Service Contract for Bottled Drinking Water

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document outlines the technical evaluation factors that will be used to assess vendor proposals for an opportunity related to bottled water delivery, dispenser maintenance, sanitation, bottle replacement, and emergency support services.

The evaluation will focus on the vendor's ability to provide these services effectively, maintain schedules, and minimize disruption.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following five factors:

• Factor 1 – Technical Approach: Clarity, feasibility, and effectiveness of the proposed approach.
• Factor 2 – Experience: Relevant experience performing similar services in government or commercial environments, including managing recurring services and operating in occupied facilities.
• Factor 3 – Understanding of the Requirement: Comprehension of the scope of work, including meeting routine and emergency service needs and complying with operational requirements.
• Factor 4 – Key Personnel: Qualifications and adequacy of proposed staff for service performance and operational continuity.
• Factor 5 – Past Performance: Emphasis on quality, timeliness, reliability, and customer satisfaction on similar efforts.

Rating Definitions (Non-Price Factors):

• Acceptable: Adequate understanding and feasible approach with low to moderate risk.
• Marginal: Limited understanding or weaknesses increasing risk.
• Unacceptable: Failure to meet requirements or high risk of unsuccessful performance.

Basis for Award: Award will be made to the responsible vendor offering the best value, considering technical factors, past performance, and price. The government may select a higher-priced quote if superior technical merit or lower performance risk justifies the premium. The government reserves the right to deem any quote unacceptable if it fails to meet any requirement.

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

To provide bottled drinking water services for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Main Campus when potable water systems are unavailable or not functioning properly.

• Rental of "NO SPILL SYSTEM" bottled water coolers with hot water dispensers and cup dispensers.

• Delivery of bottled water (5-gallon) and cone-shaped paper cups.

• Cleaning and disinfecting of water coolers every thirty (30) days, including the holding tank, faucets, handles, outlets, and external surfaces.

• Installation of new bottled water when coolers are empty and pickup of empty bottles.

• Maintenance of an adequate back-up supply of bottled water at each location (1-3 full bottles).

• Provision of additional coolers, water, cups, and cleaning services within 24 hours of notification (except Fridays or days before Federal holidays).

• Documentation of monthly service calls for additional items, cleaning, and pickups/discontinuances.

• Submission of a monthly service report detailing quantities provided and services performed.

• Cleaning procedures must be equivalent to International Bottled Water Association standards.

• Cleaning reports must be provided to the NIH Project Officer by the 10th of each month, listing building and room numbers.

• Monthly service reports must include quantities of water coolers, bottled water, cups, and cleaning services provided.

• Delivery tickets must be signed by the NIH Project Officer or Contract Support Section representative.

• Services are to be performed at the NIH Main Campus, Bethesda, Maryland.

• Deliveries are scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

• Additional services must be provided within 24 hours of notification.

• Contractor must be a member of the International Bottled Water Association or the National Sanitation Foundation.

• Bottled water must conform to FDA Title 21, CFR Chapter 1, Parts 103, 110, and 129.

• Contractor must comply with requests for additional services within 24 hours.

• Delivery tickets must be submitted on Tuesdays and Fridays between 7 AM and 3 PM.

• The NIH Project Officer will identify specific locations within various buildings requiring services.

• The government's needs for coolers, water, cups, and cleaning are subject to change.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items for a Service Contract for Bottled Drinking Water. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is procuring these services.

• The specific requirements and deliverables are detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW), which is included as an attachment.

• Contract Award Type: Firm Fixed Price

• Period of Performance:

  • Base Year: June 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027
  • Option Year One: June 1, 2027 - May 31, 2028
  • Option Year Two: June 1, 2028 - May 31, 2029
  • Option Year Three: June 1, 2029 - May 31, 2030
  • Option Year Four: June 1, 2030 - May 31, 2031

• Contract Award Dollar Amount: TBD

• The solicitation includes provisions for the Government's unilateral option to extend performance for an additional period up to six months under FAR 52.217-8.

• Solicitation Number: 75N98026Q00347

• Closing Response Date: May 22, 2026, 9:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

• Questions Due Date: May 14, 2026, 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

• Evaluation Factors: Technical Approach, Experience, Understanding of the Requirement, Key Personnel, and Past Performance. The Government will award to the responsible offeror whose offer is most advantageous, considering price and other factors. Best value will be determined, and a higher-priced quote may be selected if it offers additional technical merit or lower performance risk.

• Offerors must include a completed copy of FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items. Annual representations and certifications completed electronically via SAM.gov may suffice for paragraph (b).

• Set-aside Status: Total Small Business Set Aside

• NAICS Code: 312112

• Small Business Size Standard: 1,100

• This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

• The solicitation is issued as a request for quote (RFQ).

• Incorporated provisions and clauses are effective through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-07.

• FAR Clause 52.212-1 (Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items) applies, with an addendum provided.

• FAR Clause 52.212-4 (Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Items) applies, with an addendum provided.

• FAR Clause 52.212-5 (Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Items) applies.

• Place of Contract Performance: Bethesda, MD

• Contracting Officer: Michael Falzone (michael.falzone@nih.gov)