36C24219B0025-0002000.docx

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AMENDMENT OF SOLICITATION/MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT

(Signature of person authorized to sign) (Signature of Contracting Officer) 620-19-1-2397-0001 620A4-17-120 36C242 Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office 2 Hudson Valley Healthcare System Route 9D Castle Point

NY

10548 36C242 Department of Veterans Affairs Hudson Valley Healthcare System Network Contracting Office 2 Route 9D Castle Point

NY

10548 To all Offerors/Bidders

36C24219B0025 04-01-2019

X X X

5/15/19 11AM

X VA24319B0025 Campus Water Deficiency Corrections Project No. 620A4-17-120

Please see Continuation Page

CONTINUATION PAGE

SYNOPSIS

Discussions were held on unit pricing for the insulation material. All pipe insulation is PACM (Presumed Asbestos Containing Material) Removal of all insulation is to be handled by glove bag abatement procedures. If the contractor so chooses they may test any insulation for the presence of asbestos by a licensed NYS asbestos inspector. If the insulation is determined to be negative for asbestos the insulation may be disposed of as standard waste. Any awardee cost savings achieved by introducing insulation asbestos testing steps and avoiding any unnecessary glove bag removals of non-asbestos containing material is considered value engineering and the government will not seek a deduction to the contract amount. Hence, the Government will not dictate the means and methods of how the awardee is to move forward with regards to insulation disposal, provided all PACM is handled appropriately, or seek compensation if the awardee achieves cost saving through an alternative methodology.

This project is categorized as Type C in all instances whether glove bagging insulation under Code Rule 56 as “minor abatement”, disposing of insulation as standard debris after testing and determining insulation to be non-asbestos or simply providing all other plumbing operations. This project is categorized as ICRA III in the main complex of the hospital and ICRA II in all other areas. For purposes of this project the main complex of the hospital is defined as Building 15H, 15E, Urgent Care, 16F, 17G, 18D, 19C, 20B and 21A. The tunnel underneath 19C, 20B, and 21A will be classified as ICRA II.

The kitchen area has a 20-foot-high ceiling. Building 35 (boiler house) has a high ceiling as well.

There are crawl spaces inside the tunnel area that would require a confined space permit be filed with the fire department before entering and appropriate PPE worn while inside with a spotter.

Any required asbestos monitoring will be performed by the VA.

No credit to the Government will be negotiated for not removing asbestos material via glove bag means due to confirmation through sampling that proved such insulation material to be negative for asbestos. Means and methods are not dictated to the Contractor. IMPORTANT RETRACTION, PLEASE NOTE: This is not to imply if work areas are eliminated from the scope of work due to remediation already having taken place or at the discretion of the VA that a credit would not be negotiated. Also, no significant areas of work are expected to be removed from Contract.

If insulation material is removed to cut a pipe the portion of pipe that remains in service must be re-insulated.

After a dead leg is cut, if the portion of pipe that is taken out of service cannot be removed, it is to be capped. Hence two caps are to be utilized.

Only type A dead legs are to be remediated as per the SOW. A statement in the drawings where it states both type A and type B are to be removed is to be ignored with regards to type B.

Short pieces of pipe that can readily be removed become the property of the awardee and will be recycled. Longer pieces of pipe that are disconnected from the system that cannot be easily removed without demolition are capped and remain in place.

Most ceilings are removable tile and readily accessible above. In some rare circumstances a hard ceiling may be encountered but no demolition is to take place whereby architectural work is required. Hence a plaster ceiling would not be demolished to gain access to an entire dead leg water pipe and then re-built after the dead leg cut and capped. Rather the dead leg would be cut back as far as possible to the plaster ceiling; cut and capped there; the penetration fire stopped; any damage made to the plaster repaired.

The hospital uses a universal 2’ x 2’ acoustical, nondirectional Armstrong ceiling tile.

WHEN is an abbreviation for weekends, holiday, evening, nights. These are considered off hours. Standard working hours are nonfederal holiday, M-F 8AM to 4:30PM 48-hour notice must be provided for shutdowns and lockout tagout paperwork filed for all water shut downs.

RFI RESPONSE #1

1) The specs include two means of asbestos removal; traditional and glovebag. At the walkthrough, it was reviewed that the allowance for 2,000 LF of asbestos abatement was assumed as a minor glove bag removal for each of insulated locations which based on the number of locations may total a cumulative 2,000 LF. The spec also states in 028213.13-1.5.4 State Requirements that NYS Industrial Code Rule 56 applies to this project. Under NYS Code Rule 56-11.3, a minor project is defined as “asbestos projects with abatement of less than or equal to ten (10) square feet or twenty-five (25) linear feet of ACM, PACM or asbestos material” while a large project is defined as greater than 250 LF. While the individual locations may be defined as a minor removal, the cumulative will exceed 250 LF. If defined as a large project, we understand that the air monitoring and sampling would apply as defined under a “Large Asbestos Project” vs. “Minor Asbestos Project”. If we have to apply the large asbestos project air monitoring and sampling requirements at each location, it would significantly increase the costs and time duration required to complete this project. Please confirm whether each of the locations can be figured as individual minor asbestos projects under this single award or if it must be considered a large asbestos project.

RESPONSE: The VA will evaluate the glove bag abatement requirement on a case by case. Hence, any abatement activity is considered “minor” glove bag removal since no more than 25 linear feet is anticipated be removed in one instance. The decision to sample insulation for the presence of asbestos at all relevant junctures where a water pipe cut needs to be made is at the discretion and cost of the awardee. The decision to sample or not sample determines the awardees means and method of disposal and removal. Traditional asbestos abatement specification 02 82 11 was included with this project for unforeseen conditions that would only apply in conjunction with a modification to the contract. It is not applicable to base bid cost estimating. Any possible required abatement activity that is know at this time is covered by Glove bag Abatement specification 02 82 13.13 and treated as “minor” under NYS code rule 56. Any circumstance beyond this is an unknown condition.

2) There is a substantial amount of work on this project to be done in patient care areas which involves additional coordination to complete the work. With the amount of barrier set-up and limited time to do work in these locations, there is concern with the 180-day duration for this project. Would there be a chance to extend this to a 240-day duration and add 60 days to the expected construction duration?

RESPOSE: This concern has been brought up by several prospective bidders. I concur that this project schedule is aggressive, especially considering coordination of water shut downs and field verification before doing so. Therefore, I will request the Contracting Officer to increase the number of days to complete this project to 365 days.

3) It was stated in site visit that location uses a universal 2’x2’ ACT. Who is the manufacturer and what tile is it ?

RESPONSE: The facility is currently using predominantly Armstrong 2’ x 2’, acoustical non-directional ceiling tile.

4) Once pipes are abated, sealed, and cut, do both sides of cut need to be capped or just the pressurized side? We understand that the dead side of the cut pipe does not need to be capped.

RESPONSE: If the dead side is not removed by the awardee for recycling it will be capped for odor control and elimination of sharp edges.

RFI RESPONSE #2

Referencing PL-001;

“Plumbing Demolition notes” states; “Remove all type “A” and Type “B” dead leg piping….”

While note 3 under “Plumb. Installation Requirements” states; “Do not remove dead legs denoted as type B or C on the master schedule”

- Please advise if we are to include removing type B dead legs, or just type A?

RESPONSE: As stated in the SOW we are only removing dead legs denoted as type A in the master schedule. The plumbing note 3 on drawing PL-001 where it states to remove type B dead legs is an error and is stricken from the contract.

2) The project scope states: “Provide new insulation for all exposed pipe.”

-There’s two references to pipe insulation on the drawings, one on the Dead Leg Schedule “Length of hot water piping not insulated” as well as the drawings with the “Non Insulated Piping Schedule”. However, the only reference to insulating these pipes is only that short sentence in the scope of work, and not found anywhere else on the drawings.

-Is the contractor to only include insulating both the lengths of pipe shown as “not insulated” on the Dead Leg Schedule, as well as all of the piping and lengths shown on all of the “Non Insulated Piping Schedule”? Besides these two, is any other additional insulation required?

RESPONSE: The statement is merely to instruct the General Contractor to replace insulation removed to facilitate cutting of the pipe on the portion of the water system that’s still active. My intent with this statement was not to have the awardee insulate any water lines if they are uninsulated due to a deficiency nor repair damaged insulation. The purpose of this project is to mitigate the threat of legionella and remove or isolate identified water lines that are not circulating water and reinsulate the existing system that had insulation removed for the cut and cap operation.

3) Referencing PL-001, and scope of work; Notes “Where pipes penetrate fire rated or smoke rated barriers (walls, floors and ceilings). Seal penetrations in accordance with NFPA 90A with UL listed fire stopping system. Also, the scope of work states “Provide Firestop at all penetrations as per VA specs”.

- Is the contractor responsible for only firestopping penetrations caused by the contractor (mainly an opening left from a removed dead leg pipe), or all penetrations pre-existing that are encountered?

- If we are to firestop all open penetrations encountered, it is our experience that there is countless open penetrations that would require firestopping, and without being given an allowance quantity by the VA it would be impossible to figure/include the cost of firestopping all open penetrations encountered, please advise.

RESPONSE: The awardee is only responsible for firestopping penetrations caused from the removal of a pipe. Since architectural demolition is not required instances of this will be minimal unless the awardee wants to recycle copper in such instances and it’s not an inconvenience for the VA to have the Contractor take it away.

4) Regarding architectural demolition and restoration:

- The scope of work states: “Dead legs designated as type A and requiring architectural demolition will not be fully remediated but rather mitigated as best as possible without performing full architectural demolition. Dead legs that require architectural demolition but only to remove pipe from a wall penetration will be remediated. The wall penetration will be repaired to match existing conditions if visible to the public or appropriately fire stopped otherwise.”

- This statement is somewhat confusing. The first sentence says the contractor is not to perform demolition. The second sentence says that dead legs that require demolition the contractor should perform demolition and then repaired. Please advise what types of conditions would the contractor not have to perform demolition and repair, and what conditions would require demolition and repair? Further, without knowing the extent (quantity and locations) it is extremely difficult to include accurate pricing in the bid. It would be beneficial to both the contractor and government to add a unit price and allowance quantity for demolition and restoration. For example, demo and repair 24”x24” opening 5/8” x 500 locations and include a price per unit, including spackle sanded and painted. The VA could then easily subtract or add based on actual amount needed.

RESPONSE: The scope should have read, “Dead legs designated as type A and requiring architectural demolition per the master schedule will not require demolition but rather remediated as best as possible by cutting and capping at the wall, ceiling or floor. Pipes removed from a barrier or damage caused to a barrier will be architecturally remediated. The wall penetration will be repaired to match existing conditions if visible to the public or appropriately fire stopped otherwise.” The statement in question is written awkwardly. Simply put “no demolition is required for this contract”. Pipes identified as requiring architectural demolition are simply remediated as best as possible. Thus, the dead leg will remain, but the hazard will be mitigated as best as possible by reducing the length of remaining dead leg pipe without demolition.

5) Referencing the scope of work; “Asbestos”

- The scope states that all insulation is to be assumed asbestos, unless tested by the contractor. Please advise if the contractor is only supposed to remove/remediate any insulation on dead leg pipe sections that are being removed?

RESPOSNE: If a pipe that is being removed has substantial insulation on it, the responsibility of the awardee is not to remove the insulation on the entire length of pipe. Rather encapsulate and leave the remaining portion. If the insulation was not tested and therefore considered PACM the General Contractor is only required to glove bag the section of insulation that needed to be removed to perform the cut and then cap both ends. The portion of pipe isolated from the system would remain in place under such circumstances. If the General Contractor tests the insulation and determines it to be negative for asbestos, the contractor may salvage and recycle the unused portion of pipe provided it does pose an undue burden to the facility to remove. In these circumstances the contractor needs to dispose of more insulation, if they want to sell the copper. Short unused pieces of copper and insulation created by this project become the property of the General Contractor for recycling and disposal. They must be removed from site. As a rule of thumb, if the General Contractor cuts/remediates a dead leg pipe and it falls it’s considered “short” and the copper must be recycled, and all the affected insulation disposed of. Large sections of pipe can be left in place at the GCs discretion. If the GC wants a long length of copper pipe it is then at the CORs discretion to determine if it places a burden on the VA to have it removed. We want as much copper and insulation removed as possible but only if it does not place an unnecessary burden on the contractor or VA.

- If a pipe will be “abandoned in place”, could the contractor remove/remediate only what is necessary to access a section of pipe to cut/cap?

RESPONSE: Yes

- Is the contractor required to remove all asbestos encountered, even if not involved in this projects scope of work?

RESPOSNE: No

- The scope states to “Remove all pipe insulation with standard asbestos glove bag procedures”. Further the contractor is to assume approx. “2000 linear feet of <50 mm (2”) diameter pipe insulation”

- A) Should the contractor include a unit price per linear foot, in case additional or less quantities are encountered?

RESPONSE: No, the contractor should not need to remove more than 2000 linear feet of insulation. 2000 Linear Feet is a maximum quantity the VA feels is an upper threshold necessary to complete the project and not an estimate of the actual amount. If the contractor chooses to sample insulation, test for asbestos and remove with glove bag procedures only what is positive for asbestos, then the Government will not seek a price reduction for reduced glove bag effort, refer to synopsis. This is considered value engineering and the contractor will be allowed to keep 100% of the savings. The means and methods of the contractor determine how much insulation is to be removed at each cut and cap point. Depending on how insulation decides to cut and cap possibly only a foot needs to be removed. There are various means and methods of performing the plumbing operation.

- B) While providing an assumed total quantity of asbestos pipe insulation is helpful, it doesn’t provide enough information for the contractors to include a fair and reasonable price for the abatement. There is a huge difference between one location containing 2,000 LF, or 500 locations containing 4LF each or even 2,000 locations containing 1 LF each. Asbestos abatement includes containment, plastic barriers, negative air, setup, removal, and breakdown. The quantity of locations is as important as total quantity. Leaving this up to the individual contractor to guess at what the number of locations may be is entirely unfair to both the government and the contractors. One contractor may guess one location with 2,000 LF while another guess’s 500 locations 4 LF each. To allow each bidder to include the same number, we suggest including an assumed number of locations, with unit pricing per location. For example, 500 locations 4 LF each, unit price and total.

RESPONSE: The number of points whereby insulation is being removed from is clearly defined in the master schedule. The amount of insulation being removed is determined by the awardee through their means and methods. Only enough insulation need be removed and disposed of to enable the plumber to complete the cutting and capping operation. Not all cutting and capping operations involve insulation removal. Thus, review of the master schedule is required and estimating techniques will vary. 2000 linear feet is an upper threshold to complete this project your estimate of the actual quantity should be less. The ICRA containment requirements with negative air are in force by defined physical location and not field conditions.

- The specifications call for the contractor to provide a CIH. Is this, in fact, a requirement in this project? If required, what duty is the contractors CIH to perform?

RESPONSE: This project only requires minor glove bag abatement and therefore does not require a CIH

- Who is responsible for providing air monitoring?

RESPONSE: The VA would provide Air Monitoring if necessary.

- The scope calls for ICRA 3 containment for all areas for all glove bag asbestos abatement, which includes full containment enclosure and negative air. Again, we need a quantity for the number of locations this is required. Additionally, glove bag method doesn’t require negative air pressure and is done utilizing localized containment. Further, based on the layout of the hospital, venting the negative air at all locations may not be feasible, practical or necessary. Please advise if full containment / negative air is required at ALL locations, even if venting may not be reasonable or practical. If required everywhere, please provide abatement plans indicating containment areas, venting routes, etc.

The ICRA enforcement of this project as class III or class II Is defined by physical location. The actual field conditions do not determine the ICRA level, only the physical location of where the work is being done. ICRA III requires negative air that is vented to the outside of the containment area.

6) Some of the dead legs are in patient or “critical” areas. To minimize disruption in these critical or patient areas, can the contractor cut and cap a dead leg as close to source as possible and abandon pipe in place, even if accessible by ceiling tile, to minimize disturbance and duration? If this is done, it would be indicated on as-builts, and properly tagged, for future reference.

RESPONSE: The VA will relocate patients with immune deficiencies as far away from the area of work as possible. If a reasonable accommodation cannot be made, the VA will determine if the pipe will still be cut and capped at all or cut at a different location. Identified dead legs unmitigated will be treated as a deduct in this project.

7) The duration of the project is not enough time to complete the work. 180 calendar days results in roughly 120 work days, which drops down to 90 days after removing 30 days for submittals. Additionally, there will be delays for 10 day asbestos notifications. There will also likely be waiting periods for building shut downs because of valves not holding. All of which is out of the contractor’s control. Lastly, the project documents state that the contractor can only work in one building at a time before proceeding on to the next building. 3 months is not enough time to complete this very complicated and intensive project, it’s logistically near impossible and may result in rushed and inferior performance. Please advise if the VA will increase the duration.

RESPONSE: The VA will extend the number of days to complete this project to 365.

RFI RESPONSE #3

1) There are two ( 2 ) asbestos abatement spec sections SECTION 02 82 11 TRADITIONAL ASBESTOS ABATEMENT and 02 82 13.13 GLOVEBAG ASBESTOS ABATEMENT. Please advice which is applicable for this project. There are no quantities in spec section 02 82 11.

RESPONSE: The VA will evaluate the glove bag abatement requirement on a case by case. Hence, any abatement activity is considered “minor” glove bag removal since no more than 25 linear feet will ever be removed in one instance. The decision to sample insulation for the presence of asbestos at all relevant junctures where a water pipe cut needs to be made is at the discretion and cost of the awardee. The decision to sample or not sample determines the awardees means and method of disposal. Traditional asbestos abatement specification 02 82 11 was included with this project for unforeseen conditions that would only apply in conjunction with a modification to the contract. It is not applicable to base bid cost estimating. Any possible required abatement activity that is know at this time is covered by Glove bag Abatement specification 02 82 13.13

2) Spec for Glovebag Asbestos Abatement states quantity as 2000 linear feet of <50 mm (2") diameter pipe insulation. In the prebid meeting it was informed that there are approx. various 1000 dead legs locations approx. length two ( 2 ) feet at each location which may have asbestos insulation. Please confirm if the quantity and location count is correct. If agency is not sure then we suggest an allowance amount should be used in bid for this unknow asbestos abatement work. This will help all the contractors to bid the project competitively, fairly and all the contractors will bid this project on the same information.

RESPONSE: The actual amount of insulation removed by the awardee will be no more than 2000 linear feet. The number of dead legs to be removed is called out for in the master schedule. Not all dead legs to be removed have insulation on them. I did not count them for the bidders. The master schedule is also in excel form where you can sort and derive your quantities. There is a description of every dead leg in the master schedule of the drawing set which denotes if there is insulation on them or not. All insulation is treated as PACM unless proven otherwise. Means and methods are at the discretion of the contractor to test or not test. The amount of insulation removed is determined by the means and methods of the contractor after assessing how much is required to be removed to perform the plumbing work. Any insulation on active pipe that was removed needs to be replaced. Any remaining insulation that was cut must be sealed and left non-friable regardless if the insulation was tested or not. Estimating techniques are at the discretion of the bidder. This is not a unit pricing contract.

3) Please advice if contractor must do the sampling/testing of asbestos abatement at each of the location. Please confirm if the count of these locations is 1000. Can all sampling/testing work and asbestos abatement work be done at one time/one phase for all the locations/buildings?

RESPONSE: Sampling and testing is left at the discretion of the awardee. The General Contractor is not required to sample and test but may do so if they feel a cost savings can be achieved. If the general Contractor so chooses to sample and test they may do so. They may sample and test all buildings at once but field verification and locating each dead leg will take time. This was my rational for methodically working through one building at a time. Sampling the entire campus at once will require documentation of where the samples were taken from and tedious field verification of where the cuts are to be made prior to sampling. The count of these locations is not exactly 1000. Not all pipes to be cut and capped have insulation on them. The number of pipes in total can be counted from the master schedule. The pipes that have insulation on them or not are identified in the master schedule.

4) Some work locations are in the confine space. Please advice if contractor needs a certification.

RESPONSE: All confined space certifications are required for confined space. Entry.

5) Specified time limit of 180 calendar days is not enough to complete this project. Need at least 365 calendar days.

RESPONSE: The VA will extend the number of days to complete this project to 365.

6) Drawing PL-001 note 1 states complete one building before relocating to the next building. Please confirm if this is correct.

RESPONSE: This is correct. Jumping around from building to building will make tracking of what’s completed and not completed difficult. If a shutdown became problematic the Contractor would be allowed to start on another building. The general Contractor will not be allowed to run through and make all the easy cuts while leaving behind the more complicated configurations for later and possibly not completing the project.

7) Please advice if any noisy work can be done in regular working hours.

RESPONSE: Off hours work was not requested due to noise but rather interference with patients and staff. Water shutdowns will be required, and work cannot proceed if it will impact hospital operations. Potentially all work in all buildings will need to be done off hours because of this. Even administrative buildings away from the defined main complex that are ICRA II will require off hours work if sanitary services need to be shut off.

8) Drawing PL-001 plumbing demolition note no.1 states remove all type ‘A’ and type ‘B’ dead leg piping, solicitation page 7 of 86 states ‘only remediate dead legs designated as type ‘A’ on the drawing set master schedules. Please advice which is correct.

RESPONSE: As stated in the SOW we are only removing dead legs denoted as type A in the master schedule. The plumbing note 3 on drawing PL-001 where it states to remove type B dead legs is an error and is stricken from the contract.

9) Master schedules on drawings has column for the ‘length of dead leg pipe’. Please clarify if the length of dead leg pipe removal and length of insulation removal for asbestos abatement is same.

RESPONSE: The amount of dead leg pipe removal and amount of insulation removed is not the same because not all pipe removed has insulation on it. As stated in another section of the RFIs rule of thumb is if you cut a dead leg pipe and it falls, you must take the piece that was removed away along with the insulation on it. Long sections of pipe are removed provided doing so is not an inconvenience to the VA and the GC sells the copper through a recycling. If a long section of pipe that is remediated has insulation on it, it can remain in place or the GC may recycle it if they want it. The insulation cut must be taped per guidelines and left in a non-friable state.

10) If after testing of pipe insulation it is found that there is no asbestos abatement required at some locations, then does the contractor has to give credit back to agency.

RESPONSE: No. However dead legs that are identified on the drawing which are not remediated at all for whatever reason (already remediated, eliminated from the SOW at the discretion of the Govt.) are credited back to the Govt.

11) Solicitation page 6 of 86 SOW first para states ‘All insulation construction debris is assumed to be positive for asbestos and handled properly as such per NYS Industrial code rule 56 without laboratory testing that proves to the contrary’. Please advice if this is correct and all insulation debris is positive for asbestos. If this is correct, then contractor does not have to do the testing at all locations.

RESPONSE: Testing and sampling is at the discretion of the contractor. Not all insulation is positive for asbestos which is why it’s considered Presumed Asbestos Containing Material.

12) Master schedules on drawings has column for ‘dead leg location in the room’ all these locations are on the wall. Please confirm that there are no dead leg locations inside the drop ceilings.

RESPONSE: I do not understand the question. Plumbing is mostly inside the drop ceilings.

13) Solicitation page 7 of 86 states ‘’ICRA III containment barriers and negative air are required at each remediation point. If asbestos sampling is conducted and a determination made that insulation is non-asbestos the ICRA level drops to category II but only for building 7,8, 9, 13 and 44. The main complex of the hospital will be handled as ICRA category III in all circumstances regardless of the determination of insulation material to be positive or negative for asbestos”. – Please clarify:

a) What construction is required for ICRA III containment barriers, is it sheet rock walls or plastic? and what construction is required for ICRA II.

RESPONSE: The means and methods of constructing an ICRA III or ICRA II containment vary. There are a lot of containment areas being built. The contractor would be expected to construct and tear down with in one shift. The barrier does not need to be fire rated.

ICRA II Requirements:

1. Provide active means to prevent air-borne dust from dispersing into atmosphere, which may include the use of a Control Cube.

2. Water mist work surfaces to control dust while cutting.

3. Seal unused doors with masking tape.

4. Block off and seal air vents.

5. Doors and windows within the work zone to remain closed at all times except during ingress/egress.

6. Place adhesive mat at entrance and exit of work area as necessary.

7. Cover transport receptacles or carts.

8. Contain construction waste before transport in tightly covered containers.

9. Use designated removal route/elevators for removal of debris.

10. Wet mop and/or vacuum with HEPA filtered vacuum at end of job or end of work shift. Area to be free of dust and or debris.

ICRA III Requirements:

1. Isolate HVAC system in area where work is being done to prevent contamination of duct system. Maintain until barrier is removed at completion of project.

2. Designate entry and exit traffic pattern, unauthorized personnel are not permitted to enter work zone, traffic control signs placed.

3. Complete all critical barriers or implement control cube method before construction begins. Will stay in place until IC or PM authorizes removal.

4. Maintain negative pressure within work site and utilize HEPA equipped negative air machines. Both will be maintained until project & terminal cleaning are completed and IC authorizes removal.

5. Air pressure to be monitored & documented at least daily.

6. Adhesive mats placed at all entrances & exists of work area.

7. The contractor will maintain the construction zone in a clean manner.

The area will be HEPA-vacuumed or damp mopped daily or more often as necessary to minimize dust.

Daily cleanup of debris, material and waste shall be completed.

Adhesive mats monitored & changed on a regular basis so that they remain effective.

Any dust or construction debris tracked outside of the work area will be promptly cleaned.

8. Terminal cleaning will be performed following protocol.

9. The terminal cleaning will be inspected by the Owner prior to the authorization for the barrier removal.

10. Air samples may be performed following IC/Safety protocol.

11. Barriers will be removed carefully to minimize spreading of construction dust and debris.

1.

1. b) Which building numbers are in the main complex of hospital as it states it requires ICRA category III.

1.

1. RESPOSNE: This project is categorized as ICRA III in the main complex of the hospital and ICRA II in all other areas. For purposes of this project the main complex of the hospital is defined as Building 15H, 15E, Urgent Care, 16F, 17G, 18D, 19C, 20B and 21A. The tunnel underneath 19C, 20B, and 21A will be classified as ICRA II.

1.

1. 14) During the prebid walk through we saw that the kitchen has high ceilings. Please inform which other rooms have high ceilings.

RESPONSE: None

1. 15) Drawing PL-001 plumbing demolition note states that ‘plumbing contractor shall remove /replace existing ceiling tiles and grid as required to accomplish indicated plumbing work’. Please advice which are the room/locations which require replacement of existing ceiling tiles and grid. Also please inform the ceiling tile manufacturer item number.

RESPONSE: No ceiling tile and grid is planned to be demolished. As stated no architectural demolition is required for this project. If its damaged by the awardee, then it must be replaced.

1. 16) Spec section 01 35 26 states to have SSHO, please advice if contractor’s site supervisor/superintendent can simultaneously perform the duties of SSHO.

RESPONSE: Yes 1.

1. 17) Spec section 01 35 26 states to have Certified Safety Professional (CSP) to conduct a monthly site safety inspection. Please confirm this is required.

RESPONSE: Yes, note the contractor is required to work and clean up at the end of the shift. Work migrates across the campus and there is no established job site to inspect as it will be moving daily.

1. 18) Spec book has sections for 09 29 00 Gypsum board and 09 91 00 Painting, Please advice the scope of the work for gypsum board and painting, none shown on drawings.

R5ESPONSE: There is no architectural demolition called for in this project. This would be applicable for repair of damage caused by the contractor.

1. 19) Spec section 01 00 00 para 1.1c states Testing of materials is the responsibility of the Contractor. Please advice which material testing is required for this project.

RESPONSE: The only testing of material would be asbestos at the discretion of the contractor as determined by their means and methods.

1. 20) Spec section 01 00 00 para 1.1.I. states to have Superintendent and Project Manager. Please advice project manager can be part time.

1.

1. RESPONSE: Yes, my interpretation of a Project Manger’s role is that they would be acting on behalf of the awardee for many projects and not just one project.

1. 21) If we are hand delivering the bid then please confirm if we must drop at Building 29, Room 313. Also can the bid submission time be at 11:00 am instead of 10:00 am as lot of traffic is there in morning.

REPONSE: Bid opening is extended to 5/15/19 at 11AM at Montrose VAMC Building 29 Conference Room.

If mailing:

Department of Veterans Affairs Attn: Dany Humphreys 2094 Albany Post Road Building 29, Room 313 Montrose, NY 10548

If Hand-Delivering, please email Dany.Humphreys2@va.gov prior to arrival.