F103-- Well Network Water Testing Service Contract

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to solicitation 36C24626Q0490 provides answers to vendor questions and clarifies VAAR Clause 852.204-72.

Key points include:

• Answers to vendor questions regarding sampling and testing services.

• Clarification that VAAR Clause 852.204-72 does not need to be completed or returned with the quote.

• Vendor Questions & Answers section.

• VAAR Clause 852.204-72.

• No changes to proposal deadlines or submission rules are indicated.

• Bidders should review the provided Q&A for clarity on requirements.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (2015-4369, Revision 29) applicable to the North Carolina counties of Buncombe, Henderson, and Madison. It lists various occupational classifications and their corresponding minimum hourly wage rates and fringe benefits required under the Service Contract Act (SCA).

This wage determination is crucial for any bidder responding to an opportunity that requires services subject to the Service Contract Act within the specified geographic area. Bidders must ensure their proposed labor rates meet or exceed the minimums listed for each occupation they intend to use. Key information includes:

• Occupational Wage Rates: A comprehensive list of job titles with their minimum hourly pay.
• Fringe Benefits: Details on Health & Welfare benefits ($5.55/hour or $222.00/week), and specific provisions for EO 13706 ($5.09/hour).
• Vacation and Holidays: Specifies paid vacation accrual (2 weeks after 1 year, 3 weeks after 8 years, 4 weeks after 20 years) and a minimum of eleven paid holidays per year.
• Executive Order Applicability: Notes on EO 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and EO 13658 (Minimum Wage) and their impact on contractor obligations.
• Conformance Process: Instructions for requesting authorization for additional classifications and wage rates not listed in the determination using Standard Form 1444 (SF-1444).
• Hazardous Pay: Information on hazardous pay differentials (8% or 4%) for work involving ordnance, explosives, and incendiary materials.
• Uniform Allowance: Guidance on contractor responsibility for uniform costs and maintenance.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for Emergency Well Network Water Testing Services for the Asheville VAMC. The service is required to ensure the water supply from the emergency backup well system is potable and ready for immediate use.

• Provide monthly water testing services for the emergency backup well network.

• Test for quantified presence of Total Coliform, E.coli, Lead, Nitrates, Nitrites, pH, Total Iron, Phosphorous, Copper, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Alkalinity, Turbidity, Total Chlorine, Free Chlorine, Total Hardness, Ferrous, and Ferric materials.

• Deliver test results digitally to the COR within 5 business days of testing.

• Coordinate testing dates/days with the Government.

• Provide all necessary labor, materials, tools, and equipment.

• Comply with VAAR Clause 852.204-72 Personnel Vetting and Credentialing.

• Contract Type: Base plus 4 Option Years.

• Period of Performance: April 20, 2026, to April 19, 2031.

• NAICS Code: 541380 - Testing Laboratories and Services.

• Product/Service Code: F103 - Environmental Systems, Protection - Water Quality Support.

• Questions due by April 7, 2026, at 1:00 PM EDT. Responses will be provided via amendment.

• No phone calls will be accepted.

• Offers must include completed VAAR Clause 852.204-72.

• Evaluation factors include Technical Approach, Past Performance, and Price. Technical and Past Performance are combined and equal to Price.

• This acquisition is set aside for Small Business (Unrestricted).

• The document includes numerous FAR and VAAR clauses related to contract terms, conditions, payment, performance, and security requirements.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a pre-solicitation notice for a requirement by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Asheville VAMC, Asheville, NC. The VA requires a contract for Water Testing Services.

The contract will cover Water Testing Services. Further details on specific requirements will be provided in the upcoming solicitation.

The contract will be structured as a Base period plus 4 Option Years.

• The solicitation (36C24626Q0490) is expected to be issued on or about April 2, 2026.
• The response date is April 10, 2026, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, New York, USA.
• All correspondence and responses must be submitted via email to zanona.pickett@va.gov.
• Telephone requests for information or questions will not be accepted.
• Offerors are responsible for downloading all documents, including amendments, from the SAM.gov Contracting Opportunities website.

This acquisition is a Full and Open Competition.

• Applicable NAICS Code: 541380
• Size Standard: $19 Million
• Contracting Office ZIP Code: 23667
• Place of Performance: Asheville VAMC, 1100 Tunnel Blvd, Asheville, NC 28805, USA.
• Point of Contact: Zanone Pickett, Contract Officer (zanona.pickett@va.gov).