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This Sources Sought/Market Survey Notice is being conducted by the Network 10 Contracting office on behalf of VISN 10. The purpose is to identify sources that can provide Legoinella testing in multiple areas throughout VISN 10. (NAICS code 541620; Size standard $16.5 Million) Contractors that can provide this requirement and are interested are requested to send:
1. Company Name
2. Unique Entity ID
3. Business size under NAICS 541620
4. If the service(s) are available on an FSS contract or not and the FSS contract number if it is available on contract.
5. Notification if they have Veteran Small Business Certification or not. Contractors must be registered and certified in VETCERT to be considered VOSB/SDVOSB. Veteran Small Business Certification (sba.gov)
6. Provide capability statement to include experience providing courier service.

This is not a solicitation. This is a Request for Information, Sources Sought. Responses must be received NLT 3:00 PM EST on June 20, 2023. Please email all responses to Julia.rang@va.gov with subject line RFI 36C25023Q0668 Legionella Testing VA VISN 10 .
SCOPE: The Department of Veterans Affairs has a requirement for legionella sample collection, analysis, and results management for government-owned buildings in which patients, residents, or visitors stay overnight located in Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Saginaw, and Detroit, Michigan; Fort Wayne and Marion, Indiana. The Contractor shall perform sampling and analysis following best practices to meet the requirements set forth in
VHA Directive 1061, PREVENTION OF HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED LEGIONELLA DISEASE AND SCALD INJURY FROM POTABLE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS.
The Contractor shall be responsible for:

On site sample collection (Including all sample containers and testing equipment).

On site physical and chemical testing - pH, temperature, residual biocide. Residual biocide is chlorine/ monochloramine/ chlorine dioxide depending on what is utilized at the facility. Refer to table below. Legionella testing by culture method.

Reporting and managing results data (Electronically)

Sampling will be conducted the first month of the quarter.

Testing is required for both the primary and the secondary disinfectant.

Biocide testing is required for each sample, both hot and cold sample for every sample point.

Sampling reports shall be issued within 30 calendar days of sample date.

Current biocides utilized by facilities in the scope of this SOW can be found in the following table:
SITE
Residual Biocide Used by Facility
Saginaw, MI
Chlorine
Battle Creek, MI
Chlorine
Fort Wayne, IN
Monochloramine
Marion, IN
Monochloramine
Ann Arbor, MI
Monochloramine
Detroit, MI
Chlorine
SAMPLE COLLECTION: The Contractor shall provide sampling containers and shall be responsible for physical collection of all samples at each facility. Facility staff will assist and ensure access to all identified sample locations. These locations should alter/change each quarter to maximize testing throughout the system over time. The Contractor shall be responsible for sampling, testing, analysis, and the transportation of all samples to the laboratories actively certified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) laboratory. The Contractor shall furnish all sample collection equipment. Bottles must be sterile, appropriate for the analysis, properly preserved and promptly transported to the laboratory under strict chain of custody procedures.

Contractor will provide a Quality Control and Assurance Plan and Health and Safety Plan for water sample collection and testing.

Contractor will collect samples (Building, Tower, and Chiller per VA Directive 1061) in accordance with all local, state and federal regulations. Different volume size of container is required to facilitate resampling efforts per the 1061 Directive.
Before collecting any samples, all samplers should receive thorough training in proper sampling protocol. This training should include segments on proper procedures for storage and filling of sample containers, handling of preservatives, safety protocols, cleaning of sampling and field equipment, disposal of excess preservatives, and packaging and shipping requirements. Training may be offered by state drinking water programs or another source.
Measuring devices, such as pH or conductivity meters, used for field monitoring must be maintained and calibrated following the EPA-approved analytical methods and the manufacturers instructions. The calibration standards used must be within their expiration dates and free of suspended matter. Probes must be washed with deionized water after each use and stored according to instructions. Other equipment items used to collect samples also must be rinsed with deionized water and kept clean between sampling events to prevent contamination of the samples. Contractor should be able to demonstrate that equipment is properly calibrated while onsite if requested by facility point of contact.
Field blanks, made by transferring deionized water to a sample container at the sampling site may be used, to test for contamination due to the introduction through the sampling procedure and sampling environment.

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