Q301--Water Quality Laboratory Testing Service

This document is an amendment to the federal combined synopsis/solicitation (Solicitation Number: 36C26326Q0973) issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 23, for water quality laboratory testing services at the St. Cloud VA Health Care System in Minnesota. The primary purpose of this amendment is to address vendor questions. The government clarified that sample testing frequencies are detailed starting on page 23 of the solicitation. VA personnel will collect the samples, while the contractor is responsible for providing all collection supplies, picking up and transporting the samples to the laboratory, and performing the testing. Additionally, the government confirmed that this is a follow-on contract, with historical contract details accessible on SAM.gov. Quotes must be submitted via email to Contracting Officer John Milroy in either PDF or Word (.docx) format. The submission deadline is September 14, 2026, at 12:00 PM Central Time. Offerors are responsible for ensuring their complete proposals are received by the deadline, and the email subject line must contain "Solicitation – 36C26326Q0973".

This document serves as a comprehensive Table of Contents and structured index for a federal government Request for Proposals (RFP) or solicitation package. It details a highly organized, multi-layered directory of project specifications, contractual terms, and technical requirements. The index is divided into primary numbered sections, outlining the structural framework of the procurement package. Key components indexed include general instructions to bidders, proposal submission guidelines, contract clauses, and evaluation criteria. Additionally, the document lists detailed technical specifications covering administrative requirements, specialized equipment, facility-specific operational standards, and safety protocols. By outlining every section, subsection, and corresponding page number, this index is designed to help prospective contractors, project managers, and evaluators quickly navigate the extensive compliance and technical documentation required for the bidding process. This structural blueprint ensures transparency, logical organization, and strict regulatory alignment for all participating entities.

This federal solicitation (36C26326Q0973) is issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 23, for monthly and quarterly critical water testing services at the St. Cloud VA Health Care System in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The acquisition is unrestricted under NAICS code 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services) with a size standard of $19 million. The contractor must provide all labor, transportation, equipment, sample bottles, and courier services required to perform water quality testing in compliance with ANSI/AAMI ST108 and VHA Directive 1116. The scope includes testing critical water, utility water, and steam condensate collected by VA staff. The testing laboratory must hold an active certification from the Minnesota Department of Health Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (MNELAP) and provide test results via email, with immediate 24-hour notification for any out-of-compliance results. The contract structure consists of a base period (January 15, 2027, to January 14, 2028) followed by four one-year option periods extending through January 14, 2032. The contract requires 16 courier trips and 20 retests per contract year. To be eligible for award, offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) and submit all required certifications and documentation.

This combined synopsis/solicitation (36C26326Q0973) is issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 23, to procure water quality laboratory testing services for the St. Cloud VA Health Care System in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The VA intends to award a firm-fixed-price contract under NAICS code 541380 (Testing Laboratories), which has a size standard of $19.0 million. The contract consists of a one-year base period running from January 15, 2027, to January 14, 2028, with four subsequent one-year option periods available at the government’s discretion. Key Deadlines and Submission Details: - Technical Questions: Due by September 8, 2026, at 12:00 PM Central Time. - Quotes: Due by September 14, 2026, at 12:00 PM Central Time. - Submission Method: Quotes must be emailed in .pdf or .docx format to Contracting Officer John Milroy at john.milroy@va.gov, referencing "Solicitation – 36C26326Q0973" in the subject line. This procurement is governed by FAR Part 12 provisions and clauses for commercial items, and the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) does not apply. Additional details regarding contract line items, quantities, and wage determinations are included in the attached solicitation documents.