Repair of fume hoods

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains responses to questions raised by potential bidders regarding the solicitation for fume hood replacement and related services.

• Scope of Work: Confirms that the 12th smaller fan and vent stack are included in the scope for removal and replacement. The smaller "range type" hood does not require an alarm.
• Working Hours: While core hours are M-F, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, flexible hours (early mornings, evenings, weekends) are possible with prior coordination to ensure laboratory representative presence.
• Tube Steel Stands: Existing tube steel stands supporting exhaust fans and vent stacks are to remain in place.
• Period of Performance (POP): The government acknowledges the request to revise the 45-calendar day POP to 80 calendar days, citing submittal gathering, government review, procurement, installation, testing, and calibration timelines.
• Electrical Connection: The SOW's mention of a new electrical connection refers to reconnecting previously disconnected wiring, not pulling new wire, unless existing wiring is damaged or inadequate.
• Fume Hood Testing: Testing will be per OSHA requirements. An OSHA certified hood performance report is expected, along with labels and sash marks. The government provided an example report.
• Fume Hood Lights: While the SOW mentions replacing one fume hood light, the intent is to ensure all hoods have working lights. Any inoperable lights need replacement or repair. Currently, 3 hoods are without light, likely needing bulb replacements.
• Fume Hood Alarms: All 11 fume hood alarms are to be replaced with new ones. Manufacturers' alarms are acceptable if compatible with existing hoods and meet OSHA requirements for face velocity alerts.
• Site Access & Badging: No specific restrictions on bringing a scissors lift on-site, provided OSHA safety rules are followed. The site is small and does not issue badges; contractors must sign in daily and will be escorted by a designated laboratory representative. No pre-screening or specific identification beyond daily sign-in is required.

These clarifications address key aspects of the scope, timeline, and technical requirements, which may influence bidder proposals and pricing. The POP revision to 80 days is a significant change to the project schedule.

Other / Unclassified

This document provides clarification regarding the number of exhaust fans and stacks for the "Fume Hood Repair" opportunity (12639526Q0134). It clarifies that while there are 11 fume hoods, there are 12 exhaust fans and stacks in total. The 12th unit is described as an "over-the-counter hood like a kitchen stove hood" rather than a traditional fume hood with a sash and monitor. However, this 12th unit also has its own external motor that requires replacement, similar to the other units.

This information is crucial for bidders to accurately understand the scope of work. Specifically, it clarifies that 12 blower/stack assemblies, not 11, need to be replaced. This impacts the quantity of materials and labor required for the repair, directly affecting cost estimations and proposal submissions.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a sign-in sheet for a site visit related to the "Repair of Fume Hoods" opportunity (12639526Q0134). It records the names of attendees, the companies they represent, their phone numbers, and their email addresses.

This log provides contact information for individuals who attended a site visit. This may be useful for potential bidders to identify other interested parties or to follow up on information shared during the visit. The attendees and their represented companies are:

• Dan Hightower (T&D Mechanical) - (706) 987-4248, Jenny@TDMechanical.com
• Miguel Medina (E-t Services) - (678) 381-6972, Dereck.williams.com
• Jared Metcalf (Air Conditioning Associates) - (334) 714-3182, jared@ocassociatesinc.net
• Josh Atkinson (Covington Firelake JV) - (334) 488-0135, josh@coucontracting.com

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To repair eleven fume hoods at the National Science Laboratory-Blakely (NSL-B) to ensure they are in good working order, prevent future failures due to age and rust, and guarantee proper performance for user safety.

The contractor shall perform the following tasks for each of the eleven fume hoods:

• Travel to the work site.
• Disconnect existing 115V electrical to the exhaust fan.
• Remove existing exhaust fan and zero pressure cap.
• Install a new PVC flex connector.
• Set a new exhaust fan.
• Install a new PVC exhaust stack with a guy wire.
• Complete new electrical connection to the exhaust fan motor.
• Remove and replace the existing fume hood alarm.
• Test fume hoods per OSHA requirements and calibrate the alarm.
• Replace the fume hood light.
• Remove all debris to the jobsite dumpster.
• Leave a clean and safe working environment.

Work should be completed in as short a timeframe as possible to minimize disruption to the laboratory workflow. The location is the National Science Laboratory-Blakely (NSL-B).

• Government Furnished: Relocation of items from the work area as required by the contractor.
• Deliverables: Proper hood performance (all 11 hoods operating and tested against OSHA parameters), functioning alarms, and site clean-up.
• Security: Contractor employees must have appropriate badges, may be subject to personal effects inspection, and are prohibited from possessing weapons. Photography of the SRTD premises requires written permission. Smoking is prohibited inside the facility and specific areas. The government reserves the right to close the project site in case of national emergency or safety violations.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items, issued as a Request for Quotations (RFQ). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Science Laboratory in Blakely, GA, requires maintenance and replacement of fume hoods to ensure continued scientific support capabilities for aflatoxin testing in nuts and nut products. The project involves electrical disconnection, removal of old exhaust fans, installation of new components (flex connector, exhaust fan, PVC exhaust stack), new electrical connections, fume hood alarm replacement, testing, calibration, and light replacement for eleven hoods.

• Disconnect existing 115V electrical to exhaust fan.

• Remove existing exhaust fan and zero pressure cap.

• Install new PVC flex connector, exhaust fan, and PVC exhaust stack with guy wire.

• Complete new electrical connection to exhaust fan motor.

• Remove and replace existing fume hood alarm.

• Test fume hood per OSHA requirements.

• Calibrate alarm and replace fume hood light.

• The contractor must maintain fume hoods that work properly to complete analyses.

• Contract Type: Anticipated award of a [Type Not Specified] contract.

• Period of Performance: Work to commence within five calendar days after Notice to Proceed and complete within 45 days after Notice to Proceed.

• Estimated Value: Between $25,000 and $100,000.

• A payment bond will be required within 10 days of award; a bid bond is not required.

• Submission Deadline: June 5, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET.

• Submission Requirements: Complete quote package including this page, demonstration of relevant experience, and past performance information.

• Evaluation Criteria: Lowest price, technically acceptable approach. Only the lowest priced quote will be evaluated for technical acceptability. If not acceptable, the next lowest priced quote will be evaluated, and so on.

• Price: Will include price realism analysis.

• Technical Acceptability: Based on relevant experience with HVAC work of similar size and scope.

• Past Performance: Assessed based on contractor reputation, adherence to schedules, quality of work, and customer service.

• Questions Deadline: May 29, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET. Submit questions to james.g.roloff@usda.gov.

• Applicable North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) Code and small business size standard are not specified in the provided text.

• All responsible sources may submit a quotation.

• The appropriate Department of Labor wage determination for construction applies.

• Attachments: Statement of Work, Federal Construction Wage Rates (Early County), Photos.

• Site Visit: Scheduled for May 20, 2026, at 10 a.m. ET. Attendees' names must be provided to james.g.roloff@usda.gov.

• USDA is exempt from sales tax.

• The solicitation incorporates numerous FAR and AGAR clauses and provisions, including those related to construction wage rates, Buy American, payment bonds, and DEI compliance.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document appears to be an attachment related to laboratory fume hoods. It includes a nameplate for "LOC SCIENTIFIC INC. LABORATORY FUME HOODS" with their address and contact information. Additionally, it contains an image of an "AIRGARD® 200" fume hood monitor with operational instructions for silence and testing, and a label "HOOD3B". The third image shows three exhaust stacks, likely associated with fume hood systems.

• Manufacturer information for LOC SCIENTIFIC INC.
• Model and operational details for AIRGARD® 200 fume hood monitor.
• Visual representation of exhaust stacks.

This attachment provides specific product information and manufacturer details for laboratory fume hoods and associated monitoring/exhaust systems. Bidders may need this information to understand the type of equipment specified or to identify potential suppliers and technical specifications relevant to the opportunity.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides the prevailing wage rates for various construction trades in Early County, Georgia, as of the specified dates. It is a General Decision issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, and is intended to be incorporated into federal construction contracts to ensure fair wages.

• General Decision Number: GA20260090 (Supersedes GA20250090)
• State: Georgia
• County: Early County
• Construction Type: Building
• Effective Dates: Modifications dated 01/02/2026 and 01/23/2026.
• Trade Classifications: Lists specific trades (e.g., Boilermaker, Electrician, Power Equipment Operator, Pipefitter, Sheet Metal Worker, Carpenter, Cement Mason, Laborer) with their corresponding hourly wage rates and fringe benefits.
• Executive Order Notes: Includes information on Executive Order (EO) 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and EO 13658 (Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors), outlining contractor obligations.
• Appeals Process: Details the procedures for appealing wage determination matters.

Bidders must review these wage rates to accurately estimate labor costs for the construction opportunity. Failure to comply with these prevailing wage requirements can lead to contract violations. The document also highlights important federal contractor labor standards related to paid sick leave and minimum wages.