VAPAHCS Communication Maintenance Services
VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF.VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF.261-NETWORK CONTRACT OFFICE 21 (36C261) · Response deadline: Wed, 04 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking communication maintenance services for the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). This is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business set-aside procurement, indicating the work involves servicing, repairing, or maintaining communications equipment or systems at the Palo Alto VA medical facility.
NAICS 811210 covers "Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance," which typically includes the maintenance and repair of communications transmission, reception, and testing equipment. For a VA health care system, this likely encompasses maintaining critical communication infrastructure that supports patient care, administrative operations, and emergency response capabilities.
Key facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contract Office 21 |
| Notice type | Combined Synopsis/Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | 36C26126Q1224 |
| NAICS | 811210 (Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance) |
| Set-aside | Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Set-Aside (FAR 19.14) |
| Response deadline | November 4, 2026, 10:00 AM Pacific Time |
| Place of performance | Palo Alto, CA |
Who can bid
Only firms that qualify as Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses under FAR 19.14 may compete. To qualify, your business must:
- Be at least 51% unconditionally owned by one or more service-disabled veterans
- Have one or more service-disabled veterans control management and daily operations
- Be small under the NAICS 811210 size standard
- Self-certify your SDVOSB status in SAM.gov prior to bid submission
The VA is one of the agencies with statutory goals for SDVOSB contracting, making this a prime opportunity for qualified firms in this set-aside category. The tight five-day turnaround from posting to deadline suggests this may be a simplified acquisition or that the government has an urgent requirement.
How to put together a competitive bid
Verify your SDVOSB status is active in SAM.gov. The VA typically validates set-aside eligibility before award; inactive or pending statuses will disqualify your bid.
Assess your Palo Alto-area capabilities. Service contracts at VA medical centers often require rapid response times. If your firm is not local to the San Francisco Bay Area, demonstrate how you will meet any service-level requirements for on-site work.
For communication maintenance bids, emphasize:
- Certifications and manufacturer authorizations relevant to the equipment being maintained (see the solicitation for specific equipment types)
- Experience with healthcare or federal communication systems, particularly in VA or DOD environments
- Technician qualifications, security clearances if required, and proximity to the facility
- Your understanding of VA safety protocols and infection control procedures for working in active medical facilities
- Parts availability and supply chain resilience
Pricing strategy: As a simplified acquisition likely under the SAT threshold, focus on competitive labor rates, realistic material markups, and clear travel cost assumptions. The short response window suggests limited negotiation; submit your best offer upfront.
Technical proposal: Address technical approach, quality assurance, and emergency response procedures. Past performance on similar maintenance contracts will carry significant weight.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number 36C26126Q1224. The Combined Synopsis/Solicitation format means bidding instructions, statement of work, and evaluation criteria are contained in the notice package. Note the firm deadline of November 4, 2026, at 10:00 AM Pacific Time—given the five-day window from posting, immediate review of requirements is essential. Any questions to the contracting officer should be submitted as early as possible to allow time for responses before submission.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →