The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Iowa City VA Health Care System (ICVAHCS), is issuing a presolicitation notice for a construction project to correct lightning protection and grounding. This project, designated PN: 636A8-24-003, will involve upgrading outdated lightning protection and re-establishing Underwriters Laboratory ratings through improved grounding for all campus buildings. This is a 100% Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside, requiring bidders to be registered and certified in the SBA certification database. The applicable NAICS code is 238210, with a small business size standard of $19.0 million, and the project's magnitude is estimated between $1,000,000.00 and $2,000,000.00. An Invitation for Bid (IFB) is expected to be issued around November 17, 2025, with a single, firm fixed-price contract award within 90 days of bid opening. The period of performance is 365 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed. All solicitation details and amendments will be available exclusively on the System for Award Management (SAM) Contract Opportunity website.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is soliciting bids for Project Number: 636A8-24-003, “Correct Lightning Protection and Grounding.” This project, set aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) construction firms, requires contractors to upgrade outdated lightning protection and improve grounding for all buildings on the Iowa City VA Health Care System campus. The solicitation, issued under Public Law 109-461, has a NAICS Code of 238210 (Electrical Contractors) with a $19.0 million size standard and an estimated cost range of $1,000,000.00 to $2,000,000.00. Bids are due by December 22, 2025, at 9:00 AM CT, and must include a bid guarantee of 20% of the bid price, not exceeding $3,000,000.00. A formal site visit is scheduled for November 26, 2025, at 1:30 PM CT. Contractors must adhere to various federal regulations, including Buy American requirements, construction wage rates, and security prohibitions. The selected contractor must provide performance and payment bonds within ten calendar days of award.

The Iowa City VA Health Care System is seeking a contractor for Project No. 636A8-24-003, “Correct Lightning Protection and Grounding.” The project involves upgrading outdated lightning protection systems and re-establishing Underwriters Laboratory (UL) ratings through improved grounding for all campus buildings. The contractor must provide all labor, materials, and equipment, with a dedicated project superintendent. Work is to be completed within 365 calendar days of the Notice to Proceed, primarily during business hours, with some potential for after-hours work. The scope includes demolition, electrical and communication system upgrades, adherence to specific construction documents, and coordination with VA staff. The project requires compliance with various federal regulations and directives, including those from UL, VHA, OSHA, and ADA/ABA. Submittals include product data, as-built drawings, certification reports, and system warranties. All personnel must complete VA Privacy Training.

The Iowa City VA Medical Center is undertaking a project to correct and update its lightning protection and grounding systems across various buildings, including Buildings 1, 2, 7, 8, 16, 20, 40, 41, 42, 45, 49, and 50. The project, identified as 636A8-24-003, involves the demolition of existing, often incomplete or end-of-life, lightning protection components and the installation of new systems. All work must comply with UL 96A and VA Lightning Protection Specifications, requiring UL-listed installers and inspection by a UL representative to achieve a UL Master Label Certificate. The plans detail general electrical notes, symbol legends, phasing legends, and specific requirements for new installations, including conductor placement, grounding electrode installation, bonding of metal bodies, and connections to main grounding bus bars. The project also outlines the use of existing perimeter railings and metal framing as main conductors where appropriate. The overall goal is to enhance safety and ensure proper lightning protection and grounding for the facility.

This government file outlines the specifications for the Iowa City VAMC AE Correct Lightning Protection and Grounding System project (VA Project No. 636A8-24-003). It details the removal of the existing lightning protection system and installation of a new one, compliant with UL 96A and requiring UL Certification. The document specifies general requirements including safety, site preparation, security, and coordination with the Medical Center, which will remain occupied. Key sections cover project schedules, submittal procedures for shop drawings and product data, and comprehensive warranty management. The contractor is responsible for maintaining as-built drawings, providing operation and maintenance manuals, and ensuring minimal disruption to the facility. Stringent security and safety protocols are mandated, alongside detailed guidelines for utility use, testing, and restoration of disturbed areas.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mandates annual privacy training for all personnel, including contractors and volunteers, to protect sensitive information such as medical, financial, and educational data. This specific training module is for individuals without direct access to VA computer systems or sensitive information, focusing on safeguarding against incidental disclosures. Personnel with direct access to VA systems like VATAS or CPRS, or sensitive information, must complete more extensive Privacy and HIPAA Focused Training (TMS 10203) and VA Privacy and Information Security Awareness and Rules of Behavior (TMS 10176). The document defines VA sensitive information and protected health information, outlining safeguards like securing found information, not removing data without permission, and reporting lost access cards. It also details six privacy laws governing the VA, including FOIA and HIPAA, and emphasizes that unauthorized use or disclosure of protected health information can lead to severe civil and criminal penalties, including termination of employment or contracts. All personnel are responsible for protecting veteran information and must report potential violations to their Privacy Officer.

This document outlines the records management obligations for contractors handling Federal records, as defined by 44 U.S.C. § 3301. It applies to all contractors whose employees create, work with, or handle Federal records, including those specific to the Iowa City VAHCS. Contractors must comply with all applicable records management laws, NARA policies, and regulations, including the Federal Records Act and the Privacy Act of 1974. Key requirements include maintaining all records created for Government use, preventing unauthorized destruction or removal, and reporting any incidents of unlawful record handling. Contractors must also safeguard non-public information, obtain approval for subcontracts involving disclosures, and use Government IT equipment only for authorized purposes. The Iowa City VAHCS owns the rights to all data and records produced under the contract, and contractors are prohibited from retaining, using, selling, or disseminating copies of protected information. These requirements must be flowed down to all subcontractors, with violations attributed to the prime contractor.

The VAAR 852.219-75 clause outlines limitations on subcontracting for VA contracts, particularly for certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs). Offerors must certify their compliance with specific subcontracting limits based on the contract type (e.g., 50% for services, 85% for general construction, 75% for special trade construction) to firms not listed in the SBA certification database. The document emphasizes that any further subcontracting by a similarly situated SDVOSB/VOSB subcontractor counts towards these limits, and material costs are generally excluded. Offerors acknowledge that false certifications can lead to severe penalties, including criminal prosecution. The VA reserves the right to request documentation to verify compliance at any time, and failure to cooperate may result in remedial action. A formal, signed certification is mandatory with the offer, as submissions without it will be deemed ineligible for award. This ensures accountability and adherence to federal regulations promoting veteran-owned businesses.

The document outlines the safety and environmental record requirements for bidders and offerors in government solicitations. It mandates the submission of information regarding past safety and environmental violations, specifically detailing OSHA and EPA infractions over the last three years. Bidders must also provide their current Experience Modification Rate (EMR) from their insurance carrier, with explanations required for EMRs above 1.0. Special provisions are made for self-insured contractors or those unable to obtain EMRs from their insurance carrier, directing them to the NCCI or state-run worker’s compensation bureaus. This information, along with government system data, will be used for initial responsibility determinations and applies to all subcontracting tiers. The document also includes a pre-award evaluation form for contractors to detail their safety records, including DART rates and NAICS codes.

The General Decision Number IA20250068 details prevailing wage rates and labor requirements for building construction projects in Johnson County, Iowa, excluding single-family homes and apartments up to four stories. It outlines minimum wage rates under Executive Orders 14026 ($17.75/hour) and 13658 ($13.30/hour) for contracts entered into on or after January 30, 2022, and between January 1, 2015, and January 29, 2022, respectively, with annual adjustments. The document also provides specific wage and fringe benefit rates for various crafts like boilermakers, carpenters, electricians, and plumbers, with detailed instructions on how to interpret union, weighted union average, and survey rate identifiers. It also mentions Executive Order 13706 regarding paid sick leave for federal contractors and describes the appeals process for wage determinations.

The document outlines the General Decision Number IA20250068 for construction projects in Johnson County, Iowa, stipulating wage rates that contractors must pay under the Davis-Bacon Act, with specific minimums based on contract timing and applicable executive orders. The wage rates for various construction classifications are detailed alongside relevant information on worker protections and compliance requirements for contractors. Additionally, the document includes instructions for appealing wage determinations and clarifies the criteria for union and non-union wage rate identifiers.

The document outlines a pre-bid site visit agenda for the project "Correct Lightning Protection and Grounding" for solicitation number 36C26326B0008, scheduled for December 3, 2025, at the Iowa City VA Health Care System. Attendees include representatives from the VA, DASH, and BKM Construction LLC, with contact information provided for key personnel.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Network Contracting Office 23 has issued Amendment/Modification 0001 to Solicitation 36C26326B0008 for the "Correct Lightning Protection and Grounding" project (Project Number: 636A8-24-003). This amendment extends the bid opening date to December 30, 2025, at 10:30 AM CST. Key changes include scheduling an additional site visit at the Iowa City VAHCS on December 3, 2025, due to high winds affecting the initial visit. It also replaces the previous Wage Determination with a revised version dated November 21, 2025, and extends the deadline for questions to December 10, 2025, at 9:00 AM CT. All other terms and conditions of the original solicitation remain unchanged. The point of contact for this project is Angie Frost (Angela.Frost2@va.gov; 651-293-3070).

Amendment 0002 to Solicitation 36C26326B0008, issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 23, extends the bid opening for Project 636A8-24-003, "Correct Lightning Protection and Grounding." The new deadline for offer receipt is January 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM CT. This amendment also provides the meeting agenda and attendee lists for the site visits. Offerors must acknowledge receipt of this amendment to avoid rejection of their proposals. Further changes related to construction drawings may be issued in a future amendment.

The government solicitation 36C26326B0008, for Project Number 636A8-24-003, seeks proposals from 100% Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) for lightning protection and grounding work. This project, with an estimated construction magnitude between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000, requires adherence to Public Law 109-461 and VAAR 819.7004, including formal certification of Limitations on Subcontracting. Bidders must submit a bid bond with their proposal, and successful contractors will need payment and performance bonds. The period of performance is 365 calendar days post-Notice to Proceed, with FAR 52.222-6 Construction Wage Rate Requirements applying. All inquiries must be emailed to angela.frost2@va.gov by December 10, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (CT), and proposals are due by December 30, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. (CT). Virtual bid opening details will be provided, and strict adherence to submission instructions and SDVOSB verification is mandatory, as material errors cannot be waived.

The document outlines the agenda for a pre-bid site visit regarding the Correct Lightning Protection and Grounding project at the Iowa City VA Health Care System, scheduled for November 26, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. (CT). It lists attendees from various organizations, including VA representatives and construction firms, along with their contact information.