QUESTIONS & ANSWERS DURING THE RFQ 36C24526Q0598:
On Attachment 2 3DE Floor Plans, there is no indication of existing devices. Will the government provide a mark-up of existing devices and location of head end equipment?
ANSWER: There is no mark-up available for existing devices and would be the responsibility to be determined by the Contractor.
Attachment 3 SOW, Page 1, 2.0 states The current system is partially functional as the call buttons have experienced water damage. Does the government have any documentation as to the extent of the water damage they can share with bidders?
ANSWER: Upon assessment, Contractor can assess the extent of water intrusion at the call button location within the bathroom at the wall and government can describe repair attempts.
Attachment 3 SOW, Page 1, 3.0 states The 3DE nurse call system will not be integrated with the facility s existing nurse call system and will only need to notify through localized alarm panels. Will the government confirm that all bidders will need to provide new head end equipment based on this requirement?
ANSWER: The contract requirement as a standalone system is accurate.
Attachment 3 SOW, Page 1, 3.0 states The existing system consists of 14 call buttons in 3 bathrooms. What is the current make and model?
ANSWER: Existing system is Rauland 4 nurse call hardware or older.
Attachment 3 SOW, Page 1, 3.0 states The existing system consists of 14 call buttons in 3 bathrooms. Has the government confirmed if the existing system meets the current Buy American Act requirements? Contracting requirement so I will defer but should not be applicable for existing systems.
ANSWER: Existing system is Rauland 4 nurse call.
Attachment 3 SOW, Page 1, 3.0 states The expansion will include a 4th bathroom along with six additional calls buttons that will require rough-ins and cable runs to the panel. Since pull cords are not allowed in behavioral health units, a push button is commonly installed instead. Neither the drawings or scope of work instruct offerors to include a high and low button or only a high mounted button. Does the government want high and low push buttons to allow patients to initiate a call in the event of a fall?
ANSWER: High and Low push buttons are required to meet the requirements of this Contract.
Attachment 3 SOW, Page 2, 3.0 states Contractor provides a proposal to include all the necessary materials, labor, and equipment to complete all required work within all documented areas. Contractor to reuse existing conduit/penetrations when able and when suitable for the functionality required by the Government. Installation of J-hooks is acceptable as needed. All existing nurses call cables and equipment to be removed by Contractor. Per the VA TIL Section 27-52-23, nurse call is a critical life safety system and must be installed in conduit. Will the government confirm that the entire system must be installed in conduit?
ANSWER: Installation in conduit is the responsibility of the Contractor regardless of whether existing or new devices are utilized.
Will the government confirm that the existing system identified in the SOW on page 2 as 14 call buttons in 3 bathrooms is already in conduit?
ANSWER: Installation in conduit is the responsibility of the Contractor regardless of whether existing or new devices are utilized.
Does the existing system have any existing integrations or software licenses i.e. Vocera, overhead paging, code blue, etc.?
ANSWER: The Contract requirement is a standalone system.
Attachment 1 RFQ 36C24526Q0598, Page 23, Section 13. Evaluation Factors, bullet iii. States Offeror will submit three (3) Past Performance. This usually requires three projects completed in the last 5 years of similar size and scope. Will the government provide more details on this to ensure compliant responses? Contracting requirement so I will defer.
ANSWER: Please submit the three past performances as requested in the solicitation. If you would like to submit the three completed projects is up to the vendors for information purposes.
Attachment 1 RFQ 36C24526Q0598, Page 23, Section 13. Evaluation Factors, bullet v. Instructs offerors to provide Buy American Certificates. Will the government consider requiring a signed affidavit from the manufacturer asserting that the entire solution meets the requirement, not only three pieces of hardware? Contracting requirement so I will defer.
ANSWER: Please complete the Buy American Certificate to show COO for the line-item 1.
Attachment 1 RFQ 36C24526Q0598, Page 21, Section 10. Infection Control Risk Assessment states It is the contractor s responsibility to work with Infection Control to determine the ICRA Level. The work is likely to be Level 2 but has the potential to go up to Level 4. Does the government know by now if it is level 2 or level 4? This significantly impacts offerors pricing based on equipment required.
ANSWER: ICRA level determination is dependent on the extent of work required, approval by Infection Control Specialist and is the responsibility of the Contractor to meet. Per Contract Specifications, work is likely to be level 2 but has the potential to go up to level 4.
Attachment 1 RFQ 36C24526Q0598, Page 19, Section 7. Period of Performance states Delivery within 90 days of contract award. Is this 90-day period of performance for the entire scope of the project or just for delivery of the requested hardware?
ANSWER: The 90-day period of performance is for the entire scope of the project.
Does the government require that behavioral health devices are true stainless-steel flush mounted anti-ligature devices, not generic devices with plastic coverings overtop?
ANSWER: Beyond specifications of Contract.
According to the DCVA staff, the current system has been inoperable for more than five (5) years. Has the government considered replacing all of the existing and new areas with a new system that will remain in support by the manufacturer longer and provide more features/capabilities?
ANSWER: The government has considered replacement of the existing system.
In most cases the government hosts a site visit for interested bidders, especially when construction tasks i.e. conduit, cabling, paint and patch, ICRA, etc. are required. Will the government allow for a site visit for this opportunity to allow bidders to better understand the scope of work required and current system conditions?
ANSWER: Contracting requirement so I will defer but facility can allow a site visit after award without extension of POP.
ANSWER: No site visit during RFQ. Please submit your response IAW SOW.
Attachment 3 SOW, Page 1, 3.0 states The expansion will include a 4th bathroom along with six additional calls buttons that will require rough-ins and cable runs to the panel. There is no indication or icon in the drawings for a panel, where is the existing panel?
ANSWER: There is no mark-up available for existing panels and would be the responsibility to be determined by the Contractor.
Attachment 3 SOW, Page 2, has a quantity of 3 for dome lights but page 1 under locations as shown indicates 4 dome lights. Will the government clarify which is correct?
ANSWER: There are 3 existing dome lights, but the Contract requirement is for a total of 4 dome lights.
Will the government confirm the location of head end equipment and if power supplies or UPSs will be required in the event of a power outage?
ANSWER: There is no mark-up available for existing equipment and would be the responsibility to be determined by the Contractor. UPS is not included in the requirements of this Contract.
Attachment 3 SOW, Page 2 states that A manufacturer parts warranty for a minimum of 1 year shall be included. This is usually a standard five (5) year warranty on hardware required in VA TIL Section 27-52-23. Will the government require a five (5) year manufacturer s hardware warranty?
ANSWER: The warranty requirement is as written in the SOW.
Attachment 3 SOW, Page 2 states that A workmanship warranty for a minimum of 3 years shall be included. Does this include the existing system or only net new devices and associated installation work?
ANSWER: Warranty requirement applies to the final deliverable regardless of whether existing or new devices are utilized.
NOTE:
VHA-SERVICES-RFQ: 36C24526Q0598
VHA-SERVICES-RFQ-AMEND 36C24526Q0598 - 0001
All quotations shall be sent via email to Mohsin Abbas, Contract Specialist,
Mohsin.Abbas2 @va.gov . Submission shall be received no later than 3:00 PM EST on June 30, 2026. Late submissions shall not be accepted. FAR 52.212-1(f)(1), RFO 52.212-1(c)(1). Only e-mailed quotes will be accepted. It is the responsibility of the vendor to ensure the Government s timely receipt of their quote.
Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to the Contract Specialist, Mohsin Abbas, Mohsin.Abbas2@va.gov.
