S299--Aquarium Maintenance

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to industry questions regarding Solicitation Number 36C25026Q0308 for Aquarium Maintenance services at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center.

• Aquarium Type: The aquariums are fresh water.
• Incumbency/Recompete: This is a brand-new acquisition for services never previously contracted. There is no incumbent contractor, and it is not a recompete. Past services were handled via Government Purchase Card.
• Bid Submission: Offerors must thoroughly review and adhere to all instructions within the RFQ for bid submission.

This Q&A session is concluded, and no further questions will be answered. Bidders must ensure their proposals comply with all RFQ instructions as clarified herein.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Request for Quote (RFQ) seeks a contractor to provide aquarium maintenance and cleaning services for the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. The services are required for two fish aquarium tanks located in the Community Living Center (CLC) and Acute Inpatient Mental Health (AIMH) units.

• Monthly maintenance and cleaning of two 75-gallon aquariums.

• Services include cleaning glass (inside and out), gravel, and filter systems.

• Water testing and treatment as necessary.

• Adjustment of aquarium plants, rocks, and underwater scenery.

• Replacement of aquarium lights and filtering materials.

• Provision of fish food sufficient for one month.

• Submission of a field service report after each visit.

• Contractor personnel must complete VA privacy training.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed-price.

• Period of Performance: One base year (April 1, 2026 - March 31, 2027) with four one-year option periods.

• Total potential contract duration: Five years.

• Offers must be submitted via email to jeanne.ortiz@va.gov by the response date/time.

• Questions must be submitted via email by February 27, 2026, 10:00 AM ET.

• Award will be based on the most advantageous offer considering Technical Capability, Price, and Past Performance.

• FAR Subpart 13.5 Simplified Acquisitions Procedures will be used.

• This procurement is a 100% set-aside for Small Business (SB) vendors.

• NAICS Code: 561720 (Size Standard: $22.0 million).

• Vendors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• No site visit is offered; all necessary information is in the Statement of Work.

• Service Contract Labor Standards (SCLS) Wage Determination for Washtenaw County, Michigan, applies.

• Plant and fish replacements will be purchased under a separate purchase order.

Amendment / Modification

This document is Revision 30 of Wage Determination No. 2015-4833, dated 12/03/2025. It lists the prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations in Washtenaw County, Michigan, under the Service Contract Act.

• The document provides an updated list of occupational codes, titles, and corresponding wage rates and fringe benefits.
• It includes specific notes regarding Executive Orders 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and 13658 (minimum wage adjustments).
• Details on vacation and holiday entitlements are provided.
• Explanations for numbered footnotes, including those for computer employees and air traffic controllers, are included.
• Information on hazardous pay differentials and uniform allowances is updated.
• The process for requesting additional classifications and wage rates (Standard Form 1444) is outlined.

This revision updates the wage and fringe benefit requirements. Contractors must ensure compliance with these updated rates and benefits for any covered service employees working on contracts in Washtenaw County, Michigan. Bidders should use these rates when preparing proposals for relevant solicitations.