H345--F26 - NJHCS Backflow Preventers Testing and Inspection Services B+4OPT

Amendment / Modification

This amendment to Solicitation No. 36C24226Q0312 provides answers to questions submitted by potential offerors.

• Statement of Work, Section 4 (Contractor Certification Requirement): Clarifies that while a plumbing license is not required in New Jersey for backflow testing and repair, a certification from the NJDEP is mandatory. The original SOW stated certified plumbers with cross-connection control testing licenses were required. This amendment specifies NJDEP certification is sufficient.

• Evaluation Factors, Factor 4 (Certifications): No change. Offerors must still provide documentation of required certifications for all personnel at the time of offer submission. Offers without certifications will be considered nonresponsive.

• Service Frequency: Clarifies that two units in the Lyons Wastewater Plant require quarterly services, while all other units at Lyons and East Orange require annual services.

• The response due date is NOT extended. Offers are still due on 2/27/2026 at 10:00 AM ET.

• Offerors must provide documentation of required certifications with their offer submission.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) for a contract related to Backflow Preventer Maintenance and Inspections at the VA New Jersey Healthcare System. It outlines the government's method for monitoring and evaluating contractor performance.

This QASP details how the contractor's performance will be monitored and evaluated. Key aspects include:

• Objective: To ensure continuous operation of Backflow Preventer equipment through preventive and corrective maintenance and repairs.
• Government Roles: Defines responsibilities for the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and Contracting Officer (CO).
• Performance Indicators: Lists four key performance indicators: Quality of Service, Schedule Adherence, Management of Key Employees, and Prompt/Accurate Invoicing. Each indicator has performance standards, acceptable quality levels (AQL), methods of surveillance, and potential incentives/disincentives.
• Performance Standards & AQL: Specifies requirements such as meeting or exceeding SOW requirements, performing services during normal business hours, maintaining employee qualifications, and submitting accurate invoices.
• Surveillance Methods: Includes direct observation and periodic inspections.
• Ratings: Defines performance ratings from Exceptional to Unsatisfactory, based on meeting contractual requirements and the effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Documentation: Outlines procedures for documenting acceptable and unacceptable performance, including the use of Contract Discrepancy Reports (CDRs) and Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS).
• Appendices: Includes templates for Performance Reports and Contract Discrepancy Reports.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for a Firm-Fixed-Price service contract for backflow preventer inspection and maintenance services for the VA New Jersey Healthcare System (East Orange and Lyons Campuses). The services are required to meet annual and quarterly testing and inspection requirements for backflow preventers used in fire sprinkler systems, domestic water connections, and wastewater treatment plants.

• Provide all necessary labor and materials for repairs, testing, and calibrations of backflow preventers.

• Perform annual and quarterly testing and inspections meeting NFPA and NJDEP N.J.A.C 7:10-10.9(a)(1) Appendix A standards.

• Provide formal documentation and certification tags for all tested devices.

• Upload required testing results to the NJDEP website.

• Provide pricing for necessary repairs, subject to COR and CO approval.

• Contractor employees must be certified plumbers licensed in New Jersey for backflow testing.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price

• Period of Performance: One 12-month base year with four (4) 12-month option years.

• Estimated Base POP: 03/06/2026 – 03/05/2027

• Total contract duration including options: Up to five (5) years and six (6) months.

• Estimated Value: $19 Million (for the acquisition, not necessarily the contract ceiling).

• Offers are due by February 27, 2026, 10:00 AM ET, submitted via email to Tiffany.Vazquez-Simon@va.gov.

• Questions are due by February 17, 2026, 12:00 PM ET, via email to Tiffany.Vazquez-Simon@va.gov.

• Evaluation will be based on four factors: Technical Capability, Past Performance, Price, and Supplementary Documents/Requirements. Technical Capability and Past Performance are considered equally important and, when combined, are approximately equal to Price.

• Proposals must be submitted in four volumes: Technical Capability, Past Performance, Price, and Supplementary Documents/Requirements.

• This acquisition is a 100% Total Small Business set-aside.

• Offerors must have NAICS Code 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors) with a size standard of $19 Million.

• Offerors must have current registration in SAM and be listed as a verified small business on the VA's Veteran Small Business Certification.

• Questions are only accepted from SDVOSB businesses.

• Site visits are scheduled for East Orange on 2/19/2026 and Lyons on 2/20/2026. See attachment for details.

• Several attachments are referenced, including Site Visit Information, NJ Backflow Inventory, Wage Determinations, Past Performance Questionnaire, and Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Questionnaire designed for official use only. It is intended to gather feedback on a contractor's performance for a specific contract or order, which will be used to determine relevancy and recency for future proposals.

• Contractor Information: Name, Address, Point of Contact.
• Contract Information: Contract Number, Type, Award Date, Period of Performance, Total Dollar Amount, and a description of the Scope of Services performed.
• Performance Ratings: Sections for Quality of Service, Timeliness of Performance, Business Relations, and Management of Key Personnel, each with specific criteria to be rated on a scale (Exceptional, Very Good, Satisfactory, Neutral, Marginal, Unsatisfactory).
• Remarks: A section for detailed comments on the contractor's overall performance and a recommendation for future requirements.
• Respondent Information: Printed Name, Title, Signature, and Phone Number of the individual completing the questionnaire.

This questionnaire is crucial for bidders as it directly impacts the evaluation of their past performance. The responses provided by evaluators will inform the government's assessment of a bidder's ability to successfully perform similar requirements in the future. Bidders should be aware that failure to provide complete and accurate information for this questionnaire may render their proposal unresponsive.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a "REGISTER OF WAGE DETERMINATIONS UNDER THE SERVICE CONTRACT ACT" from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division. It lists various occupational codes and titles along with their corresponding minimum hourly wage rates and fringe benefits for specific geographic areas. This particular determination is for "New Jersey Counties of Essex, Morris, Sussex, Union."

This document is crucial for any bidder responding to a Service Contract Act (SCA) covered contract. It provides the legally mandated minimum wage rates and fringe benefits that must be paid to employees performing work under such a contract within the specified geographic area. Bidders must use these rates when calculating their labor costs for proposals to ensure compliance with federal regulations. The document also outlines general benefits such as paid sick leave, vacation, and holidays, as well as specific notes regarding Executive Orders and the process for requesting additional classifications if a required occupation is not listed.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Wage Determination" issued under the Service Contract Act. It lists the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations performing work on federal contracts in specific geographic areas. This document is crucial for contractors to understand their labor cost obligations.

• Wage Rates: Lists specific hourly wage rates for a wide range of occupations, categorized by occupational groups (e.g., Administrative Support, Automotive Service, Health Occupations, Information Technology).
• Fringe Benefits: Details required fringe benefits, including Health & Welfare rates and Paid Sick Leave provisions (EO 13706).
• Vacation and Holidays: Outlines requirements for paid vacation time based on years of service and a minimum of twelve paid holidays per year.
• Footnotes and Notes: Provides important clarifications, including applicability of Executive Orders (EO 13706 and EO 13658), definitions for exempt computer professionals, hazardous pay differentials, and uniform allowance requirements.
• Conformance Process: Explains the procedure for contractors to request authorization for additional classifications and wage rates not listed in the determination.

Bidders must review this document to accurately estimate labor costs for their proposals. Failure to comply with these wage and benefit requirements can lead to contract non-compliance and penalties. It helps determine the minimum compensation to be offered to employees performing work under the contract.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document appears to be an inventory list of backflow prevention devices and related equipment at various locations, likely for a facilities maintenance or replacement contract. It details specific devices by building, manufacturer, size, model number, and serial number.

• East Orange Inventory: Lists backflow preventers and sprinklers with details like manufacturer (Ames, Watts), size, model, and serial numbers.
• Lyons Inventory Domestic: Details backflow preventers and other water system components at the Chiller Plant, with manufacturer (Watts, Wilkins, Apollo), size, model, and serial numbers. Includes a note about a "RPZ Backflow preventer on tag?" and an "Unknown" unit.
• Lyons Wastewater Plant: Lists backflow preventers in the sewer plant, including manufacturer (Watts), size, model, and serial numbers, with a comment indicating "Sewer plant downstairs front unit" and "back unit."

This inventory provides crucial data for potential bidders on opportunities involving the maintenance, testing, repair, or replacement of backflow prevention devices and related plumbing systems. It helps bidders understand the scale, type, and location of existing equipment, which is essential for estimating costs, developing technical approaches, and preparing accurate proposals.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document outlines the agenda for a site visit related to an upcoming solicitation (Solicitation 36C24226Q0312) for NJ Backflow Preventers. It also provides key information for potential bidders regarding the solicitation process.

• Offerors must submit one (1) capability statement demonstrating technical capability and past performance.

• Offerors must submit pricing/cost schedule and supplementary documents.

• Offerors must be registered in www.sam.gov under NAICS Code 238220.

• This solicitation is a 100% Total Small Business set-aside.

• Not specified in this document.

• Offers Due: February 27, 2026, by 10:00 AM ET.

• Submission Method: Electronic submissions via email only to Tiffany Vazquez-Simon (tiffany.vazquez-simon@va.gov).

• Email Subject Line: Must identify Solicitation 36C24226Q0312.

• Questions Due: February 17, 2026, by 12:00 PM ET.

• Questions Submission: Must be in writing and emailed to Tiffany Vazquez-Simon.

• Amendments will be posted on www.SAM.gov.

• 100% Total Small Business set-aside.

• Offerors must be registered in SAM.gov under NAICS Code 238220.

• Site visits are scheduled for:

  • East Orange VAMC: February 19, 2026, 10 AM (Building 5A, Room 124).
  • Lyons VAMC: February 20, 2026, 10 AM (Building 10, 2nd floor Conference room).

• This is the only scheduled site visit.

• Offerors must acknowledge receipt of all amendments.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a pre-solicitation notice for annual and quarterly testing and inspection services for backflow preventers used in fire sprinkler systems, domestic water connections, and the wastewater treatment plant at the VA New Jersey Healthcare System (East Orange and Lyons Campuses). This notice is to prepare for the release of a Request for Quote (RFQ).

• Annual and quarterly testing and inspection of backflow preventers.

• Services cover fire sprinkler systems, domestic water connections, and wastewater treatment plant.

• Contract Type: Single-award firm-fixed price.

• Period of Performance: Estimated February 23, 2026 – February 22, 2027 (12-month base year), with four (4) 12-month option years.

• RFQ Planned Issue Date: On or about February 06, 2026.

• Offer Due Date: Tentatively February 16, 2026.

• Anticipated Award Date: February 23, 2026.

• Procurement Method: Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources, Total Small Business set-aside.

• Evaluation: Best value procurement using comparative evaluations. Award may be made without discussions; offerors should submit best terms.

• Submission: Electronic format only via www.SAM.gov.

• Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Prospective Offerors MUST register on System for Award Management (SAM) www.SAM.gov and be registered at the time of quote submission.

• This notice does not constitute a request for proposal/quote. The RFQ will be released later.

• No documents or further information are available at this time. Visit www.SAM.gov regularly.

• Contact: Tiffany Vazquez-Simon, Contract Specialist, tiffany.vazquez-simon@va.gov (email only, no telephone requests).

• NAICS Code: 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Contractors).

• PSC Code: H345 (Plumbing, Heating and Waste Disposal Equipment).