Routine and Surge Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) Testing Services. (Biloxi_ Pensacola_ Panama City Beach)
VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF.VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF.256-NETWORK CONTRACT OFFICE 16 (36C256) · Response deadline: Thu, 22 Oct 2026
What the government is buying
The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking heterotrophic plate count (HPC) testing services for water quality monitoring at VA facilities in three Gulf Coast locations: Biloxi, Mississippi; Pensacola, Florida; and Panama City Beach, Florida. HPC testing is a standard microbiological method used to measure the overall bacterial concentration in water samples, indicating general water quality and detecting potential contamination issues. This type of testing is commonly required for drinking water systems, cooling towers, and other water management applications in healthcare settings.
The contract includes both routine and surge capacity testing. Routine services cover standard, ongoing monitoring requirements, while surge services provide additional testing capability during periods of elevated need—such as water system disruptions, construction projects, infection control investigations, or emergency response situations. Facilities like VA medical centers rely on timely HPC results to maintain Joint Commission standards, comply with EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements, and support their water management programs for Legionella prevention.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contract Office 16 (36C256) |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | 36C25627Q0042 |
| NAICS | 541380 — Testing Laboratories |
| Set-aside | Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside (FAR 19.14) |
| Response deadline | October 22, 2026, 10:00 AM CT |
| Place of performance | Biloxi, MS (with services also in Pensacola, FL and Panama City Beach, FL) |
Who can bid
This opportunity is set aside exclusively for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs) under FAR 19.14. To compete, a firm must:
- Be small under NAICS 541380 (Testing Laboratories), with a size standard of $19.5 million in average annual receipts
- Be at least 51% unconditionally owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans
- Have day-to-day operations and long-term strategic decisions managed by service-disabled veterans
- Be verified in the VA's Vendor Information Pages (VIP) system or the SBA's Certification Management System prior to proposal submission
- Maintain appropriate laboratory certifications for HPC testing (typically EPA or state environmental laboratory certification, depending on the specific requirements in the solicitation)
Joint ventures are permitted under SDVOSB rules if structured according to SBA requirements, but the managing venturer must be an SDVOSB.
How to put together a competitive bid
Laboratory credentials: Highlight your laboratory's certifications (NIST, state environmental, ISO/IEC 17025 if applicable) and experience with Standard Methods 9215 or other HPC methodologies referenced in the solicitation. Document your quality assurance program and proficiency testing participation.
Geographic responsiveness: Demonstrate your ability to serve all three locations promptly. The performance address is Biloxi, but services extend to Pensacola and Panama City Beach—confirm your sample collection logistics, courier arrangements, or subcontracting approach if your primary facility is not local.
Surge capacity documentation: The government explicitly needs surge capability. Detail your maximum daily/weekly testing throughput, staffing flexibility, equipment redundancy, and historical performance meeting emergency turnaround times. Provide concrete examples of surge support you've provided to other clients.
SDVOSB compliance: Ensure your VIP/SBA certification is current and matches the entity name submitting the proposal. Any discrepancies can cause automatic disqualification.
Past performance: Cite similar contracts with VA, other federal healthcare facilities, or state/local water quality programs. Emphasize experience with healthcare-associated infection prevention water testing if applicable.
Pricing strategy: Structure your pricing to clearly distinguish routine testing rates from surge pricing. Consider whether the solicitation requests hourly, per-sample, or annual pricing, and be prepared to justify your methodology.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number 36C25627Q0042. The complete requirements—including specific HPC methodologies (pour plate, spread plate, membrane filtration, or alternative methods), sample volumes, reporting formats, quality control specifications, contract duration, and any evaluation factors beyond price—are contained in the solicitation documents available there.
Note the deadline carefully: Proposals are due October 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM Central Time. Late submissions are typically ineligible for consideration under FAR provisions. Allow adequate time for SAM.gov registration, VIP verification updates, and proposal preparation.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →