What this opportunity is
The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking contractors to replace the existing Reverse Osmosis (RO) water system at the Viera facility, which supports Sterile Processing Service operations. This Sources Sought notice indicates a focus on identifying potential small businesses capable of providing the necessary labor, equipment, and expertise for the installation and validation of a new system. Interested vendors should note that this is not a bid opportunity but a request for information, making it essential to track the market for future solicitation announcements.
Analysis by Mindy, grounded in the SAM.gov notice.
Description
ATTACHMENT A
DRAFT STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)
Viera SPS Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water System Replacement
I. Purpose
The purpose of this Statement of Work (SOW) is to define the requirements for the replacement
of the existing Reverse Osmosis (RO) water system that supports Sterile Processing Service (SPS)
operations at the Viera facility. This replacement is necessary due to documented workload
failures attributed to the current RO system.
II. Background
HTM/Biomed conducted a technical assessment of the RO water system currently in use by SPS
at Viera. Findings indicate that the existing system is contributing to repeated workload failures
and operational disruptions. These failures have increased maintenance demands and pose a
risk to the reliability of critical SPS functions. Based on their evaluation, HTM/Biomed has
recommended the procurement and installation of a new RO system to restore operational
stability and compliance with required water quality standards. The current system is
manufactured by Getinge USA Incorporated and has reached its 15years life expectancy.
III. Scope of Work
• The contractor will provide all labor, equipment, materials, tools, testing, and
documentation required to remove the existing RO water system and install a new, fully
functional replacement system. The scope includes:
• Assessment of current installation space and connection requirements.
• Removal and proper disposal of the existing RO system.
• Delivery, installation, and configuration of the new RO unit.
• Connection to existing water, electrical, and drainage infrastructure.
• Validation testing to ensure compliance with SPS water quality standards and VA
requirements.
• Training for SPS and HTM/Biomed staff on operation and maintenance.
IV. Deliverables
The contractor shall provide:
• A fully installed and operational RO system meeting all manufacturers, VA, and SPS
specifications.
• Water quality testing results demonstrating system performance.
• Maintenance manuals, warranty documentation, and operational training materials.
• Completion report confirming successful installation and validation.
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ATTACHMENT A
V. Performance Requirements
• The new RO system must:
• Meet or exceed VA and industry standards for water purity required for sterile processing.
• Provide consistent and reliable performance to support high-volume SPS operations.
• Include safeguards to minimize downtime and maintenance frequency.
• Integrate seamlessly into existing facility infrastructure.
VI. Period of Performance
The expected period of performance for the removal, installation, testing, and training shall be
defined upon contract award but is anticipated not to exceed 90 days from Notice to Proceed
(NTP).
VII. Roles and Responsibilities
Contractor: Responsible for providing all required labor, materials, installation, testing, and
documentation as outlined.
HTM/Biomed: Will provide technical oversight and validate system performance.
SPS Leadership: Will coordinate operational access and confirm workflow readiness.
Facilities Management Service (FMS): Will support infrastructure coordination as needed.
VIII. Acceptance Criteria
System acceptance will occur when:
• Installation is complete and functions as intended.
• All water quality standards are met and documented.
• Training and documentation have been provided to SPS and HTM/Biomed.
• The system passes final inspection by HTM/Biomed and SPS leadership.
IX. Security and Compliance
The contractor shall comply with all VA facility access requirements, infection control protocols,
safety regulations, and environmental standards throughout the project.
X. Salient Characteristics
1. General Requirements
• System shall utilize reverse osmosis technology employing a semi-permeable
membrane to remove dissolved solids, salts, organics, and particulates.
• Minimum contaminant rejection rate: 95–99% depending on feedwater quality.
2. System Performance
• Capable of producing purified permeate water meeting specified Total Dissolved
Solids (TDS) output requirements (typically <10–20 ppm unless otherwise required).
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ATTACHMENT A
• Designed for continuous duty with stable permeate flow under normal operating
conditions.
• Configurable recovery rate to optimize water efficiency and waste minimization.
3. Feedwater and Operating Conditions
• System shall operate within a defined feedwater pressure and temperature range
appropriate to the membrane specification.
• Must tolerate feedwater pH, chlorine/chloramine levels, and hardness within
manufacturer limits to prevent scaling or membrane degradation.
• Pretreatment components (e.g., sediment filters, carbon filters, softeners) shall be
included or compatible depending on application.
4. Mechanical and Electrical Characteristics
• Integrated high-pressure pump suitable for required permeate production volume.
• Corrosion-resistant housings, pressure vessels, and plumbing.
• Electrical compatibility with site requirements (e.g., 120/240 VAC; single- or
three-phase as applicable).
5. Controls and Instrumentation
• Built-in monitoring for key parameters, including:
➢ Feed, permeate, and concentrate pressure
➢ Flow rates (permeate and concentrate)
➢ Conductivity or resistivity of permeate
• Automatic flushing, startup, and shutdown safeguards.
• Alarm indications for high TDS, low pressure, pump faults, and other system
abnormalities.
6. Maintenance and Serviceability
• Modular design enabling easy replacement of prefilters, membranes, and pumps.
• System shall support membrane cleaning protocols or provide simple membrane
replacement.
• Clear serviceability access and replaceable components without requiring special
tools.
7. Environmental and Installation Requirements
• Suitable for potable or facility-grade feedwater depending on application.
• Floor-standing or wall-mounted configurations acceptable as required by the site.
• Noise and heat output compliant with standard indoor equipment operation.
8. C…
Source: SAM.gov, as posted. Verify the current solicitation before responding.