F103--Water System Testing and Reporting for Sterile Processing Services in compliance with Veterans Health Administration directive 1116(2).

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) SOURCES SOUGHT 1. Responses to this Sources Sought must be in writing. The purpose of this Sources Sought Announcement is for market research purposes only, to make appropriate acquisition decisions and to gain knowledge of Small Businesses, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB), including Service- Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB), interested and capable of providing Water System Testing and Reporting for Sterile Processing Services, per paragraph five (5) below, for the VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS). 2. The NAICS for this requirement is 541330, Engineering Services. The product service code is F103, Environmental Systems Protection Water Quality Support. 3. Interested and capable Contractors should respond to this notice not later than February 04, 2022 at 10:00 am (PST) by providing the following via email only to contact@example.gov. (a) company name (b) address (c) point of contact (d) phone and email of primary point of contact (e) DUNS number (f) A capability statement that addresses the organization s qualifications and ability to perform as a contractor specifically for the work described in paragraph 5 below. Respondents are also encouraged to provide specific examples (e.g. contract number, point of contact information) of the Contractor s experience providing the same or similar services described in paragraph 5 below. 4. SDVOSB/VOSB respondents. SDVOSB/VOSB respondents are encouraged to provide proof of registration in the Veteran Information Pages at https://www.va.gov/osdbu/. Further, SDVOSB and VOSB Contractors are asked to acknowledge that they understand the limitations on sub-contracting pursuant to FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Sub-Contracting, which will be included in the impending solicitation. 5. Required Services and Timeline. Contractor shall provide water testing services for the Department of Veterans Affairs, San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161. Services may include the following: The contractor shall provide sampling and analysis of those water quality parameters requiring monthly, quarterly, and/or annual testing. Those parameters with daily frequencies will be collected by VA Engineering Staff. Additionally, the contractor shall conduct a review and evaluation of water parameter criteria records of daily sampling events and of the Critical Water standard operating procedures for the Sterile Processing Services (SPS). Updates and/or recommendations shall be provided upon request. Specific Tasks The contractor shall provide professional water testing services for the sampling, analysis, and reporting of results of critical water within the SPS at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS). At least three monthly bacterial test locations are required: one post critical water production at the Engineering plant, one post critical water in room B171-B (SPS Sterilizer closet) and one post facility filtration system of utility water. The Scope of Work encompasses sampling water using the following parameters (Table 1) and frequency (Table 2): Table 1. Categories and Recommended Levels of Water Quality for Medical Device Reprocessing. Water use parameter Units Utility Water Limits Critical Rinse Water Limits Hardness mg/L <150 <1 Conductivity µS/cm <500 <10 pH - 6-9 5-7 Chlorides mg/L <250 <1 Bacteria Cfu/mL Flushing/Washing/Rinsing: n/a After high-level disinfection: <10 <10 Endotoxins EU/mL Flushing/Washing/Rinsing: n/a After high-level disinfection: <20 <10 Table 2. Abbreviated AAMI TIR34 water quality testing frequency for Critical Water compliance. Parameter Frequency Bacteria Monthly Endotoxins On installation, modification, or repair of the critical water treatment system or when persistent increased microbial levels are detected by heterotrophic plate count (HPC). Total Organic Carbon Monthly or Quarterly pH Monthly Water Hardness Annually Resistivity Meter Daily Ionic Contaminants Annually Color or Turbidity Daily Temperature Daily Filters Daily Deliverables: Contractor shall provide an electronic format report and a paper copy of the Critical Water Systems Testing and Reporting for Sterile Processing Services. Results shall define the scope of the work performed and shall include details of actions and methods used to perform work and recommendations. During data collection, Contractor shall report discrepancies in existing system to include Gap analysis results to determine need and policies to implement and maintain compliance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) directive 1116(2). Safety Precautions Contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local requirements regarding workers health and safety. The requirements include those found in VHA Directive 11161(2), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Federal and State Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) statutes and regulations, such as applicable provisions of Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 1910 and 1926, CFR 1910.132(d)(1)(iii), 29CFR1910.137 Contractor shall possess a bachelor s degree and shall be certified as an Industrial Hygienist. Furthermore, contractor shall be licensed, qualified, and certified to meet all EPA regulations under National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air pollutants (NESHAPS) and all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. 6. The intended contract period will be for a base year and up to four (4) one-year option periods with the base period of performance anticipated to be from March 15, 2022 March 14, 2023. 7. Please note that if VA s pending market research establishes that two or more VOSB or SDVOSB, who are certified in VA s Vendor Information Pages (VIP) can perform the required services, the VA will set aside the underlying solicitation per 38 U.S.C. §8127. --End of Sources Sought Announcement--