RFQ 36C24827Q0061 Amendment No. 1 This amendment is hereby issued to provide responses to questions and requests for information submitted by vendors, provide a revised PWS to address a correction on Boiler #2 description, as well as an updated Price/Cost Schedule reflecting the corrected description. Description of Boiler #2 contained on PWS and associated Line Items (LINs) of Price/Cost Schedule is hereby changed to read: Boiler Unit Number 2 (Local identifier): Fire tube steam boiler manufactured by York-Shipley; Serial number 96-19937-H-11618 The due date for Quote Submittal is changed from November 6, 2026, to November 10, 2026 at 10 AM AST. All other sections of the solicitation remain unchanged. RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS RECEIVED: Q1. Semiannual Safety-Device Testing: VHA Directive 1810, Appendix A, Section 2(a), establishes that safety devices requiring semiannual testing are ordinarily tested once annually by VA medical facility personnel and once annually by a qualified testing contractor, unless an alternative arrangement is approved. Does the Government require the contractor to perform both semiannual testing events under this solicitation? If so, has the alternative testing arrangement received the required approval? VACHS Boiler Plant personnel will perform the required semiannual safety-device testing. The Contractor shall perform the safety-device testing required under the PWS during its scheduled annual inspection and testing services. Q2. Monthly Safety Device Testing: PWS Section V(Q) includes safety-device tests for which the VHA Boiler and Associated Plant Safety Device Testing Manual establishes monthly testing frequencies, including primary and auxiliary low-water cutoffs, high- and low-water alarms, and the main flame-scanner flame-out test. Does the Government require the contractor to perform these tests monthly throughout the contract period, or will VACHS personnel continue performing the monthly tests while the contractor performs the scheduled maintenance and safety-device testing services? VACHS Boiler Plant personnel will perform the required monthly safety-device testing. Q3. Frequency of Nondestructive Testing, Component Replacement and Engineering Evaluations: PWS Sections V(I), V(L), V(U), V(V), and V(W) establish requirements involving component replacement, nondestructive testing (NDT), pressure-vessel inspections, and engineering evaluations, including ultrasonic thickness measurements, magnetic-particle examinations, and assessments of maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) and remaining useful life. However, VHA Directive 1810, Appendix B, Table 2, establishes different inspection frequencies depending on the activity. For example, annual boiler inspections are required, whereas internal deaerator weld examinations using wet magnetic-particle testing are required at six-year intervals. Clarify the following: a. Nondestructive Testing: Are ultrasonic thickness measurements and magnetic-particle examinations required annually for each boiler and the deaerator, or are these examinations required only when indicated by inspection findings, equipment conditions, or established inspection intervals? The scope of this requirement applies to the Boilers only. b. Deaerator Weld Examination: Is the six-year internal deaerator weld examination required during the base contract period or any of the option years? If so, please identify the date of the most recent examination and the next scheduled examination. Not applicable. This service is cover under another service contract c. Engineering Evaluations: Are MAWP calculations, remaining-useful-life assessments, and deterioration-rate evaluations required annually for each boiler, deaerator, and condensate return tank, or only when inspection findings or equipment conditions warrant such evaluations? Not applicable. This service is not covered under this requirement. d. Component Replacement: Are component replacements identified in the PWS mandatory during each annual maintenance period, regardless of condition, or are replacements required only when inspection or testing establishes a deficiency, except where the PWS expressly requires replacement? Mandatory parts to be replaced annually during annual maintenance, regardless of its conditions: Sight glass with new seals, Compress air belt, oil filters, air filter, water gasket seal kits and fire side gaskets seal kit. e. Firetube Inspection Methods and Waterside Deterioration: PWS Section V(U) references fiberoptic inspection of boiler tubes, while Section V(V) establishes ultrasonic thickness measurement requirements. In a firetube boiler, fiberoptic examination from inside a tube primarily evaluates its fireside surface and does not directly establish the condition of the exterior waterside surface, where corrosion and pitting may occur. Please clarify whether the Government requires fiberoptic visual examination, ultrasonic thickness measurements, or additional examination methods capable of evaluating tube-wall deterioration affecting either surface. The Government requires the inspection methods specified in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Fiberoptic inspection and ultrasonic thickness testing are complementary requirements, and both shall be performed. f. Boiler Tube Quantities and Technical Documentation: For each boiler, please identify the total number of firetubes, nominal tube diameter, original wall thickness or gauge, and applicable tube specifications. Please provide, if available, manufacturer drawings, tube-layout diagrams, pressure-vessel drawings, or other technical documentation identifying the shell, tube arrangements, tube sheets, and applicable pressure-retaining components, so that offerors can quantify the inspection scope. The Government has provided all available identifying information and that quotes/offers should be based on the PWS requirements and field verification. g. Extent of Tube Examination and Sampling Requirements: Does the Government require examination and wall-thickness measurements of every firetube in each boiler, or is an engineer-justified representative sampling program acceptable? If sampling is permitted, please identify any minimum sample quantity or percentage, prescribed examination locations, acceptance criteria, and requirements for expanding the examination when initial results reveal pitting, corrosion, thinning, or other deterioration. May the qualified inspecting engineer establish and justify the sampling methodology based on equipment condition, applicable standards, and inspection findings? The Government does not require examination or ultrasonic thickness measurements of every firetube. The Performance Work Statement requires inspection of a representative number of tubes and ultrasonic thickness testing of representative samples, with additional testing of areas exhibiting indications of corrosion, erosion, or other deterioration. The Contractor's Qualified Professional Inspector may establish and justify the sampling methodology using professional engineering judgment and applicable industry standards, provided the inspection is sufficient to assess equipment condition and support all required findings, calculations, and recommendations. h. Boiler shell examination and engineering certification: Please identify the required extent of ultrasonic thickness measurements and other nondestructive examinations of boiler shells, tube sheets, and other applicable pressure-retaining components. For the MAWP, deterioration-rate, and remaining-useful-life evaluations required by the PWS, does the Government require a formal report signed and sealed by a licensed Professional Engineer? Please identify any specified inspection coverage, minimum-thickness criteria, engineering standards, or historical thickness data to be used. Must the engineering determinations address the complete boiler pressure vessel, including firetubes and shell, or only components examined under the prescribed inspection program? The Government requires ultrasonic thickness testing of representative samples and all areas exhibiting signs of corrosion, erosion, or other deterioration. PWS does not prescribe specific inspection coverage percentages, minimum thickness criteria, historical thickness data, or a requirement for a signed and sealed Professional Engineer report. The Contractor shall use applicable ASME Code requirements, inspection findings, and professional judgment to perform the required MAWP, deterioration-rate, and remaining-life evaluations and document the results in the final report. Q4. The PWS incorporates maintenance, inspection, and testing requirements applicable to the deaerator (DA) and condensate return tank (CRT), as established by VHA Directive 1810 and the VHA Boiler and Associated Plant Safety Device Testing Manual. However, the solicitation provides pricing contract line items (CLINs) only for the three steam boilers and does not identify the DA and CRT equipment specifications. To establish the equipment covered by the contract and prepare an accurate firm-fixed-price quotation, please clarify the following: a. Identify the manufacturer, model, serial number, and quantity of each DA and CRT included within the contractual scope of work. b. Provide the vessel capacity, design pressure, normal operating pressure, and applicable ASME identification or nameplate information for each DA and CRT. c. Provide, if available, the applicable manufacturer maintenance instructions, equipment data sheets, and relevant drawings identifying the installed DA and CRT configurations. d. Should offerors allocate the costs associated with DA and CRT maintenance, inspection, and testing among the three existing boiler CLINs, or will the Government establish separate CLINs for these services? Not applicable. This service is not covered under this requirement. Q5. PWS Section V(I) requires the contractor to replace, calibrate, and test boiler steam safety valves, with calibration and/or testing performed onsite. The VHA Boiler and Associated Plant Safety Device Testing Manual also establishes testing requirements applicable to boiler, deaerator, and pressure-reducing valve (PRV) downstream safety valves. To determine the complete scope of testing, calibration, and replacement services and prepare an accurate firm-fixed-price quotation, please clarify the following: a. Identify the total number of steam safety valves included within the contractual scope of work, specifying their installed locations, including those associated with each steam boiler, the deaerator tank, and downstream of the steam pressure-reducing valve (PRV). Review the VHA Boiler and Associated Plant Safety Device Testing Manual for guidelines and for typical safety devices equipment in a Boiler. b. For each safety valve, provide the manufacturer, model, nominal inlet and outlet sizes, serial number or other identification, and applicable ASME/National Board certification information. Review the VHA Boiler and Associated Plant Safety Device Testing Manual for guidelines and for typical safety devices equipment in a Boiler. c. Identify the set pressure (psig), rated steam discharge capacity (lb/hr), and applicable pressure and temperature ratings for each valve. The Government does not have verified safety valve set pressures, steam discharge capacities, or pressure/temperature ratings available for distribution under this solicitation. Offerors shall base their quotes/offers on the requirements of PWS and the identified boiler equipment. Verification of valve nameplate data and equipment ratings shall be performed during the inspection and testing activities required under the contract. d. Please confirm whether each of the three steam boilers is equipped with two safety valves, reportedly set at 130 psig and 135 psig, respectively, and whether the deaerator system includes one safety valve installed on the tank and another downstream of the PRV. Please identify any additional safety valves included within the contractual scope. Each of the three boilers is equipped with two steam safety valves with nominal set pressures of 130 psig and 135 psig, respectively. The contractual scope includes the inspection, testing, calibration, and evaluation of these boiler safety valves and associated boiler safety devices identified in the PWS. The deaerator system and its associated safety valves are not included within the scope of this contract. Offerors shall base their quotations on the solicitation requirements. Verification of installed equipment, valve nameplate data, and operating condition shall be performed during contract execution. e. Does PWS Section V(I) require replacement of all existing boiler steam safety valves during each annual maintenance period, regardless of their condition, or is replacement required only when a valve fails inspection or testing? Please also clarify whether any replacement requirement applies to the deaerator and PRV downstream safety valves. The Government's intent is to inspect, test, and calibrate the boiler steam safety valves. Replacement is required only when a safety valve cannot be successfully calibrated, fails testing, or is otherwise determined to be defective or unserviceable. This requirement applies to the boiler steam safety valves within the scope of the PWS. f. Please identify whether the Government requires onsite testing and certification of all applicable safety valves, including the boiler, deaerator, and PRV downstream valves, and whether any valves must be removed for shop testing, repair, or recertification. The Government requires testing and calibration of the boiler safety valves in accordance with the PWS. Valve removal, shop testing, repair, recertification, or replacement shall only be required when a valve cannot be successfully tested, calibrated, or is otherwise determined to be defective or unserviceable. The PWS does not specifically require testing, certification, removal, repair, or replacement of deaerator or downstream PRV safety valves. g. Please provide an equipment schedule or existing valve inventory, if available, identifying the specifications and locations of all safety valves included within the contract. The Government does not have an equipment schedule or valve inventory available for distribution under this solicitation. The boiler scope includes six (6) steam safety valves total, consisting of two (2) safety valves per boiler with nominal set pressures of 130 psig and 135 psig. Offerors shall base their quotations on the solicitation requirements. Verification of valve specifications, nameplate data, and exact locations shall be performed during contract execution. Q6. The solicitation identifies the manufacturers and serial numbers of the three steam boilers; however, the Performance Work Statement does not identify whether the boilers and their associated systems remain in their original equipment manufacturer (OEM) configurations or have undergone subsequent alterations, modifications, equipment replacements, or retrofits. Clarify the following: a. Whether any of the three boilers have undergone modifications or alterations from their original OEM configurations, including replacement or retrofitting of the original burner assemblies. b. For each boiler with modifications or retrofits, identify the manufacturer, model, and configuration of the replacement equipment and describe the extent of the alterations necessary to integrate that equipment into the existing boiler system. c. Identify all additional, replacement, or modified components associated with such alterations, including, but not limited to, fuel pumps, fuel-pressure regulating or throttling valves, fuel-train components, piping arrangements, combustion controls, burner management systems, safety interlocks, instrumentation, electrical controls, and associated auxiliary equipment. d. Identify any additional equipment or components installed as part of these modifications that are included within the maintenance, inspection, calibration, testing, or repair requirements of the current PWS. e. Where the installed equipment differs from the original OEM configuration, identify the applicable manufacturer maintenance and testing requirements and provide, if available, current as-built drawings, equipment schedules, control diagrams, operating sequences, and documentation of the modifications. The Government does not have modification records, as-built drawings, equipment schedules, control diagrams, or other documentation available for distribution under this solicitation. Offerors shall base their quotations on the equipment identified in the PWS and the requirements specified therein. Any existing field modifications, retrofits, equipment replacements, or deviations from the original OEM configuration shall be identified and documented by the Contractor as part of the inspection, testing, and evaluation activities required under the contract Q7.PWS Section V(B) requires inspections, testing, and calibrations to comply with the written recommendations of the equipment manufacturers, the VHA Boiler and Associated Plant Safety Device Testing Manual, and applicable NFPA 85 requirements. The Superior Boiler manufacturer s maintenance instructions prescribe certain daily, weekly, and monthly operational and functional checks, as well as semiannual fireside cleaning and associated maintenance activities. However, VHA Directive 1810, Appendix B, Table 3B, establishes an annual fireside-cleaning frequency for high-pressure steam boilers. The Directive also distinguishes routine boiler-plant operational duties from inspections and testing that must be performed by qualified contractors. Please clarify the following: a. Are the daily, weekly, and monthly manufacturer-recommended operational and functional checks required to be performed by the contractor at the specified frequencies, or will these activities remain the responsibility of VACHS boiler-plant personnel? Daily, weekly, and monthly operational and functional checks identified in the manufacturer's operating and maintenance manuals are considered routine boiler plant operational activities and shall remain the responsibility of VACHS boiler plant personnel. The Contractor is not required to perform recurring daily, weekly, or monthly operational checks at the frequencies specified by the manufacturer unless such services are specifically included in the approved maintenance schedule developed under this contract. b. Does the Superior Boiler manufacturer s semiannual fireside-cleaning recommendation require the contractor to perform two complete fireside-cleaning services annually, rather than the single annual fireside-cleaning service established by VHA Directive 1810, Appendix B, Table 3B, or is one annual fireside-cleaning service sufficient to satisfy the contractual requirements? Contractor shall perform one comprehensive fireside cleaning and inspection annually in accordance with the PWS requirements and applicable VHA guidance. If, during the course of inspection or operation, conditions are identified that warrant additional cleaning, the Contractor shall document the condition and provide recommendations to the COR for review and consideration. c. Are other manufacturer-recommended maintenance activities exceeding the frequencies established by VHA Directive 1810 required to be performed by the contractor, or will the contractor s responsibilities be limited to the maintenance, inspections, calibrations, and safety-device testing specifically scheduled under the PWS? The Contractor shall comply with the maintenance, inspection, calibration, testing, evaluation, and reporting requirements specifically identified in the PWS. Manufacturer recommendations should be utilized as part of the Contractor's technical evaluation and execution of the required services. However, the contract does not require the Contractor to perform additional recurring maintenance activities at frequencies exceeding those established in the PWS unless specifically directed by the Government or otherwise determined to be necessary based on observed equipment condition. Q8. With reference to PWS Section V(O), will the Government provide an inventory of the installed boiler plant instrumentation requiring periodic calibration, including pressure gauges, thermometers, pressure and temperature transmitters, oxygen analyzers, and other applicable measuring and control devices? No. The Government will not provide an instrumentation inventory. Offerors shall base their quotations on the requirements of PWS, including calibration of all applicable measuring and control devices associated with the boiler systems. Verification and identification of installed instrumentation shall be performed during contract execution. Q9. If available, please identify each instrument s equipment location, manufacturer, model, measuring range, quantity, calibration frequency, and applicable acceptance tolerances. The Government does not have this information available for distribution under this solicitation. Offerors shall base their quotation on the requirements of the PWS. The Contractor shall identify the installed instrumentation requiring calibration and perform the required calibration, testing, and documentation in accordance with the manufacturer s recommendations and applicable industry standards. Q10. Clarify whether the contractor is responsible for replacing instruments that fail calibration or are determined to be defective, and whether such replacements are included in the firm-fixed-price maintenance scope or authorized separately as corrective work. The Contractor shall identify and document any instruments found to be defective or unable to be successfully calibrated and shall notify the COR. Replacement of defective instruments is not included in the firm-fixed-price maintenance scope and, if required, will be addressed separately by the Government Q11. Please confirm whether the boiler plant currently has an installed propane/combustible gas leak detection system, including the number and location of detectors, manufacturer and model, associated control panels, audible/visual alarms, and any connections to the boiler burner-management or fuel-gas safety-shutdown systems. The boiler plant is equipped with a propane/combustible gas detection alarm system. However, the gas detection system is independent of the boilers and their burner management systems and does not automatically initiate boiler shutdown or fuel shutoff functions. Q12. Please clarify whether the contractor is responsible for: a. Periodic inspection, calibration, and functional testing of the gas detectors. Limited to the detector that is part of the boiler safety or combustion control system that is specifically within the scope of the PWS. b. Verification of alarm setpoints and detector response. Only for those that are part of the equipment specifically covered by the PWS. c. Functional testing of associated alarms, gas shutoff valves, and boiler shutdown interlocks, where installed. The Contractor shall perform testing of safety devices, alarms, shutoff valves, and interlocks specifically identified in PWS Section V(Q). d. Replacement of defective or expired sensors or detectors. No. Replacement of defective, failed, expired, or obsolete gas detectors or sensors is not included in the firm-fixed-price scope of this contract. Any deficiencies identified during the performance of the work shall be documented and reported to the COR. Recommended corrective actions shall be provided for Government review. e. Providing calibration certificates and documented functional-test results. Calibration certificates and test results shall be provided for equipment and instruments calibrated and tested under the scope of the PWS. The Contractor shall document all testing, calibration, and inspection activities in the required service reports. If these services are required, please identify the applicable testing and calibration frequencies and whether replacement components are included in the firm-fixed-price maintenance scope or addressed separately as corrective work. See responses above for each one. Q13. Is this a brand-new contract, or is there an incumbent performing the services? If not brand new, please provide current/previous contract number? This is a follow-on contract being procured as a competitive set-aside for SDVOSB verified vendors. Latest contract number is 36C24822P0298. This information is publicly available on Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) at www.sam.gov and/or US Spending at https://www.usaspending.gov/ Current contractor information may be requested and disclosed under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in accordance with 38 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1.553(b). The VA accepts FOIA requests submitted via email. Email must be sent to SAJFOIA@va.gov , for additional information about FOIA regulations and procedures, please visit www.foia.va.gov Q14. PWS V.I requires the contractor to "replace, calibrate and test the steam safety valves." Must the safety valves be replaced every year, or only if they fail testing? Please provide the number, size and set pressure of the safety valves on each boiler. The intent of PWS Section V.I is to ensure that all steam safety valves are properly inspected, calibrated, tested, and capable of performing their intended safety function in accordance with applicable codes, standards, and manufacturer requirements. PWS does not require the automatic annual replacement of steam safety valves solely based on the passage of time. Safety valves shall be evaluated, calibrated, and tested as part of the required services. Replacement shall be required if a valve fails testing, cannot be properly calibrated, exhibits deficiencies affecting safe or reliable operation, or is otherwise determined to be unsuitable for continued service. The Government does not have the number, size, or pressure data for all installed safety valves readily available at this time. The Contractor shall verify the installed safety valve configuration, including quantity, size, capacity, set pressure, and condition, as part of the required inspection and assessment services and shall document this information in the inspection report. Any safety valves identified as deficient or requiring replacement shall be immediately reported to the COR, along with recommendations for corrective action. Q15. Please provide the horsepower, design pressure and fuels (natural gas, No. 2 fuel oil, LPG pilot) for each of the three boilers. Boiler #1; Size: 300HP; Boiler Operating Pressure: 110 psi Boiler #2; Size: 250HP; Boiler Operating Pressure: 110 psi Boiler #3; Size: 300HP; Boiler Operating Pressure: 110 psi Q16. Does the annual NDT scope in PWS V.V and V.W (ultrasonic thickness grid, magnetic particle testing, MAWP and remaining-life calculations) apply to the deaerator and condensate tanks every year, or only in certain contract years? The NDT requirements identified in PWS Sections V.V and V.W apply to the boilers and associated equipment within the scope of this contract. The deaerator (DA) and condensate receiver tank (CRT) inspections, testing, NDT evaluations, MAWP calculations, and remaining life assessments are covered under a separate service contract and are not included within the scope of this requirement. Q17. Will a site visit be offered before the closing date? If so, please provide the date, time and point of contact. Site Visit will not be conducted at this time. Prepare and submit Quotes/Offers at your best terms based on the information contained in the RFQ. Q18. Is there an incumbent contract for this requirement? If so, please provide the contract number. See Q13 response above. Q19. Replace Safety Valve: Will the cost of new Valves be covered by the site? Replacement shall be required if a valve fails testing, cannot be properly calibrated, exhibits deficiencies affecting safe or reliable operation, or is otherwise determined to be unsuitable for continued service. Q20. Replace Gage Glass: Will new Gage cost be covered by the site? No. The cost of replacement gage glasses shall be included in the Contractor's quotation and contract pricing. Q21. Cleaning - Will Gaskets be provided by the Site or Contractor? No. The cost of replacement gage glasses shall be included in the Contractor's quotation and contract pricing. Q22. Testing - How often will Non-Destructive Testing be required? Annually, once over the 5-year period? Additionally, will NB Inspector be required on-site during Non-Destructive Testing? See Q16 response above. Q23. When was the last maintenance and testing done on each boiler? Boiler #1: February 2026 Boiler #2: December 2025 Boiler #3: June 2026 Q24. Is there a set maintenance and testing schedule? In accordance with PWS Section IV.J and Sections V.19 and V.20, the Contractor shall develop and submit a detailed schedule for the required inspections, testing, calibrations, and maintenance activities in coordination with the PM/COR. Q25. Will an on-site visit be required as soon as the contract is awarded and the contractor can align a technician to be on site? An immediate on-site visit upon contract award is not required by the PWS. However, the Contractor shall coordinate with the PM/COR and provide the required advance notice in accordance with the contract requirements prior to performing any inspection, testing, calibration, or maintenance activities. Following contract award, the Government anticipates coordinating a kickoff meeting and scheduling activities with the Contractor to facilitate execution of the work. The timing of any on-site visit shall be mutually coordinated between the Contractor and the PM/COR, taking into consideration boiler plant operations, facility needs, personnel availability, and the requirement that no more than one boiler be removed from service at a time. Q26. There is a detailed description of what is required for testing the boilers but not for maintenance. a. What is the maintenance schedule? Daily, monthly, quarterly, yearly? The Contractor shall perform the maintenance, inspections, testing, calibrations, and assessments required by the PWS during each contract year. The specific schedule for execution of the work shall be developed by the Contractor and coordinated with the PM/COR in accordance with PWS Sections IV.J, V.19, and V.20. The contract does not require the Contractor to perform daily, weekly, or monthly routine operational checks unless specifically identified in the PWS. b. Does the VA have an in-house technician that will be providing daily checks, and then the contractor for this contract does quarterly and yearly maintenance and testing? VACHS personnel perform the routine operation and monitoring of the boiler plant, including day-to-day operational activities. The Contractor's responsibilities under this contract are limited to the preventive maintenance, inspections, testing, calibrations, safety-device testing, evaluations, and reporting specifically required by the PWS. Q27. The CLN structure is currently set up as 1 all-inclusive price. What should be included in that price? a. What parts, if any, is the contractor expected to furnish? The Contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, consumables, tools, instrumentation, and equipment necessary to perform the services required by the PWS. This includes replacement parts and materials specifically identified in the PWS, such as gage glasses, gaskets, air compressor belts, refractory patching materials, and other consumable items necessary to complete the required maintenance, testing, and inspection activities. Repairs or major component replacements identified during the inspection process that are not specifically required by the PWS shall be documented and reported to the COR for review and disposition. b. Is there a certain number of hours of labor time that the VA would like us to include? If one contractor budgets 50 hours of labor while another budgets for 25 hours of labor, their pricing will vary drastically. This is a performance-based services acquisition, the Government expects Offerors to thoroughly review the PWS and submit their best quotation/offer based on their experience, and commercial practices. Offerors shall independently determine the labor resources necessary to perform complete preventive maintenance, inspection, testing, calibration, evaluation, and reporting service for each boiler in accordance with the PWS, applicable codes and standards, manufacturer recommendations, and VA requirements. The Government's expectation is that each boiler receives a complete maintenance and testing service as required by the contract. The maintenance activities will be scheduled throughout the year and coordinated with the PM/COR to avoid disruption to facility operations. c. How many visits are required per year? Same as labor, 1 contractor may budget 2 trips, and another contractor may budget 12 trips. This is a performance-based requirement, the Government has not established a minimum or maximum number of site visits. Offerors shall determine the number of visits necessary to perform all contract requirements and shall include all associated costs in their proposed price. The Contractor shall develop and coordinate the work schedule in accordance with the PWS. The Contractor is responsible for identifying the resources and site visits necessary to successfully perform the required services. d. Are we to include pricing for emergency work? Labor, parts, boiler rental in case of a catastrophic failure? No, PWS/SOW is for maintenance and testing, as described following applicable manufacturer recommendations. Q28. Are there any active and known problems or deficiencies with the boilers? Page 10 of the solicitation states The service required must restore steam boiler units back in service as described in the manufacturer s manual . If a boiler has a known problem, we will need to know what that is to accurately bid the project. If it is a simple part replacement, it may only cost $100 for parts and 2 hours of labor. If the boiler needs a new motor, that would most likely be thousands of dollars and at least 2 full days of labor. The Government does not maintain a list of known deficiencies and does not warrant the condition of any boiler, component, or ancillary equipment beyond the information provided in the solicitation. The Contractor is responsible for evaluating the condition of the boilers and associated equipment as part of the inspection, testing, maintenance, and assessment services required by the PWS. The intent of the requirement stating that the boilers be restored to service in accordance with manufacturer recommendations is to ensure that the Contractor performs the specified maintenance, testing, calibrations, inspections, and adjustments necessary to verify operational readiness and identify conditions affecting performance and reliability. Any deficiencies identified during performance shall be documented and promptly reported, together with the Contractor's recommendations for repair, replacement, or other corrective action. Repairs or major component replacements not specifically required by the PWS are not included in this contract and shall be addressed separately by the Government, as appropriate. Q29. Is an on-site SSHO or Superintendent required? Must the be directly employed by the contractor? If the awarded contractor use a subcontractor, could the SSHO/Sup be employed by the sub? The Contractor shall be responsible for providing adequate supervision and safety oversight necessary to perform the work safely and in compliance with all applicable federal, state, local, VA, OSHA, and facility safety requirements. The Contractor shall ensure that personnel performing the work possess the qualifications and certifications required by the PWS. Q30. Are there any geographic or linguistic requirements? Examples: Must the contractor turn in a Spanish and English copy of all reports? Must the on-site technician be fluent in Spanish? Must the on-site technician be a resident of Puerto Rico? No, all reports are to be turned in English, as English is the Federal Government official business language. Being able to communicate in Spanish may be beneficial but it is not required. There is no residency requirement, is up to the Contractor to determine the best approach based on their experience. Performance shall comply with the required frequency and required response time as per PWS/SOW.
