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J041--PMI ICE Machine Service Contract -w/wd, B+4, POP 1/1/2027 - 12/31/2027

VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF.VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF.262-NETWORK CONTRACT OFFICE 22 (36C262) · Response deadline: Tue, 10 Nov 2026

What the government is buying

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is seeking a contractor to provide ice machine service for its facilities. The solicitation covers repair and maintenance services for commercial and industrial machinery and equipment, specifically focused on ice machines used in VA medical settings.

This is a service contract with a base period plus up to four option years (B+4), though the metadata specifically identifies an initial period of performance running January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027. Ice machine maintenance is critical in healthcare environments for patient care, food service, and laboratory operations, where reliable equipment supports infection control and operational continuity.

Key facts

Who can bid

This solicitation is full and open competition with no set-aside program specified. Any qualified business, including small businesses, may submit a bid. The NAICS code 811310 corresponds to "Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance," with a standard small business size threshold of $9.0 million in average annual receipts.

To compete effectively, your firm should demonstrate:

• Technical capability servicing commercial ice machines, preferably in healthcare or institutional settings
• Appropriate certifications for refrigeration/HVAC systems (EPA Section 608 certification is typically required for equipment containing refrigerants)
• Capacity to meet response time requirements for equipment downtime in a medical environment
• Financial capacity to perform under a government service contract

Service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) and veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) should note that while this is not a set-aside, the VA maintains strong preferences for veteran-owned firms in its procurement evaluations when applicable.

How to put together a competitive bid

For ice machine service contracts in VA facilities, focus bid preparation on these elements:

Technical approach: Detail your preventive maintenance schedule, emergency response protocols, and parts inventory management. Healthcare facilities prioritize uptime and rapid response—quantify your typical response and repair times if supported by contract data.

Personnel qualifications: Identify technicians with manufacturer-specific training on common ice machine brands (Scotsman, Manitowoc, Hoshizaki, Ice-O-Matic). Include EPA Universal certification and any OSHA or infection control training for healthcare environments.

Past performance: Cite comparable federal or commercial contracts servicing medical facilities, universities, or food service operations with similar equipment density. Government past performance ratings from CPARS matter significantly for full and open competition.

Pricing structure: Service contracts typically combine fixed monthly preventive maintenance fees with variable repair rates. See the solicitation for the specific pricing structure required—labor rates, parts markup limitations, and travel cost treatments.

Next steps

1. Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number 36C26227Q0030 to obtain complete specifications, service level requirements, and evaluation criteria
2. Confirm place of performance and specific facility locations, which will affect labor cost calculations and travel requirements
3. Note the deadline: Proposals are due November 10, 2026 at 4:00 PM Mountain Time—allow buffer time for SAM.gov registration verification and technical submission issues
4. Register in SAM.gov if not already active; verify your NAICS code registration includes 811310

View the official notice on SAM.gov →