H344--Combustion tuning/instrument calibrations for boilers at Veterans Affairs Sierra Nevada Health Care System in Reno, NV.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment addresses questions submitted by potential bidders regarding Solicitation 36C26126Q0497. Key clarifications include:

• Scope of Work: The solicitation is strictly for boiler combustion tuning and instrument calibrations, not safety device testing. Repairs will be procured separately.
• Line Items: Line items in the Price/Cost Schedule refer to different periods of performance, not specific equipment. All requirements of the Statement of Work apply to each line item.
• Site Visit: No site visit will be scheduled for this procurement.
• Transmitter Communication: Transmitters use the HART (Highway Addressable Remote Transducer) communication protocol.
• Boiler Preparation: Boilers 1, 2, and 3 require semi-annual tuning, burner combustion, O2 trim calibrations on natural gas and oil, and testing of the Low flue Gas Oxygen Level Interlock.
• Response Time: Specific expectations for non-emergent and emergent issues are detailed, including the list of instruments and controls to be inspected and calibrated for each boiler, DA tank, and condensate tank.
• Billing for Technicians: Rotation of boilers and assistance with venting steam are mentioned in relation to technician dispatch.

This amendment provides answers to questions related to the scope of work, pricing, site visits, technical specifications (transmitters, boiler preparation), and response times.

This amendment clarifies requirements and does not appear to extend the offer receipt deadline. Bidders should ensure their proposals reflect the clarified scope and requirements.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Sierra Nevada Health Care System (VASNHCS) to procure combustion tuning and instrument calibration services for three Nebraska high-pressure water tube boilers, a DA Tank, and a Condensate Tank. The objective is to ensure boiler plant safety, reliability, and efficiency.

• Semiannual tuning and combustion testing/calibration of natural gas and oil burners for three boilers.

• Semiannual calibration of monitoring and control systems (transmitters) for boilers, DA Tank, and Condensate Tank.

• Testing of the Low flue Gas Oxygen Level Interlock on all three boilers.

• Provision of detailed written reports for all inspections, calibrations, and tuning.

• Technicians must have at least one year of trade school and five years of relevant experience.

• Technicians must be equipped with calibrated portable electronic flue gas analyzers and necessary hardware/software for control programming.

• Compliance with VHA Directive 1810, VHA Boiler Plant Safety Device Testing Manual, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, and NFPA standards.

• Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance: Base year (June 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027) plus four option years.

• Estimated Value: Approximately $19 Million.

• Offers (quotes) must be submitted electronically via email to gary.christensen@va.gov.

• Quotes must be organized into three PDF volumes: Technical, Experience, and Price.

• All questions must be submitted via email to gary.christensen@va.gov no later than March 25, 2026, 10:00 AM PDT.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM and have a Unique Entity ID (UEI).

• Evaluation will be based on best value, considering Technical Capability, SDVOSB/VOSB Evaluation Preference, Past Performance, and Price.

• Technical Capability requires 5+ years of experience in specific combustion controls, calibration, and boiler systems.

• Past Performance will favor recent and relevant experience with VA or government facilities.

• NAICS Code: 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors).

• Size Standard: $19 Million.

• Evaluation preference will be given to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB), or those subcontracting with them.

• The solicitation incorporates numerous FAR and VAAR clauses by reference.

• Offerors must follow specific formatting and content instructions for their quotes.

• Period of acceptance for offers is 14 calendar days.

Wage Determination

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division Wage Determination (No. 2015-5595, Revision No. 27) for the Service Contract Act, applicable to the State of Nevada, specifically the counties of Storey and Washoe. It establishes minimum wage rates and fringe benefits for various occupations.

• Occupational Wage Rates: Lists numerous occupations with corresponding hourly wage rates. These range from administrative and clerical roles to health, technical, and maintenance positions.
• Fringe Benefits: States that "Fringe Benefits Required Follow the Occupational Listing." Specific fringe benefits are detailed later in the document.
• Executive Orders:
  • EO 13706 (Paid Sick Leave): Applies to contracts awarded on or after January 1, 2017. Contractors must provide 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours annually, for various health-related reasons.
  • EO 13658 (Minimum Wage): Applies to contracts awarded between January 1, 2015, and January 29, 2022 (and not renewed/extended after January 30, 2022). It mandates a minimum hourly wage of $13.30 (or the applicable wage determination rate, if higher) for 2025. This rate is adjusted annually.
• Health & Welfare Benefits:
  • Standard: $5.55 per hour, up to 40 hours/week ($222.00/week or $962.00/month).
  • EO 13706: $5.09 per hour, up to 40 hours/week ($203.60/week or $882.27/month).
• Vacation: 2 weeks paid vacation after 1 year of service, 3 weeks after 5 years, and 4 weeks after 15 years.
• Holidays: A minimum of eleven paid holidays per year are specified.
• Hazardous Pay Differential: An 8% differential for high-hazard positions (ordnance, explosives) and a 4% differential for low-hazard positions are outlined.
• Uniform Allowance: Contractors must provide uniforms or reimburse employees for their cost, including maintenance ($3.35/week or $.67/day), unless uniforms are "wash and wear."

Details the process for contractors to request authorization for additional classifications and wage rates not listed in the determination, requiring submission of a Standard Form 1444 (SF-1444) and review by the Wage and Hour Division.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a pre-solicitation notice for a Request for Quote (RFQ) for combustion tuning and instrument calibrations for boilers at the Veterans Affairs Sierra Nevada Health Care System (VASNHCS) in Reno, NV. The Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 21 (NCO 21) is issuing this notice.

• Combustion tuning services for boilers.

• Instrument calibrations for boilers.

• Not specified in this notice.

• The solicitation, containing all necessary specifications and information for quoting, will be posted to SAM.GOV on or about March 17, 2026.

• Quotes are tentatively scheduled to be due on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Specific time and date will be provided in the solicitation.

• Questions regarding this notice may be submitted via email.

• See solicitation for when questions must be submitted.

• This effort is set aside for the Small Business Administration (SBA).

• Solicitation Number: 36C26126Q0497

• NAICS Code: 238220

• Product Service Code: H344

• Place of Performance: Veterans Affairs Sierra Nevada Health Care System, 975 Kirman Ave, Reno NV 89502, USA.

• Contracting Office Address: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 21, Palo Alto CA 94304-1207.

• Point of Contact: Gary Christensen, Contract Specialist, gary.christensen@va.gov (Email Preferred).