USP Lee - Replace Cooling Towers

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document provides instructions for offerors responding to an acquisition. The acquisition will be evaluated using the FAR 15.101-2 Lowest price technically acceptable source selection process.

Offerors must complete three steps for submission:

1. Return SF1442 (solicitation) with specified blocks (Page 1, blocks 17a, 20, 30a, 30b; Page 6) filled in, including the amount.
2. Complete the SF24 Bid Bond. This can be emailed, and the seal must be visible in the scanned document.
3. Submit a summary of the technical process for completing the work in accordance with the Statement of Work.

Offers must clearly separate these three items. Failure to do so will result in the offer being considered unresponsive and not accepted.

Not explicitly stated in this document, but the evaluation method is Lowest Price Technically Acceptable.

• Submission Deadline: 2 April 2026 @ 04:00 pm.
• Submission Email: rcalandra@bop.gov
• Questions: Contact Ronald Calandra at 843-3287-9424 or rcalandra@bop.gov.
• Pre-bid Site Visit: 18 March 2026 @ 10:00 am, Meeting area Front Lobby.
  • Location: Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Penitentiary Lee, Lee County Industrial Park, Hickory Flats Road, Pennington Gap, VA 24277.
  • Site Visit Information: Email lee-facilities-s@bop.gov for further information. No NCIC clearances are needed. Unlimited representatives may attend.

Not specified in this document.

This document outlines submission requirements and provides details for a pre-bid site visit. It references a Statement of Work for technical process details.

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

This Statement of Work (SOW) details the requirements for the replacement of two institutional cooling towers at USP Lee County.

• Provide all necessary labor, parts, delivery, removal, disposal, installation, startup, and training for the replacement of two institutional cooling towers.

• Cooling towers must comply with approved specifications (technical requirement attached).

• Responsible for removal, disposal, replacement, and installation of access ladder, handrails, and platform.

• Adhere to all Federal, State, and Local building codes, regulations, electrical standards, and manufacturer's warranty requirements.

• Government will assist with lock-out tag-out services.

• Startup services include inspection by a factory-trained technician to ensure compliance with manufacturer's instructions and specifications.

• Manufacturer representative will advise on any recommended corrective actions.

• Cooling tower startup includes verification of mechanical equipment, water levels, fan rotation, operating sequences, and temperature settings.

• A written startup report will be provided.

• Instruction on tower operation and maintenance will be provided by the manufacturer's representative.

• General cleanliness and order: Work area must be left clean, neat, and orderly daily and upon project completion, with all debris, materials, and waste removed.

• Hazardous materials must be disposed of in compliance with regulations.

• Work hours are Monday - Friday, 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM, excluding weekends and federal holidays.

• Alternate work hours may be authorized in writing with five (5) working days' notice for equipment replacement causing downtime.

• Site access is available during normal working hours, except during emergencies.

• Contractor must provide proof of licenses, insurances, and bonds before work commencement.

• Contractor must have a minimum of three years of documented experience on similar projects.

• Installers/technicians must be manufacturer-certified; certification must be submitted in writing seven (7) days before the project starts.

• Adherence to seismic zone requirements, environmental compliance, Life Safety, NFPA, ADA-ABA, and all applicable codes and regulations.

• Services and materials must be consistent with current industry standards and recognized by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

• Contractor is responsible for obtaining permits and submitting copies to the COR.

• Compliance with hazardous materials handling and disposal regulations (29 CFR 1926/1910 and 40 CFR 761).

• Contractor assumes full responsibility for health and safety compliance.

• Pre-Construction and monthly Progress Meetings are required.

• Written submittals for recommended equipment are due within 15 days of Notice to Proceed.

• Security clearance paperwork due 30 working days before work starts.

• Three copies of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all materials must be provided.

• Deviations from SOW require a Change Order Request.

• Contractor is responsible for repairing/replacing any Government property damaged.

• All measurements and data must comply with manufacturer's installation recommendations.

• Materials/equipment must be processed and coordinated with the COR for temporary storage.

• Contractor is responsible for unloading direct deliveries; BOP staff will not receive or sign.

• Institution entry/driveway cannot be used for loading, unloading, or storage.

• Storage of materials/tools in a designated, secure, lockable area (gang box or similar) agreed upon by COR and contractor.

• Contractor and institution will use a two-lock padlock protocol for storage containers.

• Tools must be inventoried daily upon entering and exiting the institution.

• Extension cords must be in good condition with no broken insulation and secured.

• Ladders must be stored and secured.

• Government furnished property includes basic utility services (electric, water, restroom facilities).

• Security Requirements: No contact with inmates; compliance with HSPD-12 and background checks; vehicles/pedestrians subject to search; no cell phones, cameras, or two-way pagers allowed in the institution.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required and must be provided by the contractor.

• Fall protection procedures must be followed.

• Final inspection requires ten (10) workdays advanced written notice.

• Warranty guidelines refer to the technical requirement attachment.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains detailed mechanical room floor plans, including chiller and boiler room layouts, for the U.S. Penitentiary and Federal Prison Camp in Lee County, Virginia. It provides specific information on the placement and configuration of mechanical equipment, piping, and ductwork.

• Floor Plans: Detailed layouts for Mechanical Room (Lower and Upper), Chiller and Boiler Room, and Mezzanine areas.
• Equipment Placement: Locations and designations for air handling units (AHU), fans, chillers, boilers, filters, mixing boxes, and tanks.
• Piping and Ductwork: Schematics showing the routing of various pipes (e.g., CWS, CWR, HWS, HWR, FOS) and ductwork, including sizes and connections.
• Notes and Details: Specific instructions and references to other drawing sheets for further details on structural supports, louvers, valves, and electrical components.
• Room Identification: A key listing various rooms within the utility plant and their corresponding numbers.

This attachment is crucial for bidders to understand the physical layout and technical specifications of the mechanical systems. It directly informs the scope of work, installation requirements, and potential site constraints related to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) aspects of the project. Bidders must review these plans to accurately estimate costs, develop installation strategies, and ensure compliance with the design requirements.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the "Replace Cooling Towers at USP Lee" project located in Pennington Gap, VA. The contractor will be responsible for providing all materials, labor, and equipment necessary to complete this project.

• Replacement of cooling towers at USP Lee.

• Work must be performed in accordance with attached Specifications, SOW, and Drawings.

• The magnitude of this project is estimated to be between $250,000.00 and $500,000.00.

• Performance period: Contractor shall begin performance within 10 calendar days after notice to proceed and complete within 161 calendar days.

• Offers are due by 04/02/2026 at 16:00 US/Eastern time.

• A site visit is scheduled for 18 March 2026 at 10:00 AM at FCI Lee - Front Lobby.

• Offers providing less than 90 calendar days for Government acceptance will be rejected.

• Bid Bond: 20% of the bid price or not to exceed $3,000,000.00 (not required for bids of $150,000 or less).

• Performance and Payment Bonds: Required for contracts over $150,000, with penal sums of 100% of the original contract price.

• The document references "Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside" (52.219-6 DEV) and "Utilization of Small Business Concerns" (52.219-8 DEV), indicating a potential set-aside for small businesses.

• The solicitation includes numerous FAR and agency-specific clauses related to construction contracts, including insurance requirements, submittals, payment procedures, safety, and contract closeout.

• Specific attachments include the SOW, Wage Determination, Bid Bond form, Criminal History Check Form, and Drawings.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a General Decision for Building Construction Projects in the State of Virginia, issued by the Department of Labor. It provides prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits for various construction trades. This information is crucial for contractors to understand labor costs and compliance requirements when bidding on federal construction projects in the specified counties.

• General Decision Number: VA20260009
• State: Virginia
• Construction Type: Building
• Geographic Area: Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Grayson, Henry, Lee, Patrick, Russell, Tazewell, and Wythe Counties, including the independent cities of Galax and Martinsville.
• Project Scope: Building Construction Projects (excluding single-family homes or apartments up to and including 4 stories).
• Trades and Rates: Lists specific wage rates and fringe benefits for various trades, including Asbestos Worker/Heat & Frost Insulator, Electrician, Power Equipment Operator (Bulldozer), Carpenter, Glazier, Laborer, Operator (Backhoe/Excavator/Trackhoe), Pipefitter, Plumber, Roofer, Sheet Metal Worker (HVAC Duct Installation Only), and Truck Driver (Dump Truck).
• Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave): Applies to contracts awarded on or after January 1, 2017, requiring contractors to provide paid sick leave.
• Executive Order 13658 (Minimum Wage): Generally applies to contracts awarded between January 1, 2015, and January 29, 2022, establishing a minimum hourly wage for covered workers.

Bidders must use these prevailing wage rates to accurately estimate labor costs for their proposals. Failure to comply with these wage determinations and related executive orders can lead to contract violations. The document also outlines the process for wage determination appeals.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Standard Form 24 (Rev. 10/2023), a Bid Bond. It is used when a bid guaranty is required for a government contract opportunity. The form ensures that the Principal (the bidder) and their Surety(ies) are bound to the United States Government.

• Principal Information: Legal name and business address of the bidder.
• Surety Information: Name and business address of the surety or sureties providing the bond.
• Penal Sum of Bond: Specifies the amount of the bond, either as a percentage of the bid price or a maximum dollar limitation.
• Bid Identification: Includes Bid Date and Invitation Number.
• Obligation: Outlines the commitment of the Principal and Surety(ies) to the Government.
• Conditions: Details the circumstances under which the obligation is void (e.g., if the Principal executes further contractual documents and provides required bonds after bid acceptance).
• Signatures: Requires signatures from the Principal and Surety(ies), along with corporate seals if applicable.

This form is essential for bidders who are required to submit a bid bond. Bidders must accurately complete the Principal and Surety information, determine the appropriate penal sum, and ensure all parties execute the bond correctly. Failure to provide a valid bid bond as required by the solicitation may result in the bid being considered non-responsive. The instructions on page 3 provide guidance on completing the form, including how the penal sum can be expressed and requirements for corporate and individual sureties.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Criminal History Check" form, specifically an "Authorization for Release of Information" required by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) under the U.S. Department of Justice. It is used to obtain an individual's criminal history background.

• Personal Information: Requires Name, Address, Home Telephone Number, Aliases/Nicknames, Citizenship, Social Security Number, Date of Birth, Sex, Race, Height, Weight, Color of Eyes, Color of Hair, and Place of Birth.
• Authorization Statement: The applicant authorizes the BOP to obtain criminal history information.
• Consequences of Refusal: States that refusal to provide information may result in denial of entry into a BOP facility or denial of volunteer/contract status.
• Applicant's Affirmation: Requires the applicant to attest that the information provided is true and correct, followed by a signature and date.
• Privacy Act Notice: Outlines the authority for collecting the information, its purposes (e.g., fitness for Federal employment, contractual service, security clearance), and the effects of non-disclosure.
• Bilingual Content: The document includes both English and Spanish versions of the form and related notices.

Bidders responding to opportunities that require personnel to undergo criminal history checks for access to federal facilities or for contract performance may need to have their personnel complete this form. It outlines the personal information required for such checks and the implications of non-compliance.