H146--Legionella, Sterile Processing Service and Dental Waterline Testing

Quick Summary

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), specifically the Network Contract Office 12, is soliciting proposals for Legionella, Sterile Processing Service (SPS), and Dental Waterline Testing at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain, MI. This is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside opportunity. Recent amendments have clarified testing procedures and confirmed the submission deadline.

Scope of Work

This solicitation requires comprehensive services for collecting and analyzing water samples. Key requirements include:

• SPS Water Testing: Monthly, quarterly, and annual testing per AAMI ST 108 and VHA Directive 1116. This involves chemistry tests (pH, Conductivity, Alkalinity, Hardness) and bacteria/endotoxin tests (HPC, LAL) for Blended Water Generation Systems, Critical Water Generation Systems, and points-of-use. Reporting is within 7 calendar days of the lab receiving samples. Additional site trips and sample panels for out-of-range results are not required and should not be priced. TOC and Ionic Contaminants are for verification only and not routine testing.
• Legionella Testing: Quarterly sampling and laboratory analysis of 20 potable water samples per quarter, including culture, identification, and enumeration of Legionella species. The laboratory must be CDC ELITE Program certified and have environmental microbiology accreditation. Reporting is within 7 days of receipt of results.
• Dental Water Testing: Quarterly testing of up to 32 dental unit waterlines for heterotrophic water bacteria (≤500 CFU/mL). Method 9215C (spread plate) is acceptable as an equivalent to Method 9215B (pour plate). Duplicate samples are not mandatory, and multiple technicians are permitted for early morning collections. Results are reported within 3 calendar days of receipt of results.
• General Requirements: The contractor must provide all necessary supplies, labor, materials, travel, and equipment. Adherence to VA facility policies, safety regulations, and VHA Directive 1192 (influenza vaccination/masking) is mandatory. Personnel require background checks and identification badges.

Contract Details

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price
• Period of Performance: A base year (May 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027) with four (4) one-year option periods.
• Estimated Value: Approximately $19 Million.
• Set-Aside: This procurement is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside. Only quotes from certified SDVOSBs will be accepted.

Submission & Evaluation

• Quote Submission: Proposals must be submitted via email to Laura.Broacha@va.gov.
• Evaluation Factors: Award will be based on a best value tradeoff, considering Experience, Past Performance, Technical Acceptability (pass/fail), and Price.
• Key Deadlines: The deadline for submitting quotes is April 24, 2026, at 3:00 PM CDT.

Key Updates

• Amendment 0002 clarified several aspects of the Statement of Work (SOW) for Dental Waterline Testing, SPS Testing/Sampling, and Legionella Testing, including acceptable methods, reporting timelines, and what should not be priced (e.g., additional sample panels, TOC/Ionic Contaminants for routine testing). Item 5(a) was removed from the SPS Testing and Sampling Section of the SOW.
• Amendment 0001 extended the deadline for submitting quotes to the current date. Bidders should ensure their proposals reflect all clarifications from Amendment 0002.