AMENDMENT NO. 2
SOLICITATION NO. 36C24126Q0601
DATE: 7/9/2026
1. THE SOLICITATION IS HEREBY AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:
a. The following Questions and Answers, submitted by prospective offerors by June 3, 2026, are incorporated into this solicitation.
b. The Government s responses modify and/or clarify the solicitation.
c. Extension of Responses Due Date:
The due date for the submission of quotes has been extended.
New Due Date: July 17, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM EST
d. All other terms and conditions of the solicitation remain unchanged. Vendors are reminded to review all other aspects of the solicitation and consider this amendment when preparing their responses.
2. RFI QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Can the Government provide any existing mechanical drawings, as-built drawings, or equipment schedules associated with the current HVAC system?
No there is nothing available.
Is Mitsubishi the required manufacturer, or will equivalent systems meeting the performance requirements be considered?
Mitsubishi is the required manufacturer due to operations and maintenance efforts.
Can the Government confirm whether existing electrical circuits and disconnects are adequate for the replacement system, or should contractors anticipate electrical modifications?
No Electrical Modifications are expected.
Will the existing condensate drainage infrastructure remain in service, or should replacement of condensate piping be included in the quotation?
Existing Condensate drainage must be inspected and may be reused if serviceable.
Are there any known asbestos-containing materials, hazardous materials, or other environmental concerns within the work area that contractors should consider?
There is asbestos in the building but not on these mechanical components. There is lead paint on all painted building surfaces so awareness and adherence to proper OSHA procedures must be met (i.e. HEPA/wet methods when core drilling).
Is there a preferred schedule for utility shutdowns associated with the HVAC replacement, and are there any anticipated restrictions beyond those identified in the solicitation?
No preferred schedule or restrictions beyond what is in the PWS and solicitation.
Can the Government confirm whether the testing and commissioning requirements are limited to functional performance testing of the new HVAC system, or if any additional balancing, reporting, or third-party verification will be required?
Pre-functional tests will need to be performed in accordance with the attached sheet. No TAB or Commissioning is expected.
Are there any anticipated restrictions regarding material staging, equipment delivery, or temporary storage beyond those identified in the Performance Work Statement?
Nothing more beyond what the SOW says and particularly in 1.4, 3.4 and 3.5.
Can the Government confirm whether all required permits will be obtained by the contractor, or whether any permits will be provided by the VA?
All permits expected for this contract will be obtained by the contractor (Hot Work, Above Ceiling, etc.). There are no permits for this contract which are anticipated needing the VA to obtain.
Are there any additional plans, specs, or documents for this project?
See attachments called out in the PWS but not included.
Will the sign-in sheet from site visit be available in addendum?
Yes. It will be added as an attachment to the addendum to the solicitation.
Please confirm if tax should be included in our proposal? Will an exempt certificate be provided?
Contractors are required to include all applicable taxes in their proposed prices unless the solicitation states otherwise. A tax-exempt certificate will be provided for purchasing materials for use in a tax exempt government project if state law requires it.
Please provide the latest wage determination for this project s county.
Wage Determination 2015-6115 Revision 3 is applicable and was incorporated in this solicitation.
What is the ICRA Levels in the areas served by evaporators?
It will either be a ICRA Level II or III but will depend on contractor means and methods whether the work meets an Activity Category B or C (see ICRA attachment).
Is the use of temporary plastic wall panels (such as STARC panels) acceptable to meet ICRA requirements?
If meets requirements in ICRA (see above question) then product should be acceptable.
Will work need to be completed during off hours or weekends?
Per the Performance work statement: All on-site work (including cleanup) shall take place during the following times, unless otherwise approved by the COR:
07:30-15:15h Monday through Friday Except the following:
Hallway work is to be completed off hours, which are Saturday and Sunday or Monday through Friday 1730-0800.
Noisy work 70Db and above inside the building Off Hours M-F 1700-0600 or Weekends.
Excessively Noisy exterior work Off Hours M-F 1700-0600 or Weekends.
Work on Federal Holidays requires permission from the COR.
Will shutdowns be required to be done during off hours or weekends?
Shutdowns are required to be performed as written in the PWS particularly paragraphs 2 and 3.7.
Are floor plans available showing equipment and piping layout?
No these are not available.
Is the intent to have this ductless split system connected to the BMS?
Eventually but not part of this contract.
Please provide contact for who currently services the existing BMS system?
Johnson Controls services the BMS System.
Will unforeseen conditions be addressed via the changed clause per VAAR 852.243-70 or FAR 52.2434? There may be unforeseen work when the units get taken out of their current location.
No. Because this requirement is being solicited as a commercial services contract under FAR Part 12, neither VAAR 852.243 70 (Construction Contract Changes) nor FAR 52.243 4 (Changes Construction) applies.
FAR 52.212 4(c) (Changes) governs permissible changes to commercial contracts.
Any modification must be within scope and mutually agreed to by both parties.
Equitable adjustments related to unforeseen conditions may be addressed only through a bilateral modification, since unilateral change authority does not apply to commercial services unless explicitly stated.
#1 on page 4 of the solicitation says review existing drawings, can you provide these before the bid closes?
These are base floor plans but attached.
The Performance Work Statement requires the Contractor to "determine size and capacity is sufficient for heating and cooling the three rooms" but does not provide the design criteria necessary to perform that determination, such as heating and cooling load calculations, indoor and outdoor design conditions, ventilation requirements, occupancy assumptions, or required system capacities. Please provide the Government's design criteria or clarify whether the Government intends the Contractor to perform engineering design services as part of this procurement.
The intent of the project is to replace the existing cassette mini split system that has prematurely failed. "Determine size and capacity is sufficient for heating and cooling the three rooms" is to verify the capacity of the replacement units prior to ordering. All three rooms are interior rooms, with no windows. Assume interior, drywall construction, with no insulation. Dimensions and temperature requirements are below. Ventilation and humidity control are not included in this scope. The zip code is 01053 for ASHRAE data. There are no vents or AHUs serving these areas just natural convection and turbulence. Previously failed units were a 2 ton. Chosen solution should be designed for a 10+ year life
Room #
Size (SF)
Ceiling (FT)
Cooling Design Temp. (F)
Heating Design Temp. (F)
109
106
9.5
75
70
113
143
9.5
75
70
120
147
9..5
75
70
Section 52.212-2 identifies Technical as the most important evaluation factor; however, the solicitation does not identify the standards, qualitative criteria, or discriminators that the Government will use to comparatively evaluate technical quotations. Please identify the evaluation criteria the Government will apply in determining the relative merits of competing quotations so that offerors may prepare proposals on a common basis.
The Government will evaluate technical quotations in accordance with FAR 12.602 and the evaluation framework stated in the solicitation. While Section 52.212 2 identifies Technical as the most important factor, the specific evaluation criteria derive from the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and the minimum requirements outlined in the solicitation.
The Government will evaluate the relative merits of technical quotations using the following qualitative criteria:
1. Understanding of the Requirement
2. Technical Approach
3. Qualifications and Capability
4. Risk Assessment
Please clarify how the Government intends to perform the best-value tradeoff between Technical, Past Performance, and Price. Specifically, under what circumstances would the Government determine that the payment of a price premium is justified by the technical or past performance advantages of a higher-priced quotation?
During the best value tradeoff, the Government will compare the relative merits of competing quotations and may select other than the lowest priced quotation when the technical or past performance advantages of a higher rated vendor provide benefits that outweigh the associated price premium.
A price premium may be justified when the higher rated quotation demonstrates clear value to the Government, such as:
Meaningfully superior technical capability that enhances performance, reduces risk, or improves reliability of the HVAC replacement work;
Stronger, more relevant past performance that indicates a greater likelihood of successful contract execution with minimal disruption to VA operations;
Advantages that directly reduce performance risk, schedule risk, or the likelihood of rework or system failure;
Benefits that align with critical performance requirements of the Telehealth Rooms environment, such as improved installation approach, commissioning expertise, or system integration quality.
Conversely, the Government would not pay a price premium where differences in technical merit or past performance are marginal, unclear, or do not provide commensurate value when weighed against the higher price.
