1232SA26Q0315 Amendment 0001 - Combination/Solicitation for Inspection/Testing Fire Detection-Suppression Systems and Fixed Chemical Extinguishing Systems/Portable Fire Extinguishers at USDS-ARS-USNA Washington D.C.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire detection, suppression, fixed chemical extinguishing systems, and portable fire extinguishers at the U.S. National Arboretum (USNA) in Washington D.C. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) requires these services to ensure the safety of staff, protect research, equipment, and property, in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.

• Comprehensive inspection, testing, and maintenance of all fire detection, suppression, fixed chemical extinguishing systems, and portable fire extinguishers.

• Specific tasks include:

  • Fire Extinguishers: Inspection, testing, and maintenance per NFPA 10; monthly inspection of occupied spaces and carts; annual inspection; 6-year maintenance; replacement of inoperable extinguishers; annual schedule.
  • Fire Suppression Systems: Annual and quarterly inspections per NFPA 25, 12A, 17A, 96; monthly fire pump churn tests; weekly fall weatherproofing; 5-year internal pipe examination; 3-year leak tests; annual schedule.
  • Fire Alarm Systems: Annual and quarterly inspections per NFPA 72; annual schedule.

• Creation of an Excel spreadsheet inventory of all fire alarm and suppression system devices and equipment.

• Replacement of all fire alarm panel batteries within the first 90 days of the base year.

• Monitoring, maintenance, modification, adjustment, repair, inspection, testing, and certification of fire, smoke, and heat detection systems.

• Provision of qualified personnel with specific certifications.

• Anticipated Award Type: Firm-Fixed Price Purchase Order.

• Contract Duration: One base award year with four (4) one-year option periods, for a total duration not to exceed five (5) years.

• Evaluation will be based on "best value" to the Government, using a comparative evaluation methodology.

• Evaluation factors include:

  • Relevant Experience: Demonstrated experience performing similar work in scope, size, and complexity.
  • Past Performance: Evaluation of recency, relevancy, and quality of past performance, based on provided information sheets for the offeror, teaming partners, and critical subcontractors.
  • Price: Evaluation of pricing, including quantity price discounts and prompt payment discounts.

• Quotes will be evaluated in accordance with FAR 12.204.

• Offerors must submit pricing for all items to be considered responsive.

• Offerors agree to hold prices firm for 90 calendar days from the receipt of offers.

• The acquisition is UNRESTRICTED.

• NAICS Code: 811210, Size Standard: $34 Million.

• A site visit is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. Pre-registration is required.

• Questions are due by Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 12:00 PM EDT and should be submitted via email.

• The solicitation incorporates various FAR and AGAR clauses and provisions by reference.

• Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) will be used for electronic invoice submission.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To ensure the safety of staff, protect research, equipment, and property at the U.S. National Arboretum (USNA) by providing comprehensive inspection, testing, and maintenance services for all fire detection, suppression, fixed chemical extinguishing systems, and portable fire extinguishers.

• Provide all labor, material, supervision, equipment, and transportation for inspections, testing (including Fire Alarm Acceptance Testing), and maintenance.

• Services cover all Fire Detection, Suppression, Fixed Chemical Extinguishing Systems, and Portable Fire Extinguishers throughout the USNA buildings.

• Specific tasks include:

  • Inspection, testing, and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers per NFPA 10.
  • Inspection and quarterly testing of wet/dry chemical fire suppression systems per NFPA 25 and NFPA 12A/17A/96.
  • Annual inspection of fire sprinkler systems and fire pumps.
  • Weekly Fall Weather Proofing (November-April).
  • 5-year internal pipe examination of fire sprinkler systems.
  • 3-year leak test of dry pipe sprinkler systems.
  • Annual and quarterly inspections of fire alarm systems per NFPA 72.
  • Replacement of fire alarm panel batteries within the first 90 days of the base year.
  • Monitoring, maintaining, modifying, adjusting, repairing, inspecting, testing, and certifying fire, smoke, and heat detection systems.

• Contractor must create an Excel spreadsheet inventory of all fire alarm and suppression system devices and equipment.

• All testing and inspections must be conducted in accordance with applicable NFPA codes.

• Services must be conducted by qualified personnel certified by Federal, State, or Local authority, or listed by a national testing laboratory.

• Disruptive testing must be completed outside normal occupancy hours.

• Emergency response team required for immediate action on alarms (Priority 1 within 4 hours, Priority 2 within 24 hours).

• Specific deliverables include quarterly inventory reports, service reports, and inspection reports.

• Acceptable Quality Levels (AQL) are set at 100% for various tasks.

• Base year: January 30, 2026, through January 29, 2027.

• Four (4) option years available.

• Location: U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, D.C.

• Contractor personnel must be highly trained and certified technicians with specific certifications in fire protection engineering technology and fire alarm systems.

• Contractor must assume full liability for any accidental discharge of chemical and water from sprinkler systems during testing.

• Contractor is responsible for field verification of all measurements and quantities.

• All equipment, supplies, and materials are stored at the contractor's risk.

• Work must comply with all federal, state, and local regulations, including building codes and environmental regulations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Request for Information (RFI) form, specifically "Attachment V - REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) Award". It is designed for potential offerors to submit questions or requests for clarification regarding the solicitation, specifications, drawings, and other pertinent documents for Project Number 1232SA26Q0315, "Inspection/Testing Fire Systems" at USDA-ARS-USNA.

• Project Information: Includes Project Number, Project Title, and Project Location.
• Submission Instructions: Emphasizes the need to thoroughly read all provided documents before submitting questions. Questions must specifically identify the relevant specification, solicitation section, or drawing number.
• Contact Information: Provides the email address for Theodore Blume at USDA/ARS/PWA (theodore.blume@usda.gov) and specifies the required subject line for RFI emails.
• RFI Submission Fields: Includes fields for RFI #, Date, and Spec/DwG. Reference(s).
• Reply Mechanism: States that replies will be issued by Solicitation Amendment.
• Offeror Responsibility: Reminds offerors that they are responsible for retrieving and acknowledging all Amendments.

This form is crucial for bidders who have questions or require clarification on the "Inspection/Testing Fire Systems" opportunity. It outlines the specific process and requirements for submitting RFIs to ensure the government can respond effectively. Bidders must use this form and follow the instructions to have their questions addressed, as failure to comply may prevent a timely response. The replies to RFIs will be communicated via Solicitation Amendments, which bidders are responsible for tracking.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the inspection, testing (including Fire Alarm Acceptance Testing), and maintenance of Fire Detection, Suppression, Fixed Chemical Extinguishing Systems, and Portable Fire Extinguishers located at the USNA Location in Washington D.C.

• Comprehensive inspection, testing, and maintenance services for fire suppression and detection systems.

• Services include Fire Alarm Acceptance Testing.

• Detailed requirements are outlined in Attachment II - Performance Work Statement.

• Anticipated Award Type: Firm-Fixed Price Purchase Order.

• Period of Performance: One base award year with four (4) one-year option periods.

• Total potential duration: Up to five (5) years, or five (5) years and six (6) months if the FAR 52.217-8 option is exercised.

• Offerors must submit pricing for all items to be considered responsive.

• Evaluation will be based on criteria outlined in FAR 12.203, with award made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government.

• Key evaluation factors include: Relevant Experience, Past Performance, and Price.

• Quotes must be held firm for 90 calendar days from the offer receipt date.

• A site visit is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. Pre-registration is required by Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

• Questions are due by Tuesday, March 31, 2026, via email to the provided address.

• The solicitation includes clauses related to Equal Opportunity for Veterans (52.222-35) and Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (52.222-36).

• Clause 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Aside, is applicable.

• The solicitation incorporates numerous FAR and AGAR clauses by reference. Full text is available upon request or electronically.

• Attachments include Terms and Conditions, Performance Work Statement, DOL Wage Determination, and Contractor Request for Information (RFI).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Register of Wage Determinations Under the Service Contract Act" issued by the U.S. Department of Labor. It provides the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations when performing contract work subject to the Service Contract Act in specific geographic areas. Bidders must use this information to ensure their proposed labor costs comply with federal requirements.

• Geographic Area: District of Columbia Statewide, Maryland Counties of Charles and Prince George's, and Virginia Counties of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fauquier, Loudoun, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Prince William, Stafford.
• Occupational Listings: Detailed list of job titles, corresponding occupation codes, and minimum hourly wage rates.
• Fringe Benefits: Specifies required fringe benefits, including Health & Welfare ($5.55/hour or $222.00/week) and provisions for paid sick leave (EO 13706) and vacation.
• Executive Orders: References Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (minimum wage adjustments).
• Footnotes: Provides specific details and exclusions for certain occupations, such as computer employees and those requiring night/Sunday pay differentials or hazardous duty pay.

This document is critical for bidders to accurately calculate labor costs for their proposals. It establishes the minimum wages and benefits that must be paid to employees working on the contract. Failure to comply with these wage determinations can lead to bid disqualification or contract non-compliance. Bidders must ensure their proposed rates meet or exceed these minimums for all listed occupations.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire detection, suppression, fixed chemical extinguishing systems, and portable chemical extinguishing devices. The services are to be provided for the USDA ARS facilities located at the National Agricultural Library (NAL) in Beltsville, MD, and the NEA Facilities Unit in Washington D.C.

• Inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire detection and suppression systems.

• Maintenance of fixed chemical extinguishing systems.

• Maintenance of portable chemical extinguishing devices.

• Services must be performed in accordance with the terms and conditions, Statement of Work (SOW), and other attachments to the RFQ.

• The period of performance is from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2031, encompassing a base year and four option years.

• The contract is subject to the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS).

• A Department of Labor Wage Determination (WD #2015-4281 Rev 35) is applicable.

• Offer Due Date: April 14, 2026, at 1700 ET.

• Bidders are required to complete blocks 12, 17, 23, 24, and 30 of the solicitation document.

• The solicitation incorporates by reference FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4, and 52.212-5.

• The acquisition is set aside 100.00% for Small Business.

• The North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code is 561210, with a size standard of $47 million.

• The document includes line items for the base year and four option years, detailing the period of performance for each.

• Product/Service Code: H312 (Inspection - Fire Control Equipment).