Z1DA--PN: 636A8-24-003, Correct Lightning Protection and Grounding PO 636C69133

The Department of Veterans Affairs, through Network Contracting Office 23, is preparing to award a firm-fixed-price construction contract (Solicitation Number 36C26326B0008) for the project titled "Correct Lightning Protection and Grounding" at the Iowa City VA Health Care System (ICVAHCS). This project involves upgrading outdated lightning protection and grounding systems across all buildings on the Iowa City VA campus to restore Underwriters Laboratory (UL) ratings, adhering strictly to UL 96A standards and other pertinent electrical and safety codes. The contract is a 100% Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set-aside under NAICS code 238210 (Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors), with an estimated value between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000. The contractor is responsible for furnishing all labor, materials, tools, and equipment necessary to accomplish the work within a performance period of 365 calendar days from the Notice to Proceed. The solicitation, planned for release around mid-November 2025 with a final bid submission deadline extended to late February 2026, mandates that bidders be certified SDVOSB verified in the SBA database at the time of bid submission. This project requires strict compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations, VAAR clauses, and safety standards including OSHA regulations and USACE EM 385-1-1. The scope includes electrical and communications grounding upgrades, demolition, fire alarm system modifications, and coordination with VA representatives to meet detailed construction specifications and drawings. Contractors must comply with limitations on subcontracting, ensuring no more than 75% of the contract amount is subcontracted to non-SDVOSB/VOSB entities, with government rights to audit compliance. The contract incorporates rigorous safety, privacy, and records management requirements, including mandatory VA privacy training for personnel. Bidding documents, including comprehensive specifications, drawings (over 180 pages combined), amendments addressing technical clarifications, wage determinations reflecting current prevailing rates, and other attachments, are exclusively available through the SAM.gov Contract Opportunities website. All submissions must be electronic in PDF format with strict size limits and adhere to specified proposal instructions. Final contract award is contingent upon meeting all eligibility, certification, responsibility, and compliance criteria, with performance closely monitored through government inspections and quality standards aligned with UL, NFPA, ASTM, and FM Global guidelines.