Z2DA--674-23-255 NRM Improve RO-DI Recirculation

The contract 674-23-255 for the Improve RO-DI Recirculation project at the Olin E. Teague Veterans’ Medical Center in Temple, Texas, is a construction contract valued between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000, exclusively set aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) under NAICS code 238220. The scope involves comprehensive renovation of the Reverse Osmosis-Deionization recirculation system across three floors of Building 163, including demolition, replacement of plumbing fixtures and lines, reconfiguration of electrical and mechanical systems, and installation of a new RO system capable of producing at least four gallons per minute. Work must be performed in phases to minimize disruption in a 24/7 healthcare environment, requiring after-hours and weekend labor, and must comply with stringent infection control protocols per VHA ICRA and PCRA templates, as well as NFPA, OSHA, IBC, and VA-specific standards. The project requires the contractor to provide performance and payment bonds, a contractor quality control plan, operation and maintenance manuals, and record drawings with CAD files upon completion within 180 calendar days of notice to proceed. The solicitation process emphasized past performance as the most critical evaluation factor, significantly outweighing price in the best value trade-off determination. Offerors must demonstrate substantial or satisfactory confidence based on at least three prior projects of $1 million or more within the last three years, with detailed documentation on cost control, challenges, and solutions. Technical acceptability hinges on an Experience Modification Rating (EMR) of 1.00 or less, verified through current insurance documentation. Proposals are submitted in four distinct, named volumes via email, with strict formatting and file type requirements—searchable PDFs for technical and past performance submissions, and a Word document for pricing. The contract mandates electronic invoicing through the Tungsten Network and compliance with federal clauses such as 52.240-90/91 for telecommunications prohibitions, Buy American Act requirements, and restrictions on sanctioned countries. Key personnel include a designated Contracting Officer, Contract Specialist, and Healthcare Engineer COR, while security protocols prohibit access to patient health information and mandate adherence to NDAA Section 889 prohibitions on covered telecommunications equipment. The award will be based on a holistic best value assessment, not lowest price, ensuring selection of the most qualified SD