Opportunity

SAM #36C25927Q0001

Montana VA Health Care System Laboratory Water Testing Services Solicitation

Buyer

VHA Network Contracting Office 19

Posted

June 16, 2026

Respond By

July 08, 2026

Identifier

36C25927Q0001

NAICS

541380

This opportunity is for laboratory water testing services for the Montana VA Health Care System, managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Network Contracting Office 19. - Government Buyer: - Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Network Contracting Office 19 - Office: Network Contracting Office 19 - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or laboratory vendors are named in the solicitation - Products/Services Requested: - Comprehensive laboratory water testing services for Fort Harrison and Billings, MT, with potential for additional locations - Required analyses and estimated annual quantities: - Heterotrophic Plate Count (420 tests) - Total Coliform & E-Coli (139 tests) - Trihalomethanes (4 tests) - Haloacetic Acids (4 tests) - Lead (only in year 2) - Copper (only in year 2) - Total Organic Carbon (11 tests) - Chlorides (4 tests) - Water Hardness (78 tests) - Total Alkalinity (78 tests) - pH Level (78 tests) - Conductivity (47 tests) - Semi-volatile Organic Compounds (4 tests total) - Purgeable Organics (2 tests) - Contractor must provide all labor, materials, equipment, sample bottles, shipping containers, labels, transportation, certifications, and reporting - All work must comply with EPA, Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MT DEQ), and VA requirements - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Contractor must be certified as a Drinking Water Laboratory in Montana and maintain all required federal and state potable water testing certifications - Must process samples within 24 hours of collection - Reports must be delivered within 10 working days - Lead and Copper testing required only in year 2 - All supplies (sample bottles, shipping, chain of custody forms) must be provided by the contractor

Description

draft - Statement of Work Laboratory Water Testing Services 1.0 PURPOSE The Montana VA Health Care System (MTVAHCS) located in Fort Harrison, MT, and Billings MT, with the option to add additional MT VA facilities as required, requires a qualified contractor to provide laboratory water testing services, including analysis, reporting, and verification of water safety. These services ensure compliance with VA environmental requirements and support the safety of Veterans, staff, and visitors. The Contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, sample bottles, shipping containers, labels, transportation, certifications, insurance, and supervision necessary to perform services in accordance with this SOW. Services must be performed in a cost-effective, efficient, and compliant manner in support of the VA mission. Contractor personnel are not considered Government employees for any purpose. 2.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE A 60-month (5 year) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract with a Base year plus four (4) 1-year ordering periods is anticipated. Service dates and quantities will be identified on each funded Task Order. 3.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE Montana VA Health Care System Fort Harrison and Billings MT locations Specific delivery instructions, shipping methods, and laboratory drop off locations will be provided by the COR. 4.0 QUALIFIED CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS The Contractor must have and maintain the following throughout the life of the agreement: Relevant Experience: Demonstrated experience supporting water systems of similar size and complexity, including facilities with medical water distribution and treatment systems. Laboratory Certification: Certification as a Drinking Water Laboratory in Montana, issued by MT DPHHS Laboratory Certification Program(Attachment 1). EPA/MTDEQ Compliance: Maintain all required federal and state potable water testing certifications. Logistical Capability: Ability to receive and process samples within 24 hours of collection. Reliable Transportation: Must account for remote location challenges, weather delays, and mail/shipping unreliability. Contractor and Subcontracted laboratories must meet all requirements 1 5 Contractor must submit all updated certifications to the CO and COR within 5 business days of any change. 5.0 TASKS AND REQUIREMENTS The Contractor shall perform water sample analysis as required by EPA, MT DEQ, and the VA. Not all testing will occur every performance period. 5.1 Required Analyses and Estimated Quantities for one service year Description of Analysis Yearly Estimated Quantiles Analytical method Heterotrophic Plate Count 420 9215B Total Coliform & E-Coli (bacteria) 139 9221B Trihalomethanes (THM) 4 E524.2 Haloacetic Acids 4 E552.2 Lead (only year 2) 0 E200.7_8 Copper (only year 2) 0 E200.7_8 Total Organic Carbon 11 A5310C Chlorides 4 E300.0 Water Hardness 78 A2340B Total Alkalinity 78 A2320B Ph Level 78 A4500-H B Conductive 47 A2510B Semi-volatile Organic compounds 1 2 E625.1 Semi-volatile Organic compounds 2 2 E625.1 Purgeable Organics 2 E624.1

5.2 Sample Bottle Requirements EPA/DEQ approved sample bottles for each sampling method Return shipping labels and fees Labels, chain of custody forms, and shipping materials 5.3 Ordering Procedures Written funded Task Orders (TOs) will be issued for services. Contractor must provide signed Service Reports with each completed order. 5.4 GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY A. COR or staff will collect samples per established method. B. Samples shall follow all healthcare safety and infection control practices. 5.5 Sample Collection & Transportation A. SAMPLE PREPARATION AND STORAGE FOR TESTING SAMPLES Contractor provides supplies. Includes insulated containers, labels, icepacks, prepaid shipping. VA collects samples and transports via cooler. 5.6 Compliance Requirements Federal & State Safe Drinking Water Acts Federal, State, and local water system testing regulations All MT DPHHS and EPA requirements for potable water testing All applicable VA Medical Center directives 6.0 DELIVERABLES 6.1 Contractor Point of Contact (POC) POC name, email, and phone number Copies of POC qualifications Submitted at award and within 2 business days of change. 6.2 Test Reports Reports emailed within #24hours of completion Signed PDF within 10 working days (<5 MB) Includes facility, tests, dates, results, lab info, sampler, COC form Each test report shall, at least, include the following information: Submitting facility name Test(s) ordered Date/time of sample collection (when available) Date/time laboratory receipt of samples Date/time of laboratory processing begins, for samples Date/time test completed Test result; to include if Legionella is detected. Flagged abnormal results Name and address of testing laboratory Name of sampler Contractor shall provide a copy of the Chain of Custody form with the sample results 7.0 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Requirement Standard Assessment Method Timeliness of report delivery 100% of reports submitted within 10 working days COR review Sample integrity 0% invalidated samples due to contractor negligence Lab QC reports Compliance with EPA/MTDEQ rules Full compliance; no violations Certification checks Responsiveness Contractor returns COR communication within 24 hours Communication log Accuracy Reports are complete, correct, and require no rework in 95% of cases COR acceptance Certifications All required certifications remain current CO/COR verification

Acceptable Performance: The Government shall document positive or negative performance. Any report may become a part of the supporting documentation for any contractual action. Unacceptable Performance: When unacceptable performance occurs, the COR shall work with the Contracting Officer (CO) inform the contractor. This will normally be in writing unless circumstances necessitate verbal communication. In any case, the COR shall document the discussion and place it in the COR file. To ensure that the contractor receives impartial, fair, and equitable treatment under this contract, the COR will work with the contractor to increase performance to an acceptable level. When the COR and CO determines formal written communication is required, the COR and CO shall prepare a Notification (Letter or Concern (LOC), Cure Notice, Show Cause Notice) and present it to the Contractor.
The contractor shall acknowledge receipt of the LOC Notice in writing. The LOC will specify if the contractor is required to prepare a corrective action plan (CAP) to document how the contractor shall correct the unacceptable performance and avoid a recurrence. The Notice will also state how long after receipt the contractor shall present this corrective action plan to the CO. The Government shall review the contractor's corrective action plan to determine acceptability. Any Notice may become a part of the supporting documentation for any contractual action deemed necessary by the CO. 8.0 ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA The Government will accept work when: All deliverables meet EPA, MT DEQ, and VA requirements. Laboratory reports are complete, accurate, and delivered on time. All samples remain uncompromised and tested within required windows. Documentation is clear, professional, and compliant. Contractor achieves all Performance Standards listed in Section 7.0. Any required rework is completed within 5 business days at no cost to the Government.

Work accepted when deliverables meet EPA, MTDEQ, VA requirements; accurate, timely; samples uncompromised; performance met; rework within 5 days. 9.0 QUALITY AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS EPA OSHA, and MTDEQ regulations while performing offsite services. 10.0 SECURITY, HOURS OF OPERATION Standard hours 8 4:30 M F except holidays After hours require COR approval Federal holiday schedule: https://www.opm.gov/... 11.0 CONTRACT POINTS OF CONTACT. Contracting Officer (CO): Only the CO may change contract terms or obligate funds. Contracting Officer s Representative (COR) Identified in writing after award May not change contract scope Validates services and accepts deliverables 12.0 Abbreviations ANSI American National Standards Institute. CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CO Contracting Officer. COR Contracting Officer s Representative. EPA Environmental Protection Agency. ISO International Organization for Standardization. OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer. OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration. SDS Safety Data Sheet. VAMC Veterans Affairs Medical Center. VA Department of Veterans Affairs. VHA Veterans Health Administration. MT DPHHS Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. 13.0 Attachments Water Testing SOW_ Attachment 1 Montana Drinking Water Regulations Summary

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