F107--Asbestos, Lead Based Paint and other Hazardous Material Survey Testing Services - Updated

THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT/RFI IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. THE SUBMISSION OF PRICING, CAPABILITIES FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, AND OTHER MARKET INFORMATION IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 15.201(e). DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked as proprietary will be handled accordingly. IAW FAR 13, responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. SOURCES SOUGHT/RFI DESCRIPTION This is NOT a solicitation announcement. This is a Sources Sought/RFI/RFI only. The purpose of this Sources Sought/RFI/RFI is to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources and their size classification relative to NAICS 541620 (size standard $19M. Responses to this Sources Sought/RFI/RFI will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After reviewing the responses to this Sources Sought/RFI, a solicitation announcement may be published. Responses to this Sources Sought/RFI synopsis are not considered adequate responses for a solicitation announcement. The information identified is intended to be descriptive, not restrictive and to indicate the quality of the services that will be satisfactory. It is the responsibility of the interested source to demonstrate to the government that the interested parties can provide the services that fulfill the required specifications. Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, Long Beach, CA (VALBMC) needs an updated Asbestos, Lead based paint and other Hazardous Materials (ALBHM) survey to assess all buildings for compliance with Veterans Health Administration Directive 7714 (Asbestos Management Plan). No Phase I Site Assessment has been commissioned in the past 5 years. The survey shall include a visual evaluation and sampling of the following: potential asbestos-containing materials (ACM), lead-based paint, radon gas, PCBs, mercury, and other potentially hazardous materials detailed below. This ALBHM survey will summarize the work conducted; discusses findings regarding the location, quantity, and condition of hazardous materials; and includes recommendations for addressing identified or potential hazards through abatement or management practices. The survey location shall be for all buildings and structures at the Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center located at 5901 East 7th Street, Long Beach California 90822, consisting approximately of 1.2 million square feet on a 100-acre lot. All work shall be in accordance with the VALBMC, Local, State, and Federal codes and laws, and subject to the terms and conditions of this contract. A.2 Definitions/Acronyms, Regulatory References, VA References Asbestos. Asbestos is a generic term for a number of asbestiform hydrated silicates that, when crushed or processed, separate into flexible fibers made up of fibrils. Asbestos means chrysotile, cummingtonite-grunerite asbestos (amosite), crocidolite, anthophyllite asbestos, tremolite asbestos, and actinolite asbestos. Asbestos Containing Construction Materials (ACCM). Specifically refers to materials containing more than 1/10th of 1% (0.1%) asbestos by weight, which triggers specific, strict, and different regulations than the standard >1% definition. Asbestos Containing Material (ACM). Any material containing more than 1 percent asbestos. ACM can be divided into three major categories - thermal system insulation, surfacing and miscellaneous. Asbestos Containing Building Material (ACBM). Nonfriable suspected asbestos-containing building material, thermal system insulation Asbestos Containing Material (ACM), or miscellaneous ACM that is found in or on the interior structural members or other parts of a building and that when dry, cannot be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure. Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). Law required EPA to promulgate regulations (e.g., the Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools Rule) requiring local educational agencies to inspect their school buildings for asbestos-containing building material, prepare asbestos management plans and perform asbestos response actions to prevent or reduce asbestos hazards. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygiene (ACGIH). ACGIH develops occupational exposures, Threshold Limit Values (TLVs®), and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs®) as guidelines to assist in the control of health hazards. Contracting Officer Representative (COR). A representative for the contracting office ensuring that contractors meet the commitment of their contracts. They facilitate proper development of requirements and assist Contracting Officers in developing and managing their contracts. Environmental Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELLAP). A program that accredits laboratories performing analysis of lead in environmental samples including paint, soil, dust wipes, composited wipes, and air. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC). A system that controls the ambient environment (temperature, humidity, airflow and air filtering). Lead-Based Paint (LBP). Paint or other surface coatings that contain lead equal to or exceeding 1.0 milligram per square centimeter or 0.5 percent by weight or 5,000 parts per million (ppm) by weight. Mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs belong to a broad family of man-made organic chemicals known as chlorinated hydrocarbons. PCBs were domestically manufactured from 1929 until manufacturing was banned in 1979. National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP). An EPA program that defines the minimum requirements and abilities that a laboratory must meet to attain EPA recognition as an accredited lead testing laboratory. National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP). An Agency that provides third-party accreditation to testing and calibration laboratories in response to legislative actions or requests from government agencies or private-sector organizations. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). A federal agency that establishes on-the-job safety protections for workers Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). Regulatory limit on the amount or concentration of a substance in the air. Presumed Asbestos-Containing Material (PACM). Thermal system insulation (TSI) and surfacing material found in a building constructed no later than 1980 or presumed area containing asbestos material. Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that changes into other radioactive substances, called progeny. Radon is a gas that is colorless and odorless and comes from the natural decay of uranium or thorium, elements found in rocks, soils, and water. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). A non-destructive analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of materials. A3 Regulatory Overview Contractor shall be in compliance with all Federal and State Regulations. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): Regulations can be accessed at Law and Regulations | OSHA B1 Scope of Work The Contractor shall create a survey for results of findings from this contract. The survey shall include accessible areas of all site buildings and, if present, suspect materials on the interior and exterior of buildings and in basements, penthouses, mechanical spaces, crawl spaces, roofs, to include above ceiling inspection for presence of Asbestos, Lead Based paint and other Hazardous Material (ALBHM). Specific tasks to be performed during the survey shall include but are not limited to the following: ALBHM: Contractor shall test for the presence of Asbestos, Lead Based paint, and other Hazardous Materials (ALBHM) in all rooms on the survey locations overview B3 : Asbestos-containing materials (ACM), i.e., Mastic adhesive, TSI, fireproofing, drywall, joint compound, plaster, cement, electrical panels/systems, etc. i.e., ACM containing Vinyl Asbestos Tiles i.e., ACM containing 12x12 ceiling tiles i.e., ACM containing fibers (Roofing) i.e., Transite Water and Sewer Pipes Lead-based paint (LBP) surfaces coated with suspect lead-based paint. Lead containing ceramic tile glaze. Hazardous/Universal Waste Mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) i.e., electrical switches and balances i.e., HVAC thermostat tilt switches i.e., hydraulic and lubricating oils i.e., ballasts on fluorescent lights Radon Testing All ground-contact rooms, offices, or general use areas 10% of all upper floor rooms Containerized Hazardous Substance i.e., HVAC Systems obtaining more than 50lbs of freon Potholing survey for soil sample Survey to include soil samples for presence of gasoline range organics (GRO), diesel range organics (DRO), oil range organics (ORO), benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) and lead, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Excavation & Site Potholing. Material Sampling and Handling: Material Sampling shall follow Section B2. The Contractor shall identify, quantify, and assess all ALBHM and suspect during the survey and categorize each material according to the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) physical and hazard assessment system and AHERA response categories. Inaccessible suspect material shall be noted in the database as presumed ACM and/or ALBHM. These areas of PACM shall be submitted to the VA. The VA will obtain contractor support to allow for testing of PACM as applicable. All Samples shall be transported with a chain of custody to a National Voluntary Laboratory accreditation for program testing. The bulk samples resulting from the survey shall be managed or disposed of by the contractor in accordance with established federal and state rules and regulations. All construction material waste, debris, and any residual sampling material shall be collected, contained, and removed from the site immediately after sampling activities are completed, in compliance with applicable environmental and safety regulations. B2 Sampling Procedures Asbestos: The Contractor s accredited Building Inspector shall conduct a Physical Assessment that groups all friable and non-friable ACM and suspected ACM in each accessible building space into the following three AHERA homogeneous material categories: Thermal System Insulation (TSI), Surfacing Materials (SM) and Miscellaneous Materials (MM), type (e.g., for TSI Magnesium silicate, Aircell, cork, etc.), locations, quantities, and conditions of ACM and locations and quantities of presumed ACM present then sampled in a representative manner in accordance with the appropriate AHERA protocol as necessary when confirmatory testing is needed. The Contractor s accredited Building Inspector shall also conduct a Hazard Assessment in each functional space where friable and non-friable ACM and suspected ACM is present to evaluate the risk posed by each of the following factors: Accessibility Occupancy (e.g., continuous, intermittent or occasional and patients/staff/visitors), Potential for air erosion Potential for vibration damage and, Potential for disturbance / damage (e.g., exposed and in an accessible location) and (6) Potential for water damage Asbestos Samples shall be taken by a certified Site Surveillance Technician (CSST) shall sample under the supervision of a Certified Asbestos Consultant (CAC). The Contractor shall collect all samples of suspected ACM in accordance with EPA and OSHA regulations preventing airborne fiber exposure to the surveyor, patients, visitors and staff. Samples taken in occupied office spaces shall be taken in locations that minimize the risk of potential exposure to occupants and visual impact of the resulting sample location. No sampling of ACM or suspect ACM in occupied areas shall be conducted without first notifying the VA COR, prior to the sampling event. The Contractor is responsible for restoring visible sample locations to a condition as close to original as possible. The Contractor shall encapsulate all locations to prevent any subsequent release of asbestos fibers after sample collection (to include floor tile & mastic locations). The Contractor shall mark sample locations, an exception to this are conspicuous sample locations within occupied areas. The Contractor shall photograph sample locations at the time of sample collection to aid in future identification of sampling location. Prior to the commencement of the physical assessment, the contractor shall provide a current negative exposure assessment for the asbestos bulk sampling operations that are similar to the sampling operations that will be conducted at the Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, Long Beach, CA (VALBMC). This is required to ensure that the asbestos bulk sampling operations are expected to be consistently below established OSHA permissible exposure limits (PELs). This information will be provided to the COR. Where sampling is required of accessible suspect materials, Building Inspectors shall utilize inconspicuous sample locations and employ methods least destructive to finished surfaces. All destructive samples require VA COR approval prior to performing tasks. Building Inspectors shall use non-destructive means for collecting samples whenever possible. Due to possible presence of asbestos in vinyl asbestos tile the contractors must be capable of performing microscopy sampling. Quantities of ACM shall be measured wherever practical to minimize the use of estimated material quantities in the final report. Sample results from the Baseline Asbestos Survey may be utilized in lieu of new sampling based upon the determination of the facility COR. Roofing materials, where required, shall be sampled to the extent that they do not compromise the integrity of the roof membrane or void the manufacturer s warranty. All inaccessible or accessible areas (those requiring destructed access such as above plaster ceilings or behind plaster walls or pipe chases) shall be noted in the report and on the CAD drawings. Contractors are not required to, nor allowed to, cut through solid building structures that do not have access openings, in an attempt to reach suspect ACM for visualization and/or sampling. In these cases, contractor shall provide estimated quantities of presumed ACM. The Contractor may implement a stop at first positive strategy of analysis to conserve limited funding resources. Except where it is documented that areas are free of ACM, such as in new construction or areas that have been totally renovated, all accessible building interiors and exteriors shall be visually inspected to identify all friable and non-friable ACM, suspect ACM and presumed ACM. Examples include but not limited to: B126OP all floors, B126 Kitchen area in the basement, Areas of B126 1st floor such as Phlebotomy and main entrance. Lead Based Paint Lead based paint (LBP) testing shall be divided into two subcategories: residential and nonresidential buildings. Buildings which are owned by the VA and used as a residence shall be comprehensively tested. Non-residential buildings owned by the VA shall be tested to identify patterns of LBP. The results will be used by the VA to prepare lead in construction exposure assessments and LBP removal estimates. Lead samples shall be taken by a California Department of Public Health (CDPH) certified Lead Sampling Technician under the supervision of a certified lead inspector/assessor. The Contractor shall develop a sampling plan (the Plan ) consistent with the HUD LBP inspection strategies for a multifamily housing development or building sites. The plan shall take into consideration construction and maintenance history. The plan shall determine which surfaces can be grouped together for inspection purposes based on similarity of construction materials and common maintenance histories, how representative surfaces will randomly be tested, and how test results will be statistically evaluated. Lead surveys will utilize X-Ray testing as a means of establishing homogeneous areas. If necessary, paint chip samples may be collected for laboratory atomic absorption (AA) analysis. Suspect LBP shall be tested using an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Analyzer or through the collection of paint chips when XRF results are inconclusive, which shall be analyzed by an American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) accredited analytical laboratory. Testing shall be performed by a Lead Inspector licensed in the state where the facility is located, and who has at least 10 years experience. Testing shall follow U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines. All laboratories used for analysis of bulk samples for lead shall have successfully participated in the Environmental Lead Proficiency Analytical Testing Program and shall have accreditation in the National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program. All bulk sample analysis shall be conducted by laboratories who are accredited under the appropriate program such as: AIHA National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP), or the EPA Environmental Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELLAP), EPA National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP) Other Hazardous Materials Mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The contractor shall assure a sufficient sample size should be collected to ensure the laboratory can measure the concentrations of PCBs at levels required by the PCB cleanup and disposal regulations per 40 CFR 761.61. The contractor shall adhere to EPA How to test for PCB and Characterize Suspect Materials : Bulk solid samples - Bulk solid samples include such materials as caulk, soil, and sand. Bulk solid sampling typically includes removing a small portion of the potentially contaminated material for analytical testing. For example, a caulk sample would be the quantity of caulk needed by the laboratory for analytical testing, removed directly from the suspect area. Take care to ensure that only the caulk is included in the final sample and no other adjacent materials, such as wood or concrete that may skew the sample analysis results. When soil or sand samples are collected, consider whether the PCBs are on the soil surface or if they could be located deeper in the soil. An example of when PCBs might be on the soil surface would be if fragments of weathered caulking were deposited on undisturbed soil surfaces. Alternatively, PCBs could be located deeper in the soil, in locations such as landscaping areas where the soil surface has been disturbed or where new soil has been added. NOTE: It is up to the contractor to determine the amount of soil samples needed for this facility in accordance with regulatory requirements regarding sampling methods. Attached we have provided a site map of the facility as well as approximate locations of the fuel tanks (not to be considered as-built). Porous surface samples - Because PCBs can migrate into porous surfaces (e.g., brick, masonry, concrete or wood) surface wipe sampling is not adequate to characterize the PCB concentration of porous surfaces. Instead, core samples should be collected on a bulk basis (i.e., mg/kg) to collect the top 0.5 to 2 cm of the porous surface. For these porous surface samples, an adequate sample (as determined by the analytical laboratory) should be removed for analysis. Tools such as chisels, drills, and saws can be used to collect the sample, taking care to minimize dust generation. The samples should be collected from the top 0.5 cm to 2 cm of the surface closest to the likely source of PCB contamination. Non-porous surface samples - If the surface being sampled is smooth and impervious (e.g., unpainted metal surfaces), a hexane-saturated wipe sample can be collected to determine if the surface is contaminated with PCBs. A standard wipe test, as specified in 40 CFR 761.123, uses a 10 cm by 10 cm (or equivalent that equals 100 cm2) template to outline the sample area and a gauze pad or glass wool that has been saturated with hexane to collect the sample. The hexane-saturated wipe is used to thoroughly swab the area inside the 100 cm2 template. Care must be taken to ensure proper use of the sampling template, as the sample results will be based on the 100 cm2 sample area (i.e., g per 100 cm2). Indoor air samples - Collect indoor air samples in accordance with EPA Methods TO-10A, TO-4A, or equivalent. Sufficient sample volumes, as referenced in the EPA Methods, should be collected to prove a minimum laboratory reporting limit of less than 0.1 g/m3. Consult with the PCB Regional Coordinator for the number of samples to be taken and the type of sampling method to be used. Refer to epa.gov for Regional PCB Programs. Radon gas The contractor shall take radon samples in 100% of ground contacting rooms unless under regulatory exception (hallways, closets, bathrooms, etc.) and at a minimum of 10% of upper floor rooms. Radon gas samples shall be taken by a certified Radon Measurement Professional (RMP) or a certified Radon Measurement Technician (RMT) under the supervision of a RMP. Testing of radon gas shall follow the testing procedures and options section of the ANSI/AARST MA-MFLB standards for protocol of conducting measurements of radon and radon decay products in multifamily, school, commercial and mixed used buildings and comply with local and state regulations. Testing device shall be utilized in compliance with manufacturers instructions and ANSI/AARST standards. Testing device shall be calibrated prior to use. Testing results shall be identified per room if radon mitigation is required per standard. Room result shall be in a pass/fail indication or similar in the testing results of the ALBHM survey report. Hazardous/Universal Waste The Contractor at minimum shall perform a visual inspection of the property building and surrounding areas on the property for the presence of other materials that might be considered hazardous and/or universal wastes. Visual inspection is limited to the following: Refrigerants and other ozone-depleting substances, and radioactive Any containerized hazardous substance observed at the property was identified, such as 55-gallon drums, petroleum storage containers, aboveground storage tanks, etc. B3 Survey Locations Overview Buildings and Rooms: Refer to LB Site Plan for building locations. Bldg. 1 (01-0B, 01-0P, 01-01, 01-02, 01-03, 01-04, 01-05) 91,110 SQFT Bldg. 2 (02-0B, 02-01, 02-02, 02-03) 80,742 SQFT Bldg. 5 (05-0B, 05-01, 05-02) 36,403 SQFT Bldg. 5A (5A-0B, 5A-01) 11,774 SQFT Bldg. 5B 4,434 SQFT Bldg. 5C 9,641 SQFT Bldg. 6 12,366 SQFT Bldg. 7 (07-0B, 07-01, 07-02, 07-03) 35,431 SQFT Bldg. 8 (08-0B, 08-01, 08-02, 08-03) 35,073 SQFT Bldg. 43 191 SQFT Bldg. 48 2,407 SQFT Bldg. 50 12,676 SQFT Bldg. 88 1,310 SQFT Bldg. 126 (126-0B, 126-01, 126-02, 126-03, 126-04, 126-05, 126-06, 126-07, 126-08, 126-09, 126-10, 126-11) 338,112 SQFT Bldg. 126OP (126OP-0B, 126OP-01, 126OP-02, 126OP-03, 126OP-UP) 81,000 SQFT Bldg. 136 1,049 SQFT Bldg. 138 (138-0B, 138-01, 138-02) 61,658 SQFT Bldg. 149 49,505 SQFT Bldg. 150 (150-0B, 150-01, 150-02) 140,434 SQFT Bldg. 151 1,659 SQFT Bldg. 152 1,182 SQFT Bldg. 153 300 SQFT Bldg. 155 630 SQFT Bldg. 160 5,791 SQFT Bldg. 161 12,267 SQFT Bldg. 167T 6,485 SQFT Bldg. 171 13,847 SQFT Bldg. 172 290 SQFT C1 Deliverables ALBHM Survey Report: Following completion of the field survey and analysis of samples, a survey report shall be prepared and shall include the following: Note: The contractor shall provide a separate section for each building, with each building as a subsection to the report. An introduction including a brief description of the buildings, the protocols followed to conduct the survey, findings and recommendations. The Contractor s inspectors shall use unique material location identifiers (using information such as building number, floor, number, room number, compass direction, room surface, sample ID number and material description) to describe Asbestos, Lead Based paint and other Hazardous Materials (ALBHM) and presumed ALBHM locations in the facility that is consistent throughout all reports to promote an ease of comprehension. The Contractor must provide a CD or VA approved flash drive with all data on a summary table spreadsheet. This deliverable must be compatible with ArcGIS. Additionally, it shall capture reported data by building and room numbers. The spreadsheet must include, but not limited to, the following fields: Sample ID or Sample No Building [1] Floor Room Surface Tested [2] Material Category [3] Material Tested [4] Size ALBHM Detected [5] Type of ALBHM [6] Quantity Numerical priority ranking [6] Drawing Number and Photo ID (as applicable) Facility Totals at end of table to include each group individually [1] Example: B125, 1FL, E120; For all soil samples, contractor shall provide coordinates to show exact location on facility map. [2] Example: Floor, Ceiling, Door/Door Frame, Misc, Walls(s), Other (Specify) [3] Example: TSI, SM, MM [4] Example: Resilient Floor Tile, Plaster, Wood and Metal, Cove Base, Wallboard w Joint Compound, Ceramic Title, Dry wall and Joint Compound, Other (Specify) [5] Example: Yes; No, Other (Specify) [6] Example: Asbestos, Lead Based Paint, Other (specify) [7] Numerical priority ranking as determined by the AHERA-accredited Management Planner from 1-4 for response actions based on the AHERA-accredited Building Inspector s Hazard Assessment findings, where one (1) represents the highest priority (e.g., removal or encapsulation) and (4) represents the lowest priority (6-month O&M surveillance) A tabular listing of those surfaces determined to contain, or potentially contain, elevated levels of lead base paint and their locations. Color drawings shall be prepared, in an AutoCAD (.dwg vector based) format or similar showing the location of ALBHM as well as sample locations and sample IDs corresponding with summary table on the drawings or similar with VA approval. Initial drawings of buildings will be provided by the VA. Contractor shall submit a layering and key plan that will be approved by the VA. At a minimum ALBHM will be on separate layers and contrast significantly to discern different sampling results: Lab findings will have a hatch pattern that is color coded base on the findings Visual indicators will be straight forward identifying the finding location and category The Result Section of the report shall include a description of the physical condition of the material in question that is appropriate to the survey item (e.g., AHERA categories Good , Damaged or Significantly Damaged in the case of friable ACM). Digital photos shall be used where they help the reader to understand an aspect of the material in questions. The Results Section of the report shall be provided in a spreadsheet format. The Results Section shall at minimum include the following: thumbnail digital pictures, location, type, condition, risk score (1-4), quantity, and comments. The Conclusion Section of the report shall explain how and why the response action recommendations of the report were determined and prioritized. Asbestos Management Plan: The Asbestos Management Plan shall include an Operation and Maintenance. Operation and Maintenance plan shall be in compliance with asbestos O&M requirements specified in 40 CFR 763.91 of the AHERA rule. C2 Quality Control Plan Contractor shall establish a quality control plan for all work, including that of his or her subcontractors, to assure compliance with the EPA and State requirements, and ACGIH recommendations. Contractor shall notify appropriate State and/or Federal Environmental Agencies of Asbestos work as required. Contractor shall submit a copy of his/her quality control plan concurrently with the quote. Quality control measures shall include, but are not limited to: Performing all required inspections and tests. Listing all subcontractors and services they will perform. Compliance with applicable Federal, state and local codes and regulations and VHA directives related to conducting the survey. Participation in laboratory quality control programs (e.g., NVLAP, or other appropriate programs recognized by the EPA). Correction of unsatisfactory sampling and testing. Use of quality control samples and field blanks Contractor s Building Inspectors shall use the federal AHERA protocol for bulk sample collection. Surveyors shall each be an AHERA-accredited Building Inspector; Management Planner shall be an AHERA-accredited Management Planner; and asbestos project managers shall be AHERA-accredited Project Designer. Building Inspectors, Management Planners, Project Designers and LBP Inspectors shall have at least 10 years of similar experience with projects of substantially similar size and scope. All laboratories used for analysis of bulk asbestos samples shall be NVLAP-Accredited. Initial analysis will be performed with polarized light microscopy. Polarized light microscopy results ranging from less than one (1) percent to ten (10) percent may need additional analysis such as transmission electron microscopy. Therefore, the Contractor shall make arrangements with the laboratory to retain such samples if additional analysis is requested. Additional analysis shall not be completed without prior authorization from the Contracting Officer or the Contracting Officer s designee. If you are interested and are capable of providing the sought-out services, please provide the requested information as well as the information indicated below. Response to this notice should include company name, address, point of contact, size of business pursuant to the following questions: (1) Please indicate the size status and representations of your business, such as but not limited to: Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), Hubzone, Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB), Large Business, etc.)? (2) Is your company considered small under the NAICS code identified in this RFI? (3) If you are a large business, do you have any designated subcontractors who can perform these services? If so, please provide their company name, telephone, point of Contact and size status (if available). (4) If you intend to subcontract any work on this contract, what portion of the total cost will be self-performed/will be performed by your organization? Please provide estimated detailed percentage breakdowns related to subcontracted work and completion of job. (5) Does your company have a Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract? If so, please provide the contract number. (6) If you are an FSS GSA/NAC/SAC/BPA/NASA SEWP or any other Federal Government contract holder, are all the services you are providing information for available on your schedule/contract? Please state if all or some items are available on the contract. (7) General pricing of your products/solution is encouraged. Pricing will be used for the purpose of market research only. It will not be used to evaluate any type of award. (8) Please submit your capabilities statement illustrating your organization s ability to meet the described salient characteristics for planning purposes; show clear, compelling and convincing evidence that all equal to items" meet all the salient characteristics. (9) Please review salient characteristics/statement of work (if applicable) and provide feedback or suggestions. If none, please reply as N/A. (10) Please provide your SAM.gov Unique Entity ID/Cage Code number. Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to [email protected]. Telephone responses will not be accepted. Responses must be received no later than June 17, 2026, by 10:00 MST. All responses to this Sources Sought/RFI will be used for planning purposes only. If a solicitation is issued as a result of the information provided from this RFI, all interested parties must respond to that solicitation separately IAW the specifications of that solicitation announcement. Responses to this Sources Sought/RFI notice is not considered a request to be added to a prospective bidders list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. Notice to Potential Offerors: All offerors who provide goods or services to the United States Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). Additionally, all Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses or Veteran Owned Businesses who respond to a solicitation on this project must be registered with the Veteran Small Business (VetCert) located at Veteran Small Business Certification (sba.gov). We will review feedback provided.