Y1DA--580-26-103 Upgrade Cooling Tower B104
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), specifically the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston, Texas, has issued a solicitation for the Upgrade Cooling Tower B104 project. This is a Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) construction contract exclusively set aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), with an estimated magnitude between $2,000,000 and $5,000,000. Proposals are due May 29, 2026, at 11:00 AM CDT.
Scope of Work
The project entails the rehabilitation and upgrade of cooling towers at Building 104. This includes the replacement of fill material, drift eliminators, air inlet louvers, and water distribution nozzles for six 1,150-ton and two 1,250-ton counter-flow induced draft cooling towers. Detailed requirements are provided in the project specifications and drawings.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) construction.
- Magnitude: Between $2,000,000 and $5,000,000.
- Period of Performance: 300 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed (assumed June 23, 2026).
- NAICS Code: 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors) with a $19 million small business size standard.
- Bonds: A bid bond must be submitted with the proposal. Performance and Payment bonds will be required from the awarded contractor.
- Wage Rates: Contractors must adhere to the Department of Labor Wage Determinations TX20260253 for Harris County, Texas.
Set-Aside & Eligibility
This is a Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside. Offerors must be actively registered with SBA VetCert (Veteran Small Business Certification) and in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) database, with the assigned NAICS code (238220) in VetCert, at the time offers are due. A minimum of 25% of the contract performance cost for personnel must be spent on the concern's employees or employees of other eligible SDVOSB concerns. Offerors must also have an Experience Modification Rate (EMR) less than 1 and provide OSHA records for the last three years.
Submission & Evaluation
- Proposals Due: May 29, 2026, 11:00 AM CDT.
- Inquiries Deadline: May 13, 2026, 16:00 CT. Questions must be submitted via email to tabitha.contreras@va.gov.
- Submission Method: Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to tabitha.contreras@va.gov.
- Evaluation: Award will be made on a best-value basis, with Past Performance being significantly more important than Price. The Government plans to make an award without discussions.
- Proposal Structure: Volume I (Past Performance, 15-page limit) and Volume II (Price, Solicitation, Offer & Award Documents, no page limit).
Key Dates & Actions
- Solicitation Published: April 29, 2026.
- Site Visit: May 8, 2026, at 9 AM Central. Contact MEDVAMC for the exact location.
- Contact: Tabitha K Contreras, Contracting Officer, tabitha.contreras@va.gov.