Combined Synopsis-Solicitation for Commercial Products and Commercial Services Revision 01 Effective: 05/30/2023 Description This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products and services prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.6, Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Products and Services, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued. This solicitation is issued as RFQ 36C24125Q0019. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-07. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is NAICS 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors) SBA size standard $19 Million. This is being issued as a SDVOSB set-aside. This is a solicitation for a Multi Award Basic Purchasing Agreement (BPA) for Plumbing and Pipefitting Inspection and Repair Services that could be used to issue individual Task Orders (TO s) for service to each VA Medical Center (VAMC) listed below. The purpose of this solicitation is for interested vendors to provide quotes that could lead to VA Connecticut Healthcare System Multi Award BPA, to allow eligible VAMC s to meet future plumbing and pipefitting work requirements. The duration of the Multi Award BPA will be 5 years from date of award. Any technical questions will be directed at Melissa Metevelis 203-932-5711 x4199. All interested companies shall provide quotations for the following: PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT MULTI AWARD BASIC PURCHASING AGREEMENT (BPA) FOR PLUMBING AND PIPEFITTING INSPECTION AND REPAIR SERVCIES GENERAL This is a solicitation for a Multi Award Basic Purchasing Agreement (BPA) for Plumbing and Pipefitting Inspection and Repair Services that could be used to issue individual Task Orders (TO s) for service to each VA Medical Center (VAMC) listed below. The purpose of this solicitation is for interested vendors to provide quotes that could lead to a VA Connecticut Healthcare System Multi Award BPA, to allow eligible VAMC s to meet future plumbing and pipefitting work requirements. The duration of the Multi Award BPA will be 5 years from date of award. The PWS details the basic requirements of the resulting BPA. There is no guarantee of work orders to be placed off the BPA. Work may be ordered off the BPA on a Task Order (TO) basis, generally of either a job or annual basis with defined work requirements. The contractor will be required to provide 24/7 response to pipefitting, domestic water system, fire sprinkler system, steam system, chilled water system, medical and natural gas system piping issues. Successful vendors will provide all labor, transportation, materials, apparatus, tools, equipment, along with applicable state license and permits necessary for these services. Additional, related work may be ordered by the VA Contracting Officer, at his discretion. No work outside of that detailed in this work description performed will be paid by the VA without the express, prior written authorization of the Contracting Officer. No other government employee has authority to change the resulting contract s terms or conditions or to commit funding. No funding is guaranteed by the award of this BPA. The VA Contracting Officer may appoint a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) to coordinate and supervise the work on behalf of VAMC s. TASKS While each TO s specified work may vary, the tasks that may be ordered using the resulting BPA are: General plumbing work. General pipefitting work. Work incidental to the performance of requested plumbing or pipefitting work. Inspections of plumbing and piping systems. Install and repair high, medium, and low-pressure steam systems. Install, repair, and test fire sprinkler systems. Install and repair hot/cold domestic water systems. Install and repair hot water boilers and the associated hot water distribution systems. Install and repair chilled water systems. Install and repair sanitary and storm water sewer systems. Install and repair sinks, toilets, faucets, and the related domestic water system piping & valves. Install and repair medical and natural gas systems. Repair pipe and valve insulation that is damaged during the course of a project not ordered off this BPA. Provide miscellaneous metal fabrication and repair projects. Emergency response services. Preventative maintenance services. Other services related to the above tasks. WORK REPORT REQUIREMENTS The contractor shall provide reports detailing the status of the serviced items, any deficiencies, and actions taken to correct identified deficiencies to the COR. The COR may also require the contractor to complete additional reports to meet facility standards, at no additional cost to the VAMC. VAMC WORK CONDITIONS The technician s service visit shall be scheduled in advance with the permission of the COR. Technicians who show up without prior permission may be turned away at the fault of the vendor. When the technician arrives at the VAMC to perform the work, the technician shall check in with the COR and follow their directions in performing the work in accordance with VAMC standards. The government retains the right to refuse entry to the VAMC to any personnel for any or no reason. WORK HOURS Routine working hours are from 7:00 AM EST to 4:30 PM EST weekdays. This may vary by VAMC, and if so, will be specified in individual TO s. National holidays are excluded from routine working hours. Scheduling must be coordinated in advance with the COR of the ordering VAMC. The vendor should expect to provide (at the longest) a 5-day response time to have a qualified technician at the requesting site and ready to work for routine hour work requests. Emergency response capability must be available by the vendor. A 2-hour response time from when a COR initiates the call for service to having a qualified technician at the requesting site and ready to work for emergency requests. LOCATIONS VA MEDICAL CENTER WEST HAVEN 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven, CT 06516 VA MEDICAL CENTER NEWINGTON 555 Willard Avenue Newington, CT 06111 INFECTION CONTROL Contractor shall conform to the infection control measures as specified in individual TOs. Reasonable pricing adjustments that result from elevated infection control measure costs will be considered on the TO quote evaluations. SECURITY REQUIREMENTS The contractor shall comply with all security regulations imposed by the ordering VAMC, as articulated by the COR and VA Police. Any necessary security clearances shall be obtained prior to commencement of work. TRANSPORTATION, HANDLING, AND STORAGE The contractor shall coordinate with suppliers and shippers to ensure that incoming materials are properly identified with the contractor s information. The contractor shall designate an authorized individual to be available to receive shipment. The VAMC warehouse facilities are not the shipping point and are not available for Contractor s use, without the CO s prior, written approval. On-site storage will have to be coordinated with the VAMC s COR. The CO will not authorize payment for any issues or damages arising from the receipt of materials not properly handled in accordance with these terms. CLEANUP AND DISPOSAL OF DEBRIS AND FILL MATERIALS At the end of each workday, the contractor shall clean up the work and storage areas and stack all materials in a manner approved by the COR. Upon completion of a project, the contractor shall ensure that all dirt, trash, and debris resulting from the construction operations are removed from the work area. Unless directed otherwise in the TO, disposal of debris shall be made at the contractor s expense and shall be delivered to a state-approved disposal site located off the VAMC grounds. Debris shall not be left in such a manner that wind or other weather conditions can cause the debris to be scattered outside the work area or inside the facilities via local foot traffic. QUALITY ASSURANCE The COR shall monitor contractor performance quality, and the COR s feedback will inform the performance evaluations created by the CO. Key items the COR will watch for include, but are not limited to: response timeliness, technician preparation and readiness to perform the work, the quality of the work performed, professionalism of the technicians, compliance with contract and facility requirements, and proper invoicing. The COR shall inform the CO of any performance deficiencies. If the CO finds the complaint to be valid, he shall give the contractor an opportunity to correct the deficiency (at no additional cost to the VA). If correction is not made by the contractor; the CO may authorize payment of less than the invoiced amount for services rendered and retains the right to exercise all other legal remedies. The contract shall provide at least a 1-year manufacturer s warranty on all parts and labor. The VAMC will not pay for travel and shipping costs associated with any warranty repairs. Those costs shall be borne by the contractor. Parts may be purchased and provided for use by the VA. Parts purchased by the VA and used by the contractor but is found to have latent deficiencies will be exempt from this warranty requirement. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS The contractor shall provide high quality technicians with adequate training to resolve all the inspection or repair issues encountered. All technicians used by the contractor in contract performance must be licensed plumbers & pipefitters (as appropriate for the work) for the state(s) in which the work is to be performed. The contractor must be licensed to install and repair fire sprinkler systems in the state(s) in which the work is to be performed. The contractor must be qualified using the pro-press tool with ½ to 4 capabilities. The contractor must be an A.S.M.E. certified welder. The contractor must have a minimum of 5 years experience working in the hospital environment. The contractor must have a proven ability to secure parts needed for these service tasks. The contractor must have the ability to inspect the state of the water pipes at ordering VAMCs. ORDERING Individual TOs will be issued on an as-needed basis during the life of the BPA. Contractor shall have the ability to accept credit card orders. The services to be furnished under this contract will be ordered by issuance of TOs by the CO for eligible VAMCs. Any properly warranted federal Contracting Officer in NCO1 is authorized to issue orders from the BPA for service within VISN 1. All TOs incorporate the terms and conditions of the BPA. The Government reserves the right to incorporate additional clauses and terms as appropriate into individual TO solicitations and awards. QUOTE REQUIREMENTS For quotes submitted for this solicitation to be considered responsive, they must address these elements: PRICING INFORMATION REQUIRED As the BPA does not have set task details on which vendors can provide quotes, the resulting Task Orders will. To establish which quote presents the best value to the government, the price elements that will be used to produce Firm-Fixed Price Task Orders using the BPA shall be provided by quoting vendors. Please provide the following prices with a base year and 4 additional option years. The price elements identified by the CO required are: The contractor will provide a routine service hourly rate. This represents the normal business hour timeframes outlined above. The contractor will provide an emergency service hourly rate. This represents both 24/7 emergency calls and outside normal business hours timeframe. The contractor will provide the minimum number of hours charged for a service call. The contractor will provide a mobilization fee for travel to and from VAMC for a service call not covered by warranty. The base cost shall be included in the Price/Cost Schedule. If the mobilization fee changes from VAMC to VAMC, please indicate the changes in Section D next to each eligible VAMC. The contractor will provide their material cost mark-up % of materials that may be ordered to meet service needs over the cost of the material to the contractor. The quoting contractor is free to provide additional pricing information or structures over and above the elements listed above. The elements identified by the CO are required to be provided, and quotes with incomplete responses will be considered non-responsive. CONTRACTOR INFORMATION REQUIRED In all quotes submitted, the quoting vendor shall identify if they will self-perform the contract requirements or if they will subcontract any part of it. If subcontracting, the quoting vendor shall identify the percentage (%) of proposed contract value the prime and the subcontractor(s) will account for, as well as what key tasks will be performed by which party. This will be closely monitored for compliance by the government, and the act of submitting a quote constitutes the granting of permission to the government to audit such activity. The CO retains the right to refuse the use of any subcontractor for any or no reason. The vendor shall provide copies of licenses and certifications required as described in Contractor Qualifications above. QUOTE EVALUATION CONSIDERATIONS The evaluation of quotes received will be done using the Trade-Off method, using Technical Ability, Past Performance, Pricing, and VAMCs to be Serviced as the factors. Non-price factors are more important than Price. Price remains important, as only the quote representing the best value to the government will be used. As Technical Ability is one of the Evaluation Factors being used in this Solicitation, the quoting vendor shall provide all details the vendor wishes to be considered in bolstering their claim to Technical Ability. A portion of the Technical Ability factor is how much of the contract value will be represented by the prime vs subcontractor s contributions to performance. As Past Performance is one of the Evaluation Factors being used in this Solicitation, the quoting vendor shall provide past performance references of related work to demonstrate their ability to successfully perform this service. Broad discretion is provided to the quoter to present the best evidence of their qualities regarding these evaluation factors, and all evidence submitted will be fairly considered by the selecting authority. No level of qualifications will be assumed of any quoter by the selecting authority. In addition to submitting pricing information, past work references, customer satisfaction ratings, detailed plans for performance of work, evidence of industry certification and training, and other relevant information will strengthen the quote. Should no quotes received represent the best value to the government, a new solicitation will be issued for broader competition. Quoting vendors should provide their best pricing in the initial quote package submitted. Evaluation Process Award shall be made to the best value, as determined to be the most beneficial to the Government. Please read each section below carefully for the submittals and information required as part of the evaluation. Failure to provide the requested information below shall be considered non-compliant and your quote could be removed from the evaluation process. Offeror quotes shall be evaluated under FAR Part 13.106-2(b) -- Evaluation of Quotations or Offers. Therefore, the Government is not obligated to determine a competitive range, conduct discussions with all contractors, solicit final revised quotes, and use other techniques associated with FAR Part 15. The contracting techniques associated with FAR Part 15 are not mandatory. The Government shall award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation shall be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: Price (Follow these instructions): Offeror shall complete the attached Price Schedule, with offerors proposed contract line-item prices inserted in appropriate spaces. Ensure your representations and certifications are complete in the System for Award Management (SAM)( https://www.sam.gov). Otherwise, you will need to fill out solicitation Clause 52.212-3 "Offeror Representation and Certifications -Commercial Items and submit with the quote. Federal Acquisition Regulations require that federal contractors register in the SAM database at http://www.sam.gov and enter all mandatory information into the system. Award cannot be made until the contractor has registered. Offerors are encouraged to ensure that they are registered in SAM prior to submitting their quotation. Past Performance: Provide (3) references of work, similar in scope and size with the requirement detailed in the Performance Work Statement. References must include contact information; brief description of the work completed, and contract # (if relevant). Please utilize Attachment 1 Past Performance Worksheet for your references and please submit as part of your quote submission. References may be checked by the Contracting Officer to ensure your company can perform the Performance Work Statement. The Government also reserves the right to obtain information for use in the evaluation of past performance from all sources. Technical: The offeror s quote shall be evaluated to determine if the organization has the experience and capabilities to provide the requested services IAW the Performance Work Statement in a timely efficient manner. Contractor shall demonstrate their corporate experience and approach to meet all requirements stated in the Performance Work Statement. Contractor shall demonstrate that their technicians meet the qualification standards stated in the Performance Work Statement. Contractor shall provide all current and relevant or license(s) to include manufacture training certificate etc. If you are planning to sub-contract some or all of this work, please provide the name and address(s) of all subcontractor(s) (if applicable) and a description of their planned subcontracting effort. 4. Veterans Preference Factor (per 852.215-70): The Government will assign evaluation credit for an Offeror (prime contractor) which is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB) or a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB). Non-SDVOSB/VOSB Offerors proposing to use SDVOSBs or VOSBs as subcontractors will receive some consideration under this evaluation Factor. a. For SDVOSBS/VOSBs: In order to receive credit under this Factor, an Offeror shall submit a statement of compliance that it qualifies as a SDVOSB or VOSB in accordance with VAAR 852.215-70, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Veteran-Owned Small Business Evaluation Factors . Offerors are cautioned that they must be registered and verified in Vendor Information Pages (VIP) database (http://www.VetBiz.gov). Verified SDVOSBs will receive a 5% price credit (e.g. if a SDVOSB submits an offer of $100.00, it will be evaluated as if it submitted an offer of $95.00). ii. Verified VOSBs will received a 2.5% price credit (e.g. if a VOSB submits an offer of $100.00, it will be evaluated as if it submitted an offer of $97.50). The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html. (x) Please include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items, with your offer via the SAM.gov website or a written copy. (xi) Clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition in addition to the following addenda s to the clause: 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference (FEB 1998), 52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights (JUN 2020), 52.204-4 Printed or Copied Double-Sided on Postconsumer Fiber Content Paper (MAY 2011), 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (OCT 2018), 52.204-18 Commercial Government Entity Code Maintenance (AUG 2020), 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (MAR 2000), 52.228-5 Insurance-Work on a Government Installation (JAN 1997), 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontracting (DEC 2013), 852.212-70 Provisions and Clauses Applicable to VA Acquisitions of Commercial Items (APR 2020) 852.203-70 Commercial Advertising 852.219-74, VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside 852.232-72 Electronic Submissions of Payment Requests 852.233-70 Protest Content/Alternative Dispute Resolution 852.233-71 Alternate Protest Procedure 852.270-1 Representatives of Contracting Officers 852.219-74 Limitations on Subcontracting Monitoring and Compliance (JUL 2018) As prescribed in 819.7203(a) insert the following clause: (a) This solicitation includes 852.219-74, VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside, (b) Accordingly, any contract resulting from this solicitation is subject to the limitation on subcontracting requirements in 13 CFR 125.6. The Contractor is advised that in performing contract administration functions, the Contracting Officer may use the services of a support contractor(s) retained by VA to assist in assessing the Contractor s compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirements specified in the clause. To that end, the support contractor(s) may require access to Contractor s offices where the Contractor s business records or other proprietary data are retained and to review such business records regarding the Contractor s compliance with this requirement. (c) All support contractors conducting this review on behalf of VA will be required to sign an Information Protection and Non-Disclosure and Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest Agreement to ensure the Contractor s business records or other proprietary data reviewed or obtained in the course of assisting the Contracting Officer in assessing the Contractor for compliance are protected to ensure information or data is not improperly disclosed or other impropriety occurs. (d) Furthermore, if VA determines any services the support contractor(s) will perform in assessing compliance are advisory and assistance services as defined in FAR 2.101, Definitions, the support contractor(s) must also enter into an agreement with the Contractor to protect proprietary information as required by FAR 9.505-4, Obtaining access to proprietary information, paragraph (b). The Contractor is required to cooperate fully and make available any records as may be required to enable the Contracting Officer to assess the Contractor s compliance with the limitations on subcontracting or percentage of work performance requirement. (End of clause) 852.219-77 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction. As prescribed in 819.7009(c) insert the following clause: VA NOTICE OF LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE FOR SERVICES AND CONSTRUCTION (SEP 2021) (DEVIATION) (a) Pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127(k)(2), the offeror certifies that (1) If awarded a contract (see FAR 2.101 definition), it will comply with the limitations on subcontracting requirement as provided in the solicitation and the resultant contract, as follows: [Contracting Officer check the appropriate box below based on the predominant NAICS code assigned to the instant acquisition as set forth in FAR 19.102.] (i) [X] Services. In the case of a contract for services (except construction), the contractor will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219-74 or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219-11. Any work that a similarly situated VIP-listed subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 50% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Other direct costs may be excluded to the extent they are not the principal purpose of the acquisition and small business concerns do not provide the service as set forth in 13 CFR 125.6. (ii) [ ] General construction. In the case of a contract for general construction, the contractor will not pay more than 85% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219-74 or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219-11. Any work that a similarly situated VIP-listed subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 85% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Cost of materials are excluded and not considered to be subcontracted. (iii) Special trade construction contractors. In the case of a contract for special trade contractors, the contractor will not pay more than 75% of the amount paid by the government to it to firms that are not VIP-listed SDVOSBs as set forth in 852.219-74 or VOSBs as set forth in 852.219-11. Any work that a similarly situated subcontractor further subcontracts will count towards the 75% subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. Cost of materials are excluded and not considered to be subcontracted. (2) The offeror acknowledges that this certification concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of an Agency of the United States. The offeror further acknowledges that this certification is subject to Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, and, as such, a false, fictitious, or fraudulent certification may render the offeror subject to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties, including prosecution. (3) If VA determines that an SDVOSB/VOSB awarded a contract pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 8127 did not act in good faith, such SDVOSB/VOSB shall be subject to any or all of the following: (i) Referral to the VA Suspension and Debarment Committee; (ii) A fine under section 16(g)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 645(g)(1)); and (iii) Prosecution for violating section 1001 of title 18. (b) The offeror represents and understands that by submission of its offer and award of a contract it may be required to provide copies of documents or records to VA that VA may review to determine whether the offeror complied with the limitations on subcontracting requirement specified in the contract. The Contracting Officer may, at their discretion, require the Contractor to demonstrate its compliance with the limitations on subcontracting at any time during performance and upon completion of a contract if the information regarding such compliance is not already available to the Contracting Officer. Evidence of compliance includes, but is not limited to, invoices, copies of subcontracts, or a list of the value of tasks performed. (c) The offeror further agrees to cooperate fully and make available any documents or records as may be required to enable VA to determine compliance with the limitations on subcontracting requirement. The offeror understands that failure to provide documents as requested by VA may result in remedial action as the Government deems appropriate. (d) Offeror completed certification/fill-in required. The formal certification must be completed, signed, and returned with the offeror s bid, quotation, or proposal. The Government will not consider offers for award from offerors that do not provide the certification, and all such responses will be deemed ineligible for evaluation and award. I hereby certify that if awarded the contract, [insert name of offeror] will comply with the limitations on subcontracting specified in this clause and in the resultant contract. I further certify that I am authorized to execute this certification on behalf of [insert name of offeror]. Printed Name of Signee: _________________________________ Printed Title of Signee: ________________________________ Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: ___________________________________________________ Company Name and Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________ (End of clause) 852.242-71 Administrative Contracting Officer. As prescribed in 842.271, insert the following clause: ADMINISTRATIVE CONTRACTING OFFICER (OCT 2020) The Contracting Officer reserves the right to designate an Administrative Contracting Officer (ACO) for the purpose of performing certain tasks/duties in the administration of the contract. Such designation will be in writing through an ACO Letter of Delegation and will identify the responsibilities and limitations of the ACO. A copy of the ACO Letter of Delegation shall be furnished to the Contractor. (End of clause) (xii) Clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes Or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and in addition to the following FAR clauses cited, which are also applicable to the acquisition: 52.203-6, 52.204-10, 52.209-6, 52.219-4, 52.219-8, 52.219-6, 52.219-28, 52.222-3, 52.222-21, 52.222-26, 52.222-35, 52.222-36, 52.222-37, 52.222-40, 52.222-50, 52.223-18, 52.225-3, 52.225-13, 52.232-33, 52.222-41 (Wage Determination West Haven and Newington VAMC WD 2015-4127 and 2015-4119 (Rev-28), 52.222-42, 52.222-43, 52.222-55, 52.222-6 (xiii) All contract requirement(s) and/or terms and conditions are stated above. (xiv) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) and assigned rating are not applicable to this requirement. (xv) RFQ questions are due NLT 11/08/2024 at 17:00 PM EST. RFQ responses are due NLT 11/15/2024 at 17:00 PM EST. RFQ responses must be submitted via email with RFQ #36C24125Q0019 in the subject line to: Nathan.Langone@va.gov Hand deliveries shall not be accepted. (xvi) The POC of this solicitation is Nathan Langone (Nathan.Langone@va.gov)
