VA Omaha: 8th Floor Cook Exhaust Fan Replacement (Small Business Set-Aside RFQ)

Executive takeaway

A VA facility in Omaha is soliciting firm-fixed-price quotes to replace and install an 8th floor cook exhaust fan. It’s a total small business set-aside under NAICS 238220, and the timeline is tight—quotes are due February 3, 2026 (12:00 PM Central) with a stated period of performance of 02/15/2026 to 03/31/2026. If you routinely execute commercial-kitchen exhaust/fan replacements in occupied healthcare environments—and can turn a compliant quote quickly—this is a good fit.

What the buyer is trying to do

The VA Nebraska–Western Iowa Health Care System (Omaha) wants a contractor to provide all resources and labor necessary for the replacement and installation of an exhaust fan serving the 8th floor cook/kitchen exhaust system. The requirement is being issued as a combined synopsis/solicitation using FAR Part 12 procedures (commercial items), and the announcement indicates this will be the only solicitation (quotes requested).

What work is implied

• Review the attached solicitation documentation for the contract line items, quantities, and units of measure (not detailed in the notice text).
• Provide a firm-fixed-price quote covering all labor/resources to complete the exhaust fan replacement and installation.
• Coordinate work at the VA facility location in Omaha, Nebraska (4101 Woolworth Avenue, Omaha, NE 68105).
• Comply with the incorporated commercial-item provisions/clauses, including FAR 52.212-1 and FAR 52.212-2, and the included FAR 52.212-4 terms (details are in the attachments).
• Ensure SAM registration is active/current prior to award.

Who should bid / who should pass

• Should bid: Small businesses under NAICS 238220 (size standard noted as $19.0M) that self-perform mechanical/HVAC exhaust fan replacement and installation.
• Should bid: Firms that can execute within the stated performance window (02/15/2026–03/31/2026) and can meet a fast RFQ turnaround.
• Should pass: Firms not currently registered and current in SAM (award eligibility issue).
• Should pass: Teams that cannot price and commit to a single firm-fixed-price award structure.

Response package checklist

• Completed quote package responding to the RFQ 36C26326Q0298 (verify exact format and required content in attachments).
• Acknowledgement of applicable provisions/clauses (FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-2, and 52.212-4) as required by the solicitation (verify in attachments).
• Pricing for all listed CLINs (quantities/units are stated as being in the attached solicitation documentation).
• Confirmation your SAM registration is active/current.
• Submission method: quote emailed per the notice instructions (verify any file naming, size limits, or additional submission rules in attachments).

Pricing & strategy notes

This is positioned as a single firm-fixed-price award for all labor/resources. To build a defensible price without guessing scope:

• Start with the attached solicitation documentation: use the CLIN structure, quantities, and units of measure to drive your estimate.
• Validate what the VA considers included in “replacement and installation” (demolition/removal, disposal, startup, testing, etc.)—verify in attachments.
• Confirm the stated timeline (02/15/2026–03/31/2026) is practical for procurement and installation sequencing based on what the attachments require.
• Because this is FAR Part 12 format, make sure your quote aligns to the evaluation basis in FAR 52.212-2 as written in the solicitation (evaluation factors are not listed in the snippet; verify in attachments).

The notice also states DPAS does not apply, which can simplify sourcing for components compared to rated orders.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas

• Partner with a mechanical/HVAC small business that has recent exhaust fan replacement experience if your core strength is adjacent (e.g., general facilities service) and the attachments allow subs (verify in attachments).
• If access constraints or scheduling are tight, consider teaming with a firm that routinely works in healthcare occupied spaces to reduce schedule risk (scope specifics still need to be confirmed in the attachments).

Risks & watch-outs

• Attachment-driven requirements: critical scope details (CLINs, quantities/units, “additional requirements”) are not in the notice text—missing something in the attachments is the fastest way to be noncompliant.
• Submission timing: the notice places responsibility on the offeror to ensure the quote is received before closing; build in buffer time for email delivery.
• Short performance window: the stated dates (02/15/2026–03/31/2026) may compress procurement and installation planning—confirm what the solicitation expects for lead times and completion.
• Duplicate listing: this opportunity appears twice in the provided feed with the same solicitation number; ensure you’re working off the most complete posting/attachments.

Related opportunities

• J056—8th Floor Cook Exhaust Fan Replacement (VA-26-00024303)
• Sources Sought: Renovate First Floor Kitchen (Sioux Falls VA Health Care System)
• 6515—UNU*PROS V23 636A8*SURG PRE*389911 (listing)
• J056—8th Floor Cook Exhaust Fan Replacement (duplicate listing)

How to act on this

1. Open the BidPulsar notice and download/review the attached solicitation documentation for CLINs, quantities, and any additional requirements.
2. Confirm eligibility: small business under NAICS 238220 and SAM active/current.
3. Build an FFP quote aligned to the RFQ instructions and email it before Feb. 3, 2026 (12:00 PM CT).
4. If you want a second set of eyes on compliance and bid/no-bid positioning, engage Federal Bid Partners LLC to help package a clean, solicitation-matched response.

Need help turning the attachments into a compliant quote package (pricing structure, responsiveness check, and submission readiness)? Federal Bid Partners LLC can support your response strategy and documentation review.