Q301--Cleanroom Testing SB Set-Aside Solicitation

Amendment / Modification

This amendment addresses technical questions submitted by potential bidders regarding the solicitation.

• CLIN 0001 (Glove/Fingertip Testing): Clarifies that this CLIN includes post-gowning/garbing glove fingertips, post-media fill glove fingertips, and post-media fill surfaces. Pricing is per plate, including shipping and incubation. Historically, media plates were provided free of charge by EMSL, with the VA paying for shipping. This amendment implies the contractor should include these costs within the relevant CLINs.
• CLIN 0004 (Media Fill Kits): Clarifies that this CLIN is for incubation only, as the VA will supply its own media fill kits. Identification of organisms is a separate charge under CLIN 0005. The VA supplies its own media fill kits, and media is read for turbidity only, without organism identification in failed bags.
• Page 9 of 70 (Plate Quantities): Addresses concerns about exceeding CLIN quantities for plates. The estimate should be accurate, but any need for additional plates above submitted numbers would require a modification.
• Page 13 of 70 (Incubation Reporting): Confirms that it is not specifically required to identify individual personnel for each distinct activity (e.g., incubation setup, monitoring, reading). The final report must include a signature from an authorized signatory.
• Page 17 of 70 (Preliminary CFU Counts): States that it is acceptable to issue a preliminary report only when initial results suggest an action level exceedance per USP <797>. The final report must include both preliminary and confirmed final counts, along with organism identification for samples exceeding action levels.

This amendment provides clarifications that may impact how bidders price their offers, particularly concerning the inclusion of costs for media plates and shipping. It also clarifies reporting requirements for incubation and preliminary results, which may affect how technical proposals are structured.

Solicitation

This solicitation is for Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Analytical Services for the Minneapolis VA Health Care System (MVAHCS). The objective is to procure services for receiving, analyzing, and reporting results for microbiological samples, including surface, air, gloved fingertip, and media fill tests.

• ISO/TEC 17025 accredited laboratory services.

• Processing of microbiological samples according to CAG-009-2023 and USP <797> standards.

• Provision of sterile, irradiated Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA) plates (100 mm concave and 55 mm convex) to MVAHCS.

• Analysis of surface and air samples, gloved fingertip and thumb samples, and media fill testing samples.

• Identification of microorganisms to at least genus level for samples exceeding USP <797> action levels.

• Electronic reporting of all results within one business day of final analysis.

• Contractor must provide Certificates of Analysis (COA) for growth media.

• Type: Firm-Fixed-Price contract.

• Period of Performance: Base year (09-01-2026 to 08-31-2027) with four (4) option years.

• Estimated Value: $19 Million (This is an estimate and not a guarantee of award value).

• Offers must be submitted electronically via email to joseph.bloomer@va.gov by the due date.

• Submission requires separate "Volume I" (Pricing) and "Volume II" (Technical/Past Performance) documents.

• Evaluation will be conducted using the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) process.

• Key evaluation factors are Price and Technical acceptability.

• Technical evaluation will focus on the offeror's capability narrative demonstrating satisfaction of SOW requirements and proof of ISO/TEC 17025 accreditation.

• Past performance references (up to 3) are required.

• Questions regarding the solicitation are due by 5:00 PM CT, April 20th, 2026.

• This acquisition is set aside 100% for Small Businesses.

• NAICS Code: 541380 (Testing Laboratories and Services).

• Size Standard: Not explicitly stated, but implied by the small business set-aside.

• Wage Determination 2015-4945 REV30 is attached.

• Offerors must follow specific formatting and submission instructions for electronic offers.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-4945, Revision 30) applicable to the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. It lists minimum wage rates and fringe benefits for various occupations required under the Service Contract Act (SCA) for specific counties within these states.

This wage determination is crucial for any bidder responding to an opportunity that falls under the Service Contract Act in the specified geographic areas. It outlines the minimum hourly wages and benefits that must be paid to employees performing work on the contract. Key information includes:

• Occupational Wage Rates: A comprehensive list of job titles with corresponding minimum hourly wage rates.
• Fringe Benefits: Details on required Health & Welfare benefits ($5.55/hour or $222.00/week), Paid Sick Leave (EO 13706), Vacation (2-4 weeks based on service), and Holidays (11 paid holidays).
• Executive Orders: Notes on the applicability of Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (minimum wage adjustments).
• Special Pay Differentials: Information on hazardous pay differentials (8% or 4%) for working with ordnance, explosives, and incendiary materials.
• Uniform Allowance: Guidance on contractor responsibilities for providing and maintaining uniforms.
• Conformance Process: Instructions for requesting authorization for additional classifications and wage rates not listed in the determination using Standard Form 1444 (SF-1444).