J045--Sources Sought - Cooling Tower Repair Services – Minneapolis VA Medical Center
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 Minneapolis VA Medical Center is conducting a Sources Sought for Cooling Tower Repair Services. This market research aims to identify capable businesses for inspection, maintenance, repair, and training services for two cooling towers. The government will use responses to develop its acquisition strategy, potentially including set-asides for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Veteran-Owned, and other small business categories. Responses are due by May 14, 2026, at 12:00 PM Central Time.
Scope of Work
The requirement involves comprehensive services for an EvapTech 3-cell FRP Counterflow Cooling Tower and a Marley 1-cell Sigma FRP Crossflow Cooling Tower, both located in building 69. Services include:
- Inspection: Detailed mechanical, visual, functional, and electrical inspections with reports and photos.
- Maintenance & Repair: Replacement of gearboxes (new Amarillo 135 for EvapTech, Marley 2700 series for Marley) and control valves, fan blade pitch adjustment and balancing, cleaning of cold-water basins, fan assemblies, motors, drift eliminators, fill media, distribution components, and structural members. Repair of damaged water distribution systems.
- Testing: Verification of operational readiness, performance, and safety post-maintenance/repair, including vibration, flow rate, temperature, and operational tests. Contractors must submit a testing plan.
- Training: Provision of a technical advisor for up to two days to train MPLS VAMC staff on operation, routine checks, preventative maintenance, and basic troubleshooting for both cooling tower types.
Contractors are responsible for providing all necessary equipment, tools, labor, scaffolding/OSHA-approved lifts, and obtaining all required permits. Work is anticipated outside normal business hours (6 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday), with weekend/holiday work coordinated with the COR. The VA's goal is to complete work before major heat waves.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought (Market Research)
- NAICS Code: 238220 – Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (Size Standard: $19.0 Million)
- Product Service Code: J045 – Maintenance, Repair, and Rebuilding of Equipment: Plumbing, Heating, and Waste Disposal Equipment
- Anticipated Period of Performance: June 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 (Base Period)
- Response Due: May 14, 2026, 12:00 PM Central Time
- Published: May 7, 2026
Submission & Evaluation
Interested vendors must email their capabilities information and answers to specific questions to Alisha.Milander@va.gov. Required information includes:
- Firm's socio-economic categories (e.g., SDVOSB, VOSB, WOSB, 8a, Large Business), SAM Unique Entity ID, and Government Contract POC.
- Confirmation if services can be ordered against existing government contracts (e.g., FSS, GSA).
- Details on contemplated subcontracting (percentage and tasks).
- Estimated lead time to deliver a fully functioning solution, demonstrating capability to complete all tasks within the period of performance.
- Market research pricing for services by completing highlighted areas in the ITEM INFORMATION section.
Responses will be used for market research to inform the acquisition strategy. Failure to respond accurately or completely may affect the acquisition strategy.
Additional Notes
An attachment, "Attachment A- Tower Schematic Plan View.pdf," provides a schematic of the tower, detailing fan cells, dimensions, and components, which is crucial for bidders to understand the physical configuration.