437-22-108 Place Chilled Water Pumps on Epower

This presolicitation notice from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Fargo VA Medical Center announces an upcoming Invitation for Bid (IFB) for Project 437-22-108, "Place Chilled Water Pumps on Emergency Power." This is a 100% Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside, requiring bidders to be registered and certified in VetCert. The project, estimated between $250,000 and $500,000, falls under NAICS code 236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction). The contractor will furnish all labor, materials, and equipment to connect chilled water pumps to emergency power, including installing a new automatic transfer switch and modifying existing electrical infrastructure. The period of performance is 270 calendar days. The IFB is expected around February 6, 2026, with bids due March 6, 2026. All solicitation documents will be available on SAM Contract Opportunities.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Network Contracting Office 23 has issued solicitation 36C26326B0013, an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for a firm-fixed-price construction contract. The project, "Place Chilled Water Pumps on Emergency Power" at the Fargo VA Health Care System, requires a contractor to furnish all labor, materials, and equipment to connect chilled water pumps to emergency power in accordance with the Statement of Work, drawings, specifications, and all applicable codes and laws. The NAICS code for this acquisition is 238210, with a small business size standard of $19 million, and the estimated construction cost is between $250,000.00 and $500,000.00. Key dates include a site visit on February 23, 2026, technical questions due by March 2, 2026, and bids due by March 16, 2026, at 10:00 AM CST. A bid guarantee is required, and performance and payment bonds are mandatory after award. The solicitation outlines detailed submission requirements, bid opening procedures, and criteria for determining contractor responsiveness and responsibility. Various FAR and VAAR clauses are incorporated by reference, including those concerning Buy American requirements, security prohibitions, and limitations on subcontracting.

The Fargo VA Healthcare System is seeking a contractor for Project #437-22-108, "Place Chilled Water Pumps on Emergency Power," with an estimated construction cost of $250,000 - $500,000. The project's main goal is to connect chilled water pumps to the emergency equipment branch power. This involves installing a new automatic transfer switch for five 40hp chilled water pumps, modifying existing panel boards, and relocating several other chilled water pumps (Pumps #8, #9, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, and #19) to emergency power sources. The contractor must provide all labor, materials, and equipment, adhering to federal, state, and local codes, including NEC, VHA Directive 1028, and NFPA requirements. Work should primarily occur during off-hours to minimize hospital disruption. Strict safety protocols, such as Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) and Arc Flash safety, are mandatory. The project has a 270-day construction duration, requiring a phasing plan and daily logs. The contractor is responsible for commissioning newly installed electrical distribution equipment and submitting comprehensive documentation, including as-built drawings and operation manuals.

This government file, General Decision Number ND20260013, sets prevailing wage rates for building construction projects in Cass County, North Dakota, excluding single-family homes and apartments up to four stories. It lists various craft classifications like Boilermaker, Bricklayer, Electrician, Ironworker, and others, along with their respective rates and fringes, with effective dates for each. The document also details the application of Executive Order 13706 for paid sick leave and Executive Order 13658 for minimum wage on federal contracts. It provides guidance on how unlisted classifications can be added and explains the identifiers used for union, union average, survey, and state-adopted wage rates. Finally, it outlines the appeals process for wage determination matters, including initial decisions, review by the Wage and Hour Administrator, and appeals to the Administrative Review Board.

The Fargo VA Medical Center is undertaking Project 437-22-108, "Place Chilled Water Pumps on Emergency Power," to enhance electrical infrastructure. This project involves preparing the site, demolishing existing structures, and installing new electrical equipment and wiring to connect chilled water pumps to emergency power. The contractor must adhere to strict safety, security, and quality control requirements, including detailed submittals for shop drawings, product data, and samples. Specific protocols are outlined for utility services, alterations, waste disposal, and warranty management, ensuring minimal disruption to the medical center's operations. The contractor is responsible for maintaining as-built drawings and providing comprehensive training and manuals for all new equipment. Compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, particularly USACE EM 385-1-1 and OSHA standards, is mandatory, with a strong emphasis on accident prevention and hazard analysis.

The Fargo VA Health Care System VISN 23 (Project Number: 437-22-108) requires placing chilled water pumps on emergency power. This project involves electrical demolition and new work across Buildings 1, 9, and 46. Key aspects include disconnecting and removing existing conduits, wires, and breakers, and rerouting power to various chilled water pumps (CWP #1-5, #8-9, #12-19) to ensure emergency power supply. New automatic transfer switches (ATS) will be installed, and existing panelboards will be relabeled and updated. The project also entails providing new conduit and wiring for pumps and installing new circuit breakers. Additionally, existing Building Automation System (BAS) panels will be equipped with new uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) to maintain operation for 30 minutes after power loss. Detailed electrical calculations for short circuit, voltage drop, and generator load are provided, along with general notes emphasizing de-energized work, temporary power, and minimizing downtime.

This government file outlines the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting—Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction (JAN 2023) (DEVIATION). This clause, prescribed in 819.7011(b), mandates that offerors certify compliance with subcontracting limitations under 38 U.S.C. 8127(l)(2) if awarded a contract. The limitations vary based on the predominant NAICS code: for services, contractors cannot pay more than 50% to non-certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) or Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs); for general construction, the limit is 85%; and for special trade construction contractors, it is 75%. The cost of materials is excluded from these calculations for construction contracts. The certification also warns of penalties for false claims, including criminal, civil, or administrative actions, and potential referral to the VA Suspension and Debarment Committee for non-compliance. Contractors must provide documentation to the VA upon request to demonstrate compliance, and failure to do so may result in remedial action. The offeror must complete, sign, and return the formal certification with their bid, quotation, or proposal, as offers without it will be deemed ineligible for evaluation and award.

The document, titled "Solicitation Questions and Answers," is a structured template for recording questions and corresponding answers related to a solicitation. Although the specific content of the questions and answers is not provided, the document's format, including a "SOW Reference" column and numbered entries from 1 to 20, indicates its purpose in a formal procurement or grant process. This type of document is crucial for clarifying ambiguities, addressing concerns from potential bidders or grantees, and ensuring all parties have a clear understanding of the solicitation's requirements and scope of work (SOW). Its inclusion in government RFPs, federal grants, and state/local RFPs ensures transparency and fairness by providing official responses to inquiries during the proposal submission phase.