H312--Fire Alarm Maintenance Service Contract FY27 - NEW Base + Four - 583

The amendment states that all interested offerors will need a NICET 3 onsite during all inspections. This is not normal for our industry. A NICET 3 is an engineering/director level person who would not normally be a technical / on-site level performer. Can you change the wording so that it is either NICET level 2, or maybe adjust it to say the ability to conference or consult a NICET level 3, if needed? That way many interested bidders can respond to this, as per the industry level standards. -The VA will accept a current NICET Level II certification, in the applicable discipline, in lieu of the specified NICET Level III certification for all locations under this requirement. This substitution applies to personnel performing inspection and testing of electronic fire alarm systems and devices including smoke and heat detectors and water-based fire protection systems and devices interfacing with electronic fire alarm systems, including waterflow and valve-tamper switches. All other solicitation requirements remain unchanged. When does the VA plan to award this contract? It says a Dec 15 start date but is asking to have everything tested by Dec 31. This is not enough time to test the whole hospital. All interested offerors would need a full 30 days. If a new amendment could address this by saying that that is a target date and not an exact, or something to that effect, it would be much appreciated. -The period of performance for the base contract period shall begin on the date of award and continue for 1 year thereafter. Each option period, if exercised, shall begin immediately upon expiration of the preceding period of performance.