S06 RFIs Responses from COR and AE.docx

1. Part 1.13 of specification section 013526 calls for tuberculosis screening of all employees assigned to the worksite. There are no provisions in the specifications for any COVID-19 requirements. Please verify and provide any requirements the general contractor must take.

RESPONSE: The VAMC will provide the written Screening & Infection Prevention protocols in a separate amendment. All personnel engaged in project activities while on VAMC property shall adhere to the protocols at all times. COVID-19 measures are evolving continuously. VAMC White River Junction is following CDC and Vermont department of health guidelines. All persons on site shall wear face masks and practice social distancing measures as possible. All personnel are expected to go through daily screening checkpoint upon arrival to hospital grounds. Current written guidance will be provided at contract start to reflect current requirements.

2. What is earliest date that patients can start being moved out in order to start construction of Phase #1?

RESPONSE: Will provide response in another amendment. Start date will depend upon contract award date and subsequent agreed upon schedule as submitted by winning contractor. First phase construction area will be available by February 1st.

3. All associated work on the Ground Floor utilities required to support the First Floor drainage must be accomplished in small coordinated footprints. There are no reflected ceiling prints for the ground floor. Please provide information regarding the number of access panels required or can you provide the reflected ceiling print for the existing Ground Floor.

RESPONSE: Notes on the Ground Floor Plumbing plans outline the existing ceiling types and general requirements.

4. First Floor Demolition Plan 31-AS-106 includes a note stating that the Owner will remove the existing ceiling mounted patient lift systems and structural components. Seeing how the new patient lift systems and new structural supports are now the responsibility of the General Contractor (GC) per Amendment #0001, will the GC be required to remove the existing systems? If so, how many existing locations are there?

RESPONSE: The GC is responsible for removal of the existing systems and all their operational & structural components. The GC shall consult with the Owner and deliver to storage all components the Owner requests to be saved. The GC shall dispose of all components not saved. Patient lift locations are shown on the project drawings in existing conditions/demolition prints.

5. Reference specification section 010000, 1.7D: D. Working space and space available for storing materials shall be as determined by the Project Engineer/VA-COR. For pricing purposes could you please identify the lay down location?

RESPONSE: Laydown areas on campus are limited and dependent on conditions at the time of need. Assume that space on campus will be available for at least a job trailer and limited employee parking. Space for dumpsters will be made available adjacent to the Granite Building 31, however this is limited as well.

6. Reference specification section 013216.15; 1.9A: Contractor and their CPM consultant (if applicable) shall attend all monthly schedule update meetings. Can the scheduler attend via Webex providing live update for the team in lieu of monthly travel to the site?

RESPONSE: Virtual meetings are acceptable as appropriate. It is expected that on site meetings will be necessary at times for group inspection as determined by the project team. Microsoft Teams is VA preferred virtual meeting platform, Webex is acceptable but is anticipated to be removed from VA approved list in the future.

7. Reference specification section 013526; 1.7D: D. The SSHO or an equally-qualified Designated Representative/alternate will maintain a presence on the site during construction operations in accordance with FAR Clause 52.236-6: Superintendence by the Contractor. Can the SSHO have collateral duties and fill other roles for the GC such as Superintendent?

RESPONSE: multiple roles may be filled by one person. All necessary qualifications must be met according to project specifications. Project billing shall represent actual time spent fulfilling specified roles.

8. Reference specification section 013526; 1.9B: B. A Certified Safety Professional (CSP) with specialized knowledge in construction safety or a certified Construction Safety and Health Technician (CSHT) shall randomly conduct a monthly site safety inspection. The CSP or CSHT can be a corporate safety professional or independently contracted. The CSP or CSHT will provide their certificate number on the required report for verification as necessary. Is this requirement in addition to the full time SSHO?

RESPONSE: No

9. Reference specification section 013533; 1.4.1A: A. All personnel are required to wear N95 respirators, disposable booties and coveralls when working inside the containment. These are to be removed when exiting the work area. Are these to be worn in any Class I, II, III, and IV?

RESPONSE: PPE shall be per the class I, II, III and IV requirements.

10. Reference specification section 014502: There was no mention of a requirement for a full time Quality Control Manager onsite at all times. What are the minimum onsite staff requirements for the General Contractor? Superintendent Only if qualified for other roles?

RESPONSE: Onsite Superintendent/OSHA 30 competent person is mandatory whenever work is ongoing.

11. Reference specification section 017419: Where shall dumpsters be placed near the building for separation and disposal of waste?

RESPONSE: Laydown space is limited. One Dumpster space may be allowed adjacent to Granite Building 31 near loading dock provided it does not interfere with normal loading/receiving traffic. Additional dumpster space will need to be remote, but on campus. Space to the north of parking lot #5 may be allocated for dumpster and contractor laydown.

12. Reference specification section 017419: What is the route to be used from the contractor designated elevator to the outside of the building for disposal of waste?

RESPONSE: Route shall be through basement level and exit via loading dock. Project drawings depict these locations. Elevator is 7’x5’ with 4’ door opening. Weigh capacity is 4000lbs.

13. Reference specification section 280500; 3.7B3: 3. During the bidding process the contractor shall submit a request for information to the Owner to determine if a pre-delivery test will be required. If a pre-delivery test is not required, the contractor shall provide a written notification that the Pre-delivery Test is not required in their shop drawings submission. Will a pre-delivery test be required?

RESPONSE: A pre-delivery test is not required. However, all systems shall be fully tested and certified prior to Owner Occupancy. Concur

14. Reference the RFP: Can one person fulfill two key personnel roles and if so, which ones can be fulfilled by the same person (Super/SSHO, Super/QCM, SSHO/QCM)?

RESPONSE: multiple roles may be filled by one person. All necessary qualifications must be met according to project specifications. Project billing shall represent actual time spent fulfilling specified roles.

15. Reference specification section 070000: It is our understanding that the roof is still under warranty, please provide the name of the roofing contractor and/or manufacturer contact information.

RESPONSE: The roof of building 31 is a Garland Roofing product and is under warranty. Current POC is Alen Turan 802-238-9012 ATuran@garlandind.com

16. Reference specification section 024100: Can we use heavy equipment such as bobcats for interior demolition?

RESPONSE: The use of “heavy equipment” for interior demolition is prohibited. VA Concurs. No heavy equipment or internal combustion engines are to be used indoors.

17. Reference specification section 024100: Please confirm that elevators may be used to load & unload materials & debris, if so, can you provide cab sizes (Length, width, height)?

RESPONSE: one elevator will be reserved for contractor use as shown on plans and specifications.

18. The Solicitation, Offer and Award document asks that we include an Itemized Price Breakdown, a Calculation of Self-Performed Work and copies of Subcontractor Quotes in Volume II. Due to the problem with bidders sending in their proposals within the last 30 minutes or less, we may not know which Subcontractors are the low bidders for numerous trades until just prior to the time that our offer is due. We respectfully ask that we be allowed to provide the Itemized Price Breakdown, the Calculation of Self-Performed Work and copies of Subcontractor Quotes within 24 hours of the offer deadline.

RESPONSE: All pricing information is required to be included within the initial proposal in accordance with the solicitation. If not included, the proposal will be determined non-responsive.

19. What is the anticipated date of award and/or the start date for construction?

RESPONSE: A hard date will not be given. Potential award may be on or around November with construction to begin thereafter upon receipt and approval of bonds, insurance and the pre-con meeting. Once the notice to proceed is issued, the date of construction will begin.

20. The response to Question 82 in Amendment 3 indicates a typo in the VAV schedule. However, Drawing 31-MH-101 shows a VAV-VS-0.01 (serving the west corridor and Shower G-77) AND a VAV-0.10 (serving Bedroom G-71). VAV-VS-0.01 and RH-0.01 are scheduled on Drawing 31-MH-503, yet VS-0.10/ RH-0.10 are not listed on the equipment schedule. Please provide associated sizes and performance for our vendors to quote.

RESPONSE: Reference RFI #18 (previous question #82) regarding request for schedule data for VAV VS-0.10 and the associated reheat coil RH-0.10; VAV VS-0.10 to be 6"size, with min. and max. cfm rating of 255 cfm. Reheat coil RH-0.10 to be 12"x9" size, 255 cfm, max. 012" WC APD, rated for 11.0 mbh, with 55 deg F EAT, 95 deg F LAT, 170 deg F EWT, 1.1 gpm.

21. Amendment #0003 includes a binder of ten (10) drawings that pertain to deduct Alternate #05, which deletes work in the southwest corner on the first floor. The drawings that were provided are all dated 4/16/2018 and are different from the drawings that were used to estimate the Base Bid value. This is very confusing to bidders and it does not give them clear direction on what they are supposed to deduct as part of Alternate #05. We believe that the drawings provided and dated 05/01/2019 should be the drawings that are clouded to identify the deleted work for Alternate #05.

RESPONSE: The relevant deductive scope of work is exclusive to this footprint regardless of the differences that may occur between the 4/16/2018 and 05/01/2019 versions of the proposed plan. Only the construction drawings dated 05/01/2019 and all amendments thereto shall be used for estimating the Base Bid value. See also attached drawings 31-AS-106-DA-5, Deduct Alternate DA-5 Southwest Corner Scope Removal Demolition Plan, dated 04/16/2018 and 31-AS-110-DA5-SKA-01, a mark-up of the First Floor Renovation Plan, dated 10/07/2020.

22. Please provide further clarification of the headwall construction in the 1st floor patient rooms. Drawings 31-AS-416 and 31-ID-103 show a combination of plastic laminate (PL-B) and rigid sheet wall protection (PWC-1). Question #42 in Amendment 01 calls for the solid vinyl trim to be “glued and screwed” with fasteners countersunk and plugged. This description does not address what we would have to assume must require a plywood backer board of some kind and not be a direct application to the gypsum board. Would you please clarify this further and include a detail?

RESPONSE: All concealed wood/lumber blocking shall be fire-retardant treated. All plastic laminate sheet material shall be adhered to the wallboard as a decorative element. All solid vinyl trim shall be adhered to the wallboard AND screw attached to concealed wood/lumber blocking. Furnish and Install at each Ground Floor and First Floor bed location one (1) 42”x42” protective wall panel per bed consisting of vinyl acrylic sheet laminated to ¾” sanded plywood backer board with matching PVC edge band. Fasteners shall be exposed stainless steel screws with finish washers, eight (8) fasteners per panel. See headboard detail for general intent.

23. Question #29 in Amendment 01 describes the replacement headwalls on the Ground Floor as requiring a sanded plywood backer board. If this is the case at the Ground Floor headwall locations, and if the 1st Floor headwalls are handled the same way, will the plywood have to be fire retardant treated? I am not aware of an installation where a plastic laminate or rigid sheet wall protection material can be adhered to treated plywood.

RESPONSE: The plywood backer board is not required to be fire-retardant treated as it is not “concealed” within the physical construction. It is essentially exposed millwork similar to standard casework.

24. Millwork Detail 6/AS-902 includes a note at the pass-through storage units that reads; Secure Narcotics Box Inside Cabinet. Coordinate With Owner (OFCI). My questions are; (1) Spec Section 102813 Toilet Accessories notes that the narcotic cabinets are by the GC. Please confirm who supplies these. ….. (2) Does each of the thirty (30) pass-throughs receive a narcotic box/cabinet? Private Patient Room 116 does not have a pass-through and the six (6) Semi-Private Rooms do not call one out on their interior room elevations like the other rooms do. … (3) Are the narcotic boxes/cabinets deleted in Alternate #DA-4 seeing how they are installed inside the pass-throughs or are they installed elsewhere in the patient room if the alternate is accepted.

RESPONSE: All patient rooms will receive 1 or 2 narcotic boxes depending on the number of patient beds in the room. The narcotic boxes will be Owner Furnished and Contractor Installed and will be located inside the pass-through cabinets on the patient room side. The location of the narcotic boxes will be field-coordinated in those patient rooms that do not include pass-through cabinets. There will be a narcotic box for each patient bed in the nursing unit.

25. Specification section 211313 includes commissioning information on the existing Fire Pump. Page 7 of this document under "Other Notes" indicates the jockey pump suction piping is incorrect. Is it the intent that this project fixes this issue?

RESPONSE: It is not the intent of the design documents to include any scope relative to the Fire Pump. The referenced Fire Pump inspection and flow test report was included only for use of the successful contractor to complete their flow calculations and pipe sizing criteria. It should be noted that Specification section 211313, part 1.3, note #4 requires the contractor to obtain the current test data (the issued report is from 2016).

26. There are notes on First Floor Renovation Plan 31-AS-110 that state ‘Confirm This (These) Existing Wall(s) Are Fire Rated. Modify To Achieve 1 Hour Fire Rating If Necessary.’ It is not possible to confirm the extent of work involved prior to bidding and we respectfully ask that an allowance be assigned to this work.

RESPONSE: Offerors shall assume that the existing wall construction meets the requirements for a 1-hour fire resistance rating.

27. There is work being deleted in Alternate #05 that is also deleted in Alternates #01, 02, 03 and 04. An adjustment will have to be made if Alternate #05 is taken along with any or all of Alternates #01 through #04. Please confirm.

RESPONSE: All deduct alternates are removed in their entirety. Only pricing required is for the base bid.

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