N065--(2) Biological Safety Cabinets - Path/Lab Project Phase 2

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the "VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting—Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction (JAN 2023) (Deviation)". It requires offerors to certify their compliance with subcontracting limitations if awarded a contract. This is a mandatory form for the solicitation.

• Services Contracts: Offerors must certify that they will not pay more than 50% of the contract amount to firms that are not certified SDVOSBs or VOSBs. Work subcontracted by a similarly situated certified SDVOSB/VOSB subcontractor counts towards this limit.
• General Construction Contracts: Offerors must certify that they will not pay more than 85% of the contract amount to firms that are not certified SDVOSBs or VOSBs. Cost of materials are excluded.
• Special Trade Construction Contractors: Offerors must certify that they will not pay more than 75% of the contract amount to firms that are not certified SDVOSBs or VOSBs. Cost of materials are excluded.
• Acknowledgement of Jurisdiction: Offerors acknowledge that this certification is subject to Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001, and that a false certification may lead to penalties.
• Consequences of Non-Compliance: Details potential penalties for SDVOSB/VOSB awardees who do not act in good faith, including referral to VA Suspension and Debarment, fines, and prosecution.
• Record Keeping: Offerors understand they may be required to provide documents to VA to demonstrate compliance.
• Certification Requirement: The formal certification must be completed, signed, and returned with the offeror's bid, quotation, or proposal. Offers without this certification will be deemed ineligible for award.

This document is critical for bidders to understand and complete accurately. Failure to provide the completed and signed certification will result in the offer being deemed ineligible for award. Bidders must carefully review the subcontracting limitations applicable to the specific contract type (Services, General Construction, or Special Trade Construction) and ensure their proposed approach complies.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "ATTACHMENT 3: 52.212-2 EVALUATION—COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES," is an addendum that details the evaluation factors and approach for quotations submitted under the solicitation. It clarifies how the government will assess offers to determine the most advantageous award.

• Basis for Award: The government will issue a purchase order to the responsible quoter whose quotation is most advantageous, considering price and other factors.
• Evaluation Factors: Quotations will be evaluated based on three factors:
  • Technical
  • Past Performance
  • Price
• Evaluation Approach: A comparative evaluation process will be used, comparing quotations to determine the best benefit to the government. The government reserves the right to select a quotation that offers benefits exceeding minimum requirements, but is not obligated to do so. All responses must meet minimum requirements.
• Technical Evaluation: Assesses how well the quotation meets or exceeds government requirements as outlined in the solicitation and requested information.
• Past Performance Evaluation: Assesses risks associated with a quoter's likelihood of success based on their record of past performance. This may include the contracting officer's knowledge, customer surveys, past performance questionnaires, and the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS).
• Price Evaluation: The total of all line item prices will be evaluated.

This attachment is crucial for bidders as it outlines the specific criteria and methodology the government will use to evaluate their quotations. Understanding these factors and their relative importance will help bidders tailor their proposals to best meet the government's needs and increase their chances of award.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is an addendum to FAR 52.212-1, "Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services (SEP 2023)," tailored for Simplified Acquisition Procedures. It supersedes the current version of FAR 52.212-1 for this solicitation.

• Offerors must submit signed and dated quotes by the specified deadline.

• Quotes must include:

  • Solicitation number
  • Receipt time for quotations
  • Quoter's name, address, and telephone number
  • Technical description of items quoted
  • Terms of any express warranty
  • Price and discount terms
  • "Remit to" address (if different)
  • Completed representations and certifications (FAR 52.212-3)
  • Acknowledgment of Quotation Amendments

• Past performance information will not be considered for simplified acquisitions.

• Quotes must state the extent of agreement with all solicitation terms and conditions. Failure to provide required information or rejection of terms may lead to exclusion.

• Offerors agree to hold prices firm for 30 calendar days from the quote receipt date, unless otherwise specified.

• Product samples may be required and must be submitted at no expense to the Government.

• The Government may issue a purchase order to one or more quoters and reserves the right to issue a purchase order for a quantity less than quoted.

• Quotes must be submitted to the office specified in the RFQ by the exact time specified.

• Late quotes may not be considered.

• Multiple quotes with alternative terms or products are encouraged and will be evaluated separately.

• The Government may reject any or all quotes.

• Information regarding NAICS code and small business size standard for this acquisition will be found elsewhere in the RFQ.

• Specific set-aside conditions (small business, HUBZone, 8(a), etc.) are detailed in relation to the NAICS code and size standard.

• Availability of referenced specifications and standards can be found via the ASSIST website (https://assist.dla.mil) or by contacting the Defense Standardization Program Office.

• For quotes exceeding the micro-purchase threshold, or at or below if required by the RFQ, offerors must provide their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) indicator.

• Unsuccessful quoters will not be notified.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products and services to procure and install Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) and accessories at the VA Maine Healthcare System, Togus VA Medical Center. The procurement is for "Path/Lab Project Phase 2".

• Two (2) Thermo Scientific 1500 Series A2 Class II, Type A2 Biological Safety Cabinets (4 ft. width, 10 in. sash opening, 120V, stainless steel, with UV light, armrest, adjustable stand).

• Two (2) Vacuum Valves compatible with Series 1300 Class II, Type A2 BSC.

• Two (2) Thimble Duct Exhaust Transitions for 4 ft. cabinets.

• Two (2) Alnor Exhaust Alarms for Series 1300 Biological Safety Cabinets.

• Two (2) Start-up Services for BSCs (without prefilter).

• Installation of all procured items.

• All equipment must be new, unused, and factory-sealed.

• Equipment must meet or exceed NSF/ANSI 49 standards for Class II BSCs.

• BSCs must be "Made in the USA".

• Period of Performance: 120 days after receipt of award.

• Place of Performance/Delivery: VAMC Augusta, WHSE BLDG 240, 1 VA Center, Augusta, ME 04330-6796.

• Submission Deadline: Friday, February 27, 2026, by 5:00 PM EST.

• Quotes must be Firm Fixed Price.

• Required submissions: Firm Fixed Price Quote, completed Limitation of Subcontracting form, and a technical capability statement or descriptive literature.

• Questions Deadline: Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.

• Site Visit: Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST.

• Evaluation Factors: Technical, Past Performance, Price, and Certifications.

• Award will be made to the responsible vendor whose quotation is technically acceptable and offers the lowest evaluated price.

• This solicitation is set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB).

• NAICS Code: 334516 (Size Standard: 1000 Employees).

• This is an RFQ (Request for Quotation).

• All quotes must include a statement regarding acceptance of terms and conditions or list exceptions.

• Award will be based on comparative evaluation.