J065--RO Equipment Maintenance RFQ Amendment to Answer Industry Questions

5. PROJECT NUMBER (if applicable) CODE 7. ADMINISTERED BY 2. AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION NUMBER CODE 6. ISSUED BY 8. NAME AND ADDRESS OF CONTRACTOR 4. REQUISITION/PURCHASE REQ. NUMBER 3. EFFECTIVE DATE 9A. AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION NUMBER 9B. DATED PAGE OF PAGES 10A. MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT/ORDER NUMBER 10B. DATED BPA NO. 1. CONTRACT ID CODE FACILITY CODE CODE Offers must acknowledge receipt of this amendment prior to the hour and date specified in the solicitation or as amended, by one of the following methods: The above numbered solicitation is amended as set forth in Item 14. The hour and date specified for receipt of Offers E. IMPORTANT: is extended, (a) By completing Items 8 and 15, and returning __________ copies of the amendment; (b) By acknowledging receipt of this amendment on each copy of the offer submitted; or (c) By separate letter or electronic communication which includes a reference to the solicitation and amendment numbers. FAILURE OF YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO BE RECEIVED AT THE PLACE DESIGNATED FOR THE RECEIPT OF OFFERS PRIOR TO THE HOUR AND DATE SPECIFIED MAY is not extended. 12. ACCOUNTING AND APPROPRIATION DATA (REV. 11/2016) is required to sign this document and return ___________ copies to the issuing office. is not, A. THIS CHANGE ORDER IS ISSUED PURSUANT TO: (Specify authority) THE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14 ARE MADE IN THE CONTRACT ORDER NO. IN ITEM 10A. 15C. DATE SIGNED B. THE ABOVE NUMBERED CONTRACT/ORDER IS MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES SET FORTH IN ITEM 14, PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 43.103(b). RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. If by virtue of this amendment you desire to change an offer already submitted, such change may be made by letter or electronic communication, provided each letter or electronic communication makes reference to the solicitation and this amendment, and is received prior to the opening hour and date specified. C. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT IS ENTERED INTO PURSUANT TO AUTHORITY OF: D. OTHER Contractor 16C. DATE SIGNED 14. DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENT/MODIFICATION 16B. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Except as provided herein, all terms and conditions of the document referenced in Item 9A or 10A, as heretofore changed, remains unchanged and in full force and effect. 15A. NAME AND TITLE OF SIGNER 16A. NAME AND TITLE OF CONTRACTING OFFICER 15B. CONTRACTOR/OFFEROR STANDARD FORM 30 PREVIOUS EDITION NOT USABLE Prescribed by GSA - FAR (48 CFR) 53.243 (Type or print) (Type or print) (Organized by UCF section headings, including solicitation/contract subject matter where feasible.) (Number, street, county, State and ZIP Code) (If other than Item 6) (Specify type of modification and authority) (such as changes in paying office, appropriation date, etc.) (If required) (SEE ITEM 11) (SEE ITEM 13) (X) CHECK ONE 13. THIS ITEM APPLIES ONLY TO MODIFICATIONS OF CONTRACTS/ORDERS, IT MODIFIES THE CONTRACT/ORDER NO. AS DESCRIBED IN ITEM 14. 11. THIS ITEM ONLY APPLIES TO AMENDMENTS OF SOLICITATIONS AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT (Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer) 1 3 0002 10-30-2026 None 36C250 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 10 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48105 36C250 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 10 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive Ann Arbor, MI 48105 To all Offerors/Bidders 36C25027Q0051 10-21-2026 X X X 1 See CONTINUATION Page This amendment is to answer RFQ industry questions asked. All other terms and conditions are unchanged as a result of this modification. Jeannie Ortiz Contracting Officer Page 4 of 4 The SOW's quarterly SPS work lists three mixed-bed tanks, part W5TDIMB10360FSP, and replacement based on monthly evaluations. Base CLIN 0006 lists four. What tank quantity and evaluation/replacement frequency should bidders include each year? ANSWER: We evaluate daily, in-house, and swap as needed. We seem to go through about 1 a month, but when water usage is heavy, it can mean swapping tanks more than once a month, which would mean up to 4 a quarter we need to have provided to us. Historically we have them deliver 2-3 at a time to have staged and ready to replace the ones that are currently in use as they become expended. The SOW's annual SPS work lists one W2T915015 vent filter, while base CLIN 0002 lists four. Which annual quantity controls, including the option years? ANSWER: Price your offer at a quantity of 4, as listed in the SOW. The Government only pays for what is under contract and only for what is actually rendered, therefore, should only one of these be needed, any excess funding under contract can be deobligated at the end of the base year. The service-personnel section refers to training, licenses/certifications and a minimum experience level. Which specific technical credentials and minimum experience are required for technicians and their supervisor? Section D requires all required certifications with the offer, while the SOW requests copies within three business days after award. Please identify what must accompany the offer and what may be provided after award. We understand VA privacy training is required before or at arrival. ANSWER: The Contracting Officer s (my) requirement is with the offer for evaluation purposes. Who is the current contractor, and could you share the current contract number? ANSWER: There is no current contractor. Is the equipment Evoqua/Mar Cor, and do the technicians need to be certified by the maker? ANSWER: The equipment is Evoqua equipment and as these are no longer under warranty, no, technicians do not necessarily need to be certified by the OEM. Will a company with no federal past performance receive a neutral rating? ANSWER: Per FAR 15.305(a)(2)(iv), offerors without a record of relevant past performance will receive a 'neutral' rating. Under federal procurement rules, an agency cannot evaluate an offeror favorably or unfavorably simply because they lack prior contract history. In short: a lack of past performance will not count against your company or disqualify your offer. However, please note that in a best-value competition, a neutral rating neither helps nor hurts your score compared to a vendor with documented, highly relevant past performance. Will the experience of our subcontractor's technicians count toward past performance? ANSWER: Yes, the past performance and experience of a proposed subcontractor s technicians will be considered, provided the proposal clearly details the specific, critical roles and percentage of work those technicians will perform under the contract. However, because the contract will be awarded to the prime contractor, the evaluation will also look at the prime contractor's capability, overall contract accountability and history in managing similar efforts. A lack of relevant past performance by the prime contractor will be evaluated neutrally. Could you confirm the quote due date and time? ANSWER: Refer to the RFQ, box 8. May [we] perform this requirement as the small-business prime contractor using a qualified small-business subcontractor for the onsite reverse-osmosis maintenance and emergency repair services? ANSWER: Yes. Because this solicitation is issued on a full and open, unrestricted basis, there are no set-aside restrictions or specific Limitations on Subcontracting clauses applied to this procurement. Prime contractors including small businesses are permitted to utilize qualified subcontractors to perform portions of the requirement, provided the prime contractor remains fully responsible for contract performance and complies with all other terms, conditions, and technical requirements of the RFQ. For the Technical Capability evaluation factor, may [we] rely on the qualifications, licenses/certifications, experience, technicians, equipment knowledge, and service capability of its proposed subcontractor and key personnel? ANSWER: Yes, the past performance and experience of a proposed subcontractor s technicians will be considered, provided the proposal clearly details the specific, critical roles and percentage of work those technicians will perform under the contract. However, because the contract will be awarded to the prime contractor, the evaluation will also look at the prime contractor's capability, overall contract accountability and history in managing similar efforts. A lack of relevant past performance by the prime contractor will be evaluated neutrally. For the Past Performance evaluation factor, may the Government consider relevant past performance of [our] proposed subcontractor where [our entity] is a newly formed prime contractor without comparable corporate past performance? If [we] ha[ve] no relevant prime past performance, would [we] otherwise receive a neutral past-performance rating? ANSWER: Per FAR 15.305(a)(2)(iv), offerors without a record of relevant past performance will receive a 'neutral' rating. Under federal procurement rules, an agency cannot evaluate an offeror favorably or unfavorably simply because they lack prior contract history. In short: a lack of past performance will not count against your company or disqualify your offer. However, please note that in a best-value competition, a neutral rating neither helps nor hurts your score compared to a vendor with documented, highly relevant past performance. May the subcontractor's qualified technician satisfy the Statement of Work requirement that an employee demonstrating the minimum experience level be physically present to supervise lesser-qualified technicians? ANSWER: No. Under standard federal contracting definitions, an "employee" refers strictly to a direct W-2 worker under the operational and behavioral control of the employer. According to FAR 44.101, a subcontractor is a distinct, independent firm. [1, 2, 3] Therefore, a requirement specifying that an "employee" must be physically present to supervise cannot be satisfied by a subcontractor s personnel and must be satisfied by the awardee/contractor. Are there any solicitation-specific self-performance requirements or limitations on subcontracting beyond the applicable standard small-business rules that would prevent this structure if the proposed subcontractor is itself a qualifying small business under the applicable NAICS? ANSWER: No standard FAR limitations apply. Because this solicitation is issued as Full and Open Competition (Unrestricted), the Limitations on Subcontracting clause (FAR 52.219-14) does not apply.