VISN 6 Legionella Testing

Combined Synopsis-Solicitation for Commercial Products and Commercial Services Effective Date: 01/15/2026 Revision: 03 Description This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products and commercial services prepared in accordance with the format Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 12.202, Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Products and Commercial Services, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested, and a written solicitation document will not be issued. This solicitation is issued as an RFQ. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2026-01 This solicitation is set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 541380, Testing Laboratory and Services with a small business size standard of 19.0M. The FSC/PSC is Q301, Medical Laboratory Testing. The VA Medical Center, VISN 6 facilities (Fayetteville NC, Durham NC, Salisbury NC, Salem VA, Richmond VA, Hampton VA, Asheville NC) is seeking Legionella Testing Services. All interested companies shall provide quotations for the following: The purchase order/contract period of performance Base Year is from October 1, 2026 September 30, 2027, plus 4 Option Years. The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far. The following solicitation provisions and clause apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial Products and Commercial Services See Attachment Instructions to Offerors All quoters shall submit the following: Offers shall be based on requirements contained in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Quotes shall include: Offer Form (Standard Form 1449) Original Signature and Date, Contract Administration Data; UEI Number; Acknowledgement of Solicitation Amendments A completed price/cost schedule and attachments addressing all Contract Line Items Numbers (CLINSs). 2) System for Award Management (SAM): Federal Acquisition Regulations require that federal contractors register in the SAM database at http://www.sam.gov and enter all mandatory information into the system. Award cannot be made until the contractor has registered. Offerors are encouraged to ensure that they are registered in SAM prior to submitting their quotation. All Offerors shall be a verified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) vendor at time of quote submission and prior to receiving award. To be considered a SDVOSB, the company must be listed as verified in the VetBiz Vendor Information Pages (VIP) https://www.vetbiz.va.gov/ a. Amendments: Amendments to this solicitation will be posted on https://sam.gov/ Paper copies of the amendments will NOT be individually mailed. By registering to receive notifications on https://sam.gov/ Contract Opportunities, offerors will be notified by email of any new amendments that have been issued. No other notification of amendments will be provided. Potential Offerors are advised that they are responsible for obtaining and acknowledging any amendments to the solicitation. FAILURE to acknowledge an amendment may result in your offer being considered unacceptable. QUOTE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS: Quote Preparation Costs: The Contracting Officer is the only individual legally authorized to commit the Government to the expenditure of public funds in connection with this procurement. The solicitation does not commit the Government to pay any costs for the preparation and submission of a quote in response to this solicitation. Quote Format: The submission shall be clearly indexed and logically assembled. Each section shall be clearly identified and shall begin at the top of a page. All pages of each section shall be appropriately numbered and identified by the complete company name, date, and solicitation number in the header and/or footer. Refer to Table 1 below. Price Submission: Submit Original Quote Price submission shall be submitted and labeled in accordance with Section E. 1, Paragraph (a) (1). Alternate price schedules will not be considered. Total Price will be evaluated including all options. Technical Quote: Offerors shall submit a quote that addresses all aspects of the PWS. The technical quote should be submitted in a format which clearly addresses the evaluation factors. Offeror shall identify any subcontractors proposed under this solicitation. All technical elements applicable to the utilization of subcontractors must be addressed in the technical quote and detail provided. The technical quote should be as detailed as necessary to fully explain the proposed methods and rationale; it should reflect a clear understanding of the nature of the work being undertaken. The Technical Volume shall not exceed twenty-five (25) pages in length (minimum 12-point font and no less than 1 2 inch margins). Page limitation includes drawings, charts, images, etc., and excludes section dividers, table of contents, glossary of terms, cross-referencing indices, and resumes. If more than 25 pages (not counting excluded pages) are submitted, only the first 25 pages will be considered. Past Performance Information: Only references for same or similar contracts are desired. Quality and Satisfaction Ratings for ongoing and completed Contracts in the Past Three Years: Provide any information currently available (letters, metrics, customer surveys, independent surveys, etc.) which demonstrates customer satisfaction with overall job performance and quality of completed product for the same or similar type of contract. In addition, explain corrective actions taken in the past, if any, for substandard performance and any current performance problems. Performance Surveys: The government will evaluate the quality and extent of offeror s performance, which is deemed relevant to the requirements of this solicitation. Identify all federal, state, and local government contracts as well as any private/commercial contracts of similar scope, size, complexity that are ongoing or have been completed within the last three (3) years. List the following information for each contract: Company Name and Address Description of Services Performed Name, Telephone Number and Email Address of Responsible individuals who have first-hand knowledge of performance relative to similar type of services Contract Number Dates of Contract Performance Contract Type (e.g. fixed price, cost reimbursable) and total contract value Provide all past performance information requested in the Past Performance award factor (See award Basis). All offerors shall submit the following: Table 1 Section Number Evaluation Factor File Name Page Limitation (if any) Section I Technical Tech.pdf 25 pages Section II Past Performance Reference for (Offeror Name).pdf Section III Price Schedule.pdf *Note page limitations: A Cover Page, Table of Contents, resumes and/or a glossary of abbreviations or acronyms will not be included in the page count of the Technical Section. However, be advised that all information contained within any Table of Contents and/or glossary of abbreviations or acronyms submitted with an Offeror s Quote will not be evaluated by the Government. All quotes shall be sent to the Contract Specialist, Krisanne Dernago at Krisanne.Dernago@va.gov Award will be based upon a comparative evaluation of quotes in accordance with the Simplified Acquisition Procedures of RFO FAR 12. Award shall be made to the responsible offeror whose quote, conforming to the requirements in this request for quote, will be most advantageous to the Government. This is a competitive selection and Technical and Past Performance when combined is significantly more important than Price. By submission of its quote, the offeror accedes to all solicitation requirements, including terms and conditions, representations and certifications, and technical requirements, in addition to those identified as evaluation factors. Failure to meet a requirement may result in a quote being ineligible for award. Offerors must clearly identify any exception to the solicitation terms and conditions and provide complete accompanying rationale. Options will be evaluated at time of award FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Products and Commercial Services: In accordance with RFO FAR 12.201-1 and FAR 12.201-2 when appropriate, the contracting officer may (1) Insert the provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, in solicitations for commercial products or commercial services. The following are the decision factors: Technical/Management Approach I: Provide/ submit a detailed technical and management approach for completing all requirements of the PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS). This comprises of management and operation (safety procedures, staff training plans etc.) to include start up time needed between notice of award and start of service. II: Capability to Perform - Offeror must demonstrate that it currently possesses or have the ability to obtain the personnel, equipment, standards, work processes, and general resources to accomplish the requirements of the Performance Work Statement. Contractor shall provide a list of personnel the firm will utilized to achieve Water management and testing for Legionella contract services. III: Report documentation- Demonstrated expertise and experience in developing Water Management Programs that address both cost and safety issues in potable and utility water. Contractor shall provide a sample water safety management plan. IV: Provide documentation of test results and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) program validation and verification data from at least 20 current customers to demonstrate features and company capabilities. Provide two sample reports of testing results similar to the scope of the work described in the PWS. V: Licenses/Permits/Certifications - Project Managers possess a bachelor s degree or higher in science or engineering and are certified HACCP Managers. These qualifications and certifications demonstrate expertise in developing legally defensible water safety programs. Contractor shall provide Bachelor or higher academic Degree Diploma in science or engineering with HACCP Manager s certification. VI: Lab for Legionella testing that is certified by the CDC Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) Program and has experience in culturing Legionella from environmental water samples and be accredited in environmental microbiological testing and provide certification of accreditation. The lab must provide culture methods for identification of Legionella and must be capable of detecting, at a minimum, 1 colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml). Identify what lab you will be utilizing for Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation verification. The Technical/ Management Approach rating shall be conducted using the adjectival Ratings scheme below in accordance with Table 2. Table 2-Technical Ratings Rating Definition Excellent Offeror demonstrates excellent understanding of the requirements and an approach that significantly exceeds performance or capability standards and will significantly benefit the Government. Good Offeror demonstrates good understanding of the requirements and has an approach that exceeds performance or capability standards and will benefit the Government. Satisfactory Offeror demonstrates acceptable understanding of the requirements and has an approach that meets performance or capability standards. Acceptable solution but has no extra benefits to the Government. Unacceptable Offeror fails to meet performance or capability standards. Requirements can only be met with major changes to the entire proposal. PAST PERFORMANCE: Using the Past Performance Questionnaires, the CO shall seek relevant past performance information on each offeror based on: (1) the references provided by the offeror and (2) data independently obtained from other government and commercial sources. Relevant past performance includes performance of efforts involving Water Management Plan Monitoring/ Legionella Testing Services that are similar or greater in scope, magnitude and complexity to the effort described in this solicitation. The government reserves the right to seek information on higher priced offerors if none of the lower priced offerors receive a Substantial Confidence performance assessment rating. The purpose of the past performance evaluation is to allow the government to assess the offeror s ability to perform the effort described in the solicitation, based on the offeror s demonstrated present and past performance. Past performance evaluated will be the past performance of the prime contractor (Company submitting the quote). The assessment process will result in an overall performance confidence assessment rating of Substantial Confidence, Satisfactory Confidence, Limited Confidence, No Confidence, or Unknown Confidence as defined in Table 3 below. Past performance regarding predecessor companies, key personnel who have relevant experience, or sub-contractors that will perform major or critical aspects of the requirement will not be considered as highly as past performance information for the principal offeror. Offerors with no relevant past or present performance history or the offeror s performance record is so limited that no confidence assessment rating can be reasonably assigned shall receive the rating Unknown Confidence , meaning the rating is treated neither favorably nor unfavorably. Offeror s who are considering Teaming Agreements, both companies shall be verified SDVOSBs. The offeror shall provide evidence demonstrating a minimum of 3 years of experience performing Water Management Plan Monitoring/ Legionella Testing Services that are similar or greater in scope, magnitude and complexity to the effort described in this solicitation. In evaluating past performance, the government reserves the right to give greater consideration to information on those contracts deemed most relevant to the effort described in this solicitation. Offerors are cautioned to submit sufficient information and, in the format, specified in the technical quote preparation instructions to permit a meaningful assessment of past performance. Offerors may be asked to clarify certain aspects of their technical quote or respond to adverse past performance information to which the offeror has not previously had an opportunity to respond. Adverse past performance is defined as past performance information that supports a less than satisfactory rating on any evaluation element or any unfavorable comments received from sources without a formal rating system. The Following will be used to rate the past performance of each offeror: Table 3-Past Performance Rating Definition Substantial Confidence Based on the offeror s performance record, the government has a HIGH EXPECTATION that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort. Satisfactory Confidence Based on the offeror s performance record, the government has an EXPECTATION that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort Limited Confidence Based on the offeror s performance record, the government has a LOW EXPECTATION that the offeror will successfully perform the required effort No Confidence Based on the offeror s performance record, the government has NO EXPECTATION that the offeror will be able to successfully perform the required effort. Unknown Confidence No performance record is identifiable, or the offeror s performance record is so limited that NO CONFIDENCE ASSESSMENT rating can be reasonably assigned PRICE: a. Offerors prices shall be submitted in accordance with the Price/Cost Schedule comprised within Section B of the solicitation document. Total price will be evaluated by the Government. In evaluating the offeror s proposed price for this service, the government concern includes determining price reasonableness. b. Options Options The Government will evaluate quotes for evaluation purposes by adding total price for all options to the base year of the performance period. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). c. The government will evaluate prices for the option under FAR 52.217-8 by using the last year s option prices to calculate the price for six months of effort and adding that amount to the base and other option years to arrive at the total. www.sam.gov registration is required to be complete at time of submission of response. Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) website located at https://sam.gov/. Award cannot be made until the contractor has registered. Offerors are encouraged to ensure that they are registered in SAM prior to submitting their quotation. Paper copies of amendments will NOT be individually mailed. By registering to receive notifications on https://sam.gov/ Contract Opportunities, offerors will be notified by email of any new amendments that have been issued. No other notification of amendments will be provided. Potential Offerors are advised that they are responsible for obtaining and acknowledging any amendments to the solicitation. FAILURE to acknowledge an amendment may result in your offer being considered unacceptable FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Products and Commercial Services November 2023 ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-4 TERMS AND CONDITIONS COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES (OCT 2025) (DEVIATION) To facilitate the award process, all quotes must include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows: "The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition." OR "The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:" Quoters shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s), if any. Submission of your response shall be received not later than July 23, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST at Krisanne.Dernago@va.gov Facsimile are not authorized under this announcement. TECHNICAL QUESTIONS Offerors shall submit all technical questions regarding this solicitation to the Contract Specialist in writing, via email, to Krisanne Dernago at Krisanne.Dernago@va.gov on or before 2:00 PM EST July 16, 2026. Address Subject Line: Water Management Plan Monitoring/ Legionella Services, 36C24626Q0491 Telephonic (verbal) questions Will Not be addressed. All responses to questions which may affect quotes, will be incorporated into a written amendment to the solicitation. Amendments to this solicitation will be posted on https://sam.gov/ Contracting Opportunities. Paper copies of the amendments will NOT be individually mailed. By registering to receive notifications on https://sam.gov/ Contracting Opportunities, offerors will be notified by email of any new amendments that have been issued. No other notification of amendments will be provided. Potential Offerors are advised that they are responsible for obtaining and acknowledging any amendments to the solicitation. Failure to acknowledge an amendment may result in your quote being considered unacceptable. DUE DATES Technical Questions shall be submitted on or before July 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST. All quotes shall be submitted by 10:00 AM EST July 23, 2026 via email to Krisanne Dernago at Krisanne.Dernago@va.gov Address Subject Line: Water Management Plan Monitoring/ Legionella Services, 36C24626Q0491. Facsimile are not authorized under this announcement Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(c)(2). Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to the Point of Contact listed below. Point of Contact Krisanne Dernago, Contract Specialist, Krisanne.Dernago@va.gov