R499--Confined Space Inventory Service

This document provides the federal government's official responses to vendor questions regarding the solicitation for Confined Space Assessment, Reporting, Signage, Training, and SOP Services at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (BPVAHCS). The Government clarified that this is a new, one-time, firm-fixed-price procurement with no incumbent contractor. While the VA will provide existing documentation—such as a campus map, standard operating procedures, and current inventory guidelines—for reference, the selected contractor must independently identify, evaluate, and validate all confined spaces across approximately 30 campus buildings. Representative sampling is permitted for similar structures like manholes and utility vaults. Key operational requirements stipulate that the contractor is responsible for physical entries, OSHA-compliant atmospheric testing, and providing all necessary rescue services and equipment. Additionally, the contractor must furnish and install an estimated 129 OSHA-compliant signs, with all signage costs integrated into the firm-fixed-price bid. The contractor is also required to conduct two onsite training sessions using government-provided atmospheric monitors. No specific certification (such as CSP or CIH) is required for the "Qualified Safety Professional" leading this training, provided they possess relevant experience. Finally, the VA confirmed that evaluation credits will be awarded to verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) under the Veterans Involvement factor in accordance with VA acquisition regulations.

This document is Amendment 0002 for Solicitation No. 36C24826Q0927, issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 8 (NCO 8). The procurement seeks "Comprehensive Confined Space Identification, Evaluation, Documentation, Signage, Training, and SOP Services" for the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center in Bay Pines, Florida. The primary purpose of this amendment is to formally incorporate the Government's responses to prospective vendor questions into the solicitation via "Attachment B – Vendor Questions and Government Responses." Offerors are instructed to thoroughly review the attached Q&A document and must acknowledge receipt of this amendment, along with all previous amendments, when submitting their final quotations. All other terms, conditions, and requirements of the original solicitation remain unchanged. The solicitation closing date is set for July 27, 2026, at 4:30 PM EDT.

This document is Amendment 0001 for solicitation 36C24826Q0927, issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 8, for the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center. The contracted project requires comprehensive confined space identification, evaluation, documentation, signage, training, and standard operating procedure (SOP) services. The primary purpose of this amendment is twofold: 1. To extend the solicitation closing date from July 20, 2026, to July 27, 2026, at 4:30 PM EDT. 2. To notify offerors that a subsequent amendment containing the government's official responses to timely vendor questions will be posted to SAM.gov no later than July 21, 2026. All other submission instructions, terms, and conditions of the original solicitation remain unchanged. Offerors are instructed to monitor SAM.gov and acknowledge receipt of this amendment within their submitted quotations.

This document outlines the Confined Space Program Standard Operating Procedure (SOP 516-138S-010) for the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (BPVAHCS) in Florida, effective May 1, 2023, with recertification scheduled for May 2028. The program establishes mandatory safety procedures, workplace evaluations, and equipment guidelines to protect all employees, vendors, and contractors entering confined spaces, in compliance with OSHA (29 CFR 1910.146) and NIOSH standards. Key components of the SOP include: - **Workplace Evaluations & Identification:** Classifying spaces as permit-required or non-permit required. Examples of permit-required spaces include manholes, fuel tanks, and boilers. - **Atmospheric Testing:** Requiring pre-entry and continuous monitoring for acceptable oxygen levels (19.5%–23.5%), flammable gases (<10% LFL), carbon monoxide (<35 ppm), and hydrogen sulfide (<10 ppm) using calibrated devices like the MSA Altair 4 Gas Monitor. - **Entry & Safety Procedures:** Detailing mandatory permit protocols, hazard abatement, forced ventilation, and the assignment of trained entrants, attendants, and entry supervisors. - **Rescue & Training:** Mandating non-entry rescue protocols, coordinating emergency rescue services with the City of Seminole Fire Department, and requiring annual training and rescue practice. - **Inventory & Checklists:** Appending a detailed facility-wide confined space inventory, standardized entry permits, and step-by-step safety checklists. Overall, the SOP ensures a rigorous, documented safety framework to mitigate atmospheric and physical hazards during maintenance and operations at the BPVAHCS facility.

This federal solicitation (36C24826Q0927), issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 8 (NCO 8), seeks a qualified contractor to perform comprehensive confined space services at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System in Florida. Structured as a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside under NAICS code 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services), the contract requires the validation, assessment, and documentation of all confined spaces across approximately 30 campus buildings. The selected contractor must conduct an onsite survey, identify atmospheric and physical hazards, install OSHA-compliant warning signage, update the facility's Confined Space Program Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), and deliver two onsite training presentations for staff. All work must align with OSHA regulations and VA guidelines, with completion required within 90 days of contract award. The contract performance period runs from August 3, 2026, to August 2, 2027. Proposals are due by July 20, 2026, at 4:30 PM EDT, with questions accepted until July 14, 2026. The solicitation incorporates standard federal commercial clauses, limitations on subcontracting (requiring the prime contractor to perform at least 50% of the labor cost), and strict security prohibitions regarding covered telecommunications, unmanned aircraft systems, and foreign-sourced technology.

The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 8, has issued a presolicitation notice (Solicitation Number: 36C24826Q0927) for a Confined Space Inventory Service at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System in Bay Pines, Florida. The VA intends to award a single, Firm-Fixed-Price purchase order to acquire comprehensive services for identifying, evaluating, and documenting confined spaces across the campus. The selected contractor will be responsible for providing all labor, materials, and equipment required to establish a confined space inventory, develop CAD/PDF drawings, create an OSHA-compliant Confined Space Program and Standard Operating Procedures, install necessary warning signage, and deliver employee training. Classified under NAICS code 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services) and Product Service Code R499, this acquisition is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside. The procurement will be conducted in accordance with FAR Part 12 commercial and simplified acquisition procedures. Responses to the notice are due by July 10, 2026, at 9:00 AM Eastern Time.