S05 - Answers to RFIs.pdf

28 December 2020

Victoria Clark, Contract Specialist Canandaigua VAMC 400 Fort Hill Ave.

Canandaigua, NY 14424

Hosam Iskander, COR East Orange VAMC 385 Tremont Ave.

East Orange, NJ 07018

RE: Improve and Upgrade Pl System / Project #561-18-101 at the East Orange VAMC

Dear Ms. Clark, Mr. Iskander:

East Orange VAMC Responses to RFI Questions from email dated 12/7/2020

NEI responses in red below.

2) Solicitation Page no. 8 of 52, SOW, para 7 states Refer to Section 02 82 11 TRADITIONAL ASBESTOS

ABATEMENT, for list of known asbestos locations and proper abatement procedure. Carry an allowance for the asbestos testing, identification, containment and removal of the existing piping insulation. We have following questions:

a) There is NO list of asbestos locations in spec section 02 82 11. Please provide detailed list of the location of asbestos abatement work.

See construction documents for the detailed list of estimated ACM discovered during field survey. Refer to the attached specification section 02 82 11 TRADITIONAL ASBESTOS ABATEMENT for procedure regarding potential encountered ACM. As per specification section 02 82 11.1.2 VARIATIONS IN

QUANTITY, the contractor’s base bid shall include work for all asbestos remediation within +/- 5% of the ACM quantities listed in the construction documents (see drawings and attached revised specification section 02 82 11). “Where additional work is required beyond the above variation (+/-

5%), the contractor shall provide unit prices for newly discovered materials and those prices shall be used for additional work required under the contractor. Unit prices shall be provided as part of the

Contractor’s bid and used throughout the project whenever and wherever unidentified asbestos is found and must be abated as part of the work on this contract.”

b) What asbestos testing is the VA referring to?

This testing refers to suspected ACM that may be discovered during construction.

c) Please issue current asbestos identification survey for this project work locations.

Please refer to the amended specifications section referred to above (attached) and construction document drawings.

d) Please advise if contractor must do the sampling/testing of asbestos abatement at each of the location?

The contractor is only responsible for the sampling/testing of the suspected ACM materials discovered during construction. ACM that has been identified per the construction documents is not required to undergo additional sampling/testing.

3) Solicitation Page no. 8 of 52, SOW, para 7 states Refer to Section 02 82 11 TRADITIONAL ASBESTOS

ABATEMENT, for list of known asbestos locations and proper abatement procedure. Carry an allowance for the asbestos testing, identification, containment and removal of the existing piping insulation. --- How much is the allowance amount contractor has to carry in the base bid? Please clarify so that all the contractors will carry one/same amount in their base bid.

See construction documents for the detailed list of estimated ACM discovered during field survey. Refer to the attached specification section 02 82 11 TRADITIONAL ASBESTOS ABATEMENT for procedure regarding potential encountered ACM. As per specification section 02 82 11.1.2 VARIATIONS IN QUANTITY, the contractor’s base bid shall include work for all asbestos remediation within +/- 5% of the ACM quantities listed in the construction documents (see drawings and attached revised specification section 02 82 11). “Where additional work is required beyond the above variation (+/-5%), the contractor shall provide unit prices for newly discovered materials and those prices shall be used for additional work required under the contractor.

Unit prices shall be provided as part of the Contractor’s bid and used throughout the project whenever and wherever unidentified asbestos is found and must be abated as part of the work on this contract.”

4) Spec section 01 91 00 is for General Commissioning Requirements. – Usually, this commissioning is for mechanical work, as there is minor work of mechanical involved please clarify the scope of the commissioning work. Also, if required then will VA appoint an agent and do all the commissioning work?

There is some equipment such as pumps and a hot water generator, transfer switch, and control system/alarm reporting that warrants testing/commissioning.

Refer to the attached specification section 01 91 00 GENERAL COMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS. The

Contractor is responsible for hiring the Commissioning Agent and the Contractor is responsible for appointing the Commissioning Manager (See section 01 91 00, paragraphs 1.8 - 1.10). The VA is responsible for general observation/supervision and providing operations/facilities informational support.

5) Spec section 02 82 11 para 1.1.2 A states ‘Below is a brief description of the estimated quantities of asbestos containing materials to be abated’. --- There are NO quantities provided in this spec section. Please provide all the quantities for asbestos abatement along with location of the work.

See construction documents for the detailed list of estimated ACM discovered during field survey. Refer to the attached specification section 02 82 11 TRADITIONAL ASBESTOS ABATEMENT for procedure regarding potential encountered ACM. As per specification section 02 82 11.1.2 VARIATIONS IN QUANTITY, the contractor’s base bid shall include work for all asbestos remediation within +/- 5% of the ACM quantities listed in the construction documents (see drawings and attached revised specification section 02 82 11). “Where additional work is required beyond the above variation (+/-5%), the contractor shall provide unit prices for newly discovered materials and those prices shall be used for additional work required under the contractor.

Unit prices shall be provided as part of the Contractor’s bid and used throughout the project whenever and wherever unidentified asbestos is found and must be abated as part of the work on this contract.”

6) Spec section 02 82 11 page 36 Attachment # 5 lists unit price and states ‘The Base Bid stated herein is subject to the following Unit Price additions to or deductions from said Base Bid for quantities identified, which may increase or reduce those indicated or required by the Contract Documents at the time of submission of the Proposal’.

a) There are NO quantities identified in bid documents. Please provide all the required quantities and work locations so based on that quantities and work locations contractor can determine the unit prices.

See construction documents for the detailed list of estimated ACM discovered during field survey.

Refer to the attached specification section 02 82 11 TRADITIONAL ASBESTOS ABATEMENT for procedure regarding potential encountered ACM. As per specification section 02 82 11.1.2

VARIATIONS IN QUANTITY, the contractor’s base bid shall include work for all asbestos remediation within +/- 5% of the ACM quantities listed in the construction documents (see drawings and attached revised specification section 02 82 11). “Where additional work is required beyond the above variation

(+/-5%), the contractor shall provide unit prices for newly discovered materials and those prices shall be used for additional work required under the contractor. Unit prices shall be provided as part of the

Contractor’s bid and used throughout the project whenever and wherever unidentified asbestos is found and must be abated as part of the work on this contract.”

b) Is the pipe insulation of these 4” +/- diameter pipes listed is concealed or exposed? Does the asbestos contractor have to demo the wall or ceilings?

The piping may be exposed or concealed or located above acoustical ceiling tiles. The demolition required will vary by location depending on the amount of piping to be demolished. The contractor must remove the piping slated for demolition in accordance with the project specifications and drawings (including wall demolition and restoration); the asbestos contractor must abate the asbestos as required for the piping demolition to occur. This work will require close coordination between the contractor and the asbestos abatement contractor.

7) Spec section 03 30 00 is for Cast-In-Place Concrete. --- Please identify work of this Cast-In-Place Concrete on project drawings.

Cast-in-Place Concrete is identified in General Note 5 on sheet PL-300 for the constant pressure pump. A 4” inch thick housekeeping pad shall be provided for the constant pressure pump, duplex sewage pump set, duplex condensate pump, and water heater; sized 6 inches larger, all around of the equipment being supported. Please refer to attached sketch of the concrete equipment pad.

9) Please advise if any phasing is required for this project.

Phasing is required and called out throughout the project drawings and specifications.

See section 01 00 00.1.6.I: “The Contractor shall furnish the COR with a schedule of approximate phasing dates on which the Contractor intends to accomplish work in each specific area of the site, building or portion thereof.”

See section 01 32 16.15.1.7 Project schedule requirements require the contractor to show activities/events including project phasing. See this section for requirements of VA inspection and acceptance of completion of a phase.

See section 01 91 00.3.4 for the phased commissioning requirements.

See section 02 41 00 Demolition requirements require the contractor to provide temporary piping, connections, supports, and ay other appurtenances required to perform the work within each room/area/space and return the system to operation during the allotted work shift period.

See section 02 82 11, all asbestos remediation shall be coordinated with the phasing of the associated work area. Removal procedures for ACM include any required phasing.

In addition, the ICRA drawings ICRA-01 through ICRA-29 show the daily times the contractor may access each space to perform the work, however, this must be coordinated with COR.

General Comments

• Please refer to the Typical Equipment Concrete Pad Detail (attached).

• Please refer to the revised specifications section 02 82 11 TRADITIONAL ASBESTOS ABATEMENT

(attached).

• Contractor shall include in their bid the piping cutting/capping, demolition, removal, and surrounding surface restoration of all Type B and Type C fixtures (including associated carriers) that are listed in the schedules on drawings PL-010 through PL-015 as requiring Architectural Demolition

(Y). Contractor shall verify with COR prior to disconnecting and removing any fixture; and maintain water supply to any fixtures to remain.

• Contractor shall provide unit prices for removal and associated surrounding surface restoration for each single fixture (sink, toilet, shower) for masonry wall construction, tile, and plaster/gypsum board wall construction.

Respectfully submitted, Matthew Lesoine, PE Northeast Infrastructure, LLC Honesdale ,PA 18431 (570)253-0876

EAST ORANGE VAMC

PROJECT #561-18-101

IMPROVE & UPGRADE PL SYSTEM

AutoCAD SHX Text 4"

AutoCAD SHX Text 3 1/2"

AutoCAD SHX Text 6"x6"-W4.0 x W4.0 W.W.F.

AutoCAD SHX Text

4" THICK CONCRETE

AutoCAD SHX Text

HOUSEKEEPING PAD

AutoCAD SHX Text

FLOOR

AutoCAD SHX Text

3/4" CHAMFER

AutoCAD SHX Text

DOWELS INTO FLOORING

AutoCAD SHX Text

SCARIFY CONCRETE SURFACE WHERE APPLICABLE AND APPLY BONDING AGENT.

AutoCAD SHX Text

SCALE:

AutoCAD SHX Text

EP-201

AutoCAD SHX Text

TYPICAL EQUIPMENT CONCRETE PAD DETAIL

AutoCAD SHX Text

NOT TO SCALE

AutoCAD SHX Text

AutoCAD SHX Text NOTE: CONCRETE PAD SHALL BE A MINIMUM OF 6" WIDER THAN THE FOOTPRINT OF THE EQUIPMENT ON ALL SIDES AND PAINTED YELLOW.

Upgrade and Improve PL System

Project No. 561-18-101 Construction Documents

VA Medical Center, East Orange, NJ 12-28-2020

01 91 00 - 1

SECTION 01 91 00

GENERAL COMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.1 COMMISSIONING DESCRIPTION

A. This Section 01 91 00 GENERAL COMMISSIONING REQUIREMENTS shall form the basis of the construction phase commissioning process and procedures.

The Commissioning Agent shall add, modify, and refine the commissioning procedures, as approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to suit field conditions and actual manufacturer's equipment, incorporate test data and procedure results, and provide detailed scheduling for all commissioning tasks.

B. Various sections of the project specifications require equipment startup, testing, and adjusting services. Requirements for startup, testing, and adjusting services specified in the Division 7, Division

21, Division 22, Division 23, Division 26, and Division 27 series sections of specifications are intended to be provided in coordination with the commissioning services and are not intended to duplicate services. The Contractor shall coordinate the work required by individual specification sections with the commissioning services requirements specified herein.

C. Where individual testing, adjusting, or related services are required in the project specifications and not specifically required by this commissioning requirements specification, the specified services shall be provided and copies of documentation, as required by those specifications shall be submitted to the VA and the Commissioning Agent to be indexed for future reference.

D. Where training or educational services for VA are required and specified in other sections of the specifications, including but not limited to Division 7, Division 8, Division 21, Division 22, Division

23, Division 26, and Division 27 series sections of the specification, these services are intended to be provided in addition to the training and educational services specified herein.

E. Commissioning is a systematic process of verifying that the building systems perform interactively according to the construction documents and the VA’s operational needs. The commissioning process shall encompass and coordinate the system documentation, equipment startup, control system calibration, testing and balancing, performance testing and training. Commissioning during the construction and post-occupancy

01 91 00 - 2 phases is intended to achieve the following specific objectives according to the contract documents:

1. Verify that the applicable equipment and systems are installed in accordance with the contact documents and according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

2. Verify and document proper integrated performance of equipment and systems.

3. Verify that Operations & Maintenance documentation is complete.

4. Verify that all components requiring servicing can be accessed, serviced and removed without disturbing nearby components including ducts, piping, cabling or wiring.

5. Verify that the VA’s operating personnel are adequately trained to enable them to operate, monitor, adjust, maintain, and repair building systems in an effective and energy-efficient manner.

6. Document the successful achievement of the commissioning objectives listed above.

F. The commissioning process does not take away from or reduce the responsibility of the Contractor to provide a finished and fully functioning product.

1.2 CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIPS

A. For this construction project, the Department of Veterans Affairs contracts with a Contractor to provide construction services. The contracts are administered by the VA COR as the designated representative of the Contracting Officer. On this project, the authority to modify the contract in any way is strictly limited to the authority of the COR.

B. In this project, only two contract parties are recognized, and communications on contractual issues are strictly limited to VA COR and the Contractor. It is the practice of the VA to require that communications between other parties to the contracts (Subcontractors and Vendors) be conducted through the COR and Contractor. It is also the practice of the VA that communications between other parties of the project (Commissioning Agent and Architect/Engineer) be conducted through the COR.

C. Whole Building Commissioning is a process that relies upon frequent and direct communications, as well as collaboration between all parties to the construction process. By its nature, a high level of communication

01 91 00 - 3 and cooperation between the Commissioning Agent and all other parties

(Architects, Engineers, Subcontractors, Vendors, third party testing agencies, etc.) is essential to the success of the Commissioning effort.

D. With these fundamental practices in mind, the commissioning process described herein has been developed to recognize that, in the execution of the Commissioning Process, the Commissioning Agent must develop effective methods to communicate with every member of the construction team involved in delivering commissioned systems while simultaneously respecting the exclusive contract authority of the COR. Thus, the procedures outlined in this specification must be executed within the following limitations:

1. No communications (verbal or written) from the Commissioning Agent shall be deemed to constitute direction that modifies the terms of any contract between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the

Contractor.

2. Commissioning Issues identified by the Commissioning Agent will be delivered to the COR and copied to the designated Commissioning

Representatives for the Contractor and subcontractors on the

Commissioning Team for information only in order to expedite the communication process. These issues must be understood as the professional opinion of the Commissioning Agent and as suggestions for resolution.

3. In the event that any Commissioning Issues and suggested resolutions are deemed by the COR to require either an official interpretation of the construction documents or require a modification of the contract documents, the COR will issue an official directive to this effect.

4. All parties to the Commissioning Process shall be individually responsible for alerting the COR of any issues that they deem to constitute a potential contract change prior to acting on these issues.

5. Authority for resolution or modification of design and construction issues rests solely with the COR, with appropriate technical guidance from the Architect/Engineer and/or Commissioning Agent.

1.3 RELATED WORK

A. Section 01 00 00 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.

01 91 00 - 4

B. Section 01 32.16.15 PROJECT SCHEDULES (SMALL PROJECTS –

DESIGN/BID/BUILD)

C. Section 01 33 23 SHOP DRAWINGS, PRODUCT DATA, AND SAMPLES

D. Section 22 08 00 COMMISSIONING OF PLUMBING SYSTEMS.

E. Section 26 08 00 COMMISSIONING OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.

F. Section 27 08 00 COMMISSIONING OF COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS.

1.4 SUMMARY

A. This Section includes general requirements that apply to implementation of commissioning without regard to systems, subsystems, and equipment being commissioned.

B. The commissioning activities have been developed to support the VA requirements to meet guidelines for Federal Leadership in

Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance.

1.5 ACRONYMS

List of Acronyms

Acronym Meaning

A/E Architect / Engineer Design Team

AHJ Authority Having Jurisdiction

ASHRAE

Association Society for Heating Air Condition and

Refrigeration Engineers

BOD Basis of Design

BSC Building Systems Commissioning

CCTV Closed Circuit Television

CD Construction Documents

CMMS Computerized Maintenance Management System

CO Contracting Officer (VA)

COR Contracting Officer’s Representative (see also VA-RE)

COBie Construction Operations Building Information Exchange

CPC Construction Phase Commissioning

Cx Commissioning

CxA Commissioning Agent

CxM Commissioning Manager

CxR Commissioning Representative

DPC Design Phase Commissioning

FPT Functional Performance Test

GBI-GG Green Building Initiative - Green Globes

01 91 00 - 5

List of Acronyms

Acronym Meaning

HVAC Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning

LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

NC Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery

NCA

Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery

Administration

NEBB National Environmental Balancing Bureau

O&M Operations & Maintenance

OPR Owner’s Project Requirements

PFC Pre-Functional Checklist

PFT Pre-Functional Test

SD Schematic Design

SO Site Observation

TAB Test Adjust and Balance

VA Department of Veterans Affairs

VAMC VA Medical Center

VA CFM VA Office of Construction and Facilities Management

VACO VA Central Office

VA PM VA Project Manager

VA-RE VA Resident Engineer

USGBC United States Green Building Council

1.6 DEFINITIONS

Acceptance Phase Commissioning: Commissioning tasks executed after most construction has been completed, most Site Observations and Static

Tests have been completed and Pre-Functional Testing has been completed and accepted. The main commissioning activities performed during this phase are verification that the installed systems are functional by conducting Systems Functional Performance tests and Owner Training.

Accuracy: The capability of an instrument to indicate the true value of a measured quantity.

Back Check: A back check is a verification that an agreed upon solution to a design comment has been adequately addressed in a subsequent design review

Basis of Design (BOD): The Engineer’s Basis of Design is comprised of two components: the Design Criteria and the Design Narrative, these

01 91 00 - 6 documents record the concepts, calculations, decisions, and product selections used to meet the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) and to satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, standards, and guidelines.

Benchmarks: Benchmarks are the comparison of a building’s energy usage to other similar buildings and to the building itself. For example, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is a frequently used and nationally recognized building energy benchmarking tool.

Building Information Modeling (BIM): Building Information Modeling is a parametric database which allows a building to be designed and constructed virtually in 3D, and provides reports both in 2D views and as schedules. This electronic information can be extracted and reused for pre-populating facility management CMMS systems. Building Systems

Commissioning (BSC): NEBB acronym used to designate its commissioning program.

Calibrate: The act of comparing an instrument of unknown accuracy with a standard of known accuracy to detect, correlate, report, or eliminate by adjustment any variation in the accuracy of the tested instrument.

CCTV: Closed circuit Television. Normally used for security surveillance and alarm detections as part of a special electrical security system.

COBie: Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie) is an electronic industry data format used to transfer information developed during design, construction, and commissioning into the

Computer Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) used to operate facilities. See the Whole Building Design Guide website for further information (http://www.wbdg.org/resources/cobie.php)

Commissionability: Defines a design component or construction process that has the necessary elements that will allow a system or component to be effectively measured, tested, operated and commissioned

Commissioning Agent (CxA): The qualified Commissioning Professional who administers the Cx process by managing the Cx team and overseeing the

Commissioning Process. Where CxA is used in this specification it means the Commissioning Agent, members of his staff or appointed members of the commissioning team. Note that LEED uses the term Commissioning

Authority in lieu of Commissioning Agent.

Commissioning Checklists: Lists of data or inspections to be verified to ensure proper system or component installation, operation, and

01 91 00 - 7 function. Verification checklists are developed and used during all phases of the commissioning process to verify that the Owner’s Project

Requirements (OPR) is being achieved.

Commissioning Design Review: The commissioning design review is a collaborative review of the design professionals design documents for items pertaining to the following: owner’s project requirements; basis of design; operability and maintainability (O&M) including documentation; functionality; training; energy efficiency, control systems’ sequence of operations including building automation system features; commissioning specifications and the ability to functionally test the systems.

Commissioning Issue: A condition identified by the Commissioning Agent or other member of the Commissioning Team that adversely affects the commissionability, operability, maintainability, or functionality of a system, equipment, or component. A condition that is in conflict with the Contract Documents and/or performance requirements of the installed systems and components. (See also – Commissioning Observation).

Commissioning Manager (CxM): A qualified individual appointed by the

Contractor to manage the commissioning process on behalf of the

Contractor.

Commissioning Observation: An issue identified by the Commissioning

Agent or other member of the Commissioning Team that does not conform to the project OPR, contract documents or standard industry best practices. (See also Commissioning Issue)

Commissioning Plan: A document that outlines the commissioning process, commissioning scope and defines responsibilities, processes, schedules, and the documentation requirements of the Commissioning Process.

Commissioning Process: A quality focused process for enhancing the delivery of a project. The process focuses upon verifying and documenting that the facility and all of its systems, components, and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, can be operated, and maintained to meet the Owner's Project Requirements.

Commissioning Report: The final commissioning document which presents the commissioning process results for the project. Cx reports include an executive summary, the commissioning plan, issue log, correspondence, and all appropriate check sheets and test forms.

01 91 00 - 8

Commissioning Representative (CxR): An individual appointed by a sub-contractor to manage the commissioning process on behalf of the sub-contractor.

Commissioning Specifications: The contract documents that detail the objective, scope and implementation of the commissioning process as developed in the Commissioning Plan.

Commissioning Team: Individual team members whose coordinated actions are responsible for implementing the Commissioning Process.

Construction Phase Commissioning: All commissioning efforts executed during the construction process after the design phase and prior to the

Acceptance Phase Commissioning.

Contract Documents (CD): Contract documents include design and construction contracts, price agreements and procedure agreements.

Contract Documents also include all final and complete drawings, specifications and all applicable contract modifications or supplements.

Construction Phase Commissioning (CPC): All commissioning efforts executed during the construction process after the design phase and prior to the Acceptance Phase Commissioning.

Coordination Drawings: Drawings showing the work of all trades that are used to illustrate that equipment can be installed in the space allocated without compromising equipment function or access for maintenance and replacement. These drawings graphically illustrate and dimension manufacturers’ recommended maintenance clearances. On mechanical projects, coordination drawings include structural steel, ductwork, major piping and electrical conduit and show the elevations and locations of the above components.

Data Logging: The monitoring and recording of temperature, flow, current, status, pressure, etc. of equipment using stand-alone data recorders.

Deferred System Test: Tests that cannot be completed at the end of the acceptance phase due to ambient conditions, schedule issues or other conditions preventing testing during the normal acceptance testing period.

Deficiency: See “Commissioning Issue”.

01 91 00 - 9

Design Criteria: A listing of the VA Design Criteria outlining the project design requirements, including its source. These are used during the design process to show the design elements meet the OPR.

Design Intent: The overall term that includes the OPR and the BOD. It is a detailed explanation of the ideas, concepts, and criteria that are defined by the owner to be important. The design intent documents are utilized to provide a written record of these ideas, concepts and criteria.

Design Narrative: A written description of the proposed design solutions that satisfy the requirements of the OPR.

Design Phase Commissioning (DPC): All commissioning tasks executed during the design phase of the project.

Environmental Systems: Systems that use a combination of mechanical equipment, airflow, water flow and electrical energy to provide heating, ventilating, air conditioning, humidification, and dehumidification for the purpose of human comfort or process control of temperature and humidity.

Executive Summary: A section of the Commissioning report that reviews the general outcome of the project. It also includes any unresolved issues, recommendations for the resolution of unresolved issues and all deferred testing requirements.

Functionality: This defines a design component or construction process which will allow a system or component to operate or be constructed in a manner that will produce the required outcome of the OPR.

Functional Test Procedure (FTP): A written protocol that defines methods, steps, personnel, and acceptance criteria for tests conducted on components, equipment, assemblies, systems, and interfaces among systems.

Industry Accepted Best Practice: A design component or construction process that has achieved industry consensus for quality performance and functionality. Refer to the current edition of the NEBB Design

Phase Commissioning Handbook for examples.

Installation Verification: Observations or inspections that confirm the system or component has been installed in accordance with the contract documents and to industry accepted best practices.

Integrated System Testing: Integrated Systems Testing procedures entail testing of multiple integrated systems performance to verify proper

01 91 00 - 10 functional interface between systems. Typical Integrated Systems

Testing includes verifying that building systems respond properly to loss of utility, transfer to emergency power sources, re-transfer from emergency power source to normal utility source; interface between HVAC controls and Fire Alarm systems for equipment shutdown, interface between Fire Alarm system and elevator control systems for elevator recall and shutdown; interface between Fire Alarm System and Security

Access Control Systems to control access to spaces during fire alarm conditions; and other similar tests as determined for each specific project.

Issues Log: A formal and ongoing record of problems or concerns – and their resolution – that have been raised by members of the

Commissioning Team during the course of the Commissioning Process.

Lessons Learned Workshop: A workshop conducted to discuss and document project successes and identify opportunities for improvements for future projects.

Maintainability: A design component or construction process that will allow a system or component to be effectively maintained. This includes adequate room for access to adjust and repair the equipment.

Maintainability also includes components that have readily obtainable repair parts or service.

Manual Test: Testing using hand-held instruments, immediate control system readouts or direct observation to verify performance (contrasted to analyzing monitored data taken over time to make the ‘observation’).

Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR): A written document that details the project requirements and the expectations of how the building and its systems will be used and operated. These include project goals, measurable performance criteria, cost considerations, benchmarks, success criteria, and supporting information.

Peer Review: A formal in-depth review separate from the commissioning review processes. The level of effort and intensity is much greater than a typical commissioning facilitation or extended commissioning review. The VA usually hires an independent third-party (called the

IDIQ A/E) to conduct peer reviews.

Precision: The ability of an instrument to produce repeatable readings of the same quantity under the same conditions. The precision of an

01 91 00 - 11 instrument refers to its ability to produce a tightly grouped set of values around the mean value of the measured quantity.

Pre-Design Phase Commissioning: Commissioning tasks performed prior to the commencement of design activities that includes project programming and the development of the commissioning process for the project

Pre-Functional Checklist (PFC): A form used by the contractor to verify that appropriate components are onsite, correctly installed, set up, calibrated, functional and ready for functional testing.

Pre-Functional Test (PFT): An inspection or test that is done before functional testing. PFT’s include installation verification and system and component start up tests.

Procedure or Protocol: A defined approach that outlines the execution of a sequence of work or operations. Procedures are used to produce repeatable and defined results.

Range: The upper and lower limits of an instrument’s ability to measure the value of a quantity for which the instrument is calibrated.

Resolution: This word has two meanings in the Cx Process. The first refers to the smallest change in a measured variable that an instrument can detect. The second refers to the implementation of actions that correct a tested or observed deficiency.

Site Observation Visit: On-site inspections and observations made by the Commissioning Agent for the purpose of verifying component, equipment, and system installation, to observe contractor testing, equipment start-up procedures, or other purposes.

Site Observation Reports (SO): Reports of site inspections and observations made by the Commissioning Agent. Observation reports are intended to provide early indication of an installation issue which will need correction or analysis.

Special System Inspections: Inspections required by a local code authority prior to occupancy and are not normally a part of the commissioning process.

Static Tests: Tests or inspections that validate a specified static condition such as pressure testing. Static tests may be specification or code initiated.

Start Up Tests: Tests that validate the component or system is ready for automatic operation in accordance with the manufactures requirements.

01 91 00 - 12

Systems Manual: A system-focused composite document that includes all information required for the owners operators to operate the systems.

Test Procedure: A written protocol that defines methods, personnel, and expectations for tests conducted on components, equipment, assemblies, systems, and interfaces among systems.

Testing: The use of specialized and calibrated instruments to measure parameters such as: temperature, pressure, vapor flow, air flow, fluid flow, rotational speed, electrical characteristics, velocity, and other data in order to determine performance, operation, or function.

Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB): A systematic process or service applied to heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and other environmental systems to achieve and document air and hydronic flow rates. The standards and procedures for providing these services are referred to as “Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing” and are described in the Procedural Standards for the Testing, Adjusting and

Balancing of Environmental Systems, published by NEBB or AABC.

Thermal Scans: Thermographic pictures taken with an Infrared

Thermographic Camera. Thermographic pictures show the relative temperatures of objects and surfaces and are used to identify leaks, thermal bridging, thermal intrusion, electrical overload conditions, moisture containment, and insulation failure.

Training Plan: A written document that details, in outline form the expectations of the operator training. Training agendas should include instruction on how to obtain service, operate, startup, shutdown and maintain all systems and components of the project.

Trending: Monitoring over a period of time with the building automation system.

Unresolved Commissioning Issue: Any Commissioning Issue that, at the time that the Final Report or the Amended Final Report is issued that has not been either resolved by the construction team or accepted by the VA.

Validation: The process by which work is verified as complete and operating correctly:

1. First party validation occurs when a firm or individual verifying the task is the same firm or individual performing the task.

2. Second party validation occurs when the firm or individual verifying the task is under the control of the firm performing the task or has

01 91 00 - 13 other possibilities of financial conflicts of interest in the resolution (Architects, Designers, General Contractors and Third

Tier Subcontractors or Vendors).

3. Third party validation occurs when the firm verifying the task is not associated with or under control of the firm performing or designing the task.

Verification: The process by which specific documents, components, equipment, assemblies, systems, and interfaces among systems are confirmed to comply with the criteria described in the Owner’s Project

Requirements.

Warranty Phase Commissioning: Commissioning efforts executed after a project has been completed and accepted by the Owner. Warranty Phase

Commissioning includes follow-up on verification of system performance, measurement and verification tasks and assistance in identifying warranty issues and enforcing warranty provisions of the construction contract.

Warranty Visit: A commissioning meeting and site review where all outstanding warranty issues and deferred testing is reviewed and discussed.

Whole Building Commissioning: Commissioning of building systems such as

Building Envelope, HVAC, Electrical, Special Electrical (Fire Alarm, Security & Communications), Plumbing and Fire Protection as described in this specification.

1.7 SYSTEMS TO BE COMMISSIONED

A. Commissioning of a system or systems specified for this project is part of the construction process. Documentation and testing of these systems, as well as training of the VA’s Operation and Maintenance personnel, is required in cooperation with the VA and the Commissioning

Agent.

B. The following systems will be commissioned as part of this project:

Systems To Be Commissioned

System Description

Plumbing

Domestic Water

Distribution

Booster pumps, backflow preventers, water softeners, potable water storage tanks

Domestic Hot Water

Systems

Water heaters**, heat exchangers, circulation pumps, point-of-use water heaters*

01 91 00 - 14

Systems To Be Commissioned

System Description

Sewerage Pump Systems Sewage ejectors

Wastewater Pump

Systems

Sump pumps

HVAC

Direct Digital

Control System**

Operator Interface Computer, Operator Work

Station (including graphics, point mapping, trends, alarms), Network Communications Modules and Wiring, Integration Panels. [DDC Control panels will be commissioned with the systems controlled by the panel]

Electrical

Grounding & Bonding

Systems

Witness 3rd party testing, review reports

Low-Voltage

Distribution System

Normal power distribution system, Life-safety power distribution system, critical power distribution system, equipment power distribution system, switchboards, distribution panels, panelboards, verify breaker testing results (injection current, etc)

Electronic Safety and Security

Grounding & Bonding Witness 3rd party testing, review reports

Fire Detection and

Alarm System

100% device acceptance testing, battery draw-down test, verify system monitoring, verify interface with other systems.

Table Notes

1.8 COMMISSIONING TEAM

A. The commissioning team shall consist of, but not be limited to, representatives of Contractor, including Project Superintendent and subcontractors, installers, schedulers, suppliers, and specialists deemed appropriate by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and

Commissioning Agent.

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B. Members hired/appointed/provided by Contractor:

1. Commissioning Agent: An independent third party individual, company, or firm to act as the Commissioning Agent. The

Commissioning Agent is the designated person, company, or entity that plans, schedules, and coordinates the commissioning team to implement the commissioning process.

2. Contractor’ Commissioning Manager: The designated person, company, or entity that plans, schedules and coordinates the commissioning activities for the construction team.

3. Contractor’s Commissioning Representative(s): Individual(s), each having authority to act on behalf of the entity he or she represents, explicitly organized to implement the commissioning process through coordinated actions.

C. Members Appointed by VA:

1. User: Representatives of the facility user and operation and maintenance personnel.

2. A/E: Representative of the Architect and engineering design professionals.

1.9 VA'S COMMISSIONING RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Assign operation and maintenance personnel and schedule them to participate in and observe commissioning team activities including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Coordination meetings.

2. Training in operation and maintenance of systems, subsystems, and equipment.

3. Testing meetings.

4. Witness and assist in Systems Functional Performance Testing.

5. Demonstration of operation of systems, subsystems, and equipment.

B. Provide the Construction Documents, prepared by Architect and approved by VA, to the Commissioning Agent and for use in managing the commissioning process, developing the commissioning plan, systems manuals, and reviewing the operation and maintenance training plan.

1.10 CONTRACTOR'S COMMISSIONING RESPONSIBILITIES

A. The Contractor shall hire the Commissioning Agent for this contract.

B. The Contractor shall assign a Commissioning Manager to manage commissioning activities of the Contractor, and subcontractors. The

Commissioning Manager is different than the Commissioning Agent.

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C. The Contractor shall ensure that the commissioning responsibilities outlined in these specifications are included in all subcontracts and that subcontractors comply with the requirements of these specifications.

D. The Contractor shall ensure that each installing subcontractor shall assign representatives with expertise and authority to act on behalf of the subcontractor and schedule them to participate in and perform commissioning team activities including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Participate in commissioning coordination meetings.

2. Conduct operation and maintenance training sessions in accordance with approved training plans.

3. Verify that Work is complete and systems are operational according to the Contract Documents, including calibration of instrumentation and controls.

4. Evaluate commissioning issues and commissioning observations identified in the Commissioning Issues Log, field reports, test reports or other commissioning documents. In collaboration with entity responsible for system and equipment installation, recommend corrective action.

5. Review and comment on commissioning documentation.

6. Participate in meetings to coordinate Systems Functional Performance

Testing.

7. Provide schedule for operation and maintenance data submittals, equipment startup, and testing to Commissioning Agent for incorporation into the commissioning plan.

8. Provide information to the Commissioning Agent for developing commissioning plan.

9. Participate in training sessions for VA's operation and maintenance personnel.

10. Provide technicians who are familiar with the construction and operation of installed systems and who shall develop specific test procedures to conduct Systems Functional Performance Testing of installed systems.

1.11 COMMISSIONING AGENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Organize and lead the commissioning team.

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B. Prepare the commissioning plan. See Paragraph 1.11-A of this specification Section for further information.

C. Review and comment on selected submittals from the Contractor for general conformance with the Construction Documents. Review and comment on the ability to test and operate the system and/or equipment, including providing gages, controls and other components required to operate, maintain, and test the system. Review and comment on performance expectations of systems and equipment and interfaces between systems relating to the Construction Documents.

D. At the beginning of the construction phase, conduct an initial construction phase coordination meeting for the purpose of reviewing the commissioning activities and establishing tentative schedules for operation and maintenance submittals; operation and maintenance training sessions; TAB Work; Pre-Functional Checklists, Systems

Functional Performance Testing; and project completion.

E. Convene commissioning team meetings for the purpose of coordination, communication, and conflict resolution; discuss status of the commissioning processes. Responsibilities include arranging for facilities, preparing agenda and attendance lists, and notifying participants. The Commissioning Agent shall prepare and distribute minutes to commissioning team members and attendees within five workdays of the commissioning meeting.

F. Observe construction and report progress, observations and issues.

Observe systems and equipment installation for adequate accessibility for maintenance and component replacement or repair, and for general conformance with the Construction Documents.

G. Prepare Project specific Pre-Functional Checklists and Systems

Functional Performance Test procedures.

H. Coordinate Systems Functional Performance Testing schedule with the

Contractor.

I. Witness selected systems startups.

J. Verify selected Pre-Functional Checklists completed and submitted by the Contractor.

K. Witness and document Systems Functional Performance Testing.

L. Compile test data, inspection reports, and certificates and include them in the systems manual and commissioning report.

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M. Review and comment on operation and maintenance (O&M) documentation and systems manual outline for compliance with the Contract Documents.

Operation and maintenance documentation requirements are specified in

Paragraph 1.25, Section 01 00 00 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.

N. Review operation and maintenance training program developed by the

Contractor. Verify training plans provide qualified instructors to conduct operation and maintenance training.

O. Prepare commissioning Field Observation Reports.

P. Prepare the Final Commissioning Report.

Q. Return to the site at 10 months into the 12 month warranty period and review with facility staff the current building operation and the condition of outstanding issues related to the original and seasonal

Systems Functional Performance Testing. Also interview facility staff and identify problems or concerns they have operating the building as originally intended. Make suggestions for improvements and for recording these changes in the O&M manuals. Identify areas that may come under warranty or under the original construction contract. Assist facility staff in developing reports, documents and requests for services to remedy outstanding problems.

R. Assemble the final commissioning documentation, including the Final

Commissioning Report and Addendum to the Final Commissioning Report.

1.12 COMMISSIONING DOCUMENTATION

A. Commissioning Plan: A document, prepared by Commissioning Agent, that outlines the schedule, allocation of resources, and documentation requirements of the commissioning process, and shall include, but is not limited, to the following:

1. Plan for delivery and review of submittals, systems manuals, and other documents and reports. Identification of the relationship of these documents to other functions and a detailed description of submittals that are required to support the commissioning processes.

Submittal dates shall include the latest date approved submittals must be received without adversely affecting commissioning plan.

2. Description of the organization, layout, and content of commissioning documentation (including systems manual) and a detailed description of documents to be provided along with identification of responsible parties.

3. Identification of systems and equipment to be commissioned.

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4. Schedule of Commissioning Coordination meetings.

5. Identification of items that must be completed before the next operation can proceed.

6. Description of responsibilities of commissioning team members.

7. Description of observations to be made.

8. Description of requirements for operation and maintenance training.

9. Schedule for commissioning activities with dates coordinated with overall construction schedule.

10. Process and schedule for documenting changes on a continuous basis to appear in Project Record Documents.

11. Process and schedule for completing prestart and startup checklists for systems, subsystems, and equipment to be verified and tested.

12. Preliminary Systems Functional Performance Test procedures.

B. Systems Functional Performance Test Procedures: The Commissioning

Agent will develop Systems Functional Performance Test Procedures for each system to be commissioned, including subsystems, or equipment and interfaces or interlocks with other systems. Systems Functional

Performance Test Procedures will include a separate entry, with space for comments, for each item to be tested. Preliminary Systems

Functional Performance Test Procedures will be provided to the VA, Architect/Engineer, and Contractor for review and comment. The Systems

Performance Test Procedure will include test procedures for each mode of operation and provide space to indicate whether the mode under test responded as required. Each System Functional Performance Test procedure, regardless of system, subsystem, or equipment being tested, shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Name and identification code of tested system.

2. Test number.

3. Time and date of test.

4. Indication of whether the record is for a first test or retest following correction of a problem or issue.

5. Dated…