F103--HVAC Cooling Towers Testing and Maintenance
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 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Network Contracting Office 21 (NCO 21) has released Solicitation 36C26126Q0576 for HVAC Cooling Towers Testing and Maintenance services for the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS), covering facilities in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Livermore. This Firm-Fixed-Price contract, with an estimated value of $19 Million, includes a base period and four 1-year option periods. While the pre-solicitation notice indicated a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside, the solicitation document clarifies that this acquisition is unrestricted. Offers are due May 19, 2026, at 15:00 PDT.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide comprehensive HVAC cooling tower services, including:
- Weekly testing and chemical balancing for all cooling towers.
- Monthly testing and chemical balancing for heating hot water (HHW), processed chilled water (PCHW), and chilled water (CHW) loops.
- Monthly, quarterly, and annual preventative maintenance for cooling towers.
- Unscheduled/emergency maintenance and repair services for cooling towers and limited maintenance for closed-loop water systems.
- Semi-annual cleaning of cooling towers.
- Compliance with VA, manufacturer, and industry standards for water treatment and maintenance.
- Provision of all necessary labor, parts, materials, tools, and transportation.
Contract Details
- Solicitation Number: 36C26126Q0576
- Estimated Value: $19 Million
- NAICS Code: 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services)
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price
- Period of Performance: Base period (09/01/2026 - 08/31/2027) plus four 1-year option periods.
- Set-Aside: Unrestricted (Note: Pre-solicitation indicated SDVOSBC)
Key Compliance Documents
Bidders must adhere to several VA directives and standards:
- VHA Directive 1061.4 (Amended): Prevention of Health Care-Associated Legionella Disease and Scald Injury from Water Systems.
- SOP 138-21-31: Guidelines for HVAC water treatment of cooling towers at VAPAHCS, including testing and monitoring.
- Engineering Standard ES-2019-001: Mandatory technical design and operational standards for Cooling Water Systems at VHA facilities, emphasizing Legionella prevention.
- Wage Determinations: Specific wage determinations for Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Alameda Counties, California, are provided and must be followed for labor costs.
Submission & Evaluation
- Offer Due Date: May 19, 2026, at 15:00 PDT.
- Submission Method: Electronic via email to Timothy.smith9de3@va.gov.
- Evaluation Factors: Comparative evaluation based on Technical Submission, Past Performance, and Price.
- Key Deadlines:
- Questions due: May 12, 2026, 1:00 PM PST.
- Site Visit RSVP: May 1, 2026.
- Site Visits: May 6 & 7, 2026.
- Eligibility: Offerors must be registered in SAM and have a UEI number. VAAR Clause 852.219-75 (Limitations on Subcontracting) must be completed.