4520--Project 549A-SL-506 Replace Heat Exchanger Bonham Answers to RFI's
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), specifically the 257-NETWORK CONTRACT OFFICE 17 (36C257), is soliciting proposals for Project 549A-SL-506: Replace Heat Exchanger at the Sam Rayburn VA Medical Center in Bonham, Texas. This is a 100% Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside for a Firm-Fixed-Price contract. Proposals are due April 15, 2026, at 3:00 PM CDT.
Scope of Work
This project involves the replacement of eight (8) heat exchangers across four buildings (#1, #2, #24, and #29) at the Sam Rayburn Memorial Veterans Center. Key requirements include:
- Disconnecting existing steam supply, condensate, water in/out, and controls.
- Demolishing, removing, and disposing of existing Armstrong heaters.
- Providing and installing new heat exchangers (specific Patterson-Kelley models are detailed).
- Installing new steam piping, valves, fittings, condensate piping, drain piping, and relief valve piping.
- Running electrical connections to new Steam Control Valves.
- All work must comply with specifications, drawings, and applicable local and VA building codes.
- New construction requires cast steel or forged steel fittings for steam systems operating at 15 psi or above.
- Temporary hot water systems are required for inpatient facilities (DOM and CLC) during outages.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price
- Estimated Value: $500,000.00 - $1,000,000.00
- Period of Performance: 180 days after issuance of notice to proceed.
- Set-Aside: 100% Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
- NAICS Code: 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning), size standard $19M.
- Proposal Due: April 15, 2026, at 3:00 PM CDT.
- Published Date: April 3, 2026 (latest amendment).
Submission & Evaluation
Proposals must be submitted via email to Horacio Fernandez (horacio.fernandez@va.gov) and organized into four volumes:
- Volume I: Technical Acceptability (EMR)
- Volume II: Past Performance
- Volume III: Price
- Volume IV: Solicitation, Offer, & Award Documents Evaluation will prioritize Past Performance over Price, also considering Technical Acceptability. Offerors must demonstrate the ability to obtain bonding. A site visit was held on March 11, 2026.
Important Clarifications & Notes
- Amendments: Offerors must acknowledge receipt of all amendments, including Amendment 0003 (dated April 3, 2026), which provided RFI answers, drawings (Bldg 1, 2, 24, 29 floor plans), and Texas Tax Code information.
- Texas Tax Exemption: Tangible personal property purchased for incorporation into VA real property is exempt from Texas Sales and Use taxes. Proposals should exclude these taxes, and the awarded contractor is responsible for obtaining the exemption certificate.
- Outage Coordination: Hot water cannot be turned off to inpatient facilities and kitchen areas without two weeks' advance coordination with the COR and PM.
- Hazardous Materials: Hazardous material testing has not been completed.
- PRV Assemblies: New PRV assemblies are required; existing ones are not to be reused.
- Safety: A Pre-Construction Risk Assessment (PCRA) permit is required, detailing safety protocols and indicating an Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) is necessary.