H960--RFQ - Fiber Optic Cable Purchase and Installation - SDVOSB Houston, TX

Amendment / Modification

This amendment to Solicitation 36C25626Q0615 provides official Government responses to vendor questions and clarifies technical and administrative requirements. Key changes include:

• Submission Deadline Extension: The deadline for offers has been extended from April 30, 2026, 1:00 PM (CT) to May 4, 2026, 1:00 PM (CT).

• Clarifications on Fiber Optic Installation: Responses address questions regarding existing conduit condition, repair/replacement procedures, inner duct requirements (new inner duct required for the full run, plenum-rated not required underground), fiber types (3 single-mode, 1 multi-mode per run), patch cable provision (provided by VA), connector types (UPC LC connectors), and slack loop requirements (5 ft per manhole).

• Clarifications on Infrastructure and Requirements: The amendment clarifies that existing racks can be utilized, but wall-mounted fiber optic distribution panels are required. It also confirms that the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 135-11 applies to this new installation. Existing pathways are to be used, but new inner ducts are required. Existing fiber strands or abandoned cables in manholes do not need to be removed.

• Submission Format: Past Performance should be submitted in Volume One, resulting in a two-volume submission (Volume One Technical, Volume Two Price).

• Period of Performance: The 60-day period begins from the date of contract award and execution.

• Work-Hour Restrictions: No specific work-hour restrictions beyond normal hospital operations are in place.

• Solicitation submission deadline.

• Technical requirements related to fiber optic installation, conduit, inner duct, and components.

• Submission format for proposals.

• Period of Performance start date.

• Bidders must acknowledge receipt of this amendment.

• The proposal submission deadline has been extended to May 4, 2026, 1:00 PM (CT).

• Bidders should incorporate the clarifications and updated information into their proposals.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to Solicitation 36C25626Q0615 provides official Government responses to vendor questions and clarifies technical and administrative requirements. It does not alter the Performance Work Statement, Price/Cost Schedule, evaluation criteria, period of performance, or submission deadlines.

Key clarifications include:

• Site visit access: No specific form required; COR will have a sign-in sheet.
• Manhole inspections: Non-entry inspection is permitted; manhole hooks are allowed, but gas testing equipment is not needed.
• Fiber design standards: UFC 135-11 applies; direct burial cable in inner duct is acceptable.
• Rack requirements: 2U usable height, 19-inch standard width, field-verify depth. Existing racks can be used, field-verify locking, transparent, or swing-open features.
• Patch panel connectors: LC connectors required.
• Inner duct liner: 1-inch ID, corrugated to match existing, plenum rated.
• Raceway: Existing uni-strut and hung raceways are present.
• Cable requirements: Armored direct-burial cable and innerduct may be used for the entire homerun without splice boxes, even if the entrance point is more than 50 ft from destinations.
• Confined space: Manholes (10-15 ft deep) are classified as permit-required confined spaces; contractors must submit their program for review.
• Bonds: No payment or performance bonds are required as this is a commercial services requirement under FAR Part 12, not a construction contract.
• Incumbent: This is a brand-new contract.

This amendment primarily addresses questions and clarifications, not specific sections of the original solicitation. It confirms the applicability of UFC 135-11 and clarifies requirements related to manholes, racks, cabling, and confined spaces.

No changes to proposal deadlines or submission rules are indicated. Offerors must acknowledge receipt of this amendment in accordance with Section B.1(6) of the solicitation.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (RFQ) for commercial services to replace damaged fiber and install new fiber optic cable between Building 100 (Main Hospital) and Building 108 (VA Police) at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, TX. The procurement is a total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside.

• Installation of four (4) fiber runs: three single-mode armor-jacketed 12-strand Direct Burial Cable OSP and one multi-mode OM4 armor-jacketed 12-strand OSP.

• Installation of associated components including wall-mounted racks, shelves, enclosures, patch panels, fan-out kits, connectors, splices, and cable supports.

• Routing of fiber through various building pathways, including IT rooms, basements, manholes, and risers.

• All fiber must be terminated, labeled, and tested (OTDR and insertion loss).

• Contractor must provide a 1-year labor and materials warranty.

• Work must be completed within sixty (60) calendar days after award.

• Normal medical center operations must be maintained during work.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price.

• Period of Performance: Base period to be determined, with an estimated POP End of 08-31-2026.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but it is an SDVOSB set-aside.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to the Contracting Officer.

• Offers must be submitted in two volumes: Volume I (Technical/Quality) and Volume II (Price).

• Evaluation Basis: Lowest-Price Technically-Acceptable (LPTA).

• Technical acceptability will be evaluated against PWS requirements, including Technical Approach, Materials & Equipment List, Schedule & Phasing, Contractor Qualifications (minimum 5 years' experience), Safety & Compliance, Warranty, and Past Performance (minimum three relevant projects in the last five years).

• Past performance will be assessed as Acceptable/Unacceptable.

• Award will be made to the lowest-priced offer that is technically acceptable and has acceptable past performance.

• This is a Total SDVOSB Set-Aside.

• Offerors must be SBA VetCert-certified and listed in SAM.gov as SDVOSB-certified at the time of offer and award.

• NAICS Code: 238210 (Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors).

• A Technical Site Visit is scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 11:00 am CST. RSVP is required.

• Offerors must review and comply with the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and all other applicable documents.

• Questions must be submitted in writing by the specified deadline.