C1DZ--CONDUCT ELECTRICAL STUDY Project No. 629-20-116

A-E Services are being procured in accordance with the Selection of Architects and Engineers Statute (Public Law 92-582), formerly known as the Brooks Act, and implemented in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 36.6. All submissions will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria listed herein. The Government will not pay, nor reimburse, any costs associated with responding to this request. The Government is under no obligation to award a contract as a result of this announcement. Firms will be selected based on demonstrated competence and qualifications for the required work. The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541330 and the applicable Small Business Size Standard is $15.0M. The area of consideration is RESTRICTED to a 700-mile radius of the VA s Southeast Louisiana VA Health Care System (New Orleans VAMC), 2400 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119, in which either the A/E Firm s Primary or already established Auxiliary/Satellite Office must be located. Note: The 700-mile radius will be measured by one or more of the nationally recognized commercial free on-line mapping services from the Primary or already established Auxiliary/Satellite Office Address to the above VA address (shortest driving distance option). In-order to use the address of an already established Auxiliary/Satellite Office, the A/E Firm must have employees of their firm who are currently (before and at the time of SF330 submission) physically located at the Auxiliary/Satellite Office and are on the A/E s Payroll not employees of an actual or proposed subcontractor or on the payroll of an actual or proposed subcontractor. Contract Award Procedure: The proposed A/E services will be obtained by a Negotiated Firm-Fixed Price Contract. Interested parties shall ensure current Licensing and have a current registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) database at https://www.sam.gov/portal and the Vendor Information Pages database at https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/ as well as have submitted the current cycle VETS-4212 (formerly called VETS-100) Report per the requirements located at https://www.dol.gov/vets/vets4212.htm. Failure of a proposed SDVOSB to be certified by the VA s Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) at the time the SF 330 is submitted shall result in elimination from consideration as a proposed contractor. SDVOSB Requirements: In accordance with VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside, a service disabled veteran-owned small business concern agrees that, in the performance of the contract, at least 50 percent of the cost of personnel for contract performance will be spent for employees of the concern or employees of other service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns. c. Design Costs: All offerors are advised that in accordance with VAAR 836.606-73(a) the total cost of the architect or engineer services contracted for must not exceed 6 percent of the estimated cost of the construction project plus any fees for related services and activities. Additionally, FAR 52.236-22 Design Within Funding Limitations, will be applicable to this procurement action. Design limitation costs will be provided to the most highly qualified AE firm selected to complete the design. The magnitude of construction (not design) of this project is between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000. SELECTION CRITERIA: Discussions with at least three of the most highly qualified firms will be held after the evaluation board s review of the information submitted in response to the selection criteria. The selection criteria for this acquisition are listed below: Note: Each Evaluation Factor below is to be specifically addressed not only through the submission of the SF330s but also in Narrative Format to clearly show how each Evaluation Factor is formally addressed. Evaluation Factors 1 2 are the most important (and are equal) and Evaluation Factors 3-7 are in descending order of importance. (1) Professional qualifications necessary for satisfactory performance of required services to include specific experience and qualifications (i.e. education, training, registration, certifications, overall relevant experience, and longevity with the firm) of personnel proposed for assignment to the project, and their record of working together as a team. (2) Specialized experience and technical competence in the type of work required, including, where appropriate, experience in energy conservation, pollution prevention, waste reduction, and the use of recovered materials. Provide a minimum of five (5) similar projects to include technical capabilities in design quality management procedures, Computer-Aided Design and Drafting/Building Information Modeling, equipment resources, and laboratory requirements for the firm and any proposed subcontractors. In addition, provide information concerning the effectiveness of the proposed project team (including management structure, coordination of disciplines, subcontractors, and prior working relationships). (3) Past performance on contracts with Government agencies and private industry in terms of cost control, quality of work, and compliance with performance schedules. Provide information concerning superior performance ratings on recently (last 5 years from date of qualification submission for this project) completed VA projects (equivalent medical/hospital facility) as well as the reputation and standing of the firm and its principal officials with respect to professional performance, general management, and cooperativeness. Provide information concerning any claims against the firm because of improper or incomplete architectural and engineering services. (4) Capacity to accomplish the work in the required time to include the available capacity of key disciplines to perform the work (in the required time). (5) Post-award construction services to include professional field inspections during the construction period, review of construction submittals, support in answering requests for information during the construction period, and support of construction contract changes to include drafting statements of work, and cost estimates. (6) Location in the general geographical area of the project and knowledge of the locality of the project (to include knowledge of geological features, climate conditions, and local construction methods that are unusual or unique). (7) Identification of, and commit to, the use of service-disabled Veteran-owned small businesses, Veteran-owned small businesses, and other types of small businesses as subcontractors. Each SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENT: This project is a 100% set-aside for Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) concerns under VAAR 852.219-10, VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (Dec 2009). All original Standard Form (SF) 330 packages and Narrative Information shall be submitted to: Department of Veterans Affairs Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System Network Contracting Office (NCO) 16 Attn: William A. Geary Reference No.: 36C25620R0156 400 Veterans Avenue Biloxi, MS 39531 (a) All SF 330 submissions shall be clearly marked with the subject line displaying the Solicitation Number 36C25620R0156 The SF 330 may be downloaded from www.gsa.gov/forms. Completed SF 330 s shall include the primary firms, subcontractor firms, and any consultants expected to be used on the project. All submissions shall be in black and white no color submissions please. (b) Firms that meet the requirements listed in this announcement are invited to submit five (5) hard copies of the completed SF 330 including Parts I and II as described herein and one (1) CD of the SF 330 submittal as a single pdf file, to the above address no later than 1:00 PM (EST) on November 23, 2020. FAX AND/OR E-MAIL SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Late submission/proposal rules found in FAR 15.208 will be followed for submittals/proposals not received by the exact date and time listed above. (c) Interested firms shall address each of the seven (7) Selection Criteria in their SF 330 s and additional documents/submittals. Interested firms shall limit the Narrative Information to support all seven (7) Evaluation Factors to ten (10) pages total (beyond the SF330s). Any additional Narrative Information past ten (10) pages total will not be considered. Failure to provide Narrative Information to support each of the seven (7) Evaluation Factors may negatively affect the interested firms Factor(s) Rating and subsequently their Overall Rating and Standing. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. THERE ARE NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE. This is a request for SF 330 s Architect/Engineer Qualifications packages only. Any requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This requirement is subject to Availability of Funds. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System 2400 Canal Blvd New Orleans, LA Project No. 629-20-116 Conduct Electrical Study 1. Introduction: This Statement of Work (SOW) describes the requirements for a STUDY that includes the inspection, testing, and documentation of the medium voltage (480V, 277/480V & 120/208V) Electrical Power Distribution System and all of its components at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System (SLVHCS), 2400 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA., 70119. The A/E shall have two hundred (200) calendar days from issuance of Notice to Proceed to complete this work. 2. A/E Requirements: A/E shall have safety training either on-the-job or class-room type - in electrical safety outlined in the OSHA Standard 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910 Subpart S Electrical, and the NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. Training certification shall be provided indicating each technician is a Qualified Person as defined by NFPA 70E. Training certifications shall be submitted to the VA Contracting Officer prior to beginning work no later than ten (10) days after contract award. A/E shall have ready access to the latest versions of the following references: NFPA 70, National Electrical Code. NFPA 70B, Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance. NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety for the Workplace. NFPA 110, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power System. OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910, Subparts I & S. InterNational Electrical Testing Association, Inc. (NETA) Maintenance and Testing Specifications. Operating/Maintenance manuals, and specifications of the electrical equipment to be maintained and tested. These documents may be obtained from the VHA Medical Center, or the equipment manufacturers. VHA Directive 1028, Electrical Power Distribution System A/E shall have and provide all necessary manpower, tools, equipment, supplies, transportation, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to perform the work safely, effectively, and timely. Tools, equipment, and PPE shall comply with the requirements of OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910, Subpart I, and NFPA 70E. Prior to initiating work, A/E shall provide documentation that all instruments, test equipment, tools and PPE have current calibration. Dated calibration labels shall be visible on all instruments, test equipment, tools and PPE as appropriate. 3. Summary of Work: The A/E shall provide a proposed schedule after issuance of the Notice to Proceed and before any actual site work begins. The schedule shall be in the form of a progress chart of suitable scale to indicate the work scheduled for completion by any given date with buildings identified during the work period, per section D below. This work will be performed on a medical center campus requiring minimal, coordinated power outages carried out at times that minimize the impact to patient care services. The proposed schedule shall be reviewed by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR); any requirements for adjusting the schedule (e.g. to minimize disruption to the VAMC) shall be incorporated by the A/E. A/E shall report deficiencies that are deemed critical or catastrophic immediately to the Contracting Officer and (COR) for immediate action. Work items, definitions, and references shall comply with the latest edition of the NETA Maintenance Testing Specifications (MTS 2015) and with the VHA Directive, Electrical Power Distribution System (included PDF files for each building noted in E. with the exception of Shotgun houses). Below is an example list of equipment, components, etc. that must be inspected, verified, tested and documented; additional equipment may be necessary: Panelboard labels (including ARC Flashing) Main panel breakers Branch circuit breakers Contacts/connections Panel enclosures Grounding Systems Ground-fault Protection Systems Emergency Systems, Emergency Panels Disconnects Transformers Work to be in compliance with NETA Maintenance Testing Specifications (MTS 2015) standards and typical medical center breaker testing work. Electrical equipment (including, but not limited to switchgears, switchboards, distribution panels, motor control centers, and all related components) work must be documented. Typical examples of the work necessary to comply with NETA and VA requirements follow; there may be additional requirements that apply: (a) Visually inspect for signs of overheating, misaligned contacts, damaged insulation, or lose lugs. (c)Test and exercise circuit breakers located in switchgears, switchboard, and distribution panels to ensure operation under overload, and short circuit conditions. (d) Test ground fault protection devices for proper function if they are installed in the Electrical Power Distribution System. (e) Inspect ground connections. Test ground resistance for the entire facility grounding system. (f) Identify the hot spots in the electrical equipment by using infra-red thermal detecting equipment. (g) Identify adjustable protective relays that require adjustment and calibration. (h) Test all control systems equipment for proper operation after maintenance is performed and before placing them back in normal service. (i) To ensure access is limited to qualified persons, electrical equipment is to be secured. For example, electrical panels located in corridors or other public areas are to be locked or otherwise secured. Circuit Tracing and Panel Schedule Updates. The A/E shall provide all tools, materials and labor necessary to trace all circuits in panels in order to confirm and develop panel schedules. Panel schedules shall be complete and encompass all circuits associated with the affected panel. A plastic sleeve for the schedule shall be provided by the A/E. Schedules may not be stickers or adhere directly to the panelboard. Sample schedule shall be submitted by the A/E to the VA for review and approval prior to use. Sample submittal shall be received no later than fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of Notice to Proceed. The panel Inventory of Electrical Power Distribution System equipment listed below to be verified, inspected, and tested under this Scope of Work and in accordance with NETA Maintenance Testing Specifications (MTS 2015). The schedule will be formalized through discussions and agreement with the COR. The panels listed below approximated electrical panel drawing summation require field verification. Building Name Qty of Panelboards Concourse Panels 120/208 4 Inpatient Panels 480 4 Panels 277/480 33 Panels 120/208 37 Diagnostic & Treatment Panels 480 30 Panels 277/480 62 Panels 120/208 171 Outpatient Panels 480 5 Panels 277/480 25 Panels 120/208 54 Staff Garage Panels 480 5 Panels 277/480 22 Panels 120/208 11 Patient Garage Panels 480 5 Panels 277/480 13 Panels 120/208 15 Transitional Living Panels 480 3 Panels 277/480 46 Panels 120/208 26 Central Energy Plant Panels 480 5 Panels 277/480 19 Panels 120/208 31 Research Panels 480 3 Panels 277/480 35 Panels 120/208 53 Admin Panels 277/480 40 Panels 120/208 28 Shotgun Houses (R1, R2, R3, and R4) Panels 120/208 5 Note 1: Distribution Panel, campus site and other informational drawings of the Electrical Power Distribution System for schedule coordination are record drawings. Final equipment counts shall be field verified by the A/E. Note 2: Any coordinated work completed for the panels shall have the associated transformer work completed concurrently. Transformer counts can be taken from provided VA drawings. Note3: Phasing activities is necessary to maintain patient care. Buildings Inpatient, Diagnostics & Treatment and Transitional Living are critical and cannot be tested concurrently. Emergency panels may require separate scheduling. Infra-Red Scanning/Thermographic Survey shall be performed on electrical equipment. Use an infra-red scanning camera to detect hot spots in the Electrical Power Distribution System. Objective of this work is to detect any loose, broken, or corroded connections in the system. Note that since this work item must be done while the Electrical Power Distribution System is energized, appropriate safety precautions must be taken before, during and after scanning the system. This shall include the submission of an energized work permit to VA for approval prior to the commencement of work. A pre work hazard assessment shall be completed and submitted to the VA for approval prior to commencing with any work. The documentation will be submitted to the COR and Safety Office no fewer than seven (7) calendar days prior to start work on site. A sample of the inspection/testing checklist/worksheet shall be provided to the VA as an electronic submittal for review prior to use. This submittal is due within ten (10) calendar days of Notice to Proceed. Arc Flash Labeling and Testing. A/E shall document arc flash testing labels missing on electrical panels. This is estimated not to exceed twenty-five (25) panels. Results of Work: A. A complete written report of the work performed shall be provided to the VA within seven (7) days of completion of buildings that have less than 50 panelboards; buildings that exceed 50 panels written reports shall not exceed fourteen (14) calendar days. Information shown in the report shall be as following: Company s name, addresses, telephone, & FAX numbers. Name and signature of A/E s or contractors who perform the maintenance and testing. VA Work Contract Number, name and number of VA Contracting Officer. Date and Time of work. Copies of A/E s or contractors valid licenses, professional and training certificates. Descriptions and model number of specialized tools and equipment used, such as torque wrench or infra-red scanning camera. The descriptions to be reported as a one-time submittal prior to beginning of work. Additional descriptions can be added as needed. Location, Type, Name, and nameplate information of electrical equipment to be verified, tested and/or corrected. Descriptions of work items. Test data. Thermal Imaging Data Requirement Pictures of images b. Descriptions of corrective actions required c. Nameplate data Reference materials such as equipment manufacturer s specifications, coordination study, etc. Remarks on conditions of electrical equipment. List all deficiencies, if any with severity/grading of condition. Recommended corrective actions, if any with associated costs. Panelboard schedules (including updates and corrections), typed, Calibri Font sized 12. Insert new updated schedule in panel and provide schedule in report. Report Corrective actions that require less than two (2) hours to perform to COR/designated VA electrical representative within two (2) hours and documented work to be performed in report. VA COR to be contacted within 5 business days for corrective work that exceed two (2) hours. Submit four (4) hard copies of the complete written report, and one (1) CD-ROM or DVD of the electronic version of the report in Microsoft Word format to the COR within seven (7) calendar days of visit. All reference materials shall be included in the electronic version of the report, either through scanning or other means of electronic text import methods. Report sample for each test/inspection shall be provided to the VA as an electronic submittal for review prior to use. This submittal is due within twenty (20) calendar days of receipt of Notice to Proceed. Report to be signed by a least one Registered Electrical Professional Engineer (PE). Note: Section 3 Summary of Work E. Panelboard Phasing Schedule does not imply series or sequential order of work. Parallel activities can be conducted. Completion of project not to exceed 200 calendar days. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS: The A/E Firm shall furnish all necessary labor, material, parts, transportation, components, tools, supplies, test equipment and diagnostics to perform all tests (infrared, etc.) as identified in this scope of work on all work items listed. Tests may include but are not limited to the following NETA standards: Dielectric Breakdown (D-877); Interfacial Tension (D-971); Moisture (D-1533b); Neutralization Number (D-974); Dissolved Gas in Oil (D-3612); Color (D-1500). Note. Some of these items are specific to one system type (such as D-3612 for transformers). All tests shall be completed according to the applicable equipment for which the standard is written. See Results of Work section for specific test and data collection requirements. All work shall be in strict compliance with the National Electric Code, NFPA 70E, NEMA, ANSI, NFPA and VA standards. Schedule: Work to occur during day shift Monday thru Friday beginning at 7:00 AM and completing each night at approximately 4:00 PM exclusive of federal holidays. Coordinate work with the COR. The approved schedule must be adhered to minimize impact to patient care. Work within this schedule may begin building shutdowns at 6:30 am, with inpatient area shutdowns to be scheduled by the COR. Critical areas such as Pharmacy, Surgery and Isolation may require 30% after hours or weekend work hours. Access and shutdowns will be coordinated with COR and Engineering no fewer than 30 calendar days to commencement of shutdown. Shutdown coordination may be shortened in areas where work activities are not affected. The A/E shall provide a proposed work schedule with their proposal. The schedule shall be in the form of a progress chart to indicate the work scheduled for completion by any given date during the work period. The proposed schedule shall be reviewed by the Medical Center and any requirements for adjusting the schedule to minimize disruption shall be incorporated by the A/E. An alternate schedule may be approved, if more efficient use of manpower and less impact to patient care than schedule in 3.D. above. Schedule of Values. The A/E shall provide an electronic Schedule of Values (PDF) to the COR for approval. This shall be submitted within fifteen (15) days of receipt of Notice to Proceed. At a minimum, the A/E shall provide tasks and associated cost estimate per building. Special Considerations by the A/E All sampling, testing and inspection shall be done in accordance to all NEC, NETA Maintenance Testing Specifications (MTS 2015) and NFPA Codes and use of industry standard methods for the subject described work herein. The A/E shall have and provide all necessary tools, equipment, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to perform the work herein safely, effectively and timely. Tools, equipment, and PPE shall comply with the requirements of OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910, Subpart I, and NFPA 70E. Prior to initiating work, A/E shall provide documentation that all instruments, test equipment, tools and PPE have current calibration. Dated calibration labels shall be visible on all instruments, test equipment, tools and PPE. The A/E will be responsible for the cleanliness of the building area both interior and exterior to associated buildings. The A/E s workmen shall provide and utilize all safety requirements in accordance with all applicable NFPA and OSHA regulations. As a required example of work, provide PPE and training certification to rack in/out breakers. Refer to Section 2. Qualification for A/Es for additional requirements. The A/E shall provide a site-specific safety plan outlining all expected hazards to be encountered while completing work on site. This shall include emergency contact information as well as identified emergency facilities. The submitted safety plan must be approved prior to commencement of work. VA shall require a minimum five (5) calendar days to review with VA safety office. While this is an emergency facility, humanitarian aid only may be provided to nonveterans. The A/E shall provide evidence of daily safety meeting (also known as toolbox meetings) for each day staff are on site completing work. This shall include but is not limited to provision of a sign in sheet for staff, review of the work to be conducted for the day or time period, review of the pre work hazard analysis/assessment. A/E s workmen are subject to rules and practices, which comply with national and local safety codes. All maintenance and testing shall be done on equipment de-energized from the AC source as possible. Where temporary feed for power is required to keep vital circuits in operation, provisions shall be made to isolate these circuits from the equipment being serviced. Circuits that will require being de-energized prior to work will require a Utility Shutdown that must be coordinated with the project COR before start of work. Prior to any testing all circuit conductors shall be checked to determine that the temporary leads are not feeding back into equipment being serviced. A/E shall notify the COR 14 calendar days in advance of the proposed date of starting work in each specific area of campus. Arrange such dates to ensure accomplishments of this work in successive phases mutually agreeable to the COR and A/E. Outages must be scheduled thirty (30) calendar days in advance. The A/E will not be allowed to use Government tools, materials, PPE and/or labor for this effort. END