N041--Building 4 Chiller Replacement at VAMC Central Western MA

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AMENDMENT NO. 2
SOLICITATION NO. 36C24126Q0713
DATE: 8/27/2026
1. THE SOLICITATION IS HEREBY AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:
a. The following Questions and Answers, submitted by prospective offerors by August 14, 2026, are incorporated into this solicitation.
b. The Government s responses modify and/or clarify the solicitation.
c. Extension of Responses Due Date:
The due date for the submission of quotes has been extended.
New Due Date: September 4, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM EST
d. All other terms and conditions of the solicitation remain unchanged. Vendors are reminded to review all other aspects of the solicitation and consider this amendment when preparing their responses.
2. RFI QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Replacement Chiller: Is the replacement chiller required to be Carrier and/or the same model identified in the PWS, or may the contractor provide a current equivalent unit meeting the existing system capacity and performance requirements? If an equivalent is acceptable, please provide the required capacity and performance criteria.
Yes, the replacement needs to be Carrier
Mechanical Scope: Please confirm the extent of required chilled-water piping modifications associated with the replacement. Is existing piping, valves, fittings, insulation, supports, and connections expected to be reused where serviceable, or should replacement/modification of these components be included in the base price?
Any piping that is removed by the contractors will require replacement, no connections that are removed will be reused and new insulation will be installed on any piping that has been removed. No reused valves or connections of any kind.
Electrical Scope: Please confirm whether the existing electrical service, feeder, disconnect, breaker, conduit, and wiring are intended to be reused, provided the replacement equipment is compatible, or whether any electrical upgrades are anticipated.

Replacing the unit like for like will not require any electrical replacement
Controls/BAS: Please identify the existing Building Automation System manufacturer/platform and clarify the required controls integration, including whether programming, graphics, point mapping, or coordination with an existing controls vendor will be required.
The existing controls are SNE. Any of the controls, mapping, graphics will need to work as it does now.
Rigging and Equipment Access: Are there any known restrictions regarding crane placement, rigging access, delivery, or removal of the existing chiller that bidders should account for?
No restrictions
Existing Chiller Disposal: Please confirm whether the contractor is responsible for refrigerant recovery and complete disposal of the existing chiller and whether the removed equipment becomes the property of the contractor after removal.
Contractors are responsible for refrigerant recovery and complete disposal of existing equipment.
Equipment Pad: Is the existing equipment pad/support intended to be reused, or should bidders include modification or replacement of the pad/support system?
The existing pad/support system is intended to be reused. Some modifications may be needed for the anchor points.
Startup and Commissioning: Does the Government require factory-authorized startup, commissioning, functional performance testing, TAB/flow verification, or any specific startup documentation for the new chiller?
Yes, factory startup and commissioning is required. No tab flow verification
Temporary Cooling / Shutdown: Will temporary cooling be required during replacement? Additionally, is there a maximum allowable duration for the chilled-water system shutdown?
No temporary cooling will be needed. The maximum allowable time for the water system is until the contractor is finished.
Hazardous Materials: Have asbestos, lead, or other hazardous-material surveys been performed for the affected work area and associated piping/equipment? If so, could the applicable reports please be provided?
The unit that is being replaced was installed within the past 15 years, so no asbestos or lead are in the area of work.
Warranty: Is there a minimum equipment and/or workmanship warranty period required by the Government?
1 year from completion date
Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of SSHO?
Because this RFQ is issued under FAR Part 12 (Commercial Products and Commercial Services) and is not a construction contract, there is no requirement for roles such as Superintendent, SSHO, or QA/QC unless the Performance Work Statement (PWS) for these commercial services explicitly mandates contractor personnel qualifications.
If no to the question above, will the SSHO need to be full-time for this project?
See Question 12.
Please clarify if a superintendent can be a dual hat to cover the requirements of QA/QC?
See Question 12.
If no to the question above, will the QA/QC need to be full time for this project?
See Question 12.
Can a superintendent be a triple hat to cover the requirements of SSHO and QA/QC?
See Question 12.
Please confirm if tax should be included in our proposal?
No. The Department of Veterans Affairs is tax exempt, and quotations shall exclude state and local sales tax. (No FAR construction clause applies; this is standard for VA commercial purchases.)
Please confirm that under FAR 13.160-2 the Government will be evaluating using a comparative evaluation in lieu of price only?
Under FAR Part 12, solicitations use FAR 52.212 2 (Evaluation Commercial Products and Commercial Services) or a VAAR alternative (as applicable).
Attachment #3 Overview: Please verify, All on site work is to be coordinated with the designated POC at least seven (2) days prior to performance of services. Is the designation seven or two days, please confirm
All field work shall be scheduled at least 7 business days in advance with POC/COR.

Can a similar and/or equal chiller be offered? If not is there a brand name or equal justification attached?
See question 1
Are there any specifications or drawings for this requirement?
What is currently available was provided in the PWS.
Are submittals required?
See General Scope section of the PWS: product data and work plan for all materials prior to utilization must be submitted to the COR.
Proposed Schedule: Please verify the period of performance.
Period of performance for this contract is 6 months from NTP.
Please define holidays excepted
Holidays excepted means no on site work on Federal holidays unless the COR grants written approval in advance for critical activities.
Does the period of performance include any long lead items on equipment?
The POP accounts for typical submittal review and installation windows. Offerors should identify chiller lead times in their schedules; if lead time materially exceeds the assumed window, the Government may adjust POP via modification.
What is the construction magnitude of this project? FAR36.204 Disclosure of the magnitude of construction projects. Or VAAR836.204 Disclosure of the magnitude of construction project
This is a solicitation for commercial services under FAR Part 12, this is not a construction project.
Are performance and/or payment bonds required?
No
Is 852.219-75 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting - Certificate of Compliance for Services and Construction: required at time of bid submission?
Yes
Please verify the wage determination: The RFQ states: Wage Determination Applicable (Manchester 2015-4019 Rev 23 posted on beta.sam.gov) however Ameritech s research indicates the current wage for building type is CT20250023 06/06/2025. If this is incorrect, please provide the correct wage determination.
Per the solicitation, WD 2015-6115, Revision No. 4, dated 6/25/2026 for Hampshire County, Massachusetts is applicable.
Will shutdowns be required to be done during off hours or weekends?
No
Will any existing glycol be required to be removed and disposed of by the contractor? If so, can the total volume of glycol be provided?
No
Is there a particular vendor or contractor currently servicing and maintaining the Building Automation System or Temperature Controls System? What is the existing controls system?
SNE
Please confirm there are existing isolation valves adjacent to equipment, and they positively hold pressure.
Confirmed

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