R430--Fire Guard Services for SAVAHCS POP: 09/01/2026 - 08/31/2029

******* The purpose of this amendment is to respond to questions asked regarding this solicitation. Q. Post Relief: Coverage is 24/7/365 with one (1) guard required (Table 1). A. Yes, only one guard per shift is required to cover all 3 floors in building 2 Q. Please confirm that one guard on post covers all three floors of Building 2, and clarify how meal periods and breaks are handled must the contractor provide a relief guard, or do VA Police cover the post? A. One guard covers all three floors of building 2, guard is required to check each floor every hour- for example if the guard completes the check in 15-30 minutes the remaining of the time can take lunch or break schedule. No relief guard is required nor request for VA police to cover. Q. Arizona DPS Licensing: Please clarify whether the required proof is the company's DPS Guard Agency license plus individual guard registration cards, and whether individual guards must be licensed at quote submission or only by the 09/01/2026 start date (personnel are typically hired after award). Please also confirm all guards are unarmed. A. Company DPS Guard Agency License and individual guard registration card. Company is due when the contract is awarded. individuals guard registration card due 09/01/2026. And all guards are unarmed. Q. Arizona DPS Licensing at Submission The Required Submittals section requires proof that the contractor and all personnel performing under the contract possess the required Arizona Department of Public Safety license and states that failure to include the certifications will disqualify the offeror. Is the Government requiring offerors to identify all proposed Fire Guard personnel and submit a copy of each individual's current AZ DPS guard card with the quotation, or will proof of the contractor's AZ DPS agency license together with certification that all assigned personnel will possess the required individual AZ DPS credentials prior to assignment satisfy this requirement? A. Company DPS Guard Agency License and individual guard registration card. Company is due when the contract is awarded. individuals guard registration card due 09/01/2026. Q. Relief and Substitute Personnel Licensing Because the requirement calls for continuous 24-hour-per-day, 7-day-per-week coverage, must every individual who may provide regular, relief, vacation, sick-leave, emergency, or substitute coverage be identified in the quotation and have his or her AZ DPS licensing documentation submitted with the quotation? A. the contractor will provide relief/coverage for any vacation, sick leave, emergency ( no coverage is required for lunch or breaks) and yes, all guards must have AZ DPS licensing documentation. Q. Fire Guard Experience Requirement Section 3(a) references two years of experience and also references successful experience in field supervision, while Section 4 separately establishes a two-year field-supervision requirement for the On-Call Supervisor. Please clarify whether each Fire Guard is required to possess two years of security/law-enforcement experience, two years of field-supervisory experience, or whether the two-year field-supervisory experience requirement applies only to the On-Call Supervisor. A. On- Call Supervisor only Q. Number of Fire Guards Required The coverage schedule identifies one Fire Guard for each 24-hour period, while the SOW requires continuous patrol of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors of Building 2. Please confirm that the staffing requirement is one Fire Guard on duty at any given time covering all three floors, rather than one Fire Guard per floor. A. One guard covers all three floors of building 2, guard is required to check each floor every hour- for example if the guard completes the check in 15-30 minutes the remaining of the time can take lunch or break schedule. No relief guard is required nor request for VA police to cover. Q. Patrol / Fire-Watch Frequency Does the Government require Fire Guard patrols or fire-watch rounds at a prescribed interval, such as every 15, 30, or 60 minutes, or will the required patrol frequency and route be established in the VA Standard Operating Procedures provided to the contractor? A. Every 60 minutes Q. Building 2 Patrol Area Please provide, or make available during the site visit, the approximate square footage, floor plans, or other information describing the patrol areas on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors of Building 2 so offerors can accurately evaluate the required patrol workload. A. Building 2 1st floor 40,020 sf. Building 2 2nd floor 28,395 SF and Building 2 3rd floor 17,936 SF. Total for all 3 floors 86,351 SF. Q. Fire Protection System / Condition Requiring Fire Guard Services What specific fire-protection system impairment or other condition necessitates the Fire Guard requirement in Building 2 (e.g., fire-alarm impairment, sprinkler impairment, construction activity, renovation, or another condition)? Is that condition anticipated to remain throughout the base period and both option periods? A. Sprinkler pressure and construction/ replacement of the sprinkler Q. Applicable NFPA Standards The requirement references fire-watch coverage in accordance with NFPA 101, while the SOW also requires compliance with the latest edition of NFPA 99. Please clarify whether the Fire Guard services are governed by NFPA 101, NFPA 99, both standards, and/or any additional NFPA standard or local fire code. A. FDA, OSHA, JCAHO, and the latest edition of NFPA-99. Q. Section 9(a) Training Cross-References Section 9(a), Contractor Furnished Training, references training requirements contained in paragraphs 7(c) and 7(b). Please identify the specific training subjects and requirements intended by these references, as the referenced paragraphs appear to address contractor-furnished property and supplies rather than the corresponding training requirements. A. This is in reference to TMS training- username and password will be provided to the contractor Q. Training and Qualification Documentation Required With Quotation Please identify which personnel training certificates, education records, licenses, and other qualification documents must be submitted with the quotation and which may be completed or submitted after award but prior to an employee's assignment to the contract. A. this is the responsibility of the contractor to have their employees meet this requirement in case of an audit or documentation is required during T1 background check Q. Physical and Medical Qualification Documentation Is documentation demonstrating compliance with the individual health and physical-fitness requirements in Section 5 required with the quotation for each proposed Fire Guard, or is such documentation required only after award and prior to assignment? A. Each employee shall meet the physical and mental health standards required to obtain and maintain a license by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Q. Tier 1 Investigation and Transition Period Given the September 1, 2026 commencement date and the requirement that Tier 1 investigations be initiated before personnel commence work, what transition period does the Government anticipate between award and commencement of performance for fingerprinting, submission, and initiation of the required Tier 1 investigations? A. contract will be awarded for 09/01/2026 we understand the start day will be different Q. Reciprocity for Existing Tier 1 Investigations Will the VA recognize reciprocity for proposed personnel who currently possess a favorably adjudicated or previously initiated Tier 1 investigation through another Federal contract, Federal agency, or VA contract, subject to VA verification? A. VA will be completing a new T1 background check unless this clearance is from another VA Q. Additional Services Hourly Rate The Price/Cost Schedule requests monthly unit pricing, while Section 2(c) states that authorized additional services will be compensated at the same per-hour rate charged under the contract. Please specify how the hourly rate for authorized additional services will be calculated from the monthly CLIN price. A. SOW states is required to have a guard 24/7 if an additional guard is required a modification will be required Q. Holiday, Overtime, and Relief Costs Please confirm that the monthly unit price is intended to be fully inclusive of all required 24/7 coverage, including Federal holidays, overtime, vacation/sick relief, and other labor costs necessary to maintain continuous staffing. A. quote should cover 24/7 service Q. Applicable Service Contract Labor Standards Wage Determination Please identify the applicable Department of Labor Service Contract Labor Standards wage determination, revision number, and labor classification or classifications applicable to the Fire Guard personnel and On-Call Supervisor. A. It should be included in the quote Q. On-Call Supervisor Pricing Please confirm whether the required On-Call Supervisor is considered an indirect/overhead requirement that must be included within the monthly Fire Guard CLIN price or whether any separate billable supervisor hours are contemplated. A. It should be included in the quote Q. Meal and Rest Period Relief Coverage Because the SOW requires a Fire Guard to be present at the VA facility at all times during the required hours of coverage, please clarify whether the on-duty Fire Guard may take meal and rest periods while remaining on duty and maintaining patrol responsibilities, or whether the contractor must provide a separate relief Fire Guard during all meal and rest periods. A. One guard covers all three floors of building 2, guard is required to check each floor every hour- for example if the guard completes the check in 15-30 minutes the remaining of the time can take lunch or break schedule. No relief guard is required nor request for VA police to cover. Q. Section 508 Requirements Please confirm whether VA Section 508 checklists under VAAR 852.239-75 are applicable to this acquisition given that the requirement is for Fire Guard services and the SOW does not appear to identify contractor-furnished Information and Communication Technology. A. Contractors will not have access to the VA network. Q. "Installation Services" Description The solicitation description refers to "installation services for Fire Guard Services." Please confirm that no installation, construction, equipment installation, fire-alarm installation, or similar work is required and that this acquisition is solely for personnel-based Fire Guard/fire-watch services. A. Not seen this statement anywhere on the SOW. ONLY fire guard service is required. Q. PIV / VA Identification Requirements Will Fire Guard personnel under this requirement be issued PIV cards or another VA identification credential? If so, should offerors anticipate any Government onboarding lead time beyond initiation of the Tier 1 investigation before personnel may begin performance? A. Yes, a badge will be issued and when the T1 investigation is completed a PIV card will be issued. Q. Past Performance Submission The solicitation states that past performance will be evaluated based on CPARS and FAPIIS ratings. Please confirm that no separate past-performance narratives, questionnaires, customer references, or other past-performance documentation is required with the quotation and that the Government will evaluate past performance through CPARS and FAPIIS. A. Correct, CPARs and FAPPIS will be checked in our end. We do not require you (the Contractor) to submit any past performance documentation. Q. Incumbent Contractor Information Is there a current incumbent contractor providing Fire Guard or fire-watch services for Building 2 at SAVAHCS? If so, please provide the incumbent contractor's name and, if available and releasable, the incumbent contract or purchase-order number, current contract value, period of performance, and current staffing level. A. NO Q. Could you please provide the applicable wage determination for the Tucson, AZ place of performance and confirm the intended occupational classification for the Fire Guard personnel? (I Catherine Fernandez will answer this question) A. Wage Determination: This contract will incorporates Service Contract Act Wage determination 2015-5473, Revision 28, Date: May 13, 2026. The wage determination can be found at https://sam.gov/wage-determination/2015-5473/28 Q. In reviewing the solicitation, we noted the requirement for offerors to submit proof of licensure by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Before submitting our quotation, we would appreciate clarification regarding our corporate structure and whether it satisfies this requirement. A. Company DPS Guard Agency License and individual guard registration card. Company is due when the contract is awarded. individuals guard registration card due 09/01/2026. Q. Could you please clarify whether UltraGuard would be considered responsive to the solicitation's Arizona DPS licensing requirement if we submit Good Guard Arizona's active DPS license as part of our quotation and identify the relationship between the two companies? A. Arizona DPS license is required for the company and individual guards I m unsure what s the question regarding UltraGuard and Good Guard Q. Is this a new requirement, or is there an incumbent contractor currently providing these services? A. New contract Q. If there is an incumbent contractor, could you please provide the current contract number and, if available, the historical award value? A. This is a new contract Q. Additionally, will answers to all vendor questions submitted by the August 20 deadline be posted publicly via a solicitation amendment? A. All questions and answers will be posted via solicitation amendment Q. We are performing independent research on the Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (36C26226Q1083). We would like to know if this is a brand-new contract OR if there is (was) an incumbent performing these services. If not brand new, could you please provide the current / previous contract number and what the total contract value was? A. New contract Q. SOW paragraph 15, first subparagraph, states in relevant part: Fire and safety deficiencies, which exist and are part of the responsibility of the Contractor, shall be immediately corrected. If the Contractor fails or refuses to correct deficiencies promptly, the COR may issue an order stopping all, or any part, of the work. ? A. Please refer to the Statement of work (see highlighted area). Meaning that the contractor is responsible shall take such safety precautions as necessary to protect the lives and health of the occupants of the building any deficiencies in regard the guard not following those instruction or precaution the contractor is responsible to correct that. Q. Is this a fire watch requirement? The personnel described in SOW paragraphs 3, 4, and 5 are security-qualified observers: the qualification standards call for a high school diploma, guard or law-enforcement experience, English proficiency, report-writing ability, vision, hearing, and physical fitness. They do not include any fire protection trade licensure, NICET certification, electrical or mechanical license, or manufacturer certification. The SOW provides no Contractor-furnished tools, parts, or materials for repair work, and the pricing structure contains no line items for repair labor or materials. Accordingly, fire watch personnel are neither trained nor authorized to correct fire and safety deficiencies in the facility s fire protection or life safety systems. A. No fire protection license or trade or certification on fire or NICET is required. Q. We also note that this facility has separately solicited a fire protection system inspection, testing, and maintenance requirement (to be awarded shortly), which appears to be the appropriate vehicle for corrective work on fire protection systems. The two questions that follow are intended to establish a clear and documented boundary between the two. A. This is a separate contract from the replacement of the sire suppression. Q. Can you please confirm that the phrase which exist and are part of the responsibility of the Contractor in SOW paragraph 15 is limited to housekeeping-level conditions that a fire guard can correct without tools, without a permit, and without interacting with any fire protection or life safety system or component and if the intent is broader than this, would the Government please provide specific examples of the fire and safety deficiencies it expects a fire guard to immediately correct, and identify the training, certification, and authorization it expects the guard to hold for this, if any? A. Building 2 is currently occupied with patients and employees- contractors will be responsible in case of a fire to notify the police or the emergency number of such fire and pull the fire alarm. Q. Can you please confirm that SOW paragraph 15 does not obligate the Contractor to repair, replace, adjust, reset, service, test, inspect, or restore any fire protection or life safety system or component, including but not limited to: Fire alarm control panels, initiating devices, and notification appliances. Automatic sprinkler systems, standpipes, fire pumps, and associated valves. Portable fire extinguishers and kitchen hood suppression systems. Fire and smoke dampers, fire door assemblies, and door hardware. Emergency lighting, exit signage, generators, and emergency power. Smoke barriers, fire-rated assemblies, and penetration firestopping. A. Contractor is not responsible for repairing anything. The contractor is responsible for resolving any deficiencies if the guards are not following safety and prevention. Q. Regarding daily logs: What log and report format is required? What content must each entry include? Where are logs maintained and saved? Who reviews the logs and at what frequency? What is the retention requirement? Are the completed logs Government records that must remain on site, consistent with the treatment of the SOP in SOW paragraph 6? A. Spreadsheet will be provided contractor is responsible to email or hand deliver the spreadsheet to the COR weekly. Q. Where is the guard s duty post physically located within Building 2? Will the Government provide a workstation or desk, seating, task lighting, restroom access, and access to a break area? A. Building 2 has 3 stations available for the guards. The basement of building 2 also has a breakroom- we also have a cafeteria and a patio for breaks. Q. Does the Government prefer a shift structure, such as three 8-hour shifts or two 12-hour shifts? Three 8-hour shifts provide greater flexibility if someone is sick or will be late by allowing someone who only worked 8 hours to stay late, and the next person to come in early (both to only cover 12 hours each) to cover the gap. If it cannot be released, would the Government confirm that offerors are not expected to price any duty not stated in the SOW itself, and that the SOP will not be applied post-award to expand the scope beyond the SOW without a modification under SOW paragraph 12? A. SOP will not increase any expenses to the contractor. Q. SOW paragraph 8 ( Assistance ) requires the guard to Assist VA personnel with evacuation of patients as needed. Would the Government clarify whether this includes hands-on patient handling; physically moving, lifting, carrying, or transferring patients or occupied beds; or is limited to non-contact support such as directing occupants, holding doors, staging equipment, accounting for occupants, and controlling stairwell flow? This distinction has direct consequences for training, workers compensation classification, and liability. If hands-on patient handling is expected, what training or competency does the Government require; for example, safe patient handling and mobility training; who provides it, and is a Basic Life Support, CPR, or First Aid certification required? None of these appears in the Required Submittals, and we do not want to under- or over-scope our staffing. A. No hands-on evacuation. VA personnel are trained to complete evacuation Q. SOW paragraph 9 requires training in Procedure for and operation of the firefighting equipment within the facility (1 hour). Would the Government clarify whether fire guards are expected to attempt suppression of an incipient-stage fire with a portable extinguisher, or whether the expected response is alarm, evacuation assistance, and notification only, consistent with the facility s response protocol? If suppression is expected, please identify the equipment involved and any training standard the Government requires. A. This refers for the guard to attend to a 1 hour orientation for the COR to go over the duties and the facility/ building 2. Q. The Required Submittals state: Proof that the contractor and all personnel performing on the contract have the following technical training and certifications (Failure to include these certification(s), will disqualify offeror): License by the AZ Department of Public Safety. Would the Government identify precisely which Arizona Department of Public Safety credentials are required; a Security Guard Agency license held by the company under A.R.S. Title 32, Chapter 26; an individual security guard registration card held by each guard; or both? If a subcontractor is used, does the Prime Contractor have to hold the Agency license or will the subcontractor Agency license suffice? A. Each employee shall meet the physical and mental health standards required to obtain and maintain a license by the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Q. Quotes are due 08/25/2026 and performance begins 09/01/2026; six calendar days, four of which are business days. Within that window an offeror that is not the incumbent cannot complete Arizona DPS individual guard card issuance, initiation and processing of Tier 1 background investigations, fingerprinting, tuberculosis testing, PIV sponsorship, and the initial and follow-up training. Read literally, requiring proof of licensure for all personnel performing on the contract as a condition of quote acceptance requires a fully hired and fully licensed roster for a contract that has not been awarded. Would the Government: Confirm that submission of the offeror s staffing plan and a written commitment that every assigned individual will hold a valid Arizona DPS registration before performing on site, satisfies the Required Submittals? If named, individually licensed personnel are in fact required at time of quote, state that requirement expressly and explain how an offeror without a pre-existing licensed roster is expected to comply? Contract will be awarded on 09/01/2026 . Also please refer to Required for Submittals in page 13 of the solicitation. Q. Relatedly, will the Government adjust the performance start date, provide a phase-in period, or accept a phased staffing ramp to accommodate the vetting, licensing, medical screening, and training lead times required? SOW paragraph 3 prohibits an employee from commencing work until the Contracting Officer receives notification that the background investigation has been initiated, which by itself makes a 09/01/2026 full-staffing date difficult for any non-incumbent. A. Contract will be awarded on 09/01/2026 Q. Are the on-call supervisors required to hold any credentials beyond that required of the guards? A. SOW has all the requirements for the on-call supervisor Q. SOW paragraph 7 requires appropriately lettered breast and cap badges, indicating the jurisdiction from which authority is obtained. Would the Government clarify what badge, patch, and lettering it will accept; state whether the Government will approve FIRE WATCH or FIRE GUARD lettering; and identify the process and timeline for VA approval of the uniform, badge, and patch design before the start of performance? A. Please see below Q. SOW paragraph 3 places the cost of the Tier 1 background investigation on the Contractor. Please confirm the current per-person cost or fee, if any, and whether the Government charges the Contractor for fingerprinting, so that these costs can be priced. What is the expected processing time from submission of the VHA Service Center Security Request Packet to a favorable adjudication, and what is the Government s expectation if adjudication is delayed past the start of performance? A. VA will be conducting the t1 investigation at no cost of the contractor- im unsure where in the SOW put this on the contractor. Q. SOW paragraph 5(v) states that guards may be subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use on a random basis. Who administers and pays for testing, at what annual rate, and under what panel and protocol? A. T1 investigation and random testing will be at the VA cost if required. Q. Will fire guards be issued PIV cards, or a non-PIV facility identification badge? Who serves as the PIV sponsor? What is the issuance timeline relative to the start of performance? Does the Contractor bear any PIV-related cost? Is the quarterly PIV status report required by VAAR 852.204-72(g) still required if no PIV cards are issued? A. Yes, COR will be initiating and sponsoring the PIV Q. FAR 52.222-41 (Service Contract Labor Standards), 52.222-42, 52.222-43, 52.222-55, and 52.222-62 are incorporated, but no Service Contract Act wage determination is attached or referenced. Would the Government provide the applicable wage determination number, revision number, and revision date for Pima County, Arizona? Offerors cannot price a Service Contract Act-covered requirement without it. Which occupational title and code does the Government consider applicable; for example, 27101 Guard I, 27102 Guard II, or another title? Fire Guard is not a standard Service Contract Act occupation. If a specific title and code will be required, please advise so that offerors price consistently. A. 27101 Guard I Q. FAR 52.222-42 (Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires) is incorporated by reference, but the required fill-in listing classifications and the equivalent Federal grades and wage rates is not provided. Would the Government provide the completed statement? A. [X ] (1) 52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (AUG 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter 67).   [X] (2) 52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (MAY 2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67). Employee Class Monetary Wage-Fringe Benefits 27101/Guard I WG-4, Step 2/$22.25 27101/Guard I Supervisor WG-4, Step 3/$23.16 Q. FAR 52.222-43 provides for price adjustment based on wage determination revisions. Please confirm the mechanism and timing for adjustments across the 36-month period of performance and confirm the anniversary date against which revisions will be measured. A. Timing: (c) The wage determination, issued under the Service Contract Labor Standards statute, (41 U.S.C. chapter 67), by the Administrator, Wage and Hour Division, U.S. Department of Labor, current on the anniversary date of a multiple year contract or the beginning of each renewal option period, shall apply to this contract. If no such determination has been made applicable to this contract, then the Federal minimum wage as established by section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of1938, as amended, (29 U.S.C. 206) current on the anniversary date of a multiple year contract or the beginning of each renewal option period, shall apply to this contract. (f)The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer of any increase claimed under this clause within 30 days after receiving a new wage determination unless this notification period is extended in writing by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer of any decrease under this clause, but nothing in the clause shall preclude the Government from asserting a claim within the period permitted by law. The notice shall contain a statement of the amount claimed and the change in fixed hourly rates (if this is a time-and-materials or labor-hour contract), and any relevant supporting data, including payroll records, that the Contracting Officer may reasonably require. Upon agreement of the parties, the contract price, contract unit price labor rates, or fixed hourly rates shall be modified in writing. The Contractor shall continue performance pending agreement on or determination of any such adjustment and its effective date. Q. Does the Government want a technical or management submission; for example a staffing plan, transition or phase-in plan, quality control plan, or recruiting and retention approach? None is listed as a required submittal or as a decision factor, yet the solicitation states that Submissions not meeting all requirements of the SOW will be considered ineligible for award, which implies a compliance review. Please confirm whether such material will be read, and whether it will be evaluated. A. All information provided will be reviewed. Q. Questions are due at 10:00 a.m. PDT on 08/20/2026 and quotes at 10:00 a.m. PDT on 08/25/2026. When does the Government expect to issue the amendment answering questions? Because several items above; particularly the missing wage determination, and the scope of SOW paragraph 15; are material to price, offerors will need the answers with meaningful time remaining. We respectfully request an extension of the quote due date if the answers are not issued at least three business days before 08/25/2026. A. Answers will be posted on 08/21/2026 Q. Many SDVOSB firms hold directly relevant fire watch experience that is never captured in CPARS, and a CPARS-only approach would assign those firms a neutral rating notwithstanding a strong and verifiable performance record. Would the government accept past performance projects involving fire protection system maintenance contracts which required our team to perform fire watch duties while systems were impaired? A. We have access to the CPARS though a government site. Contractors are not required to submit CPARS, those will be pulled from a government site.

• NAICS561612
• PSCR430

• 36C26226Q1083_1.docx

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• 36C26226Q1083_2.docx

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• Price Cost Schedule.docx

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• Catherine Fernandez
  Contract Specialist
  catherine.fernandezpedernera@va.gov(480)-466-7937