Y1DA--580-26-103 Upgrade Cooling Tower B104

Other / Unclassified

This document is a General Decision Number (TX20260253) dated 01/02/2026, which supersedes TX20250253. It provides prevailing wage rates and fringes for various construction trades within Harris County, Texas, specifically for Building Construction Projects (excluding single-family homes and apartments up to four stories).

This document is crucial for any bidder responding to a solicitation that requires adherence to prevailing wage laws, such as those under the Davis-Bacon Act. It details the minimum hourly wage and fringe benefit rates for numerous job classifications, including:

• Asbestos Worker/Heat & Frost Insulator
• Boilermaker
• Carpenter (excluding specific tasks)
• Electrician (various types)
• Elevator Mechanic
• Power Equipment Operator (Cranes)
• Ironworker (Structural, Ornamental, Reinforcing)
• Glazier
• Plasterer
• Plumber
• Pipefitter (including HVAC Pipe Installation)
• Sprinkler Fitter
• Sheet Metal Worker (including HVAC Duct Installation)
• Acoustical Ceiling Mechanic
• Bricklayer
• Caulker
• Cement Mason/Concrete Finisher
• Drywall Finisher/Taper, Hanger and Metal Stud Installer
• Floor Layer (Carpet)
• Form Worker
• Insulator (Batt)
• Laborer (various types)
• Lather
• Operator (various types, including Backhoe, Bulldozer, Forklift, Loader, Mechanic, Paver, Roller)
• Painter
• Roofer
• Tile Finisher, Setter
• Truck Driver (various types)
• Waterproofer
• Welders

The document also includes important notes regarding Executive Orders (EO) 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and EO 13658 (minimum wage for federal contractors), outlining contractor obligations and worker protections. It further explains the identifiers used for different types of wage rates (Union, Union Average, Survey, State Adopted) and provides information on the Wage Determination Appeals Process.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a table of contents for "VHA MASTER SPECIFICATIONS" for "580-26-103 | MEDVAMC Upgrade cooling tower B104". It lists the various divisions and sections of the specifications, along with their corresponding dates. The divisions cover a wide range of construction and technical requirements, including special sections, general requirements, existing conditions, concrete, metals, thermal and moisture protection, openings, finishes, specialties, equipment, furnishings, special construction, fire suppression, plumbing, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), integrated automation, electrical, communications, electronic safety and security, earthwork, exterior improvements, utilities, transportation, and electrical power generation.

This document provides a high-level overview of the technical specifications for the MEDVAMC Upgrade Cooling Tower B104 project. It helps potential bidders understand the scope and organization of the technical documentation, allowing them to quickly identify relevant sections for their specific areas of expertise and to assess the overall complexity and requirements of the project.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the "Upgrade Cooling Tower at Building 104" at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston, TX. The estimated magnitude of construction is between $2,000,000.00 and $5,000,000.00.

• Upgrade of the cooling tower at Building 104.

• Contractor shall use the attached US Department of Labor Wage Determinations TX20260253.

• Performance and Payment Bonds are required.

• The contract type will be Firm-Fixed-Price.

• Performance is to begin within a specified number of calendar days and complete within 300 days after receiving notice to proceed. The assumed notice to proceed date is June 23, 2026, with a completion date around May 2027.

• This is a total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside competitive procurement.

• Proposals are due by 11:00 AM CDT on May 29, 2026.

• Solicitation inquiries deadline is May 13, 2026, at 16:00 CT via email to tabitha.contreras@va.gov.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to tabitha.contreras@va.gov.

• The award will be made on a best-value basis, with Past Performance being significantly more important than Price.

• Proposals consist of two volumes: Volume I (Past Performance) with a 15-page limit, and Volume II (Price, Solicitation, Offer & Award Documents) with no page limit.

• The Government plans to make an award without discussions.

• This procurement is a total SDVOSB set-aside.

• Offerors must be actively registered in SAM and be SDVOSB certified at the time offers are due.

• SDVOSB contractors must be certified by the SBA with the assigned NAICS code (238220, size standard $19 Million).

• Experience Modification Rate (EMR) must be less than 1.

• Offerors must provide OSHA records for the last three years.

• A site visit is scheduled for May 8, 2026, at 9 AM Central. Contact MEDVAMC via email for the exact location.

• Bid Bond, Payment Bond, and Performance Bond are required.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains project drawings for the "Building 104 Cooling Tower Replacement" at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas. It provides detailed architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical plans.

• Drawing List: Outlines all included drawings, categorized by discipline (Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical).
• Architectural Plans (A1.0): Shows partial plans of Building 104, including chiller areas and service ramps.
• Structural Plans (S1.0): Details structural components, including condenser water header supports and column base plates.
• Mechanical Plans (M1.0, M3.0, M5.0, M6.0): Includes partial plans for condenser piping, mechanical sections, condenser water flow diagrams, and cooling tower details.
• Electrical Plans (E1.0, E5.0): Provides partial electrical plans for chillers and a cooling tower electrical single-line diagram.
• Schedules: Contains schedules for cooling towers, condenser water pumps, and MCC circuits.

These drawings are critical for bidders to understand the scope of work, existing conditions, and specific requirements for the cooling tower replacement project. They detail the layout, dimensions, materials, and connections necessary for accurate bidding and execution of the project.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Standard Form 24 (Rev. 8/2016), a Bid Bond. It is used to guarantee that a bidder will enter into a contract if their bid is accepted. The bond ensures that if the bidder fails to execute the contract or provide required bonds after acceptance, the Government will be compensated for any excess costs incurred in procuring the work.

• Principal: The bidder's legal name and business address.
• Surety(ies): The name and business address of the surety company or companies providing the bond.
• Penal Sum of Bond: The maximum amount the surety is liable for, typically a percentage of the bid price.
• Bid Identification: Details of the bid, including invitation number and bid date.
• Obligation: Outlines the conditions under which the bond is void (e.g., if the principal accepts the award and executes further contractual documents and bonds).
• Witness: Signatures and seals of the Principal and Surety(ies).

Bidders are required to submit this form if a bid guaranty is specified in the solicitation. It demonstrates financial commitment and assures the Government that the bidder is prepared to enter into a contract upon award. Failure to submit a valid bid bond when required can lead to bid disqualification. The instructions provide guidance on completing the form, including details on the penal sum, surety requirements, and execution.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a pre-solicitation notice for the "Upgrade Cooling Towers B104" project (Project Number 580-26-103) at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston, Texas. The acquisition is for a firm-fixed-price construction contract to rehabilitate six 1,150-ton and two 1,250-ton counter-flow induced draft cooling towers. Services include supervision, materials, and labor for the rehabilitation.

• Rehabilitation of six 1,150-ton counter-flow induced draft cooling towers.

• Rehabilitation of two 1,250-ton counter-flow induced draft cooling towers.

• Rehabilitation includes replacement of fill material, drift eliminators, air inlet louvers, and water distribution nozzles.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price Construction.

• Period of Performance: 290 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed.

• Estimated Magnitude of Construction: Between $2,000,000 and $5,000,000.

• Proposal Acceptance Period: 60 days.

• Solicitation documents (drawings and specifications) will be available electronically on or about April 29, 2026.

• The solicitation will be issued as a Request for Proposals (RFP).

• Interested parties are encouraged to register for notification of the solicitation posting and any amendments.

• Offerors are responsible for checking the site frequently for amendments.

• A bid bond must be submitted with the proposal.

• Performance and Payment bonds will be required from the awardee.

• This opportunity is exclusively available to Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB).

• At least 25 percent of contract performance cost for personnel must be spent on the concern's employees or employees of other eligible SDVOSB concerns.

• NAICS Code: 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors) with a small business size standard of $19 million in average annual receipts for the past three years.

• Offerors must be registered with SBA VetCert at Veteran Small Business Certification (sba.gov) and in the System for Award Management (SAM) database (www.sam.gov).

• Offerors must have completed online Representations and Certifications prior to the solicitation due date.

• Offerors must be registered with the NAICS code in VetCert.

• This is a Pre-Solicitation Notice; questions will only be accepted after the solicitation is published.

• Hard copies of solicitation documents will not be mailed.