Open federal opportunities

S205--Solid Waste Disposal Services Salem VAMC

VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF.VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF.246-NETWORK CONTRACTING OFFICE 6 (36C246) · Response deadline: Thu, 22 Oct 2026

What the government is buying

The Department of Veterans Affairs is soliciting for solid waste disposal services for the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). This is a commercial services acquisition for routine solid waste management at a VA healthcare facility.

Solid waste disposal services at medical centers typically include collection, transportation, and proper disposal of general non-hazardous waste generated by hospital operations. This does not include biomedical or hazardous waste streams, which are usually contracted separately under distinct requirements. Contractors generally provide scheduled pickup services, appropriate containers, and documentation ensuring compliant disposal at permitted facilities.

Key facts

Who can bid

This solicitation is open to all responsible sources—there is no small business set-aside, meaning large businesses may compete alongside small businesses. Firms registered under NAICS 562111 (Solid Waste Collection) or with relevant experience in commercial waste management are positioned to bid.

To be eligible, your business must:

• Be registered in SAM.gov with active status
• Hold any required state and local permits for waste collection and transportation in Virginia
• Have adequate bonding and insurance typical for waste services contracts
• Demonstrate past performance in comparable solid waste disposal contracts, preferably at healthcare or federal facilities

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) should note that while this is not a set-aside, the VA maintains its Federal Supply Schedule prioritization policies for future opportunities.

How to put together a competitive bid

Federal waste service contracts are evaluated primarily on price and technical approach, with emphasis on reliability and compliance.

Pricing structure: Review whether the solicitation calls for unit pricing (per-ton, per-pull, per-container), monthly fixed fees, or a combination. Solid waste contracts often have variable components based on volume fluctuations—see the solicitation for the specific pricing model.

Technical proposal elements to address:

• Collection schedules aligned with medical center operations (often 6-7 days/week for healthcare facilities)
• Container provision, maintenance, and cleanliness protocols
• Backup/disaster recovery plans for service interruptions
• Environmental compliance documentation and landfill diversion reporting
• Safety record and OSHA compliance history

Past performance: Prepare references from similar contracts, especially federal or hospital clients. The VA evaluates CPARS ratings if you have prior federal work.

Certifications: Verify your drivers hold Commercial Driver's Licenses with applicable endorsements, and your vehicles meet DOT requirements. Document all waste facility permits and certifications.

Next steps

1. Read the full solicitation immediately at SAM.gov using solicitation number 36C24627Q0046 — the response deadline is October 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM EDT, leaving approximately two weeks from the posted date

2. Confirm place of performance and service area boundaries in the solicitation documents

3. Review Section K for representations, certifications, and any VA-specific requirements such as Veteran employment reporting or security background procedures

4. Submit questions through SAM.gov if any requirements are unclear, monitoring for amendments

5. Prepare your offer in the required format, ensuring technical and price volumes are complete and submitted before the deadline—late submissions are ineligible

The short turnaround from posting to deadline suggests this may be a re-solicitation or simplified acquisition; review the solicitation history in SAM.gov for prior iterations or related contracts.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →