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 36C24124Q0810. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-03. 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 bid as a SDVOSB set-aside. The West Haven and Newington VA Connecticut (CT) medical centers require recurring steam quality and purity testing to ensure compliance with VHA Directive 1116 (Management of Critical and Semi-Critical Reusable Medical Devices). VHA Directive 1116 requires compliance with utility water, steam, and critical water standards for all Reusable Medical Device (RMD) reprocessing. Critical water standards are noted as taken from the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), specifically AAMI ST108:2023 (Water for the processing of medical devices). The focus of this work scope is steam quality and purity. Steam purity refers to the amount of solid, liquid, or vaporous contamination in the steam. High-purity steam contains very little contamination. Steam quality is a measure of the amount of moisture in the steam (or liquid contained in the steam). It is expressed as the weight of dry steam in a mixture of steam and water droplets. The water in steam can cause erosion in pipes and valves of the boiler. Steam utilized for building and processes should be dry and saturated. In the VHA facility the liquid moisture content should not exceed 1%. Dry and saturated steam is an efficient means for transferring energy from one place to another. The full SOW is attached below for reference. Please price your bids for a base year plus 4 potential option years. Any technical questions will be directed at Kerly Urbano 203-932-5711. All interested companies shall provide quotations for the following: DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS SCOPE OF WORK West Haven and Newington VA Medical Centers Steam Quality and Purity Testing Background: The West Haven and Newington VA Connecticut (CT) medical centers require recurring steam quality and purity testing to ensure compliance with VHA Directive 1116 (Management of Critical and Semi-Critical Reusable Medical Devices). VHA Directive 1116 requires compliance with utility water, steam, and critical water standards for all Reusable Medical Device (RMD) reprocessing. Critical water standards are noted as taken from the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), specifically AAMI ST108:2023 (Water for the processing of medical devices). The focus of this work scope is steam quality and purity. Steam purity refers to the amount of solid, liquid, or vaporous contamination in the steam. High-purity steam contains very little contamination. Steam quality is a measure of the amount of moisture in the steam (or liquid contained in the steam). It is expressed as the weight of dry steam in a mixture of steam and water droplets. The water in steam can cause erosion in pipes and valves of the boiler. Steam utilized for building and processes should be dry and saturated. In the VHA facility the liquid moisture content should not exceed 1%. Dry and saturated steam is an efficient means for transferring energy from one place to another. Justification: VHA directive 1116 requires compliance with purity standards for steam used in RMD applications. The purity or chemical content of the steam that is generated for moist heat sterilization is critical to SPS functions. Location of Services: VA Medical Center West Haven 950 Campbell Avenue West Haven, CT 06516 VA Medical Center Newington 555 Willard Ave Newington, CT 06111 Period of Performance: Base contract period shall be 09/01/2024 08/31/2025. The contract will also contain the provision for (4) annual option years: Option Year 1: 09/01/2025 08/31/2026 Option Year 2: 09/01/2026 08/31/2027 Option Year 3: 09/01/2027 08/31/2028 Option Year 4: 09/01/2028 08/31/2029 References: The following VA standard(s) and specification(s) are reference documents that pertain to the scope of work contained herein and shall be adhered to. Reference (a) - VHA Directive 1116, Dated July 17, 2023, Management of Critical and Semi-Critical Reusable Medical Devices. Reference (b) - ANSI/AAMI ST108, 2023, Water for the processing of medical devices. Reference documents are available via the VA Technical Information Library using the following link: https://www.cfm.va.gov/TIL/spec.asp. Alternatively, the COR or FMS designee may provide these documents upon request. Scope of Work: The contractor shall provide all labor, supervision, materials, tools, consumables, along with applicable state license(s) and permits to perform testing and analysis of steam quality and purity at both VAMCs in accordance with Reference (b) and report findings. All testing work shall comply with safety policies and procedures, current codes, standards, and recommendations of the VA. The contractor shall provide steam quality and purity results as well as applicable test equipment calibration documentation. The contractor shall participate in an initial safety meeting to review safety and lock out/tag out (LOTO) procedures, discuss the nature of the planned testing activities, and coordinate those activities with Facilities Management (FMS) at the respective facility and the COR or their designee. The contractor shall evaluate steam supply, utilities, and other potential causes of wet loads and staining per Reference (b). Including: Steam pipe design Number of steam traps Steam filter function Insulation Water temp and adequacy of flow sterilizer vacuum system Temp and air flow in the sterilizer technical area Evaluation of load cooling/drying area Cycle execution detail incl detailed observation of the drying phase Steam condensate chemistry On-site water utility waster testing for pH, conductivity, alkalinity, hardness, copper, iron and chloride levels. All waste material (includes packaging, consumables) and debris generated by this work shall be removed off of VA campus by the contractor and shall be disposed of in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations. Definitions/Acronyms: CO Contracting Officer. COR Contracting Officer s Representative. Acceptance Signature Signature of VA FMS employee who indicates the contractor demonstrated service conclusion/status and user has accepted work as complete/pending as stated in the final report. Authorization Signature COR s signature; indicates COR accepts work status as stated in the final report. OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration. FMS Facilities Management Service Qualifications: Contractor must provide, upon request, evidence of appropriate training of any authorized personnel providing services under terms of the contract. The CO and/or COR specifically reserve the right to reject any of the contractor s personnel and refuse them permission to work on the equipment outlined herein, based upon credentials provided. Subcontracting of any ensuing award of this solicitation will not be allowed without written permission of the Contracting Officer. Service response on calls from unauthorized personnel could result in non-payment. Documentation/Reports: The contractor shall provide a written report, within 30 calendar days of completing testing. The report shall include descriptions and pictures of initial conditions, work completed, analysis results, and recommendations to address any findings. Discovery of any deficiencies observed during testing and analysis shall be documented in the final report. Any additional charges claimed will be approved by the CO and COR before service is completed. The contractor shall immediately, but not later than 24 consecutive hours after discovery, notify the CO and COR, (in writing), of the existence or the development of any additional scope to the subject services, which the contractor considers they are not responsible for under the terms of the contract. The contactor shall provide the COR with a written estimate of the cost to make necessary repairs that are beyond this contract scope. Hours of Coverage: Unless otherwise authorized by the COR and coordinated with FMS, all efforts for this work will be scheduled during normal working hours (7:00 AM to 5:00 PM (CST) Monday through Friday). Scheduling for work outside of normal hours shall be coordinated with boiler plant operations management as needed. Federal holidays observed by VA Connecticut Healthcare System are: Labor Day Columbus Day Veteran s Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day New Year s Day Martin Luther King Day President's Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day and any other day specifically designated by the President of the United States. Safety: The contractor shall take all safety precautions necessary to perform steam quality and purity testing as required herein and ensure activities do not endanger the contractor s authorized personnel, VA personnel or patients during work. The contractor shall ensure all energy sources are isolated prior to performing any sample collection, testing, or monitoring. Coordinate with FMS personnel as needed to isolate and/or lock out tag out applicable sources. The contractor shall comply with the following: Confined Space permit(s) as required. Lock Out Tag Out procedures as required. Personal Protective Equipment as required for field service work. Test Equipment: Test equipment calibration shall be traceable to National Institutes of Standard Technology standards. Each service report shall list test equipment used and date calibration to NIST is due. Test equipment out of calibration shall not be used. Identification, Parking, Smoking, and VA Regulations: Contractor s FST(s) shall wear visible identification at all times while on the premises of the VA. Identification shall include, at a minimum, the employee s name, position, and the contractor s trade name. It is the responsibility of the contractor to park in the appropriate designated parking areas. Information on parking is available from VA Police Service. The VA will not invalidate or make reimbursement for parking violations of the contractor under any conditions. Smoking is prohibited inside all VA buildings. Possession of weapons is prohibited. Enclosed containers, including tool kits, shall be subject to search. Violations of VA regulations may result in citation answerable in the United States (Federal) District Court, not a local district, state or municipal court. Records Management: The following standard terms and conditions relate to records generated in executing the contract and should be included in a typical procurement contract: Citations to pertinent laws, codes and regulations such as 44 U.S.C chapters 21, 29, 31 and 33; Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552); Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a); 36 CFR Part 1222 and Part 1228. Contractor shall treat all deliverables under the contract as the property of the U.S. Government for which the Government Agency shall have unlimited rights to use, dispose of, or disclose such data contained therein as it determines to be in the public interest. Contractor shall not create or maintain any records that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract using Government IT equipment and/or Government records. Contractor shall not retain, use, sell, or disseminate copies of any deliverable that contains information covered by the Privacy Act of 1974 or that which is generally protected by the Freedom of Information Act. Contractor shall not create or maintain any records containing any Government Agency records that are not specifically tied to or authorized by the contract. The Government Agency owns the rights to all data/records produced as part of this contract. The Government Agency owns the rights to all electronic information (electronic data, electronic information systems, electronic databases, etc.) and all supporting documentation created as part of this contract. Contractor must deliver sufficient technical documentation with all data deliverables to permit the agency to use the data. Contractor agrees to comply with Federal and Agency records management policies, including those policies associated with the safeguarding of records covered by the Privacy Act of 1974. These policies include the preservation of all records created or received regardless of format [paper, electronic, etc.] or mode of transmission [e-mail, fax, etc.] or state of completion [draft, final, etc.]. No disposition of documents will be allowed without the prior written consent of the Contracting Officer. The Agency and its contractors are responsible for preventing the alienation or unauthorized destruction of records, including all forms of mutilation. Willful and unlawful destruction, damage or alienation of Federal records is subject to the fines and penalties imposed by 18 U.S.C. 2701. Records may not be removed from the legal custody of the Agency or destroyed without regard to the provisions of the agency records schedules. Contractor is required to obtain the Contracting Officer's approval prior to engaging in any contractual relationship (sub-contractor) in support of this contract requiring the disclosure of information, documentary material and/or records generated under, or relating to, this contract. The Contractor (and any sub-contractor) is required to abide by Government and Agency guidance for protecting sensitive and proprietary information. Evaluation Process Award will be made to the best price, 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. Vendors quotes shall be evaluated under FAR Part 13.106-2(b) -- Evaluation of Quotations or Offers. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible vendor whose quote conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price, past performance, and capabilities. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: 1. Price (Follow these instructions): a. Vendor shall provide a quote for the scheduled drop off dates above. Vendors must also provide all applicable labor rates for the solicited services so they can be compared to the applicable wage determination for compliance with the Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS) if applicable. b. Ensure your validation is current in the System for Award Management (SAM)( https://www.sam.gov). 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. 2. Capable: The vendors quote shall be evaluated to determine if the organization has the experience and capabilities to provide the requested services in accordance with the Statement of Work in a timely efficient manner. a. Contractor shall demonstrate their corporate experience and approach to meet all requirements. b. Contractor shall provide a list of all services included in the price. c. Contractor shall provide all current and relevant licenses and/or certifications for the State of Connecticut if applicable. d. 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. e. Contractor shall state and/or demonstrate their ability to meet all requirements and deliverables stated in this solicitation and Statement of Work. Any additional information to further identify how the company is experienced and capable of performing the requested work is welcome. 3. 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). i. 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 08/20/2024 at 17:00 PM EST. RFQ responses are due NLT 08/23/2024 at 17:00 PM EST. RFQ responses must be submitted via email with RFQ #36C24124Q0810 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)
