Building Automation System Maintenance

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued as a Request for Quotations (RFQ). The National Center for Applied Plant Protection (NCAPP) in Laurel, Maryland, requires services for their Building Automation System (BAS). The BAS is critical for maintaining quarantine integrity in BSL-2 and BSL-3 facilities housing plant diagnostic testing and select agents. The system is a blend of Distech Controls and American Auto-Matrix, experiencing stability and sensor issues. The contract will likely consist of a base year and two option years.

• Service, system review, checkout, and system-wide backup for the existing Distech Controls and American Auto-Matrix BAS.

• Address control sequence, temperature/operational stability problems, intermittent sensor reading fluctuations, and loss of control/program settings.

• Ensure 24/7 operation to prevent failures that could affect the pathogen testing program and containment.

• Any new or replacement components for the BAS must be Distech Controls.

• Services must be performed by a trained and certified controls specialist in both Auto-Matrix and Distech Controls.

• The controls specialist must pass a Security Risk Assessment and complete Select Agent training.

• Anticipated contract type: Base year with two option years.

• Location of performance: USDA-APHIS-PPQ-RMS, Building 580, Powder Mill Road, Laurel, MD 20705.

• Submission Deadline: April 8, 2026, at noon CT.

• Submission Package: Complete Price Schedule, demonstration of relevant experience, and past performance information.

• Submission Email: james.g.roloff@usda.gov

• Evaluation Criteria: Lowest price, technically acceptable approach. Only the lowest priced quote will be evaluated for technical acceptability. If not acceptable, the next lowest priced quote will be evaluated, and so on.

• Award Basis: Best value to the Government through the lowest price, technically acceptable quote with acceptable or neutral past performance.

• Negotiations: The USDA intends to award without negotiations; omissions may lead to technical unacceptability.

• This acquisition is open to all responsible small businesses.

• The applicable NAICS code and small business size standard are not specified in the provided text.

• Attached documents include: 1 – Price Schedule, 2 – Statement of Work, 3 – Wage Determination (Prince George’s County, 2015-4281).

• Quotes must demonstrate compliance with solicitation requirements and allow for meaningful government review.

• FAR and AGAR clauses are incorporated by reference; full text available electronically at acquisition.gov.

• Information regarding agency protests and the USDA Ombudsman Program is provided.

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

To provide service, system review, checkout, and system-wide backup for the National Center for Applied Plant Protection's (NCAPP) Building Automation System (BAS), which is critical for maintaining quarantine integrity and containment of BSL-3AG agricultural plant pathogens and Select Agents.

• Furnish 960 contractor hours for a factory-authorized Distech Controls and American Auto-Matrix (AAM) automated temperature controls (ATC) technician.

• Inspect, test, conduct system-wide backup, and perform maintenance on the existing Distech Controls and AAM BAS.

• Ensure continued and safe operation of HVAC systems for the High Security Greenhouse, quarantine greenhouse, laboratories, and support facilities.

• Provide critical spare proprietary Distech Controls and AAM controller parts.

• Perform weekly tasks including alarm investigation, HVAC equipment operation checks, seasonal changeover adjustments, logging all system changes, evaluating trend data, preventative maintenance on control system components, inspecting and testing controllers, replacing/upgrading components and firmware, adding points/equipment control, updating BAS computers, and making program backups.

• Evaluate high security greenhouse controls performance, update control panel layouts/sequences/programs, verify control panel points, and calibrate sensors/transducers/gauges.

• Disconnect and reconnect alarm points for laboratory equipment during moves.

• Work to be performed during normal working hours (6:00 am - 3:30 pm), with a minimum of two days (16 hours) per week and approximately 80 hours per month.

• 50 additional Overtime (OT) hours are available for after-hour/weekend emergency repairs, with priority response 24/7.

• All work schedules and assignments require approval by NCAPP's Facility Manager.

• All controllers must be inspected at least once by the end of the service contract.

• Place of Performance: National Center for Applied Plant Protection, Building 580, 9901 Powder Mill Road, Laurel, MD 50708.

• Start Date: TBD.

• Contractor must be factory-authorized and certified in both Auto-Matrix and Distech Controls.

• Any new or replacement components must be American Auto-Matrix or Distech Controls.

• The controls specialist must pass a Security Risk Assessment and complete Select Agent training.

• Site-specific working knowledge of the 176-unit system controllers/programs is required.

• Contractor must comply with agency personal identity verification procedures (HSPD-12).

• Tools and testing equipment will be provided by the contractor.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Price Schedule for the opportunity. Bidders should use this to provide their pricing for the services and materials required.

• Base Year Pricing:
  • Item 0001: 960 HR for Technician to inspect, test, and conduct system-wide backup on automation system at NCAPP per SOW.
  • Item 0002: 50 HR for After-hour & emergency repair work.
  • Item 0003: Not to Exceed $24,000 for specialized Distech or American Auto Matrix controllers.
• Option Year One Pricing:
  • Item 0004: 960 HR for Technician to inspect, test, and conduct system-wide backup on automation system at NCAPP per SOW.
  • Item 0005: 50 HR for After-hour & emergency repair work.
  • Item 0006: Not to Exceed $24,000 for specialized Distech or American Auto Matrix controllers.
• Option Year Two Pricing:
  • Item 0007: 960 HR for Technician to inspect, test, and conduct system-wide backup on automation system at NCAPP per SOW.
  • Item 0008: 50 HR for After-hour & emergency repair work.
  • Item 0009: Not to Exceed $24,000 for specialized Distech or American Auto Matrix controllers.

Bidders must complete the 'Unit Price' and 'Amount' fields for each item to submit a complete proposal. This schedule directly impacts the total contract value and evaluation of pricing.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Wage Determination issued under the Service Contract Act (SCA). It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits that must be paid to various occupations performing work on covered federal contracts within specific geographic areas. This includes the District of Columbia, certain counties in Maryland (Charles, Prince George's), and certain counties in Virginia.

• Occupational Listing: Provides a comprehensive list of job classifications with corresponding minimum hourly wage rates.
• Fringe Benefits: Details required fringe benefits, including Health & Welfare rates, and provisions for paid sick leave (EO 13706), and minimum wage rates under EO 13658.
• Vacation and Holidays: Outlines requirements for paid vacation and holidays based on years of service.
• Footnotes: Provides specific guidance for certain occupations, such as computer employees (exemptions) and air traffic controllers/weather observers (night/Sunday pay).
• Hazardous Pay Differential: Specifies additional pay for work involving ordnance, explosives, and incendiary materials.
• Uniform Allowance: Details requirements for furnishing and maintaining uniforms.
• Conformance Process (SF-1444): Explains the procedure for classifying and determining wages for occupations not listed in the determination.

Bidders must use this wage determination to accurately calculate labor costs for their proposals. Failure to comply with the specified minimum wages and fringe benefits can lead to non-compliance with the Service Contract Act. The document is crucial for understanding the labor cost implications of the opportunity and ensuring competitive and compliant bids.