must furnish Performance and Payment Bonds on forms SF25 and SF25A, each for a penal sum equal to the awarded contract value. As a special trade construction contractor set-aside, subcontracting is limited to no more than 75% of government payments to non-certified SDVOSB/VOSB firms, excluding material costs. Bidders must be certified SDVOSB in the SBA Small Business Search database with current System for Award Management and SBA Dynamic Small Business Search registry status at bid time. Joint ventures are permitted and must submit joint-venture agreements with proof of SDVOSB certification. All work includes a one-year parts and labor warranty from the date of VA acceptance.