Project # 618-26-701 - EHRM - Infrastructure Upgrades - Main Computer Room Update - Minneapolis VAMC - Minneapolis, MN

Solicitation

This solicitation is for a competitive Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside procurement for the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) - Main Computer Room (MCR) Minor Construction project at the Minneapolis Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The project involves general construction, alterations, and necessary removal of existing structures to support the EHRM initiative.

• Provide all tools, equipment, materials, labor, supervision, and personnel necessary for the completion of the project.

• Perform phased renovation of the Building 70 Data Center.

• Adhere to attached Specifications and Drawings.

• The magnitude of construction is estimated between $10,000,000.00 and $20,000,000.00.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price.

• Performance Period: To be determined after award.

• Offers are due by 13:00 EDT on June 3, 2026.

• Bids must be submitted via email to the Contract Specialist Zachary E. Penhollow (zachary.penhollow@va.gov) and Contracting Officer Joelle Mascarenas (joelle.mascarenas@va.gov).

• Bid opening will be conducted via teleconference.

• Award will be made to the responsible bidder whose bid is most advantageous to the government, considering only price.

• Technical questions are due by 08:00 AM ET on May 18, 2026.

• This procurement is a 100% set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) concerns.

• Offerors must be certified as SDVOSBs by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and listed in the SBA certification database at the time of bid submission and award.

• A Bid Guarantee (SF 24) is required, in an amount not less than 20 percent of the bid price, not to exceed $3,000,000.00.

• Performance Bond (SF 25) and Payment Bond (SF 25A) will be required upon award.

• A site visit is scheduled; refer to Att 08 - Site Visit Agenda.

• All solicitation documents are published on SAM.gov.

• Offerors must acknowledge all amendments.

• Contractor is required to fill in their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in Block No. 14 on the Standard Form (SF) 1442.

Specifications

This document contains specifications for:

• Structural Steel Framing (Section 05 12 00): Details requirements for structural steel shapes, plates, bars, pipe, bolts, nuts, washers, welding, and shop/field painting. It references standards from AISC, ASME, AWS, ASTM, and Mil. Spec.

• Cold-Formed Metal Framing (Section 05 40 00): Specifies materials and services for cold-formed steel framing, including tracks, accessories, fabrication, erection, and tolerances. It references standards from AISI, ASTM, and VA Physical Security and Resiliency Design Manual.

• Metal Fabrications (Section 05 50 00): Covers items and assemblies fabricated from structural steel shapes and other materials, including supports, frames, guards, gratings, loose lintels, railings, and covers for pits and trenches. It also details shop and field painting requirements.

• Rough Carpentry (Section 06 10 00): Specifies wood blocking, sheathing, furring, nailers, and light wood construction, including requirements for fire-treated lumber and sustainable design.

• Finish Carpentry (Section 06 20 00): Details requirements for interior flush wood doors with transparent finish, fire-rated doors, smoke-rated doors, and acoustical doors. It also covers interior stile and rail wood doors.

• Thermal Insulation (Section 07 21 13): Specifies thermal and acoustical insulation for buildings, including requirements for materials, storage, handling, and installation.

• Flashing and Sheet Metal (Section 07 60 00): Covers formed sheet metal work for wall and roof flashing, copings, roof edge metal, fasciae, drainage specialties, and formed expansion joint covers.

• Firestopping (Section 07 84 00): Specifies UL or equivalent approved firestopping systems for closures of openings in walls, floors, and roof decks against penetration of flame, heat, smoke, or gases.

• Joint Sealants (Section 07 92 00): Covers interior and exterior sealant and their application for complete installation of building materials or systems.

• Hollow Metal Doors and Frames (Section 08 11 13): Specifies requirements for hollow metal doors and frames, including hardware, fire ratings, smoke control, and sound ratings.

• Interior Wood Doors (Section 08 14 00): Details requirements for interior flush wood doors with transparent finish, fire-rated doors, smoke-rated doors, and acoustical doors.

• Door Hardware (Section 08 71 00): Specifies door hardware and related items necessary for complete installation and operation of doors, including locks, hinges, closers, exit devices, and thresholds.

• Commissioning Plan (Section 01 91 00.A): Outlines the commissioning process, including scope, roles, responsibilities, and documentation requirements for the project.

• This document is a compilation of specifications for various construction components, primarily focusing on structural elements, finishes, and building envelope systems.

• Bidders must ensure compliance with all referenced standards and publications from organizations such as ASTM, AISC, AWS, NFPA, ANSI, and VA-specific manuals.

• Specific requirements are detailed for materials, fabrication, installation, and quality assurance for each section.

• Sustainable construction requirements, including recycled content and low VOC limits, are specified.

• The document also outlines submittal procedures, testing requirements, and warranty information.

• For sections related to structural steel, cold-formed metal framing, metal fabrications, and concrete construction, specific inspection types (PERFORM, OBSERVE, DOCUMENT, CONTINUOUS) and criteria are detailed.

• The document includes detailed specifications for various types of doors, hardware, and related components.

• Commissioning requirements are outlined, detailing the process, team roles, and responsibilities for various project phases.

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

To consolidate and renovate existing Data Center Spaces in Building 70 (specifically Room 2B-105 and BH-111) at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center (VAMC) as part of the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) initiative, ensuring a smooth transition without network downtime.

• Provide all labor, tools, equipment, and materials for the renovation.

• Lock out/Tag out all energy sources before digging/demolition.

• Install new Information Technology (IT) equipment enclosures, racks, and cabinets.

• Provide new cold aisle containment with Rack Power Distribution Units.

• Upgrade power distribution and cable management.

• Implement structured cabling compliant with Infrastructure Standards for Telecommunications Spaces (ISTS).

• Install and terminate new redundant Medical Distribution Areas (MDAs) for A/B fiber paths.

• Update data center layout and power distribution, including new redundant UPS systems.

• Provide temporary utilities to maintain critical power and cooling.

• Install new Computer Room Air-Conditioning (CRAC) units and reconfigure ductwork.

• Complete new core drills, install/relocate ductwork, and remove legacy ductwork.

• Connect to the existing IT chilled water loop.

• Replace existing suspended ceiling.

• Reconfigure gaseous fire suppression (Novec) system.

• Provide cable tray and structural cabling.

• Support the relocation of equipment from BH-111 Telephone Equipment Room (TER) and BG-111 Biomedical Computer Room to the renovated MCR (2B-105).

• Provide double doors, room signage, and construct access floor ramps.

• Paint walls, doors, and frames; patch flooring; and install new suspended ACT ceiling.

• Provide new air-cooled chiller, heat exchanger, and pumps for the chilled water loop system.

• Work must comply with VA specifications section 01-35-26.

• Areas must be kept clean daily, and all trash/demolished materials properly disposed of.

• Preconstruction Risk Assessments (PCRA) will be provided and posted.

• Construction completion is scheduled for D+365 calendar days from Notice to Proceed for construction.

• The work will be performed at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center (VAMC), Building 70, Room 2B-105 and BH-111.

• Safety: Maintain a safe working environment and wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

• Security: Contract personnel must obtain a VA security badge. Technicians must check in with the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

• Parking/Storage: Contractor parking is not guaranteed and must be coordinated with the COR. Vehicles/equipment stored overnight must display contractor contact information. Loading dock access is restricted to pickup/drop-off.

Other / Unclassified

This document is the agenda for a site visit related to the "Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) – Main Computer Room (MCR) Update – Minneapolis" project. It outlines the schedule and key personnel for the site visit, including an open meeting, a COR presentation, and a site walkthrough.

This agenda provides crucial information for potential bidders regarding the site visit, which is a key event for understanding the project requirements. It details:

• Meeting Details: Date, time, and location of the site visit.
• Key Personnel: Contact information for the Contracting Officer (CO), Contract Specialist (CS), and Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
• Solicitation Information: Confirms the project is a 100% set-aside for SDVOSB concerns, requires SBA certification, is an Invitation for Bids (IFB) with an estimated magnitude of $10-$20 million, and has a 365-day period of performance.
• Deadlines: Cutoff for technical questions (May 18, 2026) and bid submission deadline (June 3, 2026).
• Submission Instructions: Bids must be submitted electronically, and all amendments must be confirmed.
• Site Visit Conduct: Emphasizes that all technical questions must be submitted in writing, and any verbal communication during the site visit is unofficial. The COR will lead the site walkthrough.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides specifications for various types of conduit, fittings, and boxes required for electrical systems. It details material requirements, installation methods, and compliance standards.

• Conduit: Specifies requirements for rigid galvanized steel, rigid aluminum, rigid intermediate steel conduit (IMC), electrical metallic tubing (EMT), flexible metal conduit, liquid-tight flexible metal conduit, direct burial plastic conduit, and surface metal raceway.
• Conduit Fittings: Details requirements for fittings for rigid steel, intermediate steel conduit, electrical metallic tubing, flexible metal conduit, liquid-tight flexible metal conduit, direct burial plastic conduit, and surface metal raceway.
• Boxes: Specifies requirements for outlet, junction, and pull boxes, including material types (cast metal, nonmetallic), dimensions, and installation methods.
• Firestopping: Requires firestopping for penetrations through fire-rated construction.
• Waterproofing: Requires sealing around conduit penetrations through the building envelope.
• Grounding and Bonding: Outlines requirements for grounding conductors, ground rods, and connections to building steel and busbars.
• Wire Lubricating Compound: Specifies requirements for lubricants used for wire insulation and conduit.
• Fireproofing Tape: Details requirements for tape used on pipe and duct insulation.

This document is crucial for bidders as it outlines the specific materials, installation methods, and standards that must be adhered to for all conduit, fittings, and boxes used in the electrical system. Understanding these requirements is essential for accurate material selection, proper installation, and compliance with safety and building codes, ensuring the integrity and functionality of the electrical system.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document comprises 100% construction documents for the "Att 03 - CD Drawings - MCR Mod - Minneapolis.pdf," detailing modernization and infrastructure upgrades for the Main Computer Room (MCR) at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. It also includes detailed electrical drawings and schedules for the EHRM Infrastructure Upgrades MCR Modernization project.

• Project Scope: Renovation of existing spaces (Building 70, Basement, Main Distribution Area) for the EHRM project, including upgrades to communications cabling, new and redundant site infrastructure, and MCR renovation with new fiber.
• Key Systems: General construction, alterations, and removal of existing structures. Specific systems include new site infrastructure, renovated MCR with new fiber, new fiber optic and CAT 6a telecommunications cable, racks, UPS, power supplies, HVAC, CCTV, fire protection, fire alarm systems, advanced utility monitoring, PACS, and doors.
• Electrical Systems: Detailed electrical plans, one-line diagrams, details, and schedules for power distribution, UPS systems, feeders, panelboards, and luminaires.
• Phasing: The project is divided into three phases to minimize network downtime and coordinate with VA staff.
• Work Hours: All construction is to be performed after-hours, nights, and weekends.
• Infection Control: Detailed ICRA measures are outlined.
• Fire Protection: Includes clean agent fire suppression, fire alarm integration, extinguishers, sprinklers, and fire/smoke dampers.
• Mechanical Systems: Details on new chillers, heat exchangers, and pumps for the chilled water loop.

This document is critical for bidders to understand the full scope of work, technical requirements, and specific installations for the MCR modernization project. It provides comprehensive details on architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and telecommunications aspects. Bidders must review these drawings and specifications to accurately estimate costs, plan their work, and ensure compliance with all specified requirements, including the detailed phasing plan and after-hours work. The electrical drawings are essential for understanding the scope of electrical work, including power distribution and telecommunications infrastructure.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a General Decision for wage rates applicable to Building Construction Projects in Hennepin County, Minnesota. It supersedes a previous decision and provides the prevailing wage rates and fringes for various labor classifications.

• General Decision Number: MN20260053 (effective 01/02/2026)
• Superseded Decision: MN20250053
• Location: Hennepin County, Minnesota
• Construction Type: Building (excluding single-family homes or apartments up to 4 stories).
• Labor Classifications: Lists specific trades and their corresponding hourly rates and fringe benefits (e.g., Electrician, Carpenter, Plumber, various Power Equipment Operators).
• References: Minnesota Rules 5200.1100, 5200.1101, and 5200.1102 for labor classification definitions.
• Executive Orders: Notes applicability of Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (minimum wage rate of $13.30/hour for covered workers in 2025, adjusted annually).

Bidders must use these prevailing wage rates to ensure compliance with labor standards for any construction work performed under this opportunity in Hennepin County, Minnesota. This document is crucial for accurately estimating labor costs in proposals.

Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition

This document justifies the use of other than full and open competition for the procurement of specific construction materials and contractors for the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) Infrastructure Upgrades – Main Computer Room (MCR) Modernization project at the Minneapolis Veteran's Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). The project involves the construction and renovation of data center spaces.

The procurement includes brand-name items for the following categories, for which the VA cannot accept equal or alternate items:

• Security/CCTV: Lenel Materials (Physical Access Control System)

• Spray Applied Fireproofing: CAFCO Blaze Shield II

• Interior Signage: Takeform Fusion

• Fire Alarm Components: Gamewell - Materials

• METASYS Control System: Johnson Controls Incorporated (JCI) - Materials and Software

• The procurement will be a firm-fixed-price contract.

• The estimated magnitude for the entire project is between $10,000,000 and $20,000,000.

• The overall procurement will be competed as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small-Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside.

• This justification will be posted to Federal Business Opportunities with the solicitation.

• The Contracting Officer will determine fair and reasonable pricing prior to award.

• The overall procurement will be competed as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small-Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside.

• The use of brand-name items is critical for standardization, consistency, continuity, and proper functioning with existing systems at the Minneapolis VAMC.

• Market research has been conducted, and all identified brand-name items are compliant with the Buy American Act.

• New components must be able to integrate with existing operational systems, and there are no known competing vendors with compatible programming rights for the proprietary software.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is VAAR 852.219-75, VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting—Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction (JAN 2023)(DEVIATION). It requires offerors to certify their compliance with subcontracting limitations if awarded a contract.

• Services Contracts: The contractor will not pay more than 50% of the amount paid by the government to firms that are not certified SDVOSBs or VOSBs.
• General Construction Contracts: The contractor will not pay more than 85% of the amount paid by the government to firms that are not certified SDVOSBs or VOSBs.
• Special Trade Construction Contractors: The contractor will not pay more than 75% of the amount paid by the government to firms that are not certified SDVOSBs or VOSBs.
• The offeror acknowledges that this certification is subject to penalties for false or fraudulent statements.
• The offeror must provide documentation to demonstrate compliance upon request.
• Required Certification: The formal certification must be completed, signed, and returned with the offeror's bid, quotation, or proposal. Offers that do not provide this certification will be deemed ineligible for evaluation and award.

This is a mandatory certification. Failure to complete and submit this form with your offer will result in your offer being considered ineligible for award. Bidders must understand and agree to the specified subcontracting limitations based on the type of contract (Services, General Construction, or Special Trade Construction) before submitting their proposal.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a presolicitation notice for a design-bid-build construction project at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center (VAMC). The project involves Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) Infrastructure Upgrades. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) anticipates awarding a single firm-fixed-price contract.

The project requires a general contractor to consolidate and renovate existing Data Center Spaces (2B-105 and BH-111) with no network downtime. Key tasks include:

• Lock out/Tag out of energy sources.

• Installation of new IT equipment enclosures and rack power distribution units.

• New power distribution to the MCR and enclosures with cable management.

• Structured cabling and termination of existing campus fiber backbone.

• New redundant MDAs for A/B paths.

• Update data center layout and power distribution.

• Phased transfer of crucial power.

• Installation of UPS A/B.

• Provide additional raised floor shoring/structural supports.

• Provide temporary utilities.

• New core drills, installation/relocation of existing ductwork, and removal of unused legacy ductwork.

• Connect existing IT chilled water loop.

• Renovation of MCR requirements per specifications.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed-price.

• Period of Performance: Approximately 365 calendar days from Notice to Proceed (NTP).

• Magnitude of Construction: Between $10,000,000 and $20,000,000.

• The solicitation will be issued as an Invitation for Bids (IFB) in accordance with FAR part 14.

• Evaluation will be conducted per procedures in the solicitation.

• Solicitation Issue Date: Late April to early May 2026.

• This notice is not a request for competitive offers.

• This will be a total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside.

• Offers from other than SDVOSB concerns will not be considered.

• NAICS Code: 236220 with a size standard of $45.0 million.

• All questions must be submitted in writing via email to Zachary E. Penhollow (zachary.penhollow@va.gov) and Joelle Mascarenas (joelle.mascarenas@va.gov).

• The response date/time/zone is 04-30-2026 13:00 EASTERN TIME, NEW YORK, USA.