Inactive Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (specific to Department of Veterans Affairs)

This is a Sources Sought notice only. This is not a request for quotes and no contract will be awarded from this announcement. The Government will not provide any reimbursement for responses submitted... This is a Sources Sought notice only. This is not a request for quotes and no contract will be awarded from this announcement. The Government will not provide any reimbursement for responses submitted in response to this Source Sought notice. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. If a solicitation is issued it shall be announced at a later date, and all interest parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately. Responses to this notice are not a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. The purpose of this announcement is to perform market research to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 238220, (J045) with a size standard $19M. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Network Contracting Office 1 (NCO 1) is seeking to identify any vendor capable of providing Plumbing and Pipefitting services per the Statement of Work below. This Sources Sought notice provides an opportunity for respondents to submit their capability and availability to provide the requirement described below. Vendors are encouraged to submit information relative to their capabilities to fulfill this requirement, in the form of a statement that addresses the specific requirement identified in this Sources Sought. Information received from this Sources Sought shall be utilized to facilitate the Contracting Officer s review of the market base, for acquisition planning, size determination, and procurement strategy. Submission Instructions: Interested parties who consider themselves qualified to perform the services are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by 5PM EST, Monday, April 15, 2024. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice must be emailed to Rosangela.Pereira@va.gov with RFQ # 36C24124Q0326 in the subject line. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions. Interested parties should complete the attached Sources Sought Worksheet. Parties may submit additional information related to their capabilities, provided it contains all the requirements contained in the Sources Sought Worksheet. Responses to this Sources Sought shall not exceed 8 pages. In addition, all submissions should be provided electronically in a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. Attachment 1 Sources Sought Worksheet QUALIFICATION INFORMATION: Company / Institute Name: _______________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________ Phone Number: ________________________________________________________________ Point of Contact: _______________________________________________________________ E-mail Address: ________________________________________________________________ Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) #: ___________________________________________________ CAGE Code: __________________________________________________________________ SAM Registered: (Y / N) Other available contract vehicles applicable to this sources sought (GSA/FSS/NASA SEWP/ETC): __________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS: VIP Verified SDVOSB: (Y / N) VIP Verified VOSB: (Y / N) 8(a): (Y / N) HUBZone: (Y / N) Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business: (Y / N) Women-Owned Small Business: (Y / N) Small Business: (Y / N) NOTE: Respondent claiming SDVOSB and VOSB status shall be registered and Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) verified in VetBiz Registry www.vetbiz.gov. BASED ON THE RESPONSES TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE/MARKET RESEARCH, THIS REQUIREMENT MAY BE SET-ASIDE FOR SDVOSB, VOSB, SMALL BUSINESSES OR PROCURED THROUGH FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION. CAPABILITY STATEMENT: Provide a brief capability and interest in providing the service as listed in Attachment 2 STATEMENT OF WORK with enough information to determine if your company can meet the requirement. The capabilities statement for this Sources Sought is not a Request for Quotation, Request for Proposal, or Invitation for Bid, nor does it restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition approach, but rather the Government is requesting a short statement regarding the company s ability to provide the services outlined in the SOW. Any commercial brochures or currently existing marketing material may also be submitted with the capabilities statement. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The Government will not pay for information solicited. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Attachment 2 Statement of Work Plumbing and Pipefitting Provide all labor, transportation, materials, apparatus, tools, equipment and permits necessary for the following work. The general limit of the specified work area will be located at the VAMC, 830 Chalkstone Ave., Providence, RI 02908 and other properties either owned or leased by the VAMC. The work will entail the miscellaneous electrical maintenance, repair and installation projects as well 24-hour electrical emergency service call response. Place of Performance Department of Veterans Affairs VAMC Providence 830 Chalkstone Avenue Providence, RI, 02908 Period of Performance Five (5) years from date of issuance. A. Pipefitter maintenance, repair, installation & fabrication projects The contractor will be tasked to do the following types of pipefitting work: Install and repair high, medium and low pressure steam systems. Install, repair and test fire sprinkler systems. Install and repair domestic hot/cold water systems. Install and repair hot water boilers and the associated hot water distribution 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 repair project. Provide miscellaneous metal fabrication and repair projects. Parts may be purchased by the VA. Emergency & Repair Service Work The contractor will be required to provide 24/7 response to pipefitting, water system, fire sprinkler system, steam system, medical and natural gas system piping problems. Response time will be with-in 2 hours time frame. Qualifications The contractor must be a licensed plumber & pipefitter in the State of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The contractor must provide a copy of their license to be considered for award. The contractor must be licensed to install and repair fire sprinkler systems in the State of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Tthe contractor must provide a copy of their license to be considered for award. The contractor must be an A.S.M.E. certified welder. The contractor must provide a copy of their license to be considered for award. The contractor must have a minimum of 5 years experience working in the hospital environment. B. Infection Control Contractor shall conform to the infection control measures as specified in Attachment A. Infection Control Procedures C. Work Hours and Project Sequence Routine project work can start as early as 7:00 am and work past 4:30pm week days. Weekend work needs to be approved by the FMS Supervisor. If the Contractor desires to work during periods other than above, he must notify the Contracting Officer three (3) working days in advance of his desire to work during other periods to allow determination of availability of additional inspection forces, determination of impact on existing health care and facility operations, and for notification of fire, security and safety personnel. When the Contracting Officer determines that there are no adverse impacts to health care and facility operations and that inspection forces are reasonably available, he/she may authorize the Contractor to perform work during periods other than normal duty hours/days. However, if inspectors are required to perform in excess of their normal duty hours/days solely for the benefit of the Contractor, the actual cost of the inspection, at overtime rates, will be charged to the Contractor and will be deducted from the final payment of the Contract amount. (Note: If applicable, at time of award this paragraph will be modified to the negotiated schedule for this project). Work in the Operating Room Suite shall be performed outside normal work hours. Other critical care areas may also require work to be done outside the normal work hours. These critical care areas include the Intensive Care Unit, the Emergency Room, specialty Clinics and exam rooms. Emergency service work will occur as conditions dictate. The following Federal legal Holidays are observed: Date Holiday January 01 New Year s Day Third Monday of January Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Third Monday of February Washington s Birthday Last Monday of May Memorial Day June 19 Juneteenth National Independence Day July 04 Independence Day First Monday in September Labor Day Second Monday in October Columbus Day November 11 Veterans Day Fourth Thursday in November Thanksgiving Day December 25 Christmas Day NOTE: Any of the above holidays falling on a Saturday will be observed the preceding Friday, holidays falling on a Sunday will be observed on the following Monday. Prior to commencing work on the job initially, resumption of work after prolonged interruption (7 calendar days or more), commencement of any warranty work, and upon completion of warranty work, the Contractor must notify the Contracting Officer (or his/her Contracting Officer s Representative). When relocating to new sites, returning to sites for follow-up work on a phased work plan, notification to the Contracting Officer s Representative is sufficient. Notification should be by personal contact; however, advance notification may be by telephone, or in writing, and should be accomplished sufficiently in advance to allow scheduling of inspection forces. The purpose of the above precautions is to ensure construction inspection and recording of work proceedings. D. Ordering Individual Task Orders (TO) will be issued on an as needed basis during the period of performance specified. The TOs will be issued based on proposals from the contractor that are developed from scopes of work provided by the PVAMC COR. Any services to be furnished under this contract will be ordered by issuance of TOs by the individuals or activities designated in this contract. Any Federal Contracting Officer, at the locations specified in the solicitation, or as approved in writing by the issuing office Contracting Officer, is authorized to issue orders under the BPA contract within the individual s warrant levels. Orders may be issued from date of contract award until the last day of the BPA period of performance. The Government reserves the right to unilaterally modify the contract to incorporate any future statutory changes. All TOs are subject to the terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of conflict between a TO and this contract, the contract will govern. The Government reserves the right to incorporate additional clauses, as appropriate, into individual TO solicitations and awards. E. Task Order Limitations Minimum Order: When the Government requires services covered by this contract in an amount less than $2,500 the Government will issue a credit card purchase order and not a Task Order. Maximum Order: The typical maximum Task Order limitation is $150,000 excluding subsequent in-scope modifications. The Government may combine several projects, as indicated by separate Statements of Work and individual line items, in one Task Order, as required. The maximum value of the contract will not exceed $1 million over the life of the contract. The Government at its option may in a rare case include projects exceeding $150,000. However, contractors will not be obligated to compete nor required to accept such task orders under the general terms of the contract. This is not a requirements contract. Transportation, Handling, and Storage The contractor shall coordinate with suppliers and shippers to ensure that incoming materials are properly identified with the contractor s name, contract number and project title. The contractor shall designate an authorized individual to be available to receive shipment. The Government warehouse facilities are not the shipping point and are not available for Contractor s use. The Government will not provide storage other than that available at the project site. Storage of supplies, materials and equipment on the project site shall be accomplished in such a manner so as to prevent mechanical and climatic damage and loss due to vandalism or theft. Equipment temporarily removed in the performance of work and stored on the job site shall be stored and protected in accordance with previous paragraphs, and shall be replaced in a condition compatible with its original state. Security for equipment and material removed from the job site for temporary storage until reuse shall be the responsibility of the contractor. F. 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 Contracting Officer or his/her designated representative. 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 contract or by the Contracting Officer, disposal of debris shall be made at the contractor s expense and shall be delivered to a state approved disposal site located off the VA grounds and/or CBOC locations. 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. G. Infection Control Procedures ATTACHMENT A INFECTION CONTROL PROCEDURES PART 1 GENERAL DEFINITIONS Construction Type A - Inspection and Non-Invasive Activities. Includes, but is not limited to: removal of ceiling tiles for visual inspection limited to 1 tile per 50 square feet; painting (but not sanding); wall covering; electrical trim work; minor plumbing; and activities which do not generate dust or require cutting of walls or access to ceilings other than for visual inspection. Construction Type B - Small scale, short duration activities that create minimal dust. Includes, but is not limited to: installation of telephone or computer cabling; access to pipe chase spaces; cutting of walls or ceilings where dust migration can be controlled. Construction Type C - Any work, which generates a moderate to high level of dust or requires demolition or removal of any fixed building components or assemblies. Includes, but is not limited to: sanding of walls for painting or wall covering; removal of floor coverings, ceiling tiles and casework; new wall construction; minor ductwork or electrical work above ceilings; major cabling activities; and any activity which cannot be completed within a single work shift. Construction Type D - Major demolition and construction projects. Includes, but is not limited to: activities that require consecutive work shifts; require heavy demolition or removal of a complete ceiling system; and new construction. Group 1 Lowest Risk Patient Risk Group - Office areas Group 2 Medium Risk Patient Risk Group - Cardiology, Echocardiography, Laboratories, Nuclear Medicine, Physical Therapy, Radiology/MRI, Respiratory Therapy Group 3 Medium-High Risk Patient Risk Group - Emergency Room, Day Surgery, Pharmacy, Endoscopy Group 4 Highest Risk Patient Risk Group - Dialysis Unit; Oncology Unit; Operating Rooms; Sterile Processing, Cardiac Catheterization & Angiography Areas, Intensive Care Unit(s); Medical/Surgical Nursing Units, Post-Anesthesia Care Units. HEPA - High Efficiency Particulate Air HEPA Filtered Equipment that uses a HEPA filter that complies with MIL-STD-282 method 102.9.1 and captures a minimum of 99.97% of particulate matter that is 0.3 micron in diameter. Level of Infection Control - Class I, II, III or IV, as determined from the Infection Control risk assessment matrix. DESCRIPTION The purpose of the infection control procedures are to minimize the risk of infection during construction by maintaining the integrity of the environment, and controlling the spread of dust. The following Infection Control Matrix defines the matrix of precautions to be implemented for construction, demolition and renovation. Matching the planned construction type with the patient risk group on the matrix defines the minimum level of infection control required (Class I, II, III or IV). Risk Level Type A Construction Activity Type B Type C Type D Group 1 Lowest Risk Class I Class II Class II Class III/IV Group 2 Medium Risk Class I Class II Class III Class IV Group 3 High Risk Class II Class II Class III/IV Class IV Group 4 Highest Risk Class I: Class II Class III/IV Class III/IV Class IV Execute work by methods to minimize raising dust and fumes from interior and exterior construction operations. Water mist work surfaces to control dust Immediately replace a ceiling tile displaced for visual inspection Use travel routes that minimize exposure of patients to construction workers, materials, tools, and equipment. Schedule utility interruptions during periods of low hospital activity. Class II: In addition to precautions for Class I: Provide temporary ICRA barrier around construction area to prevent airborne dust from dispersing into atmosphere using fire resistive polyethylene secured by poles, clips and tape with zipper door access OR use approved self-contained ICRA cart with telescoping ICRA barrier at every opening in ceiling. HEPA vacuum upper surfaces of ceiling tiles prior to removal, after removal of first tile. Seal unused doors with tape OR cover doors with fire resistive polyethylene and seal all 4 edges. Block off and seal air vents in work area, OR isolate HVAC system in areas where work is being performed to prevent contamination of ducted systems. Place adhesive walk-off mats at entrance and exit of work areas. Tightly cover waste containers before removing from the work area. HEPA vacuum work surfaces and waste containers before removing from the work area. HEPA vacuum worker clothing, tools, materials, and equipment before leaving the work area. Class III: In addition to the precautions for Class I and II: Maintain negative air pressure within work area 24 hours per day, 7 days per week by utilizing HEPA equipped air filtration units, preferably with exhaust to exterior via windows, and install manometer and record daily readings. Seal holes, pipes, conduits, and punctures through walls and floors within the work area using fire-safe, impermeable materials. (Obtain Penetration Permit for any new penetrations involved in the work.) Construct anteroom (Construction Vestibule) contiguous with work area and require all personnel to pass through this anteroom so they can be vacuumed using a HEPA vacuum cleaner before leaving work site. Do not remove ICRA barriers from the work area until the completed project is thoroughly cleaned by the Contractor and the VA s Environmental (Housekeeping) Services Department, and inspected by the VA Project Manager. Class IV: In addition to precautions for Class I, II and III: No work is permitted in areas occupied by patients. All personnel entering work site are required to wear head covers, shoe covers and coveralls. Head covers, shoe covers and coveralls must be changed within the anteroom (Construction Vestibule) each time the worker exits the work area. Do not remove ICRA barriers from the work area until the completed project is thoroughly cleaned by the Contractor, the VA s Environmental (Housekeeping) Services Department and inspected by the VA Project Manager. Conduct work by implementing the appropriate level of infection control as required or as noted herein. SUBMITTALS Government approval is required for submittals with a "G" designation; submittals not having a "G" designation are for information only. SD-06 Test and Inspection Reports Air sampling results Infection Control Compliance Checklists Logs of negative pressure measurements for work site; SD-07 Certificates Employee training; VAMC Infection Control Construction Permits; G QUALITY ASSURANCE Qualifications All personnel are required to wear N95 respirators, disposable booties and coveralls when working inside the containment. These are to be removed when exiting the work area. All personnel are to be trained on infection control procedures and these work procedures. EQUIPMENT Fire retardant polyethylene HEPA filtered vacuum HEPA filtered negative air machine Duct tape Framing and other materials necessary to isolate the work area Power equipment that generates dust will have dust collection equipment attached. PROJECT/SITE CONDITIONS Existing Conditions Perform work without damage or contamination of adjacent areas. Where existing work is damaged or contaminated, restore work to its original condition or better as determined by the Contracting Officer. SEQUENCING AND SCHEDULING All work will be coordinated with the hospital infection control office, facility director, safety department, security office and work will not commence until the Infection Control Construction Permit has been approved by VAMC for that specific work area, including designation of the pre-determined debris removal routes. Any issue that could have impact on VAMC operations must be reported to the VAMC project representative before commencement. This would include containment breeching, loss of negative pressure, releases of dust/debris into uncontrolled interior building areas or other issues that could affect infection control procedures. Work phasing and breakout of specific work areas shall be in coordination with the Contracting Officers needs and the General Contractor's schedule and not adversely affect the operations of the VAMC in any way. PART 2 PRODUCTS Not Used. PART 3 EXECUTION PREPARATION Obtain an Infection Control Construction Permit prior to performing any work of construction types A through D as defined above. No work will be allowed to proceed until an Infection Control Construction Permit has been completed and signed and all protective measures required by the permit are in place. All work shall be accomplished using the controls indicated in the specifications and on the Infection Control Construction Permit for the class of protection required for the work. Removal of a single ceiling tile in a suspended acoustic ceiling for observation purposes only does not require an infection control construction permit. Existing air handling ductwork, supply and return grills, and/or HVAC fresh air intakes shall be isolated using air tight seals. Elevator use must be coordinated with facilities and must not impact VAMC operations. Time and dates of waste load must be identified each day. ERECTION Install impervious barriers from floor to ceiling and wall to wall to seal work areas from non-work areas. When work is in an area designated for Class IV protection, double impervious barriers shall be used. Impervious barriers shall be constructed of non-combustible or fire retardant materials. Barriers shall be minimum one-hour rated construction. Fire retardant polyethylene may be used for impervious (dust) barriers that remain in place for not more than 72 hours. Construct all other barriers of gypsum board (flame spread rating of 25 or less in accordance with ASTM E84) on both sides of metal steel studs. Extend the partitions through suspended ceilings to floor slab deck or roof. Wood framing is not allowed. At door openings, use Class C ¾ hour fire/smoke rated doors and frames with closers. Critical barriers are to be installed on all doors and windows and other entrances to the work area. Seal all holes, chases, pipe cavities and other perforations before commencing work. Sealants shall be non-flammable material. When required as an infection control measure, create a negative air pressure work area by installing HEPA filtered negative air machines within the work area to remove dust particles from the air and exhaust to the outside. Negative air pressure shall be maintained at all times, including non-work periods, for the duration of the work. Maintain negative pressure of at least -0.02 inches water in all work areas and document compliance. Construct an entry/exit chamber (construction vestibule) for decontaminating people and equipment leaving the work area. A HEPA vacuum is required to remove dust from equipment and people leaving the site. Disposable PPE shall be removed prior to exiting the entry/exit chamber. For projects that require maintaining negative air pressure within the work area, provide an entry/exit chamber (construction vestibule) for delivering or removing materials and equipment at the worksite. Delivery and remove of materials and equipment at the worksite must be completed in a manner that maintains the specified negative air pressure within the work area at all times. Adhesive Step-off pads at least 24"x36" are to be located at the exit of the work area before entering the occupied areas of the VAMC. Vacuum the top surfaces of ceiling tiles using a HEPA vacuum prior to removal of ceiling tiles. Traffic shall be minimized to/from the work area. Elevators or stairwells within the work area must be isolated with impervious barriers. Activities such as cutting, demolishing, and other large dust generating activities shall have work surfaces water-misted prior to impact. Where powered equipment that generates dust will be utilized, such equipment shall have dust collection equipment attached. Provide active means to prevent airborne dust from dispersing into the atmosphere. FIELD QUALITY CONTROL Inspection Conduct daily infection control inspections using the VAMC Infection Control Compliance Checklist on page 2 of the Infection Control Construction Permit. Daily inspections shall also be conducted on days when no construction activity is performed. Submit compliance checklist not more than 1 work day after completing an inspection. Continuously monitor negative pressure levels. Document negative pressure levels at the start of work each day and at 2 hour maximum intervals during each work day. Maintain a written log of negative pressure levels measured to include date and time of the measurement. Submit written log of negative pressure levels weekly and not more than 1 work day after completing the last log entry using the VAMC Infection Control Compliance Checklist on page 2 of the Infection Control Construction Permit. All barriers and HEPA filtered negative pressure are to remain in place until clearance has been obtained from VAMC representatives. This could include the IC Department, Safety Department, and Environmental Services Department. Tests VAMC representatives may conduct post abatement and during abatement sampling for dust, mold spores and surface contamination. Sampling may be conducted for dusts outside the work area to assess impact. CLEANING AND DISPOSAL The construction area and adjacent areas are to be kept in a clean and sanitary manner, using damp methods and HEPA filtered vacuuming. Dry sweeping shall not be allowed. Any dust tracked outside of the barriers must be removed immediately and as it accumulates. Surfaces are to be cleaned daily or more frequently if needed with VAMC approved cleaning products. There shall be no standing water in the work area. All accidental spills must be cleaned up immediately and wet porous material removed within one hour. Any water damaged areas scheduled for impact/demolition shall be removed first, under HEPA filtered exhaust and containment, with the waste promptly bagged, to reduce aerosol of microbial agent/fungi/spore from potentially escaping out of the work space. All barriers are to be removed carefully to minimize the spread of contaminants. Where feasible, the optimal method for removal of debris is via an exterior type chute to closed top containers. Where not feasible, waste is to be removed in clean air tight covered containers and transported from the work area by a pre-determined route during off-peak hours. Such designated debris removal routes shall be cleaned by damp-mop and/or HEPA filtered vacuuming prior to being returned to patient/staff use. For work performed exterior to the building envelope, no debris/waste movement shall be allowed through the building interior spaces. H. Access to VA Information and VA Information Systems A contractor/subcontractor shall request logical (technical) or physical access to VA information and VA information systems for their employees, subcontractors, and affiliates only to the extent necessary to perform the services specified in the contract, agreement, or task order. The contractor or subcontractor must notify the Contracting Officer immediately when an employee working on a VA system or with access to VA information is reassigned or leaves the contractor or subcontractor s employ. The Contracting Officer must also be notified immediately by the contractor or subcontractor prior to an unfriendly termination. I. Records Management: The following standard items 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...