F103--Utility Critical Water Testing at Asheville VAMC

Other / Unclassified

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-4369, Revision No. 30, dated May 13, 2026) for the Service Contract Act (SCA). It specifies the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations in the North Carolina counties of Buncombe, Henderson, and Madison.

This wage determination is crucial for any bidder responding to a government contract that falls under the Service Contract Act and is to be performed in the specified geographic area. Bidders must ensure their proposed labor costs align with these minimum wage and fringe benefit requirements to be compliant. Key details include:

• Occupational Wage Rates: Lists specific hourly rates for a wide range of occupations, from administrative support to technical and transportation roles.
• Fringe Benefits: Details Health & Welfare ($5.55/hour or $222.00/week), Health & Welfare EO 13706 ($5.09/hour or $203.60/week), Vacation (2-4 weeks based on service), and Holidays (11 paid holidays).
• Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave): Mandates 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours annually.
• Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage): Sets a minimum wage rate of $13.65 per hour (or the rate on this determination if higher) for contracts awarded between January 1, 2015, and January 29, 2022, applicable from May 11, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
• Hazardous Pay: Specifies differentials for working with ordnance, explosives, and incendiary materials (8% for high hazard, 4% for low hazard).
• Uniform Allowance: Outlines requirements for furnishing and maintaining uniforms, including reimbursement for cleaning costs ($3.35/week) if applicable.
• Conformance Process: Provides guidance on how to classify and determine wage rates for occupations not explicitly listed in the determination using Standard Form 1444 (SF-1444).

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

This Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) outlines the systematic method for evaluating contractor performance for the "Utility Critical Water Testing" contract at the Asheville Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).

The QASP details what will be monitored, how monitoring will occur, who will conduct it, and how results will be documented. It focuses on evaluating the contractor's adherence to the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and specific testing requirements.

• PWS Adherence: Contractor must adhere to all requirements in PWS Section B.3. Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) is 95%. Surveillance method: CO/POC periodic surveillance. Disincentive: Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR) may be issued on first failure.

• Testing Services: Contractor must provide testing services per AAMI TIR34.1:2014/®2017. AQL is 95%. Surveillance method: CO/POC observation and audit. Disincentive: CDR may be issued on first failure.

• Reporting Requirements: Contractor must comply with reporting requirements in Paragraph B.3, 3 and adhere to the testing schedule. AQL is 100%. Surveillance method: CO/POC observation and audit. Disincentive: CDR may be issued on first substantiated failure.

• Place of Performance: Asheville Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Asheville, NC.

• Period of Performance: Not explicitly stated in this document, but implied to be ongoing.

• Government Roles: Contracting Officer (CO) Harold L. McQuillia, Jr. is responsible for overall contract compliance. Point of Contact (POC) is TBD and responsible for technical administration and surveillance.

• Contractor Roles: Program Manager is TBD.

• Incentives/Disincentives: Favorable performance evaluations serve as incentives. Unfavorable performance will be documented as disincentives, potentially leading to corrective action or termination.

• Documentation: Contract Discrepancy Reports (CDRs) will be issued for unacceptable performance. Monthly performance assessment meetings will be held with the contractor.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for Utility Critical Water Testing services for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Asheville VAMC. The primary goal is to ensure water quality compliance with established standards.

• Performance of Utility and Critical Water quality testing in accordance with AAMI TIR34.1:2014(R)2017.

• Testing includes but is not limited to Bacteria, TOC, pH, Resistivity, Color & Turbidity, Temperature, Hardness, and Ionic Contaminants.

• Specific annual testing quantities are detailed for the base year and four option years.

• Testing must adhere to specified frequencies, locations, and responsible party designations.

• Emergency testing services are required, with a 5-business day completion time upon COR request.

• Reports must be submitted monthly using the contractor's standard format and Attachment A, including remediation recommendations.

• Chain-of-custody documentation is required for external lab samples.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price.

• Period of Performance: One Base Year with four (4) one-year options.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but Block 9 indicates $25.5 Million.

• Quotes are due by 10:00 AM EST on June 25, 2026, submitted via email to Kristine Woodbury.

• Quotes must include: Quote Form (SF 1449), Pricing, Representations and Certifications, Technical/Management Approach, and Past Performance.

• Evaluation Factors: Technical/Management Approach, Past Performance, and Price.

• Technical questions are due by 10:00 AM EST on June 22, 2026, to Natasha Leahy.

• This acquisition is UNRESTRICTED.

• Offerors MUST be a verified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) vendor at the time of quote submittal.

• Offerors must be registered and current in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• Offerors must submit a completed and signed copy of VAAR 852.219-75 (Limitations on Subcontracting).

• The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses by reference, including FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4, and 52.212-5.

• Background investigations (Special Agency Check - SAC) are required for contractor employees.

• No tobacco or vapor usage is allowed on VA premises.

• Records management compliance is mandatory.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a pre-solicitation notice for Utility Critical Water Testing Services at the Asheville VAMC. The solicitation (36C24626Q0660) is expected to be issued around June 17, 2026. The Department of Veterans Affairs requires comprehensive testing and reporting for utility and critical water systems.

• Perform Utility Critical Water Testing, including all labor and materials.

• Testing and reporting services must comply with AAMI TIR34.1:2014/(R)2017 standards.

• Specific tests required for critical water (reverse osmosis) include:

  • Bacterial (monthly)
  • Endotoxin (annually)
  • Total Organic Carbon (monthly)
  • pH (meter) (monthly)
  • Water Hardness (ppm CaCO3) (annually)
  • Ionic Contaminants (annually)

• NAICS Code: 541330 (Engineering Services)

• Size Standard: $26 Million

• Place of Performance: Asheville VAMC, 1100 Tunnel Rd., Asheville, NC 28805, USA

• Response Date/Time/Zone: June 25, 2026, 10:00 AM Eastern Time, New York, USA.

• Contracting Office Address: Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 6, 100 Emancipation Drive, Hampton VA 23667.

• Point of Contact: Kristine Woodbury, Contract Specialist, kristine.woodbury@va.gov, 757-728-3449.

• Correspondence: All correspondence and responses must be via email to kristine.woodbury@va.gov. Telephone requests will not be accepted.

• Set-Aside: SDVOSBC (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business)

• Offerors are responsible for downloading all documents, including amendments, from the Contract Opportunities website.

• This notice is a pre-solicitation and not a request for proposals or quotes.