N047--Steam Line
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Networking Contracting Office (NCO 01) in Brockton, MA, intends to award a sole source contract to BL Mechanical Inc. for the installation of a dedicated high-pressure steam (HPS) feed and pressure-reducing station. This critical project aims to restore sterilization throughput for the Sterile Processing Service (SPS) to prevent negative impacts on patient care and surgical schedules. Interested parties believing they can meet the requirement must submit capability statements by March 4, 2026, at 9 AM EST.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide all labor, materials, equipment, supervision, and incidentals to install a new 2-inch HPS feed from the subbasement main to Room E2-85. This includes a complete pressure-reducing station and tie-ins to existing sterilizer piping. Key technical requirements involve extending a 2" HPS riser, providing necessary valves, supports, and insulation, and installing a cast steel PRV assembly with safety relief, gauges, strainers, and isolation valves. Condensate drip traps will also be installed and tied into existing returns. All work must comply with applicable VA standards, ASME, OSHA, NFPA, Massachusetts state/local codes, and Steris manufacturer requirements. Execution requires implementing ICRA barriers, negative air, HEPA protection, daily cleaning, Hot Work permits, and Lockout/Tagout procedures, with coordination for off-hours shutdowns to maintain hospital operations. Testing includes pressure and leak tests, PRV functional tests, trap testing, sterilizer integration, balancing, labeling, and VA staff training. A minimum 1-year warranty on labor and materials for the PRS and piping is required.
Contract Details
- Procurement Type: Special Notice (Intent to Sole Source)
- Intended Contractor: BL Mechanical Inc.
- NAICS Code: 238220 (Installation Of Equipment: Pipe, Tubing, Hose, And Fittings)
- Authority: FAR 6.302-1 (Sole Source)
- Justification: BL Mechanical Inc. possesses prior experience with VA Boston steam infrastructure, specialized knowledge of Steris sterilizer requirements, and the ability to mobilize immediately, which is crucial to avoid unacceptable delays that would impact veteran care and surgical schedules.
Submission & Evaluation
This notice is not a solicitation or request for proposal. However, interested parties who believe they can satisfy the requirement must clearly identify their capability in writing. Responses are due by March 4, 2026, at 9 AM EST and should be sent to Issa Shawki at issa.shawki@va.gov. Information submitted will be used solely to determine if competitive procedures could be used. The government retains discretion on whether to open this requirement to competition.
Additional Notes
The urgency stems from the Sterile Processing Service's inability to meet operating room demand due to insufficient steam, potentially leading to surgery cancellations, increased infection risk, and mission-critical disruptions. Contractors will also be subject to Records Management Obligations, requiring compliance with Federal Records Act, NARA policies, and Privacy Act, including mandatory VHA-provided records management training.